Ab Circle Pro has become one of the most popular ab machines in the world today. It began in the US but quickly became a hit in countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, even India.
With a clever infomercial and beautiful models who make it seem so easy and yet so effective, there’s no wonder why this machine has become such a best-seller.
However, as someone who’s been involved in the diet and fitness field for years now, I know that infomercials usually paint a much rosier picture then what the real quality of most products are.
I wanted to find the whole truth about the Ab Circle Pro and present you with the best review possible on the matter.
Ab Circle Pro Overview
The Ab Circle Pro is a machine which claims to be able to burn belly fat fast by combining a cardio workout with an abs workout.
You use it by placing your knees on knee-pads, grabbing two handles with both hands, and assuming a position similar to on-all-fours as you can see on the picture to the right.
Then, you rotate you legs from side to side and so achieve a cardio stimulation. The basic position and the movement are supposed to work your abs at the same time.
In addition to this exercise, you can adjust the machine to work the thighs and tone your buttocks, so it’s more than just an abs machine, even though this is what it’s marketed as and its main feature.
The machine comes with a workout DVD and an eating manual.
1 Thing You Need To Know
1 claim which a lot of infomercials for ab equipment make or hint at is that using this or that exercise machine can lead to belly fat loss. This is impossible because it has long been proven that you can’t spot reduce fat from a specific body part by exercising that body part.
Our body burns fat as a single unit, so it doesn’t matter which body part we workout, we burn fat from our entire body.
Therefore, to really burn stomach fat, you need to invest your time in maximum fat burning workouts and not just ab exercises which are less effective than others at fat burning.
The Ab Circle Pro may give you a cardio stimulation, but it certainly doesn’t work your entire body. In addition, you will probably get a bigger cardio stimulation with running, rowing, or a lot of other cardio workouts.
In addition, the Ab Circle Pro may work the abs, but it doesn’t work your entire body. You will still need to workout more to get the results you’re seeking. This isn’t a magical solution. Be aware of that.
Pros and Cons of Ab Circle Pro
This list of pros and cons is based on multiple reviews and testimonials I’ve read regarding this machine.
Pros:
- Portable and easy to store
- Can work the abs, thighs, and buns
- Comes with a workout DVD
- Some people report it’s fun to use
- Can be used at home
Cons:
- There are many reports that the knee pads are far from comfortable and can even be painful
- Has a weight limit so it’s not good for too heavy people
- The machine tends to break. You can get an additional warranty period if you pay more when you buy the machine
- Some people say that you get more strain in your arms than abs
- Some users reported that the resistance isn’t that high, so you can probably get a better workout in more traditional ways.
- Expensive at over $200 full price
- Doesn’t really cover the 3 fundamentals required to really lose belly fat and get flat abs.
In Conclusion
Only you can decide whether you want to get the Ab Circle Pro or not. No one can do it for you.
I recommend that you only get it if you can afford the $200 it costs and if you’re sure you will use it often. Also, don’t get it if it’s going to become your only workout tool. This will not lead to the best results. The Ab Circle Pro can be one of the tools you use to exercise. You need to train your entire body with proper exercises to lose belly fat and get flat abs.
Update (8/27/2012) – The makers of the Ab Circle Pro were made to pay up to $25 million in refunds by the FTC due to making false claims in their advertisements (full story here).
Update (29/10/2012) – Consumer Reports reviewed the Ab Circle Pro, and the conclusion was far from flattering. Here is a video by them which explains their position: