The business is massive. Companies spend $30,000.00 or more, creating a produced TV show that is actually a half-hour commercial. It's like watching a car wreck that you really don't want to see, but, you're drawn to it anyway. They hire Hollywood celebrities, or Fitness personalities you admire and trust. These people generate a great income from royalties on successful sales. Almost none of these devices live up to the claims, but the visuals get us to make that "impulse purchase".

Rather than talk about the ones that don't work, we'll give you some quick insight to a couple that do, based on this criteria:

• Quality of the product
• A substantial history
• Public Testimonials
• PPT's Personal Experience

TOTAL GYM
A machine that is made of high quality steel, that uses bodyweight as resistance(weights can be added to some models)for Functional Movement exercise. It has been around for 30-plus years, and is used internationally in physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics.

PPT Founder, Roy Barnett, has been a long time fitness trainer and martial artist, and found out about the machine in the late 70's when he was following the training concepts of CHUCK NORRIS (star of "WALKER, TEXAS RANGER", and former middleweight undefeated Karate Champion).

Long before the infomercials of the late nineties, Mr. Norris was an avid user of the machine. Mr. Barnett was a retail sporting goods store's Exercise Specialist, and was the only one who knew of the Total Gym in those early years, even selling one to the store manager, who still uses it today, some 28 years later, and owns one of the latest versions.

Testimonials are available on the Total Gym web site, as well as all over the Internet. Detractors usually have either never actually used the machines, or didn't get the "quick fix pill" they thought it would be. Even the "8 Minute Workout", done for them by power lifter and trainer, JOHN CARLEO, requires you to commit to a consistent regimen, with nutrition, something most people are unwilling to do.

One Caveat: EFI, the Total Gym's creators, have licensed FITNESS QUEST EXERCISE of OHIO, to put out a less expensive, lower quality version that is sold in retail sporting goods stores, like SPORTS AUTHORITY, DICK'S, and even SEARS. They're decent, pretty much perform the same basic exercises, but can't use any of the EFI's accessories for rehab or physical therapy. The TOTAL GYM from EFI will be a major exercise resource when PPT opens its training facility. Check out: http://www.totalgym.com

BOWFLEX
Once again, a company with a long, distinguished history, well before the infomercial came along. "FITNESS" magazine gave it a "TOP TEN" rating throughout most of the nineties. They are now a major part of the long respected NAUTILUS EXERCISE company. The "POWERRODS(TM)" resistance is very similar to exercise bands that don't break, unlike their rubber counterparts.

The Bowflex is setup very much like weight plate bearing home gyms, from companies like PRECOR, HOIST, WEIDER, and others. Bowflex, however, is not only commercial gym quality, but they also offer the ONLY wheelchair friendly version home gym, the "VERSATRAINER(TM)", allowing people who can't get into commercial gyms, a feasible way to do functional training, despite their physical handicap.

Bowflex, as a part of the Nautilus/Schwinn/Stairmaster-/Bowflex corporation, has a variety of different machines, like the Bowflex TreadClimber(TM), a treadmill/elliptical combo, and the Bowflex Select-Tech (TM) Dumbbells, which allow you to use an incremental change in weights by simply setting a "dial-in" clicking of the desired weighted resistance, without having to have many different dumbbells.

PPT, through our good friends at AMERICAN HOME FITNESS, CARLTON & RICHARD in Birmingham, NAVARRO in Rochester Hills, and TONYA in Sterling Hts., all here in Michigan, have had a chance to put this adaptable variety of products to the test. They WORK, and fit the criteria we have outlined on our Progressive Personal Training page. These products will also be a signature part of our forthcoming training center.

Looking to buy the best in home exercise equipment? Not sure what you need? PPT has an answer for Michigan and North Ohio(Toledo area). AMERICAN HOME FITNESS Click on the link for a location in your area. You'll be HAPPY you did!

Go to: http://www.bowflex.com

While there are a couple of others we could mention, we will do so at a later time. Check back for updates on the web site, or if you have questions, you can contact us by phone or e-mail.

PPT ENTERPRISES
It's all about PERFORMANCE
for your healthy lifestyle!