A few weeks ago, I received one of my favorite fitness tools to date. I'm a massive proponent of training with our own body weight. For most of us, it's the heaviest weight we will ever lift. From my eyes as a fitness trainer, we are all just a bunch of massive dumbbells. Isn't that nice of me to say? So my little dumbbells ... I have a cool new tool for you! The Lebert Equalizer will add some fun and give you a bunch of neat things to do with that delightfully heavy body of yours.

The Lebert Equalizer is perfect for pull-ups, push-ups, dips, decline rows, scull crushers, planks and tons of other fantastic strength and cardiovascular training exercises as well. It's light-weight, portable, versatile and not too pricey. For $99.99 you'll get a set of Equalizers along with a free training DVD and a poster to guide you while you train.

Much to their delight (or disgust), many of my personal training clients ages 16 to 62 have been subjected (tortured) with the Equalizers. I kid! The typical exercises one would do with these tools are hard though -- in a good way. My intermediate/advanced fitness level clients have loved the challenges put forth to them each session. I would not allow someone with very little strength to use them though, because without great balance, the Equalizers wobble a bit. Having said that, people wobble on the BOSU, stability ball, and lots of other fitness tools. Balance is an integral part of functional fitness training. I don't reference the wobble to deter you. I just want you to be extra aware not to allow Great Aunt Sue to use them.

The Lebert Equalizer(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Overall, I give the Lebert Equalizer an A+++. It's a way better choice for home fitness training and far less expensive than even a Universal System. As an extra bonus, YouTube is jam packed with tons of different mini training videos utilizing the Lebert Equalizer. Now isn't Marc Lebert, the inventor, a smarty pants? I think he is. Can't wait t to have him touch my rock hard muscles when we meet.

**The Lebert Equalizer is also perfect for the person whose wrists can not take the strain of normal push-ups. Holding on to the bars with soft grips is far more accommodating than the floor.