We get fat for a very simple reason – We eat too much. We take in more energy from the food we eat and drink than we burn by moving around. Put simply, to lose fat we need to eat less and exercise more! That’s it – in one paragraph the secret to losing fat. So why do people find it so hard to follow this simple advice?

There are many reasons:

• Poor eating habits
• Lack of exercise or activity
• Emotional eating (distracting from a feeling you don’t like)Dieting
• Lack of muscle tissue (no fat burning machine)
• No motivation (lots of past failures)
• It’s too damn hard!

We are programmed by nature to seek out and enjoy calorie dense foods. We hate the feeling of being hungry and gain satisfaction by feeling “full”.

This is a very sensible survival trait for people who have a limited food supply (us many thousands of years ago). The problem is we are now surrounded by these calorie dense foods and they are not in short supply! Worse, our food comes packaged and processed, with most of the goodness taken out – it neither satisfies nor nourishes us, so we eat more to compensate.

The supermarkets are full of these foods and to make matters worse, some of the most unhealthy food choices are also the cheapest! A double negative whammy for those with a large family and a limited budget. Combine that with fast food outlets dotted on every street corner and it’s easy to see why as a nation we are becoming fatter and fatter. It is possible to eat healthily on a limited budget but it takes time, preparation and planning.

We don’t need to go back many generations to find activity levels much higher than they are today. Were people obese then? Not many, and only those who could afford to be! Today most of us work at a desk all day. We drive to work, the store, the school, rush from place to place when we’re not working and are mentally drained and physically inert at the end of the day! Where’s the healthy activity that’s going to burn fat and will also make us feel much better?

We even jump in our cars to visit the local store, which may only be a couple of hundred yards away. Combine that with an unwillingness to join a gym or do any exercise at home and is it any wonder we’re piling on fat at an alarming rate?

If you want to learn more about how permanent fat loss is possible if approached the right way, then why not start exercising at home? There are some fantastic pieces of at home exercise equipment available that can really help with your fat loss goals. These include Kettleworx, The Firm Wave and Ultraflex Fitness systems.

Take a look and see what you think it’s a lot easier than you think.

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

Fat Loss, Diet And Exercise

I often come across infomercials offering equipment for exercising at home and I compare them and then write reviews on each regarding value for money, ease of each to use and set up, and how much good they will do a client.

Two pieces of equipment currently very popular are the Ab Circle Pro and the Firm Wave.  The Ab Circle Pro has kneepads, handlebars and a semicircular track to glide around.  You kneel on the kneepads, place your hands on the handlebars thus leaning forward in an all fours position, and swing the kneepads from side to side.

Using the Ab Circle Pro you move the kneepads from side to side while leaning on the padded handlebars; your abdominal area and waist muscles are toned and you get a cardiovascular heart and lung workout at the same time.

The body positioning on the Ab Circle Pro can feel quite challenging to start with if your upper body is weak, but within a week or so of regular use you will start to strengthen and tone your arm and chest muscles.  The all fours positioning is also very good for strengthening the bones in your arms.

You need to be careful to position your hips and spine correctly when you’re exercising on all fours; if you let your lower back sag like a hammock and your abdominals bulge then you will soon get a sore back.  Keep your tummy muscles pulled in and your spine in neutral and you will find your abs are in the perfect position to be toned efficiently and correctly.

The problem with doing sit-ups on the floor is that they are often done incorrectly and make the abs bulge in the wrong direction!  There have been several reports of the kneepads being uncomfortable to use on the Ab Circle Pro, but I would suggest that wearing some hockey or football kneepads when you use the machine should solve that problem.

With the Ab Circle Pro you also get a low-calorie diet guide and a short DVD.  Like most other home exercise devices, the Ab Circle Pro will indeed help you lose weight and build lean, sculpted muscle if you use it on a regular basis, overhaul your eating habits, and combine it with other types of regular exercise as well.

Comparing favourably to the Ab Circle Pro pricewise is The Firm Wave, which is formed of strong polymer and is in the shape of a humpback bridge.  One side is stable for step and similar exercises, and the other side rocks for increased calorie burn and to challenge postural muscles. With the Wave you get a number of useful DVDs with various fat burning and toning workouts on them.

Get the abs you always wanted with the Ab Circle Pro

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

The Ab Circle Pro vs The Firm Wave

TheFirmWave is a piece of home exercise equipment that combines cardiac exercise with full body toning for a fantastic result with great weight loss and beautiful sleek muscles.

Shaped like a small humpback bridge, the Firm Wave is extremely simple to use in several different ways on its own or with the Flex bands (included) or dumbbells to get a workout that encompasses the whole body.

You can use the Wave in lots of different ways, that’s the beauty of it, whether you want a fat-burning, heart strengthening cardio workout, or a resistance workout to tone the muscles of your arms and legs.  This equipment is also useful for Pilates.

What makes it so versatile is that can be turned either way up for exercises; with the curve side upwards it is useful as a Step, is stable to stand on and thus can be used for lots of different aerobic exercises to burn fat, raise the heart rate and work all the leg muscles.

Using the stable side, you can intensify your workout and burn lots more calories by carrying some dumbbells and adding arm exercises to your leg and thigh exercises.  As you get good at this, you can devise an aerobic routine with some high impact jumps and hops and burn around 500 calories an hour.

The most unique property of the Wave is that you can then turn it over so that the curved side is down; in this position when you step on it rocks from side to side.  Just to stay in position means that all your deep core and balance muscles will have to switch on, and when you push your legs from side to side and rock you burn lots more calories and your balance and stability begin to improve – and you have a good time too!

Even then, that’s not all you can do with the Wave, because if you get down on the floor you can use it for exercises like push-ups, which tone and strengthen the shoulder, arm and chest muscles.  Toning the chest muscles is essential for keeping your boobs perky, and working the backs of your arms will mean that you don’t get flabby bingo wings as you get older.

As a further bonus, this amazingly versatile piece of home exercise equipment is also excellent for large number of Pilates exercises.  Pilates is renowned for sculpting long lean shapely leg muscles, toning and strengthening shoulders and back, and chiselled, beautiful abdominals.

The incredibly versatile Wave comes with a number of inspiring DVDs suitable for beginners onward; the experienced team of instructors offer you various workouts which are easy to follow and inspirational, and you will enjoy your workout while burning more calories than you ever thought possible.

This home fitness kit will cost you just over $100 and is the best investment you can make for your body and your health.  When you consider that a yearly gym membership can cost many times this, then it is a great value package that will help you lose weight and tone up in an unbelievably short time.

For more on The Firm Wave Reviews.

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

Move Over TheFirmWave Has Arrived

Question: I’ve just bought The Firm Wave and took the 30 day free trial to the Firm Believers Club. Should I continue the subscription after the 30 days is up? Do you think it’s worth it?

Answer: There is some bad feeling about at the moment with regard to the Firm Believers Club. Many people seem to think they’ve been tricked into taking out the subscription. What happens is they sign up for the 30 day free trial and then forget to cancel!

When you buy the Wave the Firm make it very clear that The Firm Believers club subscription is optional. You don’t have to take it. If you do take it it’s up to you to remember to cancel it if you don’t want it anymore.

As to whether it’s worth keeping the subscription which costs $9-95 per month to be honest I don’t know yet. I’ve only just got around to looking at it! From what I’ve seen it looks pretty good but it all depends on how often the site is updated with new material. When I’ve had a good look around I’ll write a review and let you know.

All the best,

Carol J Bartram
(personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor)

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

The Firm Believers Club – Have I Been Tricked?

I swear I’ll never let my husband demonstrate for me again. He has the grace and elegance of an elephant! TheFirmWave was never supposed to be abused like this

I was so pleased to be one of the few people in the UK to actually have The Wave that I got carried away. I just wanted to give you a taste of what The Wave could do and instead spawned a monster!

Anyway take a look at the video I promise It’ll make you laugh and will show you (badly) some of the basic moves you can do on The Wave.

And whatever you do don’t get off it like Bob does else you risk injuring yourself. Always step off it carefully.

To read my Firm Wave Review just click the link.

Ride the Wave!

Carol J Bartram
(Personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor)

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

TheFirmWave Outrage! Or Meet The Elephant

I like to read other peoples comments on exercise equipment and recently came across this one

“Any gadget like The Wave (www.thefirmwave.com) is just another way of getting people to fall for imformercials and waste money”

Well I agree the infomercial is designed to get you to buy The Firm Wave and I also agree there is a lot of exercise junk being advertised at the moment. When it comes to The Wave though I disagree. I believe that for the average at home exerciser the Wave will do the job nicely and with a bit of creative thinking in designing your own workouts can also challenge even an experienced and very fit exerciser.

As a beginner sticking with the choreographed routines is a great idea but when they become less challenging either increase the dumbbell weight, design your own workout or incorporate the Wave into other workouts you currently do.

Preventing the body from adapting and reaching a plateaux is important and The Wave can help you in preventing this happening by varying your exercise routine.

As with any new exercise it’s important you seek professional advice before you start any new exercise routine, particularly if you are a senior or have any existing health issues or physical limitations.

If you would like to comment on the post please use the “Leave a Reply” box below.

All the best,

Carol J Bartram
(Personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor)

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

The Firm Wave Is A Ripoff – True Or False?

Qustion: I’m short of money and have seen a used Wave from the FirmWave.com being sold on EBay do you think it’ll be OK?

Answer: I’d have to say no to that one. If you look at my answer to My Firm Wave Creaks You’ll see I advise to check it for wear and tear. If you buy second hand you’ve no idea how it’s been treated. Has it been dropped, misused or has some 275lb plus person used it and possibly stressed the plastic. So buy new would be my advice it’s under $100 at the moment why risk injury with a shoddy second hand item?

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

Should I Buy My Wave Second Hand Or Buy New?

Question: I’ve recently bought The Wave from TheFirmWave.com and it’s making noises! I weigh 201lbs is it going to break?

Answer: As the Wave’s maximum weight is 270lbs you’re well under the limit. I’d just check to see it’s not damaged (cracks and scrapes) and if all looks OK don’t be concerned. My partner is 195lbs and when he uses it it also makes some noise. Just put on some louder music and you’ll not hear it any more! Seriously you just don’t hear it after a while it becomes background noise.

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

My Wave From TheFirmWave.com Is Making Creaking Sounds Is It Safe?

Sometimes I surprise myself with my own stupidity! I thought I had discovered another piece of home exercise equipment I hadn’t seen before. It was called The Firm Wave Speed Slimming System. I heard about it from someone who emailed asking if it was any good. Off I trotted to the Internet to research this brand new piece of equipment so that I could answer the question.

Guess what I found? Yup the Firm Wave. At least I could now answer the Email as I know a little bit about that lol.

The problem (excuse) is I live in the United Kingdom so I don’t actually ever get to see the original infomercials. I would imagine that the Firm Wave is referred to as The Firm Wave Slimming System in the advert. Quite a mouthful so I think I’ll stick with just the Wave. Much easier and not as pretentious as the the other.

All the best,

Carol

(The sometimes not as smart as she thinks she is Carol)

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

The Firm Wave Speed Slimming System – I’m Stupid!

As you already know we live in the UK. Now normally apart from the awful weather that’s not so bad but when it comes to getting hold of The Wave it’s terrible. After frantic phone calls to the USA we were informed that it’s available in the USA and Canada only

I thought we’d never be able to get one. I’m persistent though and was determined not to be beaten!
I discovered a relative on my Mothers side who lives in the USA so I got her to order it and then ship it on to the UK.

And it arrived today. I was so excited I videoed the contents of the box so you could get a good look at it. The video is below.

Now this is the first of many videos I’m going to be doing on the Wave so watch this space or subscribe to my Youtube channel here The Firm Wave

All the best,

Carol J Bartram
(Pilates Instructor & Personal Trainer)

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

At Last Our Firm Wave Personal Gym Has Arrived!