Popular Abdominal Exercise Equipment

As the Western world and Japan experience startling increases in the rate of obesity, physical fitness entrepreneurs are rushing new products onto the market to take advantage of complementary diet and exercise fad niches. One of the more common products that sells in these niches is abdominal exercise equipment. This is because just about everyone would like to have flat abs – or at least the type of abs that don't hang over your belt.

The Ab Roller is one of the cheapest pieces of abdominal exercise equipment currently on the market. It's a small box with a roller in it that resembles a dust buster with bicycle handles. The user gets on his knees, puts his hands on the handle bars, and then rolls back and forth, moving from all fours to his stomach; and then back again. Each movement requires the user to flex and hold his muscles, increasing his abdominal strength. Not only is this piece of abdominal exercise equipment cheap (it usually sells for $15-25), but it is also portable, which means you don't have to fall out of your work out regimen if you go on vacation.

Another piece of popular abdominal exercise equipment is the BowFlex. This machine uses wound-cord resistance to make work outs as hard or as easy as you want them. Rather than dealing with all sorts of heavy weights – or a weight system – you can simply build your abdominal strength by pulling on resistant, coiled cords. The best part is that you can slowly increase the resistance as you build strength. The BowFlex isn't cheap, but you may be able to get a lesser model for as little as $900.

Regardless of what abdominal exercise equipment you purchase – be it expensive or cheap – the ultimate determinant of your success is your will and your ability to stick to your regimen. If you aren't yet committed, save yourself the extra expense and purchase an Ab Roller.