Product of the Week: ZeroWheel
The device is a motorized ab wheel that can be used for full-body workouts
Finding a new workout tool that can truly shake up your workout is hard. ZeroWheel has innovated the traditional ab wheel with a motor to train arms, quads, glutes, and more. The device’s powerful motor offers five levels of resistance, with LED lights on either side of the wheel to signal its various modes. In today’s fitness landscape, where there are new gadgets released every week, can ZeroWheel really enhance your next workout?
Pros
ZeroWheel’s different modes really set it apart, which cater to different fitness levels and goals. Springback is an assistance mode for those newer to ZeroWheel and perhaps working out, bracing your body weight, and springing you back from an extension. Quicksand is lower impact, and works through eccentric and concentric movements, fighting against your velocity. This mode is one of the key differentiators of a product like ZeroWheel compared to a traditional ab wheel, as it adds extra resistance for seasoned athletes. Similarly, Aero propels you for extra movement, which is perfect for aerobic workouts and cardio. The most difficult mode is burn, which generates a significant amount of torque for a very difficult workout. These modes create versatility that differentiates the ZeroWheel from most other strength devices.
Credit: ZeroWheel
ZeroWheel’s battery life can last around a week or for four hours of continuous use. The device’s app is also a great assistant for workouts, with a sleek UI/UX and pre-programmed workouts. The app has goals displayed, such as number of reps of particular movements, streaks, and the frequency with which you want to accomplish those goals. With the app, you can “build” your workouts by stacking different exercises to take the guesswork out of your daily plan. You can adjust the mode, number of reps, and exercises to customize your workout. ZeroWheel has also been used in commercial establishments: fitness classes programmed around the device.
Cons
Although the company states that ZeroWheel can be used on any smooth surface with enough friction to prevent slipping, this may be more difficult in practice. First, one may not want to use the device on nice wallpaper or painted walls in one’s home. Second, a non-smooth surface may cause cosmetic wear and tear to the device. If you have a smooth surface in your home or, for commercial use, durable floors or walls, this may not be a problem.
The device is not particularly small or portable. Although it is only 12 lbs., it is large enough that it requires a small gym bag to bring around. This is not an issue for commercial establishments, but it may be for consumers who want to bring the device to a gym. In addition, ZeroWheel is $795, a pricey device for a core-focused workout. While it can certainly be used for leg workouts with the right wall surfaces, I found myself a little nervous about using the device on my apartment walls. However, floor exercises still burned my shoulders and abs due to the device’s unique modes,
Overall, if you’re looking for a new take on a traditional fitness device that will level up your workouts, ZeroWheel is a great option. For commercial establishments that want a new class format, ZeroWheel might provide the variability and customizable difficulty that would keep