Infomercial fitness machines

As seen on TV, and as tested in our labs

Sexier abs! Great legs! Super fun! TV and Internet infomercials for fitness machines say that you'll get the body you've always wanted quickly and with less effort or strain. Some ads feature models with rippling muscles, a pounding techno beat, glitzy graphics, and high-energy workouts. Are any of the infomercial fitness machines worth getting off the couch to buy?

To find out, we assembled panels of testers. One group looked at the ads and then used the devices, ranging in price from $30 for the Perfect Pushup Original to $2,500 for the Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000, and reported their experiences. We then measured muscle activity and calories burned in another group who worked out on some of the machines and also on a standard treadmill and did traditional no-cost calisthenics, such as sit-ups and the bicycle maneuver for abdominal muscles and lunges for the lower body. We also reviewed the dietary plans that came with some devices. Here's what we found:

Simple exercises good enough for abs

The Ab Coaster worked the abs and obliques when used correctly, but many of our panelists found that performing the exercises properly wasn't so easy. The Ab Rocket engaged the abdominal muscles less effectively than sit-ups and other conventional exercises on a mat.

Cardio gadgets burned calories

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 provided workouts that were at least as good as walking on a flat standard treadmill at 3.5 mph. Walking on the TreadClimber burned more calories than walking on the treadmill at the same speed.

Upper-body devices can help some

The Perfect Pullup and the Perfect Pushup Original offered good assistance for doing those standard exercises. However, our panelists had mixed expectations and reactions about how well they worked. (Update: On Feb. 17, 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of the Perfect Pullup due to a fall injury hazard. Read more about the recall for details on replacement parts.)

Diets might be tough

Most of the meal plans gave sound nutritional advice, though some seemed overly restrictive and skimpy on food. The TreadClimber Body Leanness Program includes drinking at least a gallon of water a day, which can be difficult for most dieters, and reducing total calorie intake progressively, which is unconventional advice compared with recommendations of other diet plans.

You don't have to spend a lot of money on infomercial fitness machines, because standard floor exercises can provide a good workout (see Home Gym for Under $100). But some people find that exercise machines can be motivating. "Machines allow you to do exercises efficiently and to track your progress," says Cedric Bryant, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit fitness-education group based in San Diego. "And exercising with some machines can be a safer experience than working out on your own with free weights, because machines take you through a guided path for each exercise."

How to choose

Before buying, consider the type of workout you prefer and review our findings.

Read the fine print

To get some promised results using infomercial fitness machines we tested, you might have to follow a diet plan and do additional aerobic exercise. For instance, the Ab Rocket website features dramatic before-and-after shots along with a disclaimer that says, "Results not typical. This person used the Ab Rocket Fat Blasting System, did cardio exercise regularly, and ate a reduced-calorie diet."

Calculate the total cost

Expect to pay shipping, unless otherwise specified, plus any sales tax.

Be wary of trials

A "30-day money-back guarantee" sounds good, but returning the product might be hard if it's heavy or bulky, or you have to pay shipping.

Ask about return policies

Verify the infomercial fitness machine company's return address and find out how soon you can expect a refund if you send back the device.

Consumer Reports' testers took a different type of look at two other infomercial exercise devices. See our reviews of the Belly Burner and the Shake Weight.