Two new pieces of exercise equipment are making headlines in the fitness industry these days — the Body Blade and the Shake Weight. These two revolutionary new exercise tools both use dynamic inertia instead of gravity to provide added resistance to even the simplest exercises. But how well do they really work, and which one is better than the other?

 

A Close-Up Of The Two

 

Let’s start with the Body Blade. This device has two long, flat, flexible blades extending from either side of a central handle. When shaken, the blades wobble back and forth, providing a to-and-fro kind of resistance that sustains itself for long periods of time. This resistance is what helps even simple exercises seem more challenging.

 

The Shake Weight, on the other hand, is a dumbbell-shaped device. It has weighted ends that are supported by powerful springs from the central handle. When shaken, the weights shake up and down repeatedly, providing a resistance that reportedly fatigue the muscles 5 times faster than free weights.

 

For Cardio Exercises

Both devices have their places in cardio (aerobic) exercises, since simply holding either one in your hands during an exercise gives you extra dynamic resistance to work against. That means even simple aerobic exercises (and even Yoga) will feel more intense.

 

For Muscle Building

 

When it comes to building muscle, the Body Blade has a slight edge over the Shake Weight. The Body Blade can make your muscles contract up to 270 times a minute, with resistance forces reaching up to a whopping 64 pounds. A few seconds with a good Body Blade and you’ll fatigue your muscles to failure.

 

The Shake Weight is also useful for muscle-building, as it does have an edge over free weights. But its usefulness can’t quite match up to the flexibility of the Body Blade, so it’s best for individuals who are just starting out.

 

For Cost

 

If you’re on a tight budget, we’d suggest you go with the Shake Weight for the meantime. The Shake Weight costs only around $20 to $30, while the Body Blade can cost anywhere between $50 and $160, depending on the type of blade you choose (there are 5 types available).

For Portability

 

The Shake Weight also wins in the portability category. It’s considerably smaller than the Body Blade, and it weighs a tolerable 2.5kg — around the weight of a large laptop. The Shake Weight is easy to carry around, but it’s best to use it indoors and in private — unless, of course, you don’t mind the naughty stares you might get.

For Rehabilitation

 

If you’re looking for a lightweight, low-impact exercise tool to help you recover from an injury, then the Body Blade is your best bet. Much has been said about the Body Blade being a useful tool for physical therapy, with relatively few, if any, raves going for the Shake Weight.

 

Choose Your Weapon

 

In the end, everything will depend on your specific needs. The Body Blade and the Shake Weight both have their advantages over each other, and they do add a new dimension to your usual workout regimen. So choose carefully!

Jan 10th by jack