I had bought a "power train" for about $150.00 and thought it was ok. I had finally gotten back to my gym and saw there was no comparison. The machines at most gyms tend to be the brand precor, and the qaulity is light years ahead of anything thats consumer level. At the suggestion of a phys therapist, I have been using the precor regulary with great results, I've lost 15lbs, and that had an immediate effecton my heels, not to mention my sense of well being. If you can find a way to swing it, do check out the real machines before you commit- the price of most 1yr gym memberships is about the same as those home machines, and since most gyms are hungry for business, you can usuallly get a great deal!
and re birks, The key to the birks, in my humble opinion, is the heel cup and arch support. the knock offs never seem to get the cup right. it's just not about having a cork footbed. consider the birks more an investment. the shoes are re-soleable, so in reality they save more in the long run. and the craftmanship is superior to those fake ones. I initially hesitated before I plunked down the $90 I paid, but it's the best money i've ever spent. I attibute alot of my success w/pf to the birks. best of luck!!!
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