If you've ever caught yourself glued to your television late at night, captivated by a lean and over-keen spokesperson promising you the solution you've been waiting to get you in shape and losing weight in just minutes a day...you are NOT alone!

Infomercials and shopping channels are big business and fitness products are obviously hot-sellers given the vast number of equipment and accessories on the market.  They catch people at vulnerable moments with exaggerated promises and even more exaggerated stories from people just like you!  You have the opportunity to be part of a community and get the results you desire in just minutes a day.

I actually love infomercials for a couple of reasons.  First, it gives those of us in the fitness industry insight to what we may be missing about what the general public needs and wants.  It's also encouraging to know that there is a demand and that people haven't given up hope of improving their fitness and health habits.  What it means, however, is that the fitness industry has the challenge and opportunity to come up with better, more credible options for programs and services to address this demand.

Some products are junk and will end up holding laundry but others can be very valuable.  They offer inspiration and the option to workout at home which is simply practical for a lot of people.  

Here are a few tips before you buy to make you a more informed fitness consumer:

1. Try it before you buy it.  

  • There are specialty stores for infomercial products, but if you wait for a short period after a launch, you can find many of the same products in department or fitness stores.  
  • They're often at the same price point and they offer the opportunity to see and feel for yourself.

2. Get references.  

  • Talk to friends and colleagues.  
  • You'd be surprised just how many people end up purchasing products from shopping channels late at night.  
  • Check on the internet for reviews as well but, as always, be careful about the source and purpose of information you find.

3. Read the small print and/or between the lines.  There is a lot of information that isn't shared on infomercials including:

  • results not typical - they're certainly not going to share the 101 example that didn't work!
  • studies noted are not necessarily not peer evaluated research but often small samples conducted by the company
  • credible studies they do site are often specific to a concept versus that product; for example, calorie expenditure with interval training conducted with athletes vs. what you would really burn during a Zumba workout
  • diet qualifications - most fitness products have a nutrition guide included and note that following a healthy diet is essential to the sited results

4. Temper your expectations with...

  • calories - you will NOT burn 1,000 calories in one session
  • time - it takes far more than 10 minutes, 3 times per week
  • results - doing more ab work will NOT give you a flat washboard stomach

Here's a few of the products and categories we features in the segment along with the approximate cost and a rating we've provided for value. Sometimes value is more in the motivation, so if it's not too expensive and it gets you off the couch, it can be a great investment!

Rating out of 4 stars

AB Products

  • Ab Circle Pro - $150 -  *
  • Ab Rocket - $80-$100 -  *
  • AB Doer - $100-$150 - no stars
  • T-Core - $35 - no stars
  • Ab Rollers - $10-$20 - *

Push Up Options

  • Perfect Push-Up - $20-$30 - *
  • Bowflex Upper-Cut - $100 - **
  • Iron Gym - $30-$40 - **

DVD Programs - $80-$180

  • Shaun T series - ***
  • P90X/Tony Horton - ***
  • Chalene Johnson - ***1/2
  • Jillian Michaels - **1/2
  • Tracy Anderson - *
  • Zumba - *

Home Gym Units

  • Treadclimber - $1,900 - **
  • Bowflex - $1,999 - **
  • Total Gym - $200-$800 - **

These are a bit tough, but you don't want to invest both time and money into something that is going to set you up for failure.  We beat ourselves up far too often already without the help of an ab twister rocket pro as one more failed attempt.  

If it sounds like it's too easy to imagine, it likely won't work.  Getting in shape, losing weight or improving health habits isn't rocket science (or an ab rocket) but it does take time and effort in many areas - moving more, eating healthy and making sure we are proactive with our health.  Small, consistent steps count and tend to be the best path for long term results.  It's not glamorous, it's not fast-acting but I promise you if you stick with it..it does work!

We're kicking off 2015 with quick workouts and tips to help make THIS year YOUR year of fitness success.  For ongoing tips and tools, visit www.libbynorris.com

If you have a specific question we'd love to hear from you.  We also have a quick survey to find out your biggest challenges to help plan workouts and segments for the New Year!