'As Seen On TV' exercisers put to the test
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If getting into shape is high on your list of New Year's resolutions (again!) and you're wondering if some infomercial exercise products can get you there, you're in luck!
Consumer Reports rounded up staffers to try out three products. They also called on a fitness-industry expert to evaluate each one and had their nutrition expert take a look at the diets that came with two of the products.
The $30 Perfect Punch uses mixed martial arts techniques to get you in shape. Consumer Reports found that you can burn roughly the same amount of calories jogging 4.5 mph for 16 minutes. And it was far from perfect. It kept rubbing against one panelist's shoulder and hitting another in the ears.
Next up, the $99 Rhythm Rocker by Kymaro. It comes with several different workouts and a nutrition guide. Consumer Reports' panelists tried out the 11.5-minute dance blast video. Turns out you burn the equivalent of walking only 2 mph on a treadmill. As for the seven-day diet, it's pretty strict so you could probably lose weight, but Consumer Reports' nutrition expert said it offered limited food options and no maintenance program.
And lastly the $250 Nautilus CoreBody Reformer for women. It combines yoga, Pilates, and dance in one workout. Panelists found some of the balance exercises to be tricky, but overall this machine did well in Consumer Reports' tests. The workouts are well rounded, and if you are somewhat fit and are looking to improve your strength and flexibility, it might be one to consider.
Consumer Reports says the CoreBody Reformer can also help you improve your balance. And another advantage is the diet. Consumer Reports says that it's easy to follow, and you can loose a slow and steady one to two pounds a week.
Consumer Reports rounded up staffers to try out three products. They also called on a fitness-industry expert to evaluate each one and had their nutrition expert take a look at the diets that came with two of the products.
The $30 Perfect Punch uses mixed martial arts techniques to get you in shape. Consumer Reports found that you can burn roughly the same amount of calories jogging 4.5 mph for 16 minutes. And it was far from perfect. It kept rubbing against one panelist's shoulder and hitting another in the ears.
Next up, the $99 Rhythm Rocker by Kymaro. It comes with several different workouts and a nutrition guide. Consumer Reports' panelists tried out the 11.5-minute dance blast video. Turns out you burn the equivalent of walking only 2 mph on a treadmill. As for the seven-day diet, it's pretty strict so you could probably lose weight, but Consumer Reports' nutrition expert said it offered limited food options and no maintenance program.
And lastly the $250 Nautilus CoreBody Reformer for women. It combines yoga, Pilates, and dance in one workout. Panelists found some of the balance exercises to be tricky, but overall this machine did well in Consumer Reports' tests. The workouts are well rounded, and if you are somewhat fit and are looking to improve your strength and flexibility, it might be one to consider.
Consumer Reports says the CoreBody Reformer can also help you improve your balance. And another advantage is the diet. Consumer Reports says that it's easy to follow, and you can loose a slow and steady one to two pounds a week.
Walking my young dog is a workout for me and a workout for her. I've lost 8 pounds in 1 month just from that alone.Â
Walk the dog. Play tug of war with dog. Hop on your bike. Go hiking along our area's many free outdoor trails and jogging paths. Hula hoop with your kids. Have your kids help you relearn the art of double dutch. Take a dance class. Sign up for some karate lessons at the Y. Summer will be here before you know it and one will want to go to the beach or lake-so now's the perfect time to take some swimming lessons. Get a good workout in and stay safe this summer.
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My dog (in picture) loves killing soccer balls for some reason. I buy a couple used ones every couple months or so (depending on how fast she kills them..LOL) from a thrift store and kick the ball around in the yard with her. Great workout for me, great workout for her. After a good 30 minutes or so, I'm out of breath and she's looking at me like "awww geee ma, why we stopping?"
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Put on some high energy dance music and make up your own dance. Have your kids try to teach you some of today's popular dance moves seen in Lady Gaga's music videos.
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Tons of dirt cheap ways to get a work out in.
I like to walk the dog, turn on music and dance around the house, walk up and down the stairs in my home, do sit ups and pushups...that seems to work pretty well for me.Â
I do the play with my kid, go out with my family on our bicycles (and my wheelchair w/ the freewheel, so I can keep up) and take my Boxer to the dog park, and eating a well balanced vegetarian meals to keep me healthy.
I tried the "Go outside" product and that seemed to work the best and save me money.