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I try to be active, but in all I do, I’m mindful of my back. Â I am careful with how I use it, but I’m always disappointed that so few classes and exercises target my back to stretch and strengthen it. Â Add to the fact that I have no core muscles (but oh so want them)! I was introduced to a new product that can help me with that. The Body Archer seems like exactly what I needed. It allows you to stretch your back comfortably while relaxing into the stretch.
When my Body Archer arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it looks more like a piece of furniture than exercise equipment, a plus in my book. Â After reading through the manual for the $399 Body Archer, I was ready to do some spine stretching. Â As I lay on it, I had to wiggle around a little to find the sweet spot for me, which is part of its design – the shape and height means that it can provide a good body arch for most heights (some stretches suggest that you be 5’5″ or taller, but the majority work for anyone). Â And once I found that sweet spot, I could relax into it.
The Stretches
The stretches are all contained within the manual for the Body Archer, making it easy to reference the seven different stretches suggested. Â Granted, many of these stretches could be done on an exercise ball, but they don’t have the same stability that the Body Archer does. Â Other stretches are ones I typically do standing, like a full body side stretch. Â Again, doing the stretch while seated on the Body Archer gave me more control as I used only the parts of my body that should be stretching rather than compensating with other body parts.
The Body Archer is also designed for core strengthening exercises and exercises for back strengthening. Â And here’s my nitpick. Â For $399, which is not a cheap item, the strengthening exercises should be in the manual, as well. Â Instead, you’re directed to the Body Archer website where you have to find the single text link at the bottom of the page that leads you to the strengthening exercises. Â Like the stretches, the exercises are separated into beginner, intermediate, and advanced options so you can start where you feel comfortable.
The beginner options are definitely ones that anyone can do, but the intermediate and advanced exercises get more challenging – and for me more fun. Â Again, most of these exercises are ones that I have done on exercise balls in the past or ones I could potentially do on an exercise ball, but the Body Archer has an additional stability factor that makes me more confident to try them and less likely to fall off and be unable to accomplish them because I don’t have sufficient balance and core strength to maintain the positions.
My final thoughts
I would hesitate to spend $399 for the Body Archer solely as a back and core strengthener, even as it does relieve some of my low back pain. With that being said, as a friend pointed out, this makes a great office chair. Â I tried it out, and it is perfect as a desk chair. Â I could totally see me replacing my current office chair with a Body Archer and using it to sit on daily. Â The Body Archer really forces you into excellent posture when you sit on it, and it gives you a core workout while sitting which is just an added benefit. Â I could then take advantage of the other stretches and exercises throughout the day as my breaks to keep me moving and loosen my back after sitting too long. Â That would easily be worth the cost to me.
Because it is so like a piece of furniture rather than exercise equipment, it has the added benefit of being customizable. Â You can choose the color wood for the base, either light or dark wood, as well as the color. Â The vinyl cushion comes in four different colors ranging from sage to buff to black, as well as the blue pictured. Â And best of all, shipping is included to the lower 48 states.
Enter to win
One reader is going to get the chance to win a body archer in the wood and fabric of their choice. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Michelle is grateful to have an on hand solution to help stretch and strengthen her back and her core, two of her goals for the new year as she works towards being more fit. Â See what else she’s working on by reading her blog Honest & Truly! and following along with her on Twitter where she is also @HonestAndTruly.
Health and Fitness says
Dark wood with the blue vinyl..
Tim Moss says
I like the blue.
Marcy Strahan says
I would choose the dark wood and black vinyl.
Breanne says
I’d choose dark wood/buff vinyl
Laurie Emerson says
I would choose the Light Wood/Sage Vinyl.
meme says
I like the dark wood/buff
cassandra (rab pom) says
i like the light wood buff vinyl
Heather S says
dark wood sage
Lauren Harmon says
I’m thinking probably the dark wood and black! This looks amazing and would be awesome to have! 🙂
shanta spradlin says
I like the Sage
Michelle H. says
I would get the dark wood with the blue vinyl.
kathy pease says
id choose dark wood, sage vinyl
andrea howard says
dark wood and black is perfect
Kelly Britton says
I would choose the dark wood and black vinyl.
Gianna says
Light wood/Blue.
susan smoaks says
If I was the lucky winner I would like to get the light wood buff body archer!
Virginia Rowell says
I would choose dark wood/sage.
Amanda says
dark wood, buff color
Brenda Elsner says
I would choose dark wood/black
Jennifer Reed says
I would choose the dark wood, black vinyl
Miranda says
Dark wood, with black
Melanie Johnson says
I like the dark wood w/black vinyl.
jules m. says
i like light wood/sage vinyl
amy deeter says
dark wood with black
Allison says
Dark wood blue vinyl
Jules A. says
I’d choose the dark wood/black vinyl combo
Saver Sara says
I like the dark wood and the black vinyl.
Amy O says
I would choose the dark wood/ buff vinyl
Karen says
Light wood with blue vinyl.
mary gardner says
i like the dark wood and black
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
Shea Balentine says
dark wood with black
Barbara Stenby says
Dark Wood w/Black Vinyl
Kendra says
Blue on dark wood, looks awesome
Van says
I like the dark wood & sage chair.
mary renshaw says
This was hard but I think the dark wood with the black
beth says
blue with dark wood
Lauren Ring says
Dark Wood, Black Vinyl
Leah Shumack says
I like the dark wood and black vinyl
krystal wethington says
blue vinyl with the light wood base
Kimberly Hilbert says
I like the blue one the best.
joseph gersch jr says
dark wood, sage vinyl
Tara says
Dark wood & sage vinyl
lynn clayton says
light wood with the blue vinyl
Lisa Duffy says
Dark wood in sage please.
Renee G says
I would get the dark wood/ sage combination.
Ranu Tanu says
I would choose Dark wood with Sage vinyl.
Storm, the Psychotic Housewife says
I love the light wood and sage vinyl combination!
Brittney House says
Dark wood with the blue vinyl
Scarlett Graham says
Dark wood and black
Judy Hunting says
What a wonderful prize… I would love to win the dark wood and black one
sarah cool says
dark wood/sage vinyl
Christine says
the light wood with the blue vinyl
Holly Kennedy says
Dark wood/ black vinyl
cassandra mccann says
sage green one Light Wood/Black Viny. thank you
liz l says
light wood buff vinyl
Karen says
The sage green one 🙂
Jennifer J says
I think I would get the light wood and the sage cushion. Thank you!
raven says
dark wood and blue
Melanie Montgomery says
the dark wood, sage vinyl
connie black says
Dark Wood Sage Vinyl would be my choice
Tara Woods says
I would choose dark wood and black vinyl.
Jennifer M says
I like the dark wood with sage.
Kat says
Dark wood/black vinyl
Teresa Thompson says
Sage/dark wood.
Liza E says
I would get the dark wood / black
Kristen Morris says
Dark wood with blue!
shawna says
I would like the black vinyl.
Jennifer says
I love the dark wood and sage!
Rebecca Peters says
dark wood and sage
Kari Flores says
I would choose the Dark Wood / Black Vinyl.
Jen says
I like dark wood and black
Michelle W says
Light wood with the Buff Vinyl
Lori D. says
I like the dark wood and sage colored one.
Sonya says
I like the LIght Wood with Sage Vinyl!
s riches says
I like the light wood with buff vinyl.
w broughton says
i like the dark wood and sage the light wood with sage is pretty too
Sue Barney says
dark wood/ black
Irv says
Dark wood/blue vinyl
joni says
Light wood/blue vinyl
Vera S says
I like the dark wood and the blue vinyl.
Denice P says
dark wood buff vinyl. thank you for the chance.
Angie W says
light wood/buff vinyl
Noreen says
Light wood, buff
Jesse says
Light wood and sage
Jackee says
Light wood with sage.
Carrie Z says
Dark wood with black vinyl- would love this!
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
Dark wood with black vinyl
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Don says
I’m going with the dark wood & sage colors.
Kristi C says
I would choose the dark wood with sage.
Karen Lynch says
I like the dark wood and blue. Sage would be my second choice.
Eric S says
Dark Wood And Black
Gaye M says
I’d choose Light Wood/Sage Vinyl.
Caroline B says
Dark wood with sage
Katie K says
dark wood, black vinyl
AEKZ2 says
I’d choose the dark wood and sage
Charlene S says
I would get it in black.
Alexandra Clatterbuck says
I would choose the black with dark wood =)
Stephani Taylor says
Dark wood and sage
Staci A says
I’d love the dark wood and sage.
Jacob LaFountaine says
I like the dark wood, blue vinyl
Danielle says
I like the dark wood blue vinyl
Garrett says
Great giveaway, like the dark wood & black one.
Melissa Avey says
dark wood and buff
heta s says
I would like dark wood and blue.
Idaho Jill says
light wood, sage vinyl looks perfect!
Madonna says
I like the light wood with sage vinyl best of all.
shell h says
dark wood and black
Nichole miller shamblin says
Dark wood/black
Stephanie Larison says
Dark Wood / Black Vinyl
Florence Bellamy says
Dark wood/sage vinyl
Heather Swarthout says
I would choose the dark wood/black vinyl. It’s gorgeous. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
409cope says
I would choose dark wood/blue vinyl.
Karen Gonyea says
I would LOVE the Dark Wood and Black Vinyl 🙂
Jessica Rose says
I like the Light Wood with Sage Vinyl
Hilda says
dark wood and black
Chuck says
The light wood & black vinyl one would be nice.
meredith says
dark wood buff vinyl
S Carter says
I would get light wood and black.
Amy says
I’d pick light wood and blue vinyl
Lynn says
Light wood and Buff
Erik Liptak says
Dark wood and blue
Steph Couponsx says
i like the Dark wood and black!
Joan Troche says
I would choose the Dark Wood/Black Vinyl one.
Susan Chester says
I like light wood with blue vinyl.
Carly B. says
I like the dark wood, sage vinyl…thank you for the chance
Alison Braidwood says
I’d get the light wood and sage variety.
Kerrie Mayans says
I would choose the dark wood with black vinyl.
Gloria Sciuto says
The dark wood and sage looks like a good combination.
BusyWorkingMama says
Dark wood with black. Thanks!
Claire says
I’d choose Dark Wood/Black Vinyl.
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
Dark wood with sage vinyl.
Angie says
I like the light wood/buff. This is pretty cool!
Christina Ferguson says
Dark wood with black vinyl. Thanks so much for the chance.
Megan Barnecutt says
Dark wood, black please!
Kemi Quinn says
I would love light wood sage vinyl.
Addison Kat says
I like the dark wood/black vinyl
Douglas Houston says
Dark wood and black vinyl
Taylor W says
looks great
I’d enjoy the Dark wood/ black
Lynn says
I would pick Light Wood and Sage
sarah hirsch says
i’d get blue
Pam M says
I would choose the dark wood with the buff vinyl.
June S. says
I like the dark wood & black vinyl body archer.
Sadie says
I would choose the dark wood with the beige vinyl.
lisa bolduc says
dark wood and black vinyl
Amy Messick says
I like light wood with blue vinyl
Vicki Hale says
I would choose sage. I really need this I am glad to have heard about it. Vicki
Jaime Brown says
I like the dark wood, sage vinyl, thank you:)
Marianna says
dark wood/black
Liz says
Dark wood/sage vinyl.
beth shepherd says
Dark wood with sage vinyl
Tari Lawson says
I would like the tan.
Cara says
Dark Wood and sage
Janet says
I like the dark wood with blue!
Mary Casper says
dark wood and blue vinyl
Ben Hansen says
Dark Wood/Black Vinyl
darla says
Dark wood with black
Sara M says
I would get the dark wood with black!
stony says
I have wanted to try this, I like the Dark wood and black thanks for the chance
Monique Rizzo says
Dark wood/black.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Mer says
I like the dark wood and blue vinyl.
Melissa says
I would get the dark wood with black vinyl.
Vunda V says
i like the dark wood with black or sage
Vera Khule says
I would go for the light wood/ sage vinyl.
Jim S says
Dark wood and black
Adrienne Gordon says
Dark wood/black
Tania B says
I would choose the dark wood finish with the sage vinyl.
dale rogers says
dark wood with black
deana c says
I would choose the light wood buff vinyl
Ross Olson says
Dark wood with black. Thanks!
Ross Olson
Anastasia says
I’d choose the dark wood with black vinyl 🙂
Wehaf says
I love the idea of an office chair that makes me maintain good posture! I would choose the dark wood with black vinyl one.
Katie Roch says
I would choose the dark wood/ buff vinyl
lana says
dark wood sage vinyl
Marisa Moore says
Oops, I forgot– I like the dark wood with sage vinyl.
Marisa Moore says
Never seen anything like it– looks nice though!
danielle lima says
I would get the dark wood black vinyl
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’d choose the dark wood with black vinyl!
angela cunningham says
dark wood /black
Tim Simmons says
For the Mrs., but I might have to try it!
Tamar says
Dark Wood / Black Vinyl
Stephanie V. says
dark wood/black — actually quite lovely
Shanna says
Dark wood buff =)
wendy hutton says
Dark wood with the blue vinyl.
HilLesha says
Black; Light Wood
Wendi S says
I would like the dark wood with buff.
Melissa Trosclair says
dark wood/black
Steph says
I like the Light Wood in Blue.
Diana Stanhope says
I would pick the dark wood with black.
Whitney says
Dark Wood, Sage Vinyl would be my choice if I were to win!
Patti says
I would take any of them, but probably like the black of buff best
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Dark Wood/ Black
gigi says
dark wood and black or light color? they are all great!
Tammy S says
I like the light wood with the black vinyl.
Angela E. says
My choice would be the dark wood & black.
Jennifer L. says
I would choose the light wood and buff colour.
Debbie R says
Dark wood and black vinyl
Trina Bueckert says
Dark wood black
ally marie says
i like the dark wood and sage
amyc says
I like the black with dark wood.
HappyMomC says
Dark wood and black vinyl
Anne Lehnick says
I like the look of the blue vinyl with the light wood base.
Brittany says
Looks like a great product, thanks for letting me know about it! I would choose the dark wood and the buff vinyl. Thanks for the chance
Michelle says
Light Wood/Black Vinyl
Debbie Bashford says
Dark wood with Sage would be perfect
robyn paris says
dark wood black
Katherine says
LIght wood in black
Terra Heck says
I’d choose dark wood/blue vinyl. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
JD Northwest says
Dark wood and black
Tristen. says
Dark wood with black.
Natalia says
Light wood and blue
Cheryl Rahkonen says
If I won, I would choose the dark wood and sage vinyl.
Jo (http://blog-diggidy.com) says
Dark wood, Buff Vinyl…Thanks for the chance to win!
Kat says
Light wood, buff vinyl
latanya says
dark wood with black
lisa lo says
Dark wood and black vinyl for me.
Mamatha says
Dark wood/buff vinyl
Ivy T says
the dark wood/black vinyl. This looks fantastic. I’m finding I’m needing to stretch my back more often and just started looking at what options are out there.
diane says
Dark wood, buff vinyl.
carma says
black vinyl – light wood
Christa lee says
Dark wood/black
Angel S. says
Dark wood and black! Interesting concept!
Tiffany M in MS says
Dark wood with Sage…it is so pretty!!
ellie says
Dark wood with sage vinyl.
anne says
Dark wood with the blue vinyl.
Crissy D. says
I would choose the light wood with the blue vinyl
Jessica To says
I would get dark wood, buff vinyl.
DEBIJOT says
dark wood, sage vinyl
Tabitha P. says
dark wood/black