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Comment on Valeo Ab Wheel by D. Dubier "pattern0"

D. Dubier "pattern0" — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:11:02 +0000

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

nice, March 18, 2006

D. Dubier "pattern0" (Jersey City, NJ United States) -

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Got it at a great price. Nice burn from using it. I don't know that 2 wheels makes it better, but it does the job.
Only gripe was that it was almost impossible to put the foam handle on over the metal bar, that was a workout by itself, had to use all knowledge of physics and all brute strength in fingers to get job done.

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Comment on Valeo Ab Wheel by J. Fincher

J. Fincher — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:49:55 +0000

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

Extremely Effective, August 27, 2006

J. Fincher (Atlanta, GA) -

The ab wheel is very well made and contrary to what others have said, if you take the time to snug the grips up tight, the wheels do not wobble at all. As for the workout, it's extremely difficult, but also extremely effective. 10 reps and you feel a burn that lasts for two days! After using 3 times a week for the last three weeks, I've noticed a great difference in the tighness in my abs. Recommended.

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Comment on Valeo Ab Wheel by J. McDonald

J. McDonald — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:57:40 +0000

323 of 328 people found the following review helpful:

Build that six-pack!, July 8, 2009

J. McDonald (Wisconsin) -

I've read several reviews here with people being confused or disappointed, but I think perhaps expectations were different. First off, I'm not a trained professional, but I've been exercising for years and I pay close attention to proper form for the most effective effort. I'll try to explain how this works and what to expect.

-- CORE MUSCLES WORKED WITH AN AB WHEEL:
Shoulders, arms, upper and lower back, abs (all sections)

-- WHAT TO EXPECT ON QUALITY:
The quality on these things doesn't have to be fancy - it has a simple use and just has to be functional. Two wheels are better than one, however. The wheels are solid plastic/rubber and the grips are similar. Are the grips terribly comfortable? No, but they're not bad either and you aren't using it for hours at a time -just minutes. Wrap some tennis racquet grip around them for added comfort if you want more, but it's really not needed. This is a basic tool and doesn't need to be made of expensive materials. The bar through the middle is solid metal (not sure if there is a weight limit but I'd guess at about 200lbs).

-- PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
It arrives in a box as two separate wheels, a metal bar, two rubber handles and a single sheet of instructions. Place the bar through the wheels and center them as best as you can. Then slide/wiggle/twist one handle all the way onto one end of the bar (I didn't need grease - it went on pretty easily, yet snug). Then try to line up the grip of the other handle and slide that onto the other side of the bar with the wheels in the middle. Push on the ends of the handles to make sure they're on all the way. You will be able to twist the grips a little to line them up perfectly. Putting it together took me only a couple of minutes.

-- USING IT (BASIC):
Using the Ab Wheel is simple, but really works the abs if done correctly. This simple devise helps create the line down the middle of your abs for that nice six pack!

Kneel on the floor with one hand on each handle and the wheel positioned on the floor, centered before you. Without arching your back (keep it straight and keep your head straight too - don't look up or drop your head down) slowly roll the wheel away from your knees in a straight line before you. Your body moves forward with the wheel, away from your knees - this is KEY to making this move effective! Your weight is supported via your hands on the bar and by your knees (and a straight back). The further you can stretch your arms out before you and the further you can lean away from your knees the more you will work the core muscles in your abs. When you've rolled out as far as you safely can, reverse and roll back up to the starting position (this should be hard!). Line your body up facing a wall (knees 2-3 ft from the wall) and roll out toward the wall if you want something there to help you stop rolling. Line up further and further away as you get stronger.

You may not be able roll out more than 2-3 feet at first but that's okay. (When I stop my abs/hips are about 10-12 inches from the floor. You want to aim for about a 45 degree angle from your knees to your hips and then a countering 45 degree angle from your hands on the ab wheel to your shoulders. Think of making a bridge with your body where your knees are one support on one side of the water and the wheel is the other support on the other side of the river/body of water. Again, the farther you can stretch out, the more difficult the workout, but be careful and don't push too hard too fast or you'll tear something! Use your head and be conservative at first.

Beginners should probably start with 1-2 sets of 5-10 reps and work on rolling out further as you become stronger. I'm trying 2 sets of 10 reps and my abs are SORE after 2 days of this!! :)

It's IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT and to not arch it as you roll out. You can hurt yourself if you do this move incorrectly. The wheel comes with some basic instructions that show you the proper form. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

-- USING IT (ADVANCED):
Once you get comfortable using it as described above, add a twist and rather than just rolling straight ahead of you, keep your knees still and roll out at about a 25-30 degree angle left or right of center, twisting at the waist. This will really focus on the oblique muscles. I'd suggest alternating each direction during your reps, but that's just my opinion. ;)

This really is a GREAT ab workout and you WILL feel it if done properly. Good luck on that six pack!

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Comment on Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Jan Idlas

Jan Idlas — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:22:51 +0000

154 of 170 people found the following review helpful:

A POWERHOUSE OF A DIET/FITNESS BOOK, April 18, 2007

Jan Idlas (Los Angeles, CA) -

This review is from: Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You (Hardcover)

True to form, Jillian comes through in a manner that is clear, concise, and no-nonsense. I lost 32 pounds utilizing her first book, "Winning by Losing." I've maintained my loss for almost a year, in part, by listening to her weekly radio show. She won my loyalty long ago, because this woman KNOWS HER STUFF! So when I heard about her new book, I decided I was ready to dive back in and go for "the cut." I've lost 5 additional pounds in 8 days. I'm so jazzed -- thank you, Jillian!

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Comment on Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Alissa Cooper

Alissa Cooper — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:44:20 +0000

106 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

I lost 8lbs in week one, April 18, 2007

Alissa Cooper (New York, New York) -

This review is from: Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You (Hardcover)

If you want to know how people like Vanessa Marcil go from having a baby to getting back on the cover of Maxim in only a few months, get this book.

The scary part: the workout is challenging and I can't even sit on the toilet I am so sore, but the diet is a no fail. Jillian literally walks you through every second of your day for a month. From exercising, eating, sleeping, supplements you name it. She leaves you no room for error.

I have been doing her plan for exactly 1 week today and weighed in this morning 8 POUNDS LIGHTER! After a week!

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Comment on Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Tracey Calvin "Super Mom"

Tracey Calvin "Super Mom" — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:38:31 +0000

272 of 273 people found the following review helpful:

Welcome the challenge!, April 17, 2007

Tracey Calvin "Super Mom" (Joplin, Missouri) -

This review is from: Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You (Hardcover)

I just got the book 3 days ago. I am only on day three, but the information in this book is eye opening. Jillian covers everything from hormones and metabolism, supplements like hoodia, even the master cleanse.

I saw the review below and can't help but wonder if that person actually read the book. There ARE in fact 3 separate 30 day menu plans. One for each oxidizer type (slow, balanced, and fast). For that reason, 1 plan will ask for non-fat cottage cheese and another will ask for low fat. Those two ingredients are not on the same meal plan and they are also on separate grocery lists (of which there are 3, one for fast, balanced, and slow).

Jillian goes on to explain that the recipes make up to 10 - 12 servings for the following reasons: Most women don't want to make separate meals for their families. Also, the book allots each reader with and individualized calorie allowance. As some of the recipes are very low calorie, some people doing the plan will require up to 5 servings of each recipe. Last, if you are like me, always on the run and finding it difficult to cook every night this book will solve your problem. This way you will have healthy food prepared when you are pressed for time. All that said, she specifically mentions in the book that if you want to make less food you can simply cut the ingredients in half and the meal will still come out perfectly making half the servings.

With regard to the workouts: There are over 100 separate exercises in the book and less then 10 of them require gym equipment. The workouts seem predominantly designed to utilize body weight exercises (no gym required).

The workouts do seem tough, that is for sure. However, you can easily modify the exercises to accomodate your fitness level. Jillian offers over 8 variations of plank exercise, 11 different variations of lunges, 8 variations of push ups, and 8 variations of squats just to name a few. For those that don't have a treadmill accessible she offers up over 10 different types of cardio intervals that require no equipment like mountain climbers, butt kicks, squat jacks etc.

As for not being able to tackle weeks 3 and 4 of the workouts on day 1, I think that is the whole point. In order to lose weight quickly you must progress your fitness level quickly. For example, the contestants on Biggest Loser couldn't walk around the block on day 1 and by day 7 she seems to have them running miles and doing push ups. This is why she instructs you to follow the plan religiously. I assume that by doing the workouts from week 1 and week 2 you will be ready to take on weeks 3 and 4, hence the books promise of delivering "the best shape of your life".

I love Jillian. I have been a fan of hers sine season one of Biggest Loser. I listen to her radio show religiously and trust her advice. I use her dvd's and have gotten amazing results. I love this book so far and although it's no walk in the park, I welcome the challenge.

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Comment on TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) by Randall Sweitzer Jr.

Randall Sweitzer Jr. — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:06:06 +0000

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

Great for office chair, August 9, 2008

Randall Sweitzer Jr. (Libertyville, IL) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) (Sports)

The ball makes a fantastic "active" office/computer chair, at an extremely affordable price. I'm on it 6-8 hrs/day, and my back and legs feel better than with any other office chair I've used. I'm never going back!

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Comment on TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) by wylev

wylev — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:13:02 +0000

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

Just what I was looking for..., July 10, 2008

wylev (New York, NY United States) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) (Sports)

Good quality material and comes with instructions, sample exercises, an air pump and extra pegs.

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Comment on TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) by S Steel

S Steel — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:17:15 +0000

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

Not too large for a 5'4" person, February 19, 2009

S Steel (IL, USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: TKO Anti Burst Fitness Stability Ball (65cm) (Sports)

I got this ball to use as a chair to bounce my baby while I am holding him and at the computer desk. I think it is excellent and has helped with better posture without any thought. I also end up doing some excerises on it, just because it is there. It does not have the ultra shiny surface as is noted in the picture. Also, it is a pretty standard size I believe and is not too tall for me. I can sit comfortably, with my knees at 90 degrees and I am 5'4". As for the reviewers that are not impressed with the pump: well, I don't care. I don't plan on deflating and inflating this thing again and again.

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Comment on Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise by Mark J. Domme

Mark J. Domme — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:44:42 +0000

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Dispelling the Myths...., July 3, 2011

Mark J. Domme (Amarillo, Tx) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise (Paperback)

An excellent book that sheds some light on what is true or not in the fitness world. Alex obviously spent a lot of time studying all of the known research available on many topics, and, used that information to debunk a lot of what is taken as truth in in all forms of physical training. The best thing about this book is that it is not the authors opinion--it is the opinion of actual research, studies, and real world experience. I am a competitive athlete, personal trainer, and have been involved in the fitness community for many years, and this book opened my eyes to a lot of new information. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to optimize their training or who is involved in training others.

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