Red XL Abdominal Exerciser Reviews

• I already gave this thing an appropriately bad review -once-. I want my 'helpful' votes back!

  
  By ATNZ6ZION5HI1 on 2006-10-14
  Apparently they have enough clout to make the bad reviews disappear...ok, try try again: Ninety Percent of the benefit that you might get from this machine is from lifting your feet off of the floor. The twisting may feel somewhat strenuous, but it's because of the tension created by your feet/legs being lifted up , not the twisting itself. In other words; you don't need this machine, you don't need anything, just sit anywhere with your feet suspended off of the floor. A little twist wouldn't hurt.....got a swivel chair? That's all this thing is, and not a very good one.
  
  

• Great way to burn 400 calories while watching TV

  
  By A3HZEVABIWYO9H on 2007-02-28
  This is an inexpensive machine and when you get it you can see why.
  Still probably worth the money if you actually use it while watching tv.
  For people who essentially want the machine to show up and the weight to come off might hate it as might those who think feeling the burn is the only way to go but I think its the best way to burn about 400 calories while watching a single tv show without killing your back.
  You can sustain the zero resistance level twist for an hour straight and break a light sweat, lo level cardio. At that rate (as a tummy toning cardio machine - for which it is excellent!!!) you can burn between 7 and 9 calories per minute. I know this because I also own the body bugg calorie management armband and measured calories burned for a one hour work out. I loved it because Its a great way to avoid just sitting there when you want to watch tv. I've killed myself with brutal kick boxing workout for the same calorie burn in shorter time - this is less stress on the back. I thought the video was a demonstration and I recommend only using it once to see the different exercises. As a workout video I give it a negative 3 out of 10.
  The absolutely best thing is that this isn't a HARD workout but it does burn the long term (45 minute to an hour) calories. Because of that I think its sustainable motivation- people who hate their workout machine will not use them and they end up in the garage.
  This is my new tv chair.
  
  

• The swivel broke within 10 minutes

  
  By A3KE132VCF5OZP on 2006-11-19
  My 125# wife used the thing for no more than 10 minutes before the swivel broke on the bottom. I thought no problem with the warranty. I called and called and finally got put on hold for over an hour. Then when it went thru they were now closed and please call back. I tried a couple more days and never got thru. I have since decided to redesign the broken part and try it again. I might as well. The rest of the parts look pretty sturdy but the most loaded part is cheap plastic. I would never recommend this item to anyone in its current form. They will not be around very long with the quality of this product.
  
  
  
  

• RED XL REVIEW

  
  By A2FUP2GEHPP1J7 on 2007-01-30
  USE THE XL MOST EVERY DAY AND FIND THAT IT DOES A FAIRLY GOOD JOB FOR WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. ONLY USE IT ABOUT TEN MINENTS AT A TIME SINCE I AM 72 I DONT OVERDUE IT. CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN MY ABDOMEN ALREADY.
  
  

• It's kinda like that favorite bar stool that swivels...

  
  By A36V8NVQJHPHOG on 2007-05-30
  It's small and compact. Found it is comfortable and if you do the workout it does work. As soon as I took it out of the box found it to be solidly built. Despite seemingly to be solid I did find the tensioner control should supply more maximum tension setting. And, a screw hole was incorrectly manufactured, the threads were stripped - but I forced the screw in there anyway, it's not coming apart now... Just another fitness machine. You could do as much with a stool that swivels.
  
  
• A Satisfied Customer
  By A1ZWTU3KA8C2Z9 on 2007-10-21
  After reading about so many people's negative experience with this little machine, it might seem strange that I'm very happy with it. All the parts arrived in proper condition, assembly was easy. The basic workout DVD is a good start for someone my age (62). Mr. Pou is obviously a body builder and not a TV personality, but I'm excercising, not looking to be entertained. I've only been using it a short period of time but already see and feel results. I work up a moderate sweat, and keep the tension on it's tightest all the time. I also like to just sit and swing on it while watching t.v. My waist is getting smaller and I am tightening up. So far it's delivering what I was looking for. I have a tricky neck from a childhood whiplash and a bulging disc in my lower back. I am able to do crunches now without hurting either my back or my neck. So, I extend my sympathies to those who are not pleased or received defective equipment. But here is at least one, bona fide satisfied customer.
  
  
• Poor Customer Service
  By A1C3K0JW1A17X3 on 2007-05-12
  I rec'd the exerciser about a montha ago...am not able to use it because the 4 screws that hold on the handles were missing...I have had no luck trying to obtain these screws from Target, I get the unaround ....if I return it ...I am out the $14 shipping....The company needs to make good on this product, but I am at a loss where to contact to get these screws I need....
  
  
• DO NOT BUY THIS!!!!!
  By A21LHMENG485XU on 2007-12-12
  Check out this company on the BBB website. They go by the name of Red Fitness. They are a bunch of crooks. BUYER BEWARE.
  
  
• Do not buy
  By A1BW5VQ2N8WMHW on 2007-02-17
  This is a useless product. I do not exercise much, and I do not even get a burn from this machine. The DVD is boring and the instructor speaks in a mono tone. It looks like it is low budget!
  
  
• Absolutely Horrible
  By A3GZMJBVIHKR27 on 2007-08-06
  Do not waste your money on this product. There is so many other machines out there that does a much better job. If your looking for ab equipment, the ab roller is probably the best out there to date. This machine is a total waste.
  
  
• Summary of bad reviews: get DX not XL. Summary of good: the only fun way for the most sensible abdominal emphasis: torsion.
  By A23V7GOQQRIVN5 on 2008-01-05
  I think both 'good' and 'bad' reviews miss a point. This may be the only machine that fully challenges and relaxes back, spine and abdominals with their natural 'swivel' motion. I believe very much in the concept. However, I am no fitness expert, so please take my opinion only so far as sounds reasonable to you.
  
  As for the quality of the equipment, the RedExerciser website shows 3 models:
  
  MAX 'professional': $215 ppd, 160 lbs. max. resistance.
  DX 'deluxe': $175 ppd, 120 lbs. resist. (Amazon $110 ppd.)
  XL: $150 ppd., 90 lbs. resist. (Amazon price $99 ppd.)
  
  Reading between the lines and after reading the Amazon reviews:
  
  MAX: properly constructed, or at least 'maybe'.
  DX: cutting all corners, but hopefully within reason.
  XL: as shoddy as might be gotten away with, and then some.
  
  I just bought a DX model listed 'new' at Amazon for about $60 ppd. 'DX' was not mentioned in the main listing--it was necessary to read the seller's 'comments'. So do a search for 'Red Exerciser' and maybe you'll get lucky as I did. Otherwise click here for a $110 DX Red Exerciser (at the time writing this review). Thank you all other reviewers, both positive and negative, for making it more clear what to expect.
  
  P.S. I have it and yes--it is the DX as stated in the seller's 'comment'. Yes, the tension is adjustable. The highest tension is not very strong, just about makes it. The back and spine would get more involved if the handles were higher, or if you hold on to something else. One thing I must say however: unlike all other abdominal exercises, this gadget probably works and is extremely low-stress. You can not get hurt. The DX seems sturdy enough, doesn't take much space, can be assembled and moved easily. Only time will tell if it lasts. Otherwise, there is certainly no downside to having this around and doing a few twirls whenever you feel like it.
  
  P.S. Around 2009 or so, I expect around $60 to be a standard price, after this machine and imitations become more popular. It is quite simple and that is about what it really should cost.
  
  
• Not suited for anyone on the shorter side
  By A2GDMXMQ3LP7P9 on 2007-11-24
  I really liked the basic idea of this swivel stool, but I am a 5' 3" female and to use this product sitting you must be a taller person with longer arms.
  
  
• Red XL
  By A32ODYJEPEZ48Y on 2007-07-18
  It's a fairly good product, the biggest drawback being even when turned up to full, the resistance is pretty wimpy.
  
  Fred Read
  
  
• Red XL exerciser
  By A3O7JW4CAWBC36 on 2007-10-21
  The Red XL really helped tighten my midsection and thighs! I highly recommend this product
  
  
• Gentle Exercise
  By AE2P0LYAKAK8D on 2007-07-30
  I really like my Red Exerciser and recommend it. It's perfect for older people and people who don't want to go to a gym.
  
  
• eh...
  By ABK2V5C2FWI1M on 2007-10-10
  It came very fast. It's pretty cool at first. It doesn't seem like you are getting much of a work out if you're not on it for at least 45 mins. But it is fun, easy to use, and easy to assemble. Works good as an office seat so you can type and exercise at the same time.
  
  
• this item sucked
  By ASB8S6YKSZ5RF on 2007-10-31
  I used this product 4 times and it was falling apart. This item really sucked.
  
  
• Red is not worth it
  By AJPWMWK9CRHQ1 on 2007-12-16
  This is a total waste of your money, it looks like a great idea, but does not make for a workout. If you really want to buy excersize equiptment, don't buy this.
  
  
• ok product
  By A332VV91J4PQZU on 2007-10-17
  Just got it. Not sure if it is going to work. It is easy to assemble it. Tends to agree with someone on the fact that the tension is not that strong as you may think even when it is adjusted to the highest level.
  
  
• Good Product and Good Value
  By A8Z94IARCIUOE on 2007-12-24
  I purchased this product not sure if it would be of very good quality. I was wrong. It was very well put together and sturdy. I found the video to be very helpful and easy to understand and keep up with. This exerciser is good for someone who hasn't exercised in awhile and needs to get moving again. I have back and knee problems and this was something that I can do without hurting myself. Iwould recommend this product and would buy it again!
  
  
• product good-results-what results?
  By A3DJPYYNQ94EDW on 2007-11-10
  There is no way that you can achieve what it promises with this product.
  it seems to be well built & sturdy- but i have read & re-read, watched dvd - i am now certain that i am doing it right in every way BUT there is no way this will change the way my body looks in any way.
  it is now under my bed (stores well- breaks down fairly flat!) and i have joined a gym.
  good luck!
  
  
• no resistance
  By A35KMSPQHLLU2W on 2007-12-21
  It does not tighten to increase resistance.
  It is nothing but a stool with handle to twist the body from right to left. It is a big disappointment.
  
  
  
• Could have done better
  By A1O2AMROF92CUZ on 2008-02-13
  I was given this for a Christmas gift, but I think the money could have been better spent on a regular weight bench and free weights. I would have used that much more than I do this thing. It really does not give me the workout that I was used to having. The equipment is rather sturdy for what you spend, but I don't think you get enough of a workout for the money you spend. As for the DVD that came with it....it really sucked big time! The mouths didn't match up with the video itself which was VERY distracting. The video reminded you of an old 1960 instructional video. All in all, I was was VERY disappointed in the merchandise. I will be going back to my Tae-Bo and look to buy a real weight set and bench for a true workout. All in all, save your money!
  
  
• save your money
  By AQDB12J7E7A6P on 2008-04-17
  Do yourself a favor and save your money. I hate crunches and thought this machine might be a way to get easier results, but it's a joke. I do crunches for about 10-15 minutes before I work out. If I do them right, I'm sore the next day. The problem is, I hate every minute of them. I bought this machine and used it for nearly 30 minutes. My legs hurt from holding them out but I felt nothing in my abs. Nothing. I turned the resistance all the way up too. Also, the DVD that comes with it is a joke as well. Where did they dig up this George Pou guy? Terrible. The ONLY way I could see this machine doing you any good is if you don't work out at all and are totally out of shape. In that case, I suppose a little is better than nothing. But do yourself a favor, save your $$$$, lie down on the floor, suck it up and squeeze out some highly effective, FREE crunches. PS...I gave it 2 stars by accident and couldn't fix...it doesn't even deserve one.
  
  
• Too soon to tell
  By A386MDJSXSL0R4 on 2007-09-27
  I have just begun to use the RED XL so it is too soon to tell if I will get results. It is an easy use, however, that does not mean I will achieve the results desired.
  
  
• This is a joke!
  By A1C2KY3BIT3NFH on 2008-07-15
  I wouldn't give it one star, but you have to if you want to write something.
  This product SUCKS!
  
  
• item does not match description
  By A1SMBT4XCGSWTI on 2007-12-07
  description says XL but a DX was sent to us.
  other than that everything was ok.
  
  
• reviewing it
  By A2H7HBRC8YKKUI on 2008-03-04
  its a good piece of equipment,,, HOWERVEr you must be re-tightening the nuts on the handles,, or else ill turn loose too quick. Good for someone not heavy
  
  
• Red Abdominal Exerciser
  By A3TCTMWCSFACW7 on 2007-12-05
  It is fun and very easy to use. I am very happy with the workout DVD that comes with it.
  
  
• review for red exercisor
  By A35PUBXNZQ91I2 on 2008-04-25
  This equiptment is just what I expected and doing exactly the job it was intended thank you for developing this sincerly Nathan.
  
  

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