Customer Reviews

Body Max NeoShaper with MiniCycle

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I purchased this primarily for the bicycle. I couldn't spend the money on a good recumbant bike and I didn't want one of those bikes with the crappy seat on it. I was pleasantly surprised that each exercise that you can do with this provides the same type of resistance that each of the machines at Curves does. No, you don't have music or "cheerleaders" present, but it does the job. If the bicycle is VERY important to you, I would just buy a recumbant bike instead. The bike works, but does not have a heart rate monitor. It's very simple and probably not as smooth to operate as a recumbant bike. It DOES tell you the distance and time.

My wife had this since October, 2009. She really wanted to have some all-in-one exerciser and this one happened to be on sale at the time. Three months later, the 'you get what you pay for' saying proves itself true. Again. So, don't expect to get more than what you pay if you order this.

Briefly, the assembly went okay. There were a few frustrating moments but, in the end, we had this thing together in less than an hour. It was a good case to work on with the kids. Once it's ready to use, the manual has a number of suggested exercises and my wife tried them all. Having access to a Bowflex, a decent rowing machine and a pretty good treadmill, she abandoned the NeoShaper after a couple of weeks of trying and went back to her old routine. I expect her to have in on the driveway at the next Spring yard sale.

The main issues with the NeoShaper is that it feels as cheap as it is. It all rattles and shakes while in use, it's not too stable and the resistance it provides on the muscle toning routines does not feel 'natural' - my wife's own words. As for the bike - the only piece of exercise equipment we didn't have as a separate device - she is accustomed to a rather energetic workout - she stopped using the bike after a few minutes because she was afraid the entire thing will break into pieces.

My overall rating of 3 stars - means "it's Okay" may seem generous but 'price' had a lot to do with it. When you buy an exercise machine this cheap, expectations should be low and this machine manages to meet some rather low expectations but I'd rather invest into a more decent 'single purpose' machine.

The product seems to work ok but it was very difficult to secure the pedal attachment to the frame. I am not sure if it will loosen with time but right now changing it back and forth is difficult.

I like the NeoShaper for the recumbent bike. Although, I initially used the muscle toning components, I went back to free weights and other excercise equipment, with which I feel I could better control the resistance levels. I feel that the NeoShaper is limited in this aspect. Nevertheless, the recumbent bike fits neatly in a small area of my excercise room. It is very sturdy, well made, and durable. I admit that it wobbles a bit when I vigorously work out on it. But, the NeoShaper is very easy on my knees during cardio intervals. And, I like that it is very compact, and therfore, takes up very little space.

There were several parts that did not fit together. They were just off enough so the bolts would not fit in place. We used a drill to shave down the frame to make the parts fit. There were five fittings that did not match up correctly. Took about 4 hours to assemble. I am sure it could take less if there weren't giant welding drips in the way keeping the joints from lining up correctly.

Once we got it together, it was not level. It wobbles. The tension on the peddles does not work at all. No matter how tight or loose you make it, it is the same resistance.

The bike attachment didn't fit because of the rubber stopper. We had to remove that to make it fit, now it rubs together. There is plastic tape on it, the instructions say to remove the tape if it doesn't fit. We did, it still didn't fit. Lovely.

The VHS training tape it came with was classic. I had to go find a VCR to watch it.

You CAN work out on this machine if you don't mind trying to keep balance as the cheep, imported piece of junk wobbles and shimmies all over the floor. Oh and it tips from side to side as well.

We got this on gold box for $99. It is not worth $20.

It weighs about 70 lbs, but seems like it weighs nothing, because it wobbles all over the room when you are trying to use it.

It is a classic, cheep, imported piece of junk.

Unfortunately it will not fit in my trash can, so I will have to put it in the back of my truck to take it to the dump.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was looking for a compact and not-too-complicated exercise bike. I was looking for no special features and no bells and/or whistles. The NeoShaper has less than that. Once it was assembled, I optimistically sat on the machine to test the resistance of the exercise bike attachment. It offered no resistance at all. I adjusted the tension as tightly as I could, and it still offered less resistance than a moderate breeze. It was the exercise-equivalent of just shaking my legs in the air. I suppose that if you'd been in an unfortunate accident that left you bedridden for several months, thus causing your leg muscles to atrophy, you might enjoy some benefit from the NeoShaper. But even then, you'd probably do your exercises with a physical therapist, and he or she would undoubtedly have better equipment than this. In summation: I hate this purchase. I hate the fact that I wasted time in my life both assembling and disassembling it. I hate that I got suckered into thinking this was a good deal. I hate the fact that it costs $50 (or half what I paid for it) just to return it, and I hate that I have no choice but to return it because I don't think I could, in good conscience, get even $20 for it on Craigslist.

The cycle attachment is adjustable, but does not provide any resistance. I would not recommend this product.Body Max NeoShaper with MiniCycle

I ordered this item, thinking that for $99.99 it is a great deal (Gold Box deal). While trying to assemble it, I found that the arch was bent and with that problem the assembling cannot complete. So I requested amazon.com for replacement. I got another item (thanks to Amazon for next day shipping) this item also had same problem plus more things were broken & damaged. It seemed the replacement item was a return from previous customer. I called Amazon to let them know of this issue and request them if they can ship it in an additional box so that it does not get damaged during shipping. Finally I got this 2nd replacement (Amazon didn't put it in additional box), on opening it I found that the arch was perfect this time but other parts were damaged!!! I give up on this item and will not ask for any replacement but just a refund. As if the product has issues now before even I use it, I'm not sure how it will be even if I manage to get a non-defective piece. Plus, they supply a video cassette (VHS) along with the model!!!I'm not sure what type of video it is, but my question is; how many people would have a VCR today and even if they have isn't it better to have a DVD instead of VHS?

My rating: 4/10
Packaging: 1/10
Quality of goods: 6/10
Assembling: 8/10
Usage: (never got lucky to try it)

It's true that you get what you pay for. This was only one hundred dollars so I shouldn't have expected it to be anything more than it was. It does work, but to change up exercises it's a hassle and even difficult to switch the cycle part on. But it does do something for someone who otherwise wouldn't be doing anything! In that regard it works. Also I should add that it is a nice small size and moveable, not too heavy. So that's also a plus.

This machine was okay while it lasted, but after about two months it broke. The bike still works and that part is okay for the money. I am not sure I would recommend this item unless you get it for under $100 and are just using it for light workouts or a basic stationary bike. Thank you.

Pros: Inexpensive, small, total body workout, okay stationary bike, easy to adjust, very versatile...

Cons: Wobbly, cheaply made