DynaMax Pro Trainer 12086PC Core Strengthening System

Sorry for not able to say much about this promising core trainer..it was defective when delivered! Tried to follow the instructions step by step but no led light was flashing and no proper spinning of the gyro. Tried once again with some circular movements but to no avail....

I was excited about getting this product as an "At My Desk" type of supplimental workout. I have been working out for years and consider myself fairly coordinated but this machine is so hard to use. I can get it started but I can't keep it going for long. I watched several videos on you tube of people using it and they dont even use it the way you are instructed to, and they keep the thing going. It looks to me like those videos must be staged. I kept it going once for almost a min and I rubbed all ths skin off my firt thumb knuckle against the foam handle. I will keep trying to get the hang of it, but I don't think it should be this hard to keep the rotation going. Nevermind trying to doing specific exercises with this thing......It's difficult just to keep the rotation going.

When the product works it is a ridiculous workout. I want to cry after 5 minutes of use. The concept is outstanding and I really want to recommend this but DFX Sports cut too many corners when making it. It worked for 2 minutes the first day I got it until I increased the RPM's to level stupid, I heard a grinding noise and the gyro scraped to a halt. After trying for several more days to get it started again, I decided I might not be as uncoordinated as I feared so I called DFX Sports. They had me send it back so they could fix it. They did their magic and when I received it, it worked awesome. I used it at level stupid for 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day and realized it was getting harder to start with each use. By the third day I couldn't start it anymore. I noticed the starter string was frayed exactly how the other reviewers said it would. I also noticed bits of dust from the starter string coating the gyro wheel and the inside of the globe. I sent it back again and they replaced the string, sanded down the rough spots in the handle and cleaned it up. It works now but I can't always get it started. It is extremely difficult to start but when it does it is an amazing and terrible workout. In my opinion this product is still not there. 200 bucks is way to much to pay for something with so many factory and engineering defects. I would recommend waiting until they redesign this crap and release the 3.0 version (this is apparently the next gen model after a failed electric starter version). In fact, I insist you not buy this. If you buy it now, these dicks will think they have a successful product and they won't even bother improving it. Do not reward incompetence, step away from the product page. buy the red gyro ball from kernpower instead. Why are you still reading? get away! log off! Stop looking at me! I got nothing else!This is an update; I just spent the entire hour after I typed the review above trying to start the dynamo piece of stick. I hate it with every fiber of my being. I want to light the plastic piece of poop on fire, I want it to be a bubbling pile of goo in the middle of my sidewalk. It will not start! I've done it before many times, started it right up, but not this godforsaken time! I'm leaving two stars in this review only so you take me seriously when I tell you to forsake this worthless product! Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow and update this review again but right now I would not consider you a lesser person if you sent this company a box of poop.

Had to send it back because it was not working properly. Reading over the reviews I decided it was better to buy the more expensive model. Overall be away that this product may not last due to the positioning of the pull cord. The more expensive version solves this problem.

I am a big fan of "gyro" type exercise devices. I own the Dynaflex V Poweball and the NSD Heavy Metal Pro Powerball. I moved up a level to the Core Trainer by DFX. It's an incredible upper body workout. 5 minutes and you've completely worked put your biceps, triceps, deltoid's, and forearms. The harder you rotate the handles, the more torque produced. Because the motion is circular, when one hand is pushing, the other is pulling, so you work your muscle groups across the complete range of motion. I can only sustain the highest RPM for 10-15 seconds because the torque is so intense. I travel often, and pack the Core Trainer in my backpack. It's like bringing my gym with me when I leave home.The only criticism I have is with the starter cord. It lacks durability and after a couple of months of fairly heavy use I ripped the cord. I sent it back to DFX and for about $10 they repaired it. DFX needs to do something about the starter cord as I'm sure it will rip again at some point.Update, July 2013:There is a another version of the Core Trainer that was mentioned in a different review. It is the Ironpower Dynamax by Kern Power. It's not that easy to purchase and not available on Amazon. I had to go to the company directly in Germany to purchase the product. It is much more expensive, costing 389 Euros, that's about $600 with delivery.In my view, if you like this type of workout, the Iron Power Dynamax is worth the money. As I mentioned, and also discussed by a couple of other reviews, there's a big problem with the starter cord with the DFX model. It comes out of the starter housing and hits a friction point as it enters the handle. This causes the starter cord to wear and break. With the Ironpower version, they solve this issue by running the starter cord straight through a split rotor, with no friction points. I have used their Dynamax for a few months now and have seen no wear on the starter cord despite very heavy use. In addition, the Ironpower Dynamax is very heavy duty, quiet, and smooth. It feels like you're operating a high quality machine.Kern Power is run by a husband and wife team, their commitment to their products is very impressive, the customer service they've provided to me has been absolutely amazing.The Core Trainer by DFX is a nice product. Be very careful with the starter cord. Pull it gently, 1 or 2 times, and never to the stop. If you want the professional version, consider the Dynamax by Kern Power. It costs more but it is well worth the moneyUpdate Nov 2013DFX has received new rotors from Kern Power in Germany and is selling their own "split core" Dynamax. I acquired one recently. It is very smooth, starts easily, and delivers more torque than the older versions of the Dynamax. The starter cord does not wear out or break. I have had mine for over a month now and put it through heavy use and it still works perfectly. I believe DFX will make them available to the general public very soon but they are available now on Ebay.

Once you know how to use it properly (it takes a few minutes to figure out how to spin the gyro with a figure 8 motion), it is absolutely wonderful. I can feel tremendous forces pulling against my body as I rotate it.