Best Vibration Platform Machines
With a user friendly display console and simple to navigate menu, will make even the most inexperienced gym goers comfortable in training immediately. Whether your aim is to reduce weight improving your fitness and flexibility, or build up your muscles the power plate trainer plus will help you reach your goals. The Vibration Plate is fitted with yoga straps to enhance its potential for improving the upper body and arms. If you suffer from joint problems, have a heart condition or use a pacemaker, we recommend seeking medical advice before using a vibration trainer. If you suffer from joint problems, have a heart condition or use a pacemaker, we recommend seeking medical advice before using a vibration trainer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I couldn't find anything that showed this machine in action, so I made a short video to give a better overview than just a picture."
"I purchased mine in 2014 i have before and after photos this machine is amazing text me if you would like my entire strategy I went from 325lbs to my current weight of 152lns with the help of this machine."
"Not quite as strong as the $2,700 unit in the Chiropractor's office but an EXCELLENT substitute for under $300."
"I have had my Confidence Vibration Machine for a little over a month, and I love it! This is by far the best piece of health and exercise equipment I have ever purchased, and I recommend it to everyone!"
"I have a disabled husband who walks with a walker and can only walk about 20 ft at a time. My husband can stand on it and doesn't have to walk here is a picture of him sitting in front of it working his arms and upper body."
"I could not believe the exorbitant price. Well, when I searched for a more reasonable price I couldn't believe that quality and price would meet my expectations and pocketbook."
"I don't know about all of the clames the manufacturer makes but I can say it has really helped me."
"My wife and I are in our 70s and love it."
The Hurtle Vibrating Fitness Platform provides you with a new and exciting way to train! EXERCISE EQUIPMENT FOR HOME: With the Hurtle workout machines you can have your routine exercise done in only 15 minutes a day with a perfect butt with this equipment for exercise What is compact and does not take too much space. BALANCE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT: booty machine workout fitness platform that will just make your body look perfect benefits include increased circulation, muscle strength, and flexibility; better range of motion; core conditioning and stability; and faster muscle recovery after working out.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I ordered it, I had seen a similar product on a popular Doctor's television show and they were discussing the benefits of these vibration fitness platforms. It was very easy to set up and came fully assembled with the exception of plugging in the power cord and clipping the resistance bands onto the sides. This platform also comes with a remote control so you can power it on, adjust the speed, set the time, and or change the program without having to bend over or get off the machine. My plan is to use this product several times a day at 10/20/30 minute increments and then reevaluate my body after 4-6 weeks. I was provided this product during a promotion at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. For the first month I attempted to use it daily, however life got in the way and I've been forced to cut back to roughly every other day. If you just want to stand on this machine and jiggle, your muscles will get sore, but you probably won't tone or lose any weight."
"With WBV, muscle groups that I could rarely engage with other methods are stimulated and strengthened in a very short period of time. There are standard exercises you can do like, planks, lunges, push-ups, dips, or simply standing or sitting on the unit, but you are not limited to those. In the manual it says, “Borrow health and fitness ideas from Chinese traditional culture like Kung Fu, Buddhism, Taoism, it advocates passive exercise which allow you to exercise indoor in a relatively static manner to get mind relaxed, pain and soreness relieved, fatigue swept away, inner circulation improved, then make you stronger and healthier.” Once I understood what that meant, that understanding changed my workouts to a more dynamic tension based style like in yoga and martial arts. Add some weights and/or use the bands, and basically I can get an intense, but low impact Kung Fu like work out in ten minutes for the price of an annual gym membership."
"I like it but this should not replace a cardio work out by any means."
"I just got it and i love it already... my adult kids are eager to try it too."
"Not to large and Convient to move."
"Great product,being using it for a week and its working ...even my 80 year old dad its using it."
"Light came on when plugged in but I couldn’t get it to work so I sent it back and ordered a new one."
The machine comes fully assembled and provides a range of frequencies up to 30 Hz producing a G-force rating up to 18.1G and comes with a complete user manual with exercise suggestions. Powerful dual motor: 500-watt linear motor and a 300-watt oscillation (pivotal) motor producing a G-force up to 18.1G.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've used WBV machines before, so I really wanted a quality product with a dual motor. I was skeptical about this machine because of the low price, but boy was I in for a pleasant surprise! This machine provides a good work out, but with it's relaxing effect, you can go straight to sleep immediately afterwards if you want! The only problem I have is that the hooks connecting the arm bands to the WBV are not durable at all."
"Love it."
"Been wanting one of these for ages fiancee was using own at chiropractic this is better then the one there and cheaper. Heavy but works I got it in my rv tucked away when not in use."
"I love the strength."
"Received the plate very quickly."
"After a few days of use it began to make rattling noise during use so I removed the case and carefully inspected the mechanisms while the plate was running. After reinstalling the cover and leveling and locking the feet there has been no more rattling noise under any operating modes."
Best Rowing Machines
Recognized by competitive rowers as the standard for indoor training, the Model D delivers an effective cardiovascular workout that will increase your fitness level and improve muscle tone. ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart connectivity allow you to pair with compatible heart rate monitors for wireless heart rate monitoring. Includes the Performance Monitor 5, giving you accurate, comparable data for every row; Adjustable monitor arm.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I transitioned to an elliptical machine, which was better, but still leaves me with some pain as there is still some weight bearing. I'd stopped exercising for the last few years, and have watched my weight balloon and my health start to decline. I'm so out of shape that housework and even climbing a flight of stair leaves me out of breath. I've talked to my doctor and orthopedist - both of which suggested swimming as an aerobic activity which won't stress my knees. Came in a strong secure box, well packed with large pieces of Styrofoam. The two main sections are joined at the middle with a hook design and then a locking mechanism. I have had some experience with rowing machines in gyms in the past, so I'm familiar with the stroke and form. A low impact rowing for 5 minutes is a great way for stretching out the major muscles. Will update my progress in a few weeks - hopefully a few pounds lighter and fitter. I saw a "deal of the day" for a cheap rowing machine this morning and started to kick myself for not waiting - "I could have saved hundreds of dollars." I've purchased cheap machines for my mother, and they usually arrive damaged because the manufacturers cut corners on the packing."
"I was comparing the following machines. * Concept2 Model D ($900). * Concept2's Model E ($1100) which is higher off the ground. and probably Concept2's strongest competitor on quality (but not price)... * BodyCraft VR500 (listed for $1900, usually on sale for $1500-1600). Also high off the ground like the Model E, and with a long monorail (both Concept2 models D and E also have an available longer monorail, for people with inseams of 38 inches/96.5cm or longer). I tested the Concept2 at my local YMCA before buying it (Concept2's website shows a listing of YMCA's with a Concept2 in your zip code). I project the very cool rowing simulator software to my 52" screen TV and compete against my own prior rows, or online with people around the world. I don't believe BodyCraft has a similar software, or even a connection that you can connect to your computer. As you connect your Concept2's PM5 to a computer with a USB A/B cable (a printer style USB cable), you can track your progress with the RowPro software, and/or with Concept2's online tracking software. The free software from Concept2 can upload data from a USB cable connection or a USB thumb drive up to online software. The free Concept2 upload software works, but is not as good as the RowPro software for $100. * Air resistance only, no magnetic resistance. Magnetic resistance is boring, constant, and creates the same force of resistance constantly throughout the row stroke. Air resistance is better because you begin your row stroke at one level of force, then momentum builds and you end your row stroke with the flywheel moving fast, making it easier to pull the last bit out of the flywheel, when your arms would get sore with magnetic resistance's constant pressure. Market research from newbie rowers probably requested magnetic resistance, but experienced rowers probably prefer the traditional Air Resistance only. The BodyCraft does have a great user manual (available free online for download) that provides great stretches for rowing. The BodyCraft appears to be the US marketed version of a German company product I found online (google "FINNLO Rudergerät / Ergometer Aquon Pro Plus" or see their product on Amazon.de, the German version of Amazon.com). A rower does an excellent job making your glut strong and firm, because your glut becomes a pivotal muscle in the process of rowing. But then you learn there is RowPro software you can connect into the Concept2, which you can project to your laptop computer and/or big screen TV, and you can join a vast rowing community all using Concept2 rowers. * Misconception #4 - "Dual Air/Magnetic Resistance is better than just Air resistance". Magenetic resistance creates an artificial feeling resistance. Novices to rowing are probably impressed with magnetic resistance because they don't know about the vast community online that competes on speed. More BodyCraft VR500 Comments: * The BodyCraft VR500 is for sure an excellent rowing machine and a strong competitor to the Concept2. Fun facts notes for anyone seriously researching the BodyCraft VR500: I also found the following rower online."
"I resisted all the black Friday deals on rowers and bought this one based on the positive reviews. Despite the positive reviews, this item exceeded my expectations. I though that the seat was hard plastic, but it's very firm rubber. I was a bit worried about noise since my machine is in a hard room."
"It was also super easy to connect it to an ANT compatible HR belt that I had from another product that I no longer use, again a cool bonus."
Best Step Fitness Machines
Full-body workout, combines calorie burning cardio with muscle toning in one simple step.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One thing I will stress is not leaning back, which means you can’t see your rep time, speed, or calories burned. But for those that count calories and how much you’ve burnt through the electronic piece in the middle might be very hard for you to read while exercising."
"Im 6'3" 225lb and this thing is stable and gives a great cardio work out, push with the legs then pull more with arms then reverse grip."
"I thought I could spend 20min a day on it no problem, however I'm working on going a minute straight."
"I notice a big difference in my arms, legs and my glutes."
"i'm a regular 4-mile walker so i figured 10 minutes would be a decent first work out."
"After receiving it and putting it together (amazingly easy - you can do it in 15 minutes - don't go looking in the box for all the listed bolts and screws - they're already installed) I was impressed with the heft and quality of the pieces. It is fully adjustable (the height of the upper handles can be raised or lowered), although there is no resistance setting - but for this type of machine you don't really need one."
"$200 for 17 days is $4294 annually; a professional-grade machine will cost half of that and endure years of punishment."
"The inner wheel that helps it glide up and down began to wear down until it eventually would not roll up and down at all unless a great amount of force was placed on the foot pedal. And both my wife and I are definitely under the weight limit, so it makes me feel that the product does not have great build quality. To be fair, I was probably in the minority of people who buy exercise equipment and actually used it daily and sometimes bi-daily basis, along with my wife."
Best Elliptical Training Machines
The Stamina® InMotion® Elliptical trainer is an affordable way to work out at home on one of the most popular machines in the gym. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In fact, I've been skipping out on running after work now and then because my legs are sometimes SO tired from stepping all day. The only things I would caution someone considering buying this are 1, if you are using it under your desk, it feels more like a bike than an elliptical and if you have bad knees (like I do) you might feel pressure if you don't have it perfectly aligned with your chair- turning to face a computer screen or talk to someone can turn your knees at a weird angle; 2, the calorie count is complete nonsense- don't rely on it at all, I've found deskcycle .com has a more accurate calorie count based on other data this machine gives you; 3, sometimes the little step counter keeps running for several minutes after I have stopped moving. I'm not sure if it takes a few minutes to catch up on all the steps I've done (this seems unlikely), or if mine is just a little messed up, but usually if I get up from my desk when it says, say, 3 miles, when I come back a few minutes later it might say 3.5 miles, so you need to keep an eye on that too if you are trying to track progress."
"I spent 5 years experimenting with different at-home exercise gadgets in search of something that I could do comfortably within my mobility and energy limitations and still burn up enough extra calories to make the scale move. I put it under my desk and pedaled while I worked, at a medium tension, mostly at a 5-7mph rate, off and on throughout the day (not constantly, just whenever I thought about it). I also watched TV while at my desk, so during those times when I would be watching a show or a movie and not needing to focus on work, I would increase the tension a bit and pedal faster, maybe 10-15mph. I averaged about 30 miles total each day on the machine (IMO, the mileage setting is a more meaningful gauge of progress than strides or minutes), taking into account that I spend a minimum of 10-12 hours at the computer each day. Most of the time it would take the entire day to get the 30 miles, but during my occasional "movie marathon" sessions, I could easily put in 20-25 miles per movie, and my all-time record is 75 miles in a single day (3 movies plus some computer/work time). But I could sit and pedal (and work) all day - yay! As the scale continued to move downward, my chronic pain and windedness eventually subsided enough to incorporate other exercise into my daily routine, such as lifting weights, walking (usually with walking poles, and only for a definite purpose, like doing errands), and riding my (outdoor) bike (my favorite thing in the world to do). After taking into consideration what so many other reviewers have said about their experiences, I think I would ONLY RECOMMEND THIS MACHINE FOR USE WHILE SITTING DOWN, because if you read through the reviews, although some of the "sitting only" folks have had issues as well, most of the folks who have the most serious issues of breakage or noise or other trouble after a short while are using it while standing. But sitting down does not put pressure on it - it's just a movement, which does cause some wear and tear, but nothing like pounding on it with 100, 150, 200 or more pounds of pressure for hours every day. At my typical 5mph pace, I estimate that I burn calories at roughly the same rate as a "leisure" bike ride or walk - about 150-200 calories an hour. I've actually converted my calorie-counting for the elliptical based on total mileage rather than clock time, just to make it easier, since that is all I really keep track of, being that I use it off and on throughout the day and don't keep track of my actual pedaling time. So I guesstimate that I burn approximately 30-35 calories per mile at my 5mph rate (on medium tension), and I bump that guesstimate up to 40-45 calories per mile if I'm going 10-15 mph on medium tension (which I will do if I'm watching a movie) or 50-50 calories per mile if I'm going 10-15 mph at a very high tension. So, basically, I'm burning, on average, around 1,000 EXTRA calories a day WITHOUT having to dedicate additional time to exercise or going to the gym - just doing my normal activities that I would be doing anyway. I think the best use for this machine is NOT for "dedicated exercise," but instead, for "multitasking exercise" - in other words, a way to burn calories while you're doing something else. Although it's certainly not a "calorie torcher," the machine serves a GREAT purpose if you are looking for something that can facilitate burning extra calories while in a sustained sitting position and simultaneously engaged in other activities. I'm sure many of you are aware of the fairly recent movement touting the benefits of "mindful eating," and one tip we hear a lot in that vein is to actually take a break and sit at a table and remove all other distractions while you eat. So by pedaling briskly on my elliptical while playing TapTiles as I eat my meal, I am accomplishing my ultimate goal of making my body a very efficient fat-burning machine. Social eating is its own pleasant distraction, so that serves a purpose as well and is certainly preferable to eating alone - it just doesn't burn as many calories. :). I love that I have found a no-brainer way to burn calories while I work, thereby eliminating ALL excuses for incorporating exercise into my day! Based on what we've been hearing for so many years (and are still hearing) about the need for X minutes a day or week of sustained aerobic exercise in order to lose or maintain weight, I'm guessing many people will be skeptical of how it's possible to lose weight while SITTING DOWN and PEDALING LEISURELY at a snail's pace of just 5mph. I want to first emphasize that if you ONLY put in 5 miles over the course of the day, you will not see noticeable results - remember that I'm putting in 30 miles per day, even if it takes me 10 or 12 hours to do that! The reason I get results is because I am burning more calories ALL DAY LONG by moving more than I would be if I were just sitting sedentary at my desk. But if you move while sitting, you counteract that problem and not only burn more calories in the process, but you keep your metabolism elevated (even if only slightly) all day long. One final thing I do want to say about exercising while you work, though, is to point out that while this DOES, indeed, count as EXERCISE, and it's GREAT for (lower body) circulation as well, it is NOT a cure for excessive sitting. We hear a lot these days about how sitting too long or being sedentary, whether at a desk or watching TV or for any other reason, is killing us. You will also find, if you use this machine a lot, that you will need to do that anyway, in order to give your legs a break and loosen them up a bit, because it's no different than any other sustained activity, such as bike riding, skating, kayaking, rowing, or other similar activities - you will feel stiff and achy if you do it for a long time without a break. I still have about 30 pounds to go before I reach my goal weight, and I plan to do a blog and some videos about it at that point, because I have incorporated a lot of creative and healthy ways to lose and maintain weight without having to go hungry or feel deprived or spend hours each day in the gym or doing dedicated exercise."
"I bought it to use sitting all day at work. I tried it at home for couple days and then noticed that the left wheel (when using it sitting) was barely on the metal plate. I've had it for three days, and now the wheel is riding on the edge of the plate, I give it another day and it will be completely off the plate. I have attached a picture to show how one wheel is entirely on the edge of the base instead of on the base.The base is attached the only way it can."
"I loved this little guy."
Best Exercise Bikes
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse can be folded up and rolled away when you are finished exercising. It is also designed to support up to a weight capacity of 300 lbs. Features like the “high torque” 3 piece crank system, magnetic resistance ,heart pulse monitoring and a “double drive” transmission system are all included for a very affordable price. FOLDING CAPABILITY: The bike will fold to at least ½ the size as when fully assembled, so it is uniquely compact. TENSION RESISTANCE: An 8 level Magnetic Tension control system, allows the user to adjust the tension level for an easier or more difficult workout.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I’ll start off by saying that I’ve geared this review toward customers who anticipate using this bike seriously, frequently, and at moderate to high intensity. It's a cheap part, and though I was out of the manufacturer's warranty, I called Exerpeutic [at (844) 641-7921], and their rep was kind enough to send me a new pair of straps free of charge. I called them to see what could be done about the flywheel and broken pedal, and the rep that I worked with deemed that the cost of shipping the bike and its repair was prohibitive... and he agreed to refund me the entire value of the product! To sum up, here are my Pros and Cons of this Exerpeutic Upright Bike: ***Pros***. • Basic console, the original AAA batteries still haven’t worn out. • Sturdy, shake-free ride, even at high speeds/intensity. • Ergonomically sound and comfortable. • Folds-up to save space. • Smooth and quiet. • Simple assembly. ***Cons***. • Mileage on the console resets to 0.0 after 999.9 miles, I would have liked five digits. • HUGE proprietary seat, which can’t be swapped out for a standard seat or saddle. • Not durable for more than light to medium intensity rides, a few times per week. • The 9/16ths pedals are cheap pre-molded plastic. • Cheap rubber pedal straps. This is a great bike for those who are just looking to get into stationary cycling, or maintain their current weight."
"Regarding build quality---the bike is made of excellent materials for the most part, and is a solid piece of machinery. I am in average physical condition, and the bike provides more than enough resistance at level 4 to 6 (out of 8) to give me a good workout. Also, because of the forward pedal position, it is very difficult to get full range of motion (ROM) without being uncomfortable, especially with the extra wide seat. The plywood base is bolted directly to the seat post, with no shock absorption system. When I ride the bike for more than 30 minutes (sometimes less) I can feel my "sit bones" sinking into the foam, and my center bottoming out. The rub (pun intended) is that higher tech bike seats are made of firmer materials, including denser rubberized foam that supports your weight better and collapses less. The bike has some very positive features (including the low price) and seems to work well for a lot of people."
"Bikes are not usually my go-to exercise equipment because they give me a sore butt and crotch when I push myself, and, sometimes, even when I don't. I have not noticed any aches or pains indicating the positioning is problematic, but I have noticed considerably less pain caused by the seat than I usually experience using exercise bikes."
Best Treadmills
Featuring 6 Personal Trainer Workouts, a 2-position manual incline and Comfort Cell Cushioning, this treadmill is the perfect tool for losing weight or increasing performance. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was used to the wider running room on treadmills at the gym and almost didn't even unpack out of the box when I opened it. (see attached pictures). It has a basic digital read that flips through calories burned, time elapsed, distance, and mph as you run. It has six run presets that are just right and adjustable as you run (pics). What I love is that you can slow down (hitting the "-" sign) and the treadmill will allow it for a "segment" (about 60 seconds), but then start back up on the original run settings for you after the segment without hitting anything. At the gym, the treadmills stay at the new "lower" setting during the whole workout, thinking that you bit off more than you can chew. Inclining the treadmill is as easy as lowering the back two feet (pics). There are two hex keys and an manual that tells you how to adjust the belt (re-center, slipping, slowing, etc.). It also recommending turning off (the switch is underneath the front) or unplugging the treadmill all together when not in use to protect electrical components, which could be annoying to some."
"This is a perfectly good compact motorized fold up treadmill, which works just fine. I almost did not get it, I am glad I took some negative remarks about it with a grain of salt, and did NOT worry and go for much pricier equipment. This is a low-to-mid priced folding but not compact, MOTORIZED treadmill, in NARROWER size for small spaces,. Caveat: this review is from a SHORT LAZY person, in a studio apartment- I can't comment on long stride, or if it works for big-and-tall persons, nor households looking for large or fancy (laptop or phone plug in, or work-desk enabled, or high variable incline or multiple home heavy use, or wider, nor- really compact- machines.). But for a regular user, in a small apartment, this is GREAT- the negative reviews are not necessarily entirely true. - Setup in under 20 minutes -solo (I'm 50 years old, not an athlete or gym rat) It weighs sort of middling for treadmills, getting it out of the box was the only 'hard' part. I'm glad I disregarded some negative reviews on this - I almost did not buy it- almost got one a lot costlier (on a credit card. (NOTE: I cannot give medical recommendation- so DO know your own balance and limits, check with your doctor etc.). The tray/ dashbord is cheap, - some space for a book or magazine, and two cup holders for your gin and tonics (j/K) but no real 'working table' as such. But this was really adequate (MIND YOU I AM SHORT) - for walking and jogging, freehand, while reading and watching tv. (It's not recommended that a person be distracted, but it's not a flimsy thing that will topple or explode or fall over or so on.). In a studio apartment with neighbors all over- I worried that a lower cost machine would have a loud motor and be a thing that also registers and transmits footfalls (Brzzzzz! I don't have to raise the tv volume (which I keep relatively low), I don't have the 'oh there goes that MOTOR", and it doesn't klonk when I jog. Which I never do because my laziness spectrum is vast but as to things I've at least sort of sometimes dabbled in or do once a week un-dilligently - semi-yoga stuff? I will help you mover your furniture from your apartment up and down four flights of stairs slowly as to lifting and 'hard work' - while sweating profusely, but if someone has to make a one block run for potato chips, it will be 'you, not me'. MOTORIZED treadmills solve the motivation problem and THIS has a relatively quiet, relatively smooth motor, it starts at 1mp always so I don't fling into the wall, it moves up in 1/10 mil of an hour increments, so I don't go from 1 mp directly to two (you CAN, but you have the butto that slowly gradually increases speed at your direction- it doesn't 'automatically speed up'). I clip the 'stop' thingie- the clip- the magnet that auto- stops it, the lanyard- whatever that thing is- to my NECK not my waistbelt. (mph, miles, calories burned, cupholder for your whiskey sour... j/k.. cupholder, water-bottle holder (two, in fact) and you have to put your finger on an alleged 'heart rate monitor' but no plug in pulse ox or heart rate, no "google maps. If you want a machine to be also a sort of workout trainer buddy, you will have to spend a lot more to get the fancy computer stuff. And if you want NO inlcine, it is enabled to remove the incline for flat walking if you have knee injuries or so on. -this is small but it IS heavy (for stability) so don't expect 'small equals portable' in terms of weight, but it is for Walking, freehand, Jogging, freehand, it has a long enough bed for a reasonable stride, you can use the dashboard thign for reading- it holds a book magazine or table. I cannot speak to long term wear- but so far, it's quite, it is sturdy, it is small enough but also BIG enough (for a shot person), it is surprisingly QUIET, and it works freehand for a balanced strided very well. and if you were thinking it would cost at LEASt $600 to get a decent treadmill and really more like $1000- and up, unless you need the 'trainer' features, this is great."