FOX 5 Special: Fast Fitness

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - In the age of fad diets and quick weight loss programs, there's now a new workout to add to the mix. Two machines are making their way into the U.S. from Europe. One of the machines is called Fitvibe and the other is the ROM.

Together, the machines are supposed to give the user a total body workout that will melt those unwanted pounds in less than 30 minutes.

The ROM, or Range of Motion Machine, is part recumbent bike and part stair stepper.

In just eight minutes, four minutes on the bike side, another four minutes on the stair stepper side, the ROM offers to give a total body workout by combining strength training with cardio.

The equipment claims to burn up to 150 calories, by using a fly wheel that delivers to 85 pounds of resistance.

Trainer Ankita Shah at the Arista Spa in Buckhead said the ROM was designed for those who just can't find the time to work out and want fast results.

"Because there's resistance involved and you're using muscles for strength training while you're doing cardio you can burn calories even after you're done working out," said Shah.

Shah said that when you combine the ROM with another machine called the Fitvibe you can cut your workouts to 30 minutes a day, three times a week.

Fitvibe, uses high frequency vibration to contract muscles repeatedly as you work out.

"So you have every muscle fiber working building a strong core," said Shah.

Rolawn Evans said that's what sold her on both devices. "Normally in a gym, you have to spend quite a bit of time," said Evans.

Evans has been using both devices for a year.

"From a weight perspective I am down 14 pounds and my BMI dropped and my cholesterol dropped 24 points," Evans said.

Some who try the FitVibe say it isn’t easy and takes some getting used to. Sarah Enders, an experienced personal trainer who tested the FitVibe at Fox 5’s request, found it a little uncomfortable.

"I didn't like the sensation of the whole body vibration. I felt it was a little unnatural and awkward. I was shaken not stirred by the whole thing," said Sarah Enders, an experienced personal trainer.

Sarah Enders tested the Fitvibe and she said she found it to be a challenging workout.

"I did find it really intense. It was a similar workout to what I would take a pretty advanced client through," said Enders.

Enders also said there really is no short cut to fitness.

"I do believe that lasting change has to happen over time," said Enders.