Everything is very simple and pre-assembled, so there is no need to set anything up. As well as the Shake Weight, a DVD manual, a basic instruction card (which is a bit redundant unless you do not own a DVD player) and an inflatable floor mat are included.
The DVD and contains three sections – "how to shake", "exercise demos" and an "11 minute circuit training" workout. The first section whizzes through how to hold the Shake Weight and use it in a stable manner so as to avoid accidentally straining your back (or any other part of your body).
The second goes through each individual exercise slowly (there are eleven), again explaining how to complete it in a way which minimises the risk of overstraining. It also helpfully shows slight modifications to each exercise in case an individual is not strong enough to complete them using the normal technique (and some are pretty tough!).
The final part is an 11 minute section which takes you through the recommended workout plan. Warning – it is very Americanised, and keeps reminding you that you are "doing great!", and encouraging you to "feel the burn!".
The exercises are much more difficult than it looks! After a minute of doing the most basic exercise you are pretty knackered, if it is completed at full intensity. Basically, the harder you shake, the harder the workout. It is obviously tempting to slow down and put in less effort towards the end, but having a pre-made workout and DVD helps to remove this temptation slightly.
The first exercises concentrate predominantly on the arm muscles, while the later ones focus more on the core. These ones have the potential to be modified should the user find them tricky to master at first – something which I would advise considering, as there is a risk of straining your lower back. Some of them do not actually involve any shaking, and use the shake weight as a roller instead.
The inflatable mat is very useful, and prevents damage to the knees.
Overall I think the Shake Weight is an excellent piece of equipment. While it will obviously not replace the gym entirely, you can complete a fairly intense workout in a short space of time, without having to leave your front room.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥