Another fad that misses important muscles (Lateral Thigh Trainer)

Member Name: Tracy_1127

Product:	Lateral Thigh Trainer
Date:	22/07/08 (173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cardio workout

Disadvantages: Misses very important muscles

Lateral Thigh Trainers were all the rage last year, there are still plenty about but all the raving about them seems to have died down.

Unlike a normal stepper the lateral thigh trainer also moves out to the side as you step. The idea is this will tone the outside of the thigh, it will, and create a slight twist to hit the abdominal obliques, again it will. At the same time it is good cardio workout so it sounds perfect especially as they can now be picked up for £20 or so. Some have the added power cord attachments so you can also move the arms against resistance as you step which also adds to the cardio effect.

I tried one of these and immediately stumbled on a problem. As many of us have underused and weak glute medius muscles and overactive Tensor Fascia Latae muscles (hip flexor at the front of the hip that works with the glute medius) the whole turning the foot in movement as you step adds to this problem. Not many people actually have weak lateral thighs, it's an area more prone to tightness and overactivity but loads of people need glute medius work and this machine just doesn't hit the right portion of it to be useful. It would be better if the pedals could be adjusted so you can have them turned in, out or straight depending on your personal needs.

The abdominal oblique training this provides is helpful if your obliques are pretty balanced from side to side but any differences in strength between the two sets will become more noticable if you use this type of equipment so if it starts to give you backache that's probably the cause.

For people who are balanced this is ok but add some glute medius work or you'll end up with an imbalance but for people with imbalances that are noticeable I'd avoid these. I would also advise using it first time around in front of a mirror to make sure your pelvis stays level as you step, if it doesn't you need glute medius work and not a lateral thigh trainer!

Summary: Would be great if the angle of the pedals could be adjusted