Stamina InStride Pro Electronic Stepper Review

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(More customer reviews)This stepper is a great little machine. It was very easy to assemble - I didn't even look at the directions. The battery for the monitor was included, so I was good to go right out of the box. Included are the stepper, the monitor, 2 "light" resistance bands, 2 "medium" resistance bands (light and medium are pretty subjective terms), attachable handles, and attachable... um... foot thingies. Additionally, I was elated to find it comes with a workout DVD. I must have missed that on the product description. So, some bad news: it squeaks. I have gone over the length and breadth of it with a can of 3-in-1 oil, and it still squawks intermittently. It's diminished over a few workouts, so I hope it will stop eventually. In the meantime, I keep lube-ing it up before a workout. The resistance bands, while adjustable, are still a bit too long for my 5'3". I also think they are a little weak, but that might be because I can't get enough resistance based on the length. Regarding the monitor: I think that one needs to know things like heart rate, age, and resting pulse before it's possible to accurately calculate one's expended calories. So while the monitor is nifty and a nice guide, I don't trust it. When I tried the DVD, I was dismayed that it's only a 10 minute workout. I was just getting into it and it was time for the cool down. However, I found the instructor only merely annoying and very supportive. If you are just starting out on a fitness program (and weigh under the max. recommended weight of 220 LBS.) this could be great for you; otherwise, I would watch it once for some basic ideas (like plie, squats and stretches), then go to it with the tunes cranked. I have not yet tried the resistance bands workout which follows the 10 min. cardio, but I like the bands and use them for crunches, etc. They add more than strength training: they add stability. Keeping the cords taut might help some people with balance issues feel more secure. I have not had any trouble with the stepper sliding around, but it's not a bad idea to place it on a yoga mat, just in case. In retrospect, it might sound like I don't really like the machine. I do! This little guy slides under the couch or bed, and the bands are easily detachable for other forms of exercise. I get a great workout while watching a movie or the news. I live in a small place on a tiny island, where winters are long and bitterly cold. This stepper is a small and inexpensive alternative to a giant elliptical trainer, and I wish I had bought it sooner... especially since it kind of validates all the TV-on-DVD I watch lately. My brain might be rotting, but my bottom is gonna be fabulous! UPDATE: The squeaking has subsided, and I continue to use this machine regularly. I purchased a heart rate monitor, and was surprised to see that the calorimeter on the machine was pretty close to the one on my wrist, which is calibrated to my weight, age, etc. One thing I did notice is that I HAVE to add upper arm stuff (weights or the bands) to get my heart rate up into a cardio zone. Remember that you can't adjust the difficulty on the machine, and it gets easy after while. It's a good idea then to keep going along with something in your hands to really get your heart pumping. The bands are great now that I've tied some knots in them. I still love this thing. It was a great purchase.

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A great workout companion for smaller homes as well as the office, the Stamina InStride Pro Electronic Stepper helps you get a cardio workout when taking a break at work or watching TV. Weighing just 20 pounds, the InStride Pro is small enough to toss into a workout bag, and it has a small footprint of just 12 x 16 inches. Resistance is provided by two hydraulic cylinders for smooth steps that work your calves, thighs, and buttocks as well as your core, while the aerobic aspect of the stepper helps you burn calories and fat.
The battery-operated multifunctional fitness monitor times each workout and counts the number of steps, so you stay motivated and on track to reach your fitness goals. Two rubber resistance tubes connect to the stepper to add an upper body workout to your cardio routine. Detach the tubes from the InStride Stepper to tone and sculpt your legs, arms, chest, and back.
Features and Specifications
Electronic fitness monitor displays number of strides per minute, number of steps, exercise time, and calories burned
Shock resistance for a smooth workout
Sturdy steel construction
Wide, textured foot pedals for stability
Skid resistant rubber floor protectors
Warranty: 1 year on frame, 90 days on parts
Dimensions: 16.25 x 12.25 x 12.25 inches (LxWxH)

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Stamina 1350 Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this bike as cheaper alternative to the much more expensive retail exercise bikes on the market. The product description and price tag for this particular bike is exactly what I was looking for. However, I am now experiencing some buyer's remorse for going so cheap on price.
To elaborate, this bike when it works is great. It is comfortable, quiet, and the digital monitor is nice. However, I guess I was unlucky and got a factory dud. After just one exercise routine the digital monitor stopped working when you started/stopped pedaling. You could reset it and it still not activate once you started pedaling. At this point I almost decided to send it back, but I decided to open up the case and take a peek inside. What I found was the little magnetic pickup had moved out of position and was too far away from the magnet that's attached to the pulley. It wouldn't trigger. The sensor itself is glued to a flimsy piece of plastic covered in a protective gel and held to the frame by a single screw. I tightened up the screw and it started working again, but only temporarily. The vibration of using the bike moved it out of place again and the monitor stopped working.
This time I decided to tear it down again and fix it myself instead of going through the hassle of sending it back for an exchange. I had to drill and additional hole higher up on the frame to mount it properly and closer to the magnet. I then screwed it down with the original screw and put some CA adhesive on the plastic where it touches the frame. Now it works perfectly. Rock solid, but after my own toil.
It is a less than ideal situation when you purchase a brand new product then have to tear it down and practically rebuild it. That is why I am giving this bike a 2 star rating. Outside of that it works great and is nice and quiet.
The manufacturer of this bike needs to re-engineer the magnetic pick up sensor and how it's mounted on the frame. Everything from it's location and use of better materials needs to be addresses. The flimsy and pliable piece of plastic is deplorable. Spend and extra $5 and add an additional screw for more secure mounting purposes and a much thicker and stiffer piece of plastic that contains the sensor. Because my bike was obviously affected by the vibrations that occurred during shipping.


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Enjoy an effective low-impact aerobic workout in your home with the Stamina 1350 recumbent stationary bike--a great tool for increasing your metabolism for more efficient calorie and fat burning without the impact on your joints. It's designed to put you in a semi-reclined position so you work all the major muscles in your hips, thighs, and buttocks.
The Stamina 1350 features an adjustable heavy-weighted flywheel resistance and belt drive train, so your bike pedals smoothly at any resistance level. The oversized foot pedals hold your feet securely, and the seat is padded and adjusts to fit most any size of rider. The tension knob can be adjusted anytime to increase or decrease the intensity.
The large easy-to-read monitor with scan keeps you motivated during your workout by displaying speed, distance, time, and calories burned with one-button control. The scan mode lets you track your progress without pushing buttons during your workout. The walk-through design makes getting on and off the bike safe and easy.
Features and Specifications
Comfortable, padded upholstered vinyl seat with multiple seat positions and handrails
Stamina InTouch monitor with large, easy-to-read numbers
Monitor tracks time, speed, distance, calories, and scans with simple, one-button control
Oversized, weighted pedals
Leveling stabilizer caps
Rolls for easy storage
Maximum user weight: 250 pounds
Warranty: 1 year on frame, 90 days on parts
Dimensions: 50 x 24 x 33.5 inches (LxWxH)

About Recumbent Exercise Bikes Despite the competition from trendy new fitness inventions, exercise bikes continue to be popular options for home exercise. They offer the same aerobic benefits of riding a bicycle at any time, in any weather, without leaving the comfort and safety of home. Exercise bikes don't take up much space, require little or no balance or coordination, and can provide an effective workout for all levels of users, from beginners to serious competitors. While the same could be said for a number of other types of home fitness equipment, the exercise bike is one of the few that allows you to watch television or read a magazine while you work out.
The term recumbent literally means "lying down." Exercising in a recumbent or reclining position allows the user to have full ergonomic back support, without causing strain on the arms, neck and shoulders, all of which can be common effects of using an upright bicycle. For many people, having convenient access to quality exercise equipment is critical to sticking with a long-term exercise program.

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Stamina AeroPilates Reformer with Free-Form Cardio Rebounder Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a good sturdy quality piece of equipment. I was afraid it might not be stable and function like some of the larger or more expensive reformers. This definitely holds it's own and I'm glad I got this one because I can keep it by the wall and then easily slide it over for the workout. All of the parts work smoothly. As far as the trampoline in the lying down position, I need to start slowly or I get a little nauseous. Most importantly, I have a herniated disc in my center back and the Pilates exercises are helping me enormously. I highly recommend it.

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The Stamina AeroPilates with Free-Form Cardio Rebounder allows you to reach and maintain your target heart rate as effectively as with a treadmill. But unlike the treadmill, this rebounder is low impact and gentle on your joints. Because you are lying on your back, there is no concussion on your legs, hips, or spine. Some Pilates' machines feature a padded jumpboard made of solid wood, but the AeroPilates Free-Form Rebounder is like jumping on a trampoline. As a result, there is more give and less shock to your joints. Plus, the AeroPilates strength and flexibility training gives you the strong, streamlined, flexible body that only Pilates can achieve.
This device is elevated about 10 inches of the floor to allow for more advanced exercises and enables you to perform over 50 exercises to tone and shape your entire body. The heavy, steel frame is durable and the four heavy-duty elastic cords provide four levels of workout resistance. The adjustable headrest, along with oversized high-density foam shoulder pads, offer additional support and comfort. This system includes two workout videos, and a color workout wall chart.

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Stamina 1205 Precision Rower Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought a used rower years ago and came to work it several times a week. I'm a busy person, so I don't have time for a sophisticated work out routine. I just want to work one machine for both strength and aerobic training. Rowing is great for this purpose. When I broke my rower, I started shopping. Unfortunately, even used rowers are over $100. I struggled with this model versus the smaller ones that stand up vertically for easy storage. I couldn't find any reviews on this that addressed the storage question. Finally, I chose it because it didn't look like I could break it from normal usage, whereas the kind that fold nicely seem flimsy.
Pros:
- This machine is very sturdy. It's solid, stable, and does not rock at all when in use.
- It is amazingly quiet. The only sound is the whisper of the pistons. I can use it with the TV on normal volume.
- The seat is very comfortable. I sat on it for 30 minutes the first time with no discomfort.
Cons:
- It does not fold, collapse, or stand up vertically. It just sits on the floor. It would be very awkward to try to store it under a bed. Don't lift the back end too far or the plug for the timer will bend. This is why it only has 4 stars.
- The front bumper pads are just stuck on. You can't drag it backwards without them popping off. The back ones also just sit on there, but they face sideways, so they won't come off.
- The instructions were difficult. My wife and I kept flipping back and forth in the manual to figure out to which bolt each step of the direction referred.
The work out was great. I really like using this machine. I only wish I had a better place to put it when I'm not using it.

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Do you have limited workout space but plenty of motivation? Turn to the Stamina 1205 precision rowing machine, which offers a compact footprint of only 32.5 inches wide by 48 inches long, but offers the same terrific workout as machines twice its size. The Stamina 1205 mimics the smooth motion of rowing on the water, with a padded seat that glides on a ball-bearing roller system, rowing arms whose resistance is adjusted by hydraulic cylinders, and foam grips that keep your hands stable and comfortable. The multifunction fitness monitor, meanwhile, keeps you motivated and on track to reach your fitness goals, showing your speed, distance, time, stroke count, and calories burned. And users will love the thick padded seat and pivoting footplates, which combine to provide comfort and support during your workout. Other features include a precision extruded aluminum beam, a silver steel frame, a five-year warranty on the frame, and a 90-day warranty on parts.
About Rowing Rowing provides an efficient, effective, low-impact workout that utilizes all the major muscle groups, including the back, legs, arms, abdominals and buttocks. It is also one of the best exercises for building a strong back, as well as one of the most effective low-impact aerobic exercises for increasing your metabolism. As a result, you can efficiently burn calories and fat without impacting your joints.
The continuous, non-impact movement of rowing can be broken down into three phases: the starting point is called the catch phase, followed by the drive phase, the finish, and the recovery. In the catch phase, knees are bent with shins vertical and shoulders and arms reaching forward. This phase mimics the point where the oars are being placed in the water. The drive phase is initiated by the legs. As the legs extend, your arms remain straight until the knees are mostly extended. Then the elbows flex bringing the oar handles into the upper stomach. In the finish, the legs are fully extended, your shoulders are back, your elbows are flexed, and the oar handle is against the upper stomach. For the recovery, your knees don't flex until after your hands pass over your knees and your arms and shoulders reach forward to begin the catch phase again.
Because rowing is an impact-free activity, it can be a lifelong form of exercise. It is always best to exercise in your target heart rate zone (70 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate).

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Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat (84-Inch by 36-Inch) Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife uses and elliptical machine religiously. We just moved into a different home that happens to have brand new carpet. We naturally wanted an exercise equipment mat to protect the flooring. The placement of the equipment, however, is in a corner where too long of a mat would have extended into a traffic area. After looking at all the mats on Amazon, it was obvious that the standard length is 70+" (72 mostly) whereas we needed just 60-65".
We ordered this mat and placed it under the machine. It is 84 inches long segmented into 12" folding sections. The material is very high quality and it does not mark or stain the carpet. With the folds, this mat fit perfectly under our unit. It should be noted that the elliptical has front and rear feet with a raised portion in between. The folded section fits underneath this raised portion. If you have a flat or wobbly piece of equipment, you may not want to fold the mat as the folded section is obviously a tad higher than the adjacent mat. It was perfect for what we needed.

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Protect your floor from unsightly blemishes and nasty gouges with this Stamina fold-to-fit equipment mat. Designed to sit underneath most exercise equipment or to serve as a shock absorber for aerobic workouts, the mat is made of a closed-cell foam material that's tough yet soft, helping it absorb impact, eliminate vibration, and stop carpet fibers from migrating into the moving parts of your equipment. In addition, the mat measures a robust 84 by 36 inches (W x L), making it large enough to accommodate stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, stair steppers, rowing machines, Pilates reformers, ski machines, home gyms, weight benches, and mini trampolines. As a result, you needn't worry about scuffing your hardwood floor with gouges and scrapes, or creating nasty tears in your carpet. Finally, the mat is divided into seven folding sections, so you can easily customize it to any size of machine. The mat--which includes a textured, nonslip pebble surface that cleans easily--measures 1/4 inch thick and weighs roughly 7 pounds.

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