Exercise Comparison
Ab Roller vs Standing Cable Lift




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Instructions
Ab Roller
Hold the Ab Roller with both hands and kneel on the floor.
Now place the ab roller on the floor in front of you so that you are on all your hands and knees (as in a kneeling push up position). This will be your starting position.
Slowly roll the ab roller straight forward, stretching your body into a straight position. Tip: Go down as far as you can without touching the floor with your body. Breathe in during this portion of the movement.
After a pause at the stretched position, start pulling yourself back to the starting position as you breathe out. Tip: Go slowly and keep your abs tight at all times.
Standing Cable Lift
Connect a standard handle on a tower, and move the cable to the lowest pulley position.
With your side to the cable, grab the handle with one hand and step away from the tower. You should be approximately arm's length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable. Your outstretched arm should be aligned with the cable.
With your feet positioned shoulder width apart, squat down and grab the handle with both hands. Your arms should still be fully extended.
In one motion, pull the handle up and across your body until your arms are in a fully-extended position above your head.
Keep your back straight and your arms close to your body as you pivot your back foot and straighten your legs to get a full range of motion.
Retract your arms and then your body. Return to the neutral position in a slow and controlled manner.
Repeat to failure.
Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.
Verdict
Both exercises target the abdominals. Ab Roller is a intermediate exercise using other, while Standing Cable Lift is beginner and uses cable. Choose Standing Cable Lift if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Ab Roller for a greater challenge.