No comments about SPRI Corfit Abs Trainer.

1 comments about Powertec Fitness L-CT Leverage Maxi Crunch.

1. 
   UPDATE 11/17/07: I just used this in a workout for the first time, and it felt really good. I e-mailed Powertec about the incorrect nuts and cracked endcap I got sent, and they immediately UPS'ed me the correct nuts and two replacement endcaps at no charge. The motion takes a bit of getting used to, and breathing feels a little strange. Mostly it's hard to remember that you don't need to go very far to work your abs, and to let your abs draw the weight up instead of just pushing with your arms. It also really did take all the strain off my lower back like it was supposed to...so, A+, and looks like I'll be getting that six-pack I wanted for Christmas. :)
   
   Original Post:
   
   I just received this from Amazon, and wish I'd waited and bought it off Craigslist or something instead. People keep selling them on there for half the cost, so shop around first. This box is heavy, too...you'll need two people to get it inside. I had mine shipped by UPS, and when it arrived one of the plastic endcaps inside was badly cracked, I'm waiting to hear back from Powertec about a replacement, and one of the metal bars had big gouged marks in it from some other injury, but it won't affect the performace.
   
   This machine is very solid, which I'm happy about, and actually fits me, which is surprising. It had a bigger footprint than I thought, about 4" by 3". I'm a 6'3" 250 lb weightlifter, and a lot of benches and machines are too small for me. Plus I have a permanent back injury (rotated pelvic bone) and can't do crunches on the floor, and this is advertised to take the strain off the lower back...from what I can tell so far, it seems to work! It has a very small range of motion, but everyone nowadays is saying you don't need one, so I guess we'll see how my abs develop. :)
   
   The only real peeve I had about it was the assembly...it took me almost two hours from start to finish, which is surprising considering how few parts there are. The instructions are poor, because they just have exploded diagrams with no actual step-by-step written instructions, so you have to guess what goes on in what order. I'm pretty handy, so it wasn't too hard, but I can see someone not so mechanically inclined getting confused fast. The bolts supplied are *not* the same length as the bolts listed in the parts list, so you have to figure out which are which by the quantity in each bag. Plus, you can tell this was made in China...whoever drew the illustrations in it, despite the word "Powertec" being everywhere, still wrote "Powretec" in the diagram. Not to mention that in one step, it shows the bolts and nuts being inserted into the arm supports one way, and in the very next step, they're facing the opposite way.
   
   I've just contacted Powertec and am waiting for an answer to another big problem...two of the nuts holding the tilting arm support bar to the greased axles are way too thick. The parts list says there are supposed to be two nuts that are half as thick as the other 13 used for the rest of the bench, but Powertec apparently cheaped out and decided to stop using them, and just sent two extra of the regular sized ones. Which is a problem, because the nuts can't lock down on the tilting axle, so over time they're going to come loose. The bolt only reaches about halfway into the nut, and if you fully tighten it, the tilting bar can't move. There's also another nut just like this down on the height adjustment sliding bar, it needs another half-as-thick nut.
   
   The height adjustment sliding bar is badly designed, too, and slightly crooked when assembled. Not a real problem, since you'll probably pick your preferred height and leave it there forever. I can't imagine who can use this machine at full height, though. With the seat flat like a bench, my feet are way off the ground.
   
   And the arm to hold the plates doesn't seem well thought out...you can't load a large plate on there, it'll hit the main bench frame as it lifts.
   
   Also, during assembly you have to insert one half of the tilting arm into the other half, and they do not seat well together. I pretty much had to force them together, then get the bolt in the hole through them before they could pop apart again.
   
   You will need a rather large hex ratchet if you want this to go fast, my ratchet heads don't go up large enough, so I was stuck using channel locks and robogrip pliers together, which takes a long time and leaves the nuts all cut up around the edges.
   
   So! All that junk aside, I really am happy with it, and I'll update here when Powertec lets me know what the heck was going on with the parts.

No comments about SPRI ORIGINAL STEP TUBE - Blue - Heavy.

No comments about Adj. Abdominal Bench.

2 comments about Everlast Two-Way Action Wheel.

1. I was extremely disappointed when I received this product. Contrary to the description, the handles are hard plastic - not "comfortable and soft" as it states on the product packaging and website. Other than that it may be a decent product, but after only a few reps your hands will hurt and will have the design from the grips imprinted on your skin. I've already printed the label to return to Amazon.
   
   Beware the other review of this product, the individual posted the same review for all ab wheels sold on Amazon. Not only is it not informative, there is a good chance they have never tried the product.



2. Sometimes the simplest thing can be the best thing in the world. Gee, I wish I came up with this gadget, I would be a millionaire by now. If you want to work your arms, abs, back, just use this EVIL WHEEL everyday. Forget about Sit Ups, and wasting money on BIG HEAVY machine. This Wheel can be used for ANYONE ANY age, ANY sex, and of course at ANY place~! Do not worry, I will come up with some gadget next time and be a millionaire! We all be glad I did it~!!

No comments about SPRI XERTUBE TRAINER TUBES - Red - Medium.

2 comments about Everlast for Her Ab Tightener II.

1. I can't believe I played myself purchasing this piece of crap. The first time I used it I heard a pop and when I checked the unit the blue band was loose. Now the unit doesn't work properly. I wouldn't recommend the evercrap for her ab tightener II to my worse enemy.



2. Everlast seems to be a bit of a misnomer--the first time I used it two of the tension bands came off. There is now way to disassemble this thing to reattach them.

No comments about Football - ADULT WRIST COACH.

No comments about Softball - The Basics and Fundamentals Windmill Pitching DVD.

No comments about Bally Absolute Crunch.