Ab Lounge XL

I was debating whether to buy the Ultra or XL since there is a 14" difference in height and I am 5'3" female, but the price offered by Liquidation Wizard on Amazon.com for the XL was too good to pass up. For years I have been unsuccessful at strengthening the abs because traditional crunches hurt my neck and back which I was also trying to strengthen. Since diabetes risk increases with abdominal fat, when I tried someone's AB2 and found it easy to use, I decided to research the other versions and settled on the XL because of price. I couldn't find the Ultra at a similar low price. I was amazed that I received the XL 3 days from the time I placed the order. Having read the other reviews on this site and others, it's apparent quality can vary. The XL is made in China. My XL with the professional package came with probably everything that it was supposed to. There were two DVD's both with Rosalie Brown, one the Interactive AB Blasting System, the other a Resistance Tubing Workout. The sheet mentioned only the Resistance Tubing workout and a firstpath.com CD-ROM, not 2 DVD's. I think they revised their package since 2005 to include the 2 DVD's instead of the CD-ROM, since the Blasting DVD has fitness and nutrition information on it.It took me 60 minutes to unpack, assemble the XL, and clean up the packaging. I could have done it in 30 if I were more organized. The written directions were straight forward, however, it would have been easier if I looked at the 4-minute video section on the DVD first which showed how to put the XL together. I was impressed with the diet and nutritional booklets that came with the XL, although the DVD exercise routine using the XL was too vigorous for me to want to follow.Assembly tips: (1) View the assembly procedure first which is on the Interactive AB Blasting System DVD. (2) Put white lithium grease or other lubricant on inside of pedal attachment before attaching pedal to main assembly so it slides in more easily to attach.The XL is bigger and takes up more room than I anticipated so plan a space for it, because as another reviewer wrote, you won't use it if you try to put it under your bed or in the closet. The computer clock is handy but works by movement and needs to be tilted if it doesn't register at first. I had to tilt the clock away from me so I can't see it as I exercise unless I stop. It's handy, and a motivator, but not really necessary. A watch would do as well. I'm starting out with 5 minutes at a time several times a day and every other day. The XL does isolate the abs and you can feel them working.My XL is not completely quiet, and that bothers me because I can hear the hinges each time the chair bends even though I'm 130 lbs and the XL is rated to 275 lbs. I'd like to be able to stop the noise since others have written their XLs are quiet. I believe the products are not all of a uniform quality. I rate this a 4 instead of a 5 because of the noise and the placement of the clock. For value received from Liquidation Wizard, the shipper, and Amazon.com it definitely rates a 5.

Although my box was in rough condition when it was delivered, all of the parts appeared to be inside still. The Ab Lounge was easy to set up and easy to fold away for storage. The XL Ab Lounge, in my opinion, is much better than the original Ab Lounge as its bigger, sturdier and offers more features. The Ab Lounge XL comes with a clock/calorie counter, but mine was broken and wouldn't stay attached to the Ab Lounge. I didn't use it anyway so it wasn't a huge loss.If you're looking for an easy, low impact workout option the Ab Lounge is great. I even stretch out in it like an inversion table. You can easily do 3times as many crunches on the Ab Lounge as you can do on the floor or with a yoga ball. I would recommend giving it a try, definitely worth it.

This machine does exactly what it says it will do - strengthen your abs. It won't make you skinny, but with the right diet and aerobic conditioning this machine is well worth the money. I just have one complaint - the grips are attached with a small screw through the rope into the frame. Good idea, but the washers are too small and the grips pulled away from the frame on the first day. I removed the bolts, placed larger washers on the bolts and then replaced them. Now, it's good to go. I've had it a week and have over-zealously used it every day. I ready see results and feel the burn. Very glad I got this machine, and equally glad I knew to put washers on the bolts. BTW, this same machine sells for $280 on the ab-lounge web site, so a couple five cent washers are no big deal. One more comment, this company Liquidation Express is awesome - I received the machine a day and a half after ordering it express. No one likes to wait for such equipment and this company didn't make me wait at all. Thanks L.E.

I found the AbLounge XL relatively simple to put together. I am someone who abhors the words "some assembly required" but the instructions were simple to follow. You really need to have a space where this can be utilized. Not good for cramped spaces or close quarters. I would keep pets and children away from this while it is in use. The dangers to small fingers and pet paws are obvious and there are numerous warnings and stickers posted to remind the adult user. I am a short person and the adjustable foot bar is easily adjusted to accomodate a taller user. It is a fun way to work out and I saw results in 10 days.

i have purchased dozens and dozens and dozens of items from amazon, but this is the first review i've writen. first off, kudos to moncresto. i ordered from him, and had the item very quickly and in perfect condition. kudos.this thing sucks. truly. my brother has one of the older models and it operates very smoothly. this thing is clunky, jerky, crappy. the stretch bands for the arm workout -- extra poor. i threw them away even before i started to try and use the actual machine. they stretch very easily for the first 8 inches, then stop. no middle ground on resistance. green light, red light -- nothing in between.the side arms never tighten enough to where you can't move them with the slightest touch. i guess super glue would work but then you couldn't slide it under the bed.my wife is 5'4" and thought this was over-sized for her.on the upside, the mesh is better than the older models. if you're large-hipped, there is plenty of room. i'm not, so this feels like a huge hammock slung up in old collapsible aluminum lawn chair.i'm chunking this in the trash.