Kettler Power Stepper Review

When I hear the name Kettler I automatically think of high end rowers – and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of working out on a Kettler rower, you should be fully aware why.  I was admittedly a bit skeptical prior to getting on the Kettler Power Stepper, but this piece of equipment proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that this German manufacturer is far from one dimensional.

The first thing I noticed about the Kettler Power Stepper was its size, or lack there of.  This unit seems quite a bit smaller than most other units in the same price range, but the smaller frame size doesn’t seem to do a thing to the structural integrity.  As I said before, I’m far from a big dude, but I’ve been on countless pieces of exercise equipment in my day and I can tell when one feels as though it won’t hold up to regular abuse and this is certainly not the case with the Power Stepper.  Even when I was moving at a pretty good clip I didn’t feel as though there was ever an issue with how this unit from Kettler would hold up.  The smaller frame size can be a big benefit for those of you that live in smaller apartments or that want to keep the size of your home gym under control.

As far as versatility goes, the Power Stepper has got that going for it as well.  There are twelve different levels of resistance to choose from so just about any body can find a perfect starting point for their fitness journey and still have room to grow.  The hydraulics seem super smooth through every level and the computer console gives you just about all the features you would expect from a unit in this price range.

And that brings us to the very important question of price…  At about eight to nine hundred bucks this stepper isn’t exactly what you would call cheap.  What you’ve got to consider though, is the fact that you can use this piece of equipment all year round for an awesome cardio workout and if you don’t downright abuse it, it will probably last you a lifetime.  There are other steppers out there with comparable features and the same buttery smooth resistance, but in all likelihood you’d pay quite a bit more for any of them.  If you want a high quality, versatile and rock solid unit that won’t totally demolish your home gym budget I definitely recommend taking a look at the Kettler Power Stepper.

Budget Treadmills - Gold’s Gym 480

Of course I shop at Walmart – in this day and age who doesn’t?  I just don’t normally advocate buying major pieces of fitness equipment from the big box store.  Now I won’t say that I haven’t bought any fitness equipment from this retail giant, they do have good prices on jump ropes and such, but the vast majority of my Walmart purchases come at Christmas time from the toy department.  That being said, I have found one “diamond in the rough” so to speak when it comes to pieces of fitness equipment larger than that will fit into your pocket from Walmart – the Gold’s Gym 480 Treadmill.

The Gold’s Gym 480 can be had for under $400 online and can be delivered right to your door for a startlingly low shipping cost.  This is a very reasonable price for a motorized treadmill with this amount of features (albeit limited by some standards) and, though I’ve tried many, I can’t seem to find another motorized treadmill in this price range that feels as though it could hold up to the 480.

I’m far from what you would classify as a big guy, standing at around 5’11” and weighing in at a mighty 175 lbs, but this treadmill seemed to handle the force I generated even when I turned on the gas a bit.  The 50” deck isn’t huge by any stretch of the imagination, but it accommodated my stride well.  As with any piece of workout equipment, I imagine that folks who are exceedingly tall might have some issue with comfort in terms of stride length - if you want a treadmill that will comfortably accommodate a 6’4” frame, you’ll probably have to invest in a much more expensive unit than this.

I felt absolutely no creaks, cracks, groans or grumbles from the 480 while working out on it and to me, that’s pretty impressive from a treadmill in this price class, especially having felt what I have from other similarly price units.  The unit is easy to set up and the entire process of selecting workouts, adjusting speeds and adjusting incline is user friendly. 

Is this the best treadmill on the market, with the best warranty and the most pre-programmed workouts and exciting features?  Absolutely not, but it is the sturdiest, most comfortable and most functional treadmill that I’ve found for a price this low.  If you are looking for a budget treadmill for your home gym, the Gold’s Gym 480 is certainly worth a look in my humble opinion.

Want a Great Budget Elliptical – Check Out the Schwinn 431

Elliptical trainers have become exceedingly popular over the past few years for a number of reasons.  For starters, they provide a very effective and very low impact cardiovascular workout, which makes them great for folks looking to burn off excess weight but that have knee or ankle issues that might make it difficult to tackle high impact activities like running or jumping rope.  Unlike many other popular pieces of cardiovascular equipment that focus solely on the lower body, elliptical trainers give you the opportunity to get a complete workout that will strengthen your arms, chest and back at the same time as your lower body.

A good elliptical trainer is a fantastic addition to a home gym, but price is often a big determining factor when someone goes to purchase an elliptical trainer.  Many of the high end machines from the top manufacturers cost two-three thousand dollars or more, which is quite a bit more than most people have to spend on workout equipment.

Unlike the majority of cheap elliptical trainers out there, the Schwinn 431 feels rock solid during use.  Despite the fact that you can grab this machine for right around $700, it feels every bit as durable as machines that are classified as “commercial gym quality.”  Schwinn backs the 431 with a serious warranty so you can rest assured that even though this machine can easily fit into your budget that it will continue to provide effective workouts for the foreseeable future.

Schwinn didn’t skimp on functions and features on this trainer either.  You can choose from 16 different resistance levels and more than a dozen pre-programmed workouts so you’ll never get bored or outgrow this machine.  The user friendly LCD screen has tons of cool and useful features that allow you to track your progress during workouts and the 431 comes with a built in heart rate monitor.

There are good budget elliptical trainers out there, the key is finding one that has the features that you are looking for and that will stand up to regular use without falling apart – that’s where the Schwinn 431 comes in.  If you are looking for a cheap elliptical that operates like a high end elliptical and that is backed by a manufacturer warranty that will protect you in the event of a problem, look no further than the Schwinn 431. This trainer is super smooth, super comfortable and super durable and definitely recommended. 

Welcome to Gym Gear Guy!

A membership to a commercial gym can cost a lot of money, and getting their multiple times a week can be a real hassle if you’ve got a tight schedule.  Thankfully it is totally possible to build a gym in your home and apartment, without to great of an investment, that will help you to reach your health and fitness goals.

This site is designed to help you folks out there that want to save time and money by getting a great workout at home rather than spending money each month on an expensive gym membership.  We’ll be reviewing pieces of fitness equipment in virtually all categories and at virtually every price point to help you find the best and most effective equipment for your budget.

It doesn’t matter if your primary goal is to lose fat, build endurance, pack on muscle or carve out a perfect six pack, you’ll find the reviews of equipment on this site to help you achieve those goals.  We’ll be looking at everything from basic jump ropes and old school medicine balls to high end elliptical trainers, rowing machines and complete home gym packages to help you find the gear that you need to succeed in your quest for a better you.

We welcome your questions, comments and probably even take on some specific requests for reviews if you’ve got them.  We look forward to being able to help you build the best body possible by steering you in the right direction to affordable, versatile and functional equipment for your home gym.