Ab rollers are, in my opinion, the most humbling piece of gym equipment on the market.
No matter how many HIIT classes, sit-ups and stretching I do, I still let out a primal (ok, girlish) scream as I roll to the floor, abs burning, beads of sweat pouring down my forehead and regret palpable.
For such a small piece of kit, it can make a big impact. Ab roller, or wheels as they are sometimes known, challenge the core muscles to build strength, while improving posture, balance, stability, flexibility and blood flow. It has also been credited with reducing back pain and burning fat in the stomach region.
They’re also known for being cost-effective, easy to store and require little to no prior know-how to begin.
How to use an ab roller?
Personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor Annabel Luke, Founder of Pilates By Bel, explains, “To use an ab roller effectively, start by kneeling on a soft surface and gripping the roller handles with both hands, keeping your wrists neutral”.
She continues, “Engage your core by pulling your belly button toward your spine. Slowly roll the ab roller forward, extending your arms while maintaining a strong and straight line from your shoulders to your knees, ensuring your hips don’t drop and your lower back remains neutral”.
Now, here’s the challenging part: “Roll out as far as is comfortable without letting your torso touch the ground, then engage your core to pull yourself back to the starting position in a controlled motion. Remember to avoid arching your back, using momentum, or rolling too far too soon to prevent injury”.
Do ab rollers work?
“Yes!”, Luke stresses. “Ab rollers are super effective for strengthening and toning the core when used correctly. The rolling motion engages the entire core to improve overall core strength and stability. Ab rollers also work additional muscle groups including the shoulders, chest and arms. When used consistently, ab rollers can help build a stronger, more toned core as part of a balanced fitness routine.
What does an ab roller do?
Think of it like an advanced plank (and that’s challenging on its own!). The PT says, “An ab roller is a fitness device used to strengthen and tone the core muscles. Rolling it forward and back engages not only the transverse abs and rectus abs, but also the obliques and stabiliser muscles in the lower back”.
How often should you use it?
As with all forms of exercise, consistency is key. Luke reveals that “Depending on your current exercise regimen, using an ab roller 3 to 4 times per week would be safe and effective”.
She adds, “This allows enough time for muscle recovery while consistently challenging your core muscles. Beginners might start with fewer sessions, such as 2 to 3 times a week, focusing on form before gradually increasing intensity. As with any exercise, balance it with other core and full body workouts for the best results”.
Shop the best ab rollers below
Vinsguir Ab Roller Wheel Exercise Equipment for Core Workout
Roll out and engage your entire core using Vinsguir’s slick ab roller. Using the handles (which are padded for extra comfort), move in a back-and-forth motion across a hard floor to strengthen your abdominal muscles with this nifty workout.
The roller has grooved wheels for floor gripping and is nice and compact to pack away once finished using it. A reasonable option which doesn’t take up much space. Trust us, it’s much harder than it looks.
Buy now £40.98, Amazon
READAEER Metal Handle Ab Roller Wheel
Double the wheels, double the stability, double the fun. This is a great option for those in the early days of their core-strengthening journey as the attractive price point and duo of rollers mean that it’s not too much of an investment and you will be able to go deeper into the movement without the full body shakes. Two wheels also offer better grip.
Buy now £13.55, Amazon
ASM Fitness Box
This set from ASM offers a full body workout with just a small amount of equipment. It contains a roller designed to build on your abs and core strength, push up bars for your chest, a foam mat to protect knees, and a jump rope that can be used outside or somewhere you won’t knock over a lamp.
Buy now £19.95, Amazon
H&S Abdominal Exercise Roller
This wallet-friendly, portable ab-roller comes flat-packed in five parts that are really easy to assemble and take apart again afterwards. The ‘dual wheel’ construction feels easier for beginners to control than some of the similarly-priced single wheel rollers on the market, and the rolling movement is smooth enough to use on both carpet, hardwood and laminate floors. We also loved that this slider comes with a cushioned mat for keeping your knees protected during your workout and softly padded handles for a comfortable grip.
Buy now £9.59, Amazon
N1Fit Ab Roller Wheel
Yes, it was the red lacquered interior that drew us into purchasing the N1Fit Ab Roller Wheel but this is paired with an affordable price tag and a hard-working piece of gym equipment that takes up minimal space for maximum impact. The gripped wheel and slightly wider width provide stability as you feel the core burn.
Buy now £24.06, Amazon
DMOOSE Ab Roller exercise wheel
Not your average ab roller, the DMoose kit comes complete with elbow rests and padded handles to improve the comfort of the core-building action. But it goes one step further too by ensuring that the body is in the correct alignment to prevent spinal damage.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
Abdominal Perfect Abs Carver Pro Wheel Power Roller
This lightweight, high-quality roller is top of the class when it comes to perfecting roll-outs. Toning the abs, shoulders and back of the arms, roll-outs can feel difficult to master and intimidating if you haven’t done them before but this pro wheel features foam padded handles for comfortable grip and the ultra-wide wheel provides extra stability as you move.
This is also a handy option for anyone who likes to workout while away as it can be easily packed into the car or into a bag. Not ideal for people with back or neck pain we recommend this compact ab carver for those already with a bit of muscle who are looking to add more without investing a lot.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
adidas Ab Wheel
Get your abs engaged with this simple but effective bit of tech for all abilities. It encourages you to maximise your workout for stronger and more defined abs. The wheel also doubles up as an upper-body exercise. This Adidas variation has an 18cm diameter and comfortable, easy-grip handles.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Roller
Activate your abdominal muscles with Perfect Fitness’ roller – the interior kinetic steel spring provides a built-in resistance on your roll-out, instantly waking up your body and putting it to work.
It features an ultra-wide wheel to ensure stability during your workout and has handy removable handles for easy storage. A great addition to your at-home gym equipment to create visible results of definition in your arms and abs. Get ready to feel the burn.
Buy now £44.24, Amazon
Opti Ab Wheel
Opti is known for its affordable gym equipment with all manner of small space gear to elevate your at-home exercising. The Ab Wheel is classic in its design but not the narrow wheel which puts pressure on your core for stability. While using it to tone your abs, it works the shoulders and arms too as you roll backwards and forwards. The PVC grip handles keep sweaty palms in place.
Buy now £8.00, Argos
