Bender Ball – Total Core Training Kit

According to the manufacturer, this ball puts you in the perfect position to for a core workout that is up to 408% more effective than traditional crunches. The exercises demonstrated on the DVDs are designed to sculpt beautiful abs fast, targeting the upper core, side obliques, and lower abs and also strengthening the back.

Shake Weight

The Shake Weight^®, an “As Seen on TV” product, is marketed as providing “incredible results in just 6 minutes a day,” with just one piece of equipment.  The Shake Weight’s target customers are females who want a time-sensitive solution to upper-body conditioning needs (although they also developed a version of the Shake Weight for Men).  The actual Shake Weight is a 2.5 pound plastic dumbbell with technology the manufacturer calls “dynamic inertia,” meaning the actual mass of the dumbbell is able to oscillate when moved by the user.   

The manufacturer claims that women can experience dramatic results in the tone and definition of their arm, shoulder and chest muscles with a workout that takes only six minutes a day.  The Shake Weight package includes the actual weight (which does not require any batteries - the oscillations of the weight are created by the users own muscle actions), a 10-minute DVD which demonstrates some hints for using the product along with an “Upper-body Toning” workout that does take only six minutes along with a user’s guide demonstrating the proper way to hold and move the Shake Weight. 

Leki Nordic Walking Spin Poles

LEKI Nordic Walking poles are marketed as an easy, full-body workout and a way to strengthen your upper body, create resistance for building bone density easy, and burn 40% more calories compared to regular walking (without poles). According to the manufacturer, these Nordic walking poles feature the Adjustable Super Lock System, which offers reliable function with varied terrain and personal technique; adjustable from 100-130 cm.  Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, the pair of poles weighs a total of 16.4 ounces. The Adjustable/Releasable Trigger Strap provides modifiable wrist support and click-in/click-out grip access. Interchangeable Rubber Fitness Tips and Carbide Flextip allow for efficient walking on both hard and soft surfaces.

Mini Twist Stepper with Resistance Tubing

The manufacturer states that the Mini Twist Stepper with Resistance tubing will add a twist to your fitness program and deliver a total body workout. They claim that the swivel twist action of the stepper works your muscle groups faster and harder than a traditional stepper, helping to improve cardiovascular performance as you burn fat and strengthen and sculpt your upper and lower body.

SandBells

The SandBell is soft and effective neoprene bag filled with sand that, according to the manufacturer is a versatile, safe free weight and that can be used as a more challenging substitute for dumbbells, kettlebells and medicine balls. It can also be safely thrown and caught or slammed which allows for new creative uses. It adds a grip strength and stabilization challenge due to the shifting fill material. 

SandBells are being used in fitness facilities, strength and conditioning programs and physical education classes and are said to be safe for any floors. The manufacturer also states that they are ideal for the active aging audience due to their safety and their benefit to hand strength. They are gaining popularity for home use by consumers since they do not leak sand, are safe for any floor, and can be neatly stacked.

Hyper Vest® PRO

The Hyper Vest® PRO is a fully adjustable, thin, cool and comfortable weight vest. The patented design uses a fabric that does not stretch in the vertical plan, but stretches like a compression shirt in the horizontal plan. This allows the vest to hug the body's core without restricting breathing, but also prevents the weights from bouncing during any movement. The side cords are used to adjust the fit and also leaves a large area open so that the consumer does not get overheated. Weights are only 1/4" thick and their are 7 weights to a lb making it the thinnest and most adjustable vest ever made.

Intended to safely add to the users body weight and permit far greater movement than traditional weight vests. Use it to add a strength component to walking and running for resistance training or preventing osteoporosis, can be worn even while practicing a sport to build strength and endurance. Used by everyone from professional and collegiate athletes, to casual walkers.

Sportbell Lite with optional Sportbell Duffle

A modular 10-lb dumbbell system with removable rectangular plates in 1/2 and 1-lb. increments. Plates slide on and off, locking in place with a quarter-turn.

The single pair of Sportbell™ Lite dumbbells replaces 10 sets of traditional dumbbells. Optional half-dome duffle includes a custom-molded urethane insert to hold Sportbells™ in place for easy transport.

ViPR Whole Body Integration (WBI) Exercise Program

ViPR™ is a functional training tool that resembles a hollow tube, either 40” or 48” in length, with three handles to accommodate a variety of grip patterns. The ViPR™ can be carried, tilted, dragged, thrown, flipped, stepped on and rolled, both indoors and out. The shape and various grip handles enable multiple movements and exercises that include lifting (pull), pushing (press), shifting and twisting, all patterns we perform in our daily activities.

Core-Tex Reactive Training Device

The Core-Tex™ is a reactive training device capable of training balance, stability, mobility and other important skills needed for sport, occupation and life. The 30" diameter platform is cradled within a base unit that contains ball transfers to allow the platform to move in all three planes of motion (tri-planar) while simultaneously moving the position of the body over the base (translation). The optional handrail with three height adjustments provides needed support for novice, rehabilitating or senior users.

Hyperwear WaterBells

PUSHUP GRID™ - Pushup Training and Assessment Mat

The PUSHUP GRID™ - Pushup Training and Assessment Mat is an Exercise Alignment Mat System the helps to standardize the pushup exercise for improved reliability and defensibility.

As an assessment mat the PUSHUP GRID™ is used in conjunction with our pushup hand-width measurement chart. Once the test administrator measures the participant’s shoulder-width using an ordinary measuring tape, the measurement can now be located on our measurement chart to identify where the participant should place his/her hands on the mat within seconds. The notches on the mat help to simplify instructions. Our mat is perfect for use during fitness assessments by Personal Trainers, Physical Educators, Researchers, The Military, FBI, Law Enforcement, and other individuals who administer the pushup fitness test.

As a training mat, the participant can place his/hands at various hand-widths to identify the hand-width that’s comfortable for him/her when training pushups. As the participant improves on his/her pushups, s/he can strategically reduce his/her hand-width and repeat hand placement in the exact position that was determined to be comfortable. Use of this mat is also suitable for individuals who are Visually Impaired/Blind for performing pushups as their sighted peers with little or no assistance.

The Stress Away Strap

The Stress Away Strap is a portable wellness tool for improving flexibility and strength in home, office or while traveling. The user attaches the SAS to any standard door. They can use their own body weight to stretch out tight, stiff muscle or do supported exercises for major muscle groups like legs, back, shoulder and arms. The SAS is great training aid for PT's Personal Trainers, Yoga Instructor.

TRX Suspension Trainer Professional

According to the manufacturer, the TRX Suspension Trainer features unrivaled portability and versatility and is designed for athletes of all levels. It is comprised of industrial-grade nylon webbing and sewn with heavy-guage bonded nylon thread (double-stitched). Other features include adjustable CAM buckles, club-grade grips and integrated foot cradles and carabineer with locking tooth. The kit includes the TRX Suspension Trainer, All Body Xpress DVD, Waterproof fold-out Training Guide and the TRX Storage bag.

BOSU Ballast Ball

According to the manufacturer, the BOSU® Ballast® Ball is constructed of burst-resistance material with a six-sided design for proper alignment and positioning. It is filled with 2.5 lbs of MDL (Multi-Dimensional Load) material which is intended to add resistance and keep the ball from wandering during a workout. Available in translucent light blue and includes a foot pump and workout DVD.

Perfect Pushup - Original

According to the manufacturer, the Perfect Pushup is comprised of rotating handles to allow arms to rotate the same way they do when throwing a punch or pressing up a dumbbell. The product was developed by a US Navy SEAL to engage muscles in the arms, chest, shoulders and back, and reduce strain on wrists and elbows. It is designed for users of all fitness levels. Kit includes 2 patent-pending pushup handles, and instructional DVD and instructional poster.

GoFit 10-Pound Walking Vest with Removable Water Bottle Holder

According to the manufacturer, the GoFit Weighted Vest can be worn to add resistance to a variety of workouts. It is adjustable and designed for both men and women with one-size-fits-all double closure. Included on vest is water bottle holster.

SPRI StrengthCords

According to the manufacturer, the StregnthCord offers additional benefits of the original SPRI resistance bands. Strengthcords are comprised of a foam handle at each end and four braided SPRI tubes to add durability and help increase performance. The StrengthCord is available in 5 different resistance levels: Level 1 for very light resistance; Level 2 for light resistance; Level 3 for medium resistance; Level 4 for heavy resistance; Level 5 for very heavy resistance.

SPRI Contour-Weights®

According to the manufacturer, these weights are soft, flexible, weighted, neoprene covered, 28-inch barbell-style tubes that wrap around the body. Soft, nylon end-stirrups may be used as handles for upper-body exercises, positioned around feet for lower-body exercises, or buckled at the ends for placement around the waist or over the shoulders. Available in 12 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, 40 lbs, 50 lbs. Instruction sheet included.

SPRI XERCUFFS™

According to the manufacturer, this tubing is designed to condition the muscles of the lower body, allowing for forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonal movement activities to develop muscular strength, endurance, agility and balance. Available in very light resistance (yellow), light resistance (green), medium resistance (red), heavy resistance (blue). Instruction sheet included.

SPRI® LATERAL RESISTOR

According to the manufacturer, this tubing is designed to condition the muscles of the lower body and is an alternative to the Xercuffs tubing. Available in medium resistance (red), heavy resistance (blue), very heavy resistance (purple). Instruction sheet included.

SPRI EVA Foam Roller

According to the manufacturer, this foam roller is designed to improve balance, flexibility and strength and is designed to withstand the demands placed on it during exercise. The user can lie, sit, kneel, or stand on the roller to release tightness in muscles and fascia or add an element of balance training to core exercises. The roller will return to its original shape after use and prevent moisture and bacteria from penetrating the surface.

SPRI Soft Mini Xerball®

According to the manufacturer, these weighted medicine balls are intended for strength conditioning. Each ball measures 4 inches and is filled with sand to achieve desired weight. Available in 1 lb (purple), 2 lbs (yellow), 3 lbs (orange), 4 lbs (light green), 5 lbs (dark green), 6 lbs (red); 7 lbs (grey), 8 lbs (green). Instruction sheet included.

Resistance Chair by VQ ActionCare

The VQ ActionCare Resistance Chair, an “As Seen on TV” product, is marketed as a complete at-home fitness and rehabilitation system suitable for individuals of all fitness levels that (without the optional components) is light-weight and folds and stores easily.  The manufacturer’s target customer is over 50 years old and the Resistance Chair is described by the manufacturer as a vital tool to help maintain a high quality life (i.e., a life of increased mobility and better heath). 

The Resistance Chair exercise system is geared to enable individuals to perform a full-body workout from a safe, comfortable seated position. Because individuals remain seated, balance and stability are supposed to be maintained as the arms, chest, shoulders, abdomen, back, and legs are exercised. The patented Resistance Anchor Cable™ system is described as offering a wide range of upper- and lower-body exercises and providing smooth, low-impact resistance without the use of heavy weights.

The manufacturer states that the Resistance Chair system is made of very strong, commercial-grade construction with thick-wall steel tubing built to withstand frequent use in gyms and rehabilitation centers and tested to easily hold up to 400 pounds.  Optional components, including the exercise bikes and shoulder stretcher attachment, were not part of this review, as they are not considered by ACE to be portable equipment.