Will it be an expensive clothes horse (HealthRider)

Member Name: elspeth334

Product:	HealthRider
Date:	04/05/01 (1303 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Getting Fit

Disadvantages: Quite large

Summer is nearly here and the very idea of discarding my thick woolie jumper turned my thoughts to a new fitness routine. Some gentle exercise was called for and I don’t mean fork to mouth I have done too much of that in the past (as the photo shows) I mean time to buy a serious piece of gym equipment.

I scoured the pages of my catalogue and decided to buy a Delta Aerobic Rider and after getting 10% off still was quite pricey at £74. I was notified it was to be delivered the following day. The men dropped off my parcel at 9am and I felt like the Queen cutting the bands supporting the box before leaving the actual assembly to my husband. The first task was the struggle to remove it from the packaging enough to break sweat on the chronically unfit. Time for a quick cuppa before we tackled it.

Contents now scattered all over the floor and instructions in hand it was time to make a hasty exit until he had completed the task. It did come with very detailed assembly instructions and the reassuring advice that if you run into difficulties help could be obtained by Fax, E-Mail ,Phone or writing to the customer sales department. Before long my own personal Bob the Builder had constructed the equipment but I must admit he looked as if he had just done a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

Time for a test drive but not before a few warm up stretches. Once on board I grasped the handlebars confidently placed my feet on the pedals and pulled myself up I rose majestically into the air then down again. Nothing to this what a doddle I thought but by my fifth pull-up I was feeling the burn in places I didn’t even know I had muscles. It’s a bit like riding a rodeo horse but not as bumpy if I had any breath left I would have shouted” Yehay”

The booklet gives you a basic riding programme depending on your age, pulse rate and general fitness and strongly advise consulting a doctor before starting. It is possible to do either
a Strength or Aerobic Workout it works on the direct body weight principal in other words the heavier you are the harder it is ( no wonder I was knackered). It is a very sturdy and stable white machine with a comfortable grey padded seat. It also folds up for easy storage From personal experience I think closing the curtains is advisable I was getting some funny looks from the neighbours everytime they saw me rising in the air.

I am taking heart from the booklet “ Do not be downhearted if you do not appear to be making progress, any increase in your level of exercise will be of benefit”. As I have Multiple Sclerosis I have to take things quite slowly and have found I can cope with small ammounts of time on the rider without feeling too bad.

This will either turn out to be a Godsend or a very expensive clothes horse.

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