Dual Ab Rollers (06/2018)
I’ve never used equipment for core training- simple sit-up and plank variations have been more than enough to keep me entertained. After watching this video extolling and demonstrating the benefits of dual ab rollers I was sold, and decided I was going to buy some for myself.
After looking at a few options for sale online, I thought that instead of buying a pair I could make my own- it would cost me roughly the same and would give me practice working with materials and tools I am very inexperienced in, and I would end up with a one-off bespoke exercise tool. Well, technically a two-off, but you get what I’m saying. I got right to work planning and procuring all the bits I needed…
The final design consists of a solid 22mm diameter aluminium bar with an 8mm diameter axle on each end to accommodate the 608 size bearings which the scooter wheels are fitted with. The wheels are held in place with a brass end cap which is screwed into the axle using an M3 machine screw and spring washer. The grips are rubber mountain bike grips with aluminium collars at each end to prevent rotation about the bar. Blue anodized collars were chosen to match the wheels and compliment the brass end caps.
The bars were first cut to length on a chop saw. The holes for the threads in the axles were drilled (not shown), and the axles were turned down to the required diameter. A small shoulder was left to ensure that the bearing shields and outer rings would not rub.
The simple end caps were then made by drilling through for the bolt hole, counterboring to recess the screw head and then parting off.
The threads in the axles were tapped, and then it was time for assembly… The handles were first slid onto the bars and the collars tightened. The wheels were then slid onto the axles and the end caps screwed on, using a little bit of Loctite 248 (not pictured) on the threads in addition to the spring washers, for good measure.
These ab rollers work perfectly. The wheels are large enough to roll without worry of catching your knuckles, and the sealed cartridge bearings provide very little rolling resistance. The rubber on the wheels grips very well on both hard floors and carpet, so there is no worry of slipping accidentally. The grips are very comfortable and there is copious width to accommodate much larger hands than mine. They seem very robust and will undoubtedly last me a very long time.