Excellent for improving balance and involving more muscle groups.

Having used weights for building muscle, I am not new to strength training. In the past I've done pretty much everything, from Smith machines in college, free weights after that, and , as I got older, a Soloflex machine...which, incidentally, made me comfortable with the idea of rubber resistance.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this product but fell for it very quickly. I can do more exercises with this in a short time, with infinitely more variation, than anything I've ever tried before. Best of all, I can take it with me anywhere I go, as evidenced during a recent extended trip to Europe where I didn't have the time or inclination - or reason, thanks to this product - to visit a gym.

The level of resistance is infinitely variable by changing one's stance, increasing or decreasing distance from the attachment point, adding more bands, etc. I can say without any exaggeration that this has built muscle on my male mid-40's 6 foot 2 inch frame, and even better, it has done so without any of the injuries or pain associated with free weights. As someone who prefers to exercise alone, there are practical limits to what I could do with free weights before getting into potentially dangerous situations, and while I like my Soloflex it doesn't provide much variation in terms of angles of resistance. The TNT power cables changed all that.

There really isn't any drawback. The only "caution" I would have is taking the time to learn how to brace yourself against the resistance as it can get mighty strong depending on how many bands and what resistance level you choose. But even this has an advantage as you're involving muscle groups that you would never involve in free weights or in a machine. For example, when doing the equivalent of a bench press, especially with heavy resistance, you have to lean forward and plant a solid foot behind you so you will move the band forward without your moving backward. This is excellent for improving balance, coordination, and involvement of more muscle groups.

I have had no problems with this product after six months of use and have bought several other items from the manufacturer, all of which I am very happy with. Be sure to follow the instructions for how to attach the door attachment. I haven't had any issues with it, but I can see how someone who didn't bother to read the (very simple) instructions could end up with a bunch of rubber in his or her face. Attach the strap on the hinge side of the door, not over the top or the latch side. That's it.

"New Englander" (Massachusetts)