Obsession Fitness | Exercise Equipment, Home Gyms » Weight Resistance Machines

Vibration Platform Exercise Machine Review | Confidence Slim Full Body Vibration Platform

Steve — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:18:01 +0000

Fitness enthusiasts looking for an effective method to lose weight have found that vibration exercise machines can produce unexpected, high-quality results. One of the most popular and well-reviewed is the Confidence Slim Full Body Vibration Platform Fitness Machine.

One significant advantage of a vibration platform workout is that it’s low-impact and significantly less demanding on the muscles and joints. With other forms of exercise, such as running, treadmills and exercise bikes, excessive workouts can lead to muscle pain and joint problems over time. Those who suffer from any preexisting injuries will likely find that the pain of high-impact exercise is simply not worth the results. Fortunately, vibration exercise machines are a perfect alternative for those who wish to exercise with a minimal risk of injury.

Another prominent advantage of the Confidence Slim Full Body Vibration Platform Fitness Machine is that it designed for the home. Many people lack the time to commute to a gym, or the money to pay for a membership, making it very difficult to consistently follow a workout regimen. Luckily, a vibration exercise machine makes it easy to adhere to an affordable fitness plan.

Whether or not to purchase this type of exercise machine depends significantly on one’s primary goal. For those who wish to lose fat and tone their muscles, using a vibration exercise machine can be incredibly effective. Those interested in building strength and improving sports performance, however, may find this device to be ineffective, as the resistance is not sufficient to stimulate the high-threshold motor units needed for pure strength.

Along with being ineffective for improving strength, one additional disadvantage of vibration platforms is that even with consistent use, optimal changes in body composition may not be achieved unless a healthy diet is followed. Those who are simply unable to exhibit any form of dietary restraint will likely be disappointed with less impressive results than those who use the machine and follow healthy eating habits.

The platform is fitted with yoga straps for working the upper body. Extending the straps in different positions works different muscle groups, pulling against the resistance of the straps further the muscle fiber for growth and toning.

Other benefits include increased muscle strength, improved circulation, reduction in cellulite, increased bone density and improved overall fitness.

Overall, the Confidence Slim Full Body Vibration Platform Fitness Machine is a durable, high-quality product and a good option for realizing significant improvements in health and body composition.

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Chuck Norris Total Gym 1100 | Full Body Home Fitness Trainer

Steve — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:54:47 +0000

Using only the body’s weight as resistance, the Total Gym 1100 delivers a thorough, full body workout on one simple machine.

Designed to tone and strengthen rather than build bulk, this is a good option for beginners or occasional users not wanting to invest in an expensive, cumbersome home gym.

The Total Gym 1100 is an uncomplicated but very diverse piece of equipment that facilitates over 60 exercises, working all parts of the upper and lower body, the abs and cardio system. It’s also commonly used for injury rehabilitation.

The sliding motion of the ergonomic glide board is fluid, although somewhat noisy, and resistance is increased by adjusting the incline.

The Total Gym 1100 is compact and includes a folding feature. It can be stored in a closet but is best suited in a permanent workout space as folding and moving it can be awkward and inconvenient.

The 1100 is the lower end Total Gym model. For a more durable and versatile version (at nearly twice the price) see the Total Gym 1700 Club.

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Weider 200 Workout Power Tower | 4-Station Body Weight Fitness Training

Steve — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:02:04 +0000

The Weider 200 Power Tower incorporates four versatile muscle toning workout stations into one rugged unit. It features a padded vertical knee raise station, a dip station, a multi-grip pull-up station and a push-up station.

This is an excellent piece of equipment for comprehensive upper body training using your body’s own weight only. Without the need for additional weights you can thoroughly work the arms, chest, shoulders, back and abs.

The frame is very stable with only a small measure of shifting or shaking during a routine. While many comparably priced units support user weights of only 200-250 lbs, the Power Tower has a 300 lb rating.

The design and positioning of the stations is very efficient. The pull-up bar is on the opposite side of the dip and leg raise stations, allowing ample room for even angled or kipping pull-ups. The black and silver powder coated tubular steel finish is attractive and elegant.

The Weider 200 Power Tower is large (84″ x 41″ x 57″) and should be assembled where you plan to use it, ideally in a room used as a dedicated gym. Instructions are straightforward and assembly takes about an hour.

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Total Trainer Pilates System from Bayou Fitness | All Around Workout, Weight Resistance Gym

Steve — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:31:11 +0000

This system combines the popular Total Trainer/Total Gym body weight resistance training design with a number of accessories for incorporating Pilates routines. It offers a large variety of available workouts with the ability to switch between exercises and variations with ease. Also inherent in this type of gym is a space saving design and with no clanging of plates, weights or barbells.

The Bayou Total Trainer Pilates System is a relatively small and portable machine that can help build strength and musculature without overly stressing joints. This is not a machine for body builders but when used properly 3-5 times/week it can deliver measurable results. There are 19 available resistance levels and the performance is rhythmic and smooth with only minor bumps when rolling over the rail hinge.

This Bayou trainer includes more features and options (Pilates and standard weight resistance) than the Total Gym sold by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley through TV infomercials. Here’s a partial list of features, attachments and accessories.

Bicep Power Flex
Quick Release Pulley System
Advanced Pro AB (Stomach) Crunch Strap
Bicep Curl Press Bar
Deluxe Chrome Plated Pull-up Push-up Bar
Deluxe 2″ Double Stitched Box Cushion
Twin Handles
Power Bar
Sit-up Foot Trays
Extra Large Heavy Duty Squat Board
Dual Leg Cuffs
Toe Bar
Shoulder Pads

The Bayou Total Trainer Pilates System ships fully assembled and includes a Pilates instructional video (unfortunately VHS not DVD) and a detailed manual.

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Click here for the Bayou Total Trainer Pilates System on Amazon

The Bayou Fitness Total Trainer Pilates on eBay

Bayou Fitness Total Trainer Pilates Reformer Home Gym System with 19 Levels
US $300.00 (0 Bid)
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Bayou Fitness ® Total Trainer ® Pilates Reformer Home Gym System
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Total Trainer 4000XL | Multi-Station Compact Home Gym

Steve — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:12:41 +0000

As the bestselling Total Trainer on Amazon.com the 4000XL from Bayou Fitness represents the best bang for the buck in a fully loaded multi-station gym.

The first thing you’ll notice is the deluxe double-stitched black leather textured cushion splashed with a bold patriotic red, white and blue logo. The Total Trainer 4000XL comes fully assembled so you’ll be working out within minutes.

The Speed Tuff roller system supports 385 pounds and features 11 levels of resistance, allowing you to lift between 4% and 69% of your body weight. The longer than standard 46″ glide board adds comfort and supports users as tall as 6′ 7″.

The Total Trainer 4000XL delivers an exceptionally smooth ride that exceeds that of comparable resistance gyms in this price range. It folds and rolls for easy storage and includes a free strength training DVD, 4 program cards and instruction manual.

Total Trainer 4000XL Product Details

11 Levels of Resistance
Bicep Curl Press Bar
Power Weight Bar for Adding Free Weights
Pull-up Push-up Bar
Sit-up Cuff Strap
Heavy Duty Squat Board
Independent Twin Handles
Dual Leg Cuffs
14″ x 46″ Glide Board
Strength Training DVD

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Total Body Works 5000 | Affordable Body Weight Resistance Gym

Steve — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:16:27 +0000

At about half the price of the Total Gym 1700 Club, this body weight resistance system effectively delivers what it promises. Online customer reviews are almost unanimously favorable. It doesn’t have Chuck Norris or Christie Brinkley behind it — or the Total Gym name — but it essentially does the same thing.

The Total Body Works 5000 allows you to perform over 100 body shaping exercises using an innovative mechanism that uses the body weight for natural resistance. It includes additional bands that add up to 50 lbs of extra resistance beyond the users own body weight. This system effectively works your arms, shoulders, back, abs, hip, thighs, and calves. The cable and pulley system allows for greater versatility and a greater range of motion for varying exercises, helping increase your strength and flexibility.

Total Body Works 5000 Product Details

Body Weight Resistance System
Over 100 Body-Shaping Exercises
4 Additional Resistance Bands add up to 50 lbs.
7 Position Adjustable Incline
Space Saving Design
Workout Guide Included

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Total Gym 1700 Club | Fitness Quest Complete Home Gym

Steve — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:56:24 +0000

The Total Gym 1700 Club can be considered among the best systems of its type under $500. It’s ideal for those newly motivated to begin working out or have been using a gym and are now ready for a piece of quality home equipment.

Total Gym 1700 Club helps you strengthen and sculpt every major muscle group in your body using a single glide board and a few handy attachments. It works by making you lift a percentage of your body weight against gravity. As your strength and conditioning improves, you increase the total resistance by boosting the incline, thus increasing the body weight lifted in the exercise.

By reducing body fat and increasing the proportion of lean muscle mass in your body, the strength training effectively turns up the thermostat so that your body burns calories constantly.

This top-notch home unit tones almost every major muscle group in your body.

Total Gym 1700 Club Product Details

Dip Bars and Press Up Bars add exercise versatility
Pilates Bar to add a new dimension to your workout by helping you improve your range of motion and balance
A larger glideboard for workout comfort
Wider tower for added stability
Auto-lock height adjustment
Exercise mat protects your floor
Exercise flip chart for easy reference while exercising