Guide To Buying An Ab Wheel

An ab wheel or roller comes different widths and sizes and is useful for strengthening your core and training your abdominal muscles. An ab wheel is not ideal for individuals who are new to working out or have taken a long break from core training. It is best suited to more experienced individuals who train their core regularly.

Product Comparison Table

Name
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Price
Store
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Vinsguir Ab Roller

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Best Ab Roller For Beginners
Fitnessery Ab Roller

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Best Single Wheel Ab Roller For Beginners
Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro

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Best Ab Wheel For Advanced Athletes
Odoland 3-In-1 AB Wheel Roller Kit 

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Best For Serious Beginners
Lifeline Power Wheel

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Best Ab Wheel For Lower Abs
Valeo Inc. - Dual Ab Wheel

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Best Ab Wheel For Rollouts

What To Look for

03/01/2020

1

Wide wheels are stable. Narrow wheels are versatile.

Wide wheels are stable. Narrow wheels are versatile.
  • The wheel should ideally be as stable as possible because a wobbly wheel can cause you to lose balance and injure yourself. Wider wheels are generally more stable than narrower ones. 
  • However, if you have experience with stability training, a narrow wheel will offer much more versatility than a wide wheel because you can use it at an angle to target the obliques, the muscles on the sides of your abdomen.
2

Go with a rubber lined double wheel if you’re a beginner.

Go with a rubber lined double wheel if you’re a beginner.
  • Ab rollers come with either a single or double wheel.
  • Beginners may find it comparatively easier to use a double wheel since it provides more stability.
  • Additionally, a wheel with rubber lining will grip the ground much better than a plastic wheel, especially on smooth floors.
3

Look for thick and textured handles.

Look for thick and textured handles.
  1. The handles must be thick enough for you to be able to wrap your palm around them. 
  2. The surface of the handles should be textured to keep your hand from slipping. 
  3. Some handles offer a cushioned grip, to alleviate the stress from your wrist joints as your hands will be pushing against your body weight during the movement.
4

Heavy individuals must be sure of the weight capacity.

Heavy individuals must be sure of the weight capacity.
  • If you’re over 250 lbs, check to see whether the Ab wheel’s weight rating is more than your bodyweight.  
  • If the wheel breaks while you’re doing a rollout or any other exercise, it can lead to serious injury. 

Top Picks

Best Ab Roller For Beginners

Best Ab Roller For Beginners

Vinsguir Ab Roller

For $16.97

  • Cushioned grips to prevent wrist pain
  • 440lb weight rating
  • Softer wheel to keep it steady while you roll it out
Best Single Wheel Ab Roller For Beginners

Best Single Wheel Ab Roller For Beginners

Fitnessery Ab Roller

For $14.99

  • Thicker wheel lets you focus more on your abs and less on the stabilizer muscles.
  • Includes knee pads for cushioning
  • Very comfortable handles
Best Ab Wheel For Advanced Athletes

Best Ab Wheel For Advanced Athletes

Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro

For $39.99

  • Heavy wheel provides extra resistance
  • Can be used at angles
  • Great for advanced users
  • Difficult for beginners
Best For Serious Beginners

Best For Serious Beginners

Odoland 3-In-1 AB Wheel Roller Kit 

For $20.99

  • Can be reduced to two wheels for added challenge when you progress
  • Includes a resistance band and other accessories
  • 3 wheels provide incredible stability
Best Ab Wheel For Lower Abs

Best Ab Wheel For Lower Abs

Lifeline Power Wheel

For $49.99

  • Foot straps to give core workouts variation
  • Excellent for targeting lower abs
  • Cushioned grips absorb tension from wrists
  • Handles are a bit thin
Best Ab Wheel For Rollouts

Best Ab Wheel For Rollouts

Valeo Inc. - Dual Ab Wheel

For $29.99

  • Stable and lightweight makes it easy for beginners
  • Great price
  • Exercise manual included

Common Questions

Q:How effective is the Ab wheel?

A:

The ab wheel helps you perform some of the most strenuous ab exercises. The ab wheel or ab roller works on your entire core and stabilizer muscles. The ab wheel is more effective in strengthening your core than regular ab exercises, such as crunches. This is because it activates the secondary muscles such as transverse abdominis and the internal and external obliques.

Q:As a beginner, can I jump straight to the ab wheel?

A:

No. You need to have excellent core strength and upper body strength to use the ab wheel. Proper form is a must, otherwise, you could strain your lower back. One must use the ab wheel only if they can comfortably do other ab exercises such as crunches, sit-ups, and planks.

Q:How to use the Ab wheel?

A:
  • Get on all fours and keep your knees at hip-width.
  • Grasp the ab wheel firmly. Brace your core by squeezing your abs tightly.
  • While keeping your back straight, lean your body forward by rolling the wheel away from you.
  • At the end of the movement, pause for a second and then slowly roll back the wheel.
  • Do not go all the way back to the starting position; stop midway and then repeat the exercise.

Q: What are some other ab wheel exercises?

A:

You can do several other exercises, like ab wheel planks, knee roll-outs, front roll-outs, V roll-outs, single-arm roll-outs, oblique tucks, and bridge hold. Keep in mind that most of these exercises will require great core strength and proper form.

Q:What kind of ab wheel should I look for?

A:

Choose a wheel with ergonomically placed handles so that gripping them is easy and doesn’t cause discomfort. They should be suitably padded to prevent any pain in your palms after the workout. The wheel must be sturdy and should have enough tensile strength to sustain your weight easily.

Q:Will the ab wheel help me lose belly fat?

A:

No, it won’t. Ab wheels work on your core and various abdominal muscles. So, the ab wheel will target the muscle underneath the belly fat. To lose belly fat, you need a proper diet- Green leafy vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs. Avoid junk food and soda, drink lots of water, and follow a proper sleep cycle.

Q:Will the ab wheel help me build my obliques?

A:

Yes, an ab wheel can help you build your obliques. You can do this by adding a variation to the regular rollout. Instead of going straight when you roll the wheel, turn the wheel at a 45-degree angle towards the right. You can alternate between right and left with each repetition or complete one set by rolling right and the other by rolling left. The action of twisting your torso as you go down places stress on your obliques.

Other exercises that target your obliques include oblique knee tuck and single-leg rollout.

Q:Will the ab wheel help me build my lower abs?

A:

Yes, the ab wheel is very effective at targeting your lower abs. By using proper form, you can activate your lower abs when you perform the various rollout exercises. Keep in mind that you move into the posterior pelvic tilt, that is, curving your back instead of keeping it straight and rigid. By doing this, you flex your spine and put stress on your lower abs.

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