To prove our point lets think about this as if you were working out your chest on a bench press. Your shoulders and triceps will also benefit from the bench press workout but the primary muscle being used is the chest.  In our example, although you are able to train the secondary muscles during the workout, you still should consider other exercises to properly train your arms and shoulders.   The same goes for the Torso Tiger, if your looking for a good abdominal machine with the extra benefit of exercising other body parts then this machine may be for you.  However, if you really want to tone your back and arms then we recommend that you include other workouts with the Torso Tiger.

How does the Torso Tiger work?

If you look at the functionality of the Torso Tiger, it is very similar to the Ab Wheel and Ab Slider.  However the key difference between the Torso Tiger and the Ab Slider/ AbWheel is that it comes with resistance/ assistance cords.  The resistance/ assistance cords allow you to adjust the degree of difficulty for the exercise.  You can either increase or decrease the tension on the cords to provide the right amount of tension to effectively workout your abdominal muscles.  This is a great feature for those that are just starting out on an exercise program or with this type of abdominal equipment.  As your abdominal strength increases, you can adjust the Torso Tiger to effectively work your abdominal muscles. 

Another plus for the Torso Tiger is that it comes with a knee rest.  The comfort of the knee pads allow you to focus on your abdominal instead of your knees during the workout.

What are the negatives?

On the negative side there have been complaints that the Torso Tiger can cause lower back pain for those that are overweight.  This problem is also experienced by people who use the Ab Wheel and the Ab Slider.  Usually what happens is that the lower back muscles are not developed enough to support the user during the movement.  As the lower back muscles become stronger the lower back pain issue will resolve.  You should always consult with your doctor if you are concerned with or experience back pains while using these type of machines.

Tying it all together

The Torso Tiger is a good abdominal workout machine but it comes at a heftier price then the Ab Wheel and Ab Slider.  The main difference between the Torso Tiger and the Ab Wheel is that it does come with the assistance and resistance cords.   Although the Ab Wheel and Ab Slider does not come with the assistance/ resistance cords you have to weigh out whether or not the Torso Tiger is worth a price around 3 times more then the other equipment.  The knee pad is an additional plus for the Torso Tiger but you can probably get a similar result by placing a towel under your knees while using the Ab Wheel.  Our recommendation is to take a look at the Ab Wheel first and if you really feel like you have outgrown it over time then invest later in the Torso Tiger.   At a price around $20 the Ab Wheel is really an inexpensive way to find out if this type of machine is for you.