I liked the ones I purchases at the icebreaker store, but these ones not so much. they feel almost low cut.Amazon, you''re going to have to make this easier if you want reviews from me in the future. No more word minimum.
Icebreaker Men''s Anatomica Brief
I liked the ones I purchases at the icebreaker store, but these ones not so much. they feel almost low cut.Amazon, you''re going to have to make this easier if you want reviews from me in the future. No more word minimum.
CrossFit Ultra Speed Cable Jump Rope by Rubberbanditz
Got this speed rope from Santa for my garage gym yesterday. Tried it out this morning and after less than 50 double unders the plastic is shredded off the wire and the wire looks like it won''t last through a week of workouts. The handles are ok and the length is good for adjustments but whatever plastic they''re using to cover it isn''t good enough to hold up to a regular garage floor for more than 50 double unders! The rope is marketed for "Crossfitters" (me) but isn''t good enough for one flipping WOD! Come on ya''ll...less than 50!! Hopefully their bottom line about being a "quadruple bottom line company (People, Planet, Profit, Power) fitness innovation company", isn''t a load of crap like that rope I bought. I''ll update later on their customer service...more to follow. Out.
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Ripcords Resistance Exercise Bands - Power Tension 5 Pack, Circuit7 Exercise DVD, Door Anchor and Manual
I originally bought this package for a two week road trip. I managed to stay lean and on my game even with the regular drinking and road trip food. At first the guys made fun of me and by the end all 4 of them had ordered their own set for use back in the city. Wicked DVD too.
I guess these are good if you want to mimic pullup motions. For any other move that requires stepping on them to achieve the proper motion or tension, be careful.The bands are great. The DVD was a total and complete waist of money. I expected a professional trainer to give instructions with each exercise as well as show proper technique. I expected at the least a few exercise routines targeting upper and lower body. My expectation was NOT met at all. Luckily I know a certified trainer and have been given by him what the DVD did not.Hi! I bought another resistance band training program very similar to this. I started using the highest resistance (black cord) cord (working my biceps only) and only in a few days I started to grow biceps. It''s pretty AWESOME!!! I had excercised my biceps before (using another thing), but I stopped a long time ago and I gained weight. I know this will make me lose weight soon and gain muscle too. I think these will be for people that want beginner to intermediate training only though.Put it simply the product is garbage.Good idea ,but not well executed. The handle came off the Red cord after only a few uses.I felt it was not safe to use anymore.
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Lifeline Train Station Door Mount
The LIFELINE TRAIN STATION is a portable resistance band strength training gym that attaches vertically to any three-hinge door by a nylon web strap. Setup of the gym is about a one minute job. There are two cable holders attached to the nylon strap. A resistance band snaps into each holder then each snaps into the handles. The unit comes with two lightweight bands, an ankle cuff and a waist cuff. The only negative of this system is the bands that come with the system are too light. If you are moderate strength or more you will have to order additional heavier 50 or 60 pound set of two bands at a cost of around $18.00 giving you up to 60 lbs for each limb.There are two reasons this is a superior system. First it is user friendly. The band holders on the nylon strap ride on a clip that slides up and down the strap. You can raise or lower the height of the bands in a few seconds WITHOUT opening the door. If you are doing a row, you can slide the cables down to waist high, then say slide them up to the top of the door to do pulldowns. Other systems, like the BODYLASTIC unit I own (and like) require you to open the door and move the door jamb up or down to the height you want-a real pain. Second, the LIFELINE resistance bands are the best in the industry. They have an incredible smooth feel to them, superior to the BODYLASTIC bands I have on that unit that feel more jerky and tougher on the joints. On the other hand the BODYLASTIC system is more complete offering higher resistances. To get around this, I bought for around $9.00 a set of LIFELINE handles that can hold three cables at one time. You can attach two 60 lb cables to the one handle for up to 120 lbs. You can attach three bands to the one handle by wrapping the ankle cuff, which also has a cable holder on it, around the nylon strap for a total of up to 140lbs to 170 lbs depending on the bands that you purchase. (NOTE: Exercising one limb at a time is a proven superior method of training for strength. You are stronger in one limb relative to using two limbs together and can apply more force. If for instance you can leg press 200 lbs. using BOTH legs for 20 reps, you''ll easily be able to do the same 20 reps with ONE leg using 120 or more lbs-try it.)
This system should be durable, one inch nylon strap has a breaking point of close to 3000lbs. Just make sure the door is closed and locked. The real plus to this system is the incredible smooth feel of the resistance of the bands-and I''ve found after 30 years of resistance training, that high intensity resistance band training is more effective than the freeweights and the machines I had and won''t be using again.
Power Punch - 30 lb Resistance - MMA Training
I practice a diversity of Kyokushin Karate and MMA. This is a good product. It works exactly as promised and very well built. It is good for push ups and very good for punching work. Over a few months period really helped me to increase power of my punch.
Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD
I just finished doing this workout for the first time in its entirety, and my arms are shaking so badly that I can barely type this! I have all of Cathe''s weight workouts, and I''d say that it ranks right up there as one of her hardest!Unlike most of her other workouts that focus on isolation exercises, this one uses primarily compound exercises. So, instead of doing a lot of moves that focus on just one body part, you''ll be doing exercises that work several body parts and joints. Experts say that this is best for fat loss, and I have to agree: my heart rate was really up there while doing this workout!
The workout is made up of tri-sets, where you work do series of three exercises for each body part, twice through. This is the breakdown of the full workout:
* Warm-up
* Tri-set for legs: squats, one-leg elevated lunges, power deadlifts x 2
* Tri-set for chest: flat bench press, chest flys, dips x 2 + bonus burn
* Tri-set for back and biceps: barbell rows, one-arm row, dumbbell curl x 2 + bonus burn
* Tri-set for legs: narrow squats, static lunges, stiff-legged deadlift x 2
* Tri-set for shoulders: overhead press, upright rows, lateral raise x 2 + bonus burn
* Tri-set for legs: side slide lunge with paper plate, back lunge with paper plate, wide deadlift x 2
* Core work
* Cooldown
The bonus burns primarily use the resistance band to burn out and really fatigue the muscle group you just worked. While there are plenty of exercises that are in Cathe''s previous videos, there are also a lot of new moves. The fast pace of this workout also keeps things moving along. I had to pause a few times to change my weights and set up for the next tri-set.
There are also some really nice premixes:
1. Timesaver Compound Only Exercises 53.44 min
2. Lower Body Only 22.29 min
3. Upper Body Only 24.00 min
4. Timesaver No Bonus Burn 60.32 min
5. Timesaver No Bonus Burn + No Abs 51.40 min
6. Timesaver No Abs 57.54 min
7. Timesaver Compound Only + No Abs 44.53 min
8. Timesaver Single Sets 45.50 min
The only real negative to this workouts is that it requires a lot of equipment: dumbbells in various weights, a barbell, a step or weight bench, sliding disks or paper plates, and a resistance band.
If you''ve done the full three-month STS program before and did your 1 rep max testing, you can print up a workout card to determine the weights you should lift off of Cathe''s website. You definitely don''t need to have done STS before, though, to use this workout.
Since I''ve only done this workout as the regular program, I''ll be sure to update this review after I''ve tried some of the premixes. For now, though, I just want to say that it''s a fantastic workout -and I think I''m going to have trouble moving tomorrow! ;-)
I''m still on the fence as to whether or not I liked this workout. I think I feel this way because this workout is so different than other workouts. I''m used to doing splits (working one or two body parts a day) or total body endurance workouts (using lower weights with higher repetitions.) Because of this, I only gave the workout four stars.
Other reviewers have given good breakdowns of what''s on this workout, so I''m going to talk about my impressions.
What was positive about this workout:
**it''s hard! Even using only 50% of my 1RM, I was breathing heavy and struggling.
**the Cathe we know and love is back. She''s her usual encouraging and enthusiastic self. Cathe was very subdued in her previous series, STS Cardio.
**the many premixes. It''s all covered with these upper body only, lower body only, time saver, etc.
What I didn''t care for in this workout:
**the constant switching of equipment and weights. I had taken the time to do my 1RM for STS, so I wanted to be as true as possible to the weights. This meant I had to constantly pause the DVD to put on weight loaded gloves, or to add plate mates to my dumbbells, or to change the weight on my barbell. These things really couldn''t be done ahead of time since I was inevitably using the weight for a prior set.
**the set seemed very crowded. It was distracting to have so many background exercisers; they didn''t add anything to the workout. It would have been more effective to have just two or three background people.
**I''m still not sure what this workout is supposed to accomplish. If you use the suggested percent of 1RM, the weights are too heavy for endurance work. However, you''re not working each body part enough to really change the muscle.
In spite of the things I didn''t care for, I would recommend this workout, with some reservations. It is a way to mix things up, which is always a good thing. I would suggest watching the clips before ordering to see if you''ll click with this type of workout.
Buy Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD Now
I love it!!!! This is the best strength training work out I have ever purchased. Cathe commands you to really use your muscles to engage the weights. Your muscles stay totally confused. I love the way my body is sculpting.Read Best Reviews of Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD Here
I had heard about Cathe Friedrich for a few years. I have purchased some of her Low Impact Series workouts through Amazon On Demand and love how challenging they are. I have worked out for years and have completed a marathon and 5 half marathons. I have been working through some injuries and have been looking for fun ways to incorporate what my physical therapist wants me to do instead of going down a handout from the PT office.If you are looking to incorporate some strength training this is a great video. If you don''t have a step lay on the floor. If you don''t have barbells use handweights. I don''t trust myself with the discs so I do static lunges. Don''t use equipment as an excuse not to do this workout.
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Let me preface by saying I am a huge Cathe fan and have many of her DVD''s. I agree, however, with a previous reviewer that the weight suggestions are too heavy for a full body workout. I cannot get through this dvd in it''s entirety, namely because my upper body is so exhausted, I have trouble lifting the barbell or dumbells for the leg work or vice versa. I especially notice that my forearms are giving out during the deadlifts because they are simply too fatigued. It still is an excellent workout, however I would break it up and do the upper and lower premixes seperately along with some cardio. That way you will be able to give the weight work 100%.
Expand-Your-Hand Bands
I was happy to receive my 12$ "rubber bands" and I was eager to try them out. I gave one to my friend who uses grips all the time so he can train his opposite muscle and not end up with a bad case of tendinitis. Well the strongest one of them broke on me the second day I was using it. I had the rubber bands in my room where barely any sun enters and I thought to myself "maybe thats just defective at least I have a couple of others". My friend told me the next day that his tore as well. I tried my luck with another one also (a red one I believe) and it also broke! This was a waste of 12 dollars. I went to Officemax and bought myself a big bag of thick rubber bands for like 5$. They work great, just fold it twice and it''s even harder to expand than the red version!For those who are willing to purchase this product. Don''t waste your money on rubber bands with a silly sticker on it. Go to any store that sells rubber bands and buy the thickest and most durable ones you can find, that''s a better, cheaper, and more practical solution (you have so many rubber bands available to you in case one of them breaks.
The workout is pretty straight forward. You put the bands around your fingers, place them just under the fingernails and try as many times as you can to expand your fingers outward.
It''s a good workout, too. I do the reps until I feel the "burn" in my fingers. I do two sets each hand about twice a week. Now I feel more dexterity with my fingers after using these bands. I''m using the blue bands now (see photos posted). The other bands (except the red ones) are really too weak to give my fingers any real type of workout.
I am not a doctor or hand specialist, but I do feel using these are a good workout. If you are a weight lifter, practicing martial artist, or especially a musician learning/playing a stringed instrument(s), etc., working with these bands will definitely be beneficial to you. I am happy with them so far.
Now while these bands, I feel, do give your fingers a good workout. These are still basically rubber bands. IronMind states these bands are specially treated. Good. I do follow the advice of IronMind in "keeping these bands in a drawer, out of light, and definitely out of direct sunlight -and also away from heat (so not in the glove box in your car during the summer, etc.)".
But I still have the question in my mind: How long will these bands last?
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Update: Monday June 14, 2010
"But I still have the question in my mind: How long will these bands last?"
The bands should last about a year and a half (give or take a few months).
I was using the blue bands (the next strongest after the red bands) about twice a week, keeping them in a drawer when not in use.
Then one day while I was using them, I noticed a small hole developed in one of the bands. I did another stretch and then Pop! No more band.
I recommend that if you''re going to use these bands, use just one (you get 10 bands, five different colors, 1 set of each color) at a time for both hands. You''ll get longer use out of them.
Buy Expand-Your-Hand Bands Now
I was a little skeptical about this product at first. Honestly, who wants to pay for some really big rubber bands? I went ahead and purchased a set of these when I was purchasing a few other things from Ironmind and honestly I use these more than most other products.These bands provide 5 different strengths and so that you may vary the resistance. In addition, unlike everyday rubber bands these are extremely durable and the perfect size. The smaller bands also work great as a rehabilitation tool for people with wrist or hand injuries. If you work with your hands on a regular basis and constantly find some residual pain in your hands, wrists or forearms you must try these out.
Overall this is an amazing, portable, workout. Once you try these you will be truly amazed at the difference they make.
Read Best Reviews of Expand-Your-Hand Bands Here
I''m a big fan of IronMind''s Captains of Crush hand grippers. Little makes me happier than seeing that the US is still making some of the highest quality products available. The same can be said for the "Expand-Your-Hand Bands". Yeah they are simply rubber bands and it is conceivable that you could perform the same excercise with common inexpensive bands of inferior quality. That said, these bands ARE ideally suited for the task... For MOST hands. But for those with large hands, you may be dissapointed as I was. My digits can comfortably span 7 inches apart without bands. However with the bands on I was only able to achieve 5.5 inches of seperation between any two opposing digits before reaching what I believe to be the functional limit of these bands. I had the same experience with all the included bands (so I don''t think it was a limitation of my hand strength). I''m sure this product will be an excellent choice for most. But for those with large hands, you might want to explore other options. Hopefully in the future IronMind will release another line for varying sized hands.Want Expand-Your-Hand Bands Discount?
Like Mr Sprouffske, I got these bands along with a Captains of Crush gripper. I figured that with the gripper I would be working my hand muscles a certain way and it would be great to have something to work them in the exact opposite direction for greater mobility and strength. Hence these bands.They work great! A lot of people work on computers all day long. Our hand muscles and wrists get tired, over-worked, and cramped from that work all day long. Even if you exercise regularly, your hands and forearms are still not getting a focused workout. That''s where Ironmind''s products come in. I have the ''Trainer'' gripper and these bands and have been using them for a little while now. I feel increased strength in my grip and my forearms.
I work out twice a week with these (usually on my two days off from gym workouts) and use both the gripper and these bands together for a comprehensive forearm and hand workout. Both these products are super convenient to pack on a trip out of town as well, since they are so compact. Whether you work out regularly with weights or not, you will benefit from these products as good gripping strength is fundamental to most everything we do. Plus it will, I suspect, keep you from getting painful arthritis as you grow older.
