Minna On Fitness Gadgets

Making Home Workouts Fun And Effective

(CBS)  We can all go to a gym anytime we want to in order to get a good workout, but there are a number of products available that can enable you to get a good workout on your own at home - and they're pretty cool, to boot.

The following is a selection of fitness gadgets featured on The Early Show.

Reebok coreboard
The Reebok coreboard is trampoline-looking item that improves torso strength and will improve limb strength. If your core muscles are weak, it will restrict your ability to continue strengthening your limbs.

The coreboard improves functional conditioning, reactive movement, balance, agility, coordination and quality of exercise. It utilizes 3 dimensional movements - it tilts, twists, and torques. The recoiling ability causes the body / board to act / react. It has adjustable resistant levels for all levels of fitness. It's about $190 and is available at reebok.com.

Trikke
The Trikke is a new scooter-type contraption that allows you to work your muscles as you get from one place to another. It's not only a total body workout, it also really uses core strength - you totally use your body to propel forward and gain speed and this is muscled by core strength overall.

It also works all the stabilizer muscles because when you get off, there is a period of time (depending on your fitness level) where you still feel like you are rocking, like you do from being on a boat. Its patented technology makes it possible for the rider to propel forward without pushing or pedaling - you just rock and roll. And, once you get the hang of it, you will feel your sweet spot - the part of your turn where most of your propulsion is generated.

Also, the Trikke experience is very rhythmic in movement and timing. People who have in-line skated or gone skiing will feel the similarities in the movement. It's also rated the safest vehicle by the Los Angeles Safety Foundation! The Trikkes range in price from $139 to $199. The model featured on the show is the Trikke 8, which is $199 and is available at trikke.com, in addition to WalMart, Modells and Target.

Bike trainer
The bike trainer allows you to turn any outdoor bicycle into an indoor stationary bike. The benefits of this are obvious, given that you can always ride your bike no matter what the weather is and give yourself a cardio workout anytime at home.

Bike trainers can range in price from about $150 to $250. Available at paragonsports.com.

BodyWedge21
The BodyWedge21 is a new product that ingeniously allows anyone to get a full body workout by using either their own body as resistance, or in conjunction with weights. It's basically a giant foam wedge which, depending on which way you position it, allows you to work out any part of your body.

Additionally, the BodyWedge also has 21 different exercises actually printed on it, so it also helps the novice exerciser get the most of the product. You can work your abs and buttocks, thighs, triceps, chest, and lower back. You can use it in place of an incline bench, and it is supportive to the lower back. It is also good for pregnant women because pregnant women should not be exercising flat on their back. The BodyWedge21 is $99 and is available at bodywedge21.com.

Swopper
The Swopper looks like a stool, but the way it's built makes you use your core muscles to stabilize yourself on it, thereby giving you an abs and lower back workout even while you're working! It's a backless, adjustable seat that moves with you as you shift positions, forcing you to rely on your abs to keep your balance.

It's great to help reduce back pain by strengthening your stabilizing muscles. It's also said to enhance circulation since your body remains active as you sit. The Swopper ranges in price from $500 - $600 and is available at swopperusa.com.

Heart monitors
Heart monitors are great for people who don't normally exercise and want to start a program, because they ensure that you're not overdoing it. They're also ideal for pregnant women who are told not to allow their heart rate to go above a specific level because of a risk to the baby. Heart monitors featured can be found at nike.com.

Dumbbells
The colorful set featured is $155 and is available at promedproducts.com.