Tristar Lateral Thigh Trainer > Reviews > Great fun step macine!

Author's product rating:   

Durability	Good
Comfort	Good
Value for money	Good

Advantages:	Not your average step machine with a detailed monitor
Disadvantages:	Power cords optional  -  Don't bother

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I bought this from the TV a few years ago. The ads were on all the time and there seemed to be a lot of hype. If it is well advertised enough, I think buying products can easily suck you in. It showed people on tv with before and after results. After having a baby I thought I would give it a go!
I bought it for about £89.99 + postage.
It comes with a monitor (which is great because it measures, time, calories burned, heart rate and steps per minute!).
6 Stepper settings (the lowest just is basically for cardiovascular and the higher you switch up the dial, the harder it is to step down, this is the body toning mode).
The instructional excersize video.
And a healthy eating manual (which informs you of the best metabolisim boosting foods).
I didn't receive the booklet in my box but that did not fuss me, plus I couldn't be bothered to call - Lazy, I know!
It states on the adverts that it is easy storage, this is true, however, if you need to lift it to slot it away somewhere, it is bloody heavy. So under a bed might be best just to push it under.
To begin with it is very difficult to climb on the lateral thigh trainer, you need good balance (which I dont) as the pedals move. The pedals do have a great grip to them though and they are comfortable, you don't feel the souls of your feet hurting after a certain point, which is good.
. In the ads Brenda DyGraf does state if it is your first time on the stepper, try putting it between a doorway or behind a chair, to use these for balance. Which is great advice!

The machine is fun to use with its motion and it is almost like rollerblading or skiing.

It is a tough machine. However. Only recently my front black non slip base circular thingies came off. It still works fine though, on carpet or on wooden floors!

The dvd is ok. However. Like a lot of fitness dvds they can be very cheesy and this is no exception!
Brenda DyGraf explains the movements before you go through them and what you will feel with eachn movement and where.
It is hard work for a first timer, 8 minutes left me breathless!

The dvd is very easy to follow, featuring an 8 minute workout and a toning workout.
The music forgetable, the trainer a little too cheesy and enthusiastic for my liking.

There is an option to buy a set of power cords that clip on to the front of the stepper. Do not waste your money!
They are difficult and awkward to use.
There is a section in the dvd doing excersizes with hand weights, which are much cheaper to buy and much easier to use.

However. Overall I have to say it is a great machine that will work and show results as well as combined with a healthy diet.

You can feel that it is working and a day after you can feel the muscles ache (to me that is always a good thing and just makes me want to get back on it again).

I would recommend the Lateral thigh trainer, however, I definately would not recommend the extra power cords as they are a waste of money!