Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Valeo Foam Exercise Mat Review

Valeo Foam Exercise Mat
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this mat to use with my P90X Workout DVDs. I wanted to use it as:
- yoga mat,
- padding for jumping jacks/running/lounges,
- ab work
It is ideal for ab work - it has a great thickness and the foam gives very good padding. But for the rest, it's not so good. For yoga, whenever I'm in a position that requires to stretch and press against the floor (like downward dog, for instance), the mat stretches with me, which is very frustrating. And it may be dangerous.
When I jump on it, it tends to move just a tiny bit, and the foam rubbing against the floor makes an awful, loud noise.
Plus, I used it while wearing my cross-training shoes, and my foot touched the mat while bringing a leg forward in a plank. It ripped it.
I would give it 2 1/2 stars, but it's not an option. It's a nice enough mat, but you need to use it for static stuff only, and probably not wear shoes with a substantial sole.

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2' width x 6' length.Two mats in one:Ribbed surface on one side, smooth surface on the other.Made of high density closed-cell foam for a comfortable workout.Self-grip straps keep mat rolled for easy transport and storage.Can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ab Lounge XL Review

Ab Lounge XL
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was debating whether to buy the Ultra or XL since there is a 14" difference in height and I am 5'3" female, but the price offered by Liquidation Wizard on Amazon.com for the XL was too good to pass up. For years I have been unsuccessful at strengthening the abs because traditional crunches hurt my neck and back which I was also trying to strengthen. Since diabetes risk increases with abdominal fat, when I tried someone's AB2 and found it easy to use, I decided to research the other versions and settled on the XL because of price. I couldn't find the Ultra at a similar low price. I was amazed that I received the XL 3 days from the time I placed the order. Having read the other reviews on this site and others, it's apparent quality can vary. The XL is made in China. My XL with the professional package came with probably everything that it was supposed to. There were two DVD's both with Rosalie Brown, one the Interactive AB Blasting System, the other a Resistance Tubing Workout. The sheet mentioned only the Resistance Tubing workout and a firstpath.com CD-ROM, not 2 DVD's. I think they revised their package since 2005 to include the 2 DVD's instead of the CD-ROM, since the Blasting DVD has fitness and nutrition information on it.
It took me 60 minutes to unpack, assemble the XL, and clean up the packaging. I could have done it in 30 if I were more organized. The written directions were straight forward, however, it would have been easier if I looked at the 4-minute video section on the DVD first which showed how to put the XL together. I was impressed with the diet and nutritional booklets that came with the XL, although the DVD exercise routine using the XL was too vigorous for me to want to follow.
Assembly tips: (1) View the assembly procedure first which is on the Interactive AB Blasting System DVD. (2) Put white lithium grease or other lubricant on inside of pedal attachment before attaching pedal to main assembly so it slides in more easily to attach.
The XL is bigger and takes up more room than I anticipated so plan a space for it, because as another reviewer wrote, you won't use it if you try to put it under your bed or in the closet. The computer clock is handy but works by movement and needs to be tilted if it doesn't register at first. I had to tilt the clock away from me so I can't see it as I exercise unless I stop. It's handy, and a motivator, but not really necessary. A watch would do as well. I'm starting out with 5 minutes at a time several times a day and every other day. The XL does isolate the abs and you can feel them working.
My XL is not completely quiet, and that bothers me because I can hear the hinges each time the chair bends even though I'm 130 lbs and the XL is rated to 275 lbs. I'd like to be able to stop the noise since others have written their XLs are quiet. I believe the products are not all of a uniform quality. I rate this a 4 instead of a 5 because of the noise and the placement of the clock. For value received from Liquidation Wizard, the shipper, and Amazon.com it definitely rates a 5.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ab Lounge XL

The Ab Lounge XL Abdominal Exerciser is the newest model of the revolutionary abdominal fitness trainers made by Fitness Quest. Enjoy a full range of motion without straining your head, neck, and back, as the Lounge XL allows you to exercise off the floor. Maintain better form, and efficiency of movement than you could with traditional bent-knee crunches as you tone your upper and lower abdominals, and watch your love handles melt away. Full recline option provides over 180 degrees of motion, allowing you to release stress that has built up in your spine and neck muscles. The "jackknife" movement focuses the workout strictly on your core stomach and back muscles, for a safe, efficient, and targeted workout.
The Ab Lounge XL Abdominal Exerciser takes abdominal exercise chairs to a new level of comfort. The cool, breathable mesh seat, and durable rolled steel frame can support up to 275 pounds. Padded ISO-grip handles are comfortable to hold, and make the jackknife motion easier, particularly for beginners. Adjustable foot pedals easily accommodate any height from 4 feet, 5 inches and up. The new quick-release folding mechanism, with a lever not a hinge, make the chair a snap to fold- just pull back on the lever and fold. Additionally, the Lounge comes equipped with a focus strap, allowing you to perform the advanced jackknife movement by simply extending your legs. Developing your core strength will help you look better, feel better, and perform better in everyday life and play.
At whatever your level of fitness, abdominal exercise chairs allow you to strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles with a full range of motion and improved form. Abdominal exercise chairs help you maintain proper alignment, and efficiency of movement by supporting your head, neck, and back. If you have trouble getting down on the floor, and find traditional stomach crunches awkward and uncomfortable, abdominal exercise chairs make exercising your core accessible. Additionally, you can rest comfortably between repetitions, watch TV, or just lounge on the chair.
Specifications:
Cool, breathable mesh seat
Padded ISO-grip handles on each side of the top of the Lounge make the jackknife motion easier, particularly for beginners
Adjustable foot pedals move with you for extra comfort, and can accommodate any height from 4 feet, 5 inches and up
New quick-release folding system works like a snap- just pull back on the lever fold
Focus strap, allowing you to perform the advanced jackknife movement, by simply extending your legs
Fitness expert Rosalie Brown's new AB Blasting DVD provides XL workouts for all fitness levels

What's in the Box? Ab Lounge XL Abdominal Exerciser, an instructional DVD by fitness expert Rosalie Brown, and easy to follow healthy meal guides
Manufacturer's Warranty 90-day warranty

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Body Solid GSRM40 Seated Row Machine Review

Body Solid GSRM40 Seated Row Machine
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When we opened this box it was apparent that someone else had thrown the pieces back and returned it - any parts that were strapped to the box had been cut. There were no instructions nor any package with the nuts and bolts. Very disheartening because it was a present for xmas. We wrapped it up (it weighted over 90 bls so it was not easy to handle) and sent it back and got an exchange (reluctantly hoping for another carton that was not used.) We opened the seconed carton which also looked like it had been tampered with, however, all the parts were there and we managed to put the Body Solid together.

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Body Solid Seated Row Machine. This is the tool of the trade for building depth in the middle back and training the hard to reach lower lats. Our uniquely designed Seated Row Machine is fully adjustable to fit all size users. The extra thick DuraFirm seat and chest pads position you for maximum pre stretch which is crucial for deep muscle penetration and full range of motion. Four way handgrips widen or narrow to target resistance to the middle back resulting in accelerated muscle gains. Weight plates and collars optional

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