Aviron Abs Hero | The Gamified Core Trainer Built for Real Results

What’s happening: Aviron — the Toronto-based fitness tech brand known for turning rowing into an arcade experience — is back with its latest innovation: the Abs Hero Core Trainer, a dynamic plank platform that transforms one of the most dreaded movements into something people actually want to do.

Designed for short, high-impact sessions, the Abs Hero lets users move left, right, forward, and back, engaging 20+ core and upper-body muscles with every shift. Think planks, but smarter. More dynamic. Way less boring.

“Core strength is the foundation of everything you do,” says founder and CEO Andy Hoang. “Abs Hero takes an essential movement people usually avoid — and makes it addictive.”

The device pairs with the Aviron iOS app, unlocking a library of interactive, game-driven core workouts complete with real-time feedback, progress tracking, challenges, and leaderboards. Users can compete with friends, tackle new levels, and even chase their past performances in “Time Machine Mode.”

Built with ultra-comfortable padding, a floor-safe base, ergonomic hand slots, and premium construction that supports dynamic movement up to 300 lbs, the Abs Hero brings true performance engineering into the home — without the footprint.

Why it matters: Gamified fitness is having a moment. As more people look for engaging, low-friction ways to train at home, brands like Aviron are blending play + performance to keep workouts consistent, competitive, and actually fun.

Static planks are out.
Interactive core training — the kind that challenges your body and your brain — is in.

The Playbook Take: Aviron is quietly becoming the leader of “fun-first fitness,” and the Abs Hero is their strongest entry yet. If this is what the future of home training looks like, count us in. And if you’re into game-powered workouts, stay tuned — we’ve got a full breakdown on the rise of gamified fitness coming soon.