8 of the Best Ab Gliders for an Ultra-Toned Core

With exercise rates skyrocketing thanks to New Year's resolutions, there’s more incentive than ever to scoop up a piece of accessible workout equipment for yourself, if only to stay out of the overcrowded gyms. And while it's relatively easy to find a machine that will target your legs, upper body and allow for cardio, finding tools that focus on your core can be a little more challenging. The core is one of the most difficult muscle groups to fully engage because of all the movement that's happening in the torso, but once you do, you can burn belly fat, improve balance, decrease back pain and more, with improvements happening at just 15 minutes a day. Whether you’re aiming for a washboard six-pack or simply want to tone up, an ab glider may be your best friend when it comes to your oblique’s needs.

What Is an Ab Glider?

Ab gliders are exercise tools that work by engaging your side obliques and transverse abdominal muscles in up and down and side-to-side movements. While many come in the form of heavy-duty, self-powered steel machines, there are smaller options that feature elements such as roller wheels and sliders that can all be used from the comfort of your own home.

What to Look For in an Ab Glider

We made our selections by looking at a few essential qualities.

  • Durability: To truly get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to go with something sturdy that’ll last you years to come. Most of these machines support upwards of 200 pounds and are constructed with steel frames.

  • Size: How much space you have is a large factor when it comes to choosing between a machine that keeps your body in one place and one with rollers and sliders.

  • Safety: Many ab gliders are designed in a manner that will reduce strain on your back and knees, so it's important to keep a lookout for these features when making your selection. While most ab gliders are ideal for hardwood floors, there are versions that work on carpets and mats as well, so you'll also want to take that into account before use.

How to Use an Ab Glider

Although each one works slightly differently, the ideal way to use an ab glider for the most effective workout is to lock your equipment into position, kneel on the kneepads, grab the handlebars and pull yourself up towards your arms while squeezing your abdominal muscles. From there, you'll want to loosen and straighten your arms to move back into your original position.

The Best Ab Gliders at a Glance

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1. Fitlaya Fitness Core Ab Glider

Best Overall Ab Glider

This bad boy comes with a curved track design that engages your muscles more intensely and four adjustable height settings. It has cushioned support for your hands and knees, so you can get shredded while still being kind to your joints. Better yet, you can track how many calories you’ve burnt with the handy LCD training monitor, and it can be conveniently folded to save space.

$116 at Amazon

2. Bigzzia Ab Glider

Best Heavy-Duty Ab Glider

Not only can this ab glider support up to a whopping 550 pounds with its steel plate, it’s also constructed with a foldable design that can be tucked away for storage. For an extra bonus, its computer tracks your workout time while its rollers allow for a noise-free workout experience.

$127 at Amazon

3. AbCoaster Max Ab Glider

Best Ab Glider for All Levels

Sculpt your lower, middle and upper abdominals with this reliable apparatus that works by creating a natural arc with a slider motion that contracts your core from the bottom up. It reportedly causes less strain on the neck than other ab gliders, and it has a twisting seat that makes it easy to target your side obliques. It also comes partially assembled, so it can be put together in minutes, according to the company.

$250 at Amazon

4. Ab Trainer Glider

Best Ab Glider Safety Features

Not only does this ab glider work the arms and legs along with the core, it comes with five adjustable strengths and slope levels to meet your workout needs. And, with its dual track design, the company claims that it offers a safer, more stable exercising experience.

Buy It ($100)

5. XtremepowerUS Ab Glider

Best Ab Glider for Beginners

For those who struggle with finding their form, this machine comes with a curved track that allows for the perfect lift. It also has an adjustable cushioned seat and the ability to add extra weights as needed, so you can work your way up as you build more muscle.

Buy It ($600 $220)

6. Zimtown Ab Glider

Most Intense Ab Glider

According to the company, you can see results with this ab glider with only five minutes of use a day. Boasting four resistance levels and a calorie tracker, this machine enables you to perform reverse crunches will that not only target your core, but your glutes and legs as well. You can also track your progress with its LCD display that monitors your calories burnt and moves per minute.

Buy It ($83)

7. Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller

Best Ab Roller

This ab roller reportedly deeply engages both sides of the oblique muscles and the entire core by rolling the user left, right and back to a starting position with its kinetic carbon steel spring mechanism, which provides ultimate resistance. It also comes with foam knee pads and and hand grips for a stable, effective workout.

$40 at Amazon

8. Core Coaster Ab Glider

Best Ab Wheel Glider

According to the company, this wheeled ab glider targets your oblique muscles over 400 percent more than regular crunches with its omnidirectional movement. A versatile piece of equipment, its rubber rollers work on any hard surface around the house and its large surface area is the perfect size for both hands and feet. It also comes with instructions on how to navigate 30 challenging movements that not only aim to strengthen your core, but improve your flexibility and coordination.

$50 at Amazon

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