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(More customer reviews)Upon first sight I had to laugh. When I pulled the core trainer out of the box my kids exclaimed, "Dad got a pony!" I had not heard much about core training other than from books like the "Abs Diet" which encouraged strengthening your core muscles along with dieting. To say the least I did not know such a machine existed.
As odd as the core trainer may seem the concept is simple; exercise the rider's core by constantly moving their lower body in different directions while the rider limits their own upper torso movements. The motion is very similar to horseback riding (at least the side-to-side motion).
The first thing I noticed when I unpacked the core trainer is how sturdy this thing is. Weighing around 80 lbs. I could see the core trainer was sturdy to hold me no problem (I am around 6'0 tall 210 lbs.). The weight of the core trainer may be something to consider if you need portability in your exercise equipment. While I can lift it by myself, I would not want to be moving it very often.
Sitting on the core trainer is comfortable. The seat reminds me of a large motorcycle seat and was always comfortable during the exercise. The core trainer has a handle on the front to allow first time users to hold on to something while getting use to the motion.
Each workout lasts for 15 mins. This is a preset duration that you cannot override. I found that after a few days of using the core trainer I wanted to do 2 x 15 min workouts. The parameters you can control are; the speed of the workout, the tilt of the machine (the pony), and the actual routine (side-to-side, forward tilt [Waist], and Backward Tilt [Hips] ).
With the core trainer you get a DVD that shows some exercise routines and also the basic posture while riding. I highly recommend viewing that. The exercise routines are interesting. I can see where making certain arm movements twists your torso into positions that simulate crunches and other high impact stomach exercises. My concern is the risk of injury. If you have any issues with your back I would not recommend doing any of the twisting exercises. An issue I have with the DVD is the menu selection. Whenever I insert the DVD I have to go through the annoying intro, I wish I could just jump directly to the menu.
So after a month of using the core trainer I have noticed my stomach area feels tighter. It feels as though I have done an average stomach routine. I have never noticed anything in my waist or hips. My inner thighs seem to be the muscles that get the most strain (from gripping the saddle). The workouts are never high impact. In fact, they seem about as low impact as you can get. All you really need to do is sit on this machine and keep your balance. I am optimistic that after using the core trainer for a few more months I will notice more improvements.
If you are someone who needs high impact exercises this may not be for you. However, if you enjoy low impact, and you are willing to stick with this machine for several months I believe it will pay off.
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Panasonic EU6441A Core Muscle TrainerThe Panasonic EU6441A Core Muscle Trainer uses Counter-Balance exercise technology to build strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. This no-impact strength training solution targets thigh, back, abdominal, and other core muscles for a serious workout. With pre-programmed settings, variable tilt and speed, and a compact, stylish design, this core trainer is a perfect fit for home use or fitness facilities.
How Counter-Balance Technology Works The core muscle trainer features a compact, stylish saddle design and innovative Counter-Balance technology. It builds strength by continuously moving you away from your center of balance and forcing you to use core and thigh muscles to re-balance. The resistance of your body weight gives you an effective workout each time. Some of the advantages of this approach include minimal joint impact, low aerobic impact, and low heart-rate increase.
Beginning a core strengthening program is incredibly easy. You simply sit and ride for 15 minutes, which is automatically timed. This makes the core trainer accessible to seniors and others with exercise limitations. The core trainer is designed to accommodate a maximum user weight of 265 pounds.
Build Muscle Strength and Boost Your Metabolism Three program modes -- forward, backward, and level tilt -- let you choose whether you want to work all core muscle groups equally or focus on strengthening certain muscles. Depending on the mode you choose, the core trainer effectively works the back, abdominals, obliques, quadriceps, gluteus maximus and thighs.
Combined with nine levels, these modes offer serious flexibility for customizing workouts. This makes the core trainer a perfect choice for both serious athletes with specialized needs and people with exercise limitations. It also offers excellent options for people who have difficulty tolerating stress on joints, need to keep their heart-rate below a target level, or have limited aerobic capacity.
In addition to the metabolic increase you experience during exercise, preliminary data shows that core muscle building boosts your resting metabolism, helping you burn calories.
Create Your Own Balanced Workout Since most aerobic equipment doesn't focus on core strength, using the core trainer in conjunction with working out on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical is a great way to achieve a balanced workout. If you want to get a complete workout in on one machine, you can pick between adding light arm weights, aerobic upper-body moves, and new positions for a customized core trainer workout offering both cardio and strength benefits.
Compared with most other exercise equipment, the core trainer is compact, stylish, and quiet. It fits comfortably in any room, so you can talk, watch TV, or read a book while getting in a great workout. In addition its built-in wheels make it easy to move and store when not in use.
The Panasonic EU6441A Core Muscle Trainer measures 29.5 x 16.5 x 34.3 inches (HxWxD) and weighs 82 pounds. What's in the Box Core Trainer, mat, two footrests, and two footrest brackets.
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