The Bean Elite

I have been asked to compare the Bean models. I reviewed the basic Bean which costs $50.00. For $75 you can get the Bean Elite.

The Bean Elite looks like the Bean. It is shaped like a lima bean. Like the Bean the Elite is inflatable.

It is designed to work the abdominal area and the obliques, which are the muscles on the sides of your body. While using the Elite other body parts can be worked but the Elite itself doesn’t have anything that works other body parts. This is true of the Bean as well.

I thought the Bean felt strong. It is made of puncture resistance vinyl. The Elite is considered industrial club strength. I couldn’t note any real difference in the way the two felt. However it is stronger. While the Bean can hold 400 pounds the Elite can hold up to 800 pounds.

You will get a limited lifetime guarantee on both models; an opportunity to send it back after 30 days; and your shipping will be reimbursed

We are told that we will get the benefits of a stability ball, incline bench and back pain rehab device in this one product. It works using an air suspension design which has been patented by The Bean. We are told that it is easy, fun, pain free and good for anyone.

The Bean Elite is the same length and height of the Bean but it is slightly wider. I thought the Bean to be quite roomy and comfortable so the extra few inches isn’t a reason in my opinion to spend $25 more. It’s 36 inches long and 18 inches high. It will fit in an average closet.

It will hold up to 800 pounds. You may say "Who needs 800 pounds?" The reason that this high number is nice is because if you use it as an incline bench you will be holding weights or a bar and will have more than your body weight on it.

It will accommodate heights from 4 feet to 6 feet 5 inches tall. The Elite weighs a little more than a pound when inflated. It’s slightly heavier than the Bean due to the handles and size.

What you will get:

You’ll get a turbo pump; a couple of guides – instructional and nutritional and a DVD.

Let’s use it:

The Elite has the same individual inflated type bubbles that the Bean has. It is just as comfortable to use. I could deflate or inflate the Elite like the Bean to conform and support my back.

Lying on it I did traditional crunches holding my hands behind my head without clasping them together and lifting my shoulders while looking at the ceiling. I found this really effective. I felt the burn almost immediately

One notable difference other than the slightly larger size and the ability to hold more weight are the handles. They came in handy during some of the exercises I did although I personally didn’t find them essential.

We always stretch after our ab workout so I turned the Elite over and did what we call in Yoga a puppy stretch. If I didn’t have The Bean I would just do this on the floor but having The Bean under me made this really nice to do. I just lied down on it with my belly at the curve, my legs and arms stretched out. I could put my hands back and hold onto the handles for a different type stretch as well.

Many of the exercises I did I do on a stability ball. I know that many people have trouble stabilizing themselves on these balls. You won’t have that trouble on the Elite. You won’t have to worry about it slipping from under you. In one of my classes we routinely do this with a ball behind us. We lean against a wall and attempting to not allow the ball to roll away we slide down with the ball until our legs are parallel to the floor. Doing this on the Elite was much easier because I didn’t have to keep adjusting it to stay behind me. The handles helped in this exercise.

I did some tradition leg work with the Elite turned over such as leg lifts. These can be done the exact same way on the Bean.

I’ll tell you what I’d buy:

First off I liked the Elite just as I liked the Bean. I am a proponent of just sitting on the floor and doing crunches however once in awhile I come across a nice abdominal device. The Elite is one of them. It makes working the core fun and if you want while you are on it you can do flyes for your chest or bicep curls with dumbbells just to name two exercises.

Although what you buy is your personal decision for an additional $25 I’d take the handles, the slightly larger size, the heavier weight load and what may be more durable material.

I hope this has helped you make an informed decision but please feel free to leave me a comment or question. Like the Bean I am giving this 5 stars.


Recommended: Yes