(AP) — The claims sound too good to be true: "Perfect abs with no back pain!" says one exercise-equipment manufacturer. "Bounce your way to a healthier body!" touts another.

But does the reality measure up to the promise?

Faced with the fact that our New Year's resolution to get in shape has long gone awry, we decided it was time to test a wave of low-price (under $200), heavily marketed exercise gizmos, bringing in fitness expert Willy Green, a certified trainer in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., to help us review them. Judging from the latest figures available, we're not the only ones to be curious. Spending on fitness equipment geared for home use rose 5.1 percent to $3.54 billion in 2006 from a year earlier, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.

First, we tried the Bean Deluxe ($50), an inflatable, rocking-style piece of equipment. GreenHouse International of Newark, Del., says its Bean line has posted sales of more than one million units since 2004. The Bean Deluxe is indeed shaped like a bean, albeit a gigantic bean that could seemingly double as a pool float. But there's a supposed logic to it: The air-cushioned surface provides a measure of comfort and support, while the curved design allows for a back-and-forth motion that makes doing crunches a lot easier.

The problem? It's too easy; we just didn't feel the pain, so to speak, that we associate with a good ab workout. That's common with rocking-style exercisers, our trainer noted. "It does the work for you," Mr. Green said. Plus, the bouncy unit positioned us perilously high off the ground. The company says that forces users to work muscles as they try to stabilize themselves. But our trainer was concerned about the possibility of injury. "If I'm not that coordinated, I'm going to fall," Mr. Green said. A spokeswoman for the manufacturer said the problem could be solved by letting a little air out of the unit so it's more stable.

Now that we had done a version of sit-ups, it was time to move on to push-ups — specifically, the Perfect Pushup, which promises "a new spin on a classic exercise." That's because the device, developed by a Navy SEAL platoon commander and introduced in 2006, consists of two rotating handles. The idea is for the user to rotate their hands, arms and shoulders with every dip and push, reducing strain and maximizing strength. Our trainer professed to be a fan of the product — we purchased a deluxe kit with accessories for $60 — saying it lives up to its claim. But that's provided you're good at push-ups. We're not, so it was difficult to muster much appreciation for it. We finally managed a few push-ups from a kneeling position, as the manufacturer suggests for beginners. But ultimately our trainer felt our frustration: "This is an exercise tool for fit people," Mr. Green said. A spokeswoman for manufacturer BodyRev in Marin, Calif., countered that newcomers can work their way up, even if it means starting with just a few push-ups a day.

But what about a total body workout? That's what the Total Gym system promises. It's a device that vaguely resembles a piece of weightlifting equipment in a gym, replete with bench and pulleys. But in this case, the system relies on your own body, rather than weights, to provide resistance. The bench is set at an angle and glides along a track, forcing you to fight gravity as you lift yourself into place, with different exercises working different parts of the body.

Total Gym has been around since 1974 and is best known in a home version, marketed in an infomercial with Chuck Norris, that sells for as much as $1,750. But the company also manufacturers low-cost versions, sold through different retailers. We found the Total Gym 1100 through Wal-Mart Stores for the bargain price of $148.88 (normally, it runs $197). But this proved to be an instance of getting-what-you-pay-for. The unit was noticeably flimsy and didn't provide a comfortable fit for a broad-shouldered individual nearly six feet tall. Moreover, it sometimes proved hard to operate without another person's assistance.

But it did provide decent resistance (we could definitely feel our muscles working on a few exercises), piquing our interest in the clearly sturdier, high-end models. Tom Campanaro, a founder of efi Sports Medicine in San Diego, which makes the Total Gym, responded that the 1100 is indeed "an entry-level unit," though he stood by the quality of construction.

Finally, we looked at a couple of products geared for cardiovascular fitness. The Urban Rebounder ($100 in a fitness-program package with three workout DVDs) resembles a mini indoor trampoline, but the product from Urban Group Exercise of New York isn't about gymnastics so much as controlled bouncing (there's a stabilizing bar to grip) as a form of aerobic activity. It's a variation on exercisers that "have been around for 40 years," said its creator, J.B. Berns, but with "real science" and safety behind it. There's a lot to be said for the rebounder in terms of the high-energy, enjoyable routine it provides — you'll sweat plenty, but you'll have a blast (bouncing brings out the kid in everyone).

But our trainer was concerned about strain on the joints for heavier individuals or those with knee or hip problems. Mr. Berns countered that studies showed rebounding is "gentler on the joints" than many other aerobic activities.

Another piece of equipment that will have you moving up and down is the JumpSnap ($59.95, plus $9.95 for accompanying mat). This product, introduced within the past few years, bills itself as the world's first "ropeless jump rope." Loose translation: two handles, but no annoying rope to trip over. OK, it's a little more than that: Electronic sensors in the handles measure your jump-by-jump progress and even provide the sound of a swishing rope calibrated to your pace. But there's no denying this is more motivational tool than exercise equipment, since you can replicate the same admittedly solid (but semi-stressful-on-the-joints) aerobic workout by just jumping in place and flapping your hands, as our trainer was quick to note. Mr. Green also pointed out that jumping over a physical rope improves coordination, which is why boxers favor the exercise.

But JumpSnap isn't for boxers, a spokeswoman for JumpSnap in Annapolis, Md., said; it's "for people who trip." We count ourselves among their ranks, which perhaps explains why we instantly liked the oddball item. Fitness never seemed so gloriously goofy.

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THE ITEM: Bean Deluxe; $49.90; www.bean.com

WHAT'S ALSO INCLUDED: A pump, "Secrets to Shaping Your Life" weight-loss guide, DVD guide

THE PROMISE: "Perfect abs with no back pain!" manufacturer says, adding that the unit focuses on "the upper and lower abs, the obliques, and the core all at the same time, working them faster, better and more effectively than any other device or machine on the market."

THE REALITY: Rocking-style device does too much of the work for you, our trainer noted. (And we agreed.) Plus, the lack of stability poses some concerns. The trainer's final assessment: It might make a good pool float.

THE ITEM: Perfect Pushup Deluxe Kit; $59.95; www.perfectpushup.com

WHAT'S ALSO INCLUDED: DVD guide, workout cards

THE PROMISE: "Smooth rotating handles allow your arms to rotate naturally when you do push-ups," manufacturer says, adding that "this unique feature accelerates results by engaging more muscles" but "also helps reduce strain."

THE REALITY: There's no false advertising here, our trainer said, noting that the product works as intended. But if you're not truly fit, forget about doing plenty of push-ups a day. Still, there's nothing to say beginners can't work their way up.

THE ITEM: Total Gym 1100 (sold through Wal-Mart); $148.88 (on sale from $197); www.walmart.com

WHAT'S ALSO INCLUDED: Exercise flip chart, eating-plan guide, VHS instructional tape

THE PROMISE: From Wal-Mart's Web site: "Strengthen and tone every major muscle group in your body with over 60 different exercises."

THE REALITY: Such strengthening may be possible, but we'd rather get a workout on a better-built machine that offers more support for larger and taller individuals.

THE ITEM: Urban Rebounding fitness program; $99.99; www.urbanrebounding.com

WHAT'S ALSO INCLUDED: Three workout DVDs or VHS tapes

THE PROMISE: The workout "melts pounds of fat away, without any pain or stress on your joints," manufacturer says, adding that it "also improves your balance and coordination."

THE REALITY: We still found that this put some stress on our lower body; our trainer concurred. But bouncing is a very fun way to get your aerobic activity.

THE ITEM: JumpSnap package; $59.95 (plus $9.95 for shock-absorbing mat); www.jumpsnap.com

WHAT'S ALSO INCLUDED: Workout DVDs

THE PROMISE: "The ultimate solution that alleviates the largest barriers to one of the greatest exercises of all time," manufacturer says of this "ropeless jump rope."

THE REALITY: There's no denying that this will get you jumping. But you could do pretty much the same without purchasing what amounts to two handles. Still, not a bad motivational tool.