Reviews

Prior to getting the Pavelizer II, my wife would assist me in doing the Jandas. I thought I had them down until last night. I put a 25 lb plate on the Pavelizer, hooked my calves over the rollers and lay back. Tighten the glutes, drive the heels into the floor & rollup. Hello, this is it?? I got by shoulder blades off the floor. More effort got me up to the small of my back on the floor and that was it. Back down, relax & repeat. 3 sets of 5 was all I had. Today my abs are sore from the sternum to the pelvic area, as promised. Thanks. I'm looking forward to the pain, sort of.

I am very happy with this purchase. The sit ups (ok, crunches) are very intense and very humbling. However, the carry over effect is tremendous. I feel more stable than ever before in my heavy squats and deadlifts. You won't be disappointed

This is a good machine-though it does more than I ask for.
Wimps beware! You might overtrain.
If you are already working every muscle in a gym, this thing doesnt make your recovery time any quicker.
No,I want to isolate the abs, and the abs only.
The advantage of using your hands is that your hands and forearms are very dense anyway -that is why I strongly prefer the first one.

But if you're not getting maximum overload in the gym, and your priority is strong abs, then working a few extra muscles is just a plus!
Guiding the movement with the hands suits me better. It's how I enjoy it.
Also, looking at this machine without having tried it,I really do think it does the trick for isolating the abs.-Really!

I think all women should use this machine. Especially after a pregnancy to get their tone back.

The AB Pavelizer is hands down "THE" best AB training device I have ever used! Simple put, this thing is evil! I noticed almost immediate results and a burn in my AB's that I never thought possible! I have better six pack AB's at 28yrs. old than I did when I was 19! If you want to melt your mid-section and destroy those love handles, the AB Pavelizer is the one tool that get it done in a hurry!

The fist time I used this product, I was disappointed. Having never done jandas before, I followed the instructions and loaded a 25lb plate on and went for it. Nothing. I hardly budged. After much practice I have mastered the janda using a 10 lb plate and am looking foward to upping the weight soon. The pavilizer provides a great recuperative training of the abdominal region in addition to teaching the principle of full-body tention the hardway.

In short:
If you are an experienced strength trainer and are familiar with Pavel's products, order right away and get to it.

On the other hand, if you are a strength training beginner, order right away (rush delivery if possible) and be prepared to invest a good deal of effort into learning technique in order to recieve max benifits from this machine. Stick with it! PS There are some great people on the forums that provide plenty of tips and support, don't leave this resource untapped!

My Chiropractic told me that I should buy this and stop doing situps. I have been using the Ab Pavelizer II for 2 weeks (ever other day) and my back pain is gone. I also starting doing the back stretching exerices that were including in the packaging at the same time. According to my Chiropractic its both of them that are helping me. So I will stay with it.

I work my abs a lot and they are probably stronger than the average guy but I found out just how pathetic they were when my Pavelizer arrived. This is an amazingly effective piece of equipment. By taking the hip flexors out of play and isolating the abs, they have to work like never before. Combined with the power breathing, my abs are getting stronger by the day.

I was skeptical about getting this device but received it about 1 month ago and though I haven't stayed on the routine I promised myself I would this device is well worth the money invested as long as you learn how to properly use it. For me it was about 2 weeks until I finally got the whole feet flat and squeezing the glutes but man you feel it like nothing else. Great job Pavel and Dragondoor. Thanks again for a phenomenal product.

Although the instruction manual that was to be included was not in box, no instuctions as to plate to be used, I have started to use
instrument and feel it is an excellent product. I have requested the instruction manual and have not received that either. It appears the products are good but the final support is weak.

At first this thing didn't make sense, but after I played around with it for a while and started using the power breathing...WOW! It really is the best thing to do for your abs. I've been doing kettlebells for a while and am in pretty good shape, but this is really starting to make my abs visible.

Plus, it helps me do the other kettlebell exercises better--I have a stronger core and can tighten my stomach and lower body better. This translates into greater strength.

This product isn't cheap, but when you consider it (a) gives you stronger, more visible abs guaranteed (b) improves your overall kettlebell strength/proficiency (c) gives you better posture and probably saves you money in chiropractor visits and (d) lasts forever. Considering all this its well worth the price.

Very solid investment, very solidly made I can tell it is durable and will last forever. Only complaint would be when attempting to put it together for the first time, the black coating over the male and female connectors was an problem. Not overly so, with a bit of course grit sand paper and a bit of time, I managed to sand off enough of the black coating on the male ends and enough on the female ends to fit them together. Also had to use a hammer and a thick cloth to bang them together, as the fit is still quite snug. But once fully together it is ready for use, no complaints other than that. A stellar and quality piece of equipment, a quality investment for the long run!

I gave it a 9 only because of the slight problem with the fitting, at least my model would not be an easy "break down and slide under bed" thing. Very happy other wise.

I use the Pavelizer as my primary abdominal exercise. Friends that see my abdominal "apparatus" on the floor at first gawk and quizically inquire about the purpose behind it, then they laugh, and then they cry in shame when they can't perform a single repetition.

The feeling of having to use your abdominal muscles without recruiting hip flexors is like trying to tread water while holding an anchor; lots of effort and very little progress.

Within two weeks of following the Bullet Proof abs program I started feeling the results. My stomach felt taught and did not "belly-out" when I laid sideways in bed. After a month or two of using it my abdominal wall felt like a shield, and I noticed being able to sit up from the floor without hand assistance.

Although I cycle through ab-wheel, leg raises, windmills and suitcase deadlifts; the Pavelizer will always be my primary abdominal exerciser.

When I first used my Pavelizer, I thought I could at least do 1 rep. I did 1/4 of a rep. Plus my abs felt tense as if I had done quite a few crunches. I can't wait till I can do five, which means hard strong abs!

I felt jipped when this equipment arrived and I read the instructions. Midway through the first workout my abs were screaming. The next morning I knew I had worked my abs and not my hips like other machines. My wife uses it also, but with less weight.

I just got it today and dissapointed for some reason. I put it together, while getting one of the pads on, it ripped. What really got me was that any of the plated weights I had, did not fit the pavelizer. I proceeded to put my 45lb kettle bell on. While contracting my hamstrings, the whole thing slid on my carpet, so I could not get any resistance. Also, the packaging it came in...the box was horrible destroyed. The tape that held the box together, was stuck to the instuction book inside, thus, ripping it upon opening. If I could, I would return it and get a Pavelizer 1, but the original packaging cant even hold its own weight anymore. Also, no bungee cord.

I bought this thinking it would not do much. I was so wrong. I could not do one complete sit up with this. If Your looking to burn your abs into shape this is it.

I liked this thing from the first moment I used it. Of all the different ab exercises I have done, this is by far the best.

This really works. My wife is a seriously hard-ass Pilates instructor and she could barely do five full sit-ups. The only other person I've seen who can do full sit-ups with this was a long-time ballet teacher. I've been training for strength with barbells and kettlebells for 18 months and I'm still trying to do my first one!

However - I think this product is over-priced - hence 8 out of 10. DragonDoor might sell a lot more of these if the price was $50 instead of $100. Ab wheels are also great devices for core training, they seem to have more engineering in them, and they go for between $10 for the cheapest and $60 for the top of the range. Seems to me like the Pavelizer should be in the same price bracket.

The Ab Pavelizer is the best apparatus on the market to do one of the top two most effective ab strengthening exercises in existence. The Pavelizer style Janda sit up is unbeatable for building a solid armor like ab structure.

This simple machine is all you will ever need to build ripped abs and take a solid punch in a boxing or karate match, we use this exclusively in the Ohio Kettlebell Club and the Shurite Kempo Technique Association. I have trained many national karate champions and they all swear by the Pavelizer.

First of all, it is NOT a folding model.

The instructions that came with the product I find insufficient.

Frankly, I don't think it works any differently (nor better than) from doing sit-ups and crunches with the legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Or doing crunches with legs raised at 90 degrees.

I am using 35lbs weight, do 5 sets of 5 reps each, 4-5 days a week, but have not seen any results, such as sronger muscle control in the abs. (I don't have any fat on my stomach, and it is fairly hard when I voluntarily flex the muscles. Otherwise, my stomach portrudes).

While the actual piece of equipment is satisfactory and works well, the title "Ab Pavelizer II, Lightweight Folding Model" is misleading as it does not fold. The instructions also need work. They refer to a tight-fitting collar, but there is none. The Ab Pavelizers in Bullet Proof Abs are different than this one and it appears require slightly different technique, e.g. bungees, different concept of anchoring, etc. Consequently, the instructions supplied with the Ab Pavelizer II should be able to stand alone. It seems that using more weight is more advanced, better, no issue? Is a crunch the top position? What is the refrigerator push? Where do hands go after progress is made? Etc. Still, I am happy with the product but would be more confident with knowing more about its use.

This product is a waste of money. You can put as much weight on the end of it as can fit, 80 pounds, and it does nothing for the abs. I can do 100 situps and feel nothing different with the Pavelizer or without it. I followed the instructions, and the product is worthless. It was a total waste of money. And I invested in some 45 pound 2" hole weights. It does nothing. Worthless. Considering that Pavel does a great job with the Kettlebells, which are a truly amazing workout, and Dragon Door sells high quality Kettlebells and Kettlebell products, I was very disappointed with this Pavelizer product. And it was totally unexpected from Dragon Door and Pavel to sell junk.

Called DD to report shipping container shredded due to improper packing, and manufacturing failed to remove sharp edges from hole drilled in cylinder that hold the weights. Sharp edges are a safety hazard. Response was send us a photo. Forget it. Overpriced and poor quality.

Does what it says pretty well. Tends to ride up calves as the foam pads roll on the tubing. I tried some friction tape underneath which helps some but still lets some rolling take place requiring frequent annoying repositioning. I have been hesitant to apply any adhesive for fear the solvent might "eat up" the foam pads.

Stuart Mcgill, noted Canadien back researcher, has proven this technique for isolating the abdominals via reciprocal inhibition of the hip flexors by way of hamstring contraction, has been proven wrong. The psoas contracts even more forcefully to overcome the contraction of the hamstrings. The logic this piece of equipment is based on is false.

The Ab Pavelizer was actually a gift for my wife (she asked for it...I am not that brave). I must admit though I use it as well. It makes doing Janda situps by yourself a possiblity. The quality of this product is like everything else I have ever received from dragondoor, and Pavel...top quality. If you like abdominal strength, and a bit of humility then give Jandas on an Ab Pavelizer a try.

I just received the device (which, like all Pavel's stuff, is over-priced) and don't get the appeal. I've done it a few times (5-10 correct reps were no big deal, right from the start) and don't think it's any tougher than an ordinary crunch done strictly.

I have only had the pavelizerII for a few weeks and it has already delivered great results. Kettle bells have been my work out of choice after discovering gains in a very short time.The pavelizerII is no different. Maybe not for some one who does not have a solid base of ab work to improve on, but for anyone who has your money will be well spent. So get to work and step it up!!!

First and foremost I got this in the mail alot faster then I had thought. That being said I think partner Janda sit ups are alot harder. I find that the weight has to be just right in order to get the most out of it. The Product is way over priced, but worth every penny order at all cost.

I am impressed with how simple it is yet works effectively. It truly isolates your abs, and they're always sore! Great to incorporate with other ab routines for rock-solid, granite like abs!

I've always been skeptical (and with good reason) about the newest ab workout machine that "gets results fast" and "requires little effort." 99% of the time the machine is just a pile of junk that is meant to sap lazy people of their money. For this reason, I was very hesitant to purchase the Pavelizer. However, after enough research I finally put down the money and ordered one, making it the first ab machine I ever got "suckered" into buying. Thankfully, I didn't feel like a sucker at all; I instead felt incredibly sore in the gut.
This machine works. It works very well. I felt sore after 2 days and saw results within 3. My only reommendation would be (like all exercise) to keep consistent with your goal, and not to skip a day. Overall, I'm very pleased with the pavelizer and if you have the cash, I highly recommend getting one.

A very ingenious bare-bones piece of exercise equipment for doing state-of-the-art Janda situps! I'm glad I bought one, and I'm glad to use it. Far more effective than the worthless mechanical contraptions that are out there.

'Everything simple is good'
--quoted by Mikhail Kalashnikov

The Ab Pavelizer II DOES isolate your abs...If you use it correctly. Things I've noticed, in my experience, are:

1) The drill is a lot easier if the angle between your calves and hamstrings is less than 45 degrees. The hip flexors seem to become more involved when the angle is less than 45 degrees.
2) The drill is easier if you wear long pants and the lower leg sections (calves) "grab"/"pull" against the machine's roller pads. This gives you a bit of leverage. Wear shorts to make the drill more difficult.
3) The drill is a lot more difficult if only the heels of your feet, rather than the entire bottoms of your feet, contact the floor during the drill.
4) The biggest factor that I've noticed, in regards to difficulty, is SHOES. For MAXIMUM difficulty, DO NOT WEAR SHOES of any sort. I can grind out five slow and strict full sit-ups while wearing Converse Chuck Taylors, but I recently discovered that I cannot do ONE full sit-up while barefoot...My feet popped-up like I was playing Whack-A-Mole! It's amazing how big of an effect the smallest amount of weight/anchoring can have.

The Ab Pavelizer is definitely a challenge! I considered myself fairly strong until my humbling experience with this monster! I am an award winning women's figure competitor and even after two months of attempts at this thing, I have still failed! It is teaching me how to do a better sit up and I will beat this thing! Construction is not the best. It does not like to stay together at the fittings.

If Pavel Tsatsouline designed it, chances are it works as billed and that's true of the Pavelizer II. You have to follow directions precisely and the breathing component is key -- I use a LungExpander to boost breathing resistance and further tighten abs and glutes -- but the results were quickly obvious. That said, $99 for what's maybe $10 worth of metal and foam is a lot. The good news: It's half of what the original Pavelizer cost. Hats off to Pavel and Dragon Door for bringing Russian strength and fitness to America. Just remember not all comrades are rolling in dough.