Test dummy of home gyms

Today is a crappy day outside today.  So I figured I would do a cleaning refresher course of this apartment.  As I was off collecting things and putting things away I realized that I have A LOT of workout equipment sitting around here. .  So here my friends, is my review on the equipment that I have tried in the past!

Equipment:
Kettle bells:  These are great things have to have sitting around, as long as you have the proper weight.  Currently, I have 2 10 pound kettle bells! While they were AWESOME at first, unfortunatly, I am WAY past the 10 pound weight! These are great for snatches, as well as other exercises you would do with regular dumb bells. They work your bi-ceps, tri-ceps, and you can invent ways to have them help with your core!   Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Resistance band:  I do love my band! What I really like about it, is it takes very little effort! I'll be sitting watching TV, lay on the floor and do leg lifts! Sometimes I use it for upper body work as well.  The downside about them, it's more a calorie burner than actual toning! It adds a little extra something to your television experience!   Rating: 3 out of 5 stars!

Balleys Ab Spinner: Basically, what this thing is, is a 2 part disc. You stand on it, and you use your core to spin back and forth! When I first started my diet, this thing actually worked pretty well! I felt it when I used it, and it did help me lose, again I repeat, at first!  However, once I actually started going to the gym and doing more advanced core workouts, this thing lost all it's glory! Now it's sitting in my corner gathering dust!  Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Shake Weight: Yes! I, Cara Ann Berg Rainey, spent money on the shake weight!! Why? Because I must have a totally sick mind and I fall for subliminal messages! (Watch the commercial, you'll understand, I included a review from Ellen!) Now, what do I think of it? This is a little tougher one.  At first, I thought it was lame, and did absolutely nothing! However, I popped in the dvd today to give it a fair shot, and while I was doing the workout my arms felt the burn A BIT! I think if I didn't work out so much with real weights, I might actually feel it! So, for the avid gym rat, I would rate this product 2 out 5 stars (2, primarily because it's super in the mind in the gutter, and it's super funny to watch!)  However, for the not avid Gym Rat, 3.75 out of 5 stars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6VBrZx6jU0

Finally, my final tv informercial endeavor...

The Bender Ball:  I have to say, I LOVE THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT!! It's a very simple concept. It's a small ball, that gives you a full range of motion on situps! You can be sitting and watching tv, and instead of just sitting on your butt, pull out the Bender Ball, and whip out a bunch of sit-ups! This things works! It makes doing crunches easy on your back, more efficient and just purely enjoyable to do! Luckily, Target does sell this now...do NOT order from the website! They like to charge your card every single month. Yeah, so, seriously, if you're trying to get your abs in shape, invest in a Bender Ball! However, keep it away from pets!!  They like to play with it just as much as humans do! My rating would be a strong 5 out of 5 stars!

If there is a piece of equipment under $50 bucks out there, I will certainly try it! I am always looking for ways to burn extra calories and make my muscles strong! However, out of all of the equipment I have tried, and will continue to try, nothing beats the personal trainer! :)