The Top 5 Sit-Up Assistance Devices
While unassisted bodyweight exercises (especially sit-up type workouts) are a reliable tool for staying in shape, the ability to work out various muscles in the core (as opposed to just repeating a singular, isolated motion) is essential in getting the desired results from any ab workout. Thanks to the range of motion, versatility, and added intensity that sit-up assistance devices provide, you can rest assured that you're getting a more thorough workout with a reduced muscle strain in a fraction of the time. And that means your working your abs, not straining your neck. We’ve collected five of the best products, fit for everyone from fledgling athletes to serious bodybuilders.
Marcy Utility Slant Board
Abs-olutely a Core Tool!
Several incline benches sacrifice padding or stability to keep their prices, weight, and all-too-often, quality, down. Marcy’s Utility Slant Board commits no such sin. The solid steel frame feels well-built despite being only 20 pounds, and the thickness of the padding is a reassuring sight for anyone who has had the displeasure of exercising on a malformed machine. Not only can a variety of crunches and sit-ups be facilitated with the board, but countless back and upper body exercises can as well.
In addition to a maximum length of five feet, the slant board’s ability to fold nearly flat will enable a robust set of activities in places otherwise too cramped for proper gym equipment. As always, performing an exercise with proper form is essential, and this product’s design makes it easy to do that
Pros:
- Padded headrest
- Adjustable bench and footrest
- Impressive price for the quality
Cons:
- Not ideal for taller customers
- Assembly instructions can be confusing
CAP Barbell Doorway Situp Bar
Don’t Put a CAP on Your Workout
The barbell doorway sit-up bar is a master of one: it keeps your feet glued to the ground and allows you to work your abs without having your thigh and hip muscles steal the show. CAP may not be the most attractive piece of equipment, and we most certainly pity the customer who happens to jam their toe or lower shin into this sturdy hunk of metal post-workout, but it gets the job done, period. Using an ingenious padded and threaded tightening system, CAP fits on just about every door without leaving the scratches of direct metal contact. For price- and space-conscious athletes, there are few systems which accomplish so much with so little.
Pros:
- Foam covered bar for comfort
- Three adjustable settings
- Extremely lightweight
Cons:
- Only suitable for narrow stance
- Difficult to use properly without shoes on
Perfect Fitness Crunch
Witness the Fitness Assistance
While in one light the oddly-shaped design of this product may make this otherwise marvelously priced home gym a nuisance in terms of finding a place to store it, in another light this design makes the Perfect Fitness Crunch a wildly versatile piece of equipment that could be perfect for your home workout routine. The mesh back cover is a step above comparable models, providing the most even support in the sit-up position without irritating any unexpected pressure points or straining the wrong muscles. Additionally, the ability to flip this feather-light unit upside down and instantly have a space for dips, incline push-ups and other activities is a high-quality feature that puts the Crunch in a league of its own at this price.
Pros:
- Back and neck support
- Easy to vary intensity of workouts
- Straightforward assembly
Cons:
- Not ideal for heavier-set folks
- Clunky; takes up space
Finer Form Sit-Up Bench
Find your Finest Form
The Finer Form Sit-Up Bench is everything our top overall pick is with some extra bells and whistles added on. If you’re willing to dish out a little more money, these additional features can make all the difference when developing a more sophisticated core workout routine. The curved, two-inch padded bench allows for explosive workouts that don’t beat up your back, and it pairs perfectly with the heavily padded foot rollers spaced comfortably apart at 8 inches. When you’re ready, the reverse crunch bar adds great variety to your core exercises and is a fantastic supplement for your overall ab program as well. In addition to feeling more comfortable while exercising, the wider construction gives you the relief you need that you won’t topple over if you intend on adding a weight-belt or barbells to the mix.
Pros:
- Rubber feet for added protection
- Three height stances
- Excellent customer service
Cons:
- Steep price
- No folding for storage
WONDER CORE Smart
For the Core & More
Products that come with a prescribed work-out regimen tied to them are more often than not gimmicky, or cash in on a specific exercise fad. That’s not the case here. While the Wonder Core does come with an extremely useful app and online fitness manual, the exercises available to you are by no means limited to the prescribed schedule. The two foam rollers act similar to a resistance band and can aid you in stretching your core, perfecting sit-up form, and even performing arm and thigh workouts. Whether you’re just getting back into a routine or need an exciting new class to experiment with, the Wonder Core Smart platform is completely unobtrusive and extremely versatile if you’re willing to spend a bit extra on your health.
Pros:
- Adjustable resistance by side
- Fully assembled
- Can be stored virtually anywhere
Cons:
- Seated padding could be softer
- Can move around while exercising
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do sit-ups work?
Contrary to conventional wisdom, sit-ups are not the end-all be-all abdominal exercise and are just one tool of many for creating a toned stomach. Primarily, sit-ups work the middle of our core (known in scientific nomenclature as rectus abdominis, or in laymen’s terms, the ‘six-pack’ muscle group) as well as our hip flexors. While this is a great bodyweight exercise, adding a variety of slightly tweaked sit-ups, like inclined sit-ups, will work other muscle groups, like your obliques, or side abs, in this example. This holistic approach is essential in crafting both a complete lower stomach and preventing injury by focusing on one area excessively.
Who is the target audience for sit-up assistance devices?
Sit-up assistance devices are by no means just made for those who struggle to crank out reps of traditional sit-ups without help. As alluded to above, our devices offer a more complete workout package aimed at strengthening the lower stomach in general, which will ultimately lead to better health and aesthetic outcomes. If you are having difficulty hitting all desired muscle groups with only body-weight exercises; you wish to perform advanced workouts with enhanced stability; or you want to have equipment that provides a wider range of exercise options in a smaller space, then our recommendations will suit your needs.
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