Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM 2500S Home Gym Features

* Thick DuraFirm Pads- With lumbar support, provides the ultimate comfort and prevents lower back strain

* Cable Design- No cable change design! 2,200 lb. tension strength, military spec, steel aircraft cables with nylon sheath provide durability and low maintenance. All stations are always ready to use

* Powder Coat Finish- Tough, durable, electrostatically applied finish ensures against scratching, chipping and peeling

* Body-Solid In Home Lifetime Warranty

* Chest Press- horizontal and vertical grip

* Pectoral Fly / Rear Delt Station * Leg Extension, Standing Leg Curl

* Upper Pulley- Lat Pull Down, Cable Crossover, Ab Crunch, Tricep Extension, Tricep Pressdown

* Lower Pulley-Deltoid Raise, Seated Row, Shrug, Bent-over Row, Standing Curl, Leg Adduction

* 210 lb. alloy steel weight stack- (20) 10lb. plates + carriage

* 83″ High x 51″ Wide x 83″ Deep

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Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM 2500S Home Gym Reviews

Excellent Home Gym Equipment
This is an excellent home gym. It is almost healthclub quality in construction, with smooth operation and a durable finish. It provides a wide variety of exercises in a fairly compact footprint. Moving from exercise to exercise is fast, allowing a very quick and effective workout. I highly recommend it for the price.

FANTASTIC CHOICE
Wow, if you can make it through the assembly, this is a fantastic choice of home gym. I live a long distance to my closest gym and the gas to get there was getting way too expensive. After doing tons of research, I did a leap of faith and ordered the Body Solid EXM 2500 and I am thrilled! It almost completely replaces the upper and lower body workout that I have been doing at the town gym. I can do two different tricep moves, a lat pull down, pec exercise, seated row, two types chest press,leg extension and tons more. It doesn’t do cable cross overs with both arms at the same time, but hey, I do them one at a time. One thing I do miss is a leg press which comes as an option from other sources selling this machine. The bad news is that Body Solid does not make this model anymore and do not have leg presses to sell separately. There are still some of the 2500s still available and I suggest you grab one fast. Now for assembly… I knew it would take several hours (like 6 ) and it did but the whole process would have been faster if they would have text instructions as well as drawings. I’m not a dumb person but it was frustrating. I had read another person’s suggestion of not tightening the pulleys until running the cable through and that was absolutely true. It’s things like that they could tell you in the drawings and don’t. But now that it’s done and I’m back on my workout routine, I am loving it. Between gas and gyms fees, I will have paid it off in a year!

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Total Trainer Power Pro Features

• Fully assembled, 12 Levels of Resistance, 500 Pound User Capacity, Aluminum Monorail Design.
• Bicep Power Flex, Pro AB Strap, Bicep Curl Press Bar and Chrome Pull-up Push-up Bar.
• Chrome Independent Twin Handles, Chrome Power Weight Bar for Adding Free Weights, Foot Trays, Extra Large Heavy Duty Squat Board plus Dual Leg Cuffs.
• Four Program Cards, Instructional Manual and Guide, Folds and Rolls for Easy Storage, Future Upgrade Capability, Strength Training DVD.
• 4 Point Pulley System, Dual Side Glide Board Pulleys, Lifetime Roller, Rope and Pulley Warranty, One-year NO HASSLE Parts Warranty.

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Total Trainer Power Pro Black Reviews

The BEST Total Gym!
I’m really glad to be writing this review, as I fully believe the Total Trainer is the best home exercise machine on the market, bar none!

I’ve worked out on plenty of machine and free weight systems, but the glide rail is without question the very best way to get the exercise you need with the minimum of hassle or danger.

With machines and free weights, you’re working to move plates or dumbbells against gravity. Most people agree that free weights produce the best results, but just as many people will warn of their dangers. The problem is one of control, or rather, the lack of it in a vulnerable position. More than one person has been injured by a sudden muscle failure during a squat thrust or a bench press. That’s why spotters are essential if you’re going to use these kinds of weights.

What about the rest of us who don’t want the bother and fuss with all that? Are we left to mess with machines with cables and plates?

I saw the first Chuck Norris infomercial many years ago, and thought it was the worst gimmick. C’mon, Chuck. How cool is that? Its too simple. Too basic. Too boring.

Well, fast forward to the present, and I recently saw another Chuck and Cindy infomercial, and y’know what? The point they made is very valid. They’re still hawking this thing because they’re still using it. Yep. The glide board trainer is something you can stay with for a long time.

So I made the decision to get one. I researched and reviewed, and Googled the heck out of these things, to find out the real scoop. (Like you’re doing now, right?) Which unit is the one to get? Well, any glide board trainer is the one to get. You just need to determine which model.

I really like the Bayou Fitness Power Pro Total Trainer, (say that three times quickly.) Why? Its everything the high dollar Total Gym unit has, with even more accessories. This unit is ROCK SOLID, and is actually a light industrial version of the basic model. (Which means it can last for years in a gym with full usage.) That’s great for the longevity issue, but how does it work.

Well, I’ll tell you. This review is more of a plug for the glide board trainers than necessarily this particular model. Get ANY unit rather than none at all, because they flat out work!

I’m a big guy, (6’2″, 375lb,) and I needed a unit large enough and strong enough to handle my size. This Power Pro unit suits that nicely, as it accommodates users up to 6’7″, 500lb. That’s an enormous difference between the basic glide board units, which typically handle a up to a 285lb, 6′ user. The monorail system is not going anywhere, and there are no flexes or instabilities as are sometimes reported on the lesser models.

The attachments are nice, (bicep bar, bicep isolator, ab crunch strap, etc,) and they are really excellent and super well made. But they’re really not so necessary. The basic handles attached to the pulleys are all anyone really needs. Switching the pulleys to the glide board itself is a great feature of this unit, and makes for not only excellent variations, but also a ton more resistance.

The concept of these trainers is so simple, you really need to stop and think about it. Manual, simple resistance exercises, (push ups, pull ups, situps, squats, etc.) have been around for centuries, for good reason. They work, and you can do them anywhere. But, what happens if you can’t do a full chin up, push up, etc. What do you do then?

Herein is the excellence of the glide board. You are just modifying the total amount of weight you’re pulling or pushing. Can you do a full chin up right now? How about 10? Most people can’t do even one; and the heavier you are, the more impossible it becomes. Go home and cry? Not with this unit! Just set the angle of the glide board to a certain position, and only a percentage of your weight comes into play. The exercise is the same. The same chin up, push up, etc., but with a limited about of your weight to move. The concept is SUPER, and it really works.

Another aspect of this system I’m really liking is the range of motion you can get on almost every exercise, along with great control and safety. Example: I have bad knees. My right is worse than my left, and my left is reconstructed. I simply can’t do a regular squat because there is a vulnerability about half way into the squat. I have to hold onto some if I do one bare. But with the Total Trainer, not only is the amount of weight greatly reduced, I’m in an inclined position, which affords great control and comfort. Better yet, I can grab the pulley handles and completely regulate the descent with my arms. I can literally “spot” myself with this system.

I’ve done many chest butterflies on a stack weight system, and believe me, they are BORING. The range of motion usually punks out towards the rear of the motion, as the plates reach their end of travel. But with the glide board system, your arms are fully engaged as far back as you can go, but you’re in control because you can put your feet down on the floor quickly and end the exercise if you need to. You’ll never rupture a tendon with this system. The range and control are superior to anything I’ve ever used before.

How do you do lat pull downs at the gym? Use a stack machine, right? Grab the big, wide bar, sit on some stool, and yank the thing down til it goes behind your head, right? Where does the exercise end at the top? When the stack reaches the bottom, right? If you want fully engaged motion, you have to dip down quite a bit, (at least I do,) and then its not very comfortable.

Well, with the Total Trainer, you set the glide board angle, insert the pullup bar at the top of the unit, move the board up and lie down on it, and then grab the bar and pull yourself up. You’re actually doing a modified pull up, (which is what the lat machine is supposed to be duplicating, BTW.) When you let yourself down, you go all the way down until you’re hanging there with a full stretch. That’s fantastic! No other machine I’ve ever used gives this much range. You’ll really feel the full stretch with this system.

I can do the best butterflies I’ve ever done with the Total Trainer. The range is total, and the completion of the exercise is not compromised by the limits of the unit, (as you’ll often find with butterfly machines.) Also, its very easy to stop at the top of the exercise, and rest a bit, (which is always very satisfying.) I like a 10-12 rep set like anyone, but these days, depending on the resistance level, a 4 rep set is kicking. Two of those, with a minute rest between is excellent training, believe me. Because of this, its easy to work up to more reps and more sets before increasing the resistance.

The leg curl exercise is outstanding. I normally hate leg curls because the hamstring is a very difficult to isolate muscle. Also, most leg curl machines have this really annoying leg pad that rides up your calf through the range of the exercise. But just clip yourself into the foot pedals, set a fairly low resistance, lie fully down, and curl those legs. The motion is very smooth and linear, with no grabs or grasps at the end. The movement is very complete, and you just know you’ve done an excellent exercise.

Put the pull up bar at the bottom on the unit, and lie down upside down for shoulder push ups. You’ll love the motion, resistance, and total feeling.

Want to do more abdominal work? (Who doesn’t?) Enjoy full situps? (Most don’t.) Well, here’s a tip you won’t find in the manual. Instead of doing situps with your feet in the foot pedals and the board at an incline, simply turn around and put your feet on the floor, and use the incline to moderate your situp resistance. You’ll love it! And you’ll do a lot more of them than lying down flat on your back. Start with the glide board in a very steep angle for the least resistance in this position. As your stomach muscles get stronger, move the angle down, until you don’t need the modification any longer, and can turn back around and use the foot pedals with the board inclined upwards.

The ab crunch strap is the best I’ve seen. Marvelous for isolating the abs.

A few quibbles:

You must have the manual to work with this unit. I had an awful time trying switch the pulleys and fold the unit up without the manual. (I bought my unit second hand.) Bayou Fitness seems to be fine company, but for some reason, they don’t think its important to have this unit’s manual online in a PDF. They offer the dual rail manual online, but the monorail has enough differences to warrant its own manual online. Several well responded but unnecessary emails were sent to Bayou Fitness about this.

The unit is a tank. 122lbs dead weight, and it isn’t going anywhere. It folds up for storage and moving, and can be unfolded and in use within seconds. (Try doing that with a weight stack system.) Please, don’t let people fool you. You’ve got an entire gym’s worth of equipment in this excellent system, that’s you’d otherwise spend many thousands of dollars trying to replicate on your own. Plus, this system is much, much, much better in almost every respect. (You can get plenty ripped with just this unit, believe me. Don’t listen to “experts.” Watch what you eat, and exercise with this unit daily, and you’ll soon have much to show for it.)

That value of this system is phenomenal. New, from the company, is less than $600, which is a steal considering the construction and accessories. (I got mine second hand off Craigslist in like-new condition for just $200!) Still, $1500 would not be excessive for this excellent unit, and the Total Gym will sell you their equivalent, (with less accessories,) for just that much. The monorail is best for larger, heavier people like me, but Bayou sells a DXL II model for half that which is just as good, if you ask me.

The important choice is not so much which unit to buy, but THAT you buy; because without this excellent exercise machine in your home, you’re missing out on exercise that’s essential, controlled, safe, and really fun. You will enjoy using this machine for a long time. (Just ask Chuck.)

Great Total Gym Equipment
I have owned 2 Total Gyms in the past —-this unit is far superior! (Sorry Chuck!)

Very good quality, many options, works well as a total exercise package or as part of a free weight or cardio workout.

Solid construction, many board settings, larger bench, no wobbling when on the machine, challenging, smooth operation.

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Body-Solid G9S Selectorized Home Gym Features

• This multi-station workhorse provides health club quality strength training for up to three people.
• The non-slip, rubber encased foot plate is constructed of heavy-gauge steel for safe operation.
• Body-Solid In-Home Lifetime Warranty that covers everything. Forever. Period.
• Footprint: 89″L x 76″W x 83½”H; Live Working Area: 132″L x 87″W x 83½”H

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Body-Solid G9S Selectorized Home Gym Reviews

Best Home Gym
The Body Solid G9S is an exceptionally well-made home gym but it is only as good as the person who assembles it for you, if you cannot do so yourself. Not knowing any better, I bought the gym online and upon the recommendation of the seller hired an out-of-state company with local technicians to assemble it.

I highly recommend purchasing this item in a brick-and-mortar store that can assemble it properly and provide you with a warranty for the assembly. The problem that I’m having is that the pin does not insert easily and the unit emits a clanking sound when I use one of the weight stacks.

The other weight stack works well. I called a local merchant upon the advice of Body Solid and they wanted $450 to inspect and lubricate the machine. Granted that this also covered any necessary repairs, with the exception of parts, and warranted the work for a year, but that is about what I paid to have the darn thing assembled. So I decided to use it as is and wait until the problem worsened (if it did) to the point I could no longer use it and then have it repaired. I am, otherwise, enjoying this product immensely and highly recommend it. Well worth the price.

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Enjoy an efficient full-body workout without heading to the gym with the Sole E95 elliptical trainer. Boasting a heavy 30-pound flywheel, a high gear ratio not found on most comparable models, and a pair of upper body handles, the E95 delivers an extremely smooth workout with plenty of top-end resistance. Users will also appreciate the unique oversize and adjustable foot pedals, which were designed in collaboration with a leading physical therapist and sports enthusiast.

The pedals are not only extra large, but also feature a 2-degree inward slope that reduces the ankle and knee stress that’s common in other elliptical machines. The collaboration also produced a revolutionary foot pedal angle adjustment not found on any other elliptical. Taking into account that not everyone walks the same way, Sole engineers made the Sole E95′s pedals adjustable to fit the way you walk.

This also reduces the likelihood of numb toes and sore Achilles tendons. Workout specifics include 20 resistance levels, 10 total programs (including two custom and two heart-rate programs), and a 20-inch stride length. Perhaps the handiest feature from a user perspective, however, is the easy-to-use electronic console, which integrates a red/green display, a cooling fan, and a water bottle holder.

Additional features include stationary handlebars with built-in pulse sensors for monitoring your heart rate; a heart rate chest strap for hands-free pulse monitoring; heavy-duty rails with smooth-riding wheels on the back; and a rear plastic shroud that adds additional stability for aggressive use. The E95, which offers a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds, carries the following warranties: lifetime on the frame, five years on all parts and electronics, and two years on the labor.

Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer Features

• Assembled Dimensions: 82 by 33 by 68 inches (L x W x H)
• Arm Spacing: 23 inches
• Arm Stride: 30 inches
• Step Up: 15 inches
• Foot Spacing: 5.5 inches
• Stride Length: 20 inches
• Front Drive: Yes
• Steel Frame: 38mm
• Resistance Type: ECB
• Adjustable Pedals: Worm Drive
• Articulating Pedals: Yes
• Flywheel: 30 pounds
• Resistance Levels: 20
• Power: Plug in
• Upper Body: Yes
• Molded Hand Grips: Yes
• Pulse Grips: Yes
• Handlebar Adjust: Yes
• Display Type: LED
• Heart Rate Control: Yes
• HR Telemetry Belt: Yes
• Auto Pilot: Yes
• HR % Graph: Yes
• Windows: 2
• Track Display: Yes
• Audio System: Yes
• Incline: Power
• Six Standard Programs
• Two User-Defined Programs
• Two Heart Rate Programs
• Cooling Fans
• Water Bottle Holder
• Rear Rail Shroud
• Weight Capacity: 400 pounds

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Frame and brakes – lifetime, parts / electronics – 5 years, labor – 2 years

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Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer Reviews

Almost perfect, but not quite.
I have been researching home ellipticals for a while now. I was spoiled with the LifeFitness machines (20 inch stride) at the gym and I know many home ellipticals fall short – they feel shaky, flimsy, the stride is short… I had read great things about Sole machines and went to a local store to try them out.

They had the e95, e35, and e25 in new 2009 models as well as an old (2008) e55 being sold as a floor model. I had originally thought I wanted the e55 but the new e35 is actually better than the old e55 so that ruled out the floor model, even at a killer price.

I looked mainly at the e35 and the e95.

Both are very, very, very sturdy machines. I was amazed at how much they feel like the LifeStride – very solid and a nice, long stride. I am only 5’4 but anything less than 20″ in stride length feels choppy to me – I don’t know how anyone can stand most home machines!

If I really, really got going hard and fast, I could feel a slight difference in sturdiness between the two machines. I should point out I am between 140-150 pounds – the sales guys said if they were me, they’d go with the e35 but someone of a higher weight would notice the difference more than I did. The difference in sturdiness alone was really too slight to justify the difference in price, but since we could afford to go higher, I wondered if we should.

The other thing I debated, though, was the computer. For the most part you can do the exact same thing with both machines, but the computers are a little different. The e95 is flashy red LED and has a numeric keypad. The e35 is blue LCD and has arrow keys for input (ie it says “Input age” and it starts with, I think, 32 – you then have to toggle to the right age). It’s a little annoying but something that will be annoying at the start of the workout and that’s all. Again a case of we can afford to pay more and this would be nice, maybe we should.

Both machines have buttons on the handlebars for adjusting resistance and incline – VERY cool. Both machines allow you to adjust the foot pedals although the e95 has a knob you turn so you can adjust to any angle within the range whereas the e35 has a lever you pull out and then lift the pedals which have 2 or 3 notches in them that catch on the lever when you push it back in – like an exercise bike seat – so you may not get THE perfect adjustment.

So it seems like if you’re willing to spend the cash the e95 is the way to go, right? Not so fast. There was one big drawback to it and one small drawback. The small was, I didn’t care for the padded footbeds. They neither added nor detracted from the workout but I didn’t see the need to pay extra and I worried about the padding breaking down over time. If you’re wearing tennis shoes who needs padded footbeds? The biggest drawback was, the e95 has fat, molded handgrips. I found these felt chunky and sticky in my hands. Maybe if you are a 6′ plus beefy guy with bigger hands, you would prefer this, but I really didn’t like it and it would bother me the entire workout. The e35 has thinner, smoother handgrips, like I was used to at the gym. I did not want to pay extra for the e95 and hate those handgrips.

In the end I ordered the new 2009 e55 from Sole because it has all the features I like – a little sturdier than the e35, numeric keypad though screen is LED not LCD, smooth handgrips with buttons, killer warranty, fully adjustable and non-padded foot beds. I wish I could have tried this one in the store but I liked both the e35 and the e95 so much I am quite sure this was the right choice. These really are great machines but the handgrips on the e95 were a deal breaker for me.

If you have a Dick’s near you – try this machine, you will be amazed. I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of the models – it all comes down to slight differences between them. (But of course as you go up in weight, they say the heavier flywheel does make a bigger difference)

Great Exercise Machine!
I’ve been into health and fitness for about 12 years, and I’ve owned several cardio and weight machines over the years. Also, I go to the gym so I have experience using commercial grade pieces of equipment. I purchased this machine so that I could do my cardio at home and only have to go to the gym for my weight training. I’ve been using it about 4 days a week, for 45 minute sessions, for about 4 weeks now and I absolutely love it! This is a very sturdy piece of equipment, and is very smooth. I am very happy with this product, and as long as it doesn’t break on me any time soon, I will continue to be a supporter of Sole products. Some people mentioned some difficulties in assembling this machine, but I don’t recall having any major problems other than the issues mentioned below, which I don’t think were really related to the assembly. I did take it real slow (and had someone looking over me lol) just to make sure I didn’t mess anything up, so just be sure to set aside plenty of time so you can follow the directions exactly. Fortunately, they include all the tools you need and all of the small parts (screws, bolts, etc.) are separated out in a package according to the step you use them.

There were 2 very small issues I had after I assembled the machine, but they were very minor so I didn’t think it warranted taking a star off the rating. First, after assembling it and getting on it to test it out, I noticed some type of squeaking noise. After narrowing down where the sound was coming from I found out that it was caused by the rollers, so I applied the supplied lube to the rails and that solved that problem. The other issue was another noise I noticed while being on it for a few minutes. I narrowed that noise down to one of the “O” bolts that screw into the end of the end where you connect the leg arm to the arm handle. The problem was caused because you couldn’t screw the “O” bolt in all the way because if you did you could line the arm handle up with it. Anyways, I called Sole and they had a technician call me. He shipped me the part I needed (another “O” bolt, washer, etc.) and that solved the problem. It should be noted that, after seeing what they sent me, I could have very easily fixed this problem myself by just using a washer on the “O” bolt, but I figured I’d just let the part come in from the technician. These 2 issues were very minor and the noises were not very loud, but I thought I should at least mention them.

Some other things:
- Another poster mentioned the tube of lube that comes in the box, and I believe that is used to lube the railings that the rollers ride on. At least that’s what I used it for.
- Someone mentioned the arm grips being a bit large, and they are somewhat large compared to other machines, but I got use to them after a few workouts.
- If you like really hardcore, grueling training sessions then get on this thing and pump the resistance level up to 10+ (it goes to 20 I think). This thing has more resistance than any home piece of equipment I have ever seen, and just as much as most of the commercial ones. The bottom line is no matter how strong you are, I don’t think you are going to outgrow this thing.

You usually get what you pay for, and if you are serious about getting a good piece of home exercise equipment that will give you an awesome workout, then expect to pay at least this much. I actually purchased this thing from a local Dick’s Sporting Goods because it was the same price but I probably paid a good bit more once you figure in sales tax (10% here in Montgomery, AL). If you have a local sporting goods store that carries this elliptical, you may want to go check it out there first just to make sure it feels ok to you.

May 15, 2009 update: I’m still very much enjoying this machine and getting a lot of use out of it. I didn’t say anything about the included heart-rate monitor in my original review but thought I should mention it now because I’ve been using it a lot. Unlike the hand-grip monitor that this machine and others like it have, the included chest strap monitor seems to be very accurate! I’ve experimented with it a few times by slowing the pace down and picking the pace up and watched as the on screen display accurately reflected the change in heart-rate.

Comments on Assembly Process
I just finished assembling my 2009 Sole E95 and felt compelled to comment on the assembly process. It took about 3 ½ hrs from opening the box to powering up the unit for the first time. Here are some tips:

1. The assembly process isn’t that complex but it does require some mechanical reasoning (like understanding a schematic) to fill in the many gaps in the instructions. If you are able to assemble a more difficult piece of Ikea furniture, then you should have no problem.

2. The parts kit includes the necessary tools (wrench, screwdriver) but realistically these tools are too poor quality to be effective. If you don’t own tools, that might be an indication you shouldn’t be tackling this project.

3. I opened the box outside and carried the parts into the house. Technically you could carry the box inside but that would be difficult and require 2-3 people. You can use a hand truck to carry the box but the box is too wide (34″) to fit through most doors. The heaviest part is the flywheel assembly. You can rotate the assembly up on its wheels and pull with one person but that won’t work going up stairs.

4. There are four basic assembly steps: connect back frame to flywheel assembly, connect post to flywheel assembly, connect arms and attach the many plastic covers.

5. The hardest step was connecting the post to the flywheel assembly. In this step, you have to feed the wires through the post, slip the whole thing through a plastic cover and slide down into the flywheel assembly where you will attach with bolts (making sure to tighten the fourth bolt already in place). The trick is making sure the wires are routed up the right channel in the post otherwise they will get pinched when inserting the post. You also should leave the foam insert in place at all times when working with the bolts. When the wire didn’t fit correctly, I had to remove the bolts and since I already removed the foam, I dropped a bolt into the flywheel assembly. This required me to remove the plastic side around the flywheel to retrieve the bolt (taking 20 min).

6. Connecting the wires to the control panel assumes you know how to plug in small connectors correctly. The wires going to the hand rails are not marked left or right. I’m not sure if it matters. Everything worked correctly when finished so maybe I got lucky.

7. The instructions slightly mention a grommet that must be inserted into the post to protect the wire going to the hand rail. Couldn’t find a grommet in the parts kit so I assembled anyway thinking I’d have to call later. Turns out the grommets were in the bag with the electrical cord (last bag opened) so I had to disassemble the plastic covers to insert the grommets (more time).

8. Connecting the plastic covers with the sheet metal screws is difficult because the holes are deep and the screw doesn’t want to find the hole. Using a small magnetic screwdriver is very helpful as once the screw is stuck to the screwdriver, you can slowly insert into the hole making sure to keep the screw centered.

9. Included is a tube of lube. The instructions don’t mention what to do with the lube but I hope it it’s just for the rear rails.

Fortunately no parts were damaged or missing. That was my worse fear starting this project. Cross my fingers and hope everything stays working.

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The Schwinn® 460 Elliptical Trainer helps you burn up to 2 times as many calories as a treadmill, and up to 15% more calories than on a fixed-stride elliptical. Schwinn® V-Stride™ technology allows you to change stride lengths without manual adjustments or machine modifications. 11 workout profiles built by the Nautilus Institute include instructional messages on utilizing stride lengths and foot/leg motions for maximized results.

Maximize your home workouts with the Schwinn 460 Elliptical Trainer, which features Schwinn’s exclusive V-Stride Technology that allows you to change stride lengths without manual adjustments or machine modifications. The 460 provides a complete lower-body workout: step to target calves and quads; walk to work your thighs and glutes, and run to lengthen your strides and engage all muscle groups.

Featuring a high-tech design, the Schwinn 460 includes 11 workout profiles built by the Nautilus Institute with instructional messages on utilizing stride lengths and foot/leg motions for maximized results. And the Schwinn Advantage workout system tracks results and programming for up to two users. You’ll get heart rate feedback via the HR grips on the static handlebars, and heart rate telemetry using the included chest strap.

The dynamic backlit touchscreen console displays workout and interval time, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance level, and course profile. Other features include an oversized water bottle holder (accommodates 4-inch bottle), adjustable cooling fan, and transport handle and non-skid wheels for easy storage.

Schwinn® 460 elliptical Trainer Features and Specifications

• V-Stride technology, integrated in the cam/footplate, enables strides from 2 to 26 inches
• Independent footplates let users target core muscles while engaging both sides of the body
• 16 total programs: 1 Manual, 11 Profile, 2 Custom for two users
• Quiet, magnetic ECB (Eddy current brake) resistance with 16 levels
• Fly wheel: 25 pounds, steel
• Drive system: Computer controlled
• Fixed and moving handlebars
• Chest strap with telemetric and grip heart rate monitoring
• Heart rate grip on padded static handlebars
• Transport handle and non-skid wheels
• Articulating foot plates minimize heel impact
• Schwinn Advantage workout system tracks results and programming for two users
• Dynamic backlit LCD touchscreen console
• Display Readout: Time, Interval Time, RPM, Watts, Distance, Pulse, Speed, Calories, Resistance Level, Course Profile
• 11 workout profiles contain embedded fitness prompts to maximize results
• Oversized water bottle holder and angle-adjustable fan
• Maximum user weight: 300 pounds
• Dimensions: 54 x 34 x 73 inches (L x W x H)
• Unit weight: 221 pounds
• Power requirements: AC adapter

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Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer Reviews

Innovation in home exercise equipment
I have the Schwinn 430 elliptical, which in my opinion, was the best elliptical in its class for under $1000. It has an 18″ stride that works for most people.

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer

There is now a new successor in home fitness equipment. This is it!

Whenever someone thinks outside of the box and creates a new machine to appeal to more people, they create a winning product that will set the standard. Schwinn/Nautilus and their engineers/experts have done it with the Schwinn 460 Variable Strike Elliptical Trainer.

How is this different? Without making any adjustments in the machine itself, you can vary your stride from 2 inches to 26 inches. This translates to anyone in your family (of adolescent to adult age) to exercise on this piece of fitness equipment without cumbersome settings or having to get off of the machine to make adjustments.

When it comes to elliptical trainers, you really need to try the various strides to see what is comfortable to you. Some are circular and some are truly elliptical in feel. With Variable Stride Technology, this is less of an issue and I feel this is going to be comfortable for everyone who enjoys using this method of cardiac activity. Variable stride technology involves changing the length of stride based upon the pressure that you exert on the pedals – the more pressure you exert, the longer your stride, the less pressure, the shorter your stride. This is something that will take some time to get accustomed to but it doesn’t take that long once you get the hang of it.

This machine can accommodate people up to 300 lbs. I weigh about 200 lbs and it’s very comfortable and stable.

Basics:

The dimensions are 54″L x 34″W x 73″H where as the 430′s dimensions were 59″ L x 26″ W x 68″ H.

The machine is 5 inches taller in total height than my Schwinn 430 (and the pedals are about 3 inches higher from the floor) which may be a little difficult for people under 5 feet tall, but it is manageable. There are 3 hand settings, the moving swing arms, the stationary handles with heart rate capability and the stationary handles more forward in position without heart rate capability. However, there is an integrated wireless heart rate monitor capability utilizing a strap across the chest. The strap is more responsive to your heart rate over the stationary handles.

Set up:

My model came with prepackaged hardware with all of the tools necessary to assemble except for a 17 mm wrench. I opted to check the sizes of the various hardware and used a ratchet and my own screwdriver. Although it took about 20 minutes to get it out of the box, when you get into the assembly time, it only took a little over an hour. Luckily extra parts were included since some were missing in the prepacked ‘bubble wrap’. I didn’t get operating instructions so I had to refer to the website to get the manual. The assembly guide is outlined well and easy to follow step by step. It recommends using 2 people, at times (placing the base and the pedals, for example), but I was alone when I put it together. If you do the assembly by yourself, just watch your fingers when you are putting the pedals together.

My suggestion is to bypass the included tools and use your own toolbox. However, I do not recommend electric screwdrivers or other devices with high torque which would strip the screws and probably damage the unit.

Construction:

The machine is solid steel in construction. It is higher grade steel than the 430 with a gray matte finish. It is not textured like the super expensive gym equipment. The length is about the same as the 430, albeit slightly wider. The pedals are solid in construction, rubber coated/slip resistant and the action of the stride is smooth and quiet – you can watch television at a normal volume unlike other elliptical trainers and treadmills.

The handles are comfortable, rubber coated and have an ergonomic design in any of the 3 standard hand positions. It is markedly taller in height than the 430, also.

Electronics:

The unit comes with a back-lit, touch screen that is intuitive, easy to read, and shows your progress in calories, distance, time (interval and total time), pulse, speed, calories, and level. The LED text is clear and easy to read. You have manual mode and 16 programs but in your profile, you can create 2 customizable workouts one interval at a time. I miss the Calorie Goal feature (i.e. pre-set workout to burn 500 calories).

The customizable feature keeps track of your progress over time: total distance, change in weight, total calories, time spent, etc.

Depending upon what measurement system you are familiar with, you can toggle between Metric and American Standard. Contrast of the touch screen can also be adjusted with a toggle of the button (see instructions).

When it switches from one interval to the next, it does beep to alert you.

One practical note: You cannot extend the length of the workout in a programmed mode (i.e. add minutes) – all you can adjust is the resistance.

Usage:

The default level is level 3 which is a good start when trying a new variation of elliptical trainers. You can go in forward and reverse rather easily. Even at a faster rate and longer strides the machine is stable/quiet. The stair stepping function is comfortable, as is the walk and running function. With the different strides which can be done on the fly, including reverse, you can concentrate on different muscles in the same workout.

I don’t know if this is a matter of the design but I cannot seem to go beyond a cadence of 60 RPM, no matter how low the resistance is set. On the 430, I found myself going as high as 76 to 80. As long as your workout is intense enough, I suppose that is OK since my heart rate is rising with increased cadence.

There are 16 different resistance levels but beyond 14 is more resistance training than cardiovascular work.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is one of the most effective and efficient methods of burning calories during and after your workout. You can easily do it on this machine. I personally think that this machine was designed for that purpose (my opinion).

On my profile, I created a customized workout simulating climbing a mountain and going down a mountain whereas the other customized workout is an interval of high resistance alternating with lower resistance for recovery.

With the heart rate monitoring strap, you don’t have to worry about losing track of your heart rate by switching from the stationary to moving handlebars. It works well and I only infrequently lose signal. It is instantaneous and this feature really only appears on the premium exercise equipment.

Practical issues:

A large water bottle cage is sturdy/stable. It can accommodate a 1 liter water bottle, my remote controls or anything reasonably small that you may need to have nearby (i.e. cordless phone, pager, cellular phone).

A fan works in 3 speeds and actually works well and it is a nice feature. Definitely allows me to go ‘the extra mile’ when I am getting overheated. I would have preferred the fan to be at the top of the instrument panel, as opposed to the bottom of it – it is fixed in angle so it cannot be adjusted.

My only gripe is the size of the plastic support for placing a book over the top of the control panel. It accommodates for a book of only a thin size, not a medical text book (unlike the 430, where I mounted my laptop onto the reading rack with ease). The 430 had a book support made of steel.

Customization:

2 users can be entered to monitor progress and customize workouts. Entering names utilizing the limited toggle switches takes some practice and is slightly cumbersome but not a deal-breaker. Your weight and Body mass index (BMI) are tracked which aid in your progress.

Mobility:

This is a rather heavy machine and where it is assembled, is going to be the place where it stays. The handle in the back and small wheels in the front allow for pushing and pulling. It is mobile but will require a good boost up to get the front wheels onto the ground. However, it really requires a 2 person evolution to prevent back injury.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a more versatile machine to have variability in the same workout, or even looking for a machine that has a wider range of strides, look no further than this machine. Out of the box, this piece of equipment can accommodate for a wider range of size of users (with regard to height, stride, leg length and fitness levels). It is comparable to machines much higher in price ($2000 and up) but with a significantly smaller footprint which does not compromise stability (or space).

I highly recommend this product. Through Amazon.com you get free shipping; other sellers may charge a hefty shipping charge. So, make that New Year’s Resolution early and do yourself a favor, get this machine.

Thoughts on Schwinn 460
I ordered this directly from Nautilus and just recieved it a week ago 11/11/2008.

When you open the box everything is packaged very well and it honestly takes almost as long to unwrap everything and get everything out of the box as it does to assemble.

It states that assembly needs two people but I was able to put it together myself without any problems. After all Men don’t listen to instructions anyways right? It took about 3 hours from the moment I started cutting tape to open the box to having it fully assembled and ready to go.

The elliptical looks great and is suitable for any room. Just a note about this machine. I was going to put this in my home gym which is in my basement that has 7 foot ceilings, but after halfway through assembly I realized that this elliptical will make you about 14 inches taller so just something to be aware of.

I was unsure about the “Variable Stride” system and thought the description was a little vague before I ordered it. I assumed that this was controlled via the display console as you would select walk, run, or step. In fact the variable stride is simply determined by how hard you push on the pedals as you are moving. There is two wheels that stick out of the side that hook up to slides below the foot pedals. Although it was not what I expected it is a very effective design and I like how you can determine the amount of effort that you want to put into your workout. I started sweating after about 5 minutes and after 45 minutes had what I felt to be a very good cardio calorie burning workout. One thing I thought was pretty cool is that during a workout it will occasionally tell you Good Job! I know you’re probably thinking “so what?” but you’d be suprised what it does to your motivation. It’s like there’s a little personal trainer in there cheering you on.

The handlebar heartbeat monitor seems to be accurate but takes time to display. The telemetric heartrate monitor seems to be more effective. The cupholder is large enough to hold a remote control and a water bottle at the same time which is nice.

I found it most comfortable to use the moving handlebars when exercising and the motions felt very natural. The stationary handles were nice when taking a drink of water, or taking a little break from the more intense work.

The display is bright and has some useful information including time, distance, calories burned, wattage being used, and rpm. It is easy to change resistance or display info with a simple touch of the finger. For taller people the contrast starts to get dull but this is adjustable.

Overall I am very happy with this elliptical and consider it to be just as effective as the $4000 elliptical at my health club. I am 6′ 1″ and my girlfriend is 5′ 4″ and we both felt very comfortable with the feel of the machine. The stroke feels very ergonomic and it is great operating in a forward and backward motion which is very helpful when you get real tired, you can take a mini break by walking backwards for a minute or two while still working your muscles and keeping your heartrate up.

The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was because I felt that the variable stride wasn’t explained clearly enough before I recieved it, but then again I am just as happy if not happier than what I expected in the first place. I highly recommend it and do not regret getting it in the least – get ready to lose some weight and feel better about yourself with this affordable, stylish, and effective machine!

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Body Solid EXM1500S Home Gym When the leading consumer reporting magazines were searching for the number 1 Best Buy in the home gym category, they found it in the EXM1500S. It has all the features you need for a complete toning, trimming and strength training program at home. In just 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week, you can trim down and firm up in your own home, on your own schedule. Forget the gym membership dues, long lines and that locker room smell. Using the Body Solid EXM1500S Home Gym will lead you to a healthier lifestyle, save you time and save you money.

This Body Solid EXM1500S Home Gym is centered on a 160 Lb. weight stack, adjustable in 10 Lb. increments, stacked neatly without plates and bars scattered about. Simply insert a pin and begin. While sitting on the firm, oversized adjustable seat pad you can start by grabbing the multi grip press arm and work on your chest and shoulders, then wrap your legs over the comfortable foam rollers to rip through a set of thigh burning leg extensions. Now, take hold of the Ab Strap and crunch your way to a washboard stomach. Spin around and reach for the Lat Bar and work your shoulders and upper back. Using the Straight Bar on the multi purpose Low Pulley you can perform seated rows, biceps curls, wrist curls, upright rows, shrugs and more.

Other exercises include triceps press down, standing leg curl, bent over row, inner and outer thigh, one arm cable curl and standing calf raise. The Body Solid EXM1500S Home Gym gives you more for your money than any other home gym on the market. Includes Lifetime Warranty on Everything.

Body Solid EXM1500S Single Stack Home Gym Reviews

Well Built and an Excellent Value
During High School and in the military, I did a lot of weight training. Ok, I’m not 16 nor 21 anymore. I’m now in my 40′s and am an active cyclist, and skier. I bought this machine based upon the Consumer Reports write ups (it was rated number one) so my wife and I can quickly and easily do some strength training. My key requirements were size, Lat and Leg exercises and Durability/Quality. Only way to review this is to break it down a bit:

Assembly: A lot of parts, Directions are passable, but not great. Biggest problem I had was determining which bolt for which hole. It took a good 4 hours to assemble, and I’m pretty good at this kind of stuff.

Customer Support: Had a plate break in shipping, and it took under 2 minutes to get to a human being. (you deal with body solid directly for support.) He made note that a plate was broken and asked me to finish assembly and give him a call back, to make sure I didn’t need anything else. I finished up, and had no other issues. Called back to his direct extenision and he drop shipped the plate from the warehouse. I’d say that was great service.

Exercises:
Leg Exercises – Leg lift for Quads is great. The standing one legged hamstring curl, took a bit to get used to but given the small size of the machine, I’ll take it.
Bench Press – Very smooth, and you get two hand positions, one for more inner pec and the other for more outer. Downside is that the start position is a little far back, but now that I think about it, I may have the bench arm on backwards. Doh!
Lats/Back – This is where I believe this machine earns it keep. It provides a Lat pulldown, and a seated row position. This was key to me and it performs as expected. (note I’m using this for toning and not body building. A 160 pound stack works for me.)
Shoulders/Arms – The curl bar thats included does has a static handle, so its not good for curls. You will need to purchase a bar that has rotating handles. Since I use dumbbells for these exercises, it didn’t matter much. I’m ordering a single rotating curl bar, so my wife can add some exercises.

Overall, I’d say its a great value for someone who wants a smaller in home machine to cover a lot of exercies, and wants to add strength training to their workout. If your looking to get ‘Pumped Up’, you’d be better with Free weights or a Gym membership. I looked for a used one, but they didn’t last very long and had a pretty high resale value. I am certainly happy with my purchase, and now need to flip that bench press attachment around.

quality fitness machine
Overall, I am very satisfied with this purchase.

1. delivery. It took about 2 weeks from Chicago to southern California. The delivery man moved the 6 boxes into my garage, even though they are only obligated to drop at curbside.

2. assembly. It took over 6 hours to assemble by myself. The instructions are not very clear. There are many bolts and nuts that look very similar, so you need to carefully distinguish the different sizes. The problem is compounded by diagrams that are low quality (low resolution).

3. finished product. The time and effort involved was worth it because the machine is solid and a joy to use. Every motion is smooth and quiet. Very compact. Lifetime warranty is reassuring.

Very satisfied with new Home Gym
The Body-Solid Home Gym arrived in six boxes in only 10 days. The instructions for assembly were not that great but after taking the time to organize the parts in particular the various sized bolts and associated nuts it went very well. I think the key to assembly is to read over each section carefully and get the exploded view down pat then follow the step by step directions. By the time I was done it took just about five hours and I had a few parts left over. The machine is everything I had hoped for. Its smooth action is a delight and both me and my wife love it already. I missed the workout center but now that I work out of my house the 20 mile round trip into town just didn’t make sense. The money was well spent and I am 100% satisfied.

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Best Home Fitness BFMG20 Sportsman Gym. The innovative Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsman Gym is designed to help you take your home workouts to the next level… or the lower level. At just 79 inches tall, this sturdy, multifunction gym easily fits within the confines of most basements and low-ceiling homes and offers a well made home gym aimed at exercisers with both limited space and limited budget. Creative engineering has incorporated press arm and pec fly into the same unit, and the Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsman Gym also features both lower and upper pulleys that enable you to do dozens of exercises.

Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym Features

• Press Arm/Pec Fly Dual Design follows the natural arc of a free weight bench press and pectoral dumbbell fly.
• High Pully with Wide Grip Lat Bar for biomechanically correct lat pulldowns. Lower Pulley for curls, seated row, shrugs, oblique bends, upright rows, bent over rows, adduction, abduction, front/side deltoid raises.
• Low-slung 79″ height accommodates low ceiling homes and basement workout rooms.
• Fiberglass pulleys with ball bearing movement on solid axle rotation.
• Best Fitness In Home Only 3-1 Warranty. 3 Years on the frame. 1 year on all other parts

Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym Reviews

Best small home gym equipment
This home gym is small and compact. Designed really for general fitness and strength training, not for huge body-building. It needs assembly but that only took me about 4hrs by myself. The only thing I would say is don’t follow the pulley installation instructions. Place the cable and pulley on the machine in order of feeding the cable, then tighten the pulley bolts to the machine.

This machine does just what you need as a home-fitness gym. It is compact and both my wife and I find it great to maintain tone without wanting huge bulk. It has 150lb in stacked weight which is fine for your general fitness needs. If you want larger weights then I would buy some free-weights but if you want a decent, well put together home gym that works arms, legs & chest then you can’t go wrong with this machine.

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This Bowflex 80-pound weight upgrade kit lets you enjoy better, faster results from your Revolution home gym by increasing the resistance from 220 to 300 pounds (for upper body) or 600 pounds (for lower body). The cutting-edge, non-metal plate technology looks just like free weight plates, but works independent of gravity to provide the resistance you need without adding bulk, weight, or noise to your machine. Plus, the upgrade is easy to install, as it twists onto the Bowflex Revolution in a snap.

Bowflex Revolution 80-Pound Upgrade Features

• 80-pound weight upgrade kit designed for Bowflex Revolution home gym
• Boosts resistance from 220 to 300 pounds (upper body) or 600 pounds (lower body)
• Cutting-edge, non-metal-plate technology looks just like free weight plates
• Works independent of gravity to provide resistance without adding bulk or weight
• Easy to install: twists onto the Bowflex Revolution in a snap

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This product is what I expected from the infomercial – the infomercial is a good representation of what you’ll get. The DVDs are good, come in a small case (no excess packaging to exaggerate or compensate for lack of real product). The accompanying written materials are good too.

However, I found that I wasn’t quite in shape enough when P90X arrived to use it well. I went back and bought Tony Horton’s “Power Half Hour” and used that for a few weeks first – had to wake up some muscles I’ve let go dormant. I’ve been in good shape most of my life, but kind of got lazy lately – I needed to get a basic foundation before I could jump into the incredible workouts he provides.

Make no mistake; this is a commitment. The workouts are long, and hard, but they are engaging. No geeky cheesy cheerleader pep talks in the DVD, and no arrogant gym rat jerks either. If I win the lottery, I’ll try to hire Tony as my personal trainer; he has a good positive attitude, and seems to keep the workouts real with a sense of humility and humor.
The segment timer is great. Though the workouts are typically an hour long, he has “chunked” them down into segments, with a “progress bar” on the screen – kind of like the bar on the computer – so you can adjust your pace or your mindset with the workout.
Tony uses both men and women of differing degrees of flexibility and fitness; there’s always a body on the screen up there to help me with my own form.
I’m a former Marine – and this is used to replace my “daily thirteen.” If only I knew about some of these workouts back in the day… So I give it a thumbs up from the perspective of some really challenging workouts I’ve experienced in the past.
Overall, a good deal. But be warned, it isn’t for the fat couch potato. Like the infomercial says, its for folks that want to get in BETTER shape; the expectation is that you already are in shape and want to take it to the next level.

Tony Horton’s P90X Extreme Home Fitness Reviews

Why did I spend all those years in the gym?
There’s so many positive things to say about this product it’s hard to know where to begin. I’ll try to avoid covering too much familiar ground of the other reviews. So let’s start by saying this: It absolutely works. What’s great about this program is that it addresses ALL your fitness needs. Whereas most workout videos/programs tend to focus on either strength training or cardio or flexibility or target specific areas, P90X does it all. Just be aware that you’ll have to invest in a pull up bar (although alternatives are given for substituting power bands, but nothing beats the bar), some dumbells or power bands (the bands work fine if you’re looking to tone up or travel with them, but for people really looking to do some work and get their Bruce Lee on, dumbells are a must), a yoga mat, possibly some push-up stands (they’re worth it, or you can just use your dumbells if you have the kind shaped like a hex or a square), and a heart-rate monitor isn’t bad either. I’m 30 and I’ve been an avid gym rat since I was 15. This thing beat me up the first time through. Plus, I’m flexible like I’ve never been before which makes life so much better getting out of bed not being stiff. Best of all, my abs are chiseled better than when I was 20. Tough to argue with that. Alright, enough about me, I think one of the strongest points of this program is it’s level of customization.

The way the program works is this: For the first three weeks you’ll do strength training workouts on days 1,3, and 5(each bodypart being worked once per week with the exception of the back-you’re gonna do A LOT of pull-ups/chin-ups). On days 2,4, and 6 you’ll do some form of cardio (yoga, plyo, kenpo). And then on day 7 you have an optional stretch. Then on week 4 you completely remove the resistance days and they’re replaced with other types of cardio and stretching (the Core routine is amazing). In weeks 5-7 you keep the same days 2,4, and 6, but you have all new videos for the resistance days so your muscles are forced to adapt and grow and avoid plateauing. Week 8 is the same as week 4, allowing you to catch up for the final push. Weeks 9 and 11 are the same as 1-3, weeks 10 and 12 are the same as 5-7, and then there’s the final week, same as 4 and 8. I know it may sound a bit confusing, but it’s all laid out very clearly and concisely in the accompanying book. Plus, you’ll be doing abs on the resistance days.

What I just described is called P90X Classic. It’s the standard arrangement of exercises. Again, here’s where the customization comes in. If your goals are more weight loss and slimming down, the book rearranges the videos into what’s called P90X Lean, de-emphasizing the resistance training in favor of the fat burning. And for those truly “touched in the head”, there’s P90X doubles. This has you doing 2 programs per day on certain days, one in the morning and one in the evening. This is truly the ultimate challenge (but also a bit time consuming as you’ll need more than 2 free hours per day to dedicate to exercising).

Another great feature of the program is the inclusion of Cardio X. PlyoX is, by far, the toughest of the cardio programs. It will chew you up and spit you out the first few times you try it. For those that find it too difficult or may have some joint issues preventing them from jumping, Cardio X is designed to be a low-impact substitute. Throughout all the different programs, Tony and the crew will show alternate exercises for people that may have some health issues (knees, shoulders, etc.

Some people wonder what’s next once they finish. Good question. For most, you’ll benefit from going through the program one more time as is. Or, you can try the lean or doubles. Maybe just do the classic again, but try and do things double-time or increase your weights a good deal. It’ll probably be a month or so before you’re able to truly begin to keep up with the videos the first time through-and then they switch it up on you (that’s the beauty of it). So doing it a second time allows you to go hard from day 1. Also, Beachbody is releasing P90X+ in Dec. 07. These are 5 new workouts that you can substitute in to the existing infrastructure. But, be aware, these are for people that have already gone through the entire ‘X’ or are in world-class shape, as they are more difficult than even their predecessors were. They were designed specifically with the intent of building upon the foundation laid by P90X, by no means are they a jumping on point. Plus, they don’t replace all the existing videos, so you would be far from a complete set should you choose to grab just the + programs. But hop over to youtube and put in P90X+ for a preview (I get tired just watching). With the inclusion of these videos, the ability to mix and match as you choose to in order to meet your goals, and the format that allows you to determine intensity and speed, you’ll be able to keep your workouts fresh for a very long time.

And once you’ve gone through the program, you’ll get an excellent feel for what each video does and how to customize the program. You may want to increase your flexibility by using the Stretch X and Yoga X a few times per week, supplementing it with some cardio and strength work. Bottom line, the choices are yours. Just remember, these are not for beginners and you will need an hour per day (hour and a half for yoga)-no “30 minutes 3X per week” nonsense here. If you head on over to the P90X website (just google it since we can’t use URL’s), click on the picture about half way down that says “Learn more about P90X” and then click on “Is P90X for me”, there’ll be a link to a PDF of the fitness test you can do at home that will give you a good idea of whether or not you’re ready to begin the program.

Even with the additional equipment to buy, it is well worth the money. Remember, you’re not expected to be able to keep up right away. It’ll be quite a while before you do. Go slow and at your own pace. You are encouraged to just keep with it, even if you can only do 1 pull-up, do it and wait for the next exercise to begin. Just stay with it and you’ll be amazed at the progress you make. The last thing you want to do it burn yourself out right away. When I first got the program I spent 2 weeks just “walking” through all the routines (and I was still spent). One final note, just be careful if you live in the upstairs of a building as I do, it can make Plyo day a bit disconcerting for the neighbors beneath you if they’re not expecting it ;)

One last note because I’ve seen some of the negative comments on here: Buy it from the official site. Just say no to all the special offers so you don’t get billed for anything extra (I declined all offers and have never had a single problem with extra charges). Just buy it from the regular site at P90Xdotcom.

Not a penny wasted!
Let me first say that i’m one of the people that tried the regular Power 90 workout videos at first. I was pretty much a couch potato who would work out once in a while, and then just stop completely for several months. Power 90 is a decent workout for people who are trying to get back into shape who want to get into a mediocre level of fitness; or just maintain an average body.
Pros for Power 90:
1. A good smooth start for beginners. It will get your body in decent shape.
2. Short workout time. The workouts last from 35-45 minutes; stretching, warming up, workout, and cool down in all.
3. Good mix of everything. Tony incorporates stretching, warming up, and cooling down all at the right times during a workout.
4. Has a timer countdown on screen.
5. Tony has great direction, tries to motivate you, and tries to be funny. Just by listening to him speak and guiding on how you should do a certain movement/stretch, you get a sense that he actually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to fitness.
6. Tony TOUCHES, but doesnt dive into what’s in the P90X program. He scratches on Stretching, Yoga, Strength training, Cardio, Kicking/Punching. This sets you up and gets you somewhat used to what comes in P90X.
Cons for Power 90:
1. When I saw the routine and the small “studio” they shot this in, I really wasnt impressed. But then again, it was my first workout
video, so I have nothing to really compare it to. It just gave me the impression that the workout would be cheesy and generic.
2. Repetitive. You have Level 1 and Level 2 routines. Basically Cardio Level 1, and Circuit Training level 1. Once you get to level 2, you’re pretty much stuck doing the same thing every other day, and it gets old after the first month.

Bottom line for Power 90: If you’re only a beginner or would just like to maintain your weight/average body, Power 90 is for you. If you can’t get through the regular Power 90, don’t try P90X just yet. Work your way up.

*And now for P90X Review*
Like someone already said, the packaging for all 13 DVDs is great, and no excess garbage cases. The Nutrition Guide is very informative and well written, and so is the Workout Book they include. I dont follow the food guide to the ‘T’ since i’m on a budget, but they include great recipes for pretty much anyone’s taste.

The reason I included a review of the regular Power 90 was to express just how impressed I am with the improvement and greatness that the P90X routine is.

Pros over the regular P90:
1.) The workouts are HARD. Unless you’ve have an Olympian type body(which 99% of us dont), these workouts will kick your butt. If it doesn’t, you’re obviously not trying hard enough or doing something wrong.
2.) No matter what level of fitness or what sport you love to play, you’ll benefit from these routines. Tony covers everything to improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and stamina. Any athlete will become an even better one after 90 days.
3.) Not repetitive. You can go for almost 2 weeks without doing the same workout twice. In the regular Power 90, you only tasted some of the things that P90X has. This expands on EVERYTHING you learn in Power 90; things like Yoga, Strength training, Cardio, High/Low impact movements, Flexibility, etc.
4.) Price. For 120 bucks, you get the Nutrition guide, Workout Guide, and 1 intro DVD + 12 Workout DVDs. Pretty much under 10 dollars per DVD. That would be about 30$ a month, which is an average cost for going to a gym. In the long run, the program pays for itself.
5.) In reality, all you need are workout bands and your own body weight to do everything in the program. The key thing is how you use the bands, so you dont necessarily need weights or the pull-up bar. However, if you’re trying to bulk up, I recommend using weights.
6.) Presentation. The workout studio they shoot it looks great and truly fits the atmosphere for the whole P90X image. Direction and guidance from Tony like always, is outstanding. He tells you exactly how to perform a stretch/workout/warmup, why you do it, and where you should feel the burn or stretch. Like someone else pointed out, his workout buddies vary in body types so you can see the results of what each body type can achieve in the end.

Cons:
1.) The workouts are long. I guess technically this isnt a con, since the program is meant to be (P90)Xtreme.
2.) Supplements are expensive. I was going to say over-priced, but then I look at the supplements that I personally like taking as an alternative to BeachBody’s stuff. BB’s supplements dont have as much protein as I like in my post-workout drink.

As you can see the Pros greatly outweigh the Cons…which there pretty much isnt.
Bottom line: Like other reviewers have said, if you’re a beginner dont start out on P90X. Start out with Power 90 first. But if you’re in decent shape, there’s no other program out there that will turn you into a better athlete.

Lastly, follow a good diet. Whether you’re trying to lose fat or bulk up, 60% of your results will be from your diet, believe it or not it’s true.

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