2. Red Exerciser: This is another example of how manufacturers try to create a new mousetrap to snare consumers but use the same old lies. The product claims to reduce inches from your waistline by sitting on a red seat that spins like any office chair. By twisting your upper body from left to right while holding hand grips, it is designed to exercise your midsection “where you need it, to sculpt a slimmer, new, you.” The biggest problem with this piece of equipment is that it is a rotary torso movement, which can place stress on the spine if not performed properly. The dangers are increased when additional resistance is added, placing more pressure on your spine as you twist your body back and forth. Those with back problems should avoid this movement altogether. There is a simple tension knob to adjust the resistance on the Red Exerciser called the “Torsion Max Resistance System,” which makes it sounds like there is some sort of advanced technology involved. This piece of equipment is anything but advanced. The Web site actually makes claims for long-term benefits, such as “Heightened immune system, reduced risk of heart disease, reduced risk of high blood pressure, reduced risk of colon and breast cancer, and even the reduced risk of premature death.” While these benefits may be obtained with regular and consistent cardio-respiratory exercise and other dietary and lifestyle changes, these are not benefits that you will realize from twisting your upper body from left to right like a washing machine. It’s just another marketing scheme and a waste of money.

3. Electronic Muscle Stimulators: A world-class example of fabricated claims specifically designed to rip off consumers can be found with electrical muscle stimulators. Marketed as Ab Belts that stimulate muscles by using small currents of electricity, manufacturers of these ineffective units have made distorted claims, including weight loss, spot reduction, shaping and contouring, and cellulite removal. Consumers have been duped by this product under the brand names AbTronic, Ab Energizer, Fast Abs, and Ab Force. Don’t be fooled if you see another brand name selling the same lies. These products are a waste of your time and money, and they will not achieve the promised results. Claims by these manufacturers were so outrageous that the FDA had to step in and file litigation to protect consumers — claims such as “Electronic dream machine that will show you immediate improvement without strenuous time-consuming workouts. You’ll develop that six-pack you’ve always wanted in the easiest way imaginable.” Or “The simple, fast, easy, effective tool to help tool and reshape your body and help get those washboard, lean, sexy abs is finally here. With Fast Abs, we’ll guarantee fast results with no sweat.” Others professed, “Absolutely incredible for people who want tighter abs and want to lose inches around the midsection” and “With a touch of a button, you can go from flab to rock-hard abs.” These are all perfect examples of fictional statements designed to make you think that there is a quick and easy solution to getting results. Not only did these products lie about results, but consumer complaints of these products include burns, blistering, bruises and electric shock. None of that stopped Ab Force sales from exceeding $19 million on 747,812 units sold. Obviously, there are a significant number of people who still buy into these lies in the hope of getting quick results.

4. Gazelle Freestyle: The best way to describe this piece of equipment is that it mimics the motion of cross-country skiing. It neither has the same motion nor is it in the same class as an elliptical trainer. Cross-country machines never caught on in the club business because it is difficult to sustain the motion for very long. You might find one or two cross-country machines in a fitness club, so that the club can say it has them, but club members’ use is minimal. What you won’t find in a quality fitness club is a Gazelle. For a cost of about $200 for the Gazelle, you glide your arms and legs back and forth on the same pendulum motion. If you can perform this motion for an extended period of time, it will work on a lot of muscle groups, because you have to create the motion using the force of your entire upper and lower body. The problem is that most people cannot sustain the motion comfortably or stick with it long enough or with enough consistency to get positive benefits. Because the knee joint does not come into play as it does on an elliptical or treadmill, there is a lot of stress placed on hip flexors, which can prove painful with extensive use.

5. ThighMaster: One of the all-time great infomercial deceptions is the ThighMaster, which is nothing more than a piece of spring-loaded metal covered with a cheap piece of foam. You are supposed to place this product between your thighs and “squeeze your way to trimmer, toned thighs.” Advertised on infomercials and on the Internet as a surefire way to “develop a shapelier and sexier figure,” millions of people have been misled into purchasing this product to reduce the size of their thighs. You could get better results toning your hips, thighs and buttocks by doing various forms of leg lifts and lunges, without spending a penny, yet people are still duped into believing the lie. The fact that the ThighMaster is still available on the market shows you that people still do not understand the principles of exercise and are susceptible to the deception of advertising and marketing.

Bonus Worst Home Equipment

6. The Air Climber: Any piece of equipment that mimics the motion of a StairMaster, which operates on a hydraulic shock absorber or air compression with no frame, is not a sustainable exercise that will help most people have long-term results. It is difficult for the average person to sustain the balance necessary for an extended period of time without handrails or grips, making the workout difficult. The website for this product claims that by using the Air Climber, you can burn up to 1,000 calorie per hour. This is an example of an exaggerated claim, because the number of people who could burn 1,000 calories using this piece of equipment is fractional. The unit is sold with a single-strength band, used to perform various strength exercises while stepping on the Air Climber, and features the “Oblique Crunch” as “the waist shaper that every man and woman loves,” claiming results such as: “Now you’re shredding your abs, carving inches off your waistline at the same time you’re burning fat, all over.” Sounds too good to be true—because it is.

7. Cardio Cruiser: This piece of equipment tries to mimic the motion of a step machine in the seated position. The motion is created by foot pedals and handgrips that create this awkward exercise, which is not comfortable or sustainable. The piece of equipment is poorly made and will not live up to product claims, which state: “Whether you’ve never worked out before or you’ve been working out for years, the Cardio Cruiser gives you a powerful toning and cardio fat-burning workout in one breakthrough machine that fits your individual fitness level. It is a whole new way of working out.” The Cardio Cruiser is neither a breakthrough nor a whole new way of working out. It’s just a sub-par piece of equipment.

Worst of the Worst Home Equipment

8. OSIM® iGallop™ Core and Abs Exerciser: This is one of the most ridiculous pieces of equipment on the market today. While sitting in the iGallop saddle, this piece of equipment allegedly simulates the motions of riding a horse. Marketed as the “revolutionary exerciser that can help you shape and tone your tummy, hips, seat and thighs,” your results are supposedly attained with a “zero-impact, tri-axial riding action” and, according to the marketing claims, your body “automatically responds to its multidirectional movement, and this balancing engages certain muscle groups and may help improve coordination and posture.” This piece of equipment is a perfect example of how with effective marketing spin, just about any piece of garbage can be sold to unsuspecting consumers who don’t understand the principles of exercise.

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