Customer Reviews

FitDeck Bodyweight & Instructional DVD

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These cards are for everyone, from the least fit to the most fit. You can do exercises for just particular parts of the body (as the cards are color-coded - e.g. blue for upper body, red for full body, green for middle body, and so on). Or you can do them all. Or some number in between. You can do the number of reps specified for basic, intermediate or advanced, or a combination of them for different exercises. Since you don't require any equipment at all to do them, you can take this deck with you anywhere and work out. Or, like me, you can use it at home, in between days at the gym. You can take it with you when traveling and never pay hotel gym fees again.

I first read about Fitdeck in BICYCLING magazine. Its review said something to the effect that even if you are very fit, doing all the exercises contained in this deck of cards at the advanced level would ensure that you could not even lift a pencil the next day.

I bought this deck and the DVD ten days ago and have since used the cards thrice, in different ways and at different levels. The third time around, I did all the 50-odd cards at an advanced level, and I definitely felt it the next day! I just shuffle the cards at the end of my workout, so that I have a fresh new workout for next time.

I agree with another reviewer Stephen Tobey here: these cards are addictive and fun, and because you can mix them up you will never get bored. Your muscles will not get used to the exercises and will therefore continue to grow stronger as you use the cards over long periods of time.

A word of advice - buy the instructional DVD (it's only $6 extra), even if you exercise regularly. It will show you the safe, correct way to do each exercise, as well as all the stretches.

I've been using FitDeck to supplement my usual workout program for the last month now, using it whenever I've had time to kill or when I couldn't get to the gym or didn't feel like going to the gym. Because I've been doing other stuff along with it, it's hard to say how effective it's been, but I have found it to be almost addictive.

A lot of people quit working out because they get bored. But this product solves that problem. You can use it for years and never do the same workout twice. You can do as hard or as easy a workout as you like. You can do exercises from the deck in the middle of cardio workouts. The only limits are your imagination.

I especially like how on his Web site and on the DVD the FitDeck's creator doesn't make any promises about what kind of results you can get. There's no foolishness about "melting off fat" or building a world-class athlete's physique in two weeks or anything like that. In this day and age, that is truly refreshing.

This deck of "playing cards" is fantastic. If you're like me, you're out of shape and there is no way you're going to pay the monthly fees of most exercise gyms. I got a (relatively cheap) yearly pass for centers at the city (exercise, pool, skateboard, basketball, etc.), but I ended up stopping most of that too. This deck of cards is great. Now, I can exercise all areas of my body at my pace and at home or away. No regimented set of exercises because I can change randomly and still get good workouts. I highly recommend this.

The DVD is worth the additional expense. It will get you started on your stretches and then excellent examples of each exercise. There also is a lot of helpful advice about why you are doing them and things to pay attention to.

Want to do some basic exercises? Want to be able to customize your workout? Simplify! Invest in FitDeck, a deck of 50 exercise cards separated into the following categories: full body, upper body, middle body, and lower body. Each card has a simple picture of the exercise along with a written description. You can do repetitions in any of the three numbers provided -- beginners, intermediate, or advanced.

You can customize your workout by selecting any number of cards you wish. After warming up and stretching for a few minutes, you perform the exercise on each FitDeck card, which takes around a minute each. Want a 10 minute workout? Select (or randomly draw) ten cards. Want to focus on your upper body only because, say, you're a runner? Select blue (upper body) cards only. You get the idea.

I like how FitDeck is straightforward and basic good exercise. I like how the person using FitDeck can have control not only over how many exercises to do, but which ones and for how long. Most of all, I like how convenient it is compared to a book of exercises. I've purchased books and they're a pain in the neck to keep open when you're first learning the exercises and trying to maintain good form by following directions and pictures to the letter. With FitDeck, you simply have a card on the floor in front of you (if you're on the floor) or on a table or chair next to you (if you're standing).

To make it fun, you can shuffle the deck (once you have chosen the number of exercises you want to do) and workout according to the luck (challenging or easy) of the draw. Beyond that, Phil Black (the guy whose patent is pending here) has come up with a few gentle gimmicks that I ignore but you might like -- cards that say "Skip a card" (yeah!), "Repeat Last Card" (groan), or "Double Next Card" (shrieks from the crowd). He also has one that says (get this) "The Card Drop." You drop it and if it lands on the front side you skip the next card and if it lands on the back side, you double the next card. Kind of cheesy, but cute.

This version of FitDeck costs more than the cards only because it includes the DVD showing Black demonstrating both stretching techniques and each exercise in the pack. Again, it sure beats trying to keep a book propped open. FitDeck also comes with a pouch carrier and belt clip (oh, please) that I wouldn't use in a million years, but you might (to each his own).

Still, this product is a simple, valuable, and convenient way to stay fit and toned without a big investment in equipment or health clubs. If you're committed to getting toned and especially to complementing an aerobic activity you do regularly, FitDeck is a great choice as it requires nothing beyond your own self-discipline.

Finally, as this product was shipped by a company other than amazon, I might add that the delivery was prompt and in good condition. So, despite the few gimmicks that I ignore, there's no reason not to give this 5 stars. If you've read this far, go for it!

The FitDeck System is composed of (50) quality playing cards that come in a handy carrying case. This neoprene holder can be cliped to your clothing while working out. The cards represent different calisthentic exercises that target the upper body, middle body, lower body, and total body. Phil Black is the inventor of the system and he is also a former Navy SEAL instructor. While this is not advertised as a SEAL workout, the exercises are the same as those found on several Navy SEAL fitness tapes. FitDeck also adds many unique ones not found on similar routines, such as the bear crawl, crab, tripod, and star jumpers.

This is an excellent total body workout that's simple and convenient. These body resistance exercises can be performed anywhere and do not require any special equipment. The workout is formated for beginners, intermediates, and advanced. You simply perform the given number of repetitions for your particular fitness level. An almost limitless combination of workouts are possible by simply shuffling the deck of cards. This is a great routine that provides strength training along with cardio conditioning. I recommend the FitDeck Playing Cards to anyone who wants to get in better shape. This is an outstanding product that will definitely improve your fitness level.

The DVD that is included allows you to see first hand the exercises that are performed. This ensures that proper form and technique are followed. The production quality is excellent with plenty of detailed instruction. This is one of the most effective and convenient workouts available.

Great, fun idea for beginners to advanced levels of fitness. Pick a card - any card- and do the reps... anytime anyplace. No equipment to buy. Completely portable (comes with a neat little carrying pouch). If you're not quite sure how to do an exercise, then pop in the DVD and watch how it's done. There are even games you

can do as a group. Fun for families - gets everyone involved. Easy movements won't strain or injure. And best of all inexpensive. You won't be able to use it as a clothes

hanger like that exercise bike in the corner or that treadmill which takes up half a room but you'll be more likely to use this handy, fun, deck of cards. My weightlifter son and fitness junkie thought this was one of the 'coolest' ideas he'd seen.

This is exactly what I was looking for, a compilation of great body-weight exercises that I can use in my workout routine. I am always looking for ways to try and shock or confuse my body every few weeks in attempt to avoid massive plateaus. I think this is it.

The FitDeck has 50 body-weight exercises included each with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels of performance. Not to mention the wild cards thrown into the mix to further help change things up.

If you can do all 50 at the Advanced level, then you are doing really good. I wanted a way to learn more body-weight exercises and a way to work them into my routine, FitDeck helps me do this. I work with weights for 4-5 weeks at a time and now I can use FitDeck for a week following to mix things up a bit.

If you are looking for a way to mix it up in your gym routine or just a way to get into better shape at home, I would highly recommend FitDeck. I may get my friends and family a set for Christmas even. It's just that good...

These cards are great! I used them with my 11-year-old nephew Bruno for 4 weeks and he lost 12 pounds and had fun doing it. For each work out we picked different cards which always kept things exciting. Best of all I never had to think about what exercises to do with him, we just followed the cards and were sweating in no time. I highly recommend these cards for children or adults alike.

I am very happy with this product. It is great for randomizing your workout and keep them from getting stale. I do have to disagree with another reviewer though (respectfully) in that I do not think that the dvd is really worth the price of admission. The exercises are all mostly self-explanatory and those that are unusual are not hard to figure out. So the dvd really is a 'one-watch' only product.

I bought the Bodyweight and the Combat Sports. Rather than the dvd, I wish I had bought another booster pack instead, perhaps the 'Firefighter' or 'Navy Seals' booster pack as that will be of use in the long-run to keep mixing up your workout.

In conclusion, if you are looking for something to make a workout fun, and mix it up a bit, this is for you without a doubt. Just don't buy the dvd, perhaps the small activities book would be better, as it might give you ideas to keep it fresh.

Indoor exercise can get boring quick. I find these cards help add variety. By shuffling the cards and "dealing a workout", I get a balanced, varied workout. The Bodyweight cards require no extra equipment, and would work when traveling and stuck in a hotel without a gym.

Even better, with a bit of creativity, you can think up card games that make it even more interesting. I found this idea in Mindhacker: 60 Tips, Tricks, and Games to Take Your Mind to the Next Level on page 149.

The cards themselves are the size and thickness of quality playing cards. They come in a heavy plastic snap-case.