LifeSpan Fitness TR4000i Folding Treadmill

I purchased the treadmill from a local retailer. Initially, I didn''t see any independent user reviews on it so, I thought i would post something. My Projected running usage Probably 2-3 X a week average maybe 2 hours / week of running total.

The treadmill has a 20x60" belt with a 3.25 hp motor. Haven''t seen any other in this price range with a motor like this one. Although they call the belt orthopedic, I don''t think it is particularly thick but seems fine. Overall, it feels pretty stable and solid (no shaking or motion). The cushioning isn''t quite as good as the gym treadmills, but for the $ it''s perfectly fine.

I very much like the user-friendliness of the treadmill. It has large well lit buttons, that are very straightforward and easy to use. I like the buttons a lot more than the standard flat buttons you find on most treadmills. My only concern is the durability of the panel. The display is well lit and clear with a lot of nice information of course it has the standard stuff like incline level, time, heart rate, calories. But it also displays not so standard stuff, like number of steps, age, height, weight (more on this later).

The treadmill programs work a little differently than most of the gym treadmills I have used. They several programs grouped in several areas (e.g. weight loss, sports training, healthy living, etc.). You can select "incline" program or "speed" program for any of the programs. In terms of speed/incline variability the treadmill pretty much works like any standard gym treadmill e.g. If you select incline program, the incline will adjust (up and down), while your speed remains constant. Selecting "speed program" adjusts the speed up and down while the incline remains constant. Also, adjusting the incline during the incline program will increase or decrease ALL of the incline levels for the entire workout. The equivalent is true for the speed programs as well. Some treadmills only adjust the bar or "time period" that you are currently in.. I actually like this feature on the 4000i.

I am not sure how these programs were chosen to be in a particular group (e.g. I would like what makes "pyramid climb" healthy living vs. cardio run for weight loss. All of the programs are clearly explained in the manual i.e. you can see the duration and the level of incline (for incline programs) for each minute of the program (a nice touch!) and the equivalent for the speed programs.

The user defined programs are pretty standard and easy to setup. You can go thru each minute/bar, and change it to the level/speed that you want. The heart rate monitor works really well! The accuracy seems good and it doesn''t take a lot of fiddling.

One item that I miss from the gym treadmills is the random feature. It would be nice if it could generate some random incline and/or speed programs.

Another item that I noticed was missing (or at least I can''t figure it out) is a way to change the duration/time in the middle of a program?! You can set the duration at the start, but once the program start, you can''t change the time/duration of your workout. It seems a little bizarre to me that you can''t do this, but it''s not a deal breaker.

Ok, one of the big selling points for me was the ability to record and track my work outs and upload them to their system via the USB drive. You can record, the date and time of your workout, with frequent sampling (every 20 seconds, I think), of your heart rate, minutes, calories, distance, steps. I think the concept is terrific and I like that they were able to include this feature in a cost effective treadmill. However, the implementation is lacking. So, uploading the data, and it does work. However, the website is user-unfriendly, and poorly implemented. Firefox support? nope! you have to use IE. It was developed using 1990''s web technology and navigation. So much so, that I am wondering if any of their customers actually use it?? I am a web guy so I guess my standards are higher... The site very much needs an overhaul and update. I won''t go into a lot of detail, but here are a couple of quick things about it.

1. Clicking on any of the links (e.g. Weekly View, Today''s Workout,USB Update,Manually Log Exercise,Update Vital Stats) gives you a pop up. You wait several seconds for each popup to occur, then you can do whatever function you are looking to do Totally unncessary and annoying.

2. The "analyze my exercise" is just not formatted well and therefore not easy to follow the info is all there, just not user friendly and clean. It would be pretty easy to make this graphical and easy to use.

3. Dates For the life of me, I can not figure out how to set the current date on the tread?! The default date on the treadmill display is always some date in May?? Is the factory set date? When I plug in the usb drive into the treadmill, my weight and height changes correctly, however, the date does not change. It always records that random May date on my usb drive. I just do a global replace manually on the dates using my PC before uploading the myexercise site there must be something I''m not doing right.

4. My exercise profile. I am assuming since I filled all of this out, that it would create some customized workout for me. It would be nice to have some kind of intelligent recommendations based on all of the stats, supplements, health history that I put in. I still haven''t been able to figure it out.

Again, great idea for the website, poor implementation. My thought that this was done more for marketing purposes than to actually serve their client needs. i.e. mostly vaporware. Thus, don''t make a decision to buy this treadmill based on this feature. The good news is that the treadmill works quite well, with other great features.

The speakers are average, but they are what I would expect for any treadmill. The arms have both incline and speed control (another nice touch) however, the buttons on the arms are easy to bump and change if you are the kind that likes to rest your hands on them (for heart rate, etc.).

So far, I am pleased overall with the treadmill.

The biggest concerns I have -

durability (not a lot of reviews on lifespan treadmills, folding treadmill what tradeoffs were made to make it folding.

We''ll see in a few years. Ideally, I would like to have it last at least 5 years. I am planning on silicone lubing the belt every 50 hours of use and cleaning around the motor and electronics as the manual indicates. I am assuming that this is standard? for most treadmills in this categories.

Happy Treading!

SP

Pertinent info up front...I''m an ultra-runner, so I run a lot. I weigh about 150lbs and will run anywhere from 5 to 20 miles at a time for my daily runs. I prefer to run outside, but when the weather doesn''t cooperate I hit the treadmill. This Lifespan is the first treadmill I''ve owned, but I''ve used industrial treadmills at the gym for decades.

When I initially began shopping for a treadmill, I was inclined to purchase a StarTrac or LifeFitness industrial machine. I was willing to spend a lot more than I did on the LifeSpan TR4000i. I was lucky enough to find a local store that specialized in higher-end cardio equipment so I was able to go in and try numerous different machines.

I immediately liked running on the TR4000i. The deck felt very solid and smooth--no bounce. The noise level was low. It gave me the sensation of running on the road (which I find desirable). The control panel and electronics seem to be solid; much more so than lower-end treadmills with cheap, flimsy plastic housings. Basically, everything seems well made on the device.

I didn''t want a folding treadmill and after placing the machine I haven''t used it. I''m actually surprised that the folding feature hasn''t compromised the feel of the deck (but it hasn''t). The speakers work fine, but I don''t use those either...just easier to wear earbuds or have the TV on. There is no built in fan, which I believe is a plus--my experience is those break quickly. I prefer just using a floor fan. The cup holders on the treadmill are wide and deep and actually hold stuff in--I normally keep a TV and DVD remote in one, while keeping a sports bottle in the other. Many other treadmills have poorly designed cup holders, often just leaning bottles next to the panel. LifeSpan got it right. Also, the treadmill has a place to put a magazine or book (with anchor points for pages), but this will cover up the display--no different than what you''ll find on most treadmills.

I do not use the built in training programs on the device so I can''t comment on them. I have played around with uploading the run data on the USB to the Interactive Health Partnet (IHP) website and found it of marginal value. It would be awesome if they''d develop that feature, but it is barebones giving you minimal data (e.g. run time, distance, steps, heart rate). To IHP''s credit, they do let you sync data from Garmin Forerunner devices, but again, once imported the data is stripped down. For example, you cannot see splits, cadence, etc....just very basic info. One positive comment about IHP--I had a problem uploading my data so I emailed them and they were very responsive and helped me.

A couple of other minor notes--the Heart Rate Monitor for the treadmill isn''t Ant+ or Polar compatible--so your Garmin & Polar HRMs won''t register on the device (and therefore won''t be recorded on the USB). I''m using a Garmin paired with a footpod & HRM to capture my relevant data so I can get cadence and splits...works fine (when uploaded to SportTracks or Garmin Connect). The treadmill also takes about 20 seconds to attain speed upon commencement of exercise; this is a safety feature...some folks often prefer a quicker start (I consider this a non-issue). Once you''re running at pace, however, speed changes are very reasonable. Some features of the device aren''t explained well in the manual, e.g. using the USB stick to record data. If you run a manual run, press stop on the machine (which merely pauses the workout) you can then remove the USB and upload it. However, if you keep the USB device plugged in and officially "end" the run by resetting the workout, all data on the USB is lost. Again, a minor annoyance regarding a feature of marginal value to begin with...the point is that some of the ancillary features of the USB implementation aren''t well thought out.

All that said, the mechanical components and construction of the TR4000i seem to be very high quality. I''d recommend this machine to folks who run anywhere from 30-80 miles weekly. If you run less, then get a lower end machine. As an avid RUNNER, I don''t personally want a lot of bells & whistles on a treadmill. I just want a device that feels very comfortable, isn''t loud, is safe, and is solid. The TR4000i has met all my requirements and I''m personally very happy with it.

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It came down to this model and the Sole F85 but at the end it was the positive reviews from Health Magazine and Runners World on the TR 4000 that pushed me over the top I use it for about four to five hours a week, about every other day and I have noticed nothing but good things so far. The belt width is about 20 inches wide and the 60 inch long is perfect for all out sprints. Some other treadmills are wider like the F85, some are smaller but 20 inches seems to be the industry norm at this price. I have begun to notice after many uses, that the belt and deck offer a very nice cushioning system. There is an assortment of programs that come with this treadmill I have just begun to utilize, such as the 7 sports training programs. They really help you get a positive workout, warm-up to cool down. I recommend trying each program and seeing which one suits your lifestyle and fitness regimen. What appears to be unique to me from my research is that this treadmill allows you to decide programs based on your interest level...weight loss, training etc... It has 15 incline levels to compliment speeds of .5 mph to 12 mph which is great for interval training. The motor carries a lifetime warranty and is extremely quiet. I have the freedom to listen to my music through the treadmill console, which is not over powered by the noise of the motor. Other models I have tried in the past have had very loud, almost overwhelming sounding motors. I have also begun to use the LifeSpan Fitness Club that came with the unit. I had to speak to a representative from the actual company for information on how to use it. This perk allows you to record all aspects of a workout, and view it electronically through the internet. It really helps when goal setting to actually see your results and what you should be working for. This recording system keeps readings of my progress and outlines fitness goals. If you have this capability with a LifeSpan Treadmill, I would recommend taking the time to implement the LifeSpan fitness club into your workout routines. I would recommend this treadmill to anyone looking to take their workouts to a new level.

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I''ve had my Lifespan 4000i for over 2 years and have logged a little over 2000 miles without a hiccup. I have run on club treadmills that were much louder and less study than this unit. the only thing I have done to maintain this unit is mist some silicon on the back side of the belt after I fold it up about every month or so. I noticed the guy who gave this unit 1 star based on running shoes causing him to get shocked, I''ve never had an issue. It could be a grounding issue with his house or that fact he''s using a power surge strip.

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I set out to buy a treadmill that would last. Any decent treadmill is heavy and awkward to move. This medium size unit required 3 strong movers to navigate it up steps, and through halls to its destination without chipping paint. I knew I didn''t want to go through this again in a few years, so I decided to spend a little more now and buy a treadmill that had a reputation for durability. I hope it lives up to expectation. My exercise routine includes 2 miles of fast walking every day. I''m 5''7" tall and 65 years old, so fast walking speed is usually 3.8 mph, and the unit feels as solid doing this at an incline of 15 (the max) as at level 0.

While the treadmill itself deserves five stars, the instructions that come with it, and the Fitness Club USB link I rate as failures. One will look in vain for anything in the instruction book that tells you that your machine needs to be set up first through software and information you put onto the USB key and sync with the Fitness Club site. If you don''t do this, your machine will forever blink at you with default height and weight information, not your own. If you have a computer, the set up is easy, but you need to know to find a tiny brochure, amid the many papers in the tool package that comes with the machine, titled, "Getting Started with LifeSpan Fitness Club." It would have saved me several hours of puzzling over the console and the instructions if LifeSpan had made clear that this was the place to get started with the LifeSpan treadmill.

Once I discovered the real Getting Started manual, all went smoothly, and I''m enjoying transferring my data from the treadmill to the computer web site which automatically averages and totals calories, miles, steps, and heart rate. It can also show you a graphic profile of each workout. However, the site is awkwardly designed and should have a few more tricks in its trick bag. Perhaps the other health and exercise info that comes with the site will be worthwhile for serious trainers, but all I want from this is a quick, clear picture of my workout history. To me, most of it seemed like empty verbiage about workout effects that seem very questionable.

The personal report generated about/for you can include other info like weight, cholesterol levels, etc. but you have to enter those manually. Records are all password protected, and one can easily imagine the potential for tying in doctors and hospitals to such health profiles. One can also imagine the dangers. I imagine this is where we are all headed, and the devil will definitely be in the details. How about offering insurance discounts to those who exercise regularly? The LifeSpan Health Club is marketed at both annual and lifetime rates. The treadmill comes with one lifetime membership. My wife is beginning to use the treadmill, and I can''t imagine anything making us think it was worth $100 to buy a second LifeSpan Club membership for her. Shouldn''t the treadmill really come with a family membership to the club? The unit is designed to be used with this feature which should be there for everyone in the family.

The chest-strap heart monitor and the hand grip heart monitor give consistent readings and give similar readings as those I used to get at a professional treadmill at a gym. The instruction manual tells me that the best way to exercise is to let the treadmill control itself in response to my heart rate, but I haven''t done that yet. The chest strap (which comes with the treadmill) makes that possible for joggers. I wear the chest strap because it gives a more continuous flow of heart data than the grips. Note, the chest strap won''t begin to work until there is enough moisture on your skin for proper contact. However, it will continue to transmit data and record your heart rate for as long as you are near the treadmill whether exercising or not.

The room in which I use this is tight and serves as an art studio when I''m not working out. I like that the unit is relatively small and folds to be smaller. It''s a good lift to get it up out of the way, but that weight is what keeps the unit steady when in use. The set down is so gentle there is barely a sound even if I let go at the very top of the drop. Yes, this treadmill feels built to last.

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Mizuno Men''s Breath Thermo Layered Tight

This is definitely my favorite set of running tights. I have 2 other pair from Under Armor, one fitted and one compression. The Mizuno''s are far better. They are tight in the thighs and looser around the knees and calf. The fact that they zip up makes them easier to put on and take off than the Under Armor''s. They also have a zippered key pouch which is good, except I keep mine in my jacket (still a great feature for warmer days where you may only wear a shirt.) Wish I bought this before I bought my fitted Under Armor tights. I would much rather have 2 pair of the Mizunos. Hopefully these will work out well for biking too.

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Health Mark 60-Inch Portable Ballet Stretch Barre

I love this barre. I use it for Callanetics, Lotte Berk, Bar Method, Physique 57 and Barre 3. I had used chairs for these workouts before, but they just weren''t sturdy enough or the right height. This barre is adjustable height-wise, and strong enough to support my body weight when I''ve been hanging on for dear life during a difficult workout. I highly recommend this. Oh, one thing that may be problematic for some: this is pretty much a permanent barre so make sure you have the room. You can''t fold or store it under a bed or in a closet unless you take it apart.

It seemed like I was shipped an item that was sent to someone else. Screws were stripped and the middle part of the bar took FOREVER to align and screw together correctly. The bar is very stable once you actually get it together.

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I''ve been after my husband to build me a ballet barre forever! This one is sturdy, somewhat portable, and perfect for stretches and ballet workouts!

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My granddaughter has limited space to practice at home. This product is great quality and just right for her space. The vendor was wonderful about getting a back-ordered item to us in time for Christmas!

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I purchased the Health Mark 60-inch Portable Ballet Stretch Barre to use while I am doing the Pure Barre routines and I love it. This barre is very sturdy to use with Pure Barre and other barre routines. I love that the height is adjustable. When I received my barre it had a lot of scratches and dings due to poor packaging and I notify Health Mark company and they shipped me new replacement parts with out a lot of drama. Their customer service is great. I would have given this item 5 stars but since it was shipped with minor damages and I had to wait for replacement parts, I am giving it four stars. Also, I am able to move this barre to different rooms in my house without taking it a part or any difficulties. I love, love, love this barre.

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Cathe Friedrich''s Low Impact Series: Athletic Training

All I can say is wow, this is one tough workout. It''s also fun. Cathe has proved to me beyond any doubt that a low impact workout can still mean HIGH intensity. This is a 56 minute non-stop workout. While weights are used, this is a cardio and endurance workout.

The breakdown:

Warm-up 6 minutes

Circuit training 46 minutes

Cool down 3 minutes.

What I loved about this workout:

**It''s fun. Something about Cathe''s enthusiasm, the music and the unusual exercises combine to make this workout fly by. Even the music is good, which for me means that there is a driving beat. This helps keep me motivated throughout the workout.

**It''s tough! I''m an advanced exerciser who is in pretty good shape, but even I couldn''t keep up with Cathe! There were times that I was literally gasping for air, staring at Miss Cathe and crew merrily continuing with an exercise. I could barely hobble over to the side to take a sip of coffee to get another caffeine fix.

**The band work is extra intense. It just seemed to flow, is the best way for me to describe it. I especially liked the leg work using the bands. These exercises are ones I haven''t done before.

**It''s versatile! Hah, those lying tricep extensions with 5 pound weights are killers! You do a slow 2 count down, 6 half lifts and then a slow 2 count up. You do this six times. As I started, I''m thinking this is way too easy and then by end of the first rep, I had to stop and get lighter weights. And, heaven forbid, that I match Cathe, I can always use heavier weights to make the workout more challenging.

**The compound exercises sneak up on you. You are doing a lunge back with the gliding disc and doing a bicep curl. I love compound exercises because they are such an efficient way to work my body. I also have to think while I `m doing them. Since I''m concentrating so hard, I''m not thinking about the muscle burn.

**The pushups are over before you know it. I''ll admit it, I don''t like pushups, but I know they are good for me. There are only(!) three sets in this workout. To further build my strength, I don''t do the pushups on my knees, but on my toes and just don''t go down that far. Each time I do the workout, I try to go down a little deeper.

**Your abs are worked throughout the workout. You need to engage your core for a lot of the exercises, plus you''ll do planks and torso twists during the final ab section.

I love the fact that this is an advanced workout. Cathe does give some modifications, but this isn''t a workout for a beginner. I would strongly suggest watching the workout one time through and planning where you might need to modify. For example, you could not go as deep on lunges etc, use lighter weights or even no weights to start.

I highly recommend this workout to anyone wanting a fun new challenge.

I love Cathe and the reason I love her is because her workouts make exercise FUN, not a chore.

I''ve done this one a few times now. The moves in this DVD are pretty straightforward, so even someone new to Cathe could catch on easily (most likely would need a lower step and lighter weights though). But for me, that is why this won''t be one of my favorites. It seems a bit repetitive and although it is a GREAT all-over workout (you will feel it the next day), it doesn''t keep my ''mind'' busy enough: which means the workout seems much longer.

Also, I knocked off a star for the music, good music is key for me, and this is Muzak-techno throughout. Katy Perry is bad enough, but when you put her music into Muzak; ick.

So, a good workout, but won''t be on the top of my pile.

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I have been doing more cross training due to injuries and to drop weight gained while injured. I ordered this video on Amazon On Demand and it is amazing.

I feel like a beast because I don''t have to pause the workout to rest anymore. I still can''t keep up with Cathe, but am amazed by the change in my endurance. The lower body/step portion of the workout is a killer.

If you are serious about getting in shape, try her workouts. Go slower if you have to. Pause to rest if you have to but do it. Start without the step if you aren''t ready for it. It is worth it.

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I own about 15 of athe''s DVD''s. I have been working out in my basement with Cathe for about 10 years. Some are good and some are really good! This one is really good! If you want to get past that plateau, this is the DVD for you! I am 42 yrs. old and I am always looking for low impact, but high intensity work outs. I have three of Cathe''s low impact workouts and love them all.

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I''m not much on leaving reviews on things, but I felt like this deserved one. I will keep it short and sweet. I have a treadmill and have done a lot of Jillian Michael DVD''s, I liked those but wanted something more intense. I tried P90X, and I liked the workout''s ok, but I can''t stand Tony Horton. So I went and bought a couple of Cathe DVD''s from her Low Impact series, I must say that I am really impressed!! This workout is intense and left my legs shaking and my shirt soaked with sweat! I actually look forward to doing this DVD, which I can''t say about most of my other exercise DVD''s. If your looking for something that is more low impact and a good leg work out, you should try this one!

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Harpenden Skinfold Caliper With Software

This is the Rolls Royce of calipers, I used to think Lang calipers were good, but since I received this one, I realize Lang is garbage. The pinches readings are remarkably accurate and much easier then with the Lang. If you are a serious Strength Coach like myself and want quality that your clients will appreciate, there is no better then Harpenden Calipers.

Really great product but the website & customer service are not as great as the product:(

Software does n t work with Mac and no body can help you ........

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very high quality caliper, excellent software, will set you apart as a trainer having and using equipment such as these calipers.

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The item was exactly what I want and I got on time. Thank you Seller.

Best

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I bought this caliper with software for my personal trainer and he loves it! He said it is a great product and works accurately. It is easy to use and he is glad I purchased it for him.

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Royal Robbins Women''s Backcountry Shorts

I am embarassed to say I have been wearing these shorts for 7 years. They are comfortable beyond belief, wash and dry great, wear like no other, lots of pockets if you need them. Wonderful, I own all colors.

I have several pairs of these Backcountry shorts, and love them. I use them for hiking on vacation because they have roomy pockets and because they are crinkle material, if they get wadded up in a suitcase, no problem. Then, just about all summer I wear them at home. They are a little pricey, but they are worth it--every penny.

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I own these shorts in five colors and wear them ALL the time. They are so comfortable, have button adjustments on the waistbands, nice lightweight fabris and dry quickly...I can''t say enough!

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I ordered these shorts based on the very positive reviews, but for me they were a disappointment. The fabric is 100% nylon, and they are made in Vietnam (maybe they used to be made somewhere else?). The stitching was defective in several places, and the velcro not well attached. Also, they ran quite small, so that my usual size was too small. All in all, they didn''t begin to be worth what they cost...I can find much better quality shorts for about 1/3 this price locally. I''ll be returning them.

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I was expecting a heavy cotton and instead they are more nylon. I was disappointed at first but I found I really likethe fabric and the fit is great. They wash great!

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Garmin Edge 800 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor)

• High-sensitivity receiver
• Advanced heart rate-based calorie computation
• Barometric altimeter
• Touchscreen & simple to use interface

As a basis for my review: I''m someone who owns a 305, 705, 500 and 800 (and has the Cyclemeter iPhone app). I''ve ridden thousands of miles with all of them (well, not the iphone app and 800yet). I''ve owned polar watches in the past too. My current set-ups include bikes with a powertap and Quarq. My training rides during the winter include 5+ hour road ridesalthough this is nothing compared to what the rondo folks do. I''m also a Cat 2 road racer with experience in many many many races. (also race MTB and cyclocrossno track this year)

At first I was a little hesitant about the touchscreen having been so used to my iphone. Is it sensitive? Can I use it with gloves on? I will say for a fact that the touchscreen changes your entire interaction with the device. It does work with glovesand surprisingly well at that. Have you ever tried to enter data into the 705 using the little thumbstick? Hunt, click, hunt, click. It''s a frustrating experience. With the touchscreen it''s a snap. Tap, tap, tap. Done. Don''t expect iPhone/Android phone screen qualityif you did, you''d be paying a couple hundred more for it (and probably wouldn''t be able to use gloves with it)

Benefits over the iphone: screen works with gloves on. Don''t need to worry about it getting wet. If I drop it, I don''t need to worry about it as much. I still have navigational capability and maps if I''m out of cell range (happens a lot if I''m in the Cascades or the Oregon coastal range).

Another bonus over the 705the sheer number of screens and discrete informational elements. 3 data screens with a possible 10 fields per each. Plus more available data fields on the map, courses and workout pages. A bike geek''s dream. If you want to change one of the data fieldsfor example, instead of power, you figure you need to see 3 second power, you hold your finger on the field and poof, you can select the field you''d like to change it to. Changing all the fields on the 800 is a much easier process too, and if you don''t want a screen, you can turn it off. (most of them at least)

Another big improvementwriting speed compared to the 705. I plug the 705 in and if I have a lot of activities, it takes forever to mountif you have the 705, you know what I meanthat stinking green bar. The 800 mounts much quicker and the files are much smaller as .fit.

Compared to the 500it''s a completely different unit made for different purposes. The 500 I use in race situations for data collection and I only have a few data fields shown. Distance, power, heart rate and time. I rarely look at it but it''s nice to be able to know why I am about to blow at certain points. The 800 on the other hand is great for trainingthe ability to change fields on the fly, the maps are quite handy to see where roads go and having the navigational ability is handy too. 500 takes more steps to change fields too so I rarely like to change them. Other fields that are available on the 800 but not on the 705, temperature (is at freezingkinda important to know), watts/kg.

There''s still some elements that need to be improved but given Garmin''s track record for providing excellent updates, those should be fixed. For exampleduring workouts, using instantaneous power for narrow band workouts is not the best. If you''re trying to work at threshold, instantaneous power tends to bounce around, and it really should have 3 second power as the basis. Otherwise the outside of zone alarm keeps on going off. The other piece I wish for is the ability to custom tailor fields to each bike. (So I choose my cross bike, it shows the appropriate screens since I don''t have a power unit on that).

The other improvement over the 705 is the mounting system. It has the twist lock like the 500 instead of the 705 mount with the flimsy push down flap that breaks.

My summary? I for one love the 800and the linchpin is the touchscreen. It makes the unit much easier to work with over past units. I was a little jaded and didn''t expect much from touchscreen but now that I''ve used it, it has made a world of difference. I would say this is a large step improvement, not incremental.

How would I compare these?

7052nd generation, good evolution from 305, data entry a chore, good navigation capabilities, limited screens

500minimalist, lightweightgreat for those who don''t need to navigate but want enough info to train with.

8003rd generation, UI greatly improved, data entry a breeze, plenty of information available, flexible with potential for more improvements

Is it worth it? Yeah, in my opinion it is. For the amount of time I spend on the road, absolutely.

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Garmin Edge 800

I have never owned a bicycle GPS, but have tested many basic bike computers. The Garmin 800 is accurate, fast, easy to use and most of all fun.

My main reasons for purchasing the device were to have a bike computer to use on my road bike that would provide various kinds of data in addition to speed and distance (heart rate, time to destination...), and to be able to go for long rides without worrying about getting lost, allowing me to concentrate on cycling and exploring new places instead. I was looking for a product that would give me the information I wanted but without distracting me.

The basic data are very accurate and data fields are easy to read while riding, as long as you do not cram too many fields into a single page. (Screens are customizable and you can flip through data/map pages.) I use two data pages: one with basic information, and the other with data such as average speed or temperature which I do not need to consult constantly.

The screen is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, and it lights up automatically if it is dark outside.

The touch-screen interface makes the device very user-friendly and can easily be operated with sweaty fingers. I have not tested it with gloves yet but other users have said that they are not a problem.

The maps are accurate and easy to read, though I do recommend getting the city extension which is sold separately. Otherwise only main roads are displayed. I use this for road biking so I was not interested in having topographical maps.

The map can be programmed to avoid highways. However, on one or two occasions my GPS device led me to major roads that were not suitable for cycling. Since they were technically not highways, they were not blocked. Obviously the GPS does not replace your brain or your eyes. That might sound silly but I was surprised how easy it is to follow the device blindly. Just keep your eyes open. If you do not follow the GPS instructions it will recalculate a route based on the direction you take. The device is not intrusive or aggressive like some car GPS devices. It will not yell at you or display large warnings if you miss a turn. Instead, it will adapt.

I was not intentionally interested in uploading my rides to my computer but I have started using Garmin Connect to analyse basic data and track my progress from ride to ride. It''s also neat to see your ride on a map and to be able to download other people''s rides.

I was also not planning on using the heart rate monitor regularly but I think I will start. It seems to work pretty well.

The price for this device is very high in my opinion. Of course, this is the top-of-the-line model from Garmin. Yet compared to car GPS models it still seemed like a lot. I don''t regret the purchase, and I do not regret having bought a cheaper model because I would probably have ended up buying this one afterwords anyway.

The Garmin Edge 800 has more features than anyone could possibly want. But it is very fun to use. If you are considering cheaper models but are drooling over this one, then buy it. No, you do not need it. But you do not need to get up at 5:00 AM on a Sunday to go for a bike ride wearing Lycra tights either. You do it because it''s fun. (Riding, not wearing tights.) If you can spare the cash, buy this.

EDIT: My impressions after 250 miles using the product

-Heart rate monitor is accurate, useful and sensor is comfortable to wear. I thought it would get on my nerves but it turns out I like it

-Battery life is more or less as advertised, but obviously depends on factors such as whether or not you use the backlight, etc.

-Charging time is very fast!

-Today, the step-by-step navigation lead me into some guy''s backyard claiming it was a road. According to him, there was one there... three years ago! He says people using GPS devices end up there all the time because Garmin apparently hasn''t updated that part of the map... Not a big deal, only happened once but funny story.

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I own several Garmin GPS devices, including two Nuvi, a Garmin Edge 705 and a Garmin Forerunner 410. So I was happy to purchase the new Edge 800 GPS computer for my mountain bike. After 3 rides I can definitely state that this GPS was NOT designed for a mountain bike. While it is waterproof, this GPS suffers from an extremely soft plastic touch screen which got completely scratched after 3 rides. I can now see pixel abberation due to the scratches (this is just from flying debris and perhaps dirt on my gloves/hands while manipulating the touch display) which is annoying. Note I cross country in the bay area, so this is not a result of a downhill/freeride abuse or crash.

So:

1. This model might work for road biking ride on clean roads and make sure to clean your hands and mitts before maniipulating the display!

2. Perhaps a screen protector might work. Don''t know.

3. For mountain biking stick with a lower range Garmin like a 705 (not as scratch prone after 2 years!).

Other than that the GPS works as expected.

Edit reading other bikers reviews I tried keeping the GPS in a soft pouch while biking. It is a good method, and might be a good way to keep it usable in the long run. Not as sexy as Garmin''s marketing folk intended, nor as useful for navigating/speedometer, etc. but a useful approach for existing owners who want to track their rides.

Edit 2 For those who are interested in purchasing this Garmin, I would highly recommend getting a screen protector. So I recently disocovered a Zagg screen protector for the Edge 800. This one happens to work very well: . Also, the protector actually seemed to have made the scratches disappear (or at least be much less visible).

-al

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From a feature/function perspective, the edge 800 is a fantastic device....WHEN IT WORKS! Some of the problems I''ve had multiple times include (but definitely not limited too)...

Speed going to Zero randomly, then the device will auto-pause causing loss of data.

Last 3 rides the device encountered a waypoint error in which it suddenly showed I traveled 1000''s of miles completely throwing off all my data fields including average speed, distance, elevation, etc. I''ve had average speed reach 15,000mph.

Corrupt fit files on the device that prevented me from uploading data to Garmin connect.

In short, I would not purchase this item until Garmin fixes all the software bugs with a new version firmware. If and when they do, I will rate the product at 4-5 stars as it is a great GPS when working. (at the time of this post, current firmware version is 2.1)

UPDATE All technical issues have been resolved by Garmin via software updates. Hopefully Garmin will stop using their customers as software testers.

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I bought an Edge 800 (along with the expensive North America map software) after losing my Garmin Edge 705. What a mistake! The software is buggy and you end up rebooting the device often; the touchscreen goes out of calibration (you touch an icon on the left and a menu from the right side of the screen is activated, etc.); the screen is too dark to read when in bright sunlight (yes, I do know how to adjust the screen brightness); it''s just not worth the price. Buy the Edge 605 or Edge 705 instead. They are much less expensive, are much more reliable and, though smaller, the screen is legible in the sunlight. I loved my 705 and thought the newer model would be an enhanced model, but I was wrong. There are three things that I like better with the Edge 800 as compared to the 705: 1) the bike mount; 2) the bigger screen size; and 3) the automatic warning to hit the "START" button on the device when you start riding. The screen size of the Edge 800 is great when viewing in a darkened room but since it''s too dark to read in the sunlight you end up hating it. The Edge 800 bike mount is much improved over the Edge 705; it''s much more positive acting and easier to use compared to the mount used for the Edge 705.

I have bought a number of Garmin devices over the years (several Nuvi''s for the car, a GPS 60CX for hiking, the Edge 705 and 800 for my bike) and this is the first time I truly am dissatisfied with my purchase. To end my tale of woe with a happy ending, I found my Edge 705 after 3 months of looking and happily it''s back on my bike and working great. I still dislike using the MapSource software to load maps on the Garmin 705 but otherwise I am satisfied with the Edge 705.

I probably should sell the Edge 800 but I hate to pass this expensive, basely usable device onto another unsuspecting human being. Come on Garmin fix this thing.

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Set of 4 Leg Thigh Latex Resistance Band Gym Fitness Exercise Strong Tube Ankle Straps, Pilates and Physical Therapy Workout Fitness

The thought of the product is sound. The actual product bands that attach are cheap. I had one break in the first 3 minutes of use being used the proper way.

I have only just opened the package but there are no instructions! I don''t where to begin. The product seems to be of good quality though. Can anyone suggest where I can find instructions for this product? I will post another review after I get this working.

February 26th 2013

So I went online and found an instructional video to ensure that I put these on correctly and YEAH!!! They are quite good...they work. I am definitely happy with my purchase now!I will do a video review in a moment.

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This particular item was nothing like I expected. It was very weak and produced little results. Overall I was not pleased and I wouldn''t recommend it to anyone.

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it comes with different thickness bands so you can adjust the amount of resistance you want on it. i use for leg exercises, works very well

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I bought this as a repalcement for a leg bands that I use for physicial therapy. After a couple of weeks of use one of the plastic head Red bands broke. The clips that hold the bands on keep coming off. I would have asked for replacement bands but I lost this at L.A. Fitness last week. I am ordering a different type as a replacement.

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With Computer Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle Stationary Indoor Trainer Exercise Bike

I frequently ride a bike outdoors during the summer, but in the winter when the weather is not as good I often go to the gym to ride the exercise bike. None of the indoor bikes I had ridden ever had the smooth feel of riding outdoors until I tried the Keiser M3 at a health club. I loved it so much, I bought one for myself for home use (the first time I''ve ever bought home exercise equipment as an adult), and while I''ve only owned it now for a short time, it is fantastic. Due to the unique design, utilizing magnetic resistance, the feel is very similar to riding outdoors. It is very quiet and very smooth. So I can spin at a fairly rapid rate and still get my heart rate up. And, though I don''t do this much, you can also crank up the resistance and make it as hard to peddle as you would like (it has about 24 "gears" so you can continually increase the resistance to virtually whatever level you would like what is really happening of course is you are simply increasing the magnetic resistance). This is a first rate bike for anyone who is serious about biking and wants something to use indoors that feels like biking outdoors. It is great exercise and does not feel like the typical gym or spinning bikes.

It was easy to assemble even for someone like me, who views changing light bulbs as a modest maintenance task. In total, it probably took about 30 minutes to set up and required little more than a Philips head screw driver, an Allen (sp?) wrench (which I have for my outdoor bike), and either a pedal wrench (again I have one) or an adjustable wrench that would fit the pedals.

Lastly, I would recommend ordering via Amazon or Keiser directly since some of the small third party sellers do not deliver on time. I would not buy from Indoorcyclingstore.com, who appear to be either terribly managed or are dishonest; we initially placed an order through them and six weeks later we still did not have the bike, but they still had our money.

I''ve been doing quite a bit of research for which bike to buy for home use. I was initially interested in just getting what I have at the gym the Schwinn Evolution. In a store, I was almost sold on the Schwinn A.C. classic or sport, but the seat was very uncomfortable, and I while I loved the magnetic resistance, I wasn''t quite convinced by the ride.

Then I found all of these fantastic reviews on the M3. I called around, but it turned out none of the stores that sell them in the area, had them on the floor as demo. Finally, one sales person admitted to me that even though he (and everyone else agreed) thinks it''s a fantastic bike, they don''t keep it on the floor because their margin of profit on them is much smaller than it is on other bikes.

I didn''t want to invest without trying them out, so I called Keiser and found out who our local rep is. Sure enough, he had one we could try in his garage. This is the most amazing piece of engineering I''ve ever seen on a bike!!! This guy had been with Keiser for 18 years, and knew every detail of what''s going on. Basically, they started developing this bike after years of taking losses because they conformed to the price standard in the market, and at that price, could only manufacture bikes that like every other bike, would break and need maintenance. The maintenance cost them too much money, and they got tired of it. Being a small independent company, they decided to do something about it, and the M3 was born. They are ruthless about their price policy of it, even if you buy 250 of those, the discounts are fairly minimal. On the other hand, these bikes require NO maintenance!!!

If you look at their 3 year warranty carefully, you''ll see that labor is not included. I called to ask about that, and they claimed on the phone that labor is not NEEDED, because everything you might ever need to do, is so simple you could do it yourself. Well, my spouse has a strong engineering background (experimental physics), and we inspected every aspect of this bike. They''re right. It is TRIVIALLY simple to put together, and there''s basically nothing that could break!! If you can handle a screwdriver, you can handle this bike! The engineering is GORGEOUS, someone really put a LOT of thought into the design. And the ride, oh the ride... Smoothest ride EVER! And SO comfortable! Everything from the saddle to the positioning, just perfect!!! The balance feels just right, it''s super quite, and most importantly, there are really no parts there that could break, except perhaps the computer. As far as maintenance is concerned, according to this guy, it''s limited to cleaning up your sweat from the bike, after a workout...

I should mention, when I was looking at the Schwinns, they offered me the floor model at a ~15% discount. The flywheel looked pretty scratched, basically it looked used. The demo we saw, is the same demo the guy has been using for 5 years, to show gyms, take to shows, show private clients, etc. If he had told me he only unpacked them yesterday, I would have believed him. They looked brand new, 5 years later!

Finally, Schwinn spin bikes division has been sold and resold and keeps moving hands. You really don''t know who you''re buying from (the Schwinn A.C. are on the Nautilus website their latest buyer, rather than on the Schwinn site). Keiser is solid, made in the USA, and you know who "their daddy" is... And keep in mind if a sales person tries to sell you a schwinn over the keiser their margins of profit are MUCH smaller for the keisers, and they usually work on commission.

Anyhow, to make a LONG story short, we bought the bike. It was a no brainer. I''ll update my review after I''ve used them for a couple of months at home, but I fully expect the 5 starts to remain. If you can''t find this bike anywhere to try them out before buying, I recommend you call Keiser, and they''ll help you out.

*** ADDED A FEW MONTHS LATER *** (Jan 2011)

Now that I''ve tried these in my pregnant and non-pregnant state, I can stay 100% I absolutely adore this bike!! I''ve been using it almost daily. It''s SO smooth, quiet, and comfortable in seated AND standing positions! I don''t get the people who talk about wrong fit. I am 5''6", my spouse is 6'', and it adjusts to each of us perfectly. Maybe if you''re extremely tall or extremely short it might be an issue, but then I bet a lot of other bikes would be too. This is just a very natural ride, the computer is fantastic, and overall, I can say only good things about this bike (and I''ve tried many other bikes at gyms, including the popular Schwinn Evolution. I *far* prefer this one to any of them!)

Buy With Computer Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle Stationary Indoor Trainer Exercise Bike Now

I ordered this bike from Amazon (Brands Cycle and Fitness) on a Wednesday evening and had it in my basement on Friday afternoon. Shockingly good service in today''s world. The bike was well-packed and arrived in perfect condition. Taking my time, assembly took about 25 minutes because I had all required tools on-hand. If you''re a directions-follower, you''ll need 15mm and 16mm box wrenches, a deep-socket 15mm or 16mm socket, a torque wrench, a 4" socket extension and 15mm and 16mm crowfoot wrenches (see MIT 10 Pc 3/8" Drive Crowfoot Wrench SetMetric).

As indicated by other reviewers, the Keiser M3 is very quiet; so quiet that my squeaking mountain bike cleats started to annoy me. Shifting the bike involves moving a bar-mounted lever up and down for "gears" 1-24. Lift all the way up and you''ll activate an "emergency brake" which stops the flywheel immediately. In reality, just lifting the shift lever to 15+ will stop the flywheel very quickly.

Adjusting the bike to your dimensions is simple and smooth. Unlike most spinners, the lock-down bolt doesn''t have a spring-loaded pin that inserts into pre-drilled holes. Hence, you can set the seat and handlebar heights to an infinite number of settings over their entire range. Since my wife and I share the bike, I marked a small black line at my height settings and a blue line at hers. I''m 5''8" tall but have long legs and a short trunk so I was concerned about the nature of the M3''s adjustability. Namely, moving the seat and handlebars up moves them away from each other. Look closely at the frame geometry and you''ll see what I mean. The good news is that I was able to adjust the bike to a proper riding position for my build.

The workout computer has all the necessary data to measure workout performance (watts, kcal, distance, time, gear) but see #2 below.

Two items to improve the bike:

1) A clutch that permits free-wheeling. Apparently, Keiser did offer this in the past but it wasn''t a strong seller so they dropped it from the M3. Here''s one vote to bring it back as an option.

2) Add workout programs to the computer. For those of us using the M3 at home (i.e. not in a spinning class), it would be nice to have a few pre-programmed "rides" to call up. Better yet, let us create a program from a riding session and save it.

Bottom line, I love this bike and recommend it highly to those looking for a smooth, high-quality spinner. If you appreciate machinery, the M3 is a true work of industrial art.

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I use this bike every single day at LA Fitness sometimes I go to class twice a day. When I first started taking cycling classes, I thought these bikes didn''t look like much. But after using them everyday for the past several months, I can tell you without hesitation that they are fantastic.

LA Fitness uses them in all their clubs in Atlanta (and probably around the country), so you know they can take a beating. Since I have been going to class, I''ve only seen a couple of the 34 bikes at my club experience any issues. According to the staff, they are pretty minor things that come from them being used several hundred times a month each. Put one in your house and use it daily yourself, and I doub;t you will ever have a problem.

Definitely would recommend this. A tough bike and a great workout!

And when I come up with $1350, I''m getting one for home.

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I purchased this indoor trainer to replace a bicycle mounted trainer. Three members of my household are avid cyclists and need to train through the winter months, so we end up with three bicycles cluttering the gym area waiting their turn to be mounted on the trainer. Our old trainer has a rather primitive form of resistance that isn''t very smooth. You can feel variations in resistance while pedaling and it doesn''t increase with speed exponentially (like real world cycling). We tried several indoor trainers that used heavy flywheels with mechanical braking pads, such as the Cycelops, and found the same issues. They were inconsistent in maintaining resistance, and did not increase exponentially with speed. They simply don''t feel like cycling. I think you could expend some calories and get a decent leg workout with the heavy flywheel/braking type trainers, but it doesn''t feel like cycling. In real world cycling the resistance goes up at a rate above the square of speed due to the exponential nature of power/speed, and wind resistance. The Keiser M3 uses a rare earth magnet to create Foucault currents (eddy currents) in the lighter weight flywheel. Those foucault currents create an opposing magnetic field that creates resistance/drag according to Lenz''s law. The resistance increases exponentially, just like real world cycling! In other words a cadence of 100 isn''t double the power of a cadence of 50, its over four times the power due to the exponential nature of foucault resistance. On the heavy flywheel/mechanical braking type trainers the reistance increases linearly, and then fades as the brake pads begin to get hotter. I tried hard to like training on the Cycleops machine because I really liked the computer that came with it, but just couldn''t overlook the primitive resistance system. The Keiser is ultra quiet, easily the quietest I''ve ever experienced, and far quieter than a bicycle mounted in a trainer. It can be adjusted three ways (with a three letter/number system to help you repeat settings) and fits my 60" wife as well as my 70" son and myself. The computer give realistic feedback that will help you train more effectively. Its not quite as capable as the computer on the cycleops machines, but the cycleops machine (brake pad/heavy flywheel)is primitive compared to the Keiser''s Foucault resistance. This is a superior design in most respects to other indoor trainers. I would enjoy the computer on the Cycelops, but gladly trade the lack of ride data storage in the Keiser to have the superior resistance system. Try this machine and you''ll be very pleasantly surprised at its performance compared to real cycling. Don''t worry about the 24 levels of resistance, that 24th level is so intense that you''ll generate greater than 600 watts at a moderate cadence. Is that enough for you?

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Spinervals Competition Series 1.0: No Slackers Allowed DVD

I do own the spinervals 1.0, but it has been replaced in my workout by several other more "hard-core" Spinerval DVD''s (Spinervals 23.0 Time Saver I and Spinervals Ultra-conditioning 2.0 Ultra Core strength builder). I have to say that I LOVE THESE DVD''s!! In fact, I have one more that I ordered and will be using this week (the Iron Girl Ultra workout). The time saver DVD is one of my favorites (three workouts of about 30 minutes on one DVD)! Workout B (tempo/ Time trial) is an EXCELLENT workout for the 35 minutes that it runs. I''m a pretty hard-core athlete and tend to be disappointed by DVD workouts. The Spinerval DVDs are the exception to the rule. Not only do I get an intense workout...but I can feel the progress from drills such as one-legged spinning (really helps to improve cycle stroke form) and the time trial 90 second-on, 90-second off drills. I seriously doubt you will be disappointed in these workouts if you are a typical triathlete or hard-core athlete. If you still want a good workout, but you''re not sure you want to work that hard...well then just use easier gearing when you do the drills. You can pace it to your abilities and increase the intensity as you get stronger!! Enjoy! All I can say is "keep these coming Coach Jacobson!!!"

My first spinervals workout DVD was No slackers allowed. I am used to spin class and also riding on trails/road so I thought the intensity might not be that great. I was pleasantly surprized. Coach Troy is extremely motivational, and I like the variety of people in the video as well. I am tired at the end of the video and my HR gets up pretty close to max. This has got me very interested in other videos in the series.

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I own several Spinervals cycling workout videos this one is just plain evil! Strangely, it isn''t rated as difficult as others; frankly, I think their rating system changed over time, leaving this one with a middle of the road rating. But make no mistake, this is one tough workout.

Spinerval workouts have bad music; but it doesn''t get in the way of the workout, it''s just annoying.

If you dare...

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I have owned this DVD title for over 1 year. It is the workout I do most often. I have a few CTS DVD''s, but I find that this Spinerval title gets you more bang for your time. If you follow the instructions, this DVD will give you an intense workout in easily under an hour.

The video is only 44 minutes long. The first 4 minutes and the last 6 minutes are cooldown, so the workout is about 35 minutes long. It breaks down into 5 different spin sessions with about 1-2 minutes rest/recovery time. Spinerval 1.0 gets you varied ways to bike on your trainer including a steady pace-tempo, a mixed tempo effort, a superspin, a simulated "time-trial", and another mixed effort.

I pop this DVD in when I need a hard fast workout on the bike. On my particular trainer (1upUSA), this gets me around 13-14 miles. For a better workout I would recommend a heartrate moniter and a cadence meter on your bike.

I am a triathlon Clysdale racer. I train for olympic distance and 1/2 iron''s and this DVD help keep my legs in shape during the offseason.

Bad things: the video is old and could use an update. I think it was made it was made in the late 90''s so the riders and the bikes look dated. The workout is done on a lakefront which is sunny, then cloudy.

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If you are looking for the combination of serious spinning and creative, high quality audio/visual this is not for you. This is of the "this is serious training and shouldn''t be fun" school. Well sorry, I can suffer and smile at the same time. Specifically, there was little or no attention placed on choosing music that was 1) good and 2) beat coordinated to the sets. It is, however, a serious plain vanilla interval workout-although short at 45 minutes. It is shot with some of the guy''s students set up on trainers at a homely lakeside setting while he walks around in highschool football coach garb incessantly instructing while holding a stopwatch.

Anyone with extensive spinning experience could get pretty much the same thing by choreographing their own workout, turning on the radio and using a stopwatch. There is a reason why music is carefully coordinated into this type of workout: it makes work feel like dance. This is more like a Calvinst sermon than a night at the club.

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Stott Pilates Toning Ball

The actual product is fine. I just wanted to help others not make the same mistake I did I *assumed* this was a set of toning balls. It''s NOT. It is a single ball. You need to order two. :-)

I bought the blue 2 pound Stott pilates toning balls quite some time ago and continue to be pleased with them. They fit perfectly in my hands and are comfortable. According to the Amazon description, the blue 2 pounders and the green 3 pounders are both 10 cm high this is absolutely not true. The green toning balls are significantly larger and are too hard for me to hold, rendering them useless to me. The green ones are also hard, not malleable like my blue 2 pounders. I give the blue 2 pounders five stars; if I could give the green 3 pounders zero stars, I would.

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I just ordered two Stott Pilates Toning ball in pink. They came dirty as they were used and the worst part is they are not filled properly with the sand. One is bigger and softer than the other. This is my second purchase. First I ordered two pounds ball in blue. One came bigger than the other. I used these balls at a Stott Pilates Studio and they look totally different. They are nice and shinny. The one I bought from Amazon, the color is pale. They look OLD or used.

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I ordered two of the Stott 2lb Pilates Toning Balls. One weighs exactly 2lbs the other weighs 1lb 15 3/4 oz. The heavier ball is about 1 inch bigger around than the lighter one. The weight difference is not noticeable but the size difference is. Quality control does not seem to be a priority.

Stott Pilates Toning Ball (Blue, 10 cm, 2 Pounds)

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I ordered two 2lb toning balls. One was solid and was true to its weight; the other one had leaked its contents (sand) so it was flabby instead of firm. I ended up returning it for another ball; the next ball I got was OK but still not solid.

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PUMA Men''s PU910891001 Half-Time Large Digital Black Blue Watch

Wanted a digital watch for casual wear and came across this while randomly trawling Amazon. Liked the combination of simple design and colour, and haven''t changed my mind now that it''s arrived.

The child in me also loves the fact that the Puma lights up when you turn on the backlight!

A good gadget, very very light, with a very good presentation, good size, simple but useful, recommended especially for sports.

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I bought this watch for use when running, skiing, and other activities where I don''t wear my reading glasses...I reached the age where my arms just aren''t long enough any more:). The digits are large and readable indoors, Just like I''d hoped. But, in sunlight, or when wearing sunglasses even light amber lenses, the contrast between the digits and the very blue background is inadequate, and I can not read the watch. So, I would not recommend this watch for any outdoor requirements whether you need reading glasses, or not because the display is just too hard to read, especially when running or swinging a ski pole. The TIMEX triathlon watches that I''ve used for many years are much easier to read, even though the display is about 1/2 2/3 the size of this watch''s.

I wish TIMEX would offer a watch with this size of display. Also note that this watch does not have a lap-timer/lap recall function.

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Easy to view, and to set time I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a simple no fuss watch

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The Puma watch has half inch tall numbers that are easy to read in daylight or dark using its light. The large round dial is clipped on the right side so the watch dosen''t dig into your had when your wrist bends and the watch is very light weight.

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Escalade High-Step

This is a sturdy and versatile piece of equipment for people of all fitness levels. Utilizing the adjustable height, I can easily work it into my clients strength and aerobics programs for variety and fun. I originally purchased this stepper to do aerobic step testing for my new clients, but a lot of other applications have presented themselves!

My only criticism of this item would be to suggest that the stability strip on the top level step could be wider to cover the entire top. As it is there is about two inches of hard curved plastic on either side of the strip that could allow for a misplaced foot to slip off.

I hemmed and hawwed about buying this for awhile, then decided to take the plunge. What a good decision that was, this is a very valuable and versatile piece of equipment to me. I have a variety of workout videos that I can use this with, but I appreciate the adjustability of it the most. I find the 12 inch height perfect for my 35 plus year old knees. I have used The Firms step up boxes and Transfirmer which are 14 inches high, that height is doable but the 12 inch height is much more comfortable for me. And if for some reason I decide to add more height, I have found that my extra set of purple risers for my club step fit the high step just perfect. They don''t exactly match colorwise but big deal.

I use it for aerobics, weight work, the topper is perfect for calf raises, etc. All sorts of uses for this step.

Great buy and well worth the money, I am glad that I finally wised up and bought one for myself!

Mine also came with a workout DVD, Cathe Friedrich''s High Step Circuit which shows you even more ways to utilize

the High Step. Recommended.

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This is an excellent product! Love the DVD that came with it and it is in my regular rotation. It is one of the best exercise DVDs I own. The step is well constructed and high quality. It is easy to change the riser height. I highly recommend this product and the wonderful DVD that comes with it.

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I purchased The Step F1080 High Step and it was delivered in a timely fashion. The DVD inside had no clear wrapper indicating a new product, the outside DVD case was broken and missing the entire top section. DVD inside plays fine. Right out of the box the bottom step had a collection of dust and floor dirt ground into the four rubber/plastic floor cushions...obviously already been used on somebody''s dirty floor. Although Clorox disinfecting wipes cleared up any dirt issues with the step, the broken DVD case (with the broken pieces completely missing from the box so it wasn''t broken in transit) makes me a little less confident in the merchandise I might buy in the future. The step works fine, the DVD works fine. I just don''t think I got a brand new product.

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In the past week I have purchased both this high step and the larger Original Health Club Step. I needed to purchase two pairs of risers to boost my larger step up to 12 inches high. As another reviewer kindly pointed out, purchasing this high step is the best way to get the extra four risers. Two pairs of risers would have cost me $50. This high step came to a total of $52.72 at the time I purchased it. So along with the four risers I needed (which are the exact same as the ones that came with my larger step) I get the small platform, AND a DVD that alone would cost over $19!! Now I can choose between working out on the small step or the large one, and can have it anywhere from 4-12 inches in height.

Oh and about the step itself--it''s great! For some reason my eyes played a visual trick on me when I saw the picture online--I thought the black surface on the platform was going to be a square in the center, but it does go all the way to two sides so you don''t have to worry about your feet sliding off the side. The other two sides have the blue plastic, so if you need to use it to do push-ups or triceps dips, you can place your hands on the plastic instead of the hard black ridged stuff.

Also, I like the nice blue color--anything to perk up my exercise routine is good!

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Everlast Core Support Slimmer Belt

This product is definitely a high quality slimmer belt. Better quality than you''ll find in stores at your local retailer. The materials are superior, the stitching is superior, the support is superior and the velcro is superior quality and has a far greater surface area to create a more comfortable fit and adjustable size for its users. The back support insert even helps stabilize the core. The only problem I had with this item is that the min/max waist size for this size belt is not included in the description. It supports a max 44 inch waist size for those who would like to know before purchasing.

This belt is very well made, high quality construction, but it was significantly larger than I expected it to be. I didn''t see any size indication (other than ''one size fits all'') but the sticker on the belt itself clearly reads, "XL / XXL" which is far too large for me. I''m 5'' 11" and 170lbs with a 34" waist. I ended up returning and getting a smaller belt, but this would great for larger guys.

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I purchased the Everlast Slimmer Belt and found it to be better than expected. The belt not only helps me lose weight by fitting tightly around my midsection but it also helps by supplying such amazing support. I couldn''t recommend it more.

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i cant say that ive developed my 6-pack since i got it but its a great fit and has me sweating like a fat kid... fits extremely tight so this size fits me (im a 5''8" 175 lbs sz 32 waist) fine without using the added support straps

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This belt is well made and the velcro is strong and reliable. Provides nice back support as well as warmth for your lower back and stomach muscles. I have purchased other belts in the past and they were quick to fall apart and have edges roll. This belt has held up very well with regular use and has maintained its shape.

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Aylio Fitness 3 Exercise Bands and Door Anchor (Low, Medium, Heavy)

I bought this set of bands to replace the puny resistance band included with the EA Sports Active. After trying each band in this set at shoulder level and fully stretched over the head, the difference between the light and the other bands was significant, but the difference between medium and heavy, however, was indistinguishable.

I did some testing lifting free-weights with the bands and found each band maxed out at 15, 22, and 25 pounds for light, medium, and heavy respectively. The problem is that stretched to waste and shoulder height, the medium and heavy bands are almost identical in resistance at 12 pounds at waste and 17 pounds at shoulder height. In order to have a true heavy band, I''ll have to combine the light and the heavy for a 40 pound band.

Pros:

thick material

5 feet in length and will stretch 3 times as long

can provide a wide range of resistance from 7 to over 40 pounds with some creative thinking

much cheaper than free-weights

Cons:

medium and heavy bands are also identical

requires using multiple bands for significant resistance

These are excellent exercise bands. I can definitely feel the difference in the different levels of resistance. It would be nice if the levels of resistance were marked on the bands themselves or if the packaging had included an insert letting me know the level of each color. I was able to look it up on Amazon, but I think it would be best if printed on the bands. All in all, I think these were a great deal.

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I was very pleased with this product. The bands are more resistant to wearing out as compared to others I''ve used.

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Got these to use to replace the flimsy band that comes with Wii active, they work soooo much better. the only issue that I"ve had with them so far is that they loosen easily and will snap loose if you don''t tighten them regularly, but the quality of the bands are wonderful.

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The bands are exactly as I had hoped: durable and convenient for strength training and stretching on the go; perfect for travel, the office and home.

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STX Padded Lacrosse Goalie Pants

First i don''t play lacrosse, so i don''t know exactly what lacrosse players are looking for in pads. I do medieval reenactment fighting, which involves hitting people with and getting hit by people with sticks while wearing armor.

I bought these to wear under a pear of pants as armor. I intended to add plates to them which is why i got this pear, the pad compartments are open so you can take them out or put other things in the pockets for the pads.

I was hoping that the included pads would be sufficient so that i could use them (nervously) even before modifications. Unfortunatly the pads are just less than a cetimeter thick and not really sufficient to soften deliberate strikes to the legs (I was able to punch myself in the leg through the included pad hard enough to bruise myself) so i had to cut up a yoga mat and add that to the existing padding to make them substantial enough.

After the modifications I am very happy with them, they are light, they restrict movement very little and except where the pads are they breathe very well.

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Tone Fitness Aerobic Stepper

If you want to buy this step for step aerobics, I would look at other models. This one is too narrow( 11 inches wide) while the Step brand models are around 14 inches wide. But if you want something to do simple step-ups this should work fine. I bought this step as a board to lay my hands on when I do planks/pushups/burpees because the support helps with my weak wrists and flexibility. In 6 inch mode, I can tuck the board under my bed but the risers are snap-ons and don''t come off easily so plan on leaving the risers on/off for a fixed amount of time. I use the board on the carpet so I don''t know how it would stay on a hard floor. The bottom of the risers don''t have a cushion but there are 2 small rubber pins on each 6 inch riser to support the board. Because the board suits my purpose and is within my price range I gave it 4 stars. One star is marked off because the quality is average for the price range and I don''t see this product having a very long durability.

For the price this step gets the job done. I didn''t purchase this for its traditional use but rather for its function as a step. It is used to help my wife get into my truck. It is sturdy and provides solid footing. Not the least bit wobbly. It is a solid balanced step. Easy to use and light to handle.Didn''t use the extensions to raise it up so I can''t comment on that. I will probably attach a rope to it to eliminate some of the bending over but other than that, it works well for my use.

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This is surprisingly sturdy and there''s no "give" even when I come down really hard on it. I wish it came with one more set of risers, because I''d like to do more elevated workouts I doubt that additional height would make this stepper unstable. Nicely made, lightweight, easy to store upright, under bed, in closet, etc. Only one very tiny negative the small rubber feet will slide slightly on slick surfaces such as tiles or vinyl flooring. This is definitely not a deal-breaker, though, because I use this stepper on top of the following surface (see link LOVE this mat!) and there is ZERO slippage between floor / mat / stepper / feet or shoes. Even though I''d like the option of having one level higher, this stepper gives a good low-impact workout. I haven''t been able to tip it, even when I deliberately placed all my weight on the edge. I actually like it better than the ones at the gym. I don''t recommend doing step exercise on carpeting for several reasons .... so to keep the stepper from sliding (even slightly) when you land at an oblique angle, please consider using a tough workout mat, such as:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JM6Y1K/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3C_ST1_dp_1

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The step is lower to the ground than I thought, so all I really use this for is warm-ups and calf raises, but its made of good quality stuff and seems to hold up well against the punishment it gets from me.

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I love this gift. It stores well and just the right height to get a great workout on. I am very happy with my buy.

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Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

Before settling on the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor, I did a lot of research on the various types of HRM out there. I was looking for a HRM that wouldn''t just give me my heart rate, but I also wanted a bit more features, but I didn''t need a lot of features that the higher numbered FT models offered.

When I saw the FT7 model, I was surprised to see so little reviews or mentions of this model. I''m not sure why, maybe this is a newer model or Polar just prefers directing people to the more expensive models because I kept seeing numerous reviews for the F6 or F7, FT40, and FT60 models.

After comparing various Polar HRMs, I settled for the FT7 because it had all the features that I was looking for in a HRM.

Watch/HRM

Monitors heart rates. I found the monitoring to be accurate except underwater. (I''ll go into detail about that a bit later.)

Counts Calories. The Calorie counter seems to be quite accurate. I have used it for walking, spinning classes, swimming, and strength training sessions and the calorie counts are reasonable.

Target heart rate graph. The graph is useful for seeing where you are and if you''re within your minimum and maximum HR "fitness" ranges during a session.

Very user friendly. Even though there aren''t any instructions on setting up the watch, I didn''t think they were needed. I didn''t even bother looking at the manual until I was done configuring the watch, but I''ve never been one to read manuals. However, others may find the lack of a detailed manual a bit frustrating.

Stores Training Files. Which include records of session durations, calories burned, average HR, Maximum HR, and the amount of time your workout HR was spent in the target range.

Weekly Summaries. This basically sums up the total amount of time spent training, the total calories during each session, and how many sessions during the week.

Settings are very easy to change especially if you have any weight changes and want to keep an accurate count of calories being burned.

There is also a backlight, which is quite handy if you''re somewhere with minimal lighting.

I also found out that if you hold the "down arrow" button, you can change the time to a second time zone that you can set by going through the "quick menu" which is accessed by holding down the "backlight button (*)" which also leads to the "button lock" feature. If you hold down the "up arrow" button, you can change the "Watch face" to just display the time and date or the time and date and logo, which is smaller on the face, but it includes seconds and FT7 logo along the bottom.

The women''s watch is black with a gold stripe down the center of the band. I found the design to be all right. It is less flashy and colorful as the other models, which is one reason I like this watch. I can wear it with my work clothes and it does not stand out much.

User changeable batteries. This was something I really wanted out of my HRM. I never liked sending something to the manufacturer for replacements even under warranty. I just don''t like dealing with shipping, waiting, and extra fees.

Water Resistant. I have used this HRM in the pool and the monitoring is relatively accurate when it actually reads the transmitter. I believe the Polar website notes that in some highly chlorinated pools or seawater the transmitter will not be picked up underwater. The pool in my gym is very chlorinated and there were times when the HRM will not pick up my heart rate. But if I just sit still in the water for a minute or so the watch will pick up the signal again. Though this can get annoying if you are trying to swim laps for endurance. The watch still gives me a fair calculation of calories I have burned during my swim sessions. Though the calorie count is most likely lower since I''m not sure how long the watch is not reading my heart rate during times when I am swimming several laps nonstop. I also tried using this in a saltwater treated pool and the moment I went underwater the transmitter does not work at all. So I''m guessing that this HRM will not work if you are swimming in the ocean.

Chest Strap

The Chest strap is very comfortable, and I usually don''t feel it, but then again it might be because I''m used to having something strapped around my chest all day. And I have had no problems of it slipping. It is also recommended to wet the straps a little. I usually just wet my hands a bit and rub against the cloth area, and I''m good to go.

User changeable batteries. The transmitter pops off easily from the strap, and like the watch, I can change my own batteries, but unfortunately the watch and transmitter use different types of batteries.

Another perk is that most of the machines in my gym also pick up the transmitter readings, allowing me not have to keep glancing at my watch while I''m on the elliptical or cycling.

Overall, I really like this watch. For the price I paid, it was worth it and it gives me all the basic things I need to monitor my workout sessions.

If you want a simple watch that gives you fairly accurate heart rates, calorie burns, training records, and user changeable batteries the FT7 is a cheaper option to the FT40 and FT60 models.

I am really pleased with this HR monitor watch. Being a woman, I wanted something sturdy yet not so big it dominated my arm. This fits the bill very adjustable size wize (both the watch and the chest strap). I am average height, but carry most of my weight in my stomach. The chest strap fits very comfortably to me, and the new feature of being able to simply wet the cloth contacts is great (I was used to the old school hard plastic contacts).

According to the product information, you can actually wash the chest strap in the washer haven''t tried it yet.

Fairly easy to use once you get used to which button controls which feature. Advice when you are setting the watch up for the first time, have the manual in front of you. I accidentally deleted my settings the first few times.

Using the watch while jogging and walking is very easy the screen is much easier to read than other products I have tried. I was most interested in tracking heart rate, calories burned, and some basics of how I was working out in the fat burning and fitness zones. This watch does a great job with that afetr you complete a workout it produces a simple summary of total cals burned, how many minutes you spent in far burn vs fitness, and your average heart rate.

I am sure hard core runners want something more than tracks mileage, but I tried a watch like that and found it too cumbersome. Since I am merely using this for fitness, it works perfectly.

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I''ve had the ft7 for maybe two weeks now, using it many times, since it is my first heart rate monitor. Overall, i think it is a good deal. It feels and looks like a high-quality instrument solid, if not "flashy". It fits my wrists just fine and seems to have plenty of adjustment for larger wrists (I have fairly small wrists for a guy, at a "healthy" weight of 157 at 5''8", at age 40). I believe the watch band is anti-microbial (and anyway, has a cool yet subtle almost snakeskin kind of look to it). The band''s connection to the watch seems quite integrated and sturdy, with the vertical thickness of the band being the same as the watch where the two meet. The watch''s main body, while plenty large, does not dwarf my wrist or anything.

I understand that it is a fairly recent development for Polar that the chest strap and the watch will both take regular batteries, rather than having to order replacements from Polar. Certainly that is more convenient. Also as I reviewed potentially replacing my ft7 (see reason below), I found that it is also a treat to have a fabric strap for the heart signal transmitter, as a lot of manufacturers use plastic or rubber (?). I find the fabric strap to be no discomfort at all.

The "heart touch" (i think that''s the name) feature, is at least a cool novelty bring your watch close to your heart strap and the watch will beep then flash to show the time, then go back to the previous display after a few seconds.

You can manually rotate through several displays as you are training. I would prefer a display that shows the heart rate and the training time at once, but that combination doesn''t exist. The heart rate is a part of one of the combo displays, but oddly, it is paired with the time of day rather than the training time.

Also, the timing functions are rudimentary. As far as i can tell (and i''ve read the manual too), there isn''t a timer or stopwatch function separate from the heart rate training to use any kind of timer you must "start training" which then looks for a heart signal. If you continue without the strap, it will warn you there''s no heart signal, but once you acknowledge that, that warning disappears and you''ll see the timer again. There is no interval or lap timing or countdown function, which seems odd to me as a newbie, for a $110 watch, even if lesser timer/stopwatch functions might be usual for this heart rate monitor watch industry. The watch just keeps track of your training duration, but you can pause and continue your work as many times as you want.

The recording of your training sessions is exceptional the manual said up to 99 training files will be saved. I know i''ve already got over 20 that are definitely in the watch.

It also automatically keeps track of how much time you spend in "fat burning" or "fitness" zones during your workout. The calculation for that is automatic based on the input you gave when you set up the watch. (age, height, weight, maximum heart rate).

I''ll emphasize that this watch will allow you to change your maximum heart rate setting, which presumably will change the watch''s calculations for your different training zones (I''m not sure how big the effect is, having just learned enough about my probable true maximum heart rate to change it today). I''ve read that for similarly trained people of the same age in the same athletic endeavors, max HR can differ by as much as 60 bpm (!), so this feature seems very important. I seem to have a much higher max HR than what the usual formulas calculate. (That, or the watch doesn''t detect HR well, which I don''t think is the case, as I''ve noticed this tendency for a long time on gym equipment with pulse detectors).

Besides being able to set your own maximum heart rate, the ft7 has a zone alarm, that will beep when your heart rate has exceeded the limit (which you can set). UNFORTUNATELY (and this is why despite liking the watch overall, i will be taking it back), the sound the watch makes is very very low in volume. If I''m biking against the wind I''ll hardly hear it if at all. If I''m running on a quiet trail, I''ll probably hear it if i''m listening for it. If i''m running on the sidewalk along a main road, I''ll probably not hear it above the vehicle noise. As is, kind of defeats the purpose of having an audible alarm if despite having it I''m always having to steady my hand while running, or let go of the handlebars while riding to see what my heart rate is. I can find no volume adjustment, looking through the watch settings or reading the manual.

I''d like to say I know more about whether this might simply be a problem with my particular watch, or a design defect. I started a forum question at Polar''s site, but got little response. One other person said they had the same problem there, last i checked. The watch''s alarm-clock function also has a very low volume when it goes off, so perhaps that is an indication that is the particular watch and not a design defect.

The problem has turned what was an acceptable impulse purchase into a situation where I''ve investigated models much more thoroughly, and I think I''ll try a Timex, mostly because they do tend to have much better timer/interval/stopwatch functions, and I''d like to see if they''re cheaper prices, on the average, are worth it.

That being said, otherwise I am overall fond of this watch, and likely would have stayed with it.

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Great Product ! Have used it for a couple of weeks now and don''t regret the purchase.. works just like it should.

Picks up your heart beat immediately once your ''strapped'' in. Set up was easy with the manual in hand. Once you get the idea of how the menu works its a breeze ! Easy enough to be used by the ''technically challenged''.

Wearlink strap is comfortable and one forgets its really there once you begin your physcial activity.

Watch stores statistical data ( calories burned, avg./max heart rate per workout, length of workout, workout time in fat or fitness zone ) which is a great way to monitor progress. Stores data for weeks if one so wishes.

I use the watch to gather data and then trsf it to a spreadsheet for graphical representation. Great way to stay motivated !

Thus far I''m sold on the FT7 !

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I have owned my FT7 for approximately 18 months. It worked great for about 13 months then started to become erratic. I had the same problems as some of the early reviewers in terms of high readings and constant Check Transmitter messages. I changed the batteries in both the watch and the transmitter. Seemed to work for a month or so then once again reverted to erratic readings. Now it just won''t read at all. I use an elliptical machine in the gym that has a Polar monitor in it. It can''t decipher the transmissions from the transmitter either. It was able to give readings when the watch couldn''t until recently.

I always rinsed the belt after use, washed it at least every two weeks. I would classify this as a watch that provides more features at the expense of quality to target a price point. I also don''t like the customer service. Having to mail it back, authorize a $75 charge upfront, pay for shipping etc. is enough to turn me away from Polar. If you are looking for a product that will probably only work until the warranty is up, this is the one you want.

Update: This might be a bit premature but I was reading a lot of reviews on HR monitors (trying to find a replacement for the FT7) and the lack of reliability over time was a common complaint when using chest strap models. One reviewer mentioned a call to customer service that informed him that the contacts on the transmitters can corrode causing erratic readings. I took my Wearlink transmitter and with some fine sandpaper cleaned the round connectors on the transmitter and also rolled up a tiny piece and cleaned inside the connectors on the strap. I couldn''t see any corrosion on either part before or after sanding them. However, I hooked up the transmitter and tested it. It worked right away, no erratic readings and it locked in like it did when it was new. I had also put the original battery back in it.

It makes sense. The current going through these things is miniscule so any loss could be catastrophic to operation.

It is still reading flawlessly. I can''t say it will last but anyone having this problem might want to give it a try. I''m going to the gym tonight so it will get a good test. I''ll keep you posted.

2/4/2012 Another update. My FT7 worked flawlessly through my workout , a spinning session and for five more hours until I finally took it off. I just put it on to prepare for another spinning session and it locked right in.

There must be something to the corrosion theory.

I want to caution people that I used a very fine 240 grit sandpaper and just lightly sanded the metal contacts. I would not recommend this as a procedure to be repeated indefinitely as it could eventually be detrimental, especially if you use a more abrasive sandpaper.. I bought some Deoxit contact cleaner today to use as a less abrasive cleaner should the need arise again.

4/10/12 Update. The FT7 worked flawlessly until about two weeks ago. I was in the gym and I got the check transmitter message again. It wouldn''t clear. I took the transmitter off the strap and rubbed both contacts with my fingers then put it back in the strap. It worked fine. When I got home I put some Deoxit on it rather than sanding it again. So far so good. No glitches.

One comment regarding the response I got from the Polar guy. The response was boilerplate and useless. I then realized that Polar can make a lot of money by not telling people about the possibility of oxidation causing problems. I have to wonder how many people send their HRMs back and are charged to merely deox the transmitter. I can only speculate on this matter and would not be so cynical were it not for the absence of any reference to oxidation in their documentation.

If any one has seen this mentioned anywhere please respond to this post.

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