Crunching, stretching, peddling, lifting... It's no wonder fitness products that make your workout more fun and efficient are pulling in billions of dollars.
Karl Day recalls his $200 Christmas gift a few years back that is now collecting dust.
"We bought a weight bench with appropriate weights and it was all very fine. Unfortunately it is now stowed in the garage so buried that we can't get to it anymore," said Karl.
Trainers at Greenville Hospital System's Life Center want to make sure you don't waste your money.
"There's a lot of trends in the industry that might not be the best to buy for your money. For example the Shake Weight," said fitness expert, Kendra Garrett.
She says she's not convinced they work any better than a regular dumbbell and at $20 each they cost twice as much.
The makers of the Shake Weight say they conducted independent studies that found the shake weight "produces over 300% more EMG-recorded muscle activity compared to a similar weight dumbbell."
Garrett also says steer clear of the $80 shape-up shoes and the $100 Wii Fit. She says both may seem novel and fun but, “The misconception is you won't have to do any exercise, you won't have to go to the gym, and that's simply not true," said Garrett.
Sketchers which makes the shape-ups also says clinical studies show it's effective.
And Nintendo tells us Wii Fit games are "a supplement to, not a replacement for, other physical activity."
So what gets the thumbs up?
Trainer Jim Gillespi recommends the $30 stability ball.
"It causes instability so you have to use more muscles just to stabilize yourself," said Gillespi.
For the same reason Gillespi likes the $80 Bosu Balance Trainer.
He also recommends the weighted medicine ball, resistance bands and a heart rate monitor, all under $40.
Climbing up the price ladder, $130 GPS wrist bands are great for runners who want track their speed.
One fairly new product that's gotten a lot of great buzz is the suspension trainer. Fitness experts like it because of it's versatility and it's easy to transport.
At $140 the TRX Suspension System tops the price list, but trainers say it's worth every penny.
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