Weider X-Factor

The Weider X-Factor is the newest in the recent fitness equipment craze known as "door gyms". This new class of exercise machine seeks to give you the same high quality resistance workout that you could get from a traditional weight lifting machine such as a Bowflex or the many other machines that Weider Fitness produces. However, there is a big difference in how the Weider X-Factor goes about achieving the same results.

The first thing you will notice about the X-Factor is the size of the machine. Actually, it's barely what you could call a "machine" at all. The X-Factor is a series of resistance bands that are anchored to the 4 corners of a door via corner plates.

Each band offers a different level of resistance. When combined, the machine can offer over 240 pounds of resistance. That is more than most people will ever use on a machine like this.

The way the Weider X-Factor works is that the resistance bands anchor to the door and you clip on handles or leg straps to the resistance bands to do the different exercises.

Speaking of different exercises, the X-Factor comes with an exercise chart with probably close to 100 different exercises you can do. However, that seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. Because of the flexability of motion and location for the X-Factor you aren't stuck with the same static motions over and over again. You can tweak the angle and amount of exercises you do for each one or even combine them on the fly.

One thing the X-Factor is great for is to allow you to actually combine upper and lower body exercises into a single combination. You could do resistance punches and kicks at the same time. Stuff like that. If you use your imagination there is no limit to what you can come up with.

There is a set of DVD's and a nutrition guide that come with the system which is good. The DVD's themselves are more instructional in nature. We suggest that you actually watch them once or twice but setup your own workout routine, so you don't have to sit through the instructional portions of the videos.

The biggest strength of the X-Factor is the amount of space it takes up in your house, or rather, doesn't take up. It attaches to a door in less than a minute, so you don't have to keep it setup all the time. You can leave it in a corner and set it up whenever you want to work out.

That's right, no more oversized exercise machines taking up too much space in your basement or rec room. Keep the X-Factor in a closet or something that is kind of out of the way.

As far as a workout is concerned, the X-Factor delivers in spades. Seriously, if you can't get a good workout with the X-Factor, you're either not doing it right or maybe you're already in top physical condition.

For the rest of us, that is people who want/need to get in shape, the X-Factor is great. You don't have to use it for long to work up a real good sweat and since the moves you can do with the X-Factor are so dynamic, you end up working multiple muscle groups at the same time.

One way to really get the most out of the machine is to do circuit training on one minute intervals. So, you do each exercise solid for a minute and move on to the next one and so forth. Even with small breaks in-between exercises you get a killer workout in 20-30 minutes.

You can also use the X-Factor in combination with other workout routines such as P90X. It doesn't replicate everything you can do with free weights, but it is a good substitute for a lot of free weight style exercises.

Last to talk about with the Weider X-Factor is the overall value that the X-Factor brings to the table in terms of price relative to performance. At $100 + shipping, all I can say is that the X-Factor is an absolute steal when you compare it to expensive machines like the Bowflex or the Total Gym.

Of course, the bottom line on any piece of fitness equipment, you need to decide if the machine provides a good workout. Does it work? Personally, I think the Weider X-Factor is great and I highly recommend it. When you look at the price, the workout, the value, it just can't be beat.