UgiFit Testdrive & Review

by

A misfit & her UGI.

Please to enjoy my review of the amazing UgiFit workout ball:


Please to know that the below is an edited version of my ode of love.

Im verbose when smitten.  Who knew?

What did I love about my Ugi:

  • Everything. Before I break it down into specifics I wanna just lay it out there: I.Love.  Sure, the UGI is as conveyed on their website: 30 minutes. 30 exercises 1 piece of equipment but more than that it’s what Id hoped (& whats implied on their site) fun, easy to use, safe, FUN, challenging & enjoyable (see? I do know another word for fun).
  • It comes in a variety of weights AND they help you know which to choose. If I had a dollar for all the emails Ive received asking about kettle bells and how to know what weight to choose Id have enough to buy us all UGIs. ‘Nuff said.
  • Functional fitness. In my misfit-mind Im still old school. Sets. Reps. Dirty gym filled with rusty dumbbells.  Bada** hardcore.  In reality what I now need is functional training.  A workout which allows me to take what Ive gained (overall fitness. improved core strength) & transfer it to my everyday activities (Hello shoving luggage into overhead bin! Greetings chasing child while she screams: “Be the monster, Mama!!“).  Ugi is this workout. It forces me to work my muscles in different ways than Im accustomed to.
  • Easy to use DVD. This is crucial for me as Im completely uncoordinated & slow to learn new fitness routines.  I adore the UGI DVD. There’s nary a word spoken (!) & simply music with exercises being demonstrated/a cue to switch every minute.  Besides the fact this makes it easy to follow I found I preferred the absence of instructor-banter which can be funny initially and annoying after a 50th viewing.
  • Easy to use written guide. More companies should follow what UGI has done with this.  The UGI comes with easy to understand routine-guide complete with built in stand for propping.  In both the DVD & the guide there are 5 different workouts each featuring a warm up, cardio, strength training, balance work and cool down. Additionally, there ways to mix up the routines so boredom is not an option.
  • It’s small & safe.  Weighted & squishy. The UGI is essentially a malleable medicine ball.  It’s easily tucked away when you’re finished (unlike dumbbells) & if your child is not a good listener inquisitive like mine there’s little risk she’ll hurt herself poking at it incessantly while you are trying to write a post.
  • It’s more than just the UGI. No, this is not a cheap exercise solution.  That said, I was surprised to see my box contained the ball, the workout guide, the DVD, access to additional online UGI exercises & an eating guide. I know I sound a bit like the old infomercials where constantly shouted: And that’s not all!! but with all the exercise options/info provided I really felt as thought the UGI was worth the money they charge.
  • It’s travel friendly! Ok this one might just be me, but I lost my MIZmind when I saw that they are coming out with a travel bag for the UGI in the spring.  I can definitely see bringing it as a carry on for a fast but intense hotel room workout.
  • It resonated with me. Yes this is strikingly close to my first point, but bears repeating.  I love the UGI because (brace yourself) it felt more like a lifestyle than a piece of equipment.  That in & of itself leads me to believe it wont be gathering dust under my bed in a few months (please to check back with me).

What didn’t I love about UGI?

  • They need to hire me to provide some content update their blog more frequently. Yes this is something only a blogger would notice, but I believe it’s important.  Brands should have blogs.  If they wont have the time to update (as a woman whos owned a small business I get that. Id never have had time for a blog, too!) Id say skip the blog.  Not updating sends a message you dont want to send.
  • Id love group classes in my area…so much so I may need to offer my misfit-self up as instructor (they do offer training)!  Im not a group exercise person (I taught aerobics in the 80’s mainly so I could go & not have to follow an instructor.  Im that uncoordinated.  I stood in front of the group and just made stuff up as I went along. Every class was different.), but think UGI would be REALLY fun en masse.
  • The cost? I went back and forth with this one.  Who wouldnt love for this to be $9.99 and an affordable option for everyone. It’s not cheap—yet is definitely worth the money.  Sturdy and multi-use.  Two important things for me when Im prying open the wallet.

There you have it People.

My love of the UGI as expressed in far far too many words.

Now you.

I know Ive left many questions unanswered. 

Want more photos? Need a MizFit Meets UGI video to be truly convinced? Longing to know how this is changing my core? Wondering the Tornado’s fave Ugi-exercise?

Please to hit me up in the comments below.

FTC? The UGI was free. The functional fitness love uncovered is all my own.

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Comments

  1. Dang Girl this is an expensive piece!

    I think it was you, however, who said if we use it then it’s worth it.

    Do you think you will keep using this?
    Can you get stronger with it or just maintain?

  2. This is why I love your blog, Miz.
    Your honesty and your FTC disclaimers make me laugh.

    I vote for a video so we can see you in action.

    I need something I can leave in the corner of the office and saw these come in PINK! 🙂

  3. I’m marathon training right now so I’m not really doing much weights but wow Miz.
    I clicked on that picture and your arms ROCK!

  4. I want one…or two since according to the site the heavy Ugi doesn’t come in pink ;-).

    And yes please, give us more 411 on your Ugi workouts…Vlog, blog, tweet…do your thing girl!

  5. I lovelovelove your reviews, and this made me laugh: “Easy to use DVD. This is crucial for me as Im completely uncoordinated & slow to learn new fitness routines”

    I’m the girl who almost kicked her husband for laughing at her inability to follow a kenpo boxing dvd, so this is point really resonated with me.

    I’ve never once done a kettlebell workout – must check it out. Great post as always!

  7. NO VIDEOS!!
    They just make me realize how far I have to go 🙂

    Wait.

    Did I read this wrong? Are you doing videos for the Ugi company??

    That I would want.

  8. Why did your comment make me laugh Tia? No 🙂 for now the vids are for…my viewing pleasure and not the UGI company.

    **runs and plops that on her Vision Board**

    Alex: this is definitely not just a ‘maintaining’ piece. If used consistently you could FOR SURE gain strength/’visible muscle-tone’ in addition to core strength, cardio fitness and improve balance.

    (rereads above and realizes she sounds like a commercial. youll have that…)

    off to wrangle my morning.

  9. I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE!! and even more so, I’d LOVE a weekly Ugi-Miz video segment where you teach us a new move or a quick workout!

  10. Hey MizFit.
    I’m checking in before I head to the gym to do my workout.
    I like the looks of this but the price is so high!!!!

    Can you talk more about this please:

    It forces me to work my muscles in different ways than Im accustomed to.

  11. I want this but can’t afford it!!!! So cool & like you, I need more functional work cause I am old school too & don’t want to give that up.

    I definitely want this: Want more photos? Need a MizFit Meets UGI video to be truly convinced? Longing to know how this is changing my core? Wondering the Tornado’s fave Ugi-exercise?

    I WANT ALL OF THAT FROM YOU! 🙂

    Looks amazing & my old bod needs more & more change & hard wprk to stay in shape!

  12. I love that you keep trying new things. I think I’m a little addicted to buying (a) bras and (b) exercise ‘things’. I have never heard of this…need to do more research….

    Thanks for sharing. And I’m with the suggestion from Fitarella — weekly video showing us one new thing… 🙂 Because you don’t have enough to do. :o)

  13. Now I want this.
    The winter is killing me as I’ve been snowbound for what feels like ages.

    I’m with Lola and Fitarella.

    😉

    I also liked you pointed out the safety factor with you daughter. I worry about the same thing with my boys.

  14. So, its weighted like a med ball but looks like a yoga/core ball? I guess I would need to see a video to see the advantages of melding the two.

    But love the Idea of 30/30 and done!

  15. I would love a video with some exercise demonstrations. Looks like a great product- I love doing more functional exercises

  16. It took turning 50 for me to get the value of this kind of exercise equiptment.

    Good for you Miz for learning earlier!!

  18. Never heard of UgiFit, sounds great! As we do not have a gym membership, we love finding new things to help us with our workouts! Love to see videos as well 🙂

  21. Knowing you taught aerobics and made it up as you went along only makes me love you more 🙂

    I wont say do videos for us only because you work your ass off for us.

    Literally as I can see no ass in that plank pic.
    🙂

    Denise

    • that’s always my thought as well. When I worked as a trainer I frequently had clients as me if I thought XYZ exercise product for home was too expensive. I always replied (if the product was well made. a sticking point ALWAYS) that if they’d USE IT there’s really no money better spent then on HEALTH.

      you know.

      In my opinion 🙂

  24. *slaps on leotard and headband*

    When do the classes start? Should I have my UGI shipped straight to Austin or do I have it sent here and then bring it along?

    Whatever the case I’m ready to roll…

  25. You have definitely peaked my curiosity! I’d love a video of you demonstrating. And I will be checking out their website, but I’m afraid to see the cost… The gym I go to recently got balls with “sand” in them and I loved them!

  26. I 100% agree with you on the brands and blogs.

    It’s worse to have one and rarely update than just to skip it entirely.

    THREE CHEERS FOR CANADA.
    I want one of these.

  27. Love your blog and review of the UGI. You mentioned that you’d love to see a UGI Class at your gym –we offer UGI Fitness Classes at our studio in Riverside IL –about 20 minutes outside of Chicago. So for anyone in the Chicagoland Area who wants to UGI…come join us at the Bellafit Health & Fitness Studio!

  28. I completely agree. I’ve seen a few company blogs lately that are way outdated. I always wonder why they keep them around if they don’t plan on keeping them current.

  29. Great review, Miz! It does look like fun, and lack of chatter on the video? Excellent! (I didn’t even like Jillian’s chatter on the first viewing, and mercifully they have a non-verbal track. But I do wish more fitness videos would have a beep or a chime when it was time to change a position (yoga) or move, especially when you’re doing something where you aren’t looking at the screen.)

    I don’t think I’d buy this for myself at home, but if it were offered as a class at my gym at a time that would fit my schedule? I’d be so there.

    Their name is funny, too! Is it prounouned “OOOG-eee” or “UHGG-eee”?

  30. when Ive heard it said it’s always YOU GEE (and the GEE rhymes with WE).

    off to double check 🙂

  32. A Mizfit meets anything vid is ALWAYS a plus! AND I’m about to go check out the UGI site, as I’m pretty sure I’ll want one. Can’t do it yet, but the desire will be there. ENABLER!

  33. VERY COOL!!!

    Yes I’d love you to do a video series with this, but I learned at BLISSDOM how hard we all work for free.

    I’d like to see you hired by them to do a video series with this:)

  35. ok you’ve convinced me I need me some UgiFit~ I do love that you do the test drive of these fit items! Helps me decide what toys I need to add to the fitness toy box!

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