100000Strong.com

Denise K. Wood, Ed.D. asked:


Fitness As Seen On TV products are among the most popular exercise devices in America. Viewers become more confident in their decision to purchase these products when scientific studies purport to demonstrate product effectiveness.

Most consumers do not question the research behind the claims. But if you look more closely, you may be surprised at the weird science and partial truths that help sell exercise equipment.

A review of the studies cited in ads for several abdominal devices revealed basic research flaws that may have contributed to more favorable product results:

1. There were very few participants in some of the studies. Very small sample sizes of only 10 or 12 young, fit individuals limited how well the findings applied to the general public to which the fitness products were marketed. In addition, unequal numbers of men and women were tested together, which further skewed the results when products targeted women.

2. The studies did not compare “apples to apples”. Reports indicated that the fitness devices produced greater muscle involvement, but this occurred only when very different, more demanding exercises were compared to the standard crunch. The products yielded far worse results in many cases. Some advertisers did post the disclaimer that best results were displayed.

3. Marketers claimed that the products were more effective, but the researchers never conducted experiments to support that claim. They simply read the muscle activity meter (the EMG) for a variety of exercises, including the standard crunch. There was no basis to claim greater product effectiveness because there was no attempt to make equivalent comparisons by controlling for the number of muscles involved, speed, range of motion, or other important variables.

4. Powerful statistical tools were used for the analyses, but assumptions for their appropriate use were not met. Inappropriate statistics likely distorted the findings in favor of the products.

5. Publications of the research were either presented in alternative or nonprofessional journals, press releases, or were not disclosed at all. Without the due process of peer review required for article publication in a professional journal, there is no clear evidence that the studies met the scientific standards established by experts in the field.

Think like a scientist. Do not accept statements about the testing of fitness infomercial products at face value. Be objective and open, but remain skeptical, especially if results of testing sound too good to be true.

To avoid being misled by shaky science, release your inner researcher the next time a new, revolutionary product captures your attention. Gather your own information about the product claims before you purchase. You may find that some fitness products are not quite as amazing as marketers would have you believe.

Kiran Tamada asked:


Exercise and Physical activity is very important to stay fit. Physical activity and exercise helps to prevent diseases. Regular exercise is necessary for physical fitness and good health. Statistics reveal that even the regular and dedicated exercisers get bored with the daily routine, gradually lose motivation and stop exercising after a while, which can hamper their health adversely. This is where a health club comes in. which provides wholesome exercise, entertainment, recreation and also to expand your social network.

Once you plan to join a health and fitness club, the next step is shopping for the right health club which can be tough and challenging especially if you are novice and do not have any idea from where to begin. Our article provides you the needed tips, suggestions and ideas to get you going.

Location:

Your plans for fitness program will be futile and unrealistic if the health club location is far away from your office or home. The closer and easier to get to the health club, the better and if it is walk able distance from your residence or office, it is the best. If you need to go by car, look if proper parking space is available or not.

Your needs and requirements:

Before choosing the health club, make a list of your requirements which are important to you. If your are full time house mom with infants or kids, look out if they have day care centers and children play area where your children can engage themselves.

If you have any health or medical impairments, look out for certified personal trainers with whom you can share with confidence and they can design appropriate physical fitness program for you.

Other things to look for are aerobic classes, gyms and see if the classes are enjoyable. If they are able to give you a tour, it is recommended to tour and see all the facilities before you join and see if the classes and environment is amenable to you.

Always try before you join

Sales staff always has the knack of selling benefits of their health club, but it is very important for you to spend some time in the health club, try out the equipment and get the feeling of the atmosphere. If they offer one day trial membership or any free trial, go for it so that you will have the first hand knowledge and know if it suits your requirement. The things to look out for are how crowded the health club is, number of equipments they have, maintenance of the equipment and customer service.

Amenities and facilities:

If you are planning to spend most of your day in the health and fitness club, look out if they cafeteria, comfortable lounges and reading rooms to spend your leisure time. Also look out if they have any kind of meeting room where you can meet new friends and expand your social network.

Cost and contracts:

This is the most important aspect. Find out exactly what the membership fee includes; personal training, use of equipments, pool, dining services, towel services, child care services, lockers, etc and how much cost for extra services. Some health club has one time membership fees and some health clubs have annual memberships. Find out the cost; inquire for different packages available so as to enable you to choose the best package based on your needs and budget.

angela asked:


Home Fitness Machines

Home Fitness Machines can be a good investment and a way to workout if your schedule prevent you from going to a gym or a fitness center. Walking for about 30 minutes is the best from of exercise. But some of us have a full schedule that makes it very hard to workout. To stay healthy and fit, we must exercise one way or another.

The benefits of using your home fitness machines are:

First – you can workout at anytime you want to whether it in the mornings or at night. You don’t have to worry about time and use of public equipment. But Fitness Equipment is not enough, although you might think about the goodness of having home fitness equipment, you must remember that the key to staying healthy and fit is to engage in a consistent and regular exercise. Not sticking to a regular exercise is not a good idea. If you want a sure way to getting slim and healthy, it is best to plan for a daily target. In addition, eating the right food and getting enough sleep will complete the need to accomplish your physical fitness goal.

Second – you can exercise for a desired amount of time that it takes for you to burn calories and fat. Home fitness machines gives you the flexibility to exercise daily, bi-weekly or tri-weekly. Don’t worry about what you’re going to the wear to the fitness center. Your dress attire is totally up to you. Schedule your time to make it convenient for you.

Third – Here’s everyone favorite, You get to save some money. In a fitness center or gym, you pay monthly, not only for the time you use the machines, but for the services of the trainers and staff depending on the facility you use. It is not necessary to spend hours and hours working out. A mere 30 minutes a day is enough to keep you fit and in shape. And remember that it doesn’t have to be with exercise equipment or machines. Also, you can buy exercise and yoga DVDs so you can use them at home.

There are many types of home fitness machines that are available on the market today. Some are stationary, and some are portable. Here’s a few you might want to take a look at. The treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary bike, fitness ball, hand weights, abs machines, and a lot of others are typically ideal choices for home use.

Finally, whatever home fitness machines that you find ideal to your needs, it is advised that you look at the advantages, disadvantages, price, and most importantly the term and conditions from the manufacturer of the machine. If purchasing new equipment not in your budget, you can always purchase used equipment or machines. Just try it before you buy it.

Denise K. Wood, Ed.D. asked:


While gym memberships have slid since 2006, home gym equipment sales continue to grow. Fitness infomercials are among the most popular TV commercials used to sell home exercise equipment. Of the six most profitable infomercial products, three are related to fitness. (1, 2)

Most of us dream about enjoying amazing workout results by investing only minimal time and effort. Fitness infomercials are designed to create this fantasy, which lulls us into purchasing products that may not live up to their claims.

The Successful Infomercial Program Profile and Fitness Products

Successful infomercial programs promote products that:

*are reasonably-priced,

*are revolutionary and innovative,

*cannot be found anywhere else,

*can make life easier and better, and

*produce immediate, transformational results. (3)

In order to fit this profile, marketers of fitness products often promote the fantasy of fast fitness. While the notion of undergoing a rapid body transformation appeals to the viewer, product claims may exceed the ability of the human body to achieve such accelerated results.

Many fitness gadgets have been taken to task by consumer groups for making unsubstantiated claims. While some products have been tested and shown to be reasonable supplements to a total exercise program, others are ineffective. (4, 5)

Despite consumer complaints and negative reviews, however, sales from fitness infomercials are booming. Why? Infomercial marketing tactics intrigue and motivate us to purchase a product regardless of its quality or effectiveness.

7 Common Marketing Tactics that Sell the Fast-Fitness Fantasy

These 7 common marketing tactics used in fitness infomercials target our emotions, establish product credibility, and offer bargains we can’t seem to refuse.

1. Emotions: Ads aim at the very core of our being–our sense of self and, perhaps, our vanity. They strike the chords of our emotions and play on our universal dreams, desires, and needs.

Our imaginations begin to mold our fantasies. Next, they establish credibility and trust, while easing skepticism about the ability of the product to fulfill our dreams of scupting a gorgeous body.

2. Testimonials: We listen to the stories of peers who profess amazing results from using the product and toy with the notion that, just maybe, it will work for us, too.

3. Endorsements: We tend to trust the word of celebrities, trainers, and elite athletes. If Oprah endorses a product, that pretty much seals the deal for many of us.

4. Scientific research: If a fitness device is based on a new scientific discovery or is university tested, isn’t that real proof that it is effective? Not necessarily!

Each of these confidence-building strategies has its shortcomings. Results claimed by compensated models may well be due to their total weight control and exercise program, rather than due to the product itself.

Scientific studies conducted or sponsored by manufacturers are often disclosed only upon request. Even results from university research may not be accurately represented in fitness infomercials, particularly if all of the findings do not support the fast-fitness profile. (5)

Nonetheless, according to one survey, viewers are more likely to trust infomercials than Congress, used car salesmen, and corporate executives! (3)

Once they have gained some reasonable level of our confidence in the product, they attempt to close the sale by:

5. Overcoming objections and upping the ante: Marketers emphasize the uniqueness of the product and urge us to accept no substitutes. They create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and great bargains for the shopper in us.

6. Guaranteeing no risk: If you don’t get results, you will get a full refund! So, what have you got to lose?

7. Being persistent: Fitness infomercials repeat the same message frequently. Repetition, particularly late at night when our subconscious minds are more vulnerable, may well tap into the power of suggestion that prompts the buy.

Sold! Viewers will generally watch for 13 to 15 minutes before calling.

Add-On Sales For More Quick Profits

The purchase decision may be just the beginning of profits from fitness infomercials. Shipping, handling, and taxes are expected. But as a new, enthusiastic buyer, beware that you are likely to encounter a barrage of add-ons before you have completed the transaction. Pay close attention, or your credit card may automatically be charged monthly for additional products. And later, if you exercise your money- back guarantee, you may get the runaround from an automated system.

All told, you may pay the original advertised price many times over and, unfortunately, never see results. At some point you may come to realize that your fast-fitness fantasy was, from the start, the manufacturer’s quick-profit, dream-come-true at the expense of consumers.

Consumer Knowledge is Power

Do not let your emotions override patience and logic. Take a step back and research the fitness infomercial product and its claims. If you can move past the impulse buy:

*Check out user reviews on the specific product of interest.

*Visit consumer-related sites before buying exercise equipment.

*Ask the opinion of a fitness professional, preferably one who has formal training and an advanced degree in exercise science.

*If you decide that the product is worth a try, be sure to read the fine print on the website.

Educate yourself by learning fundamental exercise and weight control principles so that unsubstantiated product claims will be more transparent to you. Fitness knowledge gives you the power to prevent falling for the fast-fitness fantasy before you make the purchase.

References:

1. Consumer Reports. (2009, January 6). Tip of the day: Choose a home exercise machine to fit your budget. Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/01/home-workout.html?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1

2. The Marqui Automation Company. (2005, May 7). The all-powerful infomercial. Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.marqui.com/blog/the_allpowerful.aspx

3. Infomercial Marketing. (2006, April 7). The right kind of product for an infomercial is… Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://infomercialmarketing.wordpress.com/2006/04/

4. Federal Trade Commission. (2003, November). Avoiding the muscle hustle: Tips for buying exercise equipment. Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt113.shtm

5. Consumer Reports. (2009, January). Assessing exercise infomercials’ claims. Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/fitness/staying-fit/infomercial-exercise-2-08/how-they-tested/infomercial-exercise-equipment-how-they-test.htm

 

 

 

 

Mike Morrical asked:


Baby Boomers often ask:

What can I do to re-gain the muscle fitness of my youth that I am now losing as I grow older?

There is a popular common day belief: “Regular aerobic exercise is all that you need to stay young.”  In reality an on-going effort in your exercise routine to build and maintain muscle tone is necessary to maintain a youthful body.   Weight training combined with aerobic exercise on a regular basis, along with a healthy diet will help you speed up your metabolism as you build more youthful muscle.   The end result is that you will maintain a healthy weight and achieve optimum health. 

The American College of Sports Medicine now recommends weight training for every adult.  The earlier you start weight training the more muscles you’ll keep as you grow older!  Building a home gym and choosing the right home fitness products for weight training will help you stay on track in achieving your fitness goals.  The key is to start at first with lighter weights and more repetitions to burn fat and tone up problem areas.  You can always work your way up to heavier weights to build more muscle mass, as you increase your work out time and this will help reduce the risk of injuries. 

For home use try lighter weights such as dumbbells, barbells and doorway chin-up bars which vary in price but are very affordable.  You can also add some additional fitness products to your home gym such as a weight bench, an incline board for weight training and an elliptical machine for your aerobic portion of your workout routine which will be non-stressful to your joints but heart healthy.

If your workout becomes too laborious or routine, I would encourage you to work-out a different set of muscles each day by setting up different stations in your home gym by using various fitness products and exercise equipment to give you more variety in your work-out routine.  Also working out with a friend or partner and playing some high energy music helps motivate and keeps you working out at longer intervals.

Your muscles are your primary calorie burners!   Keeping  your muscles active over the years by using effective weight training fitness products will not only reduce excess pounds but will help you regain that youthful muscular toned appearance as you grow older.

Kristi Ambrose asked:


The topic at hand is a fitness product called the Needak Rebounder. Ill be honest if someone came up to me and asked about a Needak Rebounder I would probably be quite confused, especially considering I didn’t even know that they were called a rebounder! A Needak rebounder of all things is a type of trampoline. In fact, I have one in my home gym right now, but I always called it a mini trampoline. Well, now we all know what a Needak rebounder is but how will it be helpful to you? Well, aerobically speaking a Needak rebounder can strengthen your heart, as well as be a perfect product for working out, burning fat and calories and toning your muscles.

As said above a Needak rebounder is like a mini trampoline, so in order to use it you must bounce! It may seem or feel silly using one of these at first but before you know it, you will actually start having a lot of fun on it. That was probably one of the original ploys when manufacturers started producing it a few years ago. There is also an extra little accessory you can buy with the Needak Rebounder as well, which will help you balance on it a little better. It’s called the Needak Rebounder Mini Trampoline Stabilizing Bar. This bar fits snuggly on the rebounder and helps stabilize your body as well as your legs. Notice the term Needak is a brand, not a part of the product name. Nonetheless, Needak is one of the most popular brands that carries the rebounder.

Here are several sites you can check out for more information about this product:

Needak Rebounders – This is the official Needak website of the soft bounce rebounders

EZ 2 Bounce

I Rebounder

Jump 4 Health

Amazon

EBay

The Needak Rebounder weighs just under 25 pounds. Another terrific thing about the Needak is that it folds for easy storage as well as being portable. This is a really great idea for people that do not have enough room to just leave this product sitting out, but would still like to use it and have it in their homes. Also, if you are not located in the U.S but would still like a high quality rebounder, you can try something called Starbound Enterprises which can be found by going to starbounding! I wish you well and I hope that you find out about the various benefits this product can do for you!

There are also other rebounders you can check out including AeroAir, ReboundAir, Dynatronics Plyo Rebounder and DuraGym. All the products listed within this article have been highly rated by consumers therefore all of them would be a good idea to check out. Here are a few specs on the above products:

AeroAir Rebounder $80

Combines popular trampoline moves with a pilates reformer workout while in a supine position

Increases the cardiovascular results

Expands the amount of exercises that can be performed on a pilates unit

Includes Jump Board, DVD, Adaptors and Floor Mat

Dynatronics Plyo Rebounder $500

Base measures: 39.5in x 39.5in

Height: 52in

Padded handle and spring cover are standard

Attachable ball rack ships ups

Ideal for ball bounce back, balancing, low impact jogging and walking

DuraGym Rebounder $150

36-inch cardio rebounder for improving cardiovascular fitness

Sets up virtually anywhere in the home for maximum convenience

Improves conditioning, stimulates immune system, and tones muscles

Helps improve balance when combined with standing yoga postures

Detachable legs for easy storage; measures 36 inches in diameter

Christine Harrell asked:


For many looking to join the world of the physically fit, it is not a matter of willpower, but rather the apprehension of having to join a gym to do it. Popular home fitness programs like the P90X, Slim in 6 or Turbo Jam can be the perfect answer. These programs allow you work out in the comfort of your own home with all of the benefits of a gym program.

Provides Privacy

The ability to work out in your home and not have to fear humiliation is a huge benefit over traditional gym programs. You can start out at your own pace and it does not matter how silly you look when you first start because no one can see you. Working out at home with systems similar to P90X or Turbo Jam also eliminates the possibility of having personal items stolen while you work out whereas at a gym, this occurs often and there is often no recourse.

Eliminates Expenses and Contract Hassles

Most gym programs require a signed contract that commits members to up to a year or more of expensive monthly dues. With the purchase of a home fitness plan like Slim in 6 or Turbo Jam, you spend the money once and can use it for as long as you would like. The costs of programs like these are often less than one month at a fitness facility. When you work out at home, you have the added benefit of working out when you want to rather than when the gym is open.

No Facility Concerns

At home fitness programs like Hip Hop Abs or P90X allow you to work out in a space that you are comfortable and on equipment that you know is safe. Since fitness facilities exist to make a profit, some of them attempt to save money by lagging behind on the maintenance of equipment. If left long enough, this can eventually lead to accidents and injuries.

Another benefit of home exercise programs is that you do not need to be concerned with the cleanliness of the equipment you are using. Even at the most diligent facilities, germs become an issue simply because all good gyms are busy and busy gyms mean many people using the same equipment.

Home workout systems like P90X and Slim in 6 offer benefits that a traditional gym cannot. The convenience and comfort associated with home systems even make it easier to make a long-term fitness commitment. For those looking for a healthier stronger body, home exercise systems are the ideal option for exercise.

John Mac asked:


Fitness equipment can be split into 2 basic areas, first there is aerobic or cardio fitness equipment which is designed to give you a fitness workout to burn off calories & loose weight. Secondly there is strength/muscular fitness equipment which is designed to tone, or increase in size, your bodies muscles.

Most fitness equipment that you would expect to find in your local gym or fitness centre can now be purchased for home use depending upon the space you have available & the type of fitness equipment you require.

For aerobic fitness equipment you should consider a treadmill, an exercise bike or a rowing machine.

Treadmills are popular because you can walk, jog or run on them making them an ideal piece of fitness equipment for the beginner right through to professional athletes, being suitable for all levels of fitness. Make sure you choose one with a wide belt that is long enough for your stride. If you jog or run a lot then you should consider a model with cushioning between the belt and treadmill bed to lesson the impact on your joints.

Basic models are powered by the user but you should choose one with a motor to vary the speed, the faster you like to run the higher the motor speed you should choose. New treadmills will set you back approximately $299 for a self powered one up to over $5000 for a motorised commercial style one.

Exercise bikes are a popular item of fitness equipment especially for home use, with numerous types available. Apart from the standard upright exercise bike some models now offer upper body work outs as well. The latest designs have recumbent seats which support your lower back & leave your hands & arms free to use weights for upper body exercise. Cost $229 or less to $2599.

Rowing Machines are a very useful piece of fitness equipment particularly for those with knee problems who feel they are not up to running or cycling because of their problem. They come in many different designs from lightweight foldaway to heavier more rigid designs. New equipment should set you back $239 to $1900.

Fitness equipment for strength/muscular work comes as individual pieces, such as dumbbells, weight benches, leg or abdominal equipment or for a total body workout you could try a home gym which should set you back between $399 to just under $4000 depending upon the space you have available and your budget.

For the best results you should choose at least one piece of fitness equipment from both the cardio fitness equipment & the strength fitness equipment, with a home gym being the recommended piece of equipment for the strength work. Make sure you choose fitness equipment that you know you will enjoy using & not something that will end up stuck in the garage.

Denise K. Wood, Ed.D. asked:


It makes good sense to check out fitness equipment ratings posted by consumers who have already experienced the product you are interested in purchasing. Consumers can offer valuable insights about effectiveness, service, and other product qualities you may not have even considered.

Fitness equipment ratings by users, however, may swing excessively high or low for reasons unrelated to the product itself. It helps to understand the human factors that could influence the reliability of consumer reviews and to know how to extract useful information before you buy.

The Underraters

Consumers may rate a fitness product excessively low due to:

-Anger: Users who are truly dissatisfied seek to warn others about the perils of purchasing a fitness product. Their objectivity, perhaps tainted by anger, may cause them to post excessively harsh reviews as they air frustrations.

-Limited Experience: A new, inexperienced user may underrate a quality fitness product because they have not have exercised long enough to realize a training effect.

-The Promise of Fast Fitness: Users may be disappointed if they do not see immediate results because they bought into “fast fitness” marketing claims. Even the best exercise products will not produce rapid body transformations that exceed normal human capabilities for adapting to exercise.

-Competitors: Raters who are claiming poor results or scams may not be consumers at all. They may have another motive for underrating-to promote their own products.

-The Bandwagon Effect: Fitness equipment owners are sometimes influenced by having read negative reviews and they simply jump on the bandwagon.

The Overraters

There could be a bandwagon effect on the positive side, too, of course. Other psychological and emotional factors that can cause consumers to overrate fitness products include:

-Expectation: If the ads convince consumers to buy, they expect results, especially if the product is expensive. Expectations can positively influence initial perceptions of product effectiveness.

-Motivation: When consumers buy a new product, they are usually motivated to work out. Higher levels of motivation create increased effort, which produces better results even if the fitness device contributes only marginally.

-The Learning Effect: Reviewers may enthusiastically report immediate results. However, products that require novel movements or greater skill can appear to produce short-term results. Early gains are more likely due to the effect of learning than to physiological changes from exercise.

-Visible Results: Real measurable changes can occur from exercising with effective products. The excitement of making progress toward achieving one’s goals can also prompt excessively positive fitness equipment ratings.

-Affiliation: Affiliates, who may or may not have purchased a product, stand to earn a commission by posting rave reviews at multiple sites.

How to Use Consumer Ratings

1. Visit a variety of websites to access consumer reviews about the very same product you are considering.

2. As best you can, try to determine whether the website or reviewers are in some way affiliated with the product.

3. Identify raters who have exercised regularly for at least six weeks-long enough to evaluate the physical training effect, as well as the durability of the product.

4. Sort out comments that appear to be fair and objective from those that are emotionally charged.

5. Read at least 30 reviews by users who meet the criteria described in 1-4.

6. Rely more on consistencies and trends, rather than extremes and exceptions, to form your overall impression of the product according to consumers.

Consumer fitness equipment ratings are just one resource for deciding whether or not a product suits your needs. Temper your overall impression of user ratings with published reports from independent consumer groups, such as Consumer Reports and the Federal Trade Commission, before you make your purchase.