are the resistance cords/handles useful or are they a distraction/waste of time?
914872
Very useful for arm strengthening. I watch TV as I spin. It's great to get your waist line back and reduce the tummy. I've lost 20 pounds since I started twisting. My husband keeps one in his office and uses it often. Highly recommend and give as gifts to your friends and family!!!
914873
In my opinion the whole contraption is a waste of time. I now do a few core exercizes and have far better results. My twist board went straight to the recycle bin in hopes it will resurrect into something useful.
914874
The resistance cord/handles are very useful because they help with balance and give the arms a workout as well.
914875
The resistance cord is ok. It's not a waste or distraction, but not super useful either. It's pretty limited how you can use them while you're on the twist board. It's an issue if you don't use them and put them down cuz they flop around. Actually, all in all the whole entire contraption doesn't give you a really great workout. Just light exercise. But it is convenient to keep in your office cuz it's so small and light.
1240361
I think you could actually make some, I have been thinking about it myself. I was on the total gym website and I like the new handles they have as well. I also like the foot bar they have which is taller than the thing that comes with the total body works. I showed it to my husband and he is going to make me a similar one, seems pretty simple if you can weld or bend metal tubing. It would be nice if they offer accessories like that, but I think for now it would be pretty easy to make your own.
1775199
I would not use it as a resistance rope. I think the rope would slip out of the handles if pulled upon too much. Great jump rope though. Love mine and use it 5-6 times a week. One to the best ones that I have owned.
2216390
You don't need to use the cords at all, just leave them loose on the floor if you like. I've done this when my shoulder bursitis was acting up.
1933782
Michael, I'm not a gamer, but I find the wrist braces don't impair the movement of my wrists in any way. Needlework, however, is slower than gaming, so I might be comparing apples and oranges. On the other hand, doing needlework for hours on end with finicky little movements is pretty demanding of the entire wrist musculature and the nerves that pass through the wrist, so perhaps my experience can give you a little guidance. Also, they're worth trying---the price is certainly reasonable enough!
274030
I don't notice a great difference in the resistance levels but then that's not why I bought it. I'm recovering from knee replacement surgery and use it to improve my range of motion which it seems to do. Hope it helps you!
24300
If you have never used a resistance band or resistance cable... for me the best kind to use are the tube designed ones with handles. It really comes in handy when you are rowing. I have used the type of resistance band that does not have a handle and it can be a bit difficult when wrapping the band around your feet to row (the kind with the handles come in handy). The resistance level is your choice. I will just say that it will be important to have a starting point, but if you stick with this exercise and diet program... by the end of the week you will be able to use heavier weights and resistance bands too! My first week I lost 6.5 lbs! I am thrilled thus far with my results. I hope this information helps you!
791117
The only set up is deciding what level of resistance you want and therefore which resistance cords to attach, that's it!!!
810723
The hydraulics beneath the foot pedals on my unit require a lot of effort to depress - I find that I really need to be standing to effectively make use of the full range of motion. Even when I tweak the tension adjustment, for me, I still need to stand to depress the pedals fully. (It's definitely small and portable and lightweight enough to schlep to the office to try!)
1885173
I had no problem with mine. The two parts are nested together but there's a hole in the base of each, so using these holes I gripped the base of one with my left hand and used my right hand to grip the base of the other and pulled. I could feel some resistance but they slipped apart fairly easily and I was good to go!
1655783
No. I take a pilates class so I get the exercises there. The resistance was fine for me.
1085485
Resistance is on the pull, but the longer you row the warmer the "struts" get and they lose a little bit of the resistance. Which means the first 10 minutes of your workout is the hardest. It is not difficult to adjust the resistance.
2046757
I would recommend you get to the point of being able to do one, but it may still work. I could only do 1 or 2 when I got it. The bands that come with it gives a lot of resistance so it probably will work.
333192
depends on how hard you pull. I use them for working out too. What are you going to do with them?
582075
There is a full range of numbers of resistance available. You can make it as easy or as hard as you like. This is the most impressive piece of equipment that I've purchased at such a low cost.
1690252
I use them for pushups. Also using them for situps instead of overhead bar makes the resistance greater.
321748
You should consider substituting another pulling back exercise, such as the (bent over row). If you do that, it shouldn't make a very noticeable difference.