Posts Tagged ‘Exercises’

Gaiam Coreplus Reformer

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Gaiam Coreplus Reformer




Flatten your abs while getting a total body workout with the Coreplus Reformer. Mari Winsor (of Winsor Pilates) takes the lead in this full-length program that replicates the movement of a Pilates Reformer class. Lose weight and tone muscle faster by adding resistance to your Pilates practice. The CorePlus Reformer is a new and innovative fitness tool with a four loop design that engages your entire body. Versatile, lightweight and east to store, the CorePlus Reformer is the perfect weight loss and toning fitness solution.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Bands or Tubing Can Get the Same Work Done
I saw the article previewing this in Pilates Style magazine and anxiously awaited its arrival in the market. But the exercises are nothing more than doing Pilates with a strong C curve and rubber tubing. I was hoping this would be a great workout and it is a great idea to create a “portable” reformer, but it is nothing different or innovative! Try any band/tubing workout out there. They are just as effective.

3 Stars Ok but there should be an intermediate DVD available
It’s an interesting intro to the Coreplus band and it would be great if once you did the DVD a few times you could advance on to a real workout.

Also, by the end of the DVD I thought I’d scream if Mari Winsor said “Beautiful” one more time. She’s not the most dynamic instructor, and repeatedly saying beautiful, argh, didn’t help.

I’m in it for the pilates though. I will watch the video a few more times, write a list of what is done in the DVD, do it on my own and add repititions.

The concept of the coreplus band is a good one–they just need to do something more with it.

4 Stars Quite a challenge
The CorePlus Reformer is quite challenging, even for those proficient in Pilates. The DVD workout is helpful, but it was a bit difficult trying to watch the DVD while performing the exercises. The grips seemed to slide around somewhat, which was distracting and made it sometimes difficult to execute the exercises correctly. I would definitely recommend it but would caution beginners to go easy.

4 Stars Takes Pilates to a new level
This routine works every part of your body and it definately takes Pilates to a new level. Pilates is very good for toning and stretching the muscles and this reformer adds more challenge to the routine which makes it more fun. The reason I gave it 4 stars is that I find myself getting my feet caught in the cords during the changes to the next exercise and that is kind of frustrating. We aren’t all graceful dancers so sometimes I have to stop the dvd to get situated for the next exercise. I expect that over time I’ll get better at it but I’d rather be focused on practicing my Pilates moves and not have to stop to get my cords right. I’ll keep working on it though because I like the way the Reformer challenges the muscles.

4 Stars LOVE this workout
I have been doing pilates religiously for over two years and swear by Mari Winsor’s workouts. This one is definitely challenging and the fact that she always has a modifier for each exercise is great but I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who isn’t familiar with pilates. Also, even at my skill level, the section that focuses on the legs and lower body is tricky- b/c the band sort of slips off your feet if you aren’t paying attention. After doing this a few times now I really like it.

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Gaiam Tricord Resistance Cord Workout Kit

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Gaiam Tricord Resistance Cord Workout Kit




Three different resistance cords let your train progressively ” use the purple cord for light resistance, the green cord for medium resistance and the blue cord for heavy resistance. Foam-cushioned handles keep your hands comfortable as you strengthen and define your muscles. Includes a DVD featuring Charles Shand, who will teach you how the cords can be used to boost your metabolism and heart rate while sculpting your arms, legs and torso. Includes three 4″ latex resistance cords, one pair of handles and a 40 minute DVD.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great deal, great quality
The tricord is a great product. It comes with a DVD workout video. My wife wanted to find resistence bands for light workouts and some of the other products out there only had one handle for 3 bands. These bands all have their own handles with three different resistence: light, medium, heavy. Great for a nice quick little workout.

My only gripe is that certain exercises on the DVD require you to wrap the bands around your hand to increase resistence, but the bands are too short in some exercises or too long in others. Minor gripe.

1 Star Don’t Buy This!!!
I am a relatively active and healthy runner, 36 at the time of using this. The deep knee lunges actually were the catalyst for a knee injury that has lasted a year. DO NOT DO THESE EXERCISES. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT unless you want to injure your knee(s).

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The Firm Stability Ball 55cm

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

The Firm Stability Ball 55cm




Simple, versatile, and fun to use, The Firm Core Stability Ball is designed to challenge your balance, stability and flexibility through various low-impact exercises and movements. Included with the package is a 30-minute core training video that guides you through a variety of techniques that you can adapt to your training, stretching, rehabilitation or other workout routines. The ball is made of tough, burst-resistant plastic, a special material that resists tearing and, if punctured, deflates safely and gradually. Available in several fashionable colors, the 55-centimeter ball is sized for users measuring between 4 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet, 3 inches. Pink. 55cm Ball.

  • Simple, fun, and versatile
  • Designed to improved balance, stability, and flexibility
  • Includes 30-minute training DVD
  • Made of tough, burst-resistant plastic
  • Includes balance ball, pump, and DVD
  • User Ratings and Reviews

    5 Stars Solid, durable product.
    I bought this ball to use as a chair, and I’ve been very pleased with it. I’m a big guy in a house that frequently has a lot of kids, and the ball has held up extremely well to heavy usage.

    5 Stars Great at home exercise.
    This ball and video were a great way to get a trimming work out without having to go all the way to the gym on days with little motivation.

    2 Stars Deflated before we got a chance to use it
    This was a disappointing purchase because the ball deflated before we had a chance to even try it out. We don’t know how it happened but there was a small cut on the side so it’s anything but durable. When I called the Firm’s customer service to report the problem, they said they couldn’t help me, that I’d have to call Amazon because I didn’t buy the ball from them directly. All I wanted was a patch but, again, they couldn’t help me. Amazon came through as always, providing a return label and a complete refund. I would recommend buying a real physio gymnic ball as we’ve had one for eight years by SkillBuilders and it still looks like new.

    1 Star Not What I Was Expecting
    When I was reviewing my order online it looked great, even had a 97% rating. When I got the work out ball the pump was missing the needle and the whole on the ball to pump it up was also missing a piece. No matter what I tried there was no way I could pump up the ball, so this was just a waste of money.

    5 Stars Makes a great chair
    I use this as my desk chair at my computer at home. My back feels much better since I made the switch. And it is easy to take a quick stretch break while you are working.

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    Polar Flowlink

    Sunday, February 21st, 2010

    Polar Flowlink




    The Polar USB Infrared Interface Unit is for downloading data to PC via infrared.

    User Ratings and Reviews

    1 Star No good for Mac users
    I ordered the Polar FlowLink only to discover that it doesn’t work with Macs. Which is both surprising and frustrating. Mac users beware. And if you are so inclined I encourage you to contact the company and urge them to support Mac users — an ever growing demographic.

    5 Stars Work just fine.
    This is the link that you need to take advantage of the POLAR FA20 and upload all your exercises to your personnal web trainner.

    1 Star Awful Product
    This thing is terrible. It never works. Well, that’s not fair. It worked once, and hasn’t worked since. I’ve restarted the software, the computer, repeated several times and…nothing. It is total junk.

    5 Stars Good experience
    The Polar Flowlink is light, small and incredible easy to use, at least with my Polar RS300X. Therefore I have a good opinion on it.

    3 Stars Useful but not always working
    I bought Polar Flowlink thinking it’s a bit expensive for something that is only supposed to connect my HRM with my laptop. Now I’m using it as I planned to, moving my training data online in a pretty easy way. I have to say though that this device doesn’t work in a 100% of cases and sometimes I need to retry a few times. I think it’s quite annoying since you never know what’s wrong and if it will work again or not.

    Another limitation is that it doesn’t work on mac so I’m forced to use it on my work computer.

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    Wailana Large Yoga Ball Kit 151L

    Sunday, June 28th, 2009

    Wailana Large Yoga Ball Kit 151L




    Regardless of one’s age or fitness level, the regular practice of yoga offers innumerable benefits to those seeking health, fitness, or stress reduction. Wai Lana is one of the most influential an internationally known personalities in the field of yoga. Her lines of Yoga Products are some of the best available and we are sure you will be satisfied with their quality and their prices. All Wai Lana products are designed to provide you a safe and convenient foundation upon which you can build your yoga practice.

    The Yoga Ball Kit is ideal for toning and lengthening your muscles. This kit includes an inflatable Yoga ball, air pump and instructional booklet that includes 24 beautifully illustrated step-by-step exercises. The Yoga Ball is the perfect addition to any Yoga workout. It can help you build strength, tone muscle, increase flexibility and improve balance.

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