I have received a number of thank you's from readers on my honest review of the Bowflex Dumbbells that I use almost daily that I thought I would review another piece of fitness equipment that I use about 5 times / week, the Ab Rocket
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Now let me say right now that there is no way in heck I would buy the Ab Rocket myself. I am too suspicious of fitness equipment. Too many companies trying to make a quick buck selling garbage and way too many gullible people falling for the scams. No, this was all my wife's doing ;) She bought the Ab Rocket at some local store and, of course, I was the one who had to put it together for her, wondering the whole time why she would buy such a crazy contraption when she could do situps like everyone else.
Of course, the reason I am writing this review is because it turns out I freaking love the Ab Rocket after 5 months of faithful use. My abs have never been stronger, my stomach is flat, and my clothes fit nice. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me tell you the story ;)
Assembly
So I have read the reviews on Amazon about people having problems assembling the Ab Rocket. Seriously, it is not that hard. I swear this world is made up of drama queens and kings. Now the coils that connect the seat back to the base need to provide tension to help you do an ab crunch. Therefore, they just fit. They don't slide on easy, but they don't slide on really hard either. They just fit. It might take you more time than you would like to get them on, but remember that you don't have to do this ever again. I have had the same set of beginner coils on my Ab Rocket for 5 months and quite frankly I will probably never take them off. I like my abs just as they are thank you ;) However, expect to be a little nervous putting on those coils. Yes, I was afraid I might pinch my fingers, but it never did happen.
Ab Rocket Coils
So the key to tha Ab Rocket is that you have three sets of coils that help you do Ab Crunches. The idea here is that they provide a little help when you do a crunch. Each set of coils provides more help than the others. Let me say that all of us that bought the Ab Rocket wish the coils would help a little more than they do and you will, too. Seriously, I am still using the coils that are supposed to help the most and I will probably never take them off. Both my wife and I looked at the coils in bewilderment wondering why they don't help more than they do. If you are a quitter, chances are you will get upset right then and there and return it.
I am still using the beginner coils and my abs are strong. I am not talking a well-defined six pack, but if you press on my abs they are all muscle and you will see the hint of a six-pack. Quite frankly that is all I need. I think lean muscle is so much more attractive, personally.
Who the Ab Rocket is Designed For
Here is the bad news. The Ab Rocket seems to work best for a particular body. Seriously, it just does not work for my wife as she is taller than me and it does not accommodate her measurements.
- Height: If you are taller than 5' 10“, do not buy the Ab Rocket unless you have a short torso. And if you are right around 5' 10“, I would try it out at a store first just to be sure. If you are 5' 8“ or less, you will do fine.
- Weight: If you have a pretty large belly, and sorry, I don't know how to be more specific, I wouldn't buy it. Honestly, I don't think the Ab Rocket was meant for fairly overweight people ( large bellies ) to lose weight. The coils just aren't strong enough and you will be disappointed in that there is not enough assistance to help you with the ab crunch. Now that being said, I know women usually tend to carry their weight in the hips and thighs which should be fine. I am talking about belly weight here as the coils need to help pull up the torso, which includes the belly.
Again, those less than 5' 10“ that don't have a significant amount of belly weight should be fine.
Ab Rocket Quality
My first reaction to the Ab Rocket when my wife first brought it home was that it seemed a little flimsy to me. Actually, the handles seemed flimsy to me as mine move around a bit. I thought it would break for sure. The cushions and coils didn't impress me, but honestly, I am really suspicious of fitness equipment and in retrospect was being too hard on the Ab Rocket.
Let me just say that after 5 months nothing has broken, tore, or anything. All my worrying was for nothing. I use it 5 times a week and sometimes my kids screw around with it ( when I am not looking ) and the Ab Rocket has performed flawlessly. I have to say that I never thought it would survive 5 months of 5 days / week workouts but it has flawlessly. I am happy with the quality.
Those Wanting a Massage
Again, this one comes from the Amazon Reviews. There must be something in the Ab Rocket marketing that says it massages your back as you do an Ab Crunch and there are a few people who are upset that it doesn't. I guess since the cushions on the back rest are round and could spin there may be a chance that you get a massage while doing an ab crunch.
Alright, well shame on the idiot marketing folks for suggesting the Ab Rocket gave you a massage as I never felt a massage. Quite frankly I never expected a massage. My wife won't massage me, sigh :(, so I never expected it from a piece of fitness equipment!
But seriously, if you are expecting a massage while doing an ab crunch, you are barking up the wrong tree. Here's the deal. Work out consistently and get some fine abs, and I think there will be a special person in your life that will give you a good massage ;) Don't use me as an example as my wife has the greatest intentions of giving me a massage but ends up just resting her hand on my back while watching her favorite TV show. Some of you guys may know what I am talking about. It's a freaking tease ;) Oh, well, there are a thousand other reasons why I love her and a massage is the least of my concerns :)
Using the Ab Rocket
So, I have been using the Ab Rocket about 5 times / week for 5 months. Seriously, and I am not saying this to toot my horn, my abs are pretty darn nice and yours will be, too. Don't get frustrated as mentioned before that the Ab Rocket beginner coils are not as helpful as you would like it to be. We all have felt that way, and quite frankly, I am surprised at the good results. I will permanently be using the beginner coils, but if you want that well-defined six pack, then you will probably want to adjust them.
Just take your time, be patient, and focus on the long-term outlook. Your abs are core muscles and you do not want to overwork them for fear of a hernia. Again, let me repeat, do not work the abs to exhaustion. Breathe properly, use good technique, and slowly build up their strength. Use the beginner coils, be consistent, take your time, and you will see results. I am talking from experience here.
One of the things I noticed is that from time-to-time my Ab Rocket will squeak. You will see this on the Amazon reviews. I can't quite figure out the reason for this. I assume that a cushion on the back rest may stick and rub the carpet or something. Totally unscientific here, but if you have a tile floor, use the Ab Rocket on a tile floor or rug on a tile floor from time-to-time and the squeaking appears to go away.
To be honest, I am okay with a little squeaking. I put on my iPod and don't really hear it. Just work through the squeaking and think about the nice abs.
The big value of the Ab Rocket is the:
- Slight help with an Ab Crunch
- The support on your neck and head which takes off the pressure from a normal sit-up
Make sure you gently lay your head on the Ab Rocket to keep the pressure off your neck and head. Relax. Most important - breath correctly and take it easy on your abs. Don't work them to exhaustion and get a hernia. Proper technique and consistency will give you the desired results.
Conclusion
I am not sure else what to say here. I am pleased with the Ab Rocket. What I thought was a goofy purchase by my wife has turned out to be a piece of fitness equipment that I swear by. It is so much easier than regular sit-ups and takes a lot of pressure off my neck.
I place it next to the TV and have my iPod on or a good music video on demand.
If it works for you, let me know via my Contact Page. I have been delighted by those who have thanked me for my review of the Bowflex Dumbells.
Learn more about the Ab Rocket on Amazon!
Be healthy. Take Care.
David Hayden