My Pro Unit Performance Trainer and DVDs.
My Pro Unit Performance Trainer and DVDs.

I like working out at home.  Given the time available I have to work out in addition to trying to save on some expenses, working out at home is simply the best option.  As I’ve mentioned in some of my supplement reviews, I have some free weights, a couple kettlebells, a heavy bag and speedbag, elliptical, and a jump rope.

Given the amount of space I have to work with I have to be efficient with my setup, because my “workout area” also doubles as my woodworking shop, storage, and oh yeah, my garage.  With that in mind, I try to keep an eye out for exercise equipment that is both effective and space-saving.

When I first spotted the ProUnit Performance Trainer on Facebook, I was impressed with the idea and thought it would be fun to try out.  The ProUnit is the brainchild of fitness trainer and strength coach Gary Miller, and promises 5 in 1 total body training.

The system includes a foam roller, ab wheel, rotating push up handles, stretch strap and the whole unit itself weighs ten pounds which acts as a weight used in a number of different exercises.  The Pro Unit comes with three DVDs; Foundations, The Next Level, and Transformation.

In terms of the physical layout of the Pro Unit, it’s impressive. In addition to assembling and disassembling easily for the different exercises, the body of the Pro Unit is hollow, allowing for storage of other exercise equipment if you’re taking the Pro Unit on the go. A common fitness tool that could easily fit inside would be exercise bands, but you could fit just about anything in there from a small towel to an extra pair of shorts. Fully assembled, it clocks in around three feet in length and about six inches deep.

The Pro Unit is small enough that it can easily fit in a closet, under a bed, or on a larger shelf in case you need floor space.  When traveling, it’s no sweat to pop it in the trunk or backseat of the car.  I did not travel with mine, but in between workouts I stored it everywhere from a shelf in my garage, on top of a set of cabinets, and standing upright in a corner (with one of the ab wheels removed for stability).

Before receiving the Pro Unit, I was admittedly a bit skeptical of its durability.  Like I said, I was impressed with the idea, but how would it hold up with actual use?  Keep in mind, I’m not what anyone would call any sort of expert in the area of exercise – furthermore, I never say things like “beast mode”, I don’t post my workouts on Facebook, and I oftentimes don’t work out with the regularity that I should.

Despite all that, I don’t work out in forgiving conditions.  On even a relatively warm day, the temperature in my garage gets into the 90s, there is no padding at all on the concrete floor, and given the obstacle course I have to get around to work out, things are apt to be knocked over, kicked over and generally (unintentionally) abused.  Suffice it to say, the Pro Unit held up – very well.

On one day, I had set the unit on a sort of workbench I set up while I was moving around some other things in the garage.  The ab wheels were locked in on each side of the unit, so it was capable of rolling, and when I accidentally hit it while moving some tools it rolled right off the workbench and slammed down onto the concrete floor.  I was concerned because there is a fair amount of hard plastic on the unit and I picked it up fully expecting it to be cracked or chipped.  To my surprise, it was fully intact and was no worse for the wear minus some minor scratches.

In terms of the exercise programs offered by the DVDs, I was impressed with the variety and intensity offered.  The DVDs take you through a wide range of exercises, most of which can be done in a very small amount of space, at whatever speed or intensity you need to fit your workout program.

I think the aspect of the Pro Unit that I was most impressed with is its function as a foam roller. Prior to using the Pro Unit, I’d never tried a foam roller of any type. I had used the perfect push-up and tried an ab wheel a few times, but never a foam roller. With all the times that I used the Pro Unit, the foam roller really helped work out any knots that would build up in my muscles, especially my calves.

I found this to add an entirely new dimension to my workouts, because I do not normally stretch as much as I should nor work on flexibility as much as I need to, but with the foam rolling and stretch strap aspects of the Pro Unit, I found my hesitance with these parts of the workouts gone.

The Pro Unit is about $120.00 plus shipping and handling. While that is more than buying a set of dumbbells or other similar, smaller pieces of exercise equipment, I think the Pro Unit is a great value for the price given the diversity and range of exercises and benefits it offers.

You can find out more info about the Pro Unit at TheProUnit.com, and you can also connect with them on Twitter, @ProUnitPerforma, and like their Facebook page.

If you have any questions, feel free to shoot Gary a message on the Facebook page. He loves interacting with his clients and customers and sent me a few different workout guides and tips on working with the Pro Unit.

Check out the video below (which Gary sent me) for a specific breakdown of what comes with the Pro Unit and some simple instructions on removing the push-up handle/ab roller sections from the sides.

Want to see more of the Pro Unit in action? Check out the commercial below.

4 thoughts on “Product Review: ProUnit Performance Trainer”
  1. […] Pro MMA Now Product Review: ProUnit Performance TrainerPro MMA NowAs I’ve mentioned in some of my supplement reviews, I have some free weights, a couple kettlebells, a heavy bag and speedbag, elliptical, and a jump rope. Given the … With that in mind, I try to keep an eye out for exercise equipment that is both ……Product Review: ProUnit Performance Trainer – Pro MMA Now […]

  2. […] Product Review: ProUnit Performance Trainer – With all the times that I used the Pro Unit, the foam roller really helped work out any knots that would build up in my muscles, especially my calves. I found this to add an entirely new dimension to my workouts, because I do not normally stretch as much … […]

  3. […] Product Review: ProUnit Performance Trainer – As I’ve mentioned in some of my supplement reviews … a foam roller, ab wheel, rotating push up handles, stretch strap and the whole unit itself weighs ten pounds which acts as a weight used in a number of different exercises. The Pro Unit comes … […]

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