The Ab Circle Pro is currently the most popular abdominal exercise machine in the world... by far! You can see ads for it everywhere... on TV, on the web, and even in magazines and newspapers. All this marketing has drummed up
a lot of interest in this unique "as seen on TV" workout gadget. But the question remains:
does the Ab Circle Pro machine really work??
In other words, by using the Ab Circle pro on a regular basis, are you actually going to lose weight, tone muscle, get fit, and build great-looking abdominal muscles... preferably in a short amount of time? Is this "treadmill for the abs" really the fastest and easiest way to get "flat, washboard abs" and that "sexy V-shape" millions of men and women are looking for (as the product's marketers promise us)? Is it truly the
best solution for getting rid of belly fat and love handles in a fast, efficient manner?
Even if the Ab Circle Pro does provide all -- or even some -- of the fitness and fat loss benefits it claims to, is it worth the price? And what is the
real cost of buying this piece of fitness equipment anyway? Finally, how does the Ab Circle stack up against other popular ab machines, "core muscle" exercises, and at-home workout options? Is it really a good home fitness option for you and your family?
We'll try to answer these questions as well as possible here. Enjoy and be sure to leave your comments in the space below!
Question 1: Does the Ab Circle Pro Really Work?
The short and simple answer to this is: yes, it works. The more complicated answer is: it really depends! The Ab Circle does "work" in that it can definitely help just about anyone tone and strengthen their ab muscles, "core" muscles (including lower back), leg muscles, glutes (butt muscles), arm muscles, and shoulder muscles. According to many customer reviews and testimonials, the Ab Pro Circle
can provide a vigorous workout that gives good muscle-toning results and even some fat-burning results... but only if you use it on a regular basis.... at least 3 or 4 times a week. Like most things, you can't simply jump on it every once in awhile for a few minutes and think you're going to get a flat stomach, sexy thighs, or an entire "fitness model" body in 15 days.
Basically, if you're willing to put in some significant effort over an extended period of time (think months, not weeks), the Ab Circle Pro can help you get a fit, lean, sexy, and healthy body. The exercise motion principles behind the product are sound and, in fact, are much better than 95% of the "ab toning" products out there. The movements performed in an Ab Circle workout involve no dangerous "rounding" of the spine. This is a BIG advantage, especially considering the fact that a recent study showed that repeatedly rounding and stressing the spine (as is typical in sit-up or "crunch"-type movements) on a regular basis almost always leads to serious back problems in the future.
That being said, there's very little chance that the Ab Circle Pro -- all by itself -- is going to allow you to achieve all of your weight loss and fitness goals. Even though it's marketed as a "treadmill" for the abdominal muscles, this product's strength is not as a cardiovascular exercise machine. Almost any form of exercise can give you some cardio benefits. But that doesn't mean you're going to burn fat and lose pounds in the fastest, most-efficient way possible. No matter how much time you spend on an ab machine -- any ab machine -- you're not going to "spot reduce" and get rid of your belly fat without taking other vital steps (e.g. following a healthy diet plan and doing other forms of effective exercise).
Question 2: How Much Does the Ab Circle Pro Really Cost?
The true cost of the Ab Circle Pro is a matter of contention. The simple answer is that the product can be bought for about $200 dollars. The more complicated answer is that many, if not most, customers will end up paying more. Closer to $250 in many cases. That being said, we have seen used Ab Circles for sale on site like eBay and Craigslist. Often times they go for $200 or even less in some cases. And, just a heads up: if you choose to do the $14.95 30-day "trial" you're actually going to pay about 50 bucks initially, due to a $34.50 shipping and handling charge!
Question 3: Is the Ab Circle Pro Worth the Cost?
This is a question whose answer really depends on your personal situation. If $200-$250 isn't that too big of a hit for you, financially-speaking, then it's probably worth it to give the Ab Circle a try. After all, you're going to pay at least that much -- and probably a LOT more -- for any decent-quality home exercise machine. As stated above, this product can definitely help you burn calories and build a stronger, sexier midsection if you use it on a regular basis and if you follow a healthy fat loss diet (one is included with your purchase). On the other hand, if you don't have 200 bucks lying around waiting for you to spend, there are some good alternatives to the Ab Circle Pro. Even a simple exercise ball and/or a pull-up bar with arm or wrist straps can provide you with a fantastic workout that is significantly less expensive than the Ab Circle. There are literally dozens if not hundreds of ways to work the upper abs, lower abs, obliques, and pretty much the entire "core" area efficiently. The Ab Circle Pro is just one decent option who's main benefit/advantage is probably that it provides a unique and maybe even "fun" way to exercise, burn fat, and tone those important tummy muscles!
Question 4: What About the Negative Reviews?
If you spend any amount of time researching the many Ab Circle Pro customer reviews that can be found online, you'll notice that there are quite a few "negative" reviews out there. Lots of people who have bought this infomercial product aren't too happy with their purchase. Quite a few simply don't like how the machine works... or how it made them feel after using it. While reading many of the negative reviews and comments, you get the impression that the reviewers were expecting an easy -- or even an "effortless" -- home workout. After watching pretty much any of the overly-hypey Ab Circle commercials or Home Shopping Network promos, it's easy to see why some expect a lot of "results" for only a little bit of "effort". But you can't fault the marketers alone. Anyone who honestly believes they're going to get six-pack abs with minimal effort simply by using
any "ab gadget" is more than a little delusional.
The other major type of negative Ab Circle Pro review revolves around its quality of construction. It appears that there are definitely some poorly-made examples out there. We've seen quite a few bad reviews that mentioned cracked plastic, broken knee pads, flaking paint, flimsy calorie-counters, and rough-riding "rollers." Of course, when you sell hundreds of thousands of any product (especially a made-in-China) product, a certain percentage are going to be duds. Fortunately, all Ab Circle Pro's come with a 60-day money-back guarantee... so, if you do get one, don't wait too long to start using it and checking for any "build problems" as soon as possible!
Question 5: Should You Buy an Ab Circle Pro? ("The Bottom Line")
So the question remains: should you purchase your own Ab Circle Pro? The simple answer is: probably
yes... but only if you can afford it ($200+) and only if you're actually going to use it on a regular basis. If you can't afford to spend $200-$250 right now, or if you already know (possibly from past from experiences!) that you're not going to use it enough to get good results, you should probably pass on this one. Of course, you can also just simply do the $14.95 30-day trial (which actually costs about $50) and spend a month to see for yourself if the Ab Circle Pro really works for you personally.
No matter what, best of luck with your fitness and weight loss goals. If you
do end up purchasing an Ab Circle, please be sure to leave your own reviews and testimonials below... thanks!
So the Ab Circle Mini has finally been released by Jennifer Nicole Lee and the Home Shopping Network. Now we just need some good reviews and observations from real users to find out if this new ab machine really works or if it's a rip-off! If you've used the "Mini" Circle or know someone who has please be sure to leave your own helpful feedback in the comments section below. If you can, please contrast and compare it to the original full-size Ab Circle Pro...
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