Baby Melissa Skye born on Saturday 29 March 2008. Nearly 21 months old now, running around and into...
Baby Melissa Skye born on Saturday 29 March 2008. Nearly 21 months old now, running around and into everything! Not been on Ciao for a while, been busy with Melissa and part time work, hope to be back on here soon. 091209.
Member since:22.04.2001
Reviews:226
Members who trust:26
Those of you with Sky TV have probably come across Tony Little on the Best Direct shopping channel. Quite simply, the guy is mental. He is short, with long curly hair and he is extremely fit. If you watch him for too long he will drive you insane. He is surrounded by gorgeous models showing you how easy this can be! The adverts also feature "real" people who have gone from fat to thin and unfit to fit!
We watched his adverts several times and then decided to go for it and buy a Gazelle. We bought the Gazelle Freestyle Elite as it takes a heavier weightload and also has power pistons with 3 settings for different levels of endurance. Myself and my partner are both around 20 stone and did not wish to take a risk on the smaller model as the Gazelle Freestyle XL only takes up to 18 stone. The frame on that model is not so sturdy and there are no power pistons.
The cost at £160 plus £14 postage makes you gulp, but if you consider that a gym membership for one person can cost £200 per year, the cost is worthwhile. We told ourselves that if we bought it then we would use it faithfully every night............
ORDERING +++++++++
We ordered this directly from Best Direct online. The cost was £159.99 + £13.99 delivery. They stated that it would be delivered within 3 weeks, however it was more like 6 weeks. The box that it came in weighed an absolute tonne and we could not see how it could be "portable"!!
ASSEMBLY +++++++++
Once the box was opened there was a big pile of metal, nuts, bolts and other assorted items on the floor. If you intend on helping your partner to put this together, please make sure that you get on well, or this
could lead to a divorce!! I read out the insturctions while hubby-to-be put the Gazelle together. We managed to get it together in about an hour, but were then too tired to use it!
The main frame of the Gazelle is put together for you, it has to be as this is the main weight-bearing item. Then you add the handles, foot paddles, pistons, etc until it resembles the picture on the box! They do provide all of the bits plus some spare bits as well
Once assemble, the Gazelle Freestyle Elite does fold up, but the clips that hold the foot paddles keep falling off. It is also extremely heavy and you would not be able to keep it upstairs and keep bringing it down to use.
ELECTRONICS ++++++++++++
The onboard computer contains a professional continual heart rate monitor, which means that you do not need to stop exercising to get an accurate heart rate reading.
The computer also recordsspeed, distance, time and approximate calories burned.
The monitor is great because you can decide to go for a distance or to go for a time period.
POWER PISTONS ++++++++++++++
There are 3 adjustable workout levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced which gives extra resistance, calorie burning and body sculpting.
These pistons are a great way of adjusting the workout so that you can have a low or heavy impact workout. The pistons always need to be restored to "storage position" before you fold the Gazelle up and put it away.
The Gazelle Elite comes with either a DVD or a video, in which Tony Little shows you how to do 10 different workouts in order to exercise each muscle group in the body. It is important that you watch these before starting out as you could injure yourself if you do not know what you are doing. The DVD's cover Personal Training and also a Lower Body Workout.
ADVANTAGES OVER THE ORIGINAL GAZELLE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Gazelle Freestyle Elite boasts a stronger frame than the original version, in that it can now hold a maximum user weight of 160kgs (25st). The frame is made of a very strong stainless steel.
The Gazelle Freestyle Elite also has wider foot paddles than the original which are broad and non-slip for extra stability! There are now rear hand grips as well, which mean that you can also work in reverse.
The Gazelle Freestyle Elite now has a water bottle and caddy, which is handy for putting the dvd remote in whilst you are exercising to his DVD. The water bottle is great because you can fill it up and leave it in the fridge ready for when you exercise next time.
COST FROM BEST DIRECT WEBSITE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gazelle Elite with Workout Video or DVD is £159.99, plus a further £13.99 for postage.
Getting on and off of the machine is a bit tricky to start with, but once you have the hang of it, it is quite simple. You are told to hold on to the front bar and place one foot at a time onto the paddles.
You can then jog or run, with or without handles. You can go back and fore with both feet together. You can also go sideways to trim those thigh muscles!
You can go as fast or slow as you like and then increase the pistons for a harder workout.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE +++++++++++++++++++++
The first time that I got onto the Gazelle Freestyle Elite was very strange, however once you are on it does not take long to get used to it. It just feels a bit weird as you are balance on paddles. I recommend that you wear decent footwear as the grips are very "bobbly" and hurt your feet. Also your feet could slip off the paddles easier if not wearing trainers.
I use the Gazelle for running on mainly, but also use it from side to side. If you hold on to the handles and then move your whole body backwards and forwards then you can give your arms a really good workout too.
As with all exercise you should warmup properly first in order that you do not damage your muscles.
I started off using the Gazelle with no pistons for 5 minutes a day, then increased this to 15 minutes, then to 15 minutes with pistons, then to 30 minutes with pistons.
Also, the DVD's have dedicated workouts which you can follow regularly if you wish
It can seem a little boring, but if you watch the tv or do it to music then the time just seems to fly by. So far I have lost two stone in two months. I am also following the Weightwatchers diet, but the Gazelle is helping to tone up the body at the same time.
Admittedly I have not used it in the past week, but I have been swimming a lot instead.
I would recommend this Gazelle Freestyle Elite to anybody who wishes to exercise at home but does not have a lot of time. You can just hop on it for 5 minutes whenever you like. It beats going to the gym and spending a fortune. and you can also watch Corrie and Eastenders at the same time!
WEBSITE +++++++
www.bestdirect.tv sells the Gazelle Freestye Elite direct to the public.
www.tonylittle.com is the website of Tony Little. He tells you his life story, of how he was a Champion Bodybuilder and how he became inspired to get fit again after a terrible car accident in 1983 nearly ruined his life. Further to that he had another terrible car accident in 1996! This man has acheived a lot. He is really annoying to watch on the telly but if you read his life story, you really have to respect him.
There are success stories on there from people who have lost weight.There is also information on all his products.
Pictures of Tony Little's Gazelle Freestyle
gazelle
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This does sound great, but , sadly, I am one of those people who have a variety of excercise equipment, none of which ever get an airing...I'm always too tired..LOL. Av x
MAFARRIMOND 07.07.2005 16:45
I would so like one. Maureen
aznchick 07.07.2005 12:52
Sounds great, and at a good price. Great review Jo x x
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