Original Body Stick Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought "The Stick" as an impulse buy at a sporting goods store to massage the muscles in my legs. Plastic rings roll independently over a stiff pole making it a very hard surface. I had to use care to avoid coming close to my shins or any other bony areas. It's not a very pleasant-feeling tool and the little plastic rings rattle as you run up and down your muscles.It feels like rolling a metal pipe up and down your legs (although it's plastic).

I decided to check out Amazon - which I should have done before buying anything to begin with - and discovered the 22" Tiger Tail Rolling foam massager and I prefer it, hands down. It's pretty much a very hard, foam rolling pin and feels like it gets deeper into my muscles than the plastic rings of The Stick which ride without resistance over the surface of my skin. The foam has just enough give to prevent bruising if I inadvertently run into a bone. This means I'm able to massage a greater surface area with less caution and my muscles feel much better after using the Tiger Tail over The Stick. I feel like I can use the Tiger Tail with much greater pressure and work more deeply than with The Stick.

The only downside is the Tiger Tail is 22 3/8" long with a 14" rolling foam work surface whereas The Stick is 24" long with a 16 1/2" work surface area. This makes working on the back or other areas where length is a plus easier with The Stick. (Diameter is 4.5" for the Tiger Tail, 3.5" for The Stick) But for me, the Tiger Tail makes my muscles feel deeply well-kneaded and vibrant whereas The Stick makes them almost feel injured and my skin sensitive.

Oh - and The Tiger Tail is much cheaper than The Stick. That's just hard to figure out.

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Product Description:
Easy-to-use device designed to massage muscle tissue. Encourages increased circulation to muscle fibers before exercise, disperses lactic acid after workout, and diffuses muscle stiffness and knots. 3 sizes to accommodate all body types.

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Century VersaFlex Stretching Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought on accident both this stretcher and the Pro Leg Stretcher by Timas.I kept both for purposes of this review.My kids and wife have used both.The bottom line is that the Pro Leg Stretcher by Timas is a better machine, but is also slightly flawed.First I will discuss the Century VersaFlex STretching Machine.

The VersaFlex comes in like 50 pieces.Instructions are horrible.The pictures are too small and poor resolution.They are on different page than the written instructions.The pictures of the bolts are too large, not actual size but 110%, making it difficult to figure out which bolt is which unless you get a ruler.The handles that go at the end of the legs are not pictured or discussed adequately.I was still able to put it together in about 1.5 hours.

I am 5'11".The legs are too short by like 6 inches.Gimme a break.It would only have cost a few dollars more to make the legs longer.Now, my legs hang of the end, so all stretches are done with my knees bent and the end of the leg support digging into bertween my calf and ankle.I was going to make my own longer leg pieces since I have a wood shop, but now will likely give this unit away and keep the superior Pro Leg Stretcher.

The teeth on the ratchet assembly dont hold very well.If there is a lot of tension it will just close.The ratchet assembly is cheeply made and I can see why it is unreliable and multiple others have reported the cables breaking.The ratchet on mine is kockeyed and only engages 2/3 of the gear.Worse, the ratchet assembly has about 5 degree increments only.This is way too large.

The machine is rather large in that it is about 2 feet tall, and the legs dont close all the way but only to about 30 degrees making it take up more floor space than necessary.This also makes it more awkward to get into.

The VersaFlex has an angle gauge that is poorly positioned so the user cant read it very well.It is also off by about 15 degrees.(This is bad but the Pro Leg Stretcher has no means of measuring how far legs are spread).

With all these shortcomings it will still give you a powerful stretch.My stretch has improved faster than with no machine.I am extremely unflexible and it is hard for me to get in conventional stretching positions but this makes it easy to stretch.

Now on to the Pro Leg STretcher:
Wow.This one came fully assembled.The legs are long enough for me (5'11") but are still too short if you are much taller (but still way longer than the VersaFlex).Unlike the VersaFlex the vertical leg pads dont rotate.This is bad because the pad end tends to dig into my mid thigh a little bit.The wheel used tomake the stretch is essentialy infinitely variable whereas the VersaFlex is in about 5 degree increments.Trust me, 1 degree change when you are near your pain threshhold is HUGE.You can eak out extra stretching power with the Pro Leg Stretcher that you cannot do with the VersaFlex because of this infinite variability rather than waiting a week or more for the next 5 degree increment.The back folds down on the Pro Leg Stretcher and the legs come completely together making it take up about half the floor space and half the height of the VersaFlex.While it is substantially better thant the VersaFlex, the Pro Leg Stretcher would be improved by makeing the vertical leg pads rotate and removable (like on the Versaflex) which would make it more comfortable and be able to slide under the bed.Also, there is no way to assess the amount the legs are opened.I am going to attach a tape measure from the end of one leg to the end of the other so I can better follow improvements.With these changes the Pro Leg Stretcher would have gotten 5 stars.

The VersaFlex gets only 3 stars for its many shortcomings.

UPDATE:After a couple months of use I now realize it is easy to follow your improvement with the Pro Leg Stretcher.Just start with it all the way closed, and count the number of turns you can do with the wheel.At 11 turns it becomes painful for me, and can slowly go up to 12 and a half now.Yeah, that is not degrees of leg opening but it does let you follow your improvement easily and reliably.I gave my Versaflex away, it remained clearly inferior.

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Product Description:
Century's ultimate commercial or home stretching machine

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I-flex Stretch Unit Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this for my daughter who is a dancer thinking it would help her stretch.What a waste of money.The black nylon strap rolls over on itself and then it will not continue to pull for a stretch.

DO NOT BUY IT, WAY TO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT YOU GET.

Unhappy Customer

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Product Description:
The absolute best in flexibility! Completely portable, it easily slips on the top or bottom of any door. The I-FLEX stretch unit allows you to safely and slowly stretch through a complete range of ballet motion with correct back, hip and shoulder position.

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TKO 205AWP 5lb Pair Wrist/ Ankle weights Review

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(More customer reviews)These TKO wrist weights can be adjusted at 1/4 lb increments, and they don't scatter little metal granules like the Bell wrist weights that I used to use.You might consider wearing a thick old sock under them at the wrist...[cut out the toe] to prevent chafing... since the terry cloth lining is good, but not at the harder edges.

One other reviewer commented that the weights came flying out when punching.I found that happened also.To avoid that happening I put the bands on my wrists so that the pockets faced in toward my elbows rather than out toward my fists.The weights, when punching, are pushed into the bottom of the slots, rather than toward the velcro flaps holding them into the slots.

I'm still using them in 2010.

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Product Description:
TKO's 205AWP-BK Pair Wrist/Ankle Weights can turn any regular activity into a part of your daily exercise routine. Pockets on the outside hold the weights, while a convenient middle pocket can hold your keys. There is an easy-to-adjust closure that helps ensure a secure fit. The ultra-soft gel foam padding and full cotton terry lining provides extreme comfort, while a reflective patch for high visibility helps keep you safe at night. These weights are available in black and include 10 quarter-pound bars.
About TKO
Founded in 1996, TKO is a manufacturer in the fitness and boxing markets of the sporting goods industry. With more than 500 retail and commercial clients, TKO provides products-of-choice for elite boxing events, including the National Golden Gloves competition, IKF kickboxing tournaments and the International Female Boxing Association.

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Stretch Max with Cathe Friedrich Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm almost 40 and have never been as flexible as I am after one month of using this DVD.It has helped my golf game and made me feel like a whole new person.I actually can't wait every morning to wake up and start my day with about 25 minutes of stretching.In fact, many days I do the routine twice!The time goes fast and you feel so good and are completely relaxed that before you know it you've done 25 minutes of stretching and feel great.

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Product Description:
STRETCH MAX is a 60 minute program that consists of three 20 minute stretching segments. The stretches you will see are a hybrid of basic, athletic-based, yoga-based, and gymnastic-based. Feel free to do any or all of the segments as often as you like. For best results and to enhance your flexibility, it's recommended that you do at least one of the segments 3 times per week. Also note that you should be completely warmed up before participating in the segments. Cathe personally likes to stretch after a minimum of a 20 minute cardio. That's when she finds her muscles completely pliable and open to elasticity gains. Each segment focuses on stretching all of the major muscle groups in the body. Segment one does this without any equipment, while segment 2 uses a stability ball and segment 3 uses a resistance band. The overall atmosphere on the workouts is calm and peaceful with very little talking once in the stretch.

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TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay, it seems very well made, but its just straps and handles!I'm glad I got it and like using it.I'd recommend it but when you realize that you paid all that for just...okay, I won't say it again!

The carrying bag it comes with is a little too small to conveniently get the TRX into.It can be done, but it wouldn't have hurt to make it a little bigger.

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Product Description:
Designed by a Navy SEAL as a go-anywhere workout, the TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack is a complete total-body training bundle that helps athletes, military personnel, and fitness pros around the world take their performance to the next level. The Pro Pack starts with the TRX P2 Suspension Trainer, an upgraded model that's built around a set of incredibly sturdy nylon straps. The system--which also includes a modular anchoring interface that attaches to any elevated fixture, such as a pull-up bar, door, or tree branch--creates resistance from two sources always at your disposal: your body weight and gravity. By putting you in control, the system lets you safely perform hundreds of exercises that build power, strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility while preventing injuries, all at the intensity you choose.


The TRX Suspension Trainer uses your body weight to create resistance. The P2 Suspension Trainer offers a host of valuable benefits: it's easy to set up and highly portable, with a compact, lightweight design that works at home or on the go. If the gym isn't your thing or you want to work out in the privacy of your home, backyard, or hotel, this practical solution will make sure you can stay fit. Just as importantly, the P2 Suspension Trainer supports all fitness levels and goals. By letting you harness your own body weight to create resistance, you can easily adjust the degree of difficulty (from 5 to 100 percent of your body weight) whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete.
Each of the straps features an integrated foot cradle for ground-based training, along with a club-grade grip for pull-ups and other upper-body exercises. The Pro Pack also comes with a Basic Training DVD workout, which is a 65-minute workout routine that takes you through the most common and effective TRX Suspension Trainer exercises, with activities for every major muscle group. Two bonus in-box workouts TRX Endurance Circuit and TRX Metabolic Blast workouts, meanwhile, are designed to take your fitness to a higher level, with challenging routines that get your heart rate pumping. The package concludes with a 35-page workout guide with instructions on how to get the most from your workouts.
Bundled in completely recyclable packaging made from 100-percent post-consumer content, the TRX Suspension Trainer stores in a lightweight, durable mesh bag with a drawstring closure. The TRX door anchor is sold separately.
About Fitness Anywhere
Creator of the Suspension Training workout, Fitness Anywhere delivers world-class training products for serious athletes, fitness professionals, first responders, and the U.S. military. Fitness Anywhere owes its roots and ongoing drive to the U.S. Navy SEAL teams, which began developing innovative workouts out of necessity. Company founder Randy Hetrick and his SEAL teammates searched for ways to stay in peak physical condition while stashed away in missions in a variety of locations, from wharf-side warehouses to urban safehouses to ships and submarines. Hetrick used this experience to develop the prototype of the TRX Suspension Trainer. The original TRX was a training harness--a few lengths of parachute webbing hand-stitched together by boat repair tools. Almost immediately, Hetrick and his teammates put the TRX to use and created the first dozen exercises. In the weeks and months that followed, the breadth of original bodyweight exercises grew and the harness evolved, gradually becoming the complete field training system being offered today. Fitness Anywhere is headquartered in San Francisco.

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Foam Roller 6" x 36" Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm no expert on foam rolling (having only recently heard about it) but my chiropractor recommended it when I asked him about it. I don't have IT band problems but am always looking for useful (and inexpensive) techniques to increase my flexibility and enhance my P90X training regimen. My chiropractor loaned me one of his while I waited the week for this one to arrive (for which he says he paid more than twice the cost of this product) and honestly I like this one quite a bit better than his more expensive one. His seemed too hard for me personally but this one, while it's solid and holds its shape perfectly, seems to have just the right amount of give to make using it much more bearable. It really does seem to work - I feel nice & loose and relaxed afterwards, and it helps relieve low back tension in between my chiropractic adjustments. Excellent product, great price, highly recommended. (And I checked prices on Exertools' web site and Amazon is definitely the better value.)

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Product Description:
Terrific 6" x 36" foam roller for yoga, pilates, stretching...

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