In this article, we will look at some of the best abdominal exercise equipment for the home. Any and all of the devices will help you to get a six pack, but they can’t perform magic.
If you have a layer of fat on your abdomen, no matter how hard you exercise, you won’t see much in the way of muscle definition. So unless you’re one of those rare people who can eat anything without gaining weight, you will also need to do regular cardio workouts and eat sensibly to reduce your level of body fat.
The abdominal exercise equipment we look at will improve the appearance of your abs and strengthen your core. With a strong core, your posture will be better, and you will be able to prevent lower back pain.
Keep reading for information on some of the best abdominal exercise equipment for the home that you can use.
Best Abdominal Exercise Equipment
1. Sit Up Bench
The Sit Up Bench or Ab Bench is a versatile fitness aid that you can use to tone and strengthen your entire upper and lower abs and your obliques. Most exercises are done lying on the board with your feet tucked beneath the end supports. From this position, you can do exercises such as Sit-Ups and Crunches.
To get the most from the exercises, buy an adjustable bench that can be used flat, inclined or declined. This will enable you to vary the muscles you target. The steeper the incline you work at, the greater the resistance will be and the more challenging the workout. For the toughest workout, do Decline Sit-Ups.
If you’re short on space, look for a folding Sit Up Bench that your can store between workouts.
Click this link to read a review of the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench Series 5.1
Click here to view Sit Up Benches on Amazon
2. Power Tower
The Power Tower, AKA the Knee Raise Station, is a free-standing Pull Up Bar. Used to work the entire upper and lower body, including the core, chest, arms, back and quads, it is one of the most effective pieces of exercise equipment for abs you can use. In fact, studies into its benefits revealed that it delivers better results than traditional Crunches. The frame of the device is static, with the exerciser making the movement using their bodyweight.
An example of an ab exercise you can do on the Power Tower is the Knee Raise, which primarily targets the lower abs. To do a Knee Raise, stand in the vertical knee raise station, facing outwards. Rest your forearms on the machine’s handles to support your weight, and lift your feet off the ground. With your back resting against the backrest, bend your knees, lifting them up to hip level while bracing your hips. To work your obliques, twist your midsection as you lift your knees.
To increase the intensity, raise your legs straight out in front of you at hip level, or wear a weighted vest, ankle weights, or strap one end of a resistance band around your feet and attach the other end to the bottom of the tower. Alternatively, hold a dumbbell between your feet while doing the Knee Raises.
Click this link to read a review of the Body Vision PT600 Power Tower
Click here to view Power Towers on Amazon
3. Pull Up Bar
If you want to be able to do Chin Ups and Knee Raises and you don’t have the room or the budget for a Power Tower, the Pull Up Bar is a great alternative. You won’t be able to work as many muscles groups as you can with a Power Tower, but it will give you an excellent upper body and ab workout.
Options besides the Freestanding-Tower Pull Up Bars include removable doorway frame Pull Up Bars and permanently attached Pull Up Bars.
Doorway Frame Pull Up Bars are attached to a door frame. They’re a good option if you want to be able to store the device between workouts. One downside is that your door frame will need to be robust enough to support your weight. The door will also need to be the right size to accommodate the bar. Before you purchase, measure your door and refer to the Pull Up Bar manufacturer’s specifications to see if it is suitable.
Permanently attached Pull Up Bars bolt onto a door frame, ceiling or beams. You can buy a system to install or make one using mounting brackets and a bar.
Click this link to read a review of the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Pull Up Bar
Click here to view Pull Up Bars on Amazon
4. Roman Chair
No list of the best abdominal exercise equipment would be complete without the Roman Chair. Also known as the hyperextension bench, its main focus is the back, but it can be used to exercise almost every muscle group including the abs, hamstrings, and glutes. Endorsed by physical therapists as a means of treating back pain, it is also useful for improving posture and rehabilitating from an injury.
One of the best ab exercises you can do on this apparatus is the Roman Chair Twist. To do a Roman Chair Twist, sit on the bench and secure the top of your feet beneath the chair’s pad. Bracing your abs, lean back, turning your waist from side to side. Lift yourself back up, then repeat the movement for the desired number of reps.
To intensify the workout, perform the exercise while holding a weight plate at arm’s length.
Click here to view Roman Chairs on Amazon
5. Balance Trainer
The Balance Trainer is an excellent fitness aid that can be used to get a total body workout or to focus on specific areas such as the ab. Comprising a flat platform on one side and a curved rubber dome on the other, the device can be used with either side facing upwards. Whichever way you use it, its surface will be unstable, requiring you to engage your core muscles to maintain balance.
Following are two simple yet effective ab exercises that can be done on a Balance Trainer.
First, with the domed size facing upwards, assume a Plank position. Resting your right forearm on the dome, allow your right shoulder to bend downward so that your weight is resting on your right forearm. Rise back to your starting position, then work your left side. Repeat, alternate the side your work.
For a more challenging workout, turn the ball over so that the board is on top. Again assume a Plank position, rocking yourself from side to side. This is more challenging than the first exercise as you will have to work harder to keep the platform stable.
Along with targeting your abs, this exercise will work your arms and your chest. If you can’t balance the board, placing your feet at approximately should-width apart will make it easier.
Click this link to read a review of the Bosu Balance Trainer
Click here to view Balance Trainers on Amazon
6. Ab Roller Wheel
The Ab Roller is a simple and inexpensive piece of exercise equipment for abs that is lightweight and portable. Comprising a wheel with two handles 
protruding from its center, the primary exercise done with an Ab Roller is the Rollout.
To do an Ab Rollout, start by kneeling on the floor with the Roller in front of you. Grip the handles, then slowly push it forward until your arms are stretched straight out in front of you. After holding this position briefly, slowly roll back to your starting position. This movement targets the abs, obliques and hip flexors, as well as the arms, shoulders, chest and back.
To work your obliques, roll out to either side rather than straight forward.
For a more challenging workout, the exercise can be done from a standing position using a wall to stop you from rolling too far forward.
Click this link to read ab roller reviews
Click here to view Ab Rollers on Amazon
The Best Abdominal Exercise Equipment Summary
I hope this article on the best abdominal exercise equipment will help you decide which, if any of the equipment, will be right for you.
There are plenty of bodyweight exercises that will get you a flat, defined ab without using any equipment. Personally, I find it easier to stick with an ab routine when I incorporate exercise equipment for abs. Whichever way you decide to go, be consistent, and you will get results.
