5 comments about Bowflex Equipment Mat.

1. This mat came free when I bought the Bowflex Series 7 Threadmill. Not a bad mat as long as it was free. I did expect that since it came with the threadmill, it would have been big enough to cover the footprint with a little to spare. It just about made it, and I had to cheat it to the rear for that.



2. I have tried many different equipment mats and have always been disappointed. Mats like this bowflex mat offer very little protection for your equipment or floor. These mats rip very easily.
   
   A much better alternative is a 4' x 6' x 3/4" thick rubber mat that you can buy from a farm supply store such as Blain's Farm and Fleet or Tractor Supply Co. I can't take credit for this idea. I discovered this when searching the web for a durable mat. This was suggested by many bodybuilders on the bodybuilding dot com website/forum. These rubber mats are called "Horse Stall Mats" or "Cow Stall Mats". These mats are made to last for years of abuse from cows and horses stomping, urinating, and other shtuff. Therefore, they will certainly hold up to exercise equipment, dumbbells/weights being dropped, and human sweat without a problem. I purchased two of these Cow Stall Mats from Farm and Fleet for $39 each. I got two incredible rubber mats for less than the price of one wimpy Bowflex mat.
   
   One other tip... I have tried out the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. They seem very cheaply made. That are very long even at smaller weight settings so they might hit your thighs when you are trying to do arm curls. When doing heavy dumbbell bench presses most people like to balance the dumbbells on end on your legs so you can "kick" them up into place. The Bowflex dumbbells are not shaped properly on the ends making this awkward. It could also create a safety issue if the dial is bumped and accidentally gets turned. After searching for the perfect dumbells I decided on the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells 5-75lbs. from Ironmaster dot com. Another better alternative to the Bowflex are the Powerblocks. But the Ironmaster Quick-Lock dumbbells will give you the look and feel of REAL dumbells, the stand is included, and a lifetime warranty. I love mine!!! (The Ironmaster Super Bench is awesome too!)



3. Excellent product. A little overpriced at baseline, but caught a half-price sale again and bought a second one. Didn't want to take a chance on another brand. A bargain at the reduced price. Exceptionally durable.



4. I purchased this mat to go under my Schwinn Elliptical trainer. Looks great; very strong and sturdy. A great addition to the home gym.



5. The Bowflex Eqipment Mat is nice and thick. Makes a great base for my Treadclimber.

5 comments about EverythingYoga Ultra Thick Yoga Mat.

1. I read all of the reviews for this product and was really excited to get a mat so I could stop using loaners and then it came and yes it smelled bad and I didn't really care but then I went to use it and it is ridiculously slippery. Someone mentioned that it was slightly slippery but in comparison to the loaner (maybe that was just a really good mat?) this was horrible. I could hardly stay in downward dog because my hands and feet kept slipping. So yes it's comfortable but who cares if you can't stay on it?



2. I really like this mat. It has just the right of stickiness and it is thick enough to cushion my knees. My one complaint was that it had a terribly strong chemical type odor when I first opened it. It was so strong that I got a headache from using it. I read what others did and simply sponged the mat off with some dish detergent. After rinsing it off in the shower and hanging it to dry, the smell was completely gone. Other than that, the mat is perfect in every way! Oh--the vendor was super fast in shipping. I think I had it within 2 days!



3. Provides a nice padded surface and the perfect size for me. Definitely a quality product.



4. I started a stretching class at my local gym 3 months ago. The mat supplied for the class were too thick and to short. Also, I knew for a fact that they were cleaned during the day but not after each class. Yes, I was ready to buy my first mat. I really like the fact that it's longer and 1/4 inch thick. I think it is perfect! I've noticed the smell but it fades away after a couple of days (just keep it unrolled for a couple of days). Honestly, I don't see how a more expensive mat will improve my confort or ... flexibility.



5. I read the previous reviews and many complained of a strong, new "chemical" smell. Although it did have a strong smell when I opened it and used it the first time, by the next day the smell had disappeared. Not sure if it's worth the exra few dollars compared to the other similar yet cheaper yoga mat on Amazon.

5 comments about Sanuk Women's Yoga Mat Thong.

1. After having 7 surgeries and arthritis in both knees, I need a shoe with a LOT of cushioning to wear. These flip-flops provide the most comfort I have ever found in any kind of shoe to include athletic shoes. I plan on buying all the colors to wear with everything. They look great and my knees dont hurt after walking around the beach or the stores. I recommend them very highly and I never before felt the need to recommend a product.



2. When you first put on a pair of these flip flops, your feet immediately feel cool and comfy. The Yoga mat material is like a Tempur-pedic bed for your foot. Good luck finding these because they are usually sold out everywhere. When you find them, buy them! Get two pairs.



3. I bought these shoes will on vacation...LOVED THEM!! Got home and my dog loved them too! I am on my third pair and have finally learned to put them away, my dog has also enjoyed 2 pairs of these shoes. If they weren't so comfortable I would have bought some other shoe.



4. These shoes are comfortable. If you want a pair of flip flops for everyday these are the ones.



5. I have bought lot of flip flops over the years. These are the best I've ever bought! Very comfortable! I went and bought 2 other pairs made by the same company and they are just as comfortable! I will stick with Sanuk from now on.

5 comments about Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 Fast & Light Mattress.

1. Bought two - one for me and one for my 11 year old son. We go on 2-6 day backpacking trips in the PA mountains. These put a terrific space between you and the ground (even 35 degree concrete) and are comfortable for shifting and turing (if you're one of those people who lay on your sides every now and then in your sleep). They fold up compact and are easy to secure to the pack. They may weigh a few more ounces than other pads, and ounces are important on backpacking trips, but these are worth every penny and ounce. The construction of these isn't cheap - I have yet to have my (nylon) sleeping bag slide on this or to have this slide on the floor of the tent, and never lost any air. The screw-type valve is top notch. It will suck some air in when it is unrolled, but don't expect it to self inflate - you will have to blow air into it. But, no more than 20 good puffs are needed. Leave the valve open when rolling it up and roll it completely, then close the valve with a free hand when you secure the roll with a knee - it'll prevent any air from getting sucked back into it and provides a nice tight roll. This and my Jetboil are two items that will ALWAYS be with me on all of my trips.



2. Very comfy,takes a couple of minutes to inflate,lightweight,insulated well from the cold ground. Slept well on this mattress.



3. This product was prefect. We used it on a mission trip and slept on a hard floor for 9 nights. It provide support and comofort. I would highly recommend!



4. It is the best mattress i ever had. Only 5 breaths and the night become the stay in 5starts hotel. I recommned this to everybody who loves sleeping very comfortable.



5. Very comfortable and fairly light-weight. For packing the pad folds in half. If you plan on attaching the pad on the outside of your backpack consider getting a full length pack sack rather than the one that's recommended for this pad.

5 comments about Intex Comfort Top Queen Airbed with Built-in Recessed 4D Pump.

1. I love this blow-up bed. We bought it for camping, and it is great. I love the fact that when my husband moves I don't rock back and forth like being on a waterbed. We have a raised Aerobed that rocks so much and when one person gets up you sink into the middle. This is so much better, I literally get no sleep on the Aerobed but have slept like a log on this bed. The built in pump is so nice, it uses 4 D batteries, and pumps up fast. It also folds nicely and has a stuff sack for storage. If you are looking for an affordable and convenient blow-up bed, this is it!



2. The built-in pump makes set up quick and fool proof. The air chambers are firm and supportive. You can adjust the firmness of the mattress at any time. The flocked top helps to keep a bottom sheet or sleeping bag in place and is so much cooler than the usual vinyl. The pump deflates quickly and easily. You can fold the mattress neatly and fit it easily into the provided storage bag. We used this mattress in a 9'x9' tent. Excellent.



3. This airbed is easy to set up. The built in pump allows you to simply unfold the bed, set it in position, and flip the switch. Deflating is equally satisfying as it reverses and pulls all the air out leaving it flat and ready to fold easily. No squeezing the air out, rolling the air out. The pump pulls it all out. It does need to be filled regularly, but the pump makes that a simple process of flipping a switch.



4. I am very happy with this Mattress. It holds the air well, and the battery operated (6 size C batteries) filling system works great. Getting the air out is a bit of a chore, but that does not in any way detract from then quality and ease of use of this product.
   Once the air is out, I was able to actually get the mattress back into the carry bag, which was nice.
   I highly recommend this mattress, not only for camping, but for those circumstances where you just need another bed.



5. This mattress is so good, 3 other family members have since bought them too. Great quality, comfortable, and holds air for days.

5 comments about Harbinger 364060 Core Balance Trainer 3" High x 13" Diameter (Blue).

1. this balance trainer is perfect. it's a very nice, thick plastic just like the ones you see at the gym. so many exercises to do!



2. I have been suffering from leg pain for over 15 years, due to a sports injury. The problem may be a damaged tendon or ligament high up on my left leg. I have tried all kinds of chairs and pads. I have even used expensive jell cushions. Nothing seems to work. This product goes in the pile of do-nothings. In fact, my pain increased using it. Granted, I may not be using it as it is designed, as an excercise tool. Never-the-less, it is not for me or perhaps others who suffer from similar leg pain. I do a lot of work on the computer, hence the need for a comfortable seat.



3. My sister purchased a cushion similar to this one from her physical therapist for about $50. It is the best thing I have used for sitting on hard bleacher seats during sporting events. (Hers was similar to: Fitball Seating Disc Balance Cushion)
   
   I didn't want to pay $50, so when I found this at Ross for under $10, it became mine. It works as well as her $50 cushion and I am delighted that I didn't have to pay the higher price.
   
   For the reviewers who are not able to use this in the traditional way, try sitting on it the next time you go to a football or basketball game.



4. I got this to do proprioception exercises as part of my knee rehab. It's a lot like the one my PT gym has. The only problem I've had with it is that you can't adjust the inflation and it's a little under-inflated for me. The main exercise I do on it is to stand on it with one foot - but if I try to do it without shoes on (which I'd prefer) my foot bottoms out and ends up partly resting on the floor instead of on the cushion. My feet are women's size 7.5. (It works if I just wear flip flops.) Anyway, the price was decent and it's pretty good, just not adjustable.



5. The Fit Disc can be used for balance and core strengthening (abdominal and lower back) exercises. Enhances the posture as well.
   I find the balance discs a great portable tool to help with a workout.
   Some exercises that can be done using the Fit Disc:
   
   -Standing single leg balance, core balance sit
   -Sitting on the disc to do crunches and other ab exercises
   -Standing on the disc while using dumbbells for arm strengthening
   -Standing on the disc while doing squats
   -Use the disc while doing lunges, step ups, push ups, planks

5 comments about Manduka BlackMatPRO 85-Inch Yoga and Pilates Mat.

1. Yes, this mat is heavy. But it is so worth it. It is a little slippery when you first get it but that was solved with a few quick washes. Washing it is so easy because it does not absorb any water like regular mats do- due to it's closed cell construction. I have been able to get deeper into some poses than I ever have before due to the grip. My wrist don't hurt so much anymore either because of the cushion. I love the extra length even though I'm only 5'8'. This is the last mat I will ever have to buy and it's a great investment!! No wonder so many yoga teachers have this mat.



2. This mat is exactly what I was looking for: very durable, comfortable but nice and sticky, not too soft despite of its thickness, etc. Personally, I can find little fault, but forced at gunpoint to think of a criticism, I'd say that it is a bit heavy (the price you pay for durability) and it gets a little slippery when you sweat a lot (and I sweat a LOT). However, I don't think that there is another mat out there that's any better than Manduka. Definitely worth the price if you think you will practice yoga for a long time and it won't just be a passing fad.



3. Manduka mat is 85" long and it offers plenty of "real estate" for my 6'1" height. Mat offers excellent support and very high coefficient of friction that results in much more stability while doing asanas. At first it was slippery under sweaty hands and after I left it for a day outside on the hot Georgia sun, most of slippery surface is gone. I would recommend this mat to anybody serious about Yoga and I would buy it again if I ever needed to.



4. A friend of mine teaches yoga, and he recommended this mat. I am new to Yoga, but I am very happy with the manduka mat. Another friend of mine bought a different mat and told me mine is thicker, and could see where mine was better, and worth the extra money.



5. The very best yoga mat imaginable-- indestructable-- with adequate protection for knees, elbows, and head. Extra length is great for taller people.

5 comments about Harbinger 340303 Durafoam Exercises Mat 5/8" x 24" x 72" (Red).

1. Very thick, great cushioning. A little too thick to be listed under the Yoga Mat category. Otherwise, a great product. Would be awesome for Pilates, just not ideal for Yoga.



2. This mat is durable and comparable to other more expensive mats.
   The straps are convenient to carry from it place to place. It does have somewhat of an offensive odor (probably from the dye color or mat material) that does lessen with time but is hard to deal with for the first couple of weeks if you have sensitivities.



3. This mat is great to use on hard floors for Yoga and Pilates. From reading the other reviews they stated that it has an awful smell. And, it did, so I left it outside on the deck for several days and it is fine now.



4. This mat is everything I expected it to be when I bought it.....except the material it is made out of makes it smell strongly like a tire store, or something like it...not very nice when you are trying to do yoga. I suppose it will air out eventually though. Also, when you roll it up, it's a little thicker than I expected...and a little more inconvenient to slip under your arm like a regular yoga mat. However, it is very soft and it's almost like you could sleep on it and be semi comfortable if you didn't have a bed ;)



5. The mat serves the purpose and is OK...however, it had a dreadful chemical smell. I couldn't use it until I had soaked it in the bathtub in detergent and left it outside in the fresh air for 4 days. It still has a faint smell, but no where near as bad. I have experienced this with other products made in China, but can't recall reading similar complaints.

5 comments about Everlast Roll up Exercise Mat.

1. I returned the merchandise because I couldn't use it. There was nothing wrong with the product itself or the service of the company selling it. Janet Beckwith



2. I'm surprised by how soft it truly is. It does the job - didn't have to spend too much on it, either.
   
   I'll sign back on and describe how durable it is after using it for more than a few months.



3. Product was shipped from Amazon out of Reno, Nv. UPS pulled up and I walked out to receive my purchase. I found the driver wildly taping up a
   very large, crushed box. Took the box into my house and opened it. I found the box to be approximately 3 times larger than the size required. Box contained no packing material. The mat itself is a very attractive design and is contained in a fishnet bag with draw string. This is my first exercise mat and I find that it is not wide enough (24"). Moreover, I find myself worrying about how long the foam/sponge material is going to hold up. Width and material type were presented in "product description", so I was forwarned. I also find that the shock absorbing quality of the foam is hardly apparant. There are a number of larger, vinyl covered mats availabe from Amazon, and if I had it to do over again
   I would have chosen from that group.



4. This is the perfect mat. It's thick enough to be comfortable yet light
   and easy to carry and it stays flat.



5. Very thick and cushiony. Excellent for those with back and knee problems, allows lying on the floor for stretching.

5 comments about Standard Nylon Zippered Yoga Mat Bag.

1. I was so looking forward to this after carrying around my own yoga mat for years! However, I have a standard size yoga mat and it just won't fit into this bed. It's too short. I am *very* disappointed. The search goes on. :( :( :(



2. I was looking for a yoga bag that I could travel to and from work with and this bag is great. It sits comfortably on your shoulder and you don't have to worry about your yoga mat hitting anyone in the face on the subway! All in all, great well made bag.



3. Purchased this bag in black and couldn't be happier! Very sturdy material and yet lightweight to carry. Would be better if it had a side pocket of some sort to hold keys or a yoga strap, but all in all it is a very stlish, convenient bag. I have only used it once and have received a number of compliments on the look and functionality of it.
   
   Also, received this product in a very timely manner!



4. My husband and I recently purchased two yoga mats and mesh carrying bags. Although we had to wait two weeks to receive our products, everything was well worth waiting for! The mats are exactly what we wanted and the price was very reasonable. In our first order, one of the mats had a tear in it. The company was very responsive and immediately sent a replacement at no costs. I would highly recommend this company and its products.



5. I wasn't expecting much for the price but was pleasantly surprised when I recieved it. It was much better that I anticipated.