Today we are going to be discussing a new workout program that I stumbled across completely by accident. In my personal life I have begun a quest to find a workout program or system that can help me loose a couple of pounds and improve my heart health. I am not in horrible shape (I still teach boys gymnastics once a week), but I am certainly not in top shape…or anywhere close to it. A couple of months back my wife decided she wanted to give the Insanity Workout a shot (here is my review on the Insanity Workout Program), but we quickly learned that it really is insane, and only for folks that are in decent shape to begin with. While I liked the intensity of the workout, one has to be already functioning at close to the level of fitness that Shawn T. and his friends have to get the maximum benefit from that program.

So, to that end, I am going to continue my search for an exercise program that has a decent amount of intensity, takes a balanced approach to fitness, and that will fit easily into our crazy lives.

This post will take a closer look at the 10 Minute Trainer, a program put together by famed trainer Tony Horton. I have heard favorable things about this program from close friends, so I figured it was worth closer examination.

The 10 Minute Trainer

Tony Horton, the man behind the 10 Minute Trainer Program, is also the same fitness mastermind that put together the P90X workout and the highly spoken of Beach Body Workout series. Tony has years of putting together top notch workout programs so it should come as no surprise that his latest workout programs are spot on. The 10 Minute Trainer takes all of the knowledge he has acquired and combines it to provide a succinct workout program that is perfect for busy folks.

When I first heard of a workout that only takes ten minutes to work through I thought there was absolutely no way it could have any value. I have trained competitive gymnasts for 23 years and I know a little bit about what it takes to get into shape. So I did some digging on this product to figure out if it could possibly have any value, and I think it just might. The basic premise and strength of this program is that it uses something they have deemed as “superstacking” to optimize workout time. This is one of the reason sports like martial arts and gymnastics get people into such phenomenal shape, they are always using more than a single muscle group at any time. The exercises are designed to work several muscle groups simultaneously as opposed to isolating them like so many other workouts do. So, instead of just doing a lunge, you are doing a lunge and then kick, all the while pumping your arms back and forth. This is an efficient use of your energy and your time.

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The 10 Minute Trainer focuses on the following: Yoga Flex Workout, Lower Body Workout, Cardio Workout, and the Total Body Workout. One of the things I like about this program is that it is modular. By that I mean you can add “modules” to increase your workout set. While you can certainly see benefits from doing the 10 minute session, you can add another 10 minute session to increase the effectiveness of your workout. So, on the days when you have minimal time, you can just dive right in and focus on a 10 minute workout session. On other days when you may have a little more time, you can add on a couple of additional workout sessions and really rock your workout experience.

Resistance bands and a cardio workout belt are the primary tools used to maximize results during the ten minutes. The use of these seemingly simple tools really helps to increase the resistance against your body while performing the various exercises. It is this resistance that ensures you are getting the best workout in the shortest amount of time. If you order the kit from the 10 Minute Trainer site these items are included with the package. That is one of the things you need to be wary of if you intend to purchase this program from eBay or Amazon. Not all of the packages they sell on those sites come with the resistance bands included. Make sure you read carefully regarding what you are going to get if you order from one of those sites. If ordered from his site you can also get his ten minute meals, 10 Minute Trainer workout calendar, pocket workout cards, 2-day jumpstart plan, and 10 Minute Trainer bonus abs routine DVD.

10 Minute Trainer Reviews
As one would expect, Tony’s promo site is full of rave reviews from folks that have found the program to be incredibly helpful… but what are other folks out on the net saying?

There are lots of good reviews from people that have used the program. The most frequently given compliment is that the workout is easy to use, and great for tight schedules. The fact that you can customize the workout to meet your specific needs is a huge plus for many of the folks using it. If you are on a tight schedule, get the 10 minutes session over and done. If you have a little more time, slip in another segment or two. Additionally he has modified moves that allow beginners to tone down the intensity of the workout to help them gradually build up.

Some of the cons of the program listed by users of the workout are that the way the CDs have to be changed during the workout makes it awkward to transition effectively (this based on the number of sets one does). Some folks also complained that Tony is not working out with you, but instead coaching you through the process. Both of these items seem like non-issues as neither really impacts the effectiveness of the workout.

What turned me on to this workout? My wife and I actually did the Beach Body Insanity Workout Program for a while, as discussed earlier. The program was great, but we haven’t worked out seriously for over a decade (or two). The Insanity DVDs have warnings all over the place that it is not a workout for folks just getting into the game. They were right. So, I am looking for something that is a little more toned down that can act as an introduction to the wide world of fitness. This seems like a good fit, and it will fit into my tight schedule nicely.

10 Minute Trainer Cost
One of the big turn-offs for me on these types of programs typically is the cost. It is not unusual for a product like this to run into the hundreds of dollars and that assumes there is no specialized diet or workout equipment required. I like the fact that you can buy this program for about $90 right from Tony’s site. Additionally, he will let you split the cost into two payments to make it even more affordable. Splitting the cost of a workout program into two payments is nothing new, but Tony Horton will allow you to get a refund on the product before the second payment is processed if you are unhappy with the workout. That is a great deal. It allows you to buy the program and give it a try. If it turns out that it doesn’t work for you, you just send it back and get your money back. I like that.

I am going to purchase the program later this week and give it a try for a couple of months. I will come back here after a month on the program and post an update on the status of my workout success. I am looking forward to evaluating the effectiveness of the 10 Minute Trainer and see if it delivers what they promise.

Let’s talk a little bit about two workout programs that can provide awesome results when applied properly. The 6 Minute Abs workout series and the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred are two very popular programs that folks all around the country are getting results with.

6 Minute Abs

As the name implies, the 6 Minute Abs program is a very intense workout that focuses primarily on exercising the user’s abdominal region. Many folks believe this is an actual program that you can buy (it once was), but now most of the information you are going to find on it is found on YouTube in the way of videos.

Apparently this workout gained notoriety when Ben Stiller’s character in the movie “Something About Mary” picked up a hitchhiker that was all buffed up because of it. Regardless, there are actually many ab workouts that you can do in the time span of 6 minutes that will help improve that muscle group. Even if it is just 6 minutes worth of crunches on a daily basis you will be ahead of the game. Some of my other personal favorites are v-ups and hollow body rocks. A little more difficult than the basic crunch but also much more effective.

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred

This is another one of those programs that is really popular right now. Part of its popularity is probably derived from the fact that Jillian is currently one of the personal trainers on NBC’s show The Biggest Loser; however, there are many favorable reviews of the program as well. For example, out of the 2,400 reviews on Amazon.com for this product, over 1,800 of them are 5 stars. The reviews are very consistent as well…it is a tough and challenging workout that will put you through the paces and make you feel it. Jillian uses the 3-2-1 method to help maximize the effectiveness of your workout time and then really push you to the next level by not letting you take any breaks until the end. I am not sure how many calories the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred calories burned, but I am willing to guess that when you follow the program at full intensity for the full duration it is in the 700 to 800 calories an hour range.

While the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred results are sure to vary for each of the folks that use it, you can be certain to see and feel a change if you follow the guidelines provided with the DVD and endure till the end of the program.

If you want a good workout, try the two products above and see how they work for you. If you don’t feel like buying them new and spending a lot of money you can probably purchase used copies of the products from Amazon or Google (under their shopping interface). Good luck!

The hype over the Cardio Twister Machine shot up the day it was launched through international infomercials. Initial reaction from consumers was that the promise of faster burning of fat through the cardio twister actually holds some truth to it.

First of all, how is the Cardio Twister Machine extra special, compared to the usual bunch of exercise machines we’ve known?

A lot of Cardio Twister Exercise Machine reviews tell us that the selling point of the machine is its function. Its firms your body, shapes up your abs and tones your muscles without having to perform numerous types of exercises through a wide array of exercise machines. A Cardio Twister Machine is very convenient to have at home since it’s easier for busy people to perform workouts without allotting so much time for it.

Reading the Twister reviews, I have understood that it does not necessarily give you the perfect exercise routine. You still have to support yourself with proper diet and regular cardio workouts to speed up weight loss compared to jogging and other treadmill exercises.

Also, the Cardio Twister Machine costs less than the others so it is appropriate for people who are on a tight budget. For $200, one can have their own cardio twister machine and enjoy working out in the comforts of their own home.
The Cardio Twister machine reviews I found also emphasize that working out is more fun if you are having fun with the equipment you are using. The machine is not just cheap and effective; it also lightens up the pressure of having sexy abs by making it enjoyable to work those tough muscle groups.

Working out doesn’t have to be so serious and expensive! Couple your will power and stamina with the right as seen on TV exercise equipment that not only gives you the perfect body you deserve, but also the fun you could’ve lost just to make room for exercise.

Ok, it is no secret that everyone has their own opinion on things…me included. One of the things we do around here is review products, try and give you the pros and cons associated with a system and then point you in the right direction and turn you loose. Today’s post is no different, well maybe a little. I decided to switch things up a little today and review the reviewers. Some of you may be asking “Why in the world would I care what another review site has to say about this product?” First, let me say that I honestly have no experience with this system of Jillian’s. That being said, I will still pass along some information to you that I was able to dig up on the web to help arm you to make a prepared decision in the event that you decide to give it a shot. I also thought it would be a neat idea to take a look at other Jillian Michaels 14 Day Cleanse & Burn Reviews to see what they had to say about the effectiveness of the product. So, let’s get started.

My initial review of this program shows that it is a detox system that is designed to help your body remove impurities over the course of 14 days. This program is intriguing in that it is not just a typical juice diet or fasting program wherein you attempt to flush your system with water or juice to shed a couple of pounds. Instead there is a three step process to this program that kicks off with a seven day cleansing period, followed by a probiotic replacement phase and then a fat burners phase. This cleansing occurs naturally with the intent of building probiotics in your digestive tract and naturally removing the toxins from your system as a precursor to diving into a workout program. This is a unique approach and one I think could be very beneficial for folks embarking on a new workout program. It has the net effect of helping you the feel better internally while gearing up for the next phase of your workout. Nice. The second seven days focuses on helping ramp your body up for the exercise regimen. Ideally, I think Jillian is looking for this to be used with one of her Jillian Michaels workout DVDs. As with all exercise programs, it is essential for users to maintain a proper diet and a decent workout routine in order to realize the best benefits.

Now, what do the other reviewers have to say about the program…nothing surprising. A review of three other sites basically provided basic information about the product. One site did point out however that some folks who have used this product have had issues with an irritable bowel while using the product. So, the only way you are going to know if it works for you will be to buy some and give it a go. However, I think I would avoid going on any extended trips or hiking adventures until you know how the product is going to treat you.

First, let me begin this article by clearly stating that Shaun T. is the anti-christ…ok, not really; but I did find myself cursing him under my breath every step of the way. Now for the rest of the story…

Not too long ago my wife decided that she wanted to find a workout program that would help her get back in shape, not that she is really out of shape but she wanted to tone her muscles up. She didn’t reach for a Denise Austin Pilates DVD, or a Jillian Michael’s workout or even Shaun T.’s other workout series the Beach Body Workout. No, she went right to the edge of reason and decided on the Insanity Workout (appropriately titled I would like to point out). My daughter was watching a late night as seen on TV exercise equipment show, saw this advertised and made the recommendation to her mother. Before I knew it, we were receiving the DVDs in the mail.

I have been a fitness professional for about 20 years so I have a fair degree of experience assessing the level of effort an individual should be exerting to exercise. I will tell you, my wife (and more specifically me) did not need to begin our journey towards better health using this plan. My first indication that this may be a bit intensive for us was the fact that the entire program (package labeling, pre-video screen shots, intro to workout, beginning of workout, and so on) is plastered with warnings stating that this is not a program for beginners and can be hazardous to your health. Did not give me the warm fuzzies, but we pressed on anyway.

The workout is incredible. Shaun T. is a great coach and provides excellent encouragement throughout the session. The warm-up is every bit as intense as most full-on workouts you would complete. Just when you think you can’t take any more, Shaun gets down to business and makes you SWEAT. Fortunately, because I was doing the workout from the DVDs (and not in a class somewhere) I was able to take breaks as necessary and not damage my pride, and I took many breaks. Did I mention that I took MANY breaks? The workout was crazy and it really did do a great job of working most of my muscle groups. The exercises used are low impact for the most part so you your joints are not being abused during the work out. By the end of the 45 minutes I felt like I had been hit by a train…it felt good.

The Insanity Workout DVD Set that my wife purchased had the thirteen (13) discs. For those of you that are not familiar with the program, there are two levels: intro (which is the one I am talking about) and the insane (I can’t even imagine how it could be any more insane than the intro workout). In addition to these to programs there were extra discs that were specifically designed for muscle isolation training and muscle mass development.

The DVDs have exercises that work all major muscle groups within the body. There is a cardio work out for the abs, for the legs, and for the back and chest. These workout sessions are great, but not for the faint of heart.

So while I was honestly compelled to silently curse Shaun T. every time we put one of the DVDs in, I have to give mad respect to this fitness professional that goes the distance in every one of the sessions and works hard to motivate the folks working out with him in both the DVD and at home.

I highly recommend the work out; just remember it is not really designed for beginners, but those folks that are already totally crazy about their workouts will really enjoy its intensity and reap incredible results.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Overview:
Today’s exercise equipment reviews are going to be a little different than in the past in that instead of reviewing a single piece of equipment/ program, I am going to provide highlights on four different pieces of exercise equipment that are available to you either over the Internet or through a local store. The four pieces that are chosen for today’s article are: the P90X program, the NuStep T4, and the Flex Belt. One of the items I’ve chosen for today’s article is a program, and two are actual pieces of equipment that you can use during your workout. Hopefully all of them will provide some benefit to you in your search for exercise equipment or programs to help you reach your fitness goals.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Product overview:
Our first product overview will be on the P90X program. The program is designed around a set of specific exercises with the ultimate goal of helping you realize fitness success within a 90 day window. One of the good things about this program is that it is not solely focused on exercise as being the key to reaching your personal fitness goals. It does recognize the importance of exercise, but also understands that in order to achieve optimum physical fitness levels the user of this program must also control their diet. To that end the program provides a comprehensive recommend a diet for the user to follow and additional support materials such as a calendar to track your progress, a detailed fitness guide, and access to online peer support groups for encouragement when you need that extra push.

The next program we are going to look at tonight will be the NuStep recumbent cross trainer. Specifically we will be looking at the new step T4 and providing you with information about this specific model. There are a whole host of models offered by the NuStep company, so if you don’t think that the T4 will meet your needs you should check out the rest of their product line. Basically the NuStep T4 combines all the benefits of treadmill and step climbing machines, but allows the user to perform the workout from a seated position. Obviously the huge benefit to this is the reduced impact and stress on joints in the knees and ankles. Additionally, it reduces the trauma that can be caused to internal organs by high-impact workout techniques.

The Flex Belt is a different piece of exercise equipment, it’s different in that it’s instead of you actually going through an exercise regimen and the equipment uses a series of electrical impulses to stimulate your muscles and cause the conditioning to occur.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Turin’s Review:
Okay, now that I’ve provided the objective product reviews of these various pieces of as seen on TV exercise equipment it’s my turn to provide a little feedback about what I think regarding these products. After having spent some time looking at the P90X information I do believe that this would be a fairly intense workout that would be capable of delivering the results that they’ve discussed. My 20+ years as a competitive gymnastics instructor taught me many things about training athletes… the system uses several techniques I am familiar with. I know they can produce results. The real deciding factor here will be the amount of time you are willing to put into using the program. Just like anything else, the program will not make you lose weight through osmosis… you will have to earn it. But if you are looking for a program that can make your fitness goals a reality I think this one has a decent shot of delivering on that.

I like the NuStep T4 recumbent cross trainer simply because it provides the ability to perform lengthy workouts while minimizing the impact on the body. By allowing the user to perform a higher number of repetitions of the exercise, it provides them with an opportunity to spend more time on the equipment, burn more calories, develop better muscle tone, and receive additional cardiovascular benefit.

What can I say about the Flex Belt… I like the concept. In my opinion this piece of equipment would be great as an add-on to your workout time. It would afford you the opportunity to continue to work your abdominal muscles while doing other tasks. However, one must remember that the number of calories burned a Flex Belt will be nominal when compared to a standard ab workout routine.

All in all, these three products can offer benefit to anybody willing to use them. As with any type of workout, the key to success is to simply get up and do something.

Cheers and good luck on your exercise goals!

TV Exercise Equipment

Cardio may be something that you know you should do, but also a thing that you mostly avoid like a pest. But cardio shouldn’t be something that you dread each day and something that bores you to death. Cardio exercise can be fun, it can make you look and feel better and it can also improve your fitness levels. The trick is to find a cardio machine that you really like doing (there is such a thing). In order to help you to find your favorite cardio machine, I will share with you my 4 favorite cardio machines and I will also tell you what their benefits are and which body parts they tone.

So without further ado, here are my 4 favorite cardio machines:

1. The Elliptical

The eliptical machine is my top favorite machine. This is because I have to spend less time on it and because it exercises my whole body. It is also low-impact, so it won’t put too much strain on your joints. The elliptical also combines the effects of walking, running and skiing. If you prefer exercising at home, an elliptical machine will be a great investment – no more sweaty gym machines for you.

2. The Exercise Bike

The exercise bike is one of the best cardio machines because you can sit on your butt while exercising. It strengthens your whole lower body and tightens and tones your legs and buttocks. You can even watch TV or listen to your favorite music while using it. If you want an exercise bike to use at home, the mini exercise bike is a great investment. With the mini bike you can also exercise your upper body.

3. The Stepping Machine

The stepping machine will ensure that you get a rear-view to be proud of. It is also excellent for strengthening your whole lower body and you get a cardio workout from it. The stepper can also be used while watching your favorite TV show or listening to music. If you need a portable exercise machine, there are mini steppers available that will give you the same workout on the go.

4. The Pilates Machine

Although Pilates is more a toning exercise than a cardio exercise, it does offer light cardio. But Pilates still remains one of the best exercises there is – it tones and tightens the whole body and it also builds a strong core (the muscles of your lower back, abs and hip flexors). Have a look at the pilates reformer machine to see what it is all about.

If you search diligently you will find your favorite cardio machine – it is just a matter of time and some research. But when you do find a machine that you like exercising on, make sure that you use it often, playing your favorite music or watching a TV show might help. And just remember…warm up before your workout and to stretch afterwards.

Exercising is a big deal.  We all know we need to do it.  As we watch our abs or butts or stomach grow, we think we need to do something about it.  Then we visit the doctor and he insists that we exercise and eat well including natural nutrients for our healthy well-being.  There are millions of dollars spent on home exercise equipment.  Exercise equipment consisting of bikes, simple and easy rowing machines to steppers and lots of other devices.  Everyone has a product that will make exercise easy and worthwhile.  You can spend a lot of money on these items.  I know because I have done it…my basement is full of them.

The manufacturers of  The Firm’s “The Wave” have tried to do something about the space limitations and ease of use.  They developed a small simple curved device that supposedly will make exercise easy and fun and not take up a lot of space.

You can turn The Wave on one side and do steps exercises or use the enclosed bands to get different workouts.  You can then turn The Wave over with the curved ends up and while stepping on the two ends move your body back and forth to get a workout that way.

There are many different reviews on The Wave.  One review indicated that the novice exercisers that purchased the device were disappointed.  They felt it moved too quickly for a novice to use.  Another review thought the device was wonderful for all types of exercises including Cardio, toning and a complete core workout.  The reviewer said the workouts were professionally produced  and were all different exercises.

However, they did point out that it was a bit cheap and creaked when you used it.  They also pointed out that it had a weight limit of 275 pounds.  They stated there was a steep learning curve for the exercises and the instructors tended to go a little fast with their instructions.  A 30 day membership to the website comes with the product but you have to go online and cancel the membership, according to the reviewer.  They did however feel it was worth the price to at least try it.

If you decide to give “The Wave” a try, please consider coming back here and letting us know what you think.  Were your experiences with it similar to those of the folks listed above?

Now get out there and get in shape!

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Overview:
Today I am going to write a short article about the Cardio Twister. The article today is going to be short for two reasons. The first reason being that there just isn’t a whole lot to write about on this piece of equipment…but more on that in a moment. The second being that I am just plain tired today. The Cardio Twister is another one of those pieces of “As Seen on TV” exercise equipment that makes promises to users based on its revolutionary design.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Product overview:

Cardio Twister

As “As Seen on TV items” go, this equipment is fairly standard. The creator has come up with a unique way to get people motivated to start exercising. The workout is low-impact on your joints and internal organs…which I like. One of the other things that is appealing about the product is that it appears to be simple enough for the basic user to pick it up quickly. The movements are fairly straight forward, and should be easy to follow.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Turin’s Review:
As I see it, this piece of equipment has some pretty strong selling points. It is small, it is easy to use, and it is inexpensive. Having said that, I do not own one of these so I can not speak to the quality of workmanship or materials that go into it. If it is made decently, I think it would be a great place for someone who is just getting back into the exercise game to begin. Keep in mind that this as seen on TV exercise equipment operates that same way as everything else…you have to use it to receive any benefit. Additionally, your success in losing weight and toning muscle is directly related to your lifestyle. Don’t think that you can eat chips and ice cream for breakfast every day and still meet your weight-loss goals. It ain’t going to happen.

Cheers and good luck on your exercise goals!

As Seen on TV Exercise

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Overview:
So today I went out to research a product I recently saw on TV. The name of the product is the Bender Ball, and it is one of those typical as seen on TV items that you are accustomed to seeing on late-night TV. My wife has used exercise balls before and initially this one appeared to be just a smaller variation of the large-size I’m used to seeing. After spending several minutes on the product’s website it appears that the smaller size of the ball serves a very distinct purpose.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Product overview:

The Bender Ball

As I stated above, one of the very first things to catch my eye when seeing this piece of equipment for the first time was its size. Unlike most of the exercise balls I’m used to seeing this one was small and resembled a kickball your children would use during recess at school. This is one of the things that made this as seen on TV exercise equipment standout. If you spend any time at all watching late-night TV you are aware that there are numerous as seen on TV items being pedaled across the airwaves. Most of them have a unique angle they are peddling but few of them are as simple as this apparatus that resembles a kickball. Additionally, per the information on the company’s site, this piece of exercise equipment is a mere $10 plus shipping and handling. That definitely caught my attention.

The product site goes into specific detail regarding the reasons for the size of this particular TV exercise equipment. The premise is that this ball, with its smaller size, the designed to fit precisely into the small of ones back to help increase the effectiveness of the abdominal workouts. The ball also has a specially designed surface that allows it to give on the workout surface without slipping out from the small of your back in the middle of your exercise sets. The equipment makers purport that due to the small form factor of the ball it provides additional extension through the abdominal muscles and lower back to offer a greater range of motion when performing a stomach exercises.

As Seen on TV Exercise Equipment – Turin’s Review:
If you’ve spent any time reading through the articles on this site you know that I am a big fan of two principles – the first being cost and the second being size. The Bender Ball exceeds my expectations in both of these categories. While I haven’t used the equipment, I feel comfortable saying that for $10 one really can’t go wrong. The motion concepts behind this piece of as seen on TV exercise equipment are solid given that using the ball in the small of your back will in fact isolate your abdominal muscles while performing exercises such as crunches. Having spent 20 years training gymnasts I would also agree that this $10 ball will provide you with a greater abdominal workout than simply doing the exercises on the floor.

Cheers and good luck on your exercise goals!

TV Exercise Equipment