Four-Minute Workouts
The product:ROM, a popular infomercial machine that looks like a combina-
tion stepper and indoor bicycle. The idea is that the machine offers such a
phenomenal cardio and flexibility workout that you can get into the shape of
your life in just four minutes per day.The reality:No four-minute cardiovascular workout will give you significant
strength-training or weight-loss benefits. Certainly this contraption is no
substitute for ten gym machines. And it doesn’t burn nearly three times the
calories of a treadmill. (Machines don’t burn calories; people do. The number
of calories you burn per minute depends on how hard you push. Some
machines do allow you to work at a more intense pace than others, but the
Romfab claim is totally unfounded.)Gym Cardio Machine Knockoffs
The products:Cheapo treadmills, stair-climbers, and elliptical trainers that
profess to work and feel exactly the same as the cardio equipment found in
health clubs. You can find these at sporting-goods stores, online, and in mail-
order catalogs.The reality: You simply can’t buy sturdy, high-tech aerobic machinery for
the price of dinner at a fancy restaurant. Top-quality machines cost thousands
of dollars for a reason: They’re based on years of scientific research and the
study of body biomechanics. The angle of movement, the placement of the
seat, how far your legs can move — all these important features are based
on solid engineering. That’s usually not the case with cardio knockoffs. After
a while, you may find that your back hurts or your knees ache because of
poor design.What’s more, these contraptions aren’t as sturdy as the gym versions. When
you step on the treadmill at the gym, you don’t feel the walking belt sink or
the handrails wobble. Suzanne almost toppled over while testing one of these
at a trade show. And several people have filed lawsuits after allegedly hurting
themselves on cheapo machines while trying them out in the store.One more caveat: Cheap cardio machines usually don’t come with good
warranties — usually 90 days or less — compared to 1 to 3 years for high-
end machines. See Chapter 20 for tips on buying high-quality cardio machines
for your home.Chapter 26: Ten Fitness Rip-Offs 377