ProForm Ab Glider

I was looking for something that would help me work my core in a safe and fun way. I am disabled and have to be careful about the sort of exercises that I do. I've injured myself in the past without doing much! From what I saw of the Ab Glider on TV, I thought it would be effective and safe. So far, so good! A friend helped me put it together and it wasn't difficult. (Follow the instructions, especially the tips!) It is a sturdy piece of equipment that looks like it belongs in a gym! In fact, when you use it, it works your side muscles just like a machine at the gym did for me, minus the addtional weights you could add. Because I'm unsteady, it was a bit tricky to get on the glider. I realized, though, that if I hung onto the handlebars and knelt in the middle of the seat, it would remain stable and I could slide my knees to the sides when I had my balance. I also had to be careful to start out slowly or it would take off on me and I could fall! All of that said, I'm really amazed by how much fun it is to work your abs! You can target different parts of your abdomen and even low back and glutes by how straight you keep your spine, how far out you glide, and where you put your hands on the handlebars. It's pretty amazing! I've only had it for a day so I'm sure I'll be coming up with all sorts of exercises I can do! You can feel it working your muscles. My Ab Glider came with four DVDs. The total body workout DVD is especially helpful because it is so flexible. You can do all of the exercises or any number of the 10-minute blocks targetting the upper or lower body. The instructor shows you how to use the Ab Glider to do a lot of different exercises. Pretty cool! The only disappointment was that the delivery was AWFUL! UPS must have ripped the box and dropped it because the box had been all taped up and the electronic clock/calorie counter inside was broken. I need to report this to the company and UPS. I'm hoping they can just send me a new calorie counter. If not, I'm not going to return the whole machine just for that.

I have always been satisfied with Proform products. I am still using one of their treadmills that is 10 years old and runs like new. The AbGlider was a disappointment right out of the box. The welding looks like a first timer did the job with visible cracks already showing. The Glider came with broken pieces in the plastic wrapping although I couldn't locate their connection initially. In addition, the directions are not very user friendly. It took over 3 hours to put together and it doesn't have that many pieces. After the 3 hour commitment, I found that the computer counter was smashed and not working. It shouldn't break that easily. I will say that after working out the last week, I do "feel the burn" after the full 10 minute workout. It would be nice to be able to adjust the tension. It is easy to use. You will get a better workout if you use the DVD.

So I've had my proform ab glider for two weeks - more than enough time to form a valid opinion. Assembly: I'll start with the assembly. It took me roughly an hour and 15 mins to put together (not because I didn't know how the peices fit together but because the screws for the top and bottom halves of the cresent stands did not fit as seemlessly as they were supposed to). I ended up screwing and unscrewing several times only to realize that two of the holes where off by a fraction of a millimeter (enough to make a huge difference in the way the screws fit). I ended up getting those two screws far enough down where they would not come loose, but they are not snug. This is the biggest issue I have with my proform ab glider. Sure, I could have returned the proform ab glider but who really wants to go through the hassle of repacking this up once you've completely removed it from the box? Not me. Workout: I worked out with the video first. I was definitely sore after that first session. I'm about 5'10", 175 pds. I was already in decent shape so the proform ab glider felt very natural as I worked out. However, there are exercises (especially the ones that you remove the long stabilizer pin and work out on the left side (both hands on left handle bar) then the right. I notice I have to expend energy keeping the "sleigh bar" (that bar the seat slides up and down) from moving. This is energy I could actually be using to work my abs vs keeping my balance. In my opinion, you should be able to lock the bar at varying angles to prevent the loss in motion created by trying to maintain your balance. That said, there are still a few exercises that you can do on this machine that more than make up for the few design flaws. You will definitely get a great workout. With practice, your balance will improve. I have definitely seen a difference in my abs in the past two weeks. Bottom Line: There is no magic bullet for developing a "six pack". It takes a dedicated person willing to put in the time and effort. The proform ab glider is a great alternative to situps and crunches. It is not an "easier way to a six pack". I talked to friends who own a proform ab glider before I even considered buying this and they all said the same thing - it's tough but fun.I have to agree. My final verdict? The proform ab glider was definitely worth the investment. I would definitely recommend this.

We were so excited to try out the ab glider but after two hrs plus of trying to assemble, we're done with our workout, it remains in pieces and we're ready to throw in the towel. None of the screwholes are lining up. The screws for the feet are too big for the holes they are supposed to screw into (or the holes are too small...). As if that wasn't enough to overcome, the center post fits onto a piece on the base that is welded on crooked. There is absolutely no way to put this thing together! My 15 year old daughter actually hurt herself trying to help out. I put stuff together all the time without incident. There is no excuse for such crummy construction. I'm off to research what I can do about this now. But I gotta say, buyer beware. PS. It was comical watching us put it together. Made me wish I could film Elizabeth Hasslebeck trying to assemble this thing.