Last Updated on July 9, 2023
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I know someone who goes to the gym every day. His least favorite time of year to go to the gym is after the New Year, because everybody, it seems, has decided to start going to the gym. (By March, he says, the numbers are down considerably.)
If you want to improve your fitness for the new year but you don’t want to brave the gym, Aldi always leads off January with a run of fitness products. What follows is a roundup of some of the more fitness specific — we’ve left off accessories like water bottles that don’t directly contribute to getting healthier.
Let’s get started.
Crane Foldable Exercise Bike
Cost: $89.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Aldi has been selling this model since at least 2018. It comes with an LCD screen displays time, speed, distance, calories and pulse, as well as a heart rate monitor. The bike can be folded for storage and moved with the help of wheels at the bottom of the stands. The seat is adjustable, as is the difficulty of the ride. A built-in shelf allows for holding a tablet, smartphone, or magazine.
We tested the bike in 2018, and so far it’s held up pretty well. The bike is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Full Review: here
Crane Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands
Cost: $39.99
Manual: 2017 (manual), 2017 (warranty card)
Thoughts: Measuring 20.5 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 19.7 inches deep, this device can be assembled without tools. It comes with an electronic digital display that tracks calories burned, steps, and time, as well as bands that offer various levels of resistance. It’s powered by a single AAA battery, which is included, and has a weight capacity of 220 pounds. In addition to the device, it comes with instructions for various exercises. It’s backed by a 2-year warranty.
Crane Fitness Band Assortment
Cost: $4.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This assortment includes light fitness bands, medium fitness bands, a core toner, or a stretch band and loop set. Each of these are sold individually and each comes with an exercise chart.
The fitness bands come in light or medium resistance. Both of them are about 81.9 inches long and are made from soft latex.
The core toner is a 4-loop resistance tube. It has cushioned hand and foot loops.
The stretch band and loop set comes with two latex rubber bands and two rubber loops. The rubber bands and rubber loops each have two resistance levels.
We haven’t reviewed this specific assortment, although we have tried out some of Aldi’s other resistance band sets.
Crane Kettle Bell Set
Cost: $19.99 for the 3-piece set
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This set includes three kettle bells — 5 pounds, 10 pounds, and 15 pounds — as well as an instructional DVD and exercise chart. The kettle bells have a plastic exterior and are backed by a 3-year warranty.
Full review: here
Crane 3-Piece Soft Weight Plate Set
Cost: $14.99 for the 3-piece set
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: this three-piece set comes with 5 pound, 8 pound, and 10 pound weights. The surface, in addition to being soft and neoprene, also has exercise examples printed on the weight plates.
Full review: here
Crane Exercise Ball
Cost: $7.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Customers can choose from either a 26″ green ball with resistance bands or a 30″ blue ball with massaging knobs. Both are made of PVC. According to Aldi, the 26″ green ball is ideal for people up to 5 feet 7 inches tall, while the 30″ ball is ideal for people between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall.
Both balls come with a foot pump, exercise chart, spare sealing plugs, deflating tube, and air pump adapter. Both balls also come with a 2 year warranty.
Crane Fitness Mat
Cost: $19.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: The mat comes in gray, blue, or green. All versions measure 74.8 inches long, 31.5 inches wide, and 0.6 inches high and come with a slip-resistant surface, a carry strap, and an exercise chart.
