Exercise Equipment:
Avoiding the Scam Factor when Purchasing your Home Gym Equipment
by Ainuddin Mohamad
Be wary of celebrity endorsements. Just because
they're famous doesn't automatically make them an expert, and
even if it actually works for them, it doesn't automatically
mean it will work for you. And the celebrity may not be the
only actor in the commercial. Not all who...
As you flip through the TV channels late one night, an infomercial catches your
attention. It's an ad for the latest trend in fitness, an exercise machine that
will give you the physique of a supermodel or bodybuilder in "just minutes a
day!" For the next half hour, various doctors, celebrities, and "people just
like you" all offer their personal testimonies and expert opinions on why and
how the machine gets such miraculous results. As you watch the dramatic "Before"
and "After" pictures, you wonder, "Is this too good to be true?"
Unfortunately, it probably is. While some very reliable and successful products
got their start on TV infomercials, some are simply a waste of money, or even
outright scams. And scams are not limited to the "As Seen on TV" products. They
can be found in magazine and newspaper ads, in personal encounters, and
occasionally even in stores. However, you don't have to live in fear of being
scammed. A little homework and common sense are usually enough to decide if the
equipment is worth what you'll be paying for it. Here are some things to look
out for when considering a product:
* Check their sources. If the salesperson mentions a research study that
supports their product, find out where it was published, who it was written by,
and who funded the study and why. Look for reputable sources, such as the
Journal of the American Medical Association. Also check the factors involved in
the study, such as the number of subjects involved, and whether any key
variables were left out.
* Add up the numbers. "Just $29.95 a month" sounds great-- until you multiply it
by ten months, add in the shipping and set-up fees, and calculate the sales
tax...
* Warranties are usually a sign of reliability. After all, if a company puts
that much faith in its product, it must be pretty good, right? Still, you need
to read the fine print. Money-back guarantees and warranties aren't so great if
you're the one stuck paying hefty shipping fees. You might also try calling the
company's customer service representatives to see how helpful they really are.
* Be wary of celebrity endorsements. Just because they're famous doesn't
automatically make them an expert, and even if it actually works for them, it
doesn't automatically mean it will work for you. And the celebrity may not be
the only actor in the commercial. Not all who claim to be doctors on TV ever
went to med school.
* Be skeptical of testimonials from satisfied customers. Remember that "results
not typical" means "probably won't be you", and those results probably came from
a program that included a full workout along with a change in diet.
* When you read a review of the product, check to make sure the reviewer is
unbiased. The ideal reviewer should not have been paid to promote the product,
or be selling the product himself. For that matter, you should make sure that
isn't getting paid to give an unfairly poor review of the product in order to
sell a rivaling product.
* Check websites such as the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business
Bureau to see if the person or company selling the product has been involved in
previous scams, or if there have already been numerous complaints about this
product.
* While specific muscle groups can be targeted for strengthening, fat is
distributed evenly across the body, and it is lost the same way. You cannot lose
fat in just one part of your body. You just can't. If a product claims to do so,
be skeptical.
* Losing weight and getting in shape takes effort and time. Don't believe claims
that a particular machine can do otherwise.
* Finally, before you buy anything, ask yourself if you will actually use it. It
doesn't matter how spectacular, how reliable, or how good of a deal a piece of
equipment is; if the only exercise you get is from dusting it every week, then
it was a waste of money.
Remember, the best way to get in shape and to stay healthy is a long-term
lifestyle commitment, with a healthy, reasonable diet, and an exercise routine
that works out your entire body. If, after all these reality checks, the product
in question still seems like the perfect fit to your lifestyle, then go ahead
and give it a try.
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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