Comments on: Gear Guide: Personal Trainer in a Box Strength-Training Cards http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/ Lifestyle, Wellness, and Fitness Articles from Health.com and Health Magazine Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:57:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Victoria http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13770 Victoria Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:27:16 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13770 I have to disagree with the author of this review, as well. I've had PTIAB for a few months and THE ONLY reason I got the product was for the at-home exercises. I detest the gym. I actually went through each tab, super skeptical about the amount of "At Home" categorized exercises, and counted to be sure there would be enough to make my workouts effective before I invested in this product. As has been mentioned several times already, in order to do the strength training, you'll need some weights (about $20 at Target) and a stability ball (about $12 at TJMaxx). If you've go those things, here are the exercises you can do AT HOME specifically in the Biceps category that Su incorrectly alluded to: - Lying Alternate Curl - Alternating Bicep Curl - Concentrated Curl - Bicep Rope Pullup - Machine Preacher Curls - Cable Reverse Curls - Double Cable Biceps - Hammer Curls - Cable Curls That is NINE exercises rather than the 2 she referenced. Tip to Su: Read the back of the card. The "At Home" part clearly explains the At Home use....and it sort of demands that you rewrite your review. I have to disagree with the author of this review, as well. I’ve had PTIAB for a few months and THE ONLY reason I got the product was for the at-home exercises. I detest the gym. I actually went through each tab, super skeptical about the amount of “At Home” categorized exercises, and counted to be sure there would be enough to make my workouts effective before I invested in this product.

As has been mentioned several times already, in order to do the strength training, you’ll need some weights (about $20 at Target) and a stability ball (about $12 at TJMaxx). If you’ve go those things, here are the exercises you can do AT HOME specifically in the Biceps category that Su incorrectly alluded to:
- Lying Alternate Curl
- Alternating Bicep Curl
- Concentrated Curl
- Bicep Rope Pullup
- Machine Preacher Curls
- Cable Reverse Curls
- Double Cable Biceps
- Hammer Curls
- Cable Curls

That is NINE exercises rather than the 2 she referenced.

Tip to Su: Read the back of the card. The “At Home” part clearly explains the At Home use….and it sort of demands that you rewrite your review.

]]> By: Run4Fit http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13765 Run4Fit Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:45:20 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13765 As an avid visitor to the website, I usually read reviews before buying any products. In this case I OWN the product and found your article, so a good way for me to compare my impressions with a professional reviewer. Don't take me wrong, I like your column...but (respectfully) I STRONGLY DISAGREE with your review. Most of the points were brought by other poster's comments, but just wanted to put my opinion here since it is totally opposite than yours: I use PT in a Box AT HOME EXCLUSIVELY, with almost all of the cards, 1 stability ball and 2 dumbbells. Best 99 I ever spent...Su, I usually like your detailed reviews but I believe you fumbled this one. My 2 cents. As an avid visitor to the website, I usually read reviews before buying any products. In this case I OWN the product and found your article, so a good way for me to compare my impressions with a professional reviewer. Don’t take me wrong, I like your column…but (respectfully) I STRONGLY DISAGREE with your review. Most of the points were brought by other poster’s comments, but just wanted to put my opinion here since it is totally opposite than yours: I use PT in a Box AT HOME EXCLUSIVELY, with almost all of the cards, 1 stability ball and 2 dumbbells. Best 99 I ever spent…Su, I usually like your detailed reviews but I believe you fumbled this one. My 2 cents.

]]> By: Diana http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13764 Diana Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:17:12 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13764 This product is a great idea and really does work. I have had this product for awhile now and all the exercises work. There are actually quite of few of them that you can do at home. And most of them you can modify espically if you don't have a bench at home. I know for a fact that when i do my arm day that sometimes i do them at home and there is plenty for me to do. Take the basic concept of what the card tells you and you can modify or change it so the exercise will be a little different each time. This product is very easy to use, and it was a smart idea too. This product is a great idea and really does work. I have had this product for awhile now and all the exercises work. There are actually quite of few of them that you can do at home. And most of them you can modify espically if you don’t have a bench at home. I know for a fact that when i do my arm day that sometimes i do them at home and there is plenty for me to do. Take the basic concept of what the card tells you and you can modify or change it so the exercise will be a little different each time. This product is very easy to use, and it was a smart idea too.

]]> By: Danielle http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13741 Danielle Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:34:04 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13741 Seriously, Su? I love the fact that "Personal Trainer" has lots of choices for working out, either at home or in the gym. In fact, as I am nearing the end of my pregnancy, I am so glad that I have "Personal Trainer" to get me back in shape once my child is born and will "lovingly eat up my free time" so that I don't HAVE to get to the gym; I can exercise right in my own home! And I don't even own a weight bench! Seriously, Su? I love the fact that “Personal Trainer” has lots of choices for working out, either at home or in the gym. In fact, as I am nearing the end of my pregnancy, I am so glad that I have “Personal Trainer” to get me back in shape once my child is born and will “lovingly eat up my free time” so that I don’t HAVE to get to the gym; I can exercise right in my own home! And I don’t even own a weight bench!

]]> By: Marlene http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13726 Marlene Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:37:23 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13726 I was disappointed in Su's review. I found the instructions and illustrations very informative and like Su used to go to the gym, before my life changed dramatically. I use personal trainer in a box because I live so far from town that it would be a logistics nightmare. Personal trainer in a box allows me to keep fit AND to do the exercises that strengthen my core and assure I get a good workout all of the time! I'm confused with Su's evaluation as I use the back and bicep exercises all the time. There are 9-10 back exercises and I use the floor a lot! The At-Home cards ensure I use what I have and still get a great workout. Su states the at home requires weights.....most homes have them already...but do what I do, grab a large can from the pantry and put some "weight" into your workout. Given that Su is an author, I assume she is intelligent. Maybe she is too stressed as a mother to give her "other job" sufficient time and effort. Please re-evaluate the product Su and give us your undivided attention! Thanks, Marlene I was disappointed in Su’s review. I found the instructions and illustrations very informative and like Su used to go to the gym, before my life changed dramatically. I use personal trainer in a box because I live so far from town that it would be a logistics nightmare. Personal trainer in a box allows me to keep fit AND to do the exercises that strengthen my core and assure I get a good workout all of the time! I’m confused with Su’s evaluation as I use the back and bicep exercises all the time. There are 9-10 back exercises and I use the floor a lot! The At-Home cards ensure I use what I have and still get a great workout. Su states the at home requires weights…..most homes have them already…but do what I do, grab a large can from the pantry and put some “weight” into your workout.
Given that Su is an author, I assume she is intelligent. Maybe she is too stressed as a mother to give her “other job” sufficient time and effort.
Please re-evaluate the product Su and give us your undivided attention!
Thanks,
Marlene

]]> By: Lori W http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13725 Lori W Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:28:27 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13725 Thank you for taking the time to look at our product. Working on the product for over a year and half, you can understand my disappointment when reading your review. Unfortunately, we do not believe you read the cards or easy to use instructions correctly. If you have ever started a business, it is like having a baby, and when someone calls your baby UGLY, not having the facts correctly, you too would want to fix that. After being OVERWEIGHT or OBESE from 6 years old to my 20’s, I lost 107lbs and used weight training to maintain my figure and finally become happy in my own skin. I learned that switching up my routine was the key to continual results. But after becoming a personal trainer and realizing that when my clients were not with me, they would do things wrong, or just do the same old exercise, I developed this new system. Our clientele that uses our product regularly LOVES the product, period. With over 87 percent of the cards at home with a BIG neon green box on the front and a detailed description on the back which shows how to do the move at home. At Home exercises that have a bench in the picture explain in detail how to perform the exercise without a bench. Any novice exerciser would know to use a stability ball or sometimes the floor, but the back of the card explains it all just in case our new clientele needs extra help! Personal Trainer in a Box is not being marketed to the at home market, at home or at the gym. This set is great for a busy Mom or Dad that can't get to the gym all the time and needs instruction to get out of doing the same thing over and over. Many people do not have the luxury to stay at home and work, our crazy lives lead us to not getting any exercise. When I was obese as a child, I was one of three in my school in the early 70’s. Look at the statistics now. Personal Trainer in a Box, you CAN perform at home or at the gym, you just have to spend three minutes reading the instructions and look for the BIG NEON green AT HOME on the front and back of the card. Underneath TIPS, you will clearly see the AT HOME section. You said there were 2 exercises you could do at home in Biceps. I beg to differ. The bicep section has 9 out of ten cards at home. When a bench is used, it explains that you can perform on the floor or a stability ball. IT’S ALL ON THE BACK OF THE CARD UNDER AT HOME! Concentrated Curl- Do this exercise at home using the same movement with dumbbells on a bench or stable chair. Bicep Rope Pull-up- Do this same movement at home using dumbbells. Double Cable Biceps- Do this same movement at home using dumbbells. And I could go on as 9 out of 10 cards under Biceps could be performed at home. As for Back, there are CLEARLY 4 out of 10 for just lower back, many do upper and mid, some upper and lower. Back extension on ball, Stiff legged dead lifts, Leg raise on Ball and Body Hypers. Back has 9 out of 10 and four are lower back! It’s simple reading of the instructions and the card. Over 600 people have used and loved in our 5 months of existence; with the lowest return policy in our industry. But the clients that pay the 99 dollars, read the instructions and notice the Neon green which say at home seem to understand perfectly! We have had Fantastic reviews from other media outlets that have actually used the program. We have worked so hard to get our product to this point all on our own without BIG FITNESS companies; we make our product in AMERICA which we are very proud of as we want to keep jobs in America. Again, our product is exactly what we say it is, it is Personal Trainer in a Box, and it is designed to help people discover weight training at home and at the gym. It has over 87% of the exercises to be performed at home. We have other clientele that have pulley systems at home and benches which only help. It consistently changes up your routine, so you and your muscles are never bored! I agree with one thing, I NEVER thought the DVD was needed. I KNOW my form is correct, but it is a little fast due to cost and time. We did this after some older clientele asked for it. In May, we mailed out 125 to past clients that suggested it to begin with, and they said it was exactly what they needed. This was designed for Newbie’s obviously. Anything that can add confidence for people to CHANGE THEIR WORLD, I am all for! Again, thanks for taking the time to review our product. Kind regards, Lori Wengle Thank you for taking the time to look at our product. Working on the product for over a year and half, you can understand my disappointment when reading your review. Unfortunately, we do not believe you read the cards or easy to use instructions correctly.

If you have ever started a business, it is like having a baby, and when someone calls your baby UGLY, not having the facts correctly, you too would want to fix that.

After being OVERWEIGHT or OBESE from 6 years old to my 20’s, I lost 107lbs and used weight training to maintain my figure and finally become happy in my own skin. I learned that switching up my routine was the key to continual results.

But after becoming a personal trainer and realizing that when my clients were not with me, they would do things wrong, or just do the same old exercise, I developed this new system. Our clientele that uses our product regularly LOVES the product, period.

With over 87 percent of the cards at home with a BIG neon green box on the front and a detailed description on the back which shows how to do the move at home. At Home exercises that have a bench in the picture explain in detail how to perform the exercise without a bench. Any novice exerciser would know to use a stability ball or sometimes the floor, but the back of the card explains it all just in case our new clientele needs extra help!

Personal Trainer in a Box is not being marketed to the at home market, at home or at the gym. This set is great for a busy Mom or Dad that can’t get to the gym all the time and needs instruction to get out of doing the same thing over and over. Many people do not have the luxury to stay at home and work, our crazy lives lead us to not getting any exercise.

When I was obese as a child, I was one of three in my school in the early 70’s. Look at the statistics now. Personal Trainer in a Box, you CAN perform at home or at the gym, you just have to spend three minutes reading the instructions and look for the BIG NEON green AT HOME on the front and back of the card. Underneath TIPS, you will clearly see the AT HOME section. You said there were 2 exercises you could do at home in Biceps. I beg to differ.

The bicep section has 9 out of ten cards at home. When a bench is used, it explains that you can perform on the floor or a stability ball. IT’S ALL ON THE BACK OF THE CARD UNDER AT HOME!

Concentrated Curl- Do this exercise at home using the same movement with dumbbells on a bench or stable chair.

Bicep Rope Pull-up- Do this same movement at home using dumbbells.

Double Cable Biceps- Do this same movement at home using dumbbells.

And I could go on as 9 out of 10 cards under Biceps could be performed at home.

As for Back, there are CLEARLY 4 out of 10 for just lower back, many do upper and mid, some upper and lower. Back extension on ball, Stiff legged dead lifts, Leg raise on Ball and Body Hypers. Back has 9 out of 10 and four are lower back! It’s simple reading of the instructions and the card. Over 600 people have used and loved in our 5 months of existence; with the lowest return policy in our industry.

But the clients that pay the 99 dollars, read the instructions and notice the Neon green which say at home seem to understand perfectly!

We have had Fantastic reviews from other media outlets that have actually used the program. We have worked so hard to get our product to this point all on our own without BIG FITNESS companies; we make our product in AMERICA which we are very proud of as we want to keep jobs in America.

Again, our product is exactly what we say it is, it is Personal Trainer in a Box, and it is designed to help people discover weight training at home and at the gym. It has over 87% of the exercises to be performed at home. We have other clientele that have pulley systems at home and benches which only help. It consistently changes up your routine, so you and your muscles are never bored!

I agree with one thing, I NEVER thought the DVD was needed. I KNOW my form is correct, but it is a little fast due to cost and time. We did this after some older clientele asked for it. In May, we mailed out 125 to past clients that suggested it to begin with, and they said it was exactly what they needed. This was designed for Newbie’s obviously. Anything that can add confidence for people to CHANGE THEIR WORLD, I am all for!

Again, thanks for taking the time to review our product.

Kind regards,

Lori Wengle

]]> By: Andrea http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13717 Andrea Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:10:54 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13717 I have been using this product for a few months now, strictly at home, and I find it VERY easy to use, thoroughly understandable, and NEVER boring! I have a small workbench and weights I bought for $60, a stability ball and resistance bands, all of which get alternated to keep it interesting, and none of which take up more than 5 square feet of space. You do not need to go to a gym to benefit form this awesome program. Su's review is somewhat narrow minded and it sounds to me like she really didn't give the product the chance it deserves. I have been using this product for a few months now, strictly at home, and I find it VERY easy to use, thoroughly understandable, and NEVER boring! I have a small workbench and weights I bought for $60, a stability ball and resistance bands, all of which get alternated to keep it interesting, and none of which take up more than 5 square feet of space. You do not need to go to a gym to benefit form this awesome program. Su’s review is somewhat narrow minded and it sounds to me like she really didn’t give the product the chance it deserves.

]]> By: Torri http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13716 Torri Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:55 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13716 I am very confused by this review. I go to the gym but also work out at home, and have been using the Personal Trainer In A Box for six months now. I love how easy it is to read the card and do the exercise and be able to look at Loris picture and make sure I have the same form as her. On the cards it will show "at home" on it! I have found those very helpful and have seen results with them. I think that you should have actually went through it instead of judging something right off the bat. Lori is an incredible rolemodel, and someone who I strongly look to for her wonderful fitness tips and I personally think you didn't go through the box...or you would have seen results! I am very confused by this review. I go to the gym but also work out at home, and have been using the Personal Trainer In A Box for six months now. I love how easy it is to read the card and do the exercise and be able to look at Loris picture and make sure I have the same form as her. On the cards it will show “at home” on it! I have found those very helpful and have seen results with them. I think that you should have actually went through it instead of judging something right off the bat. Lori is an incredible rolemodel, and someone who I strongly look to for her wonderful fitness tips and I personally think you didn’t go through the box…or you would have seen results!

]]> By: Kim Brown http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13715 Kim Brown Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:34:57 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13715 Did you even READ the instructions that go with the program? This system is dummy proof!! MOST people, when working out at home NEED to have weights, dumbells and/or barbells. At the VERY least weights and/or dumbells!!! (The reason it is called "Weight Training!!) What are you using for weights? With that in mind, there are about 9 out of 10 exercises that you can do at home!! As for the bench you say you MUST have, if you read the "At Home" Card, you would realize that the program stated that you can use a Stability Ball (available at MOST mega stores for around $20) in place of the bench or floor. (although the floor is "FREE"!) Have you even USED the program? Did you even READ the instructions that go with the program?
This system is dummy proof!! MOST people, when working out at home NEED to have weights, dumbells and/or barbells. At the VERY least weights and/or dumbells!!! (The reason it is called “Weight Training!!) What are you using for weights? With that in mind, there are about 9 out of 10 exercises that you can do at home!! As for the bench you say you MUST have, if you read the “At Home” Card, you would realize that the program stated that you can use a Stability Ball (available at MOST mega stores for around $20) in place of the bench or floor. (although the floor is “FREE”!) Have you even USED the program?

]]> By: Jenna http://living.health.com/2009/07/16/gear-guide-personal-trainer-in-a-box-strength-training-cards/#comment-13713 Jenna Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:17:10 +0000 http://living.health.com/?p=18468#comment-13713 I have had an entirely opposite experience with this product and it makes me wonder if the reviewer actually used it or not?? I have been using Personal Trainer in a Box for approximately 6 months now and I have lost 20 pounds and I am fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my life. I love this program because I can use it at home (sometimes with minor modifications) or at the gym. Using a stability ball instead of a weight bench transforms the exercise from being a gym exercise to a home exercise--and all that is explained on the cards. It couldn't be simpler! So I feel like the reviewer quickly rushed through the program and didn't even bother to read the cards and see the exercises. This kit is perfect--teaches you how to exercise properly, hit all of your muscles, and stretch afterwards for the long and lean muscles that we all desire. I give this product an A+! I have had an entirely opposite experience with this product and it makes me wonder if the reviewer actually used it or not?? I have been using Personal Trainer in a Box for approximately 6 months now and I have lost 20 pounds and I am fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my life. I love this program because I can use it at home (sometimes with minor modifications) or at the gym. Using a stability ball instead of a weight bench transforms the exercise from being a gym exercise to a home exercise–and all that is explained on the cards. It couldn’t be simpler! So I feel like the reviewer quickly rushed through the program and didn’t even bother to read the cards and see the exercises. This kit is perfect–teaches you how to exercise properly, hit all of your muscles, and stretch afterwards for the long and lean muscles that we all desire. I give this product an A+!

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