Just like anything being sold on TV, there will always be new ab machines hitting the market. As long as people keep buying these contraptions, the cycle will continue.

Up to now the industry hasn’t exactly covered itself in glory, with most real fitness experts (not the ones that get paid to flash their enamel and their muscles on the telly) being extremely skeptical or downright dismissive of abdominal machines. Many machines are just glorified crunch gadgets, and indeed many make the ab exercises so easy that there’s hardly any point in doing them at all.

So, are there any new ab machines around that can break the trend set by their predecessors. Being a born cynic, especially when it comes to anything being sold by people who can’t stop smiling, I somehow doubt it. But, well, I had a look around anyway to see if there’s any protential.

All that caught my eye was the Total Core Extra

Well, surprise surprise. Here we have yet another abdominal crunch machine. And, yet again, its purpose is to make crunches easier to do.

First, there’s good padded support for your back. Unfortunately, none for your neck. Some resistance going down, very little going back up. Yes, it does give you a bit of a burn after 25+ repetitions, which is at least a good thing.

If you’re serious about fitness, this is yet another pointless machine. It does nothing that you cannot do without it.

Only recommended if you have some form of back issue, a really weak core or if you’re getting older and appreciate some back support. You may, however, want to consider something like the Ab Rocket (below), which at least gives you neck support and you don’t need to get on the floor to use it.

Final verdict on new ab machines

There’s really little point in looking for new abdominal machines, as none of these products will ever be the complete package. Stick to a tried and tested piece of exercise equipment like the Power Wheel, a complete workout machine like the Total Gym, and do yourself the biggest favor you can in order to get a slimmer waistline – watch what you eat.