Home Gym Equipment

Reviews

This is the first Polar Watch I own, so it will take me a while to get used to it and extract the most from it. But, the product looks good, fits well, was delivered on time and with good packaging, so far, so good! The only let-down was that the link to computer was not included (I didnt realize that) so I woint be able to upload my data to personaltrainer. That's why I gave it only 4 stars (for not telling me very clearly that I needed an extra accessory).

Has all the features I needed. Color is more pea green rather than lime. The band is a little uncomfortable as it is made out of plastic in parts. Tends to scratch. Not too bothersome though.

After getting back into working out I decided I wanted a "good" heart rate monitor. After using this one I have found that the calories the gym equipment tells you you're buting is off. In about 60 minutes the gym equipment was saying that I had actually burned 60 calories more than I really had (according to the FT40). This really helps when you are trying to count calories. Another plus it that now I know how many calories are being burned during all of the group fitness class I do, and I don't just have to guess at it. It is great how the watch stores 50 training files so I can review what I did a few days or weeks ago while I'm at the gym, and I'm not limited to just having the data on the computer at home. I will say that it takes some getting used to wearing the chest strap/transmitter, but I am guessing that is withe same with any hear rate monitor. Instead of getting just a "good" heart rate monitor, I definitely feel like I got a GREAT one. I love the green, too!

I just received the Polar FT40 in apple green and am thrilled by it! If I sound surprised, it's because I almost gave up on heart rate monitors all together after having tried a Sigma one. This watch feels like it was built just for me - it's got a cool, funky look to it, has a VERY easy to use/set up interface, big numbers and lots of features (again, easy to use!) to montitor, track and actually inspire my workouts. As I'm entering my third season of sprint triathlons I am really ready to optimize my workouts and moved beyond the "perceived exertion" sensor I've been using. This watch was just as described - easy to set up right out of the box, great instruction manual to get you going and lots of options to keep you going. Plus it just looks cooler than all those other boring, blah HR montiors out there!

Th FT40 accurately monitors your heart rate, as advertised. A pity the monitor technology hasn't progressed appreciably since its introduction; you still have to cinch up an uncomfortable chest strap, which indignity is magnified by having to dunk it in water first: pretty chilly on a winter morning. Pros: can be used as everyday sporty watch; water-resistant; fairly straightforward user interface; keeps track of workout data; beeps when you hit your max heart rate; has backlight; has alarm; when in heart-rate display mode, you can bump your chest-band with the watch and it will display the time for a few seconds (a feature I use surprisingly often); chest-band transmitter displays on my Precor EFX546 elliptical (although the Precor and the wrist watch often differ by as much as 10 BPM). Cons: thick band keeper leaves dent in wrist; actual color is a dirty wasabi green (not the sassy lime green pictured); watch face is cheap plastic and scratches easily; embossed flower-power decoration on band and watch face is cheesy; claims that the unit can "analyse your current physical and mental condition" seem both lofty and dubious. I urge novices who plan to use the FT40's advanced features to do some research on the physiology of fitness training, so you will know what this monitor is actually measuring, such as what percentage of your maximum heart rate is safe, or what it really means when it says you are in the "fat-burning" as opposed to "fitness" zones. Used in conjunction with a little book-learnin', this monitor can definitely help optimize a training program. As an aside, I took the FT40's so-called fitness test twice, and both times the unit put me in the "elite" category. I question the accuracy of this flattering assessment, since I've only been working out for 2 weeks following an extended lay-off for cancer treatment, I get out of breath walking my dogs up a gentle slope, and I've been a smoker for 30 years.

Reviews

It's very difficult for me to rate this product because the purchase experience was such a mixed bag. Key points: 1- I bought two watches, a small for my wife, and a regular (this one in black) for myself 2- They both arrived in new condition, in a sealed bubble inside a product box for display 3- My wife's was indeed a small. Unfortunately mine was also, but it was impossible to determine this without opening the sealed bubble compartment inside the box. 4- Both watches worked fine and she still uses hers, while mine would barely make it around my wrist 5- The vendor, [...], refused to authorize return because the bubble had been broken 6- Amazon was fabulous about their purchase guarantee and sent a credit to the card I used to purchase Bottom line, the watch was adequate, Amazon was great, Ant was awful, so I gave it a ***.

I wanted a heart rate monitor to keep my pulse within a target range while exercising, but I didn't want to pay an excessive price. The Bowflex Hear Rate Monitor Watch works well for this. I have been able to tune my exersice program to my target heart rate and I feel I am getting a good cardiovascular workout. The watch is a little thick compared to a regular wrist watch, but doesn't get in the way. I will most probably be buying the women's version for my wife.Bowflex Ana Digit Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Small)

The watch is difficult to read. Since the entire face is black it is necessary to have just the right lighting to see the reading. The reading varies somewhat from the one at cardiac rehab using the hospital equipment. Overall it is useful as one of the tools to monitor the heart rate. One problem that occurred was that it stopped working exactly one month after being delivered. The problem was solved by replacing the battery but I would have expected that it would have been sent with a fresh battery.

Purchased this Bowflex product recently... my first HR monitor, and one intended for easy, unobtrusive use for daily activity and light/medium cardio exercise. I needed a unit that was strapless and easy to use - a plus factor is that it looks like a basic analog watch (swatch-like). Unit arrived on schedule from Amazon.com; setup and config are simple, and the watch is easy to use - no issues with getting HR read-outs. Will update later as I compare/calibrate the readings with other meters. For now its working okay, easy-to-use, and reasonably accurate.

Reviews

USABILITY: Dark viewer, small and unclear digits RESISTANCE: big glass, but un-protected MONITOR: perfect, captures heart rate in seconds, accurate BEAUTY: owesome, very beautiful

I've had the RS 400 Polar HRM for about a year and I have to say it's been a love hate relationship. I loved the watch when I first bought it but now, after dealing with a defective watch that eats batteries every 3-4 weeks, a Polar representative that was rude on the phone and the inconvenience of shipping my watch a second time, I wish I would have bought a GARMIN. Despite only using the chest strap transmitter or foot pod only 10 hours a week I continue to change batteries every 3-4 weeks. When I first encountered the battery life problem I was instructed to change the battery MYSELF by one Polar representative and NEVER change the battery myself by a second Polar representative. I have used different battery brands and distributors. I have cleaned the terminals of the transmitter and chest strap WITH MILD SOAP frequently as instructed. I have followed every instruction given to me by Lifetime Fitness and Polar. My advice.... steer clear of Polar watches.

I'll start by saying this is a great gadget all-around. It's not something you can just strap on and run out the door with though, you need to read the manual carefully and completely to truly appreciate what this computer can do for you. Also, read all of the HELP file in the Pro Trainer sfotware that comes in the box. There are so many things this computer can do for your training from beginner to advance that I couldn't possibly comment on them all, so I'll just go over my personal favorites. But first, and extremely brief introduction of myself so you may know if you are receiving usable information for yourself. I am 35 years old, about 50 lbs overweight, having gradually gaining weight over the last 10 years or so from a very healthy frame. I'm no stranger to exercise, except maybe the last several years. I have a gym membership I never use(d) and a perfect 10 mile running trail right outside my office door I never use(d). I am fairly tech-savvy and I lie to play with electronics, but I have no degree in the stuff. I have been trying to get on a running/jogging routine for almost a year now with no success at persistence. Until now... This watch changed everything. The first thing it when I got it was hook myself up to it and head out the door, turn it on, then stood at the end of my driveway for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to use it. I went back inside with a heart beat of about 150 BPM nopt from exercise, but from frustration. What did I just get myself into? I just want to exercise I don't want a mess of electronics to fight... back inside to read the manual. I spent an hour reading up on the basics, enough to go back out and get a workout in. I figured I could keep schooling myself with the long but well written manuals for the watch and software while I workout for a couple of days. Then later when I figured it all out I could find/create a workout and load it onto the software and the watch, and follow the workout. And that is exactly what I did, and I recommend it to you to do so as well. The first thing I realized, on my very first walk after getting a training plan onto the watch, was that I have no need whatsoever to run; at least not now, and probably not for a while. The watch tells you to keep your heart rate within certain predetermined zones for a given amount of time. Going over would be over training and over time a major cause of de-motivation. Going under would be, well, not working out at all. So the watch starts beeping at me and I see it wants me to get my heart rate (HR) up to zone 3, which for me is around between 121 and 135 beats per minute (BPM). I start to jog lightly, just like I always had when starting a routing in the past. After less than a minute the watch starts beeping at me and I see that I have exceeded 150 BPM which is zone 4, an anaerobic zone for serious athletes, NOT fat guys on Dec 26th with a belly full of leftovers bouncing along a sidewalk in his neighborhood and a $250 fancy watch. Geez no wonder I never stuck to my program! I've been at it for about a few weeks now, and I can tell that I was over training in the past, just by how I feel before, during, and after I work out. I have a great source of knowledge and motivation in my corner; I work with several marathon runners at my office. They agree unanimously that my routine is spot-on. Except for the rare heavy workout every few weeks coming up in my exercise plan, I should feel an energizing from my workouts; before, during, and after. I've begun to feel this great state of euphoria when I near the end of my workout, which is also normal (as long as you don't see a tunnel and a light, and if you do, you probably pushed it a little to hard and the watch will no longer be of use to you). So there's the exercise routing part of the watch. If you don't even plan on going that far, and you just want to know what your heart rate is, there are cheaper computers out there. Get one of those. The exercise plan is just the beginning of what this watch can do for you. When you exercise regularly, your body adapts by strengthening your body (and mind) in so many ways. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, your body will adapt completely. You'll no longer be doing anything more than getting fresh air. Its kind of like if you went out and had a slow walk for 5 minutes on your sidewalk. You've already adapted to that and probably won't get much other than reversing the sag you have going on in your vital signs. To the inverse, if you try to get results by exercising too hard, you'll over train. Some over training every few weeks is good. Being in a STATE of over training is BAD. Very bad. It's my belief that over training is what gets inactive people like myself to quit an exercise plan. It hurts all over, however, you think its working because it hurts, and the short-term feeling of self accomplishment keeps you going but for only a short while. The RS400 has a test within itself called "OwnOptimiser" which is a simple test involving lying down for 3 minutes then standing up and holding still for another 3 minutes. All the while the watch is checking your pulse BPM and variations, which it compares to your previous tests (you do this a few times a week) to determine how hard you've been at it and whether or not you should push harder, back off a bit, back off a lot, or keep doing what your doing. This keeps you improving at the most efficient level of activity possible. The "OwnOptimiser" feature, along with the ability to transfer exercise data to and from the watch and software, including a training plan, make this watch worth every penny in my opinion. It is my first heart rate monitor (HRM) so I can't compare it to others. But now I will do the best I can do be critical of the device... #1 The buttons get pushed accidentally very easily, particularly when not exercising. That problem, combined with it's giant ugly red button make it unusable for anything other than exercise, so the $250 watch sits in my gym bag when I'm not exercising. I would like to use my $250 all day long as my casual watch if I were given the realistic option. #2 There's a bunch of push within the owner's manual for the watch and software to use the online version of the software. It's a great site, with great info and great training plans that are INCOMPATIBLE with the RS400!!! Polar, why are you suggesting I use training programs I cannot load onto my watch? That is very foolish on your part. You should have a compatible version of every training program you have on that website for every data transferring HRM you have in your portfolio, and I shouldn't have to suggest that. In the end, I am very happy with the watch and the software it came with. I am more energetic, even after a few short weeks, and more excited about exercising than I have been in years. The watch is becoming second-nature to use. I'm not really analyzing my workouts yet.. I'm just walking on the sidewalk for cryin' out loud. But I will step it up, as my HRM tells me its time to, and it'll get more useful. With the level of knowledge this HRM provides me, I plan to stay on track with exercise longer than I ever have in the past. And the twiggy marathon runners I'm surrounded by agree 100%. fin.

I have had the CS 400 for about 2 years. I has worked fine until a week ago. The began to flash Error 255 - now it does not work at all. There is no way to get rid of the error message. When you read the Polar web site they offer no solution; no explanation; there is no place to get it serviced. The forums indicate it is not an isolated problem. I am looking for another brand. Somebody who can service things in the USA.

I got the RS400 to replace the Polar 625X--which failed to connect to my computer just after the warranty expired. key thing about this device is being able to download data to the computer to use the analyzing software. Unfortunatly, I am RETURNING the RS 400 becuase it FAILS TO DOWNOAD to the computer--even using the very expensive POLAR brand IRD interface device. The old watch (625x) was always very touchy to download, took many tries. This fails to transfer at all. I've had the Garmin 305 for 2years and love it. It downloads thru a USB connector every time. the only reason I tried to get polar again is to for the OWN INDEX test. But I don't need to spend $249 for only that functoin when the Garmin 305 does everything else and also has a robust analytical software program (but you cannot print it). really wanted to give Polar another chance and really disappointed. GET THE GARMIN 305 INSTEAD! -middled aged female athlete

Reviews

I recently purchased an GoPro HD helmet-cam and this mount has made my skiing video's look stable as compared to using the helmet or head band mount that's included in the package. I guess its skiing style but I tend to move my head around more often then my chest. My chest is typically looking downhill in the direction of the fall line making for a stable platform keeping my viewers from getting sick. This is an accessory item that you should consider purchasing if you like making skiing or biking video's. I'm a big guy (6ft 225lbs)so I was concerned about this thing fitting me but to my pleasure I found that the straps are adjustable, stretch & a buckle next to the camera mount makes for quick removal. Also, it's easy to turn the camera on and start a video shoot with the camera being so close to your chest. I highly recommend using one of these if you want stable looking video's. I give it a thumbs up!

This is a great mount for any activity where you are facing forward. It is not so great for sideways facing activities (aka snowboarding, skateboarding). It is very comfortable and well made. It does what it should.

This product is fantastic. I bought it for my husband to use with the GoPro Hero HD camera, and he loves it. The straps are adjustable, and you can really capture great video while wearing this harness without the fear of something happening to the camera. My husband thinks it is better than mounting the camera on a helmet. This is a great buy for capturing video in action (riding on an ATV, motorcycle, etc.).

1. This mount is secure when in use and easy to stow when not making a ski/mnt bike movie. 2. Its easier to put on in cold conditions as you don't have to pinch the plastic that gets stiff. 3. I often put the "chesty" on going up the ski lift. 4. The included strap on helmet cam that comes with the camera would always allow the camera to flop producing sub-par movie. This mount cured that for me. 5. I didn't want to paste a mount on my helmet. 6. The speed appears enhanced as the camera is closer to the ground.

Reviews

In our event business, the staff is always active and on the move. We work outdoors, in the elements and Under Armour apparel is by far the favorite garments to wear. We ordered this Heatgear longsleeve for our company mascot's outfit. It is very durable and light, perfect to wear under the uniform. We received it quickly and just in time for our last appearance. Thanks.

This is definitely a compression shirt. I usually were a large sized shirt, but I found that getting one size larger, XL, is a good fit. The large size, which I also ordered, is a tighter, snug fit. Under Armour is a better quality garment than other brands. The I also order the short sleeve in XL. This is a must garment in any athletic wardrobe. Don't be afraid to pick a color, other than black, like crimson, or green.

My son's occupational therapist at school has recommended using these shirts for sensory stimulation. He is constantly pulling on his shirt sleeves and collars and she thinks that it will help. I bought him one at the local sporting goods store, but since it is winter now, the heat gear is hard to find. I don't want to get him the cold gear because he will be wearing it under his clothes inside the school, so I am planning to purchase more on line. I don't know if it is as helpful as the OT hoped, but I do know he likes it.

I would preferably wear these tees every day. Currently I am up far north, battling severe cold and stormy winds. Tomorrow I will be wearing a suit and not much else, for appearance sakes, with UA underwear. The day after I will be doing outdoor sports, with UA underwear. So wearing UnderArmour virtually every day. I am into competitive eventing (equestrian sports) and love wearing the suitable thickness of UnderArmour shirt on competitions or cross country training as a single layer. In long sleeve version, it protects against branches hitting your skin, light abrasions and dries in a whisk. You NEVER get wet or dry up instantly, summer or winter, rain or sunshine. Competitive riding is an all weather and every day test, not only for clothes, and Under Armour passes it with flying colours, whichever colour you choose. A jacket as single outer layer will suffice for a warm up, after which you can happily wear it as a single layer. The quality of the fabric is superb and stays well over many washing cycles. I always wash them luke warm, in fear of shrinkage, and am not so happy with the fabric retaining some odour at these washing temperatures. Also I must confess that I feel the Coldgear stuff is a bit stiffer, less stretchy than the light and thin Heatgear, especially the model with the "metallic" surface. The result is that it pulls up your back easier, exposing your lower back to the elements. Also I ran into a sale of a "Nike factory store", which on that day only, sold "Nike Fit" underwear. Strikingly similar to the Under Armour Heatgear it was at less than half the price. Not bad either, but not quite the same quality. Good second choice but a second choice.

My 9 year old nephew told me he wanted "Under Armour" for Christmas. I had no idea what he was talking about. I asked - "Under arm deoderant"? "Undershirt"? I was ever the un-cool aunt for not knowing what he wanted. I found out that 3 of my friends experienced the same thing. ;) The shirt runs very tight, and even though my nephew is smaller for his age, the large just barely fit him. He asked for a second one for his birthday (and so did my sister, so she could get the shirt off of him and wash it). The kid loves it, and if he gives it 5 stars, so do I.

Reviews

Arrived within a short time. Glad you had my size. Most sport stores didn't have an XL in stock.

Nice shirt for exercising. Don't feel as hot as in those regular heavy cotton t shirts. Fit is true to size and not too short either. Very comfortable.

This tee-shirt is my first Under Armour purchase, and I took a chance by ordering it without ever trying on any Under Armour before. I'm not dissatisfied, but it isn't my favorite tee-shirt. On the positive side: the weight of the fabric is good for exercising, especially for the gym, and it would be a good single layer for outside/warm temperatures. The fit is pretty good (I am average sized and wear sizes 8-10); I don't like really tight clothing and this shirt is loose enough to be comfortable but fitted enough so that it doesn't look like I'm wearing a bag. On the negative side: I am a little short-waisted, and the shirt is long for me and bunches at the top of my hips, which I don't like but accept. Also, the vee-neck is not a very strong vee (pictures of this shirt are true in that respect). A lot of technical tees are like this -- designed more for function than for style maybe -- and vee-necks are essentially a crew x vee hybrid. I prefer a true vee-neck. Lastly, the fabric has a slightly rough, scratchy feel, which seems characteristic of today's technical fabrics. It's not clear to me that the cost in "hand" is worth the added function of "wicking" in this instance. Overall, I consider this shirt fine for the gym or for an hour-long run, but I wouldn't want to spend a lot of extended time in it.

This is ideal for wearing layers of clothing or if you're dressed in a short sleeve over this one. However, I personally prefer the long sleeved version by the same company.

Reviews

The title says it all. I got these as a gift and have since bought another pair. I love them. They are super comfortable and flattering. You won't be disappointed.

These are the best running pants for winter, ever. These pants are so comfortable and well fitting that I want to wear them everyday.

Reviews

I bought these for lap swimming. I have a 8 1/2 or 9 size foot which should have fit the 6-9 1/2 medium swim fin. I think they are a little big as my foot sticks out the front. There is a little ridge which joins the colored part to the blue part. It is annoying. I may try to shave it off with a razor blade. Hard to believe I would take a small. Other than that they are exactly what I wanted and seem to be well made. I'm very happy with them. If I had it to do over I'd buy two sizes and return one.

I took swim lessons as a kid, but don't have any real lap swimming experience. I'm just starting to train for a triathlon and found out quickly that form is important for efficiency and endurance! Someone suggested swim fins and what a difference these have made for my lap swimming. They've helped with proper kicking technique and allowed me to swim longer. I wear a woman's size 10 (men 8) and the Medium size flippers fit perfect.

My wife and I both use them. She swims every day in chlorine so the only negative there is that the chlorine eats away at the fin: both at the soft foam backrests around the strap and the end flipper part which starts to tear, so it is ESSENTIAL that you rinse your fins after each use in chlorine pools!! I swim in fresh water often and I've had no such problems. These fins do not over-torque your ankles, they provide great thrust and a very adjustable.

I swim every day and these are really great. I wear a 9.5 ladies and ordered the medium black/blue. They're comfy and help me swim fast. I like that the toe area is open and the strap in the back is adjustable. Other fins pinch my feet or fall off, but these feel great.

The adjustable strap is really easy to tighten or loosen for a great fit; but after just 2 months (20 uses) the pullring on one strap broke under light to normal pressure. Now it's much more difficult to adjust. Your engineers should have known this was the stress area.

Reviews

Bought these gloves and they a terrific, you have a solid grip when training. These gloves have adequate cushioning and I'm sure will last a long time. They are also are not to hot during workouts. I would definitely recommend these gloves to anyone looking for a good quality glove.

Reviews

This book contains many ideas for toys and easy-to-use instructions on how to make them. It also includes hints, tips and warnings about how to do things and what not to do.

I had heard good things, but even so, I was impressed by the BBBB. It covers an exceptionally wide variety of projects, enough to keep even the most dedicated toymaker busy for quite some time. Furthermore, the book is clear and easy to follow. The plans, in particular, are excellent. I subscribe to more than one glossy woodworking magazine with more ambiguity in their plans. One feature that I particularly liked was the way the author laid out measurements. As any craftsman knows, some measurements are more important than others: for example, the height and width of a drawer are dictated by the opening it must fit into, but the depth of the drawer is not so critical. All the detailed plans in the book not only show the measurements, but plainly show which measurements are important, and which can vary to suit. As far as I am concerned, this book is the yardstick against which all similar books must be measured.

I ordered this book for my apartment manager, of which I have become close friends to. It arrived today, and he allowed me to go through it with him. All I can say is WOW! The book shows everything that a person could need to know: What hardware is needed, what skills you must understand and learn, what techniques to use... I definitely give this five stars - and am going to order a copy for myself!

shows how to make bondage "toys" instead of buying the high cost ones you can make some for pennies on the dollar the directions are easy to follow and are very detailed. worth the price of the book

This Book is great stuff, no doubt about that, but for a black and white paperback, the price is definetely too steep.

Reviews

My husband had one of these in black and it survived 5 years of abuse. The separate pouch for shoes is really helpful and the external water bottle holder come in very handy. I bought him a replacement for his birthday. Great product.

Reviews

Just received my bag. Bought it to carry my training (I'm a personal trainer) equipment in when I go to teach classes. Didn't find any specs on how large the bag was suppose to be, but now know it is definitely on the smaller side for duffel bags, so I now have to find another use for it. One of the main selling points to the bag was the duel drink holders, but those would barely fit a can of red bull! Seriously. That's what I get for "buying without trying" I guess. Other than that, it's fine. You get what you pay for.

Reviews

Have been very impressed with the performance on ice, but previous pair broke too soon, after one winter, in my opinion. I got the pro model this time hoping that they would be more durable.

This is a great product for running in the snow or ice. Completed a 10k in these and my wife ran up Mount Mitchell in the snow and ice in these. An absolute must for winter running.

Got these because the regular Yaktrax broke waaaay too fast, and another product, (Ice Trekkers) although stout and well made, were positively worthless. The YakTrax Pro works great. We'll see how they hold up!

I have worn them a few times now on packed snow and in powder while hiking and working outside in Cleveland. I have not slipped or fallen to the ground in a heap while wearing them which is nice. With the top strap they stay in place even over my size 12 pack boots. I have only had them a month or so, so I can't tell if they will last but so far they look as good as new with several miles on them.

I purchased the yaktrax pro for the entire family. We love to snowshoe at Windham Mountain in New York and these cleats have made it so much easier than the traditional snowshoe. I ordered them from Amazon.com and the service was quick and easy.