Body Solid - Cam Series Ab & Back Machine (GCAB360)

The assembly diagram could have been better. The machine works quieter with a little WD 40.
Does what I wanted with ab and lumbar extension exercises very well. Sturdy. Not a big footprint.
II am very very satisfied.

I have a chronic lumbar pine condition and was considering surgery. My neurosureon showed me my MRI and the atrophy of my lumbar mucscles. 3 months of steady exercise and my pain is bearable without surgery. I highty recommend this for back rehab and ab strengthening.

Overall the experience was good. The Ab/Back Machine arrived within the shipping date window. Shipping was free, that was nice. Set up procedure could be challenging for some as a parts list and exploded view of how the parts were assembled was all that was provided. I'm mechanically inclined & did not have any problems & machine was set up in about 3 hours. I would have liked an operator's manual as I'm sure there are features that I have yet to master. Both myself and my 16 yr old son like the machine and use it serveal times a week. I also have a Body Solid leg press machine which I have owned for 15 years. Both the ab and the leg machine are good values.

I have been looking for a unit like this for some time as I work out at home, and no longer have access to gym units. For me, my lower back has been a trouble spot so I really like to focus extra attention there. Ball lifts (Superman), dumbell straight leg raises, and other exercises help but they just aren't the same as focused resistance IMHO. This was the best price (with free shipping) that I had found so I took a chance. Overall, I am very pleased. The unit is solidly built. My only gripe is that the design around the adjustment ball has a little bit of play at the connection point (where the adjuster wheel spins). This is an irritation only as it has not affected action. The foot rest could be a little more comfortable as well, I guess. Other than that, the pad is comfortable and the action is smooth and ergonomic. I use 2x25 plus a couple of 10s (60 to 70 lbs total) for abs and back work. NOTE: The building process is for the somewhat mechanically inclined. I used metric wrenches (17, 15, as I recall). I also placed the parts out so I could see everything. The instructions could be far better, as others have mentioned. Take your time and use the photos as a guide and 2 to 3 hours later you should be there. Enjoy.