Tristar Lateral Thigh Trainer

Pros: small, you will feel your muscles working
Cons: dangerous, cheaply made, no handles, can't interval train

I want to thank the reader who requested that I review The Lateral Thigh Trainer. I want to thank her for having confidence in me. She wrote "I've enjoyed reading many of your reviews, but have not found one regarding the lateral thigh ...

Pros: Needs very little space, variable resistance, targets thigh muscles
Cons: Boring, can be very hard on the knees, timer/calorie burner is inaccurate

I happened upon the Lateral Thigh Trainer at Dick’s Sporting Goods about a year ago. The box was touting its success “as seen on TV” but I had never seen it on TV and I thought I sat through every infomercial made. Nonetheless, the one ...

Pros: Easy to use, fun workout tape, great backup service.
Cons: I broke it.

The Lateral Thigh Trainer ad campaign hit the TV screens around March this year and I pretty much caved straight away. The ads were catchy and there was so much that appealed to me about this product. I think the main attraction was that it was small ...

Pros: low cost, compact size, produces noticeable results
Cons: squeaks, can be tough on the knees

It turns out that this machine isn't as bad as I'd thought it would be. I originally bought the Lateral Thigh Trainer in hopes that I would exercise more....and well, I am! If you're looking for an intense workout, this isn't it. However, it will ...

Pros: you can do it at home and feel less guilty about skipping the gym.
Cons: an absolute waste of time, effort and money.

Well even based in the UK i managed to catch the ads for this "revolutionary" exercise system. A friend succumbed and bought one and said it was great so i gave in and ordered my own and got ready to feel great and look svelte. So my LTT arrives - i ...

Pros: Does appear to work if you stick with it and use it regularly.
Cons: The chain is the weak point and should be immediately replaced

I bought it for my girlfriend off e-bay, but it did her knees no good. I however carried on with it. I have asthma so need a stable atmosphere or I wheeze. So it suits me as I can train indoors. I started with a few minutes and worked up to an hour. It ...

Pros: Compact. Portable. Easy to use.
Cons: to really see results, you should do the diet and work out every day.

I too fell into the whole Sunday infomercial...aren't they addictive? I ordered it, and they told me 4-6 weeks delivery. Well, imagine my surprise, it came 4 days later. Super fast delivery. I bought the machine, and the warranty in case it does ...

Pros: tones/shapes body, easy to use and worth money
Cons: a bit boring

i had always wanted my body to be in shape and nicely toned and as the ad made me so excited that i really had to get it. so i brought the LLT and and it was so simple to assemble i started to use it straight away and it was really good you can feel the burn within 2 minutes of use. i used it everyday for 10 mins and i could see results and that is only if you control what you eat. it was amazing i had actually lost inches off my waist, bum and legs, the legs are amazing you can start to see them toned.

i would recommend it anyone. its not the most exciting exercise to do but it works just put some music on and exercise away

Pros: Price, not a space hogger
Cons: Not a natural movement, knee killer!!!

I've bought many so-so pieces of equipment over the years but this is by far the worst. I asked for this for my birthday after seeing the infomercial blitz, what a huge waste of money!! I even tried to give it additional attempts thinking perhaps I might adapt to it, no way. I'm in decent shape with minimal problems over the years but using this is a KNEE KILLER. I couldn't even use it long enough to determine if it's a decent cardio workout, my knees were killing me almost immediately. When you use it, the movement is not a natural flow. I cannot say enough negative things about this product! I had a Fitness Quest ski machine for a couple of years which wasn't comfortable on my knees but nothing like this. Spend another $150 and get an elliptical trainer if you have knee issues and want a low impact workout. And even if you never had knee issues, trust me - you'll have them if you use this product.

Pros: Really does firm up butt, thighs, and abs
Cons: Poor construction, breaks easily

I have tried steppers before and could not stick with it, I quickly became too bored. This one is different. It really is fun- I have stuck with it for 3 months now, using it between 30-60 minutes a day. The results have been wonderful, apparently it does everything it claims. As other reviews have mentioned though, this machine is very cheaply built. After a few weeks, I started hearing small pieces break off while using it, and the squeaking became almost unbearable soon afterwards. One day the right foot petal broke completely off. By that point I was hooked, however, so I returned it to the store for an exchange. Hopefully this one will last a little longer...

Pros: compact, easy and fun to use, affordable.
Cons: use with care if you have bad knees

I love the lateral thigh trainer, I am an elliptical fan and this machine has been a good substitute for me since Christmas. It is not always easy to go to the gym during winter but I was able to challenge myself and add a 100 more steps every day. That's an easy way to have my 30 min cardio. I could feel the difference right after the first workout!
My advice: it is a great machine especially for people like me who don't have space for a treadmill or an elliptical machine.

Pros: Compact size
Cons: Not much of a cardio workout

The Lateral Thigh Trainer is, I guess, an o.k. piece of equipment. It serves as my fallback, as in if I can't get to a real gym, I'll grudgingly fall back to this piece of equipment. It's fairly compact and is akin to a stairstepper (although certainly not an elliptical machine), so it will give you some cardio activity. I say some, because it takes a while to actually work up a sweat (a while being in excess of 45 minutes). Its basically my way of not feeling guilty for not having done a proper workout.

If you're an athletic person looking to this piece of equipment for winter activities, just buy a real treadmill or elliptical machine. You're not going to get much of a work out here. If you're a couch potato looking for an opportunity to watch T.V. and get mild cardio exercise, the lateral thigh trainer should be fine. Don't expect too much in the way of results or weight loss.

Pros: Great workout
Cons: Squeaked but try cooking oil

Squeaked badly, tried everything till one day i took it a part and put cooking oil on all moving parts and NO SQUEAK....

Pros: compact and very sturdy.
Cons: tricky side stepping

I got this because I love steppers but this one I ended up selling on ebay because I couldn't get used to the way it steps. I guess maybe I am not coordinated enough. Very tricky to step unless you are used to this type of thing. I had to hold onto my entertainment center because I couldn't balance.

Pros: fast way to get a quick cardio and arm workout
Cons: not for people who can't "balance"

I've had the LTT a few years now, and have been happy with the results. I have the arm bands (additional purchase) Its easy to work your arms on it, and with the bands you get fast, fast, fast results. The video tape pretty much counts all your reps for you, and you don't need to rest between reps, so its fast. I do other methods of aerobic activity - this is not my only method of exercise. Its great when the weather is bad - I'll stay on it longer than just to do my arm workout.

Balancing on the LTT wasn't an issue for me, my balance is very good from doing Pilates. Its not good if you have balance issues. Test your balance by standing on the floor with one foot up - if you fall right away, this equipment is not for you!