Wow! Don't those late night infomercials make this one look great? There's a lot of problems in this one both versus what they say and versus other Ab machines out there (and I swear - I pretty much have them all, I'm a sucker for a good infomercial).
So, here's the rankings vs. what they promise:
- A back massage and neck support: 0 stars
Those rollers sure look like they'd give a massage - but, in fact, they are not comfortable and there is definitely no massaging going on. I'd say this is easier on the back than crunches - but not by much. Since the back is one size fits all - whether you get neck support is going to vary by your neck and torso length. Tall people be particularly wary. That said, you are not on it that long. It's really a five minute work out.
- Quality: 1-star
Really flimsiy made for an exercise machine. Particularly cheap handles and attachments. Doesn't click the way they say it will in the ads. If you are a larger/wider person this thing may not stand up to your weight, and the small seat is definitely going to bother you. It's made cheaply all the way around - or there is poor quality control going on.
- Ability for anyone to use it - 4.0 Stars
Comes with a DVD that has routines for every level from beginner to advanced, and three different level tension cords that attach the seat to the back that make the exercises harder or easier. There's also they typical meal planner and recipe book that comes w/ all of these because any promises of losing inches ARE ALWAYS based upon you BOTH following the plan and using the machine.
- Value of exercies for abs - 3.0-4.0 stars
If you just sit on this thing and rock up and down like a rocking chair, as the ads imply, it won't hurt - but isn't going to do that much good (and there's far better machines out there for that like the Ab Lounge Sport that give you better range more comfortably. However, those are harder to work the obliques - and the twister motion on this works. But, the way this does the most is by following the routine that's appropriate for you on the DVD.
-Versus other ab products 1-star
I liked the idea of this because I thought it combined the benefits and ease of the Ab Lounge (without being so big and bulky) and my favorite all time informercial ab machine, the AB Dolly Plus (without requiring the hard floor space to use) into one. But, the poor design and flimsy construction, plus the lack of comfort using it just don't stand up.
BOTTOM LINE: There are better all around and better made ab products out there that will do the job as effectively, if not more so. This one just doesn't deliver on the promises of the ads and for the cost it's quality is below par. It's just not one I'd want to use everyday. Recommend looking at other options.
I would have gladly paid $20 more to had a better quality product. Seat comes pre assembled but 2 screws are stripped out. Stitching ripped out on Velcro tension spring safety bands. Instructions poorly written. Great invention too bad the quality and workmanship are so inferior.
This review is a review for both the product and the company that makes it since I believe that a great product has a great team behind it.
Bottom line: This product does not work. Why? I'll give you a detailed account.
The first day I got this product in the mail, I was super excited to try it. I opened and set it up, and put the lowest resistance bands on since I don't work out at all! The exercises on the DVD made it look so simple! My only problem was that I could never get the headrest in the right position- I just didn't know how my head is supposed to rest on the headrest and where? The brochure didn't make it very clear. Anyway, I start to do the exercise and even though it felt ridiculously easy and I didn't sweat a single drop of water, I felt that maybe I needed the medium resistance. Still nothing. My muscles didn't get a lick of workout after sitting on it and going up and down for thirty minutes. Finally, astounded I put on the hardest one and that gave my abs just a tad bit of workout. Mind you, I am in decent shape and I have some fat around my tummy but I just wanted to firm and tone my ab muscles and after 21 days of religiously working out on this ridiculous thing, I saw just a tiny bit of improvement from just rocking on this thing, I guess. It just didn't work for me at all.
Now, here comes the fun part. When I went to return the product, I was first told that my 30 days trial was up and I couldn't return it. I told the lady starting from the day that I got the product and to that day, it had only been 23 days. She apologized and said, okay send it back! So I used UPS to send it back so that it would get there in time. Well turns out, UPS took 11 days to deliver it. So by this time, it had been 35 days and when I called them to see what was taking them so long to process my refund, they flat out told me that they couldn't give me because I was over 30 days. I told them that it's not my fault that UPS took 11 days and after much talk, the customer service guy just hung up on me! I couldn't believe it! First he was rude, and literally shouting in my ear, and when I told him that he is being disrespectful, he just hung up the phone in my face. I was appalled! I have never had a cust. rep just blatantly hang up while I am talking calmly! Anyway, I called my c.c. company who gave them a call and when the lady picked up the phone, she sounded so frustrated as if I was making her take time out of her busy non-nonsensical job to.. you know, actually help the customer and after much harassment from her (and this while my credit card company is on the 3-way!!), she finally agreed to process a refund but she told me she couldn't give me back the $14.95 which they advertised was refundable if I returned the product! After, I explained this to her, she started screaming and shouting to the point where I was just asked her to calm down. She pretty much told me to go fudge off and hung up the phone on me! Again!! I am the nicest person you can ever meet and I am really sweet to everybody so for them to just hang up on me like that was so extraordinary! Even my credit card company's rep was shocked! Anyway, I have learned my lesson. NEVER order from tv infomercials EVER again! Amazon is the way to go.
I've had the thing a couple months now, and yes, it's one of those things you get and just sits there, in the way, tripping over it, etc. I admit to getting the "AbDoer" thing a while back, with essentially was a chair with rollers on your back getting you the wrong kind of sore that you are looking for. That was a huge waste of money. This thing at least looked a little more motivational with plenty of movement options. But, no, you sit on the floor, wreck your back, and your posture is so screwed up you regret every minute of it. It comes with a riveting DVD of nothingness, so you really are on your own. It feels like it's going to break at any moment, there is no comfort in it's use, but you just trust that it's not creating damage. The next day you basically feel like someone took a bat to your back. And after all that, I'm not even sure where the "ab" factor comes into play. I give it an extra star as maybe it might be better for smaller framed people or older kids. But after putting this thing together (not fun), it is taking too much room as it has no appeal to anyone. In the basement it goes.
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