Infomercials are notorious for their wide range of novelty items, including items for your home, kids, pets as well as beauty, health and fitness. Before you purchase any fitness equipment from a television show or infomercial, speak to your doctor about the health claims of that product. Many product manufacturers feature professional models or celebrity endorsements that either over-exaggerate their amazing results or tell half-truths about how to reach those results.
Power Cords
Available from numerous manufacturers, power cords utilize body weight, or the cords' natural resistance, to strengthen, build and tone back, arm, chest and leg muscles. The Tower 200, for example, slides onto any door and can be used for more than 200 exercises. The Everlast Pilates Door Knob Rope Exerciser utilizes both your upper and lower body muscles. If you find yourself always on the go, then the Tower Xpress features a less bulky design, when compared to the Tower 200.
Doorway Trainer
Another back exercise machine seen on TV includes the Power Trainer Pro. This device allows you to do 12 different exercises including pushups, pull-ups, crunches, dips and more. Slip the Power Trainer Pro onto the doorframe of just about any door and start exercising. For households without doorframes, or for households where the device will not fit or work, there is the Chest Magic. In addition to building a strong chest, the device also builds strong back, upper body and abdominal muscles.
Isometric Workout Bar
According to an advertisement found on AsSeenOnTV.com, an isometric workout bar uses isometrics, or your body's own natural resistance, in order to build strong muscles. The ISO7X, for example, contains a heavy-duty steel bar base and durable nylon straps that you use to perform exercises. Use the ISO7X to strengthen your back, chest, arm, leg, abdominals and glutes. The device is capable to perform over 35 exercises, measures your results and keeps track of your progress.
Buyer Beware
Many of these products' weight loss and muscle building claims are not supported by factual evidence. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission is now going after manufacturers that over-exaggerate weight loss claims and other false information. The American Council on Exercise explains it is not possible to pick and choose where to lose weight. It is also not possible to gain a six-pack just by exercising for seven seconds a day. If you are thinking about purchasing a back exercise machine you saw advertised on television, speak to your doctor or a trainer about the product's claims as well as why you are interested in the product. Ask your doctor or trainer for a list of exercises that provide the same results portrayed by the product.
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