Twist & Shape Abs Trainer, Green/Silver

First let me state that I am a disabled female veteran. I am in a wheelchair much of the time but can maneuver using bilateral leg braces that go from leg calf down to foot. I can do many things with my disability but, exercising is not really in the equation. But it is needed for health, weight loss, trying to get my good cholesterol up etc. etc. Anyway, I decided to give this a try. My husband put this together and when I just asked him, in his opinion, how difficult was it to put together. He replied that was relatively easy and that the directions were some of the best instructions he has ever come across. That is important. First, it is really easy to use. You do have to step up to get to the platform but it is pretty stable. I can step up with my leg braces. Once up I can hold onto the knobs and YIPPEE I can indeed use this machine. I don't go fast, but I can balance well enough to use it properly. I have been using this for 4 days now and though i haven't checked the tummy measurements and such yet (figured way too soon for that) I DO feel something going on. If I stand straight I feel the machine working one area of tummy and sides and if I slightly bend my knees I feel another area worked. So, I will keep on working with this and hope it will give me some of the work out that I really need to be doing. By the way I will be 70 in July. Also, you can lock the stand plate in position and can stand on your toes to make the 2 circle areas turn and that will work your calf areas etc. I can't do that because of my disability but my husband has started working with it and he does this secondary position as well as the regular way. I have it set up so I can watch TV while I am working the machine. I can do this for quite some time, it does not make my overly tired or out of breath. Perhaps if I could work it faster that "might" happen but for me this is a good thing. I am getting exercise but not hurting myself. I tried another well advertised machine that works your core and you sit down on it to do it. BUT, it really put a strain on my low back trying to do the sit ups for the mid section. Had to stop and really did not feel i was getting anywhere. So, wasn't sure if I could do this with my disability and pleased to say I can. Sure, I can't do that part where you step back off it and can't go on my toes etc. BUT, the basic part of it is really doable and I feel good after working with this machine. Hopefully, I can report back in a few weeks. But to me this is really worth having.

I do like this but the handle support is not very secure and I have to keep pushing on it so that I don’t fall backward. I wish it was sturdier so I could just concentrate on doing the routine that came with it.

This product seriously engages my core. I had considered using a Hula-Hoop but I just did not dexterity to keep that thing up around me but this machine is exactly what I was hoping I could find when I started searching for something like this. I can definitely feel it already and I use this at least twice a day for 10 minutes and then I use my treadmill 3 times A-day at 10 minute intervals in between my work breaks and so I'm really getting 50 minutes of working out per day I think that's seriously going to Help me reach my fitness goals and get in great shape. I don't think it takes a lot of space at all in fact I can tuck it behind my front door and then just pull it out when I feel like it and that's only about a 2' difference. I can totally feel it in my muscles all over especially my abs which is where my treadmill can't reach so well. I love that I can watch TV and the time flies by at 2 10 minute increments. Very happy with this purchase!

I bought this product because I really liked the similar one in the gym. However, this product does not have any resistance when you twist so it makes too easy to exercise. I did not get what I expected from this device. That would be much useful if there would be some sort of resistance when you twist it.

Light, sturdy, compact yet delivers a good was workout! Love the way the monitor retains data allowing for interruptions. You can pick up where you left off after a phone call, etc. Doing an hour per day. Great product!

I bought this because I tend to be lazy about working out, and I get bored quickly on my treadmill and stepper. I needed something new that would keep me off the couch during the winter months. I honestly didn't think the Twist & Shape would be a really effective workout tool since it's no impact, but after about 10 minutes I am breaking a sweat. I figured it would be more useful for trimming the waist, but when I twist on the little spin disks, I can really feel my outer thighs and glutes working. That's great for me, since due to genetics I tend to carry more of my weight in my thighs and booty. I haven't used it long enough to gage whether it will actually help keep a muffin top in check, but so far I like it.I got mine from Amazon Warehouse Deals at a discounted price (20.00 off). Assembly was pretty easy. I am a tall girl, so I have the handles raised to the highest setting. No discomfort or problems there. Only problem is.... the timer/calorie counter doesn't work, which would explain why it was returned by a previous buyer. Not a deal-breaker, but would have been nice to know before purchase, and probably should have been discounted a little more than it was. Shipping it back would have been too much of a hassle, and since it serves it's intended purpose, I'll keep it.

I love everything but the handlers keep losing up before I finish my workout. Is there a replacement green knob that stays tight?

It was easy to put together, and it's a fun workout, that you really feel, mostly in the abs and obliques. I have it stationed in my living room, so I can use it while watching my TV or listening to music. For myself, it's hard to get in more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time, but so far (in less than a week), I've put in at least a half hour a day. In just a few days, I can feel some change in definition.A couple notes: Some of the nuts do not screw in flush to the machine, so the nut and bolt rattles which every rotation, which is maddening. I just used a little duct tape, so they don't move. Problem solved. Also, I'm 6'2", with short arms. The upper part of the machine, at its greatest extension, is a little short for me. I have to bend slightly, just to use the machine. That's probably a better workout, and literally almost everyone my height has longer arms, but this machine is probably not recommended for people over 6'4"