Cap Barbell Fitness FID Bench Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a surprisingly sturdy, lightweight bench to use for dumbbell exercises. Not only is it affordable, but it is easier to put together than the average treadmill. The manual's instructions for putting the bench together are clear and easy to follow, and it offers good advice on how to get started coming up with an exercise routine. The bench's backrest is adjustable (a hard-to-find but important feature), so you can do the full range of dumbbell exercises.
Customers should know before buying that the bench is designed to support a maximum user weight of 250 lbs with a combined dumbbell weight of 100 lbs. So, although you cannot use this bench for lifting massive weights, it is ideal for people who are just starting out or who are focusing on fitness instead of extreme bodybuilding.
(Update: November 28, 2010)
Well, it has been a little over a year since I have been using this bench. I started out using 5-pound dumbbells with it at least 5 days a week. Now I am able to use 25-pound dumbbells on the same routine. Not once have I had the slightest bit of trouble with the bench. Durable? I would have to say so. My original 4-star rating still stands.

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Get the most out of your home dumbbell set with this Cap Barbell fitness bench. Offering four adjustable positions--upright, flat, incline, and decline--the bench supports a variety of upper body exercises, including dumbbell presses, chest flies, shoulder presses, bicep curls, and more. The bench also includes such extras a dumbbell holder that allows easy access to your dumbbells while workout out, foam-covered handgrips that provide added comfort while doing leg raises, and foam shin supports. The fitness bench offers a weight capacity of 250 pounds.

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Polar T31 Non-Coded Transmitter and Belt Set Review

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(More customer reviews)I had to buy a replacement transmitter for my Polar heart rate monitor because I must've not read the fine print that said dry off the transmitter when not using. Sweat moisture activates the transmitter that drains down the non-replaceable battery. I failed to dry the unit when I quit exercising, so the battery ran down quickly -- about 10x quicker than expected. Not too bright of me considering I have an advanced degree in engineering. So I'm telling you all now.
BTW, the new one works fine. No problem.

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Slim, lightweight, and completely waterproof, the Polar T31 non-coded transmitter and belt set accurately transmits your heart rate data to your Polar wrist-top computer. As a result, it's easy to monitor your heart rate during training runs. This version of the T31 is non-coded. If you're concerned about crosstalk from other electronic devices, Polar sells a coded version of the T31 as well. The transmitter belt--which works with all current Polar wrist-top computers except the CS600 and RS800--includes a sealed transmitter and elastic strap.
About Polar The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.

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Light Commercial FreeMotion EXT Dual Cable Crossover Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Since this was labeled "light" I was a little worried it wouldn't compare to gym quality equipment. This was a christmas gift for my father last year and just hearing about the delivery and install I was more then impressed. It is just as well built as the machines we use the gym and will last him a lifetime. Some fitness equipment will only last a few years with everyday use, but he and my mother have been using it everyday for almost a year, and they love it! Lots of options for different exercises (maybe get an exercise ball to use as well with some of the movements). Basically he loves it so much, that he jokes that he should make an execrise DVD to go with is...with him as the spokesperson!

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Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After a lot of consideration, I ended up purchasing these weights to use with P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program - 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner. The program calls for a lot of different weights, and I was tired of leaving 8 different dumbbells lying around on the floor of my den. After using these for roughly three months, I am very pleased with them, and with a few exceptions, they work great for P90X.
CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN- As of 2/16/10, the model being sold on Amazon is the 2009 model, which came out in September 2008 and is the most current model available. There is no 2010 model, despite what many third party sellers claim (I have confirmed this with Nautilus). I have uploaded pictures of the version Amazon is selling, which comes with a black base plate. Amazon has lumped the reviews from the 2008 model in with this 2009 model, so read the reviews carefully. The 2009 model eliminates many of the complaints of the 2008, most specifically, it uses metal tabs on the weight plates to lock them in place. Construction is solid and it is very unlikely these will break. Although unlike traditional dumbbells, you can't drop these on the ground after a set. They are fairly sturdy, but I would be very nervous about dropping these from any height over about 5". The handle is ergonomic to fit the palm of your hand and the grip feels good and natural during lifting. The handle is thicker than a dumbbell and I prefer it to the thinner dumbbell handles.
The weights have a dial on the end of them that you turn to select the desired weight. If you select 10lbs, it will then lock in the two weight plates to make 10 lbs, and release everything else; so when you pick up the weights, you get 10 lbs and all the other weights are left in the base plate. When done, you put the weights back in the base plate. This works very well, with the exception of it "catching" occasionally if the weight plates shift a little bit. This happens maybe 1/100 times or so though and isn't a big problem. You just jiggle the weights a bit until it locks. The nice thing about this design, is that the two ends of the dumbbell don't have to be the same weight. You can set the dial to 10lbs on one end and 30 lbs on the other. This will effectively put 5lbs on one end of the bar and 15lbs on the other. I don't do this often, but it can lead to more variation in exercises, and I occasionally do it for tricep workouts or hammer curls. When lifting, the weights feel very sturdy. The plates are firmly locked onto the handle. There is no shaking or movement of the plates at all, and they don't feel much different than dumbbells.
PRICE - I definitely do not think these are worth the suggested retail price, but then again, I have never seen them sold for anything close to that. While they may seem expensive, if you calculate the cost of a large range of dumbbells (which typically sell for $1 per pound), these are a very favorable comparison. Just two 35lb dumbbells are going to cost you at least $50 (closer to $70 if new).
USE WITH P90X - I originally did P90X with dumbbells. I had three different dumbbells, which just isn't enough for the variety of exercises used in that program. If money and space is no object, I would recommend a full dumbbell set over these, as dumbbells are better for the exercises. But for most people that just isn't practical. I hate pulling out and storing even three sets of dumbbells every other day to workout. The SelectTechs look so good that I just leave them in my den year round.
The main advantages the SelectTechs have with P90X is the ability to select smaller weight increment, and being able to make weight changes quickly. Before these I owned a set of 10s, 15s, and 25s, which isn't enough variety. Going up from 15 to 25 on bicep curls is a very big jump for me was too light, 25 was too heavy, and my form was terrible because I was struggling with the weight. With the SelectTechs, I could go to 17.5, then 20, then 22.5, then finally to 25. being able to go from 10lbs to 12.5 on tricep exercises, rather than 10lbs to 15 helps significantly. The other advantage is to quickly change weight increments. With P90X, you have about 15-30 seconds to set up for the next exercise. 5-10 seconds is all the time I needed to change the four dials on the SelectTechs and get a new weight.
CONS - The real problem with these weights is the length. I had no real problem with the width, which is very manageable, but the dumbbells are 16" long. This can cause a problem with some of the P90X exercises. There are maybe 7-8 exercises during the entire program that are awkward to do because of the length of the dumbbells. There are about 2-3 exercises that are very awkward to do (to the point that I actually switch to my dumbbells for these). Congdon Curls and Flip Grip Twist Kickback (tricep exercise) are two that I can think of off-hand that are difficult to do. You can ultimately make it work, but it's going to feel a little funny as you try to hold the weights out far enough to clear each other or your chest. This isn't enough of an issue that it would discourage me from buying them again.
I originally debated between getting these and the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Single Dumbbell, since I was worried 52.5 pounds wouldn't be enough. Even though there are a few exercises where you could eventually need more than 52.5 pounds (heavy pants and lawnmowers come to mind), I really think this is enough weight for 90% of the people who will be doing P90X. And as Tony says, if you don't have heavy enough weight, you can always add reps. I would not buy the 1090s (which go up to 90 lbs) for P90X because I think the length of those, which is even bigger than the 552s), would just be too unwieldy for many of the exercises.
The SelectTechs did come with a short DVD that shows you some workouts specifically designed for these dumbbells and how to use them. I did find this beneficial since it gave me some tips that I didn't know about lifting. Optionally, I bought the Bowflex SelectTech 552 / 1090 Dumbbell Stand to use with these. It looks great, but I'm not sure I would buy it again. If you don't care about looks, the box the SelectTechs are shipped in makes a great stand on it's own and is very sturdy.

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If you want to get a good strength workout at home, but don't have much space, the Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are an ideal solution. Newly designed, the innovative pair of 552 SelectTech Dumbbells combines 15 sets of weights into one using a unique dial system. It's one of the most space-efficient and flexible strength-training options available with its unique and effective design. With just the turn of a dial, you can automatically change your resistance on each dumbbell from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds of weight. It adjusts in 2.5-pound increments (up to 25 pounds), enabling you to gradually increase your strength without bulking up.
Specifications:
Weight Range: 5 to 52.5 lbs (2.27 to 23.8 kg) for each dumbbell
Exercises Available: 30+
Weight Settings: 15
Weight Settings in pounds: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 52.5 pounds
Dumbbell Dimensions (Each): 15.75 inches long by 8 inches wide by 9 inches tall
Weight (Each): 52.5 pounds / 23.8 kg

Leg Exercises:
Wide squats
Calf raises
Stationary lunges
Stiff-leg dead lift
Reverse lunge
Side lunge

Back Exercises:
Alternating rows
Wide row
Dead lift

Chest Exercises:
Flat chest press
Incline chest press
Flat fly
Incline fly
Decline chest press

Abdominal Exercises:
Ab crunch
Reverse crunch
Lying trunk rotation
Twisting side crunch
Lying leg raise

Arm Exercises:
Standing curls
Concentration curls
Incline bench curls
Scott curls
Overhead triceps extension
Triceps kickback
Lying triceps extension
Hammer curls

Shoulder Exercises:
Standing shoulder press
Lateral raise
Seated overhead press
Front raise
Rear delt row
Shrugs

Manufacturer's Warranty Two-year limited warranty on all parts; five-year warranty on weight plates; one-year warranty on labor

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Precor AMT100i Experience Series Adaptive Motion Trainer Review

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(More customer reviews)I took the plunge and bought this trainer for my home gym. I have tried numerous machines and found that most ellipticals have a few drawbacks. They are great for reducing impact, compared to a treadmill, but usually constrain movement to a fixed motion. Other than being able to vary the stride length a couple of inches on a few models, they all have exactly the same motion, over and over. It was difficult to find one that fit my gait, and at the same time be suitable for my wife who is only 5 feet tall. Actually impossible would be a better description.
This machine is unique, and should be in its own class of truly variable elliptical training. The stride can be ANYTHING you make it; from stepping to full running gait to a pedaling stride. It even allows a backward pedal stride if you want to really mix up the routine. The machine doesn't control the gait. YOU do, and you can vary it any time without touching any electronic controls. You'll need to try it to really understand.
We have over 20 machines in the home gym including a nice treadmill and stationary bike, but we just about need a sign up sheet for using the AMT in my house! We all like this machine. The price was steep, but this machine will get a lot of use, and the value we get from improved fitness is priceless. A cheaper machine that is more difficult to use was an option, but in the long run a more expensive machine that will actually get used is the better option.
The quality of the design and fabrication of the machine is excellent, and it should last for many, many years with only my family using it.
Very highly recommended!
A follow up after one full year of use: Every member of my family uses this elliptical trainer, so it has seen about 15-20 hours/week of use. It has been 100% reliable, and other than occasional cleaning has needed no maintenance. We remain completely satisfied with this elliptical trainer, and it remains our best investment in cardio training. The variable stride/gait of this machine allows virtually any user to get the most from this machine, and will allow you to work around soreness if necessary.

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As versatile as the human body, the AMT100i from Precor allows you to instantly choose and change your stride motion and speed without pushing control buttons on the display, or waiting for the machine to respond. The commercial-oriented AMT meets your most demanding workout needs and provides a challenging alternative to any exerciser looking for variety and the chance to experience freedom of movement.

Adaptive motion: By allowing you to alter your motion at the slightest whim of your imagination, no two workouts have to feel the same. This keeps your mind engaged and your body torn between wanting to experiment with new movements and needing a second to catch your breath.
Stride Dial: Evolve each of your workouts with the knowledge that every time you observe the AMT's stride dial you'll be getting a crash course in learning about the muscles of your body and how they respond to different movements
Contralateral arm movement for natural motion: Arm and leg movements are coordinated, reflecting the way you naturally move through life.
Dual-plane resistance refines workload: A patented system that applies resistance to both horizontal and vertical planes of motion, adding yet another dimension for you to customize your workout.
0- to 27-inch stride length provides unlimited variation: Choose your movement and change it as often as your heart and mind desire. Adaptive motion helps create new possibilities and rewards.
Stride Dial tracks muscle engagement: Monitoring your motion in real-time, you get instant feedback on how your muscles respond to different movements.
Dual action provides both upper and lower body workout: Arms are engaged with pushing and pulling motion to provide the ultimate in total body engagement.
Bio-feedback center with SmartRate provides dedicated feedback on heart rate and calories. SmartRate shows your heart rate in relation to the target zone for weight loss and cardio training.
Numeric keypad makes data entry and Cardio Theater control easy
Tap Control provides satisfying tactile and audible click so you feel confident and safe operating the product
Heart rate monitoring and compatibility with heart rate telemetry reading using an optional chest strap
Accessory holders for water bottle, portable music, reading material and more
Two-step powder-coating process applies rust-resistant undercoat and cosmetic topcoat to steel frame
QuickStart lets you begin workout with the push of a single button
Enjoy integrated entertainment: An optional Cardio Theater personal viewing screen can be integrated into the console, providing you with entertainment options while keeping you moving in the correct biomechanic position.

Specifications:
Maximum stride length: 27 inches
Minimum stride length: Climber motion (0 inches)
Pedal dimensions: 14.5 x 7.5 inches
Height of foot at highest position: 18.5 inches
Height of pedal at lowest position (step up): 5.5 inches
Maximum pause time: 30 seconds
Maximum workout time: 240 minutes
Maximum user weight: 350 pounds
Resistance levels: 1 to 20
Programs: Fat burner, heart rate control, interval, manual
Dimensions: 74 x 28 x 69 inches (L x W x H)
Weight: 445 pounds

Manufacturer's Warranty Frame - seven years, display face assembly - five years, parts - two years, labor - one year
Note on Assembly Precor highly recommends that you consider a professional assembly and installation of your Precor exercise machine. If you would like to speak to someone about having your machine professionally installed, please contact Precor at askprecor@precor.com or by calling 1-866-593-5568.
About Precor Precor is passionate about fitness. It all started with a desire to create a better kind of exercise equipment, one that mirrored human movement: fluid, natural, and dynamic. Twenty-six years later the company's biomechanics and engineering experience have led to countless innovations that have captivated fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Precor has introduced many "firsts" to the fitness industry, including the Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer (EFX®) in 1995 and the revolutionary, award-winning Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT®) in 2007. Today, Precor is a celebrated top-tier brand preferred by fitness enthusiasts of all abilities and their machines are used every day in health clubs, hotels, facilities, and homes worldwide.

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