Best ab roller 2022: top-rated ab wheels for your next workout

The best ab rollers are a great way to get a strong core without doing hundreds of crunches. 

We’ve considered the size and weight of these ab rollers, as some users may want to take their ab wheel with them to the gym. We’ve also included whether or not the wheel requires a quick set up. The SKLZ Core Wheels Dynamic Core Strength Trainer is the only ab wheel that didn’t require at least some assembly, so might be the best option if you prefer not to put the kit together yourself. The SKLZ Core Wheels Dynamic Core Strength Trainer is also one of the best ab wheels for diverse core workouts, and has two wheels rather than one, making it a good option for those wanting a bit more variety. 

If you’re not sure how to use an ab roller, there’s no big secret: you start on your knees and then roll forward until your body is flat, then return to the starting position, trying not to arch your back in the process. This may sound easy, but after a few reps you’re sure to feel the burn in your core, and you’ll start to experience a stronger core after a few ab roller workouts. 

You should consider your ability when choosing the best ab wheel, as a beginner might want chunkier wheels and a wider grip to reduce the difficulty, as offered by the Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro. Intermediate users might want to try the Gymshark Ab Roller, which has a classic design and won’t break the bank.

Most of the ab rollers we’ve tested are of a similar price, with a few more premium options available, such as the Lifeline Power Wheel, which offers an intermediate option for ab roller veterans, at a premium price. 

Not sure ab rollers are for you? Try out one of the best kettlebells, or best adjustable dumbbells for a different kind of resistance workout.

The best ab rollers you can buy right now

The GoFit Super Ab Wheel is super lightweight (0.97lb) yet sturdy and durable, constructed from two thick rubber tread wheels sandwiched on an axle and secured with non-slip grippy rubber handles. The big sell is the 11-inch dual extra-wide tread wheels and ergonomic handles that maximize stability and traction and encourage a better range of motion from your shoulders. This ab wheel is perfect for beginners or anyone navigating wobbly shoulder joints or weaker cores. 

It’s compact and easy to use, ideal for slipping into your gym bag for on-the-move exercise enthusiasts. If you’re advanced with ab rollouts, the wheel glides left and right to target your obliques for an injection of versatility. It’s a great all-rounder sitting at a mid-range price point which we consider a steal.  

Our only complaint about this bit of kit is that we found it picked up quite a few scuff marks during our testing, but these marks were all superficial and didn't affect the functionality of the wheel.

This ab roller is a budget-friendly, entry-level addition to the market, but if you’re looking for a model that simply gets the job done – you can’t go wrong. 

It might look basic and understated, but during testing we actually found the GymShark ab wheel to be one of the most challenging to use because of the lack of assistance – you won’t find any curved ergonomic handles, wide wheels, or coiled springs to help with the movement. 

The wheel itself yields plenty of instability to test the core control of any pro, and the narrow handle grips demand ample shoulder stability and technique to stay in control. It’s a pretty wobbly model and perhaps best suited for advanced users (or those at least semi-well-versed in ab rollouts). For under $20 though, it feels durable, and we would bet it can take a fair whack of ab attacks. We also liked the strip-back look and all-black design. 

Two rollers are better than one, right? The SKLZ Core Wheels model isn’t cheap, but we reckon it’s a steal if you consider you’re getting two for the price of one. The plush grooved foam handles house small rubber wheels on either end and although perfecting the art of two rollers would signal expertise, it really provides a wealth of options to suit all abilities. 

Ab rollers take on many ingenious forms, but this unique design packs variety into your training and transforms a standalone core exercise into a full-on upper body workout, allowing you to get creative and experiment with dynamic planks, chest flyes, and more. 

The subtly sticky rubber treads track well along surfaces (although we found during testing that they couldn't handle outdoor terrain very well) and the ergonomic handles support wrists, too. Two rollers mean you can also play with your hand placement to find a style that fits. While they feel durable and hardy, SKLZ has kept these rollers lightweight to suit on-the-go workouts. We love any brand prepared to buck the trend, and these ab rollers dare to be different. 

The Vinsguir Ab Roller adopts a traditional ab wheel design and elevates it using premium quality materials and a sleek all-black look. The stainless steel handle and grippy EVA rubber cotton handle covers feed into a chunky central wheel coated in TPR rubber, giving off the vibe that this ab wheel means business. 

The extra-wide tread measures 3.2 inches and increases stability to prevent deviating off course – ideal for unsure beginners who might appreciate the extra support. We found that the rubber coating also assists the wheel in gliding across most surfaces, and the thoughtful addition of a small foam mat (included in your purchase) helps protect against sore knees. 

Not only is this ab wheel durable (it holds up to 440lb in body weight), but it’s still lightweight enough to travel well in gym bags, and is the ideal travel companion for mobile exercisers. The handles are narrow though, which places more pressure on the shoulders, so we recommend only buying this model if you know your shoulder strength is up to the task.

The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro is our premium pick and carries a premium price tag. It’s a beast, comprising mostly plastic, and weighs 4.5lb while carrying up to 300lb of body weight. It’s an unlikely candidate for lugging to your local gym, but if home workouts are more your style, this high-tech ab roller could be a perfect pairing. 

It might look intimidating, but this model offers the most assistance of all the ab rollers we tested. The extra-wide and thick wheel secures with two curved ergonomic handles – Perfect Fitness says this increases arm engagement and improves grip. The star of the show is the internal carbon steel spring coil wound into the wheel; it packs a punch by adding subtle resistance on the rollout, then softly assists the rollback – a highly desirable feature for those still honing their technique. 

The multidirectional wheel effortlessly slices in all directions (including laterally) to deliver an efficient and effective core-crushing workout for all abilities, but tall users, and those hoping to take it for a spin outdoors, might be let down with this model. The coil limits how far you can roll out, and the chunky aesthetic is unlikely to travel well. 

The Lifeline Power Wheel Ultimate Core Trainer reinvents the (ab) wheel – literally. Wide, slightly padded handles slot into a large central wheel, and foot stirrups on either side increase versatility tenfold, allowing users to perform various exercises like pikes, crawls, leg curls, and more.

It’s not the most portable model on the market – we carried it to a park for some outdoor testing, which was a bit of a challenge – but there’s plenty to keep you entertained from the comfort of your home gym. The comfy wide handles promote better spinal alignment and take some of the heat off of the shoulders, and the stirrups pump up versatility levels to allow you to explore a diverse range of exercise options.

The oversized grooved tread is more effective across uneven terrain than its more compact counterparts and encourages a greater range of motion than standard wheels. The model sits within a premium price bracket, but you’re effectively doubling the fun, and the innovative design encourages equally innovative ab work. It’s a sound investment for advanced exercisers and those with cash to splash.  

How we tested the best ab rollers

We got to work using a range of ab rollers to see which ones fit the bill for the best ab roller currently on the market. Our testers used each model to carve out three sets of 10 ab rollouts, noting each one's durability, design, and functionality throughout. We also tested for any stand-out features and each product’s overall value for money. A final score out of five stars was then determined by combining scores across all criteria.  

Choose the best ab roller for you

To get the most from your ab roller, there are a couple of basic factors to consider: 

Ability 

Perhaps the biggest factor to consider is your ability. Beginners and pros will look for different things from an ab wheel. Advanced buyers may favor a thinner tread wheel and narrower handles which require more strength and control from the core and shoulders to stay balanced. Extra features – like stirrups – will inject some further versatility to fuel your ab roller workout (opens in new tab). 

Beginners may prefer a wider wheel or features like assistance coils. These can be handy until you’ve nailed your technique and feel ready to progress. Wide wheels tend to maximize stability and traction and minimize injury risk.

Price 

Prices can vary dramatically from around $10 to $70, so you should consider how you plan to use your roller. Pricier ab wheels might have you paying extra for features you don’t need, but they tend to be more durable. Basic ab wheels are perfect for feisty finishers and traveling around with, but might not last as long. 

How to use ab rollers

The aim is to control your movement and avoid overstretching or exaggerating your range of motion. Falling flat on your face or popping a shoulder won’t carve abs. Beginners should start with their knees down at 90 degrees (known as a bear crawl rollout) which can help you perfect tip-top form. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start in an all-fours position, gripping the ab wheel handles in both hands, and placing the wheel underneath your chest.
• Keep your hips high and engage your core, then pull your stomach towards your spine so that your back rounds slightly.
• Begin to roll the wheel forwards while maintaining a neutral spine and straight line from your knees to your ears
• Try to avoid overextending your arms or allowing your shoulders to drop
• Pause at the bottom of the movement, keep your hips lifted and stomach pulled in, then roll the wheel back to your starting position. 

Need more guidance? Check out our full article on how to use an ab roller (opens in new tab).

Do ab rollers work?

Absolutely. There are multiple reasons why ab rollers are the best fitness kit to build core strength (opens in new tab). Firstly, they fire up multiple core muscle groups at once, as well as your chest, hips, back, arms, and glutes. They also encourage your hip and core muscles to fire together during rollouts to maximize efficiency and control as you move.

The rollout is an anti-extension exercise, which means you attempt to resist forces of spinal extension in the lumbar spine (lower back). This gets the spine's muscles working, and can also improve posture in compound exercises, like squats. A common mistake found in ab rollouts is hyperextension (overextension), which creates an arch in your lumbar spine and can lead to serious injury. Learning proper technique and choosing the right ab wheel are both core considerations before progressing this exercise.