Joe Weider is known for his fitness magazine publishing empire, which includes magazines such as "Shape," "Men's Fitness" and "Flex." In 1945, Weider and his brother Ben founded their mail order fitness equipment business, called Weider Sports Equipment Limited and Weider Health and Fitness. While the company's roots lie in competitive bodybuilding, Weider has a versatile line of home exercise equipment for all fitness levels.
Weider X-Factor
A series of heavy-duty resistance bands, crisscrossed to form a letter "X" at the center, comprises the Weider X Factor. The device attaches to your door, and facilitates exercises for all the muscles of the body. To work your pectoral or chest muscles, stand with your back to the device, and hold one handle in each hand. Keep your elbows slightly flexed, and begin with your arms open to the side at shoulder height. Slowly bring your arms toward the center of your body, crossing one arm on top of the other. Open your arms to the starting position, and repeat the movement, crossing the other arm on top. Perform three sets of 12 repetitions.
Weider Activator V3 Plus
The Weider Activator V3 Plus combines kettlebell exercise with whole-body vibration training. The electronic vibration training platform stimulates 30 to 50 muscular contractions per second, says "Time" magazine. The kettlebell resembles a bell with an attached handle. A study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise found that kettlebell training provides significant cardiovascular and strength benefits. Combining these two exercise modes maximizes muscle toning, strength, aerobic fitness and balance. Begin with the yellow kettlebells, which are the lightest, and set the vibration platform for 25 hertz, which is the lowest intensity. Stand upright on the platform, with your feet separated hip-width distance apart. Place one kettlebell on the floor between your feet. Bend your knees to perform a squat, and reach down to grasp the kettlebell. Straighten your legs, while simultaneously swinging the kettelbell forward and bringing your arm to shoulder height. Perform three sets of eight repetitions on each side.
Total Body Works 5000
Weider's Total Body Works 5000 has a cable and pulley system with a bench that is set on an incline. To work the triceps or the backs of your arms, lie supine, with your knees bent, your head on the high end and your feet on the low end. Reach for the cable handles, and bend your elbows, so that your wrists align with your ears. Slowly extend your arms so that your hands reach toward the ceiling. Bend your arms to return to the starting position. Stabilize your elbows throughout the exercise, moving only from your forearms.
Weider Club 290 Power Tower
The Weider Club 290 Power Tower functions as a pull-up bar and a captain's chair. The captain's chair facilitates an abdominal exercise that an American Council on Exercise sponsored study rated as most effective. Stand upright, with your back against the pad. Rest your forearms against the arm support pads, and hold each handle with each hand. Contract your abdominal muscles, bend your knees and bring them toward your chest. Straighten your legs with control. Perform 10 repetitions. For the pull-up, turn around and face the machine, and reach for the upper handles, keeping your palms facing the bar. Bend your elbows and pull your body weight up toward the bar. Straighten your arms with control. Perform as many repetitions as your strength and endurance allows.
References
- Weider Fitness: X-Factor Exercise Chart
- American Counicl on Exercise; Kettlebells: Twice the Results in Half the Time?; Chad Schnettler, M.S., John Porcari, Ph.D., and Carl Foster, Ph.D.,
- Weider Fitness: Weider Activator V3 Plus
- Time.com; A New Way to Shake Off the Pounds;Catherine Sharick; September 2006
- Weider Fitness; Weider Club 290 Power Tower
- American Council on Exercise; New Study Puts the Crunch on Ineffective Ab Exercise; Mark Anders; May 2001
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