Wonder Core Smart product line review: Wonder core vs Wonder core 2 – Will it build the abs?

Wonder Core Smart is a compact exercise machine the manufacturers claim is the ultimate way to work your abs and core muscles, and promises to get you in the best shape of your life. It has resistance springs on either side of its padded seat and they say you can use it to do 8 different exercises plus cardio.

The new Wonder Core Smart 2 claims to include 12 exercises and is supposedly a 12-in-one abs system.

Wonder Core Smart consists of a seat and two padded moving “arms” (or “legs”). These are controlled by two hidden interior springs and a knob, which they claim when turned delivers 24-48 lbs. of “dual resistance”, both up and down.

The Wonder Core Smart exerciser is supposed to be a compact fitness aid that allows you to exercise your upper, middle and lower abs and your obliques without putting stress on your neck or back. It can also be used to target other muscle groups, including the triceps, biceps, forearms, thighs, glutes, and calves.

You can choose from:

1. Sit Ups/Crunches
2. Push Ups
3. Bridge
4. Scissor Kicks
5. Forearm/Biceps
6. Triceps
7. Ab Tucks
8. Bicycling

Depending on the exercise, you either sit, recline, push down, or pull up the resistance arms (it comes with a DVD with 2 35-minute workouts and Exercise Guide to explain further). If used regularly and as indicated, they exclaim you will have the 6-pack abs you always wanted.

Dimensions – The Wonder Core Smart exerciser measures 20.5? x 21.6? x 15?

Weight – It weighs 15lbs

User weight limit – The maximum recommended user weight limit for this product is 250 pounds

Included in your Wonder Core Smart system purchase is a user’s guide, a fitness DVD, a workout poster, and an anti-slip mat.

Critiques of Wonder Core workouts

Overall, it can provide some variety to the workouts for some user. For example, some people find sit ups are boring and they hurt the neck and back. Done on the Wonder Core Smart exerciser, they’re fun. They’re also pain-free.

But, overall, experts think that of eight exercises, almost all of the movements are assisted by the machine’s spring-loaded design, thereby decreasing the machine’s efficiency because essentially it’s doing the work for you.

The amount of assistance a user receives is determined by settings. One exercise doesn’t even work the intended muscle group.

1. Sit ups

In the sit ups, the machine is assisting by pushing your body upward, against gravity, when you do the upward motion.

2) Push-ups
Same as with sit-ups/crunches, the machine is assisting by pushing your body upwards against gravity and reducing the workload.

3) Bridge
Same as with sit-ups/crunches and pushups, when pushing up into the bridge position, the machine is pushing in the same direction, thus assisting you through the workout.

4) Scissor Kicks
This exercise actually works the glutes and hamstrings when pushing down. On the up phase, it would actually assist your abdominal muscles.

5) Forearm/Biceps
This exercise ACTUALLY works the triceps, not the biceps. If you’re bending your elbows on the up phase, then the machine is pushing in the same direction.

6) Triceps
This exercise does work the triceps, with the intensity is determined by the machine’s settings.

7) Ab Tucks
This is an assisted movement and the effectiveness of the ab workout would be offset by the machine setting.

8) Bicycling
This is called a bicycling exercise despite there being no circular movement like peddling. It would probably work your glutes, hamstrings, and calves a little bit. The machine provides assistance on the upward phase.

Editor’s note:- Regardless of its unique design, fit and comfort, and all the marketing hype behind it, the Wonder Core Smart product isn’t much different than ANY other ab exercise or machine.

Although the machine targets the abdominal and other muscles and helps to strengthen and build them, the efficiency is not much. Because, it does half of the work your muscles are supposed to do.

Besides, it’s not great for building abs.

Because, no matter what abdominal exercise, workout or machine you’re using, NONE of it will EVER directly target the layer of fat covering your abs.

There is a good abs building workout program called “SpecForce Abs” which will help you target the layer of fat covering your abs. We recommend this program over Wonder Core Smart.

Keep in mind, that spot fat reduction is a myth, that’s why products like most Ab gadgets, or IT works body wraps, FlexBelt etc. don’t work for majority of people out there!

Pros:

1. No assembly needed. Just pull it out of the box without any need to fiddle with putting parts together.
2. Foldable for convenient storage.
3. It’s only 21″Wide x 19″ Long. Ideal to be used in small spaces like an apartment or condo.
4. Comes with DVD’s to guide total novices on how to work their core properly plus other exercises.
5. Beginner friendly. Very easy to use.
6. The diet guide help those looking to lose fat who might not have a clue about how to modify what they ear.
7. Supports the lower back. A helpful device for people with lower back and also neck problems.
   Manufacturer’s 3-year limited warranty is better than most other ab machine products (1 year is the norm)

Cons:

1) Wonder Core Smart machine vs. Wonder Core System

This is a popular tactic used by infomercial spruikers. If you read the transcript of the two minute infomercial, they state the terms “Wonder Core Smart” (referring to the machine) a grand total of 11 times, or once every 10.9 seconds. On the other hand, they refer to the “Wonder Core Smart System” a grand total of one (1) time, or once every 120 seconds.

The problem with this is that, if not paying close attention, you might be led to believe that the machine alone is responsible for any purported results you might achieve.

But the sleight of hand is that you must use the machine as part of a SYSTEM, which includes exercise AND healthy eating.

Point is, why not just give up the two-litre bottles of soda, chips, and doughnuts in favour of more fruits and veggies and start walking every day. That would also have a dramatic effect on your waistline, and it’s supported by mountains of epidemiological research.

2) The use of meaningless jargon

Infomercials are notorious for using ambiguous or confusing terminology that is left to the viewer to decide how they want to interpret it. As I’ve cited above, terms like “ultimate total core workout” and “revolutionary new fitness breakthrough” are typical phrases for these types of products but they are more opinion and conjecture than anything with substance.

 3). You can do every exercise this machine helps you with without the need of a machine.

4). Diet program (the Wonder Core Smart System) is not very in depth. Since you can’t lose a lot of fat without a great diet plan, this will probably fail to help those of you who are looking to lose a lot of inches.

5). Unrealistic promise. The manufacturer claims: “double the workout in half the time”. Sorry – that is pure bull!

6). Not suitable for large sized people! What I mean is that you can’t be a big framed person – you just won’t fit on the device!

7). People who weigh more than 250 lbs cannot use this.

8). A  ot of verified purchasers on amazon claimed it is poorly made or of poor quality.

9). 3 year warranty does NOT apply if you choose the 5 payment installment plan.

The Wonder Core 2 is the updated version of the Wonder core smart. Boasting to be a revolutionary 12-in-1 ab system, we are going to put it through its paces to see if it really does hold up to its name.

The Wonder Core 2 comes partly assembled, the instruction manual is easy to follow and you should have this up and running in around 30-45 minutes.

The two mains areas that need to be connect together are the main frame and the pulley system. A nice addition is that a small screwdriver is provided.

The manual provided with the Wondercore 2 is surprisingly well written and easy to follow. Handy diagrams are explained for the following workouts:

• Basic situps
• Twist sit ups
• Downward ab press
• Pulley sit ups
• Vertical rowing
• Low rowing
• Shoulder press
• Leg curls

Some experts believe that it’s ironic that this machine is called WonderCore as it does nothing for your core but can provide a great arm workout.

Claim 1

It claims it can work the upper, middle, lower abs plus the obliques…… it provides the same range of motion as the exercise would if you took it away its useless for core, in fact, it makes it easier if anything which could be great for some, but there are beginners exercises you can do for free.

The claim that it “targets your entire core” is technically true in that the muscles listed are affected by the exercises, but there are other important considerations to bear in mind.

The predominant muscles worked would be the rectus abdominus (the bricks you see in a six-pack) and, to a lesser extent, the obliques as assisting muscles.

However, all of the listed exercises work your body ONLY in the sagittal plane of motion (i.e., front to back movements) and not in the frontal (i.e., movements out to the side) or transverse planes (i.e., rotational movements).

The fact that the device offers no sideways or rotational movements means that the internal oblique muscles would be largely under-utilised.

The concern with using a machine that puts you through the same plane of motion with no variety is that it can plausibly create muscle strength imbalances (which may lead to things like back or neck pain).

Bottom line: In order for Wonder Core to be the “ultimate total core workout,” the company still has work to do with coming up with other exercises that work the core in a more thorough and complete way.

Editor’s Note:- Wonder Core 2 does come with Twisting Seat and Rower Plus 3. It has the features for frontal (i.e., movements out to the side) or transverse planes (i.e., rotational movements). But, its efficiency is still quite questionable.

Claim 2

“Dual resistance design that works out your abs in both directions, giving you twice the workout with each and every rep.”

By its very design, this claim of “dual resistance” is technically false.

First, the term “dual resistance” gives the impression that the machine provides resistance to working muscles in both directions. However, because it is spring loaded, it only provides resistance in one direction, and that is upwards.

Second, because it is actually a “single resistance” machine, it is false that the Wonder Core works your abs in both directions. It doesn’t.

For example, if you’re doing sit-ups on the machine, the pads are against your back. This means that the machine is actually reducing the workload on your abdominal muscles because, by design, the machine is pushing you up. And on the downward movement, the machine is resisting you.

You can clearly see below in the still frame from Wonder Core’s own video that the model is crunching upwards and the arrow indicates the machine is assisting her.

In order for the marketing claims to be true, the pads would have to be against your chest, not your back. And the machine would need to place resistance against your chest on both the up AND down phases of the sit-up.

Sure, the company could try to argue that it’s “dual resistance” in that every resistance exercise has a concentric (lifting) and eccentric (lowering) phase. But the weakness of the machine is that it ASSISTS you in the movement!

Bottom line: this marketing claim is inconsistent with basic principles of biomechanics, let alone their own advertising.

Claim 3

Get the sexy six pack abs you have always dreamed of…… REALLY? We don’t think so! you’re never gonna see any abs unless you fix your diet, doing endless assisted crunches WILL NOT reveal your sexy six pack.

Claim 4

Endless possibilities to be fit…… HOW? Let’s take a moment to define what “fit” really means, there are 4 basic components of fitness.

• Cardiorespiratory Fitness – very limited but you can up your fitness with certain exercises but your body will be used to it in a matter of weeks
• Muscular Strength – Unless you’re extremely weak this machine won’t make you stronger and again you will outgrow this within weeks
• Muscular Endurance – Again will outgrow within weeks and unless your extremely unfit you will need to spend a long time doing the exercises
  Flexibility – Not at all

Those abdominal gadgets on TV infomercials do little to make six pack abs appear or shrink a fat belly. There are tricky and legal ways that the manufacturer does to get around this lie.

Besides, if a heavy woman does hundreds of crunches a day, she may develop strong abs, and they might tighten up a bit, but they’ll still be hidden by fat, and she won’t look any thinner.

So, how to lose fat using the ab gadget?

It seems logical — a toned tummy is the by-product of a million sit-ups. At least that’s what the late-night infomercials lead us to believe. Plus, gym-goers everywhere appear to be using Swiss balls, ab wheels and crunch machines to craft a chiseled core. Case closed: Targeting the midsection is the secret to a shredded stomach.

Not so fast.

1. We can NOT chose one particular body part to lose fat from

When we focus our attention on the science, this convenient way of thinking is not so convincing.

The idea that we can pick and choose the part of the body we’d like to shape-up is misguided at best.

Truth is, targeted fat loss — also known as spot reduction — is a total myth.

According to a 2007 study from the University of Connecticut, participants who underwent a single-arm strength training program didn’t just lose fat from one arm, their fat loss was generalized; meaning it came from all over.

Similarly, in recent study conducted by Los Lagos University in Osorno, Chile, exercisers who complete single-leg exercises were able to reduce fat mass, though not necessarily in the singled-out body part.

TV advertising shows a hefty woman or husky man before their use of the ab exercise equipment, and then after: often significant fat reduction.

The men and women models using these ab exercise devices or little gadgets have nice lean muscles and slick abs.

2. Ab exercise machines ALONE can’t provide enough fat burning workouts to slash belly and overall fat

No. They lead you to believe that one little gadget, that slides under your bed or that easily folds up, can bring a 180 pound woman’s body down to 130 — that all you need do is gently rock back and forth or twist and turn while watching TV…and in six weeks, voila, you will have lost 8 inches off your abs.

They want you to believe that just “minutes a day” on this small gadget, in which all you do is curl up and down or turn side to side, will truly sculpt your shoulders and arms too!

This is what the before and after photos of the people depict in these ads!

You cannot get a buff or toned physique from simply curling up and down or twisting side to side and left to right.

Any kind of curling, bending or twisting motion of your abs has zero effect — I repeat — ZERO effect on fat burning, and a very small effect on leg muscle toning, arm muscle toning, or chest muscle toning.

What these infomercials hide is delivering information about the REST of the program: You must follow the entire accompanying exercise program — if there even IS one, plus their recommended fat loss diet to get these dramatic fitness results.

Actually, sometimes the fat loss program consists of enough product (DVDs, charts, graphs, menu planners, pamphlets, folders, recipe guides) to load up a small wagon.

But 98 percent of the TV infomercial is about that little abdominal gadget that’s supposed to get rid of belly fat.

This creates the illusion that all that any man or woman need do is spend “minutes a day” sliding back and forth or gently crunching to get marvelous results.

3. Spot fat reduction is a myth

Women will do hundreds of leg lifts, and men will do hundreds of crunches and attempt to slim the thighs and waistline. They will become frustrated when their efforts may not pay off.

The reason the layer of fat stays on the thighs, stomach, arms, and so on-even when those areas are worked “in isolation” on a consistent basis-is because fat is like one big unit throughout the body.

Fat stores throughout the body provide energy to the entire body-so, for example, the fat around your waist doesn’t only respond to a call for energy from the abdominal muscles.

Read more on this issue.

Here’s The Truth…

The first thing you need to comprehend is that no matter what the people in the Ab Doer advertisements tell you, the Abdoer 360 WILL NOT directly burn off any of the fat off of your stomach.

None of these other abdominal products and devices will either.

You see, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY to burn the fat off of your stomach or any other part of your body.

This of course is by creating what’s called a caloric deficit.

A caloric deficit is what happens when you eat less total calories than your body requires to maintain your current weight. What basically happens is that your body then uses your own stored body fat for energy instead, which is the one and only way, fat is lost from any part of the human body… including the stomach.

There is a good abs building workout program called “SpecForce Abs” which will help you create such a calorie deficit. I recommend this program over Ab doer 360.

Now, the next thing you need to know is that everyone sort of has abs and a sexy flat stomach already. I do, you do, the 800lb guy you read about in the news who needs to be lifted out of his house by a crane because he’s too fat to move… everyone does!

The thing is, most people can not see their abs and sexy flat stomach because it’s covered by a layer (or many layers) of fat. Which means the only way to finally see your abs is to burn that fat. And the only way to do that is by eating a proper diet that creates the required caloric deficit I mentioned a minute ago.

The Ab Doer Twist or 360 alone will NOT make this happen. All the Abdoer and any similar ab exercise or machine will do is help build and strengthen your abdominal muscles.

But you see, that won’t do a damn thing for you if you still have a layer of fat covering them!

Selecting a single body part that needs shrinking can lead to a let down. Because exercises associated with spot reduction burn fewer calories (this is the case with Ab doer 360, the workouts just don’t burn enough calories to have any significant effect), the ideal fat loss formula targets a bigger bull’s eye – the entire body, though an effective mix of strength training, cardio and nutrition.

There is a good abs building workout program called “SpecForce Abs” which will help you target the layer of fat covering your abs. We recommend this program over Ab doer 360.

Keep in mind, that spot fat reduction is a myth, that’s why products like most Ab gadgets, or IT works body wraps, FlexBelt etc. don’t work for majority of people out there.

SpecForce Abs system is designed by military fitness expert Todd Lamb and consists of some awesome strategies employed by military sports scientists that work far better than conventional abs workouts like crunches.

We recommend this program over Ab Doer 360, because it’s definitely much better to spend $29 on some quality information than spending around $200 on an inefficient abs gadget which has very little chances of working for you.

Strength training: Starting in the weight room, experts recommends heavy, compound movements, such as barbell squats, deadlifts or power cleans. Next, he suggests mixing in some conditioning exercises like kettlebell swings, sprints, sled pushes and HIIT training to maintain muscle mass while leaning out. Conditioning doesn’t just entail high-intensity intervals, though.

Cardio: For fat loss, fitness and nutrition expert Ben Greenfield recommends “a mix of long slow cardio sessions on an empty stomach and high-intensity cardiovascular intervals.”

According to Greenfield, running in the fasted state, or on an empty stomach, allows the body to tap into fat stores. Similarly, he too suggests interval training for its calorie-burning, fat-targeting effects. By alternating between periods of all-out effort and brief periods of recovery, interval training revs up the metabolism, torches fat and improves overall fitness.

Plus, these calorie-burning benefits can have a lasting impact, Greenfield says. “Depending on how hard you’ve worked … you burn anywhere from a few dozen to over a hundred extra calories each hour after you exercise, for up to 24 hours after you’ve finished.” Think of it as the exercise afterburn effect, or Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) if you’re fancy.

Nutrition:- When it comes to fat loss, diet is often the deal breaker. Don’t sabotage your workouts by disregarding how you fuel your body. Stick to a diet that’s high in protein, and includes fresh vegetables, some fruit and healthy sources of fat, such as almonds and avocados.

Limiting consumption of processed foods, refined sugar and alcohol can also make a big difference when it comes to body composition. Certain techniques, such as carb cycling, might also be effective at preserving muscle and helping the body burn more fat. Science Says…

While targeted fat loss might be a convenient truth, researchers and experts agree that the science suggests otherwise. Paying special attention to one spot versus another won’t pay off.

But, a big picture approach will. From strength training to interval-based cardio to proper nutrition — going three for three is the best bet for reducing fat everywhere.

For all these comprehensive strategies that burn fat throughout the body, and thereby help burning the belly fat and building abs, we recommend you check out SpecForce Abs system.

Take-Home Points

• If you want to see your abs, eat better, lift weights and perform cardio.
• The abdominals are designed mostly for stability – avoid too much forward movement (flexion), side to side movement (side flexion) and twisting (rotation).
• Planks, side planks, controlled hip lifts and short range bicycles work very well as do partial cable crunches.
• Under the majority of circumstances, you likely don’t need any machine or gadget at all. If you are going to buy one thing, I recommend you make it a stability ball.
• If you find gadgets motivate you to perform ab exercises and they are safe, by all means use them – provided you add some variety.

Check out our review on Ab doer twist/Ab doer 360.

Compare Benefits: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core Benefits – Abs exercises done on the floor are ineffective, arduous and time-consuming. But Wonder Core gives total body-blasting and abs-toning workout in lesser time giving a toned midsection, arms and legs while being fun to work out on. The unit requires no assembly, and can be used anywhere even while working in the office.

Ab Doer Twist Features – It gives the right support and stability as soon as you sit on the equipment. Its multiple patented design minimizes stress, removes pressure from spinal column, burns fats and tones muscles in the abdominal region, legs, hips, buttocks, hamstrings, and obliques without going on the floor or kneeling down. It gives you fast results effectively.

Ab Rocket Twister Features – It gives the most ideal workout to flatten and tone the abs without any pain. Your muscles and abs will be stronger than ever.

Compare What do I get? Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core – Exercise Guide, Nutrition Guide, Full body Workout DVD and Advanced Workout DVD.

Ab Doer Twist – Quick Start guide for quick results, healthy diet plan for delicious and low-fat recipes, John Abdo’s ‘Let’s Get Started’ DVD, with instructions and 3 Workouts – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, Motivational Workout Calendar, and Measuring tape. All of this at $100 discount and free shipping.

Ab Rocket Twister – Daily meal plans to lose weight and inches, 1 disc of 5 workout DVDs, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced program, Total Body Sculpt and a hardcore 5-minute rapid wire workout.

Compare Price: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core – $119.7 + Free S/h at WonderCore.com

Ab Doer Twist – $199.80 CAD at AbDoerTwist.com

Ab Rocket Twister – $99.75 + Free Shipping at AbRocketTwister.com

Compare Exercises: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core Exercises – It provides 8 exercises including cardio – Crunches/Sit-Ups, Forearm and Biceps, Triceps, Scissor Kicks, Bridge, Ab Tucks, and Bicycling.

Ab Doer Twist Exercises – It combines aerobics training and muscle toning to give you a total body workout to fire up muscles of area other exercises cannot access – upper and lower abs, obliques and back.

Ab Rocket Twister Exercises – You can do crunches, half crunches, reverse crunches, sit-ups, leg lifts and knee lifts.

Compare Resistance Levels: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core Resistance – Dual resistance to work on the muscles the way up and the way down. There are different resistance level settings for Crunches/Sit-Ups, Forearm and Biceps, Triceps, Scissor Kicks, Bridge, Ab Tucks, and Bicycling.

Ab Doer Twist Resistance – Multiple resistance rods for extreme core workouts. Multiple resistance dial in swivel action seat to increase fat burning, tone muscles.

Ab Rocket Twister Resistance – 3 different resistance levels for optimum resistance for any fitness level.

Compare User Weight Supported: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core – 265 lbs.

Ab Doer Twist – 300 lbs.

Ab Rocket Twister – 250 lbs.

Compare Dimensions: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core: 55×52 x 38 cm

Ab Doer Twist: 27X11.4X22.4 inches

Ab Rocket Twister: 16.3 x 13.8 x 9.7 inches

Compare Weight: Wonder Core vs Ab Doer Twist vs Ab Rocket Twister

Wonder Core – 13 lbs.

Ab Doer Twist – 37.4 lbs.

Ab Rocket Twister – 15.8 lbs.

1. Great for back pain due to a weak core!

I think Wonder Core Smart is NOT for people who are already really strong. It seems to be the opposite of most gimmicks that focus on making regular sit-ups harder. This actually assists your sit-up so you can do the proper motion even if you are weak. That way you don’t try an use your neck and hip flexors just to get through the motions. Same with the push-ups- resting your thighs on this takes just enough weight off your arms and abs so that you can do a proper push-up (which require a lot of core strength). This push-up works more core muscles than you could from just doing push-ups with your knees on the ground. My abs have been really sore the last couple days. Hopefully I continue seeing great results. Also I think I am doing the scissor kick exercise wrong, but the way I do it feels like a really good cellulite reduction exercise, which is another exercise that I hate. Too early to tell, but if I’m right it makes this machine worth twice as much to me!

Here is some background info on me that might help you make a decision:
5’10” women’s size 18. Machine is plenty wide enough for me.
I used to have a very strong core, but some posture deficiencies have left my core super weak. I have been compensating with the incorrect muscles for years and found myself unable to do a simple push up. I also had a lot of back and hip pain. My physical therapist gave me exercises that help. But they are weird variations of breathing and “cat vomit” exercise designed to strengthen my core enough to get back to regular ab exercises. I wasn’t doing them as much as I should because… well I hate them. This is just the thing I needed!

2. I’ve been looking for an affordable exercise machine I could use at home. I’ve had two spinal fusions, so I always proceed with caution. I’m very excited and pleased.

The very first thing I tried was the sit-ups. I have a small frame now, no pain, and no irritation to my back muscles or spine. Next, worked on my arms. I’ve lost over 100 pounds due to a thyroid problem, and if you eat like a bird and still can’t lose weight, do yourself a favour and talk to your doctor to get a simple blood test.

The test I wanted to give this machine, honesty, was if one can feel the burn like in a gym, and yes, you most certainly can! In my arms (or as I call them, bat wings), I felt the muscles I have not felt since using gym machines.

You can also become very creative and find new exercises, like for example, wrap a towel around the gap so you can do your sides.

I’ve owned it for less than a week, and it’s the best gift I’ve given myself. I know this will give me the tone I’ve been looking for.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I’m 48 years young, and heres to bikini weather!

3. My review relates to the Wonder Core 2 which is much improved.

I am in my 50’s and suffer with chronic lower back pain problems and fatigue, and I consequently find anything except gentle exercise to be very difficult and in fact can make me worse. The overstretched physio departments in the UK are not much help, doing little except offering sheets of exercises I can’t do.

So having seen the infomercial on TV I was intrigued. Yes, I know the claims are all hype but looking at how the machine worked and then reading a couple of other reviews which pointed out that it actually assisted you so wasn’t as effective as doing the exercises without the machine, it occured to me that it might just be exactly what I’m looking for.

So I decided to give it a try and it really does help people in my “niche” – fitness less than average, stuggle with movement and so on. The machine assistance actually means I can have a fitness session without worrying about straining by back too much and ending up in even more pain, as has happened in the past, and I am now improving my health and fitness, and strengthening my core which, I’m told, should improve my back pain over time.

I’ll never be an Olympic athlete of course but then that’s not the aim. If you ignore the hype and just want to improve your fitness I do believe this can help a lot of people who will never set foot in a gym.

It is a shame the manufacturers need to hype the products in the way they do, and I also noted that the ad for the UK stated that refunds do not include P&P (shipping) costs – sorry, but by law they should do. You are entitled to a full refund of everything you paid if you inform them of your intention to return within 14 days.

Finally (if you’re in the UK) at £99 I thought it was affordable enough to give it a try for a week or so knowing that I was entitled to return it, but a quick check online and I found Tesco are selling it for £65 and for that price I really think it is worth the money. I’ve seen worse for a lot more money.

1. cheap quality i t is broken before the use. Can’t use it .

concept is great but material is very cheap .
cheap plastic which broke right at first day.

2. Did not find it as effective as I thought – back support is good however sitting area is too small and non expandable resistant is only to certain point and then it does not provide any further challenge

3. I ordered Wonder Core Smart and with the deal, I was to get the disc and paid an extra £19.99 ($25.88) for this, but when the box arrived the box was damaged and there was no disc. I would not recommend it to anyone. The whole company is a farce. The customer service is nonexistent, rude, and totally have no people skills. They could do with retraining.

4. Last minute I changed my mind and thought the order did not process, but when I checked my account last night the charge was pending. I tried to call to cancel it, but I was unable to get through. As such, I called first thing this morning, and after being hung up by two of their representatives on the third try, I was transferred to a “supervisor, ” and she refused to cancel the order claiming it was shipped, yet the charge is still pending with my bank.

I then called my bank and explained my issue and requested for them to formally reverse the order. I then called Wonder Core again and explained my stance, and they continue to state that canceling the order was not in my best interest and that I should just return the item once received since it was “shipped.” I am furious and disappointed in such poor customer service, as it is less than 24 hours from the time the order was placed.

5. I brought this from Argos 2 weeks ago. It has left me with what feels like bruising on the left of my back. May be due to having the resistance high as i am fairly fit i found it too easy to use. Would take it back but have thrown the box away. I would not recommend this is you are relatively fit. Therese. Worcestershire.