Ab Lounge XL system with Professional Package
Purchased this item from moncresto 5/9 - promised to ship by 5/11, it arrived 5/11. assembled in minutes, tried out each of the 8 basic exercises. it will be a good workout. folded up in a few seconds (do have to release both bands from the bases, but can leave them hanging from the unit. chair seat doubles as storage pouch for 2 dvd's, resistance bands, instructions, etc. includes workout charts, diet/recipe books, etc. tried Ab Lounge Sport at friends house, XL Ultimate from moncresto is much, much better. differences include breathable mesh, handles on upper edges, resistance bands, easily adjustable foot rest (to get proper angle) dvd's, counter w/ 2 batteries. Very pleased with purchase and feel I got much better value than friends who paid $80 at bed, bath, beyond for Ab Lounge 2. 5 stars

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. 4 stars

The Ab Lounge does not move smoothly while exercising, the best word I can describe it as "clicky." It is easier than sit-ups. My Ab Lounge came with a broken computer and I suspect it was a return as the battery was already in the computer and it came with instructions on how to add the battery. I did add washers as suggested in an earlier review and it is clear why it was suggested. The fabric band instead of a bar is not what I expected. I thought it would be easier to hold your arms there, but it feels tight and uncomfortable. Less than a month of having the product, the left pedal fell off and it is not made to easily put back on. To return the product (which I should of kept the box laying around my house) I have to pay for shipping and it is inconvenient to get it boxed and shipped. I would not buy this product again. I would not recommend this product to anyone unless they bought one from the store nearby which makes returning easy since the product is not made sturdy. 1 star

My wife and I just purchased this in May 2007 at a great value and this machine is the most effective workout for the abs both of us have ever used! I am 5'7 and my wife is 5'3" and this machine fits us both just right. In the first workout I only did 20 reps and could feel a burning sensation throughout my entire abdominal area. My wife agrees as well. If you want to lose inches around your waist this is the way to do it!!! On the second day I more than doubled my reps to 50 and could feel extreme burning throughout my abs. There is no stress to your back as in traditional crunches or situps so goodbye to traditional crunches and situps for me! The mesh netting is breathable and comfortable as well. The small clamp on computer works well and is a great way to keep count of calories burned, number of reps, etc.........[...]. Highly recomended! 5 stars

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. 5 stars