Want a Tight Butt? Then Blast It!
Written: Dec 12 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nicely designed; comfortable; works glutes well.
Cons: May be more than you want to spend for one piece of equipment.
The Bottom Line: This is a great machine to work your butt and hamstrings. It isn't an essential piece of equipment but it is one of the better machines in my opinion.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Big Fitness ButtBlaster Home Model |
I have only relatively recently (rather than 10 years ago) been introduced to the Big Fitness line of equipment. The Butt Blaster, which you may know as a glute machine works both the gluteus maximus area (butt) and the hamstring muscles which are the muscles on the back of your upper thighs.
Information about the Butt Blaster:
If you have read other reviews of mine I have described various types of machines. Assuming you have not I will briefly tell you that some work with cables, some with weight stacks, some equipment is used by itself and you load weights or plates on it and some like the Butt Blaster is in a category by itself. If you have ever used Hammer Strength Machines, the Butt Blaster is the closest to that machine than any other. I do not use glute machines weekly but I will put them in routine for variety.
I like the Butt Blaster because it is one of the more comfortable glute machines I have used. Some are very uncomfortable and I really have to work to get comfortable. You will still have to do some adjusting to get your height right but once it is there should be no pain in your abdominal region. I mention that region only because you will be leaning on it. This can be uncomfortable if the machine is not designed well.
Taking apart this machine apart:
In order to review this I have to tell you the parts to it and while doing so I will be telling you how to use it. First from the website we are told that our glutes and hamstrings are not used until our hips are flexed more than 45 degrees. The Butt Blaster is angled at 60 degrees which according to the company isolates the glute and hamstring areas. This helps put less stress on the lower back. This may in fact be why I find it the most comfortable glute machine I have used.
It claims to be designed for all fitness levels. I would have to agree with that. The only thing I will warn you about right now is that you have to get used to this machine. You will be lying with your face down at an angle on your belly and your leg will be pushing up. For some just starting out that is a lot to do at one time. Just take it slowly and you will get it in no time.
As I said this is not a machine that has weights which stack on top of each other. Rather there a weight holder like the Yukon Ab Crunch Machine has. This is a pole that will hold eight plates. The weight holder is built into the frame of the machine.
These plates are just on the holder for storage. This particular holder is just keeping them off the floor so they do not get in your way. By the way this machine does not come with weights. That will be an additional cost.
I find that I can push quite a bit of weight on the Butt Blaster. Since primarily women use the Butt Blaster if you are buying this online as a gift and want to know how much weight to buy it will depend on the fitness level and strength of the woman. If she is just starting out, buy a 5 and 10 pound weight. If she is experienced, get a 25 and if you can buy more get a 5 and 10.
Assuming you have gotten on the machine. You have your knees on the nicely padded foam cushion, your belly on the abdominal support, your hands on the hand grips which are on the front of the machine and your elbows and some of your forearm on the padded arm rests. You want your body in a straight line. If you can look in a mirror or have someone look at your, great. You should be parallel to the floor so adjust the abdominal support, which has 5 settings, until you are in line and comfortable.
If you are alone you should put weights on the weight peg before getting on. If you are working with a partner your partner can do that especially if you are just starting out and not sure how much weight you want. The weights go on a resistance peg that will hold up to 100 pounds of plates.
Every glute machine works like this except they use different way of using resistance. They all have a place to put your foot which is the way you are going to firm up your glutes. Big Fitness calls this a foot cart. I generally refer to it as a pedal. The machine has a piece to lock your foot in place. This is nice. I am used to padded rollers that I put my foot under but I find that this secures my foot on the cart really well.
Other important information:
The Big Fitness Butt Blaster has a rubber base so if you have it on a floor it will not make marks; the frame is made of 11 gauge steel which is coated with a powder finish. The machine is yellow.
There is a 10 year warranty on the frame, eighteen months on all moving parts and ninety days on the upholstery and grips. Let me say something about the upholstery. In general butt blasters get a lot of wear and tear on the arm pads. When I use this machine I am bearing down fairly hard on these areas so they will not last as long as other pads on machines that may not get that kind of use. The short warranty on this is unfortunate but there is always duct tape! Seriously though, with normal use in your own home the Butt Blaster should not be ripping in 90 days. If I owned it and it did I would complain. I have not seen a torn one yet.
It is 58 inches high x 65 inches long by 21 inches wide. When folded it is 29 inches x 60 inches x 21 inches. It weighs 110 pounds.
A bit more on how to use the Butt Blaster:
This is a simple to use machine once you get the hang of it. Your foot is going to be on the cart (pedal) and you will push up with your foot so it is at a right angle. Your thigh will be parallel to the floor aligned with your body and you leg and foot pointing to the ceiling. As you move your foot and hold it for a second or two in the up position make sure you squeeze your butt to get the most out of this exercise. That is all there is to it.
My final thoughts:
This machine will run you about $400. That is a lot of money for two body parts but it happens to work those body parts very, very well. Unless you are working out at home with other types of equipment such as bands (links below) or you have a home gym, then you may want to consider buying this Butt Blaster. I like it a lot. You will work the same areas doing lunges while holding dumbbells for just a few dollars but lunges require balance that not everyone has. Almost anyone can use the Big Fitness Butt Blaster.
Please feel free to leave me a comment or question or e-mail me privately.
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Recommended:
Yes
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