It's Original, It's Light, It's Green and It Gives Resistance
Written: Nov 13 '04 (Updated Nov 13 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Portable, inexpensive, can work every part of your body.
Cons: I don't think the resistance is enough for many men.
The Bottom Line: I love Spri's Tubes. The Light Resistance is for average women. They are portable and great for traveling.
|
|
|
| jo.com's Full Review: SPRI Products Original Xertube Light SPR0002 |
I am reviewing one of the 5 Xertubes made by Spri. This one is a light resistance.
What are Xertubes?
There are 5 tubes in the Xertubes' line that add to your exercise routine and can replace some exercises either because you don’t belong to a gym or because you are traveling. As I said there are 5 tubes, each with a different resistance levels, and each a different color.
The Original Light Xertube, which I am reviewing, is green and designed for average women. In comparison the Very Light Yellow Tubes are considered for seniors or children. The Light Green tube offers a resistance level of between 6 and 10 pounds depending on where you hold the tube. For example if this is the right resistance for you but you are doing an exercise where you could go a bit heavier you will hold the tube lower or wrap it around your hands. This will give you more resistance if you don’t have the Spri Medium Red Tubes or the Medium Tube is too difficult.
The Light (Green) Xertube has 50% more resistance than the Very Light (yellow). The Medium Tube (red) will give you 40% more resistance than the one being reviewed- Light (green.) As a comparison the Very Light Yellow gives you a resistance of 3-5 pounds; the Medium Red gives you 10-15 pounds. I will often use the Medium Tube, depending on what I’ve done the day before. If I am working with an instructor who is tough, very often a Light Tube is enough! If I am working on my own, I will tend to go with more resistance since I do fewer repetitions than when in a class. If you buy these online and you are just starting out, are not a senior (However you define that!) or a child I would start with the Light Tube. If you have any injuries or illnesses you may want the Very Light Tube. They cost $6.00 so at that price buying a couple makes sense.
If you currently weight train I will give you an idea of what I use to help you choose what resistance you may want. Although these are not dumbbells I find that they are really effective and simulate dumbbells fairly well. I am comfortable with 15-20 pound dumbbells doing a set of 12-20 dumbbell curls. Unless I am injured or worked my back the day before (When you work your back you are also working your biceps.) the next day isn’t the best time to do bicep work. However at times I do. If I did not work my back the previous day I would choose the Medium Red Tube for bicep curls.
I love owning and using tubes or resistance bands. The terms are used interchangeably. They create tension and can be used anywhere. They are inexpensive and perfect for traveling.
The tubes allow me to target a muscle group. Not only do they mimic dumbbells you can also use them to mimic work on cables and barbell exercises. If you order them online you will get a free instruction chart.
If you have ever been in physical therapy there is a good chance you have used a resistance tube or band of some sort. It is possible that it wasn’t one with handles. Physical therapists often use strips of tubing or flat bands. It is less expensive than buying the ones with handles. If you were buying resistance equipment such as this, I would recommend spending the little extra money and getting ones with handles. You can use them for more exercises and use them more efficiently.
I love the handles on the Spri. The space is a good size for both a foot and hand. The handles, which are made out of a strong flat rope like material, have another handle on the top on which you hold the tubes. Some of the bands have plastic handles on the top and some are foam.
If you order them online you can specify whether you want a hard or soft handle. The Very Light Tubes automatically come with soft handles. If you do not specify you will get a hard handle. I find the hard handles quite comfortable. My hand fits right around them nicely. They are smooth. I don’t use gloves nor do I need to use them with the hard handles.
The tube itself is hollow making it extremely flexible. They are quite strong and even in a gym they seem to hold up really well. I’m sure that if you were to buy them you would have them for a lifetime unless you damaged them accidentally. Spri has created what they call a patented “sleeve” which protects the Xertube. In addition laboratory tests according to the company show that Spri has a longer life than other brands and are more durable under strenuous use. The tubes are made from highest quality rubber, which includes the patented Tuff Tube component.
The tube is inserted into the handle with a rivet around it. The tube comes through the handle a bit. I cannot imagine the tube ever coming out of the handle.
Unlike Reebok, whose handles are different colors, the Spri’s handles are all black but the tubes are different colors.
I rarely train men except my husband. I feel even the extra heavy tubes that we have in the gym or that can be bought will not give enough resistance for many men who have been training for awhile. They give a resistance between 20-27 pounds. You can go in a store and try them out. I also have a band by Altus. This band has 3 resistance levels in one band. My husband can use the Altus but doesn't use my Reebok Tubes. Spri disagrees with me and feels the purple bands- the ultra heavy are for “elite men or women.”. Remember though that although these mimic dumbbells you can control the resistance and give yourself more resistance depending on where you hold them or stand on them.
I have seen one man at the gym using a Light Tube. He is an older man and it looks like he is working his shoulders in a way that one would do in Physical Therapy. Other than this man I have never seen one use Tubes but please feel free to try them. And please if you have used them I'd love to know your experience.
Xertube Light will give the average woman a great workout. I use them for myself and clients for virtually every part of the body. There is no body part that can’t be used with a tube. The reason you might want various intensity levels is the same as the reason that you may use 20-pound dumbbells for dumbbell curls but only 10 pounds for tricep kickbacks.
My final thoughts:
Spri Xertubes are portable and easy to use. They can be held at various places to make the tension easier or harder. They are safe to use. I like tubes a lot!
There is no doubt Spri makes a great tube. I have found that using tubes can be safer for clients than dumbbells. It is more difficult to use momentum rather than muscle when doing a bicep curl, making it better on your back and using better form. I have found that using the tube eccentrically (or the negative phase- this is on the downward motion, for example in a bicep curl) is much easier to control using tubes than dumbbells. For someone just beginning or someone who doesn’t work out consistently this is a great way to get them back into proper form.
Make sure your tube doesn’t have any holes or worn spots. This is how it can snap and break and you could get hurt.
Jo's Your Personal Trainers has some sample exercises for you:
Please check with your doctor before you start any exercise program.
If you own or have access to a Body Bar, and you are not brand new to working out you can do squats believe it or not. What you will do is wrap the band around the bar. Please make sure it is securely in place, one handle wrapped around each side of the bar. You will then stand on the tube with your legs apart just as you would if you had a bar and plates on your upper back. You can now do squats and you will feel them.
For your chest area stand in the middle of the tube and hold a handle in each hand. Bring them up to chest level and cross your hands. With your shoulders down lift the handles up toward your chin and then back down again. If done properly you will feel these. If you feel them in your neck you aren’t doing them correctly. Although the position of this is much different, it feels to me very much like a cable crossover that you might do on a pulley so you could substitute what I just explained if you were traveling or if you work out at home.
For your triceps (The back of your upper arm) step with one foot in the middle of the tube. Hold the handles next to your waist with your hands facing up. From that position bring your arms (just from your hand to your elbow) straight back. You are now doing what is called a kickback in dumbbell terms.
For your biceps (The front of your arm) stand on the tube and hold a handle in each arm. Keeping your elbows close to your sides bring the bands up either one hand at a time or both at the same time and squeeze your biceps as you get to the top.
The last one for your chest is called a flye. These are commonly done with dumbbells but we have done them with resistance tubes as well. You will need to lie on a bench with the tube under you back. Depending on the resistance you want and the length of your arms hold the handle with each hand or hold the tube at whatever place feels as if you are getting resistance. You will bring your arms out to the side not going below shoulder height. Your arms should be curved a bit. Now bring each arm up in an arc so that the handles touch or almost touch each other and continue.
Happy exercising – it’s good for your body and soul!
Feel free to leave me a comment or question.
Other reviews you may be interested in:
Bowflex
Crossbow
How to Choose a Health Club
World Gym
Curves for Women
PowerHouse Gym
Cybex Pro Teadmill
Cybex 900T treadmill
Cybex Arc Trainer
Precor EFX546 Elliptical Trainer
Concept II rower
Precor C846 Recumbent
NordicTrack Classic Pro skier
LifeFitness LifeCycle"
Cap Double D Handle
Cap Barbell Chromed Hollow 48-Inch Lat Pull Machine Bar
Cap Barbell Chromed Hollow 18-Inch Low Row T Bar
Cap Barbell Pull Down Rope
Reebok Resistance Tubes
Spri Very Light Tubes
Spri Medium Tubes
Spri Body Bar
Stamina AB Hyper Extension Bench
Thane AB-DOer Pro
Yukon Seated Calf Machine
Phoenix Bench
WAI Yoga Ball Kit 151
Precor StretchTrainer
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.