Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I do a variety of aerobic and anaerobic exercise to supplement my interval training. The Nordic Track Toning Wheel is just the latest gadget I've incorporated into my regime.
There's a plethora of ab exercise equipment out there, all vying for your attention and competing for a market share in this niche industry. Most of them promise to help "target" and "burn" fat around your belly. Know what? "Targeting" specific areas to eliminate excess fat is a myth. Yes, you heard right. To take it to an extreme: How would you like to have ripped, washboard abs while retaining your flabby arms, saddlebag thighs, and double chin? It just isn't going to happen! Ab machines will help you firm and tone your abdominal muscles under the subcutaneous fat, but it won't help you "target" the fat. I'm disgusted by how fitness companies are perpetuating this myth by their deceptive advertising. Among the worst offenders are the Ab Rocket, Ab Supreme, Body by Jake Ab Scissor, Ab-DoER, Ab Laser, or, God forbid, AB Sonic.
The only proven effective way to lose fat is aerobic exercise. No, I don't mean aerobics, although it IS a _form_ of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercises are exercises that raise your heart rate to your target heart rate for sustained periods. Your target heart rate depends on your age, among other factors. Interval Training comes to mind as an effective form of aerobic exercise, although it's also a form of ANaerobic exercise (a discussion of anaerobic exercise is beyond the scope of this review). There is growing consensus that interval training is the most effective way for shedding excess fat, belly fat included.
With all that said, no, the Nordic Track Toning Wheel isn't going to help you lose unwanted belly fat per se; it will, however, help you tone and firm those abdominal muscles. And it is equally effective, if not more so, than those fancy and expensive ab machines - at a price that's easy to stomach. This workout packs more of a punch than you might think. After just a few reps you'll start to feel it working (or feel the "burn", if you will). You can do them in sets if you wish.
Assembly: The package comes with 2 wheels, a shaft, and two handles. Assembly is VERY straightforward: thread the wheels through the shaft and affix the handles to the ends of the shaft. Make sure the handles are pushed in all the way.
Construction: The wheel components are well-made and certainly feel very durable. The grips are rubberized and feel very comfortable. The shaft is metal and the wheels are plastic with textured rubber over the rim for traction. The rubberized parts actually look and feel plasticky. The fully assembled wheel is extremely sturdy.
Function: The rolling action of the wheels is very smooth. I should mention that the product does not come with any instructions on how to use the wheel, but no matter, you can make use of youtube as a learning resource. Simply use the search terms "ab wheel" to perform a search at the youtube site and you will get pages upon pages of videos that show you the proper technique for using the ab wheel. I strongly recommend that you start off with your knees on the floor as shown in the picture on the product page.
The Nordic Track Ultimate Toning Wheel is a real good value for your money. I got mine through the Nordic Track site for less, plus, there's free shipping ;). Give this wheel a whirl, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
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