Will those ab gadgets get you a Six Pack, Abs of Steel, Ripped Abs…..Everyone wants them and those infomercial wizards know it. They’re on t.v. 24-7 promising you the stomach of your dreams if you just buy their amazing gadget. So how do you know what works and what doesn’t. It can be difficult to tell when they provide you with compelling testimonials and "scientific research". Some of these products are even endorsed by fitness gurus who have a good reputation in the fitness industry. Are these good reasons to buy a product? Definitely not. In order to make an informed decision you must know how the product really works and the pros and cons. The following reviews will help you choose the best product for you.

The Good
Ab Sculptor- can often be found in health clubs because it teaches you how to perform crunches correctly. It supports your neck and head while allowing you to place your arms where they feel most comfortable. You can do a variety of exercises including reverse crunches, which work you lower abs. The only disadvantage is that it takes up space and can’t be collapsed for easy storage. For $29.99 this product is a great buy especially for those who have trouble with neck pain.

Ab Dolly 2- provides a great ab workout and is similar to other sliding products the difference is that you support your body on your forearms instead of your hands. This is great for beginners because it takes pressure off the lower back. Another great feature is that it doesn’t limit you to forward and backward motion. You can also roll out diagonally which provides a great workout for the obliques. At $59.99 this product is about $35 more than similar ones but it’s worth it.
Ab Dolly Plus

The So So
Torso Track II- endorsed by Suzanne Summers provides a sliding motion similar to other products except that it's on a more durable track. It also offers 3 levels of resistance and a padded knee area for comfort. This product works your abs and upper body effectively but like the Ab Slide and Ab Force can be tough on your lower back. The ad claims that you’ll maintain perfect form but you’ll have to pay $99 to find out.

Ab Slide- and Ab Force, promise a great ab and upper body workout. This is a great gadget if you’re advanced and looking to ad variety to your ab workout but is not the best piece of equipment for beginners. You have to maintain your abs contracted and your back straight throughout the movement and this is very difficult for beginners to do when you’re supporting your weight on your hands. Another disadvantage is that if you have knee injuries or pain using this product could make it worst. For $24.99 it’s not a bad deal but if you’re a beginner get the Ab Dolly 2 instead.

The Bad
Ab Away Pro- endorsed by Abs of Steel video instructor, Tamilee Webb, claims to “get you results faster than ever before” and “allows you to do traditional style sit-ups correctly”. It does support your entire back neck and head, which allows you to perform the exercises with proper form. The problem is that traditional sit-ups and crunches are probably the worst exercises for sculpting great abs. Another problem is this product limits you to only a few exercises that work mostly your upper abs. For $139.95 this product doesn’t provide a good enough workout so just skip it.

The Ridiculous
Ab Energizer- and similar products including AbTronics, AbSonic, Igia Electrosage 8,and Electro Gym, claim that just wearing the belt will sculpt ripped abs. Some fitness competitors actually use this type of technology to get serious cuts but these people are already in amazing shape. If you’re average this product will do nothing for you except maybe cause you some painful skin burns. The Federal Trade Commission has actually taken action against three manufacturers of electronic abdominal belts for falsely claiming that their products could give users "six-pack" abs and help them lose inches in a short time. For $29.95 you can hire a personal trainer to show you all the best ab exercises for home or gym.

Ab Doer Pro- claims that "If you want to reduce that waistline, you simply have to move those muscles in and around the entire midsection for fat burning and body shaping." The truth is that if you want to reduce your waistline you have to eat less calories than you burn. And in order to sculpt great abs you have to isolate your upper abs, lower abs, and obliques. Moving around in a circular motion does not do this. For $84.99 this product is a huge waste of money.