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Gung-ho gear: the latest in fun, functional but unusual fitness equipment

Men's Fitness, Jan, 2003 by Roy M. Wallack

It's no secret, even to those of us weaned on the puerile hijinks of Three's Company, that the world of exercise often dispenses widely circulated and wholly illegitimate products to the unsuspecting masses. Separating the real deals from the newfangled mutations is a daunting task. In this two-part take (look for Part 2 next month) on what's wacky and what's just wack, we charged Roy Wallack, weather-beaten and loaded for bear, with the task of separating the weak and the unworthy from the formidable and legitimate. This is what he found.

1. HEAVY AIR POWER SHOES

The lowdown: Athletic shoes with 1-, 1 1/2- and 2-pound zinc/steel weights attached to the heels. Weights snap on and off in seconds with a simple one-finger latching mechanism.

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The mechanics: Like swinging two bats while you're in the on-deck circle, wearing weights provides increased resistance for your muscles, connective tissue and cardiovascular system during training. Take them off after lugging them around a while, and you suddenly feel supercharged, light on your leer. (Note: Similar to ankle weights, the Power Shoe is said to aid strength by placing the weight on the heels, which purportedly maximizes the physical challenge and minimizes ankle and knee strain.)

The payoff: Improved jumping ability, speed and endurance. Plus, meatier calves.

Body parts worked: Thighs, calves and cardiovascular system.

Time needed for a workout: 20 to 30 minutes.

$159; www.heavyair.com

2. TRIKKE

The lowdown: Maybe the Next Big Thing. Maybe not. Looking like two fused Razor scooters, this sleek, self-propelled triwheeler goes up to 15 mph. It's stable and safe on hills (thanks to the brakes), and folds up small enough to fit in your trunk.

The mechanics: Rock it and roll it. Standing upright, yank the handlebar side to side, dip the hip, and carve S-turns as if you're skating or skiing. Patented swivel axle keeps all three wheels on the ground even on sharp turns.

The payoff: A superb full-body-toning (not muscle-building) and fat-shedding workout.

Body parts worked: Shoulders, arms, abs, glutes, thighs, calves.

Time needed for a workout: 15 to 30 minutes (but so much fun you'll go an hour).

$299; www.trikke.com

3. FREEMOTION CABLE COLUMN

The lowdown: The epitome of the three-dimensional functional-fitness trend. The seven-foot-tall tower uses a 200-pound weight stack with cables and handle-equipped straps rather than a fixed-path bar. Includes ankle cuffs, short and long straps, and wheels.

The mechanics: The pulley, priced anywhere from one to seven feet high, is said to offer unlimited exercise variation. You can do standard movements like low rows, hip adductors and lat pulls, plus funky moves such as the one-arm press-to-lunge, wood-chop twists, and the squat-to-shoulder press.

The payoff: Challenging, functional, sport-specific movements that, like dumbbell exercises, require self-stabilization from assistor muscles (working muscles surrounding the target) and the all-important core.

Body parts worked: All.

Time needed for a workout: Varies.

$1,200; 877-363-8449; www.freemotionfitness.com

4. JAM GYM

The lowdown: Not a gimmick. This dirt-cheap, 10-ounce, pocket-sized "gym" provides mostly basic toning or maintenance exercises for home of on the road.

The mechanics: Two-handled straps, sewn together at the ends, thread through a doorjamb and stay in place via a plastic stopper when the door is closed. The gear, because it's made of nylon, does not rely on the type of resistance offered by elastic bands. Grab handles, lean forward or backward (the more you lean, the greater the resistance), and do bodyweight rows, chest presses and other upper-body movements.

The payoff: A solid toning or maintenance workout, though limited in scope.

Body parts worked: Primary emphasis is on back and chest muscles; secondary emphasis is on arms.

Time needed for a workout: Varies.

$19.95; 800-823-6273; www.jamgym.com

5. BOSU BALANCE TRAINER

The lowdown: The new group-exercise sensation: an inflatable Swiss ball that's sliced in half, with a plastic bottom--BOSU means "Both Sides Up." Includes a 40-minute home video.

The mechanics: While standing, walking in place (tough to do), and doing ab crunches or assorted dumbbell exercises on the bouncy, unstable surface, you recruit most muscles in your body that affect balance, particularly the core and lower-body groups.

The payoff: Buckets of sweat, a blasted core, increased bodily awareness, and lots of laughs as you struggle not to fall off.

Body parts worked: Core muscles (abs and lower back), legs, ankles, feet. Internal and external physiological mechanisms that aid balance are also trained.

Time needed for a workout: 10 to 45 minutes.

$129.95; 800-321-9236; www.bosu.com

Gung-ho gear: the latest in fun, functional but unusual fitness equipment

Men's Fitness, Jan, 2003 by Roy M. Wallack

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