Product Review: Fabric Resistance Bands

 

This is a set of three fabric resistance loops. I purchased them for use with the 645 Beachbody workout, but they can be used for any workout in which you are doing squats, leg lifts, or the like. The light gray band will provide the lightest resistance, the dark gray band will provide medium resistance, and the black band will provide heavy resistance. Most people, even those who are in relatively good shape will probably start out using the light band for most exercises and then work their way up to the heavier bands.

One big advantage to these over the rubber/latex loops/bands is that they hold their shape a lot better and will not roll or pinch your legs as you move, which can hurt, a lot, especially if you have hairy legs. They are not a total replacement for the rubber loops as there are still some things that those kinds of loops work better (for example, some lateral bound moves such as speed skaters with a band around your ankles), but for many types of exercises, these loops are a much better option.

Product Review: CAP Barbell Coated Dumbbell Weight

 

This is a 12-pound hex dumbbell. These are gym-quality dumbbells, with a rubber coating on the ends. It appears that sometimes the page on Amazon offers just one dumbbell (making it necessary to purchase two at a time to get a set), and other times they are sold in pairs. So, pay particular attention when you are ordering if it just adds one to your cart or a pair, and order accordingly. I ordered the 12-lb dumbells (they were being sold as a pair when I purchased them) and they arrived in time and did not appear to be used at all, and were exactly as I expected them.

Product Review: FILA Neoprene Covered Dumbbell

 

The Neoprene Coated dumbells are the only way, at least that I have found, to get the very light weights, like 3-lb weights and even 8-lb weights at a reasonable price. I personally use the lighter weights for some shoulder exercises that I either cannot do with a heavier weight or would be almost dangerous to try with heavier weight (like those that can put a lot of strain on your rotator cuffs). They are also good for people who want to weight train, but not put on a lot of muscle, or are just starting out and have not built up to using a heavier weight for some exercises. 

They are a bit shorter than the non-coated weights, so if your hands are really big they may not be easy to grip, and if you have a dumbbell rack they may not fit perfectly on it. But, if they do fit in your hand, they are easy to hold and do not slip, even if your hands get sweaty. You should note that they are sold individually, not as a pair. So, if you want two of them, and chances are most people will, you will have to pay attention to the online listings and buy two at the same time.

Product Review: Neoprene Coated Exercise & Fitness Dumbbell

 

The Neoprene Coated dumbells are the only way, at least that I have found, to get the very light-weights, like 3-lb weights and even 8-lb weights which I personally use for some shoulder exercises that I either cannot do with a heavier weight or would be almost dangerous to try with heavier weight (like those that can put a lot of strain on your rotator cuffs). They are also good for people who want to weight train, but not put on a lot of muscle, or are just starting out and have not built up to using a heavier weight for some exercises. The 3-lb dumbells are a bit small, so if your hands are really big they may not be easy to grip, but if they do fit in your hand, they are easy to hold and do not slip, even if your hands get sweaty. Otherwise, you can get a pair for a decent price. You should note, however, that they are often sold individually, not as a pair. So, if you want two of them, and chances are most people will) you have to buy two at the same time and pay attention to the listing pages if you are buying them online.

Product Review: Ropeless Jump Rope

 

I got this because I do a lot of the Beachbody workouts (as anyone who reads this blog knows), including ones like Insanity: Asylum which uses a jump rope in some of the workouts. But, my basement has low ceilings, so it is difficult to jump rope exercises down there. Plus, I was never super coordinated with a jump rope even when I was a kid, and that has not gotten better as an adult. This allows me to do the moves without having to worry about tripping over the rope, or the rope hitting the ceiling. The ends are weighted enough that it mimics the feel of swinging a jump rope, but not so much that it gets your arms or shoulders too tired. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Skin-Friendly Non Latex Resistance Loop Bands Set of 4

 

These are a set of rubber resistance loops that can be used for a variety of different workouts. For example, the Chalean Extreme Beachbody workout uses loops quite a bit, as does the Job-1 program. They give you different levels of resistance with each band, so you can use the lighter resistance bands for exercises you need them on and use higher resistance bands as you improve. I would describe them as skin-friendly to an extent. They can still roll up and pinch, especially if you have hairy legs or ankles. There is also a lighter set (the bottom one in the picture) and a heavier set (the top one) that has bands with a higher amount of resistance. So, depending on your fitness level you can choose the set that is right for you (or get both and work your way into using the heavier set). I definitely recommend them.

Product Review: UPOWEX Resistance Bands Set - 5 Stackable Exercise Bands

 

I use these in conjunction with some of the Beachbody workout programs like P90X. I love the fact that they are stackable, so you can increase the resistance beyond just using a heavier band. The only thing I would do to improve the set is to add a 5lb band so you can increase resistance in smaller increments, and include a second set of handles so you can have a couple different bands ready to go without having to unclip the handle from one band (or set of bands) and clip them onto another. But, you can find 5lb bands and extra handles online pretty easily.

Product Review: Black Mountain Products Single Stackable Resistance Band

 

I have a set of stackable resistance bands with the lowest level of resistance being 10 lbs. I got this so I could stack the bands in 5lb increments. After a couple of years of using this, I have no complaints. It is very sturdy and high quality. Obviously, wear and tear is the measure of how good any band is, so I will update this review if need be down the line. But so far, it works as expected.

Product Review: Black Mountain Heavy Duty Resistance Band Handles

 

I got these to use with a set of stackable resistance bands that have clip handles. The set of resistance bands only came with a pair of handles which sometimes were a pain to change during workouts if I wanted to use a different band or combination of bands. I have only used these for quite a few workouts, and they have held up fine for a couple of years now.

Product Review: Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack

 

This is a relatively small weight stand. It is much smaller than those you will see in a traditional gym. Even so, it still holds quite a bit of weight. I have weights ranging from 5 to 30 lbs and 4 kettlebells on the rack itself, then weight plates ranging from 2.5 to 10 lbs hanging on the bars. 

The rack fits up against a wall perfectly and is very steady. It took about an hour to put together. I did most of it by myself, but it will help to have a second person when you are putting the top shelf on, otherwise, you are going to be in for some frustration. The instructions are okay. Not great, but not horrible. All-in-all a good storage solution if you have a relatively small weight set that you want to get up off the floor.

Product Review: CAP Barbell Vinyl Coated Kettlebell

 

This is a kettlebell coated in vinyl. I have the 5 lb one, but they come in various weights. It is sturdy and holds up well, but the outer casing is light and could easily crack or break, so you do not want to drop it on anything other than a mat. Also, the handle can get slippery if you sweat a lot so a pair of workout gloves are also a good idea when using this.

Product Review: CAP Barbell Flat/Incline/Decline Bench

 

This is a very nice bench for beginning lifters. It is lighter weight (just under 30 lbs) so it is not as heavy as those you would see in a gym (which are north of 50 pounds or so). Two people can get it together probably in under 30 min. I did it by myself and was around an hour. You will at least need two adjustable wrenches to tighten down all the bolts. All the bolts and washers are labeled. The diagrams and descriptions in the instructions give you a good idea of how to assemble it. There is a weight limit (250 lbs + 100 lbs worth of dumbbell weight). So for very experienced lifters, it will probably be too flimsy, but if you are using dumbbells in the 10-30 lb range mostly, you will be fine.

The great thing is the back goes from a full upright position to a decline so you can do decline flys and decline presses as well as decline crunches. The only thing I would be leery of using it for is doing step-ups. You are better off using a plyo box or something like that. For everything else you can use a bench for, it will work fine, especially for those who are beginner to intermediate lifters.

Product Review: Body BRD2800 Rider Deluxe Flywheel Dual Trainer

 

This is definitely on the lower end quality-wise for an elliptical. You definitely know you are not paying $700 plus dollars for it. It worked fine until the pedal broke at a weld point and it was no longer usable.

I was able to put it together by myself in a couple hours. I did notice that the housing that covers the inner workings was cracked, likely in shipping, but nothing major and I was still able to put it together. It is made of relatively cheap plastic though. The hardest part to put together was actually the pedal assembly because there is a little pin that goes in a hole that keeps falling out until you get the washer over it. With two people it would not be as hard, but if you are putting it together by yourself it will be a pain. And you have to do one on each side. After that, the rest of it is pretty easy.

It does have a short stride length. I am 5'7" and it is just on the edge of being okay for me. So if you are tall, you are probably going to want to look at something else. It is kind of loud when using it as a bike, but when you are standing up on it, it is relatively quiet. The display unit sits really low. It is easy to see when you are sitting on the seat, but very hard to see when you are standing up. I have not had issues with loud noises coming from the bearings like other reviewers have, but I could see it happening if it gets knocked around during shipping.

All in all, this is really a get-what-you-pay-for unit. It is okay, but not great. Certainly nowhere near gym quality. I would say if you can afford a more expensive unit you will definitely get more out of it because this is really bare bones. I would also not let someone who does not have good balance or stability use it as an elliptical because if one of the pedals breaks while standing and using it, it is a fall risk. 

Product Review: Tony Horton Power Stands

 

I got these with the P90x2 deluxe package through Beachbody. They are very sturdy and work well. They are much heavier than the push-up stands that have the "h" shape if you look at them end-on. These are especially good f you are doing wide-arm push-ups ( which were done more in p90x than x2) because they will not tip and roll on you like other push-up stands. 

Like other push-up stands (or using dumbbells) these will give you more range of motion throughout the push-up movement and are great if you have any wrist pain. I have broken my left wrist twice, and it makes doing regular push-ups hard. I have no wrist problems at all when using these. Also, these can be used to do triceps dips while you are seated on the floor, which is not something that is possible with a lot of push-up stands. So, whether you are doing P90X (or X2 or X3), or just incorporating push-ups into your workouts, these are a great option to have.

Product Review: Everlast Folding Mat 72" x 24"

 

This is a folding mat that, when unfolded, is about the size of a yoga mat, but much thicker (a bit less than 2" thick) and softer (stuffed with foam). This is perfect for doing ab work, to kneel on when you do push-ups if you have to do them on your knees, and even doing stretching and some yoga. If it is on a hard floor it will definitely slide around so you would want to put something underneath it or use it on carpet to keep it from sliding. I do not think it would be all that useful when doing, for example, plyometric jumping and/or lateral moves as there is too much danger of it slipping when you land. But, for lower-impact things that require lying down or sitting, this is perfect.

Product Review: McDavid Waist Trimmer Belt

 

The name of the product is definitely deceptive so you have to understand what this does and does not do. It provides decent back and core support, which is helpful when you are working out, and it does make you sweat, so you will lose some water weight. What it does not do, by itself, is trim your waist in any way, shape, or form. Meaning, if you have fat around your middle, you can wear this 24/7, but if you do not work out and eat healthily, or at least eat a balanced diet, then you are not going to see any significant change in your waistline, much less get six-pack abs. 

If you have realistic expectations of what it can and cannot do for you, you will find it useful. I use it when lifting to help support my back and core, and if you use it like that, you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for a magic gimmick, this will sorely disappoint you.

Product Review: Lifeline Pull Up Revolution Assistance System

 

This is a pull-up assist that is useful for people doing home workout programs like P90x who can kind of do a pull-up or can do 1 or 2 unassisted pull-ups, and want to be able to do more. It is not for a total beginner who cannot even get halfway through a pull-up, however, as it can only support so much weight, even at the shortest length. The shorter the length you have the more it assists and the longer the less assistance you get.

This uses bands that are mounted into the center which provide the assistance, and then you adjust the length of the strap to get more or less assistance from the bands. The bands seem to be good quality and I have not had one snap on me as I did with the P90x pull-up assist that was put out by Beachbody. The only thing that I would say could be better is the clip/u-shaped hook part that goes over the bar. It is plastic and people have had that piece break on them. It would be better if that was metal. Aside from that, however, I definitely think this is a good piece of equipment that can help you get to the point where you can do unassisted pull-ups.

Product Review: Bowflex Max Trainer M5 Cardio Machine

 

The M5 trainer is a cross between a stair stepper and an elliptical. I cannot say how easy it is to assemble because I paid to have it assembled, but it did take the person who assembled it about an hour. Of course, he assembles them all of the time, so it would take one or two people longer to get it put together. There are a ton of small parts and there are spots in the instructions that they are not entirely clear. Once it is together it does give you a good cardio workout, and it has a fairly small footprint. It worked well for me for a few years, basically until the warranty expired, then one of the pedal connections broke at a weld joint, so there was no fixing it. And, since it was outside the warranty period, there was really nothing I could do that would not end up costing a bunch of money. I used it once a day (sometimes twice a day) pretty consistently, but I was the only person using it, and did not abuse it at all. So, it just broke because of normal wear and tear. Thankfully, I did not fall off of it when it broke, but if you have one that breaks the same way, that could definitely happen. And, if you are using it in a basement with a concrete floor, that could definitely be bad. Bowflex definitely has a reputation for equipment that breaks. I have had a set of their adjustable dumbells for over a decade and have never had a problem with those, but this one definitely did not hold up. Therefore, I would not recommend this.

Product Review: MESHA 1" Pair Jaw Barbell Collar Muscle Clamps Bar Black-standard Lock 1 Pairs

 

These do work on 1" threaded barbells, ez-curl bars, etc. But, they do not hold as solidly as the spring collars do. They can slip on and off the barbells even when you have them locked. They will not slide off easily, but if you pull them or if the weight plates were to slide against them, then they will move. So, if you are going to use these, definitely don't overdo it with the amount of weight because they can slide off and cause a major problem if the weight plates were to fall off. Using smaller plates, even several smaller plates (5-10 lbs) are not an issue, and realistically using 20 lb plates or even one 45lb plate on each side with these would not cause a problem. But, if you were to use multiple 45lb plates, that could be an issue.

Product Review: Mueller Athletic Tape

 

This is typical athletic tape (at least it was when I purchased it). I know that some reviewers complain that it does not stick well, but that was not my experience. I did not have any problems with adhesion using it on multiple surfaces, including the skin. I am not sure if it has changed over the years or if third-party sellers are selling knock-offs, but the tap that I got worked.