My Side Shaper Review (Does It Worth The Hype?)

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Is Side Shaper Worth it? 

Alright, so you know those ab machines that go up and down? Well, the Side Shaper isn’t like that. It can twist side to side, too, hitting your core from all angles. It’s smooth when you twist, and you can start easy and ramp it up as you get stronger. Plus, it’s got three levels of difficulty, so it’s suitable for anyone, whether you’re just starting or you’re a fitness pro.

And get this, you don’t need to mess around with weights or anything. Your own body weight is all you need, which makes it super easy to use. Plus, it’s safe ’cause it locks you in place, so you don’t have to worry about falling off or hurting yourself.

The best part? You can fold it up and stash it away when you’re done, so it’s perfect for small spaces. And it’s built tough, made of heavy-duty steel, so it’ll last you ages. Oh, and there’s a money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with it.

Basically, it’s a solid choice for getting those abs in shape without all the hassle of going to the gym.

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Side Shaper Ab Portable Machine
4.7

Combines the Power of Crunches with an easy-to-do Core Workout for FAT BURNING RESULTS.

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What is the SideShaper & How it Works? 

What is the Side Shaper? The precursor to the Side Shaper was the 5 mins Shaper Pro model. It looks like a hybrid between an ab-roller and some kind of ancient stretching device. Simply put, the Side Shaper has been designed so that you can perform core exercises in a safe and effective manner.

Crunches, sit-ups, and twists are excellent movements that help strengthen your core; however, these exercises can put unwanted stress on your lower back and lead to injury. The Side Shaper allows you to perform crunches safely and is a perfect machine for all fitness levels, particularly beginners who are still learning the proper form.

If you look at the design of Side Shaper, it’s really quite simple, which is a good thing; fewer moving parts equals less chance of malfunction. When folded out, the Side Shaper is only 6ft x 4ft and stores easily in any area of your house or office. The Side Shaper includes a display and a state-of-the-art computer monitor that tracks critical training data such as reps, calories, and workout duration. 

The Side Shaper also allows you to set your own goals if you wish to, which makes a good change and helps keep you motivated and headed in the right direction. The machine is made from heavy-duty steel and has a maximum user weight of up to 250lbs or 113kgs, allowing larger body types to workout with confidence.

For me, the big selling point when it comes to the Side Shaper is that it’s very easy to use, and even beginners to fitness should have no problems using the machine. The machine comes equipped with three different levels of bench adjustments.

  • Level 1 is the easiest and flattest
  • Level 2 sees a slight increase in incline and difficulty
  • Level 3 is the hardest of the three levels

Using the Side Shaper is as simple as gripping the handles while your elbows are placed on the padding with your knees bent. Now, bring your knees to your chest while keeping your back straight and your core nice and tight. In essence, the movement you’ve just performed is a “reverse crunch.”

The movement hits all areas of your midsection. If you’re looking for a little extra burn, hold your action at the top of the movement and count to three; this emphasizes the core as it requires you to “hold” the position longer than usual.

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Detailed Review and Specs

sideshaper woman

Specifications

  • Weight 28lbs or 12kgs
  • User weight 250 lbs or 113kgs
  • Construction High-grade quality steel
  • Technology LCD Display
  • Workout Data Duration, reps and sets
  • Money back guarantee 30-day money back guarantee
  • Shipping Free shipping 

Twisting Motion 

Many ab machines lack the ability to twist or perform side-to-side movements, but the Sider Shaper has no such problems. When it comes to core strength, flexibility, and conditioning, the ability to twist is crucial as the movement engages several different muscle groups compared to regular sit-ups or crunches.

The twisting motion on the Side Shaper is silky smooth, which is a testament to the high manufacturing and design quality. Beginners who are just starting out can simply use the crunch or sit-up motion, which is very straightforward, and then move to the twisting action once they gain more confidence. 

Levels of difficulty

One of the most significant benefits of the Side Shaper over similar pieces of equipment is the three distinct levels of difficulty. This allows users of all fitness levels to get a challenging workout every time.

Having three levels of difficulty also provides a lot of variety in the training programs and means you can easily adjust the reps and durations of your workouts with ease. Beginners benefit greatly from the three levels as it allows them to progress through the levels at their own pace. 

Bodyweight Exercise

Do you hate loading heavy weights onto barbells and dumbbells or using machines in the gym that is so tough to operate you need a degree? 

The Side Shaper will give you no problems because it’s so easy to use, and the best thing is there’s no need to load plates. Your body weight provides all the resistance you need, and the best thing about that is whatever your weight and fitness level, you get a challenging core workout regardless. 

Lifting big weights when you are performing crunches or twists isn’t needed and, quite frankly, very dangerous. The Side Shaper takes advantage of your body weight to provide a workout that targets the core safely and effectively. Because the Side Shaper locks you into position, you can perform your crunches without fear of serious injury. 

Safe and Effective 

We all know from our days back at school gym class just how effective and “fat burning” a good core workout can be; the only problem is that it can lead to injury if not performed correctly. 

The movement of bringing your knees to your chest is incredibly straightforward, and even complete beginners to fitness should have no problem. If you’ve performed a pull-up, you’ll have some idea of how easy the movement is in terms of technique.

The Side Shaper is so effective because it utilizes an easy technical movement but combines it with a challenging physical requirement. Crunches and sit-ups are also “low-impact,” which means you can safely perform them daily once your body is accustomed to the energy required.

Easy to Store Away

Don’t have a lot of space in your home gym or office? Well, the Side Shaper comes to the rescue. How many pieces of home gym equipment do you know that provide such a great workout and then simply fold away under the sofa or bed? 

High-quality composition

The vast majority of ab-rollers and gym equipment get a bad wrap because of their poor build quality, but you won’t have any such problems with the Side Shaper. 

The Side Shaoper is made from heavy-duty steel with a whopping maximum user weight capacity of 250 lbs or 113kgs. It’s solid and stable, allowing the user to workout confidently, knowing the machine won’t topple over. 

Many brands have tried to copy the Side Shaper, and although they are cheaper and look similar, they are flimsy and very often easily broken. The Side Shaper offers value for money and is a machine you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. 

Money-back-guarantee

The Side Shaper offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which is right up there with some of the best brands in the business. 

Give it a try for 30 days, and if you don’t see any significant results, simply return the Side Shaper for a full refund. If you’re not sure about getting one, then take advantage of the guarantee and try it.

Popular

Unbelievably the Side Shaper has sold more than 5 million machines globally and continues to sell millions and millions more. Why the continued popularity? Because people know it works.

Many pieces of equipment and brands make wild claims about getting six-pack abs or losing 20 lbs in ten days, and they sell well for a year or so, then you never hear from them again.

The Side Shaper is not a one-off-fad and has been selling for years now; let’s face it, 5 million customers can’t be wrong.

Pros

  • Three levels of difficulty
  • Smart LCD display
  • Track calories, reps, and time
  • Folds away in a jiffy
  • High quality steel construction

Cons

  • The Side Shaper is not a silver bullet; you will need to work hard on your diet to get ripped abs
  •  If you have elbow problems then gripping the handles might cause pain. 
sideshaper man

What muscles does the side shaper work with? 

When it comes to home gym equipment, many of the machines have the ability to target several different muscles and muscle groups. However, the Side Shaper and the Side Shaper Pro are very limited in this area.

Is that a bad thing? No. 

The primary muscles groups worked are your core muscles, including your abs and your obliques; most people know the obliques as “the love handles.” Your core is absolutely essential for maintaining an anatomically correct posture and also plays a critical role in mitigating long-term injury, particularly while lifting heavy weights.

When you perform the reverse crunch on the Side Shaper, you’ll engage and target your core muscles while the twisting or “side-to-side” movement will hit the “love handles” or obliques. 

Your arms, particularly your forearms, will get a workout, too, because gripping the handles while you slide your bodyweight requires a fair bit of strength. Your biceps and shoulders also get a decent workout to a lesser extent. 

Does the Side Shaper require assembly? 

The Side Shaper does require assembly but let me tell you this; if I can do it, anyone can. 

In less than 15 minutes, you can have the Side Shaper assembled and well on your way to those six-pack abs you’ve always wanted. Inside the box, you’ll find clear and easy-to-read instructions that help make assembly of the Side Shaper stress-free.

After assembled, the Side Shaper folds away easily and can be stored standing upright in a corner or under the sofa or bed. When fully opened, the Side Shaper is ready for use in a space as small as 6ft x 4ft. 

Quite frankly, you’ll be amazed at how practical the machine is, which is refreshing because many pieces of gym equipment claim to be functional but always seem to fail the test.

What do customer reviews say? 

Matt, a verified user and purchaser of the Side Shaper, had this to say “this is my new favorite ab machine. I was anxious because it is 3x more costly than other comparable ab machines. But the swivel function is worth every penny. I have a brain injury weakness in my hip, and it makes me super queasy when I do conventional sit-ups. The Side Shaper was an ideal alternative. No more nausea, and it even strengthened my hip muscles.”

Samantha, another verified user, said, “It is perfect!! I’ve competed in Bodybuilding shows, and my husband is a retired World Class Powerlifter, and we use it every day. I believe that my abs are coming back because they are showing great results from the conditioning of this machine.”

Zee said, “I haven’t used this machine very long, but I do like it so far. It’s easy to use and put together. No complaints as of yet.”

Dana mentioned that “it worked perfectly for the first month then the counter stopped working. Other than that, it really does give your abs a workout.”

SideShaper Alternatives Comparison

AbCoaster MAX

The Ab Coaster movements machine offers an excellent alternative to the Side Shaper and has many of the same benefits and advantages.

The most significant advantage of the Ab Coaster is that it alleviates lower back pain which is a common problem when it comes to performing core workouts. Your abs are targeted with the Ab Coaster, and because of the muscle isolation, the gains are pretty awesome, especially with summer just around the corner.

The Ab Coaster supports your body weight which is perfect for users of all fitness levels, particularly beginners who may not have the strength to perform crunches correctly yet. Many users have reported being able to perform many more reps on the Ab Coaster compared to traditional hanging leg raises.

The movement is a little more complicated than the Side Shaper, but in all honesty, after three or four sessions, it’s easy to use. The Ab Coaster is also very well made, and the padding provided is comfortable and allows you to work out for extended periods. With little to no stress on your neck or back, the Ab Coaster is an excellent alternative to the Side Shaper.

Fitlaya Fitness Core & Abdominal Trainer

The Fitlaya Fitness Core & Abdominal Trainer is another excellent alternative to both the Side Shaper and the Ab Coaster. 

The machine is made from heavy-duty steel and comes fully equipped with comfortable foam padding and ergonomic handles. The Fitlaya has an enormous maximum users weight with a whopping 440lbs or 200kg. The machine targets the core and especially the “love handles,” which are tough and stubborn for most people to get rid of. 

An LCD Display is included, which is a nice feature and allows you to track critical training data such as reps, sets, and duration. The Fitlaya is very simple to assemble and comes with easy-to-read instructions, and when you’re done working out, it simply folds up and stores away under a sofa or bed.

Wrap it up

The Side Shaper certainly is a unique and interesting piece of fitness equipment; it’s almost like a hybrid between an ab-roller and a calisthenic piece of fitness equipment. Does it work? Absolutely. 

The Side Shaper targets the midsection and the love handles, and wow, does it do a great job; the only downside is that’s all it does. If you’re looking for a versatile piece of fitness equipment, the Side Shaper isn’t for you; However, if you’re looking to target your abs and core, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better piece of affordable home gym equipment on the market.

The Side Shaper and the Side Shaper Pro offer excellent stand-alone workouts and are great for dynamic warm-ups. Do yourself a favor and order one today.

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Editorial Team

IF-FIT Editorial Team consists of experienced fitness writers and cyclists. Every article has been deeply researched to educate every bike lover.

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