Saturday, 18 August 2012

Total Core™ Extra

 


Total Core™ Extra

People like to be as comfortable as possible, whenever possible. That's understandable, but NOT when effective exercise is the issue. For exercise to be effective, it must be more intense, (more difficult, less comfortable), than our usual activities. "Total Core" serves 2 purposes; 1/ It assists the crunch, makes it easier. Unless you really can't do one crunch, "TC" purpose is to help you AVOID the full effort you're capable of. 2/It -massages- you -while- working out! / Ok, we can each decide who we are now: Those who have money to spare, & insist on being just as comfortable while we exercise as we are on the sofa watching TV: Buy the "TC". Those who actually want to work out: Do some crunches.They're free!

Total Core™ Extra
I was excited to try the product but after using it, the back rollers broke off and then the resistance bands broke as well. Do not waste your money on this product. If you're trying to find a reliable and professionally crafted piece of workout equipment....this isn't the product.
Total Core™ Extra
I've been at this machine now for over 3 weeks and noticing change on my mid section. I see some good and bad reviews, and still think this product still does justice. lol It's not a bad buy. I just hope mine doesn't snap like some say. So far so good, so I'm not complaining :D

Total Core™ Extra

I had read good reviews on the Total Core so I thought I would try it out. I used it for two weeks everyday and actually really liked it. I loved that it came with a counter and the roller bars were really comfortable on my back; but alas, I went to use it one night and I heard a loud popping sound. One of the green coils had broken; so there was no more resistance. I guess I"ll just do crunches the old fashioned way. Props to Amazon for refunding the total cost after I sent it back.
Total Core™ Extra
Well, like others have said, this machine allows you to perform 1000 abs in just a few minutes, you can be watching tv and exercising at the same time, amazing product. .and the Total Core definitely delivered. I really wasn't certain that this would be the ab machine for me, and actually quite skeptical that it would work. But after using it 3 or 4 times, I definitely felt the burn, and I have already seen an improvement in my midsection. The workout DVD is definitely helpful and really helps you get the burning sensation that promises great abs!



Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer

Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer
Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer


Wow! Don't those late night infomercials make this one look great? There's a lot of problems in this one both versus what they say and versus other Ab machines out there (and I swear - I pretty much have them all, I'm a sucker for a good infomercial).


So, here's the rankings vs. what they promise:
- A back massage and neck support: 0 stars
Those rollers sure look like they'd give a massage - but, in fact, they are not comfortable and there is definitely no massaging going on. I'd say this is easier on the back than crunches - but not by much. Since the back is one size fits all - whether you get neck support is going to vary by your neck and torso length. Tall people be particularly wary. That said, you are not on it that long. It's really a five minute work out.

- Quality: 1-star
Really flimsiy made for an exercise machine. Particularly cheap handles and attachments. Doesn't click the way they say it will in the ads. If you are a larger/wider person this thing may not stand up to your weight, and the small seat is definitely going to bother you. It's made cheaply all the way around - or there is poor quality control going on.

- Ability for anyone to use it - 4.0 Stars
Comes with a DVD that has routines for every level from beginner to advanced, and three different level tension cords that attach the seat to the back that make the exercises harder or easier. There's also they typical meal planner and recipe book that comes w/ all of these because any promises of losing inches ARE ALWAYS based upon you BOTH following the plan and using the machine.

- Value of exercies for abs - 3.0-4.0 stars
If you just sit on this thing and rock up and down like a rocking chair, as the ads imply, it won't hurt - but isn't going to do that much good (and there's far better machines out there for that like the Ab Lounge Sport that give you better range more comfortably. However, those are harder to work the obliques - and the twister motion on this works. But, the way this does the most is by following the routine that's appropriate for you on the DVD.

-Versus other ab products 1-star
I liked the idea of this because I thought it combined the benefits and ease of the Ab Lounge (without being so big and bulky) and my favorite all time informercial ab machine, the AB Dolly Plus (without requiring the hard floor space to use) into one. But, the poor design and flimsy construction, plus the lack of comfort using it just don't stand up.

BOTTOM LINE: There are better all around and better made ab products out there that will do the job as effectively, if not more so. This one just doesn't deliver on the promises of the ads and for the cost it's quality is below par. It's just not one I'd want to use everyday. Recommend looking at other options.



Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer
I would have gladly paid $20 more to had a better quality product. Seat comes pre assembled but 2 screws are stripped out. Stitching ripped out on Velcro tension spring safety bands. Instructions poorly written. Great invention too bad the quality and workmanship are so inferior.


Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer

This review is a review for both the product and the company that makes it since I believe that a great product has a great team behind it.


Bottom line: This product does not work. Why? I'll give you a detailed account.
The first day I got this product in the mail, I was super excited to try it. I opened and set it up, and put the lowest resistance bands on since I don't work out at all! The exercises on the DVD made it look so simple! My only problem was that I could never get the headrest in the right position- I just didn't know how my head is supposed to rest on the headrest and where? The brochure didn't make it very clear. Anyway, I start to do the exercise and even though it felt ridiculously easy and I didn't sweat a single drop of water, I felt that maybe I needed the medium resistance. Still nothing. My muscles didn't get a lick of workout after sitting on it and going up and down for thirty minutes. Finally, astounded I put on the hardest one and that gave my abs just a tad bit of workout. Mind you, I am in decent shape and I have some fat around my tummy but I just wanted to firm and tone my ab muscles and after 21 days of religiously working out on this ridiculous thing, I saw just a tiny bit of improvement from just rocking on this thing, I guess. It just didn't work for me at all.

Now, here comes the fun part. When I went to return the product, I was first told that my 30 days trial was up and I couldn't return it. I told the lady starting from the day that I got the product and to that day, it had only been 23 days. She apologized and said, okay send it back! So I used UPS to send it back so that it would get there in time. Well turns out, UPS took 11 days to deliver it. So by this time, it had been 35 days and when I called them to see what was taking them so long to process my refund, they flat out told me that they couldn't give me because I was over 30 days. I told them that it's not my fault that UPS took 11 days and after much talk, the customer service guy just hung up on me! I couldn't believe it! First he was rude, and literally shouting in my ear, and when I told him that he is being disrespectful, he just hung up the phone in my face. I was appalled! I have never had a cust. rep just blatantly hang up while I am talking calmly! Anyway, I called my c.c. company who gave them a call and when the lady picked up the phone, she sounded so frustrated as if I was making her take time out of her busy non-nonsensical job to.. you know, actually help the customer and after much harassment from her (and this while my credit card company is on the 3-way!!), she finally agreed to process a refund but she told me she couldn't give me back the $14.95 which they advertised was refundable if I returned the product! After, I explained this to her, she started screaming and shouting to the point where I was just asked her to calm down. She pretty much told me to go fudge off and hung up the phone on me! Again!! I am the nicest person you can ever meet and I am really sweet to everybody so for them to just hang up on me like that was so extraordinary! Even my credit card company's rep was shocked! Anyway, I have learned my lesson. NEVER order from tv infomercials EVER again! Amazon is the way to go.

Ab Rocket Twister Abdominal Trainer
I've had the thing a couple months now, and yes, it's one of those things you get and just sits there, in the way, tripping over it, etc. I admit to getting the "AbDoer" thing a while back, with essentially was a chair with rollers on your back getting you the wrong kind of sore that you are looking for. That was a huge waste of money. This thing at least looked a little more motivational with plenty of movement options. But, no, you sit on the floor, wreck your back, and your posture is so screwed up you regret every minute of it. It comes with a riveting DVD of nothingness, so you really are on your own. It feels like it's going to break at any moment, there is no comfort in it's use, but you just trust that it's not creating damage. The next day you basically feel like someone took a bat to your back. And after all that, I'm not even sure where the "ab" factor comes into play. I give it an extra star as maybe it might be better for smaller framed people or older kids. But after putting this thing together (not fun), it is taking too much room as it has no appeal to anyone. In the basement it goes.

Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer with Flex Master Attachment




I've had neck pains and migrains since I could remember. I've always wanted to work on my abs, but traditional sit-ups gave me head aches because it would strain my neck (I know, you're not supposed to use your neck for sit-ups, but no matter how hard I tried it still affected my neck). The fact is, for a beginner who has spinal issues to begin with, it is hard and the Ab Rocket worked out for me.

The Flex Master is nothing great, the resistance is only mild, and adjusting it doesn't work because it just slides and loosens as you use it. Also, the hooks break very easily, so becareful and check them everytime because you use it. I would just get the Ab Rocket and go out to your local sporting goods store to buy those bands with two handles on them where you can adjust the resistance by changing the location of where you stand on the band.

Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer with Flex Master Attachment

I thought this might help support my back while working the abs - HUGE waste of money. Provided no support at all. Just stick with crunche

Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer with Flex Master Attachment
I thought it was going to swivel but that is my fault for not examining the product more closely. It was fairly easy to put together and does work properly.


Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer with Flex Master Attachment
I'm a 47 year old male in pretty good physical condition. I exercise on a regular basis with weights, cardio etc. I purchased the Ab Rocket a few months ago and used it on a consistent basis. About three weeks into using the Ab Rocket I had to stop all of my exercise routines because of a neck/back injury. At the time I didn't correlate the injury to the Ab Rocket. Once the injury healed I started my normal exercise routines back up but didn't include the Ab Rocket and everything was fine for the last 6-8 weeks. Last week I again incorporated the Ab Rocket into my work out schedule and now have the same neck/back pain I had prior. The tell-tale sign for me was when my wife started to us the Ab Rocket and within a week was complaining of neck/back pain. At that point I knew this was related to the Ab Rocket exercise equipment. I would be cautious of this device. It's unfortunate because the device really does hit the abs and does give you a good ab work out with noticable results. But I have to stop using it.

Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer with Flex Master Attachment
ab rocket is ok for beginners. the neck support is very uncomfortable for shorter ppl, there are four adjustments but not proper alignment. the flex master is an over priced cheap piece of plastic. better off tying theraband or something similiar to the ab rocket for same results