Tuesday, September 30, 2008

exercise and heart health a life giving marriage

Exercise and Heart Health: A Life Giving MarriageWriten by Nicholas Webb

Most people get their health out of a bottle these days, be it a bottle of vitamins or pharmaceuticals. However, with a little effort and dedication you really can get a hold on your life, turn it round and live it to the full!

If you've been diagnosed with heart disease or are at risk of developing heart disease regular exercise is essential for the health of your heart, body and mind. In fact, aerobic exercise and heart health really do go hand in hand.

With busy lifestyles and lack of time, regular use of home equipment, such as a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, a stationary cycle, a stair-climber, etc. is becoming increasingly popular. These items are now precision health giving apparatus that really can help get you in shape. Gyms are also getting more and more members, but often people slack off because of time restraints. If this is you, working out at home may be the answer for you

However, before jumping into your gym shoes talk to your doctor about your desires and objectives. Your doctor may be able to give you some useful insights you didnt consider as well as coaching from a medical point of view. If your doctor gives you the OK, try to work some exercise into your daily routine. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests, for example, that patients start by walking five minutes a day, then increasing gradually to 30 minutes over several weeks. Walking is a wonderful way to start, as it is low impact, you need no special equipment, and it costs nothing. Swimming may be another good choice. This type of exercise is called aerobic training that involves large muscle groups, such as the legs, and keeps your heart rate pumping for a set amount of time. Unless there are deformities of the heart muscle, aerobics and heart health are often found together and not only does the heart benefit, there are other advantages too.

Aerobic Exercising and Heart Health

As you can see, take it slow initially; its really not necessary to sign up at the local gym or aerobic class. Although, after some time you might want to do just that.

Depending on where you live walking or swimming may not be an option. In such cases, you may like to consider a piece of home aerobic equipment such as a treadmill, stationary cycle or elliptical trainer. However, before purchasing a home trainer consider whether you will really use it. If the answer is yes, best get the best home aerobic equipment you can afford. Your heart will thank you.

Lack of exercise and heart disease

The American Heart Association has now added lack of exercise to the list of major risk factors for heart disease. The other risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.

Exercise not only helps fight heart disease and gets you in shape, but if you live a sedentary lifestyle, a regular exercise routine can also:


  • help control high blood pressure,
  • reduce the risks of type II diabetes,
  • help prevent osteoporosis,
  • improve your general wellbeing and help fight depression, anxiety and stress,
  • greatly help to lose weight

  • Those are just some of the benefits of doing regular exercise. I wanted to make a list of some of the disadvantages, but I cant think of any!

    In an ideal world, in order to get the best results possible you should exercise three to five times a week for 30-60 minutes within your target heart rate. But even normal day to day events, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to work, walking the dog, or gardening can help. You can do many things to increase physical activity during the day; just try thinking about what you can do. The benefits are well worth the effort.

    Another thing that has proven to be effective is cross training. In cross training you participate in 2 or more different types of exercise during the week, for instance: Monday walking, Tuesday treadmill, Wednesday swimming, Thursday elliptical training, etc. You may also like to insert some strengthening exercises too, such as weight lifting.

    Not only will cross training help to tone your whole body, it will help stop boredom setting in. Many people stop training not because they dont have the time (thats the reason they dont start), but because they get bored. If you can arrange a routine where you do something different each day, it is going to be difficult to get bored.

    So, talk with your doctor and start now! Once you notice the result, nothing will stop you. Youll loose weight, be more toned and fit, will have a sharper outlook on life and, oh yes I almost forgot, youll live longer!

    About the Author:

    Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout Heart Disease, speaks and writes with a passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the full. This article is extracted from his newsletter The Webs Heart.
    To subscribe, or read other articles visit The Webs Heart

    To learn more about how to beat heart disease and get into shape visit: http://www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com

    how to measure your treadmill belt for replacement

    How to Measure Your Treadmill Belt for ReplacementWriten by Paul Webb

    To measure your treadmill belt for replacement do the following:

    If your treadmill is not a major brand and it needs a new belt you may have to special order a belt. Following are instruction for making sure you get a good measurement.

    Next to the motor the treadmill belt is the most important part of the treadmill. If it becomes frayed or starts to turn up on the sides then it is time to replace the belt.

    The treadmill belt will also split at the seam. You should check the belt on a regular basis to ensure it is safe. If the belt wears thin it can ruin the deck, then you have the double expense of replacing the belt and deck.

    There are many companies that sell replacement treadmill belts, and some of them will take special orders. But you must have the correct measurement so your belt will fit. Following is the directions to measure your belt.

    1. Place a mark on the edge of the belt, then using a string or tape measure go completely around the belt to get the circumference. This needs to be as close as you can get it.

    2. Measure the width of the belt.

    Example 102 X 15

    If your belt is so bad that you know it has to be replaced then cut it off and measure the entire length and width of the belt. If it is a very old belt please allow for stretching.

    You can also set the rear roller about halfway of the adjusting screws then measure around the front and rear rollers for an accurate measurement. If you can not find a company that offers
    special order belts let me know.

    Paul Webb is the owner of Electo Service Company, and has been in the Medical and Fitness repair business for almost thirty years. He has experience on most brands of treadmills and fitness equipment. Paul can be reached at http://treadmills.cc

    Monday, September 29, 2008

    how to shop for a treadmill

    How to Shop for a TreadmillWriten by Paul Reeve

    Treadmills have become the hottest home exercise choice. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, treadmill sales have exceeded those of all other home exercise equipment.

    It's easy to understand why. Next to good shoes, a treadmill may be a runner's best friend. Practically anything your training demands--hills, intervals, tempo, long distance--you can do on a treadmill. And you can log those miles while watching Seinfeld or keeping an eye on your kids, without worrying about heat, cold, wind, ice, cars, darkness, potholes, mean dogs or scary people.

    Excited? Good. Now let's take your treadmill education another step and go treadmill shopping. Before we set out, though, a word of caution: Treadmills are expensive, and they're complex. A bad buying decision could leave you with one more inactive exercise hulk languishing in that musty corner of your basement. So tread carefully as we steer through the maze of buying a 'mill.

    First off, remember as with most things you get what you pay for. A $1,000 treadmill may serve you well, but a $3,000 machine is likely to perform better for a longer time.

    The following are some more specifics to absorb before you buy.

    How long should a home treadmill last? Retailers tell us the range is seven to 12 years, with 10 years about average. Of course, with proper care, some treadmills far exceed the average. With neglect, even the expensive ones die young. Dust is the primary early killer of treadmills, Once a week, take a dry cloth and wipe up any dust between the belt and deck. Also keep the floor around your treadmill clean and free of dust.

    What about the warranty?

    Generally, the longer the warranty, the higher the treadmill's quality--and price. Ideally you should look for a warranty of three years for parts and one year for labor, with dealer-provided in-home service for the first year. Most problems, if they occur at all, will crop up in the first 90 days. Mostly it will be relatively minor stuff, such as adjustment or replacement of a component.

    What's the difference between a home treadmill and a club model?

    Manufacturers often separate treadmills into two categories: home or esidential, and club or commercial. Good home treadmills are essentially smaller versions of club treadmills. The high-end home treadmill can easily withstand regular daily use and features extensive programming options, often more than are found in the club treadmills. Club treadmills come with a superior warranty and a bigger motor that can take round-the-clock beatings. They also carry significantly higher price tags.

    What do horsepower ratings mean?

    Horsepower (h.p.) is a measure of motor power, and runners will want a 1.5 h.p. or higher continuous duty rating for their home treadmill, say most retailers. While higher ratings (2.0 h.p. or higher are common) do indicate a more powerful treadmill, your overall aim should be a machine that efficiently integrates the workings of the motor, belt and deck to give you a steady ride, which some 1.5 h.p. treadmills accomplish.

    Continuous duty means that the treadmill will run at its listed h.p. rating with a significant workload over extended periods of time--an important consideration.Be wary of manufacturers who list peak-performance h.p. ratings. It sounds impressive, but all peak performance indicates is a motor's maximum power, not its sustained output.

    What's the best belt size?

    To handle the long stride and natural side-to-side movement of runners, treadmill belts are expanding in width and length. Twenty-inch-wide belts are becoming common, and no belt should be narrower than 17 or 18 inches. The length of the running area should be at least 50 inches, with 55 to 60 inches preferable for taller runners.

    How important is the construction of the deck?

    Often overlooked by consumers (perhaps because it's hidden beneath the belt) is the treadmill's deck, or bed. Better-quality decks are usually made of thin layers of laminated wood, coated with lubricants to minimize friction between the belt and deck, which in turn reduces strain on the motor. The smoother the deck coating, the less friction between the belt and deck.

    Deck construction, more than the belt, influences how smooth or hard your treadmill feels to run on and how well it absorbs shock. You want a surface that gives a bit but doesn't bounce.

    Better decks are reversible, meaning they can be turned over--thereby (in theory, at least) doubling the life of the deck. Some decks require owner maintenance without which they may succumb in a year. Proper care, however, can extend a deck's life for the lifetime of the treadmill.

    AC or DC?

    Direct-current-driven (DC) motors power most home treadmills. DC motors start slowly, provide a more consistent response to speed, incline and weight demands, and tend to run quieter than alternating-current (AC) motors. With DC, you're dealing with fewer internal parts, which may cut down on repairs.

    AC motors, which tend to be found in club treadmills, start the belt at a faster speed. But you should be safe plugging either an AC or a DC motor into your wall outlet at home.

    Pricing

    A good home treadmill can cost up to $5,000 and will likely be the most expensive piece of exercise equipment you'll ever buy. Why so much money to run in place? To answer this, we contacted Cybex International, manufacturer of the high-end Trotter line.

    Companies that make the best treadmills install the highest grade of parts and components available, including expensive motors, safety and comfort features and long-lasting decks. Your treadmill's components have to be able to withstand a terrific beating--more than 1,000 footstrikes per mile of running. With the price of a high-end treadmill, you should get a machine that is absolutely durable, with a longer, more complete warranty that reflects its superior quality.

    If you're in the market to seriously educate yourself about treadmills, visit http://www.treadmilladviser.com where you can obtain more detailed information.

    About The Author

    Paul Reeve is a Personal Trainer responsible for training individuals one-on-one and assisting them in achieving their health and fitness goals and providing them with guidance, support and motivation. Presenter and lecturer for Fitness Professionals, Sports Organizations, Sport Coaches, Corporate and Community Organizations. Webmaster for www.treadmilladviser.com - providing informed advice on exercise treadmills.

    how to get better exercise results by improving hydration

    How to Get Better Exercise Results By Improving HydrationWriten by Jim Huffman

    Water and Exercise

    Your body excretes water in a number of ways: through urination, defecation, breathing (thats why we always enjoyed breathing condensation on mirrors when we were kids) and perspiration. And when you are exercising, your body can lose a large amount of water. Its important to keep replenishing that. The water loss is even more pronounced in warm weather, or during heavy exertion. In such cases, you must make provision to take care of the water. 2 or 3 glasses of water for every hour (or part of an hour) of exercise is not too much. This is an area where you must take precautions, especially if you are older, or not used to vigorous exercise. If the weather is exceptionally hot, try to exercise during the early morning, or later afternoon, when the temperatures will be cooler, and when the sun will be less intense. But the main thing you must do is make sure you are taking in an adequate amount of water, and take steps to keep from having too much water go out. Remember, you will be losing a lot of fluid not only through perspiration, but also through hard breathing while exercising.

    Having water with you is an easy habit to get into. A friend who lives in Arizona says he can always tell the natives in a crowd at a museum or sports event. The natives -- knowing how easy it is for the body to lose water in the heat and dry air -- are the ones with water bottles.

    You dont have to live in Arizona to use water bottles, though. They are a good habit to get into almost anywhere you go, and you should make use of them to keep water close at hand. When we go on a trip with our children, everyone has a water bottle. Not only does it keep them (and us!) adequately hydrated, it lessens the desire for soft drinks.

    And dont get fooled into thinking that you have to buy a water bottle every time you want to use one. We re-use our water bottles, washing them after every use, re-filling them with tap water, and putting them in a special place in the refrigerator. That way, the bottle is ready for use next time we need it.

    But road trips arent the only time water bottles are a good idea. Carry one along when youre hiking, playing sports, biking (any biking shop will have excellent carriers for your bike) or just on your daily commute.

    Internal water is not the only thing to remember when exercising. If you arent used to exercising, or if you are getting older, or if you have some health compromises, consider using water to be the area where you exercise -- in a pool! Not only is the water easier on joints and muscles, its also the perfect spot to work out in very hot weather because while your body will get hot, the water will serve to temper that internal temperature rise.

    Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

    dog destructive behavior and dog aggression the exercise solution

    Dog Destructive Behavior and Dog Aggression - The Exercise SolutionWriten by Rena Murray

    Why is your dog displaying destructive tendencies? Many people erroneously believe that destructive dog behavior means their dog is punishing them for being left alone. This is quite untrue, as most dog trainers and dog behaviorists will confirm. Let me show you with examples from with my two young rescued dogs, along with a couple of basic dog training pointers.

    All dogs have a lot of energy. The more high energy the breed, the more exercise your canine requires. If you have a problem with dog hyperactivity or over-excitation, insufficient exercise may be a root cause. The same holds true for destructive behavior in dogs.

    What to do?

    Walks and ball-chasing are great ways for your dog to exercise. That is a daily requirement. Also, you can put the dog on a treadmill for 30 minutes or so. Yes, it is good for dogs just as for people, for cardio-vascular health, weight control, muscle toning, and stress release.

    Psychological challenges are very critical, too, in reducing destructive or aggressive behaviors. Common challenges experienced on walks include such attractive nuisances as passing cyclists, squirrels taunting the would-be chaser, and the inevitable encounters with other humans and dogs. These can make a dog very excited, forgetting his leash training, and sometimes incite his protective, territorial, or dominance instincts or aggressive tendencies.

    I never allow my dogs to say hello to humans or other dogs when they are over-excited. Greeting an unfamiliar dog this way is rude in the dog world.

    The younger of my two dogs, Joy, does tend to become over-excited when she sees another dog. Sometimes I remove her from the situation. Other times I have her sit or lie down as the other dog walks by. Sometimes I intentionally expose her as a training exercise.

    Joy is catching on as any dog will, and is rewarded with permission to say hello if she is calm. As she learns to control this excitement during her exercise walks, her self-control and obedience in other areas increases as well . . . including right behavior if alone, and avoidance of destructive or aggressive tendencies.

    The coming together of two over-excited dogs for a first-time meeting (quite different from the understandably excited greeting of old friends) can result in a fight. Not always, but frequently. The overly-excited dogs must be separated.

    In a first-time meeting of two dogs, if aggression seems evident, WALK the dogs together with the people in between to separate and control them. (This can also be done with one excited and one calm dog, but not with two over-excited ones.) Have two people take them on walks together regularly until they acclimate. Thats what we do.

    With my dogs, there was no aggression but clear excitement on Joys part when they were introduced, but obviously time was needed for the two to explore each other and to establish a pecking order. With only one excited pup, a friend and I frequently walk the two dogs together.

    As the dogs get worn out from the joint walk, they are more calm and relaxed with each other. Aggression toward each other or general snits are far less likely then, and they are too tired to tear up a yard or house!

    I have no destructive dog behavior problems with my dogs because they are walked about two miles every day. They also have at least an hour of playtime with each other or with me daily. Note: There is nothing wrong with more than one hour of play -- Just be sure you control it!

    I also gave Joy plenty of toys as a young pup, so she always had something of her own on which to chew and did not suffer from boredom. She loved her toys, and so she had no interest in my things. She even recognized the names I gave to her individual toys, and by six-seven months old, she would retrieve the specific toy from her toy box on command and bring it to me for play!

    With Labrador blood and a great mouthing need, Joy also destroyed her toys faster and more completely than I have ever seen anywhere. Even things labeled indestructible! She viewed that as her hunt and kill duty and displayed her handiwork with great pride. She felt she had a purpose as she accepted and destroyed her own things -- never mine. We had NO destructive chewing problem with this puppy, even during the teething periods, which is almost unheard of for a Lab!

    Destructive behavior in mature dogs is caused by energy bursts. If the energy is drained through exercise, however, there is no need to tear something up to get rid of the energy. Obsessive behavior of any kind in a dog -- from jumping, running, fixation on balls, whatever -- a result of an energy burst.

    The solution? Exercise!

    Aggressive dogs need more exercise than any other. Aggression usually comes out in a dog who is anxious, fearful, undisciplined, or dominant. Aggression dog dominance, people aggression, and other dog aggression issues will be addressed in other articles and are not within the purview of this one. However, it is important to note that while taking away the dogs energy through exercise does not solve the underlying problem, nevertheless, it sure helps to lessen its impact!

    Owners must be cognizant of their dogs exercise requirements. It is not an option nor a matter of what is convenient. It is a necessity! Do not have a dog if you cannot provide for this most basic need.

    Remember, too, that any sort of dog behavior you dont like must be handled immediately. Dogs live in the moment and stay in it until it is addressed.

    Rena Murray is a professional Dog Obedience Trainer and Dog Behaviorist with extensive Dog Behavior Modification experience. Committed to helping Dog Owners as well as Pets, Rena seeks to educate as many people as possible through her self-help articles on Dog Behavior, Training a Dog, Aggression Dog Dominance, Dog Breeds, Shelter Dogs, Puppy Training, Dog House Training, Dog Training Equipment, and related matters posed by clients and bloggers. Rena also publishes a free e-mail newsletter: PAW PERSUASION POINTERS to help people better understand communication and control of their dogs, debunk dog training myths, explore right and wrong dog training techniques for specific situations, address destructive dog behavior, excessive and obsessive dog behavior, and other canine issues and concerns, from new puppy to old dog. Subscribe for free and obtain other free articles at http://www.PawPersuasion.com.

    Sunday, September 28, 2008

    diet and exercise tips

    Diet and Exercise TipsWriten by Allison Burr-Miller

    The formula for weight loss is unique to the individual, but the path may begin with something as simple as a tasty low-calorie recipe and a 15-minute ab routine. The below mini-guide explains body mass index, popular diets and offers simple recipe modifications.

    Working the Abs

    The most popular area of the body people want to improve upon is their abs. If you feel trapped in the world of the mundane sit-up, there are many different ways to work your abs without killing yourself or needing to buy convoluted machinery.

    Try doing scissor crunches:

    First, lay down flat on your back with your legs straight.

    Next, cross your arms across your chest and sit up until your elbows contact your legs.

    Start off doing 3 sets of 25 or so repetitions.

    If you have an exercise partner, or desire an exercise you can do with a partner, try doing sit-ups with a ball.

    Get in a sit up position and on your way up, have a friend throw you an exercise ball (5-12 pounds ideally).

    Go back down with the ball, and on your way up, toss your friend the ball back.

    Continue this process until your friend tells you to stop. Just kidding! Try 3 sets of 25 reps again.

    Body Mass Index explained

    Your weight isnt always indicative of your health and fitness level. In fact, it can be a very arbitrary number. Many experts suggest your body mass index (BMI) is a much more telling statistic because it considers your weight, height, and body type to calculate your body fat. In so doing, your BMI calculation gauges when extra pounds begin to be a health risk.

    The BMI Formula: weight X (height X height) X 704.55

    To calculate your body index, you divide your weight by the product of your height squared. Then you multiply by 704.55. According to BMI medical guidelines, if the number you come up with is 25 or less, you are of normal weight (if it is 18 or less, you are underweight). Body Mass Index calculators, such as the one found at http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/news/page/1042/bmi can perform these calculations for you. The only information you need to enter is your sex, height, weight, and waist size.

    Popular fad diets explained

    There have been many diets introduced in recent years preaching that they can help you lose tons of weight in minimal time. There is weight loss success for some while others struggle to stay committed long term. The premise behind almost all of these diets (i.e. the Atkins diet, the grapefruit diet, vegan diets, etc.) is that an entire food group is being scantily used, if not, altogether cut out from a dieters list of allotted foods. Such drastic alterations in your diet could give you the short-term results youre looking for, but actually may hurt your health in the long run. For this reason, it is important to know the ins and outs of a potential diet before you decide to jump on the bandwagon.

    The Atkins diet pioneered the idea of the evil carbohydrate

    Vegan and vegetarian diets are often scorned for lacking protein (despite steps taken to incorporate non-carnal proteins into such diets)

    Low-fat diets are faulted with providing too little fat, and consequently the body has nothing to absorb nutrients with

    Weight Watchers and other such diets often require too much portion control for the casual dieter, and as a result seem destined for failure

    The grapefruit diet a rather extreme example of abandoning core food groups and nutrients

    Food Label Meanings

    Knowing what certain words on your food label actually mean is important. Common ingredients such as flour and high fructose corn syrup actually mean refined, sugar-filled carbohydrates, or bad carbohydrates. According to health author Lee Dobbins, carbohydrates that come from fruit, vegetable, and whole grain sources often get a bad rap. However, if these foods are actually put under the microscope, there is no reason to scrutinize their nutritional value they fuel and cleanse your body.

    Good-for-you Recipes

    Dieting does not require cutting all of your favorite foods. If you make a few lifestyle decisions substitute low-fat or low-calorie ingredients for those ingredients that contain higher levels you can consistently eat well and not even notice. Recipe connoisseurs Kim Beardsmore and Jeff Rosales have a number of good-tasting as well as good-for-you recipes.

    Spicy chicken cacciatore can be prepared and contain less than 250 calories with a recipe that naturally calls for lean chicken breast and a tomato based sauce as opposed to fatty cream sauces.

    If youre looking for a breakfast suggestion, try banana toast. If you alter the traditional French toast recipe by substituting whole eggs with egg whites and by using skim milk, you have a much healthier meal.

    *About the Source: The complete ArcaMax Publishing Diet and Exercise guide can be found at http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/news/channel/1042. Other news and special sections available at www.arcamax.com include vacation planning, gardening, parenting tips for the new school year, and much more.

    commit to cardio exercise for permanent weight loss

    Commit To Cardio Exercise For Permanent Weight LossWriten by Kris Bierek

    Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone wants it to be easy. There is no easy way to lose weight, but there is a secret. It may not be what you want to hear, though. The weight loss formula is basically simple: burn more calories than you consume. How do you do that? Commit to Cardio!

    Too many people underestimate the importance of cardio in their workout routine. If you truly want to lose weight, you need to be doing a good 45 minute to 1 hour cardio workout 4 to 5 times per week. Less than that will help you to maintain your current weight, but won't help you to shed those pounds. You need to find what you enjoy, make it a priority, and work hard while you're at it!

    The first step to making your commitment to cardio is to find what you enjoy. There are so many options to choose from - running, cycling, cardio machines in the gym, and group fitness classes, just to name a few. If you get bored easily, change it up frequently. Find a friend who likes the same type of workout and use the buddy system. If you pick an activity you enjoy, it will be much easier to stick with it.

    Make your cardio workout a priority. Quit scheduling your workouts around everything else you have to do, and instead schedule everything else around your workout. Write it in your planner if you need to, but don't let anything interfere. If you make it important in your daily routine, then you will find ways to work in everything else you need to do.

    Finally, while you're at it, work hard! Get your heart rate up into the aerobic zone and keep it there for at least 30 minutes.* Always think to yourself, This is my workout, so make sure I get what I came for. What's the point of working if I'm not working hard? Push it! Tell yourself these things as you work out, and push yourself!

    The benefits of a cardio workout routine go far beyond just losing weight and feeling better. Your heart will be healthier, you can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, it's a stress reducer, you will feel better about yourself, you will have more energy, the list is endless. So quit making excuses and commit to cardio today!

    *To determine your aerobic heart rate training zone, you must first find your maximum heart rate (MHR)

    MHR =220-age

    Your aerobic training zone is between 70%-80% of your MHR. After 20 minutes in this zone, your body burns fat efficiently and quickly.

    Kris Bierek is a fitness specialist for the health and fitness site http://www.ShapeFit.com where you can find FREE fitness tools like fitness newsletters, dieting tips, weight loss help, exercise questions and a free fitness analysis to help you get into the best shape of your life!

    is pregnancy exercise good or bad

    Is Pregnancy Exercise Good or Bad?Writen by Ken Austin

    Have you ever wondered if pregnancy exercise would be harmful to your baby? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about pregnancy exercise.

    Exercise is important at any point in a woman's life but pregnancy exercise is particularly essential because it promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Pregnancy exercise has many benefits that promote both physical and emotional well-being for you and your baby. If you have not been exercising regularly prior to being pregnant, make sure you begin slowly when starting a program. If you already participate in a workout program, talk to your doctor about the program to make sure it is safe to follow during your pregnancy.

    One of the benefits to exercising during pregnancy is the help it can give you when going into labor. By embarking on a pregnancy exercise program, you can reduce the length of labor and shorten the process of delivery. Pregnancy exercise can also help speed up your recovery after giving birth. Additionally, because your body is accustomed to being under stress, exercising during pregnancy will help build the stamina you need during labor.

    Expectant and new mothers endure a lot of stress. A pregnancy exercise routine can reduce anxiety and create a healthier emotional balance. Stress while pregnant can adversely affect your baby. Making sure you get enough exercise can be a good way to lessen pregnancy complications due to stress. Another symptom common among pregnant woman is fatigue. Pregnant woman are exhausted, especially during the first three months and the last three months. Exercising during pregnancy will help alleviate the exhaustion you feel and increase your energy level.

    The information about pregnancy exercise presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about pregnancy exercise or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

    A big benefit to exercising during pregnancy is that it will help you control weight gain. You will gain less weight while you are pregnant and lose the weight more rapidly after you have the baby. Most women who exercise during pregnancy will return to their pre-pregnancy weight in less time than a woman who did no exercises at all. The best types of pregnancy exercises are walking and swimming. This is because these two activities work your major muscle groups, strengthen your heart, and pose little risk of injury. It is important that you do not over exert yourself during pregnancy. Your fitness level before you became pregnant will dictate how strenuously you can exercise while you are pregnant.

    Finally, one of the benefits of pregnancy exercise is that it will strengthen your back. Back pain is a common ailment among pregnant women. The pain tends to increase gradually as your pregnancy progresses. By strengthening your back through pregnancy exercise, you will be less likely to suffer from intense back pain. Also, keeping your weight gain manageable by exercising during your pregnancy will help limit the amount of back pain you experience.

    Starting any pregnancy exercise program requires that you consult with your doctor. Make sure that you are physically able to start and maintain an exercise program before beginning. You will undoubtedly find that you have to alter your pregnancy exercise routine as your pregnancy progresses. It is imperative that you pay close attention to any pains or discomfort you feel while exercising and seek medical help if you are at all concerned about the way that you feel during or just after exercising.

    Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about pregnancy exercise.

    Ken Austin is the webmaster at My Pregnancy , a pregnancy resource site.

    For more great pregnancy articles, please visit The Pregnancy Resource Guide.

    Saturday, September 27, 2008

    horizon treadmill designed for user comfort

    Horizon Treadmill Designed for User ComfortWriten by Saurya Ghosal

    Horizon treadmills are one of the top brands sold in the market today. Horizon treadmills are definitely affordable, so if users are looking for something that's within their price range, then users must check out this brand. Horizon treadmill offers users a way to get fit in the privacy of their own home. Horizon treadmill can be just what users need to get into shape.

    Horizon treadmill has several different models. These models vary in terms of size as well as several other features.

    There are four main Horizon treadmill models users can choose from. The Horizon T51 treadmill is their lower-end, basic model and it retails for around $700. This Horizon treadmill can be folded up when not in use and offers the user the ability to set the speed and incline and enjoy four preset programs. In addition, a free heart rate monitor is included in this model of Horizon treadmill.

    Another Horizon treadmill option is the Horizon T52 treadmill, which costs about $900. This Horizon treadmill is the next step up from the T51 model and offers the user the ability to set the speed and incline and enjoy six preset programs. This Horizon treadmill model also folds up for easy storage when not being used.

    The T53 Horizon treadmill model is the next step up from the T52 model. This Horizon treadmill model retails for about $1,100. This Horizon treadmill model offers shock absorption, six preset programs and accommodates speeds up to 12 miles per hour (most treadmills max out at 10 miles per hour). This makes this model ideal for runners who like to run fast. The incline of this Horizon treadmill model can go up to 12%, which is higher than most treadmills. This Horizon treadmill model offers pulse grip handles to monitor users heart rate. As with the other Horizon treadmill models, it can also fold up when not in use.

    Finally, the T54 Horizon treadmill is the top on the Horizon line treadmill, retailing for about $1,400. This treadmill also features shock absorption, maximum speeds of 12 miles per hour and a maximum incline of 12%. In addition to six preset programs, there are also two user programs and two heart rate control programs. The Horizon treadmill comes with a chest strap and is Polar compatible. This Horizon treadmill model folds up for easy storage when not in use.

    One advantage while purchasing a Horizon treadmill is that it comes in assembled form. So users just need to remove the Horizon treadmill from the box, unfold it, rotate the console into place and screw it using the tools provided.

    Horizon treadmills have an easy to use control panel and are designed to fit nicely at user home. Horizon treadmill makes sure that users easily hit the power button and turn the treadmill off in case something goes wrong. Horizon treadmill lasts for a long time since the tread belt, motor and other parts lasts for longer times and distances. Some Horizon treadmill models are available in different color schemes.

    Horizon treadmills are designed for users comfort while they are exercising, so that they shouldn't have any trouble using them.

    Saurya Ghosal for http://www.treadmill-walking.com
    Read more about Treadmills http://www.treadmill-walking.com/treadmill-accessories.html
    Copyright 2005 http://www.treadmill-walking.com

    elliptical v treadmill

    Elliptical V TreadmillWriten by Steve Ecclestone

    Elliptical v Treadmill - Said The Salesman: I Peddle Pedals

    When trying to decide between elliptical v treadmill fitness equipment, the only conclusion you can draw from your research is that they are largely doing the same job, building up cardiovascular conditioning.

    But there is a significant difference that makes the decision much easier, the amount of impact on a user's back, hips, knees and feet.

    Both treadmills and ellipticals are the darlings of the exercise world. Treadmills have been around for quite a while and are the largest selling type of fitness equipment.

    Ellipticals were introduced only a few years ago, but sales have more than tripled in the years since. Elliptical v treadmill--which is best for you?

    Ellipticals Keep A Foot Up On Treadmills

    Ellipticals greatly reduce the amount of impact on your back and joints because your feet ride on pedals following an elliptical reciprocating path, much the same as they would naturally.

    Most ellipticals now incorporate reciprocating handlebars for a combined upper body workout. The resulting effort involved has been found to burn more calories over a shorter period.

    That's good news for those trying to lose weight but a caution to those who have health concerns and should not attempt more intense workouts.

    Treadmills, on the other hand, do not support the runner or walker meaning with every step the body strikes the deck with the entire force of its own weight resulting in compressive impact on the back and joints.

    They are, however, more versatile, depending on the size, power and training features available on the model, and running or walking follow a more natural path for those with a wider stance or unique stride.

    Prices of the two machines are pretty much in line until you get to the high-end and club-quality level of treadmills where costs can be as high as several thousand dollars.

    Ellipticals do not have drive motors and that should mean fewer needs for repair and lower costs of maintenance down the road.

    Steve Ecclestone is webmaster at Best Treadmill Guide

    Friday, September 26, 2008

    cheap treadmills are they a bargain or a bust

    Cheap Treadmills - Are They a Bargain or a Bust?Writen by Fred Waters

    We are all looking for a bargain, and unless we have money to frivolously spend, we want to get the best price possible. That holds true when purchasing a treadmill. The fact is most people buy cheap treadmills and they eventually pay the consequences. Cheap models account for approximately 75% of home treadmill sales.

    What do we consider a cheap treadmill? Models under the $500 price range.

    What lures people to cheap treadmills are the numerous features that are often built-in. Heres an example. There is currently a ProForm treadmill selling for $399. That price is more appealing then spending $1,000-$1,500. Here are some of the features.

  • Console with (3) large LCD windows
  • 2.25 continuous duty motor There are no standards for treadmill motors, and most companies will overstate the power output.
  • iFit compatible iFIT is a subscription service where you can purchase new programs for your treadmill. A brilliant marketing ploy to continually get income from customers.
  • 250 lbs user capacity Treadmill companies are notorious for exaggerating user capacity.
  • ProTech Impact Reduction A fancy name for reduced impact that is found on any treadmill. Even the cheapest treadmill have some impact reduction.
  • Hand weights For $399 you not only get a treadmill, but they will throw in hand weights.
  • These are all attractive features, but it doesnt distract from the fact that this is a cheap treadmill. What makes a cheap treadmill are the components. Logic follows that you cannot sell a treadmill for $399, include the features above, and not have to compromise somewhere. The compromise is in the parts. And except for the motor, you get a 90 day parts and labor warranty. That type of limited warranty suggests this treadmill is built for obsolescence.

    When you think about it, treadmills take a beating. If you are running on them, the impact can be 2.5x your body weight. With cheap treadmills the motor, belt, deck, rollers, bearings and electronics are constantly struggling to keep up with the strain. Particularly if the user is overweight.

    It should be noted that the treadmill mentioned above has a 16 belt. Walking on that small of a surface can be a challenge. Jogging is out of the question. In fact, you would never want to consider this kind of machine for anything less then casual walking, at a maximum of a few times a week.

    What can you expect from a cheap treadmill? Service problems, especially if you use the machine on a regular basis. There is a chance you will get one that will last the duration. In many cases you will either be replacing parts or throwing the entire treadmill away. Its often not worth getting it fixed.

    What if you are contemplating getting back in shape, but unsure of your commitment. You dont want to invest a ton of money on a machine that may become a clothes rack. If budget restraints keep you in the $500 or less price range, we suggest you purchase an extended warranty. At least if the machine breaks down, the manufacturer will replace the parts.

    If you are serious about getting in shape we have the following price guidelines:

    For walking start at $1,000. This should get you a solid machine with a reasonable warranty.

    For jogging start at $1,500. Youll get a treadmill with components designed to withstand the strain and impact.

    At these prices your warranty should be at least 10 years for the motor, 3-5 for the parts and 1 year for service.

    The bottomline if you are in it for the long haul, than buy a machine built to get you there.

    Fred Waters has worked in the treadmill industry for a number of year and is author
    of the Treadmill Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 75 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying tips from the Treadmill Buyer's Guide.

    fat loss exercise strategies

    Fat Loss Exercise StrategiesWriten by Josie Anderson

    How many calories you consume has a big impact on fat loss or gain. If you eat more calories than your body is able to burn will result in weight gain. The best thing about exercise is that the more you do the less you have to worry about calories and you are able to stimulate fat loss.

    By burning 500 calories a day you can lose 1 pound of body fat in one week. By combining exercise with a reduction in calories you are able to make it easier to attain a calorie deficit. By riding a stationary bike for a half hour and reducing 200 calories from your daily caloric intake you can create the 500 calorie deficit without having to starve yourself or exercise yourself to exhaustion. 200 calories a day can be as small as a plain baked potato, one slice of pizza, or 1 cup or cooked spaghetti.

    Another advantage of exercise is that after you exercise your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is elevated for several hours. Weight training has a longer effect on your RMR than aerobic exercise. Recent studies have shown that the raise in the resting metabolic rate from weight training can last up to 36 hours depending on the intensity of the weight training session.

    Exercise helps preserve muscle tissue, which when trying to lose weight is a dieters advantage. Lean body mass (muscle) burns more calories per day than fat tissue. This is why building muscle mass is important when trying to lose weight. The more muscle that you build the more calories you will burn resulting in greater fat loss.

    Calories burned during weight training plus a raised resting metabolic rate and increasing lean muscle mass resulting in a higher metabolism can help you shed pounds faster than just dieting and doing aerobic exercise alone.

    Losing weight does not necessarily mean that you have to cut calories. Strength training at high levels of intensity and eating quality nutritious low fat foods will take care of the extra fat you are carrying on your body. Research has shown that people who begin a weight training program need 15 percent more calories to just maintain their current body weight.

    By adding aerobic exercise to your workout routine can also help in expending extra calories. Or just increasing the intensity of your weight training, that is lifting heavier weights or shortening rest periods, will burn more calories.

    It is important to combine exercise and a healthy diet so that boredom or the feeling of being deprived does not ruin your weight loss goals. Also to remember not to eat the same exact things day after day and do the same exercises all the time. After 12 weeks the body learns to adjust to things, and with exercise this means that the body gets more efficient at not using so much energy to be able to do the activity. Change your exercise routine every 2 months so as to keep your body guessing and burning fat. A change in routine can be as much as doing the exercises in different orders, changing intensity, adding new exercises, or just doing a whole new routine.

    Follow these tips and within 12 weeks of doing weight training and eating a healthy low fat diet you should start to see changes in your body.

    Josie Anderson is a personal trainer and is the owner of http://www.weight-loss-program-101.com providing weight loss resources to help with many weight loss goals and newsletter to keep you up to date on the latest in the health and fitness industry.

    endurance treadmills the ultra durable treadmill

    Endurance Treadmills - The Ultra Durable TreadmillWriten by Dean Iggo

    If you are planning on using your treadmill a lot and don't want to worry about expensive repairs, replacements or maintenance bills then Endurance treadmills are a great choice for you.

    Endurance treadmills are known as having the longest warranty in the fitness equipment industry, even up to 3 times longer than some commercial treadmills. They just keep going and going, in fact their name says it all...

    No manufacturer would put that sort of warranty on any old treadmill otherwise they would go out of business paying for all the costly repairs to substandard machines. In fact every endurance treadmill produced has passed the ISO9000:2000 certification for quality and design. Only the best quality treadmills are awarded this certification of excellence ensuring a quality, durable machine every time.

    Although you might expect to pay commercial treadmill prices you won't pay anything near! Amazingly endurance treadmills range from $1,000 to $2,000 so you can save that extra money for a holiday at the beach where you can show off that new slim, fit body :)

    Endurance are associated with BodySolid, a manufacturing company that have been around for over 20 years and who produce some of the best home gym and strength training equipment around. This association lets you know they must be doing something right and I have heard of many consumer testimonials stating that their customer service is superb.

    If you are struggling to find Endurance treadmills online look for Body Solid Endurance treadmills as they often come under the same name.

    The one downfall of the endurance range is their special features. They only have the standard features found in most treadmills so if you are looking for something a bit flash then you should skip this range.

    Advantages

    Endurance have the longest warranty in the treadmill industry. They are offering lifetime warranty for everything except labor (which is covered for 1 year). They cover everything from the motor to every part and every component of the treadmill forever. A real durable, trustworthy machine.

    They are also very competitively priced at between $1,000 and $2,000.

    Disadvantages

    Their special features are poor. Don't be expecting lots of bells and whistles with this range.

    Recommendation

    If you are looking for a solid, reliable treadmill that will keep on keeping on and you're not too fussed about extra bells and whistles then endurance treadmills are a great option. Fitness enthusiasts looking for a flashy machine should look elsewhere.

    Dean Iggo is a keen fitness enthusiast and home gym user. He is also the webmaster of home-gym-buyers-guide.com a website providing unbiased treadmill ratings, reviews and tips.

    Thursday, September 25, 2008

    best treadmill a home treadmill because it helps burn more calories

    Best Treadmill? A Home Treadmill - Because It Helps Burn More CaloriesWriten by Laxmi Krishna

    Best treadmill seekers: here's news. The best treadmill to have is the home treadmill because research shows you burn more calories.

    Did you know? A weight loss study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that people who had a treadmill at home lost an average of four to eight pounds more than those who didn't have treadmills. Get that machine!

    Never mind the specific brand as long as its one of the recognized ones. There is a fair level of parity between brands these days. What you want instead is the treadmill that helps you burn more calories and that according to research is the one at home.

    Firstly, theres the motivation of owning a treadmill that makes you walk more. In fact, nothing seems to light up a walkers eyes more than the thought of buying a treadmill. What is it about having our own treadmills at home that makes us feel like we have arrived in the world of fitness and sport?

    Secondly, your walking program will also be easier for you to follow -- and do -- if you get on a home treadmill ... because its easier to keep track of all four parameters of time, speed, distance and calorie burn, and you can do it any time of day, in any clothing.

    The secret to getting the right home treadmill is to try it at the store before you buy. If you have access to a good fitness instructor, you may like to get advice on the best brand names to look out for.

    Should you get a motorized one or a non-motorized one? The jury is in always the best treadmill is the motorized one. Non-motorized ones are really not quite right for the body, because you have to move the belt along yourself with every forward stride (with an added backward push of the belt) -- not quite how you walk.

    What else would you need to look for in a est treadmill for the home? You would need to check if its motor is heavy duty. Especially if you will keep up walking for long durations regularly every day. Listen to the hum of the motor and see if its unduly noisy and will disturb the household.

    You will also need to see the controls it offers on the digital display. Can you adjust speed, see the distance walked, the time taken? Is this data credible?

    In general it has been found that treadmill data is more reliable and accurate than that on some other gym equipment because cardiologists use these to research their patients heart conditions.

    But be aware of the fact that many exercise equipment manufacturers tend to inflate their data a bit, because it has been found that if the data were too conservative, the demand for that est treadmill model falls.

    People seem to want to see high burn numbers on their displays!

    You also need to check the warranty. If it fails, youll need 24X7 service, or the regularity of your walking program will be held to ransom. And lastly will it fit in the room space you have?

    Frankly, between the top ten comparable brands, I have seen very little real differentiation to decide if one brand's better than the other. That's why I'd advice you not to worry about buying he best. As we have said earlier, the one in your home is going be your best ally -- and your best treadmill!

    Laxmi Krishna is a bestselling author on weight loss. She succeeded in losing weight superfast -- 30 kgs. in just 32 weeks, with no dieting -- through a unique walking program she has designed. She reveals her success secrets in her path-breaking guide.
    Visit Laxmi's site at http://www.walking-calories.com

    exercise intensity vs duration

    Exercise Intensity Vs. DurationWriten by Victor Holtreman

    It seems like there are more bits of exercise advice floating around on the internet and in books than there are stars in the sky. The fact is that what works for one person may not work as well for another. Of course the bottom line is that it's better to do ANY exercise than none at all. However most people are looking for workouts that will allow them to get the most oomph from a set amount of time, and will allow them to make the fastest progress.

    I believe that to make progress faster in regards to losing fat and increasing your metabolism, intensity trumps duration.

    In other words, if you pack 30 minutes of exercise into 15 minutes, in the long run the 15 minute routine will give you faster progress than the 30 minute routine, although technically both will have burned the same amount of calories.

    I'm not a physioligist, but I've read enough and also experienced personally the effects of high intensity exercise. The fact is that working at a higher intensity level ramps up your metabolism and keeps it at a higher level for a longer amount of time. In other words if you do a slow jog for two miles and it takes you 20 minutes vs. doing a series of sprints interspersed with your jogging that takes 10 minutes, you will ramp up your metabolism more with the shorter workout than with the longer version.

    Technically speaking you've burned the same amount of calories, but I don't believe your body will agree. :-) It will *feel* like you did more work and your body will respond accordingly.

    Visit Strength Training Answers for more strength training information.

    exercise and swiss ball workouts

    Exercise and Swiss Ball WorkoutsWriten by Mike Singh

    For those of you who are not familiar with the name, a Swiss Ball is a large plastic exercise ball that is used for a variety of fitness workouts. They are generally preferred by people who are looking to put strengthen their core muscles while improving their balance.

    Lets clear something up. You may also be familiar with gym balls, sports balls, fitness balls, therapy balls, yoga balls or body balls. These are all different names for these exercise balls and just go to show how many different types of workout you can use them with.

    The main advantage of the exercise ball, and the reason so many different types of workout can be used with them, is that they can provide instability and a loss of balance to a huge number of simple exercises. Imagine a very simple exercise on a hard surface or mat. Now imagine doing them while sitting or leaning on an exercise ball. You will constantly have to maintain your balance and make small adjustments to your position. This utilises a host of smaller and less utilised muscles that usually never get any exercise at all. Over time these muscles will get a lot stronger and you will notice real improvements in strength.

    Exercise balls are used a lot as parts of therapy programs and to treat lower back pains, precisely for this reason. They can help you to develop better control and strength in your back and stomach. They can also increase you flexibility and back mobility so that if you find it difficult to move sometimes, they can be of great help in your exercise routines. You should also notice increased strength in your abdominal muscles. This is part of the reason that the balls are becoming so popular with women. As more and more women are working on their stomachs, they are switching to any type of routine that will improve their results in this single area.

    If you fancy a very simple exercise, then you can even use a Swiss ball instead of a chair. Because the ball is constantly moving, it forces you to engage some back and abdominal muscles constantly so that you are not just sitting there, but are getting a good workout while you do it.

    Visit http://www.elliptical-trainerz.com/ to read about eliptical trainers and eliptical trainer.

    eye exercises boost the power of your optic muscles

    Eye Exercises - Boost The Power of Your Optic MusclesWriten by Charlie Cory

    The eyes contain many small muscles, and there is no doubt that eye exercises can do little harm to your eyes, but can they actually be of benefit?

    A New York ophthalmologist called Dr William Bates, developed a series of eye exercises to improve eyesight without resorting to lenses or surgery. Dr Bates felt that many eye problems had their root causes in stress, tension and laziness of the eye and he thought that because of these causes, the eyes could be treated without correction such as lenses, spectacles or even surgery. Dr Bates' methods were first devised at the beginning of the 20th century, but many people still practice them today.

    Dr Bates' theory revolved around the notion that the muscles of the eye became fixed on a scene causing strain to the eyes. Dr Bates felt that the eyes could be re-trained to relax and improve the link between the optic nerves and the brain.

    Dr Bates' theories have been largely ignored by the world of medicine. However, many people around the world have claimed remarkable improvements in short sight, long sight, astigmatism, squints and lazy eyes using these methods. Even young children are able to practice the exercises and people with normal vision may improve concentration, reading skills and co-ordination by following the routines suggested by Dr Bates.

    In essence, you can expect to perform some simple exercises for about half an hour a day. These can involve some of the following:-

    'Palming.'

    To rest and relax your eyes, sit comfortably in front of a table, resting your elbows on a stack of cushions high enough to bring your palms easily to your eyes without stooping forward or looking up. Close your eyes and cover them with your cupped palms to exclude light, avoiding pressure on the sockets. Breathe slowly and evenly, relaxing and imagining deep blackness. Begin by doing this for 10 minutes, two or three times a day.

    'Swinging.'

    Relax and keep the eyes mobile. Stand up and focus on a distant point, swaying gently from side to side. Repeat 100 times daily, blinking as you sway. Blinking cleans and lubricates the eyes, which is especially important if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer.

    You may be asked to have a 'colour day.' Choose a colour and look out for it throughout the day. When you see it, be aware of the colour rather than the form. For example, if it's a red truck, experience the shade of red, not the truck.

    Why not try some of these exercises yourself?

    See Clearly Method

    ==================

    The See Clearly Method is another popular series of exercises and training to help with vision correction. Similarly to the Bates' method, you are required to do 30 minutes of eye exercises a day to strengthen and enhance the flexibility of the eye's muscles. This would usually involve making the eye change it's focus from near to far for example. One simple way of doing this would be to hold a small object in your hand and slowly move it away from your face, ensuring that your eye follows the object and retains focus upon it.

    One exercise which is know as romboning has you hold a small object again, starting at arm's length. Then you need to breath in and move the object slowly closer to your face, until it touches your nose. You are then required to breath out, looking at the object as you again move it away from your face. Hence the notion of Tromboning.

    The See Clearly Method also employs a number of techniques which are aimed at accelerating progress or improvement. For example, there is a technique referred to as the lur reading technique, which asks you to turn a magazine upside-down at a distance where the words are not distinct. Then, you are supposed to choose one word and focus your attention around it, to see if you can identify any of the letters.

    As with the Bates' Method, the eye exercises suggested in the See Clearly Method are certainly worthy of a go to see if they help you at all.

    The article was written by Charlie Cory, who is the owner of FX Eyes, a website dedicated to providing advice about buying special effects contact lenses online.

    You can visit his website to read about eye exercises.

    Wednesday, September 24, 2008

    be trim fit and lean tips for buying fitness equipment

    Be Trim, Fit and Lean! Tips for Buying Fitness EquipmentWriten by David Kronk

    What is your normal method to stay fit, healthy, and flexible? A healthy and hearty diet of nutritious fruits and vegetables is the key as well as regular and varied exercise, consisting of aerobics, strength training, and stretching.

    The best exercise is one that you are really and sincerely work at over a lifetime, be it push-ups, stretches, jumping jacks or aerobic exercises such as running, bicycling, or swimming. However, there are people who prefer to work out using fitness equipment in their own homes.

    Here are a few basic, important things to consider when buying exercise equipment.

    Do not always believe the advertising!

    At least not everything. It is good to assess all the claims exercise equipment sellers declare in their advertisements. It is so hard to believe some statements that assure people that they will lose several pounds in an unreasonably short period of time,or that you will decrease clothing size in a matter of a few weeks. Even with the assistance of a weight-loss diet and dietary supplements, it is not possible to accomplish changes as major as these in a few weeks, or even a month.

    Reducing fat in specific areas of your body

    Be skeptical of claims that say you will be able to burn a tremendous amount of fat in specific areas of your body, such as the hips, butt, thighs, or waist just by using a specific type of ointment, cream or lotion. The only sure way to burn the fat away is by changing what you eat. And a weight loss diet will reduce fat generally, not from specific areas of your body. Specific exercises tailored to work on specific areas of the body work well to tone that section of the body.

    The only testimonial that counts is yours or a very trusted friend

    Before and after pictures of people who claim that they were able to lose weight because of using a specific brand of exercise equipment may or may not be true. Even if they are, their experience is personal and is certainly no guaranty that your unique body style and situation will see the phenomenal success that they claim. There is an old (and usually accurate) saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

    Read the fine print

    It is always advisable to read the fine print on any major purchase. Though you believe that the fitness equipment you are planning to purchase is a fair deal, reading the fine print is advisable, since it may include other bits of information you should know, like you must also decrease your calorie intake to lose the weight and hese results may not be typical!

    Do the math

    There are advertising statements that say you could pay off the fitness equipment in a number of easy payments or by paying a very small sounding monthly payment. Remember to check on shipping and handling costs and include that in your calculation. Also, add-on the required sales tax, delivery fees, set-up fees, etc. Know all the details before you purchase.

    Read and understand the warranty

    Read the warranty closely. Make sure you understand who pays for shipping charges in case a repair is needed. Treadmills and other aerobic equipment can be quite heavy, and it is often impractical to haul the equipment. Some warranties will cover the cost to have a service person come to your house. Usually, buying extra warranty coverage is not a very good deal, but in the case of large exercise equipment, it may be worth the added cost.

    Where and how do you receive customer service?

    Most reputable equipment manufacturers or sellers have a customer service hotline. Normally, they have toll-free numbers for parts and service. Make sure the information for this is readily available. Do internet searches for sites that do review of products like this, and read the customers comments. A simple search for rand x treadmill will often bring many consumer or review site comments.

    If you do your homework, you should be able to find the exercise equipment you are looking for, at a price you consider fair, and have it last many years!

    For several up to date articles and reviews of aerobic exercise equipment, visit our site at http://www.aerobicsonline.net.

    give the gift of fitness this year a buyers guide to home exercise equipment

    Give the Gift of Fitness This Year - A Buyer's Guide to Home Exercise EquipmentWriten by David Petersen

    Ahh the holidays - time for family, good cheer and of course, those not-so-good, pesky extra pounds. Naturally exercise equipment becomes a hot item as the year draws to a close, and many will give it as a gift for Christmas, anticipating the recipients need for it in the New Year. Although its highly recommended to use a little tact when presenting fitness equipment as a Christmas gift to your spouse or significant other, this article provides other essential information that will help you in choosing quality products that will save you money while sparing your ego.

    Tips for buying home treadmills

    Treadmills are perennial favorites when it comes to cardio equipment. The benefits they offer include improved cardiovascular fitness, movement and function. The disadvantages may be that they can be difficult to get used to initially and can be high impact for grossly overweight individuals or those with joint or bone pain.

    Go with a brand name you have heard of like Smooth, Keys, Nordic Track, Reebok or similar.

    Quite often with cardio equipment you get what you pay for so be willing to spend about $1000.00 + dollars for a lifelong fitness investment.

    Check the warrantee most quality manufacturers should offer a lifetime warrantee on the frame, (up to) 10 years on the motor, 1 year on the parts and 90 days on the labor.

    Check the motor, aim for at least a continuous duty 1.5 HP or higher motor a continuous duty motor ensures that regardless of pace, the output remains the same.

    Consider the space you have available most treadmills intended for home use fold up but some do not, check before you buy.

    Consider the running surface area you will need too: if you are tall or some of the intended users are tall, then their stride length will be longer and you will need a longer belt (56 ).

    Check the options you want like pre-programmed workouts like interval training, hills, fat burn etc. and for heart rate monitor compatibility if you plan on using one.

    Tips for buying elliptical trainers

    Elliptical trainers have become very popular lately and for good reason. Ellipticals offer a zero impact, full body cardio workout and are very user friendly too.

    As for treadmills, aim for a well-known brand with a good warrantee (lifetime frame, 2-3 years parts and 1 year labor).

    Be prepared to spend about the same for a good elliptical as you would for a comparable quality treadmill.

    Test it out if possible, an elliptical needs to feel right does it suit your stride length, is the movement smooth and not jerky, is it easy to mount and dismount and will it fit in your allotted space?

    Take into consideration that handles requiring you to push and pull will greatly increase caloric expenditure so if you plan to use the elliptical machine to lose weight or get fit faster, this an important option.

    Consider other options like: adjustable incline, pre-programmed workouts and heart rate monitoring.

    Tips for buying home strength training equipment

    While in the past it may have been standard advice when purchasing home strength training equipment to buy a multi-station gym, the latest concept in the fitness industry however is functional training and functional training equipment.

    Functional training is a method of exercising that when it is performed results in increased human function. For example, performing squats with a pair of dumbbells in each hand will transfer and benefit functional activities and make activities such as getting out of a chair or car and lifting objects easier.

    Functional training equipment is hot stuff and includes items like adjustable cable columns, exercise/stability balls, medicine balls, adjustable dumbbells, rubber tubing and balance training products. All these products are extremely versatile and fun to use, making them an even greater value for money.

    A stability ball is possibly one of the best and least expensive fitness gifts to give this season since theyre so versatile (use them as an exercise bench or chair) and also help to strengthen your core muscles, which are essential for improving posture and stabilizing your low back to prevent and permanently treat pain.

    Adjustable dumbbells have become very popular too; their use for home strength training is limited only by your imagination; plus depending on your choice of model, allow you to select a weight anywhere from 5 to 50 pounds with the turn of a dial or a flip of a switch.

    Balance training products are forecast to be the best sellers of all functional training equipment items like foam balance pads, beams and rollers, wobble boards, inflatable discs and BOSU balls are fun to use and allow you to train your sense of balance and core muscles in functional positions like standing and lunging.

    Medicine balls are a great value too like dumbbells their use for strength and core training is limited only by your imagination but are also ideal for increasing sports specific power for the golfer or young athlete in the family. Some medicine balls bounce like a basketball while others have molded handles and even ropes attached to them making them even more fun and challenging.

    Rubber bands and tubing are excellent for the budget-minded gift giver, since they are a portable source of resistance, incredibly versatile and simultaneously train core and limb strength.

    Adjustable cable columns are a little expensive ($ 1 100 +) but are well worth the investment. The compact design and adjustable pulley allow for limitless sport-specific and functional exercises using real weight (not bending rods) that normally would be impossible with traditional home exercise equipment.

    If after reading this article you still feel more comfortable purchasing a multi-gym type piece of equipment, then keep in mind the following tips:

    Aim for a quality brand name and check the warrantee remember, You get what you pay for.

    Test it out first if possible for user friendliness and movement feel a quality piece of weight stack/cable equipment will feel comfortable and have a smooth and consistent resistance throughout - not jerky or stiff.

    Consider purchasing a multi-gym piece that has a high and a low cable pulley, as this will allow for more exercise variety and enable some functional standing exercises like those available on the cable column.

    Consider purchasing exercise equipment that uses your own body weight moving on a slide (e.g. Total Gym).

    Be leery of the As Seen on TV products

    While some products promoted in infomercials are effective and a good value (e.g. Total Gym), be cautious of purchasing products that seem too good to be true, make exercise a breeze or that you only have to do 2 minutes a day to experience huge results.

    A classic example is abdominal exercise equipment. Everyone wants the sleek, sexy six-pack abs for the summer but dont want to work for it - so savvy marketers (most who havent the vaguest idea about exercise anyway) think up clever ways for you to part with your hard-earned money to buy an essentially useless product.

    No ab roller, electric muscle stimulator, ab lounger chair or rubber band crunch board will ever provide the abdominals you desire - in fact using them exclusively may make any posture and back problems even worse. Nothing works more effectively to strengthen the abdominals than a sit-up or crunch performed with good technique. It may be that you already have a defined six pack concealed under several pounds of fat. The key is to lose the fat covering your six-pack to reveal your abdominals.

    No matter how many ab rolls/lounges and board crunches you do or how many electrical stimulations you use, you will never be able to spot reduce fat only off your stomach and hips. The myth of spot reduction is amazingly alive and well and marketed to the full extent when it is in fact, a physical impossibility.

    The best advice when leaning towards TV advertised fitness products is to use some common sense and do some homework. There is no magic pill or exercise machine available that will provide results without some work and sacrifice. Also know that if these products were all they were cracked up to be the whole population would be beautiful and slender and not predominantly overweight.

    So in closing, it is hoped that this article provided some basic pointers and tips when deciding on exercise equipment during the holidays or whenever. An informed and intelligent purchase of equipment that suits your needs can result in a lifelong investment in your health and wellness.

    David Petersen is a Personal Trainer/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Golf Biomechanic. He is the owner and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Inc. based in Oldsmar, Florida. More free articles and many of the products mentioned in this article can be found at http://www.bossfitness.com

    NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this note, author information and all LIVE website links as above.

    Tuesday, September 23, 2008

    get a gym exercise equipment now

    Get A Gym Exercise Equipment NowWriten by Charlene Nuble

    Now is a good season for the health conscious to check up on the latest in gym exercise equipment. A wide variety of gym exercise equipment is available in the market each designed to tone the specific part of the body. So for that lasting impression as you stride down the beach and flaunt it, here are some of the important aspects in choosing the right gym exercise equipment for you.

    Know your body: whether you want to sport the firm and fit type or something as insanely huge as the Hulk, gamma radiation included, everyone has their own preference. For a first-timer, choosing the right gym exercise equipment can be attained in two ways: purchasing it from a sports store or to sign up in one of hundreds of gym establishments in the city.

    One advantage in using the gym exercise equipment in a gym is the selection of commercial models that will help you get in shape, if not faster then better. Commercial gym exercise equipment are a little more complicated to use, often with digital readouts and other computerized systems attached, but the outcome after using the machine does show fantastic results after a few weeks. In addition to commercial gym exercise equipment, trainers are available to help you draw up a program to achieve that attention-grabbing body you always wanted. Be it in a posh place like Gold's Gym, or a neighborhood one that offers fifty bucks per session, these establishments hold the upper hand when it comes to quality gym exercise equipment.

    Home gym exercise equipment is something a little more easy to use and compact enough that you can stow it away in your closet after two hours of working out. Convenience is all about the home gym exercise equipment, especially if they are the shy type who could not stand to flaunt themselves in public, even in a gym. They can be as attractive to look at like their commercial counterparts, but with a price tag that is a bit easy on the pocket. They require little effort when adjusting the setting to get out its maximum exercise performance.

    A first-timer can acquire and use the home exercise equipment without too much flub. But as he or she gains experience, and not to mention a greater body, they go for more body specific machines that will bring out the best in (and out of) them. All they have to do is to draw a layout of his or her personalized body building program from books and go from there.

    Know your self, as well as your body. Whether you purchased it in a store, or holding a gleaming member's card, gym exercise equipment is the next best thing since the home-made dumbbells and barbells out of cement on a pair of large milk cans and a metal water pipe.

    Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

    Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about fitness equipments, please go to: http://fitness-equipments.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

    epic treadmills good value or not

    Epic Treadmills - Good Value Or Not?Writen by Peter Clark

    Epic treadmills are well known in the treadmill market for their budget range of treadmills. Epic treadmills are one of the lines of treadmills manufactured by Icon fitness, the largest of all the fitness equipment manufacturers and the company which manufactures, amongst others, Proform treadmills.

    Icon has over $1 billion of sales of fitness equipment worldwide so is a substantial manufacturer. It manufactures reasonable quality machines for the lower end of the market but doesnt compete with the much more expensive brands at the upper end.

    Epic treadmills are sold by Costco, the discount gym equipment retailer (amongst others) so you should expect low prices.

    The most well known of all the epic treadmills is the epic t60 treadmill.

    In fact this treadmill is really the only model amongst the epic treadmill range that is well recognised.

    One of the reasons for this is that the epic t 60 treadmill is well rated by some of the nets treadmills rating sites as a good value buy. And the epic t 60 is therefore a good seller.

    The treadmill doctor rated the epic t60 a best buy in the price range $500 to $1000, however noted some deficiencies in the treadmill none the less. In particular they noted problems with the keypad and the rollers, but youre not going to get the perfect treadmill for under $1000.

    The epic t60 has a powerful motor. It has a good cushioned running platform and can accommodate runners up to 350 lbs. It has an impressive range of user features including iFit technology, an interactive feature that Icon put on their Proform treadmills as well.

    With iFit your workout becomes more interesting. Hook up to the internet and track your fitness and progress. iFit will devise a personal workout program for you, so that each time you set foot on your treadmill, you will have a new goal to reach, and a personal best to beat. Competing with yourself is a great way to increase the challenge.

    iFit technology also allows you listen to music as you workout, and provides inspirational images that can be the backdrop to your run.

    And the epic t60 allows you to fold it away after you have done your workout. This is a worthwhile feature as treadmills are very large pieces of equipment and take up a lot of space.

    The epic t60 treadmill boasts a worthwhile warranty on the motor, but not necessarily on the rest of the treadmill. A 12 year warranty on the motor is good, but 90 days for the rest isnt so good.

    Epic treadmills arent known for long warranties.

    But are epic treadmills the best value? There is no point in buying an epic treadmill merely for a great price if it isnt the best value.

    And good value isnt just a case of a good price. Customer service and warranty come into it too. And on those the epic treadmills tend to fall down a little.

    So if you are looking for an epic treadmill, or even an epic t 60, theres something to think about. Dont dismiss them out of hand, however, they are good treadmills for the price, just not as well supported as they could be. And if you can buy an extended warranty with your epic treadmill at a reasonable price then this would be worthwhile.

    Where do you buy them? Well they are available at Costco, but the range is very limited. And at the time of writing the epic t60 is not listed for sale at Costco. Thats something else to think about. If you really want one then try and find out why they dont seem to offer them at the moment.

    This may of course change though.

    So, epic treadmills, good value or not? It depends, but dont buy one without a little more investigation.

    Find out more about Treadmill Reviews as well as Treadmill Maintenance cheap treadmills, used treadmills and folding treadmills at Peters website, Terrific Treadmills

    horizon treadmills offer top features for the lowest price

    Horizon Treadmills Offer Top Features For the Lowest PriceWriten by Tim Gorman

    Highly rated by numerous experts in the fitness field, Horizon treadmills offer a well-constructed piece of excercise equipment for a reasonable price. Created by the Johnson corporation, Horizon treadmills are aimed towards the commercial, and middle range home use markets. The Horizon company strives to build quality treadmills and distribute them at conservative prices.

    In business for over 25 years, Horizon Fitness builds high caliber equipment for several top brands in the fitness industry. Horizon treadmills are routinely subjected to numerous tests and trials before distribution, to assure a safe product. Their team of qualified fitness experts provide years of experience and expertise to assist in the production of customer-friendly machines. Horizon also offers a 15 to 25 year warranty to ensure that the product remains in top shape.

    One of the less expensive brands, Horizon treadmills range in price from $699 to $1399. There are four different models in the Horizon family, the cheapest priced at $799. Although economical, these treadmills still offer a wide variety of options and features. All Horizon treadmills fold up and down, which is a big plus when if you plan to use them in a small home gym or apartment. Horizon treadmills also offer a mighty 2.0 horsepower motor, a heart rate monitor, and easy to use consoles. The attractive, compact design also make these treadmills desirable to many consumers.

    Horizon treadmills offer the perfect combination of features and motor power to please everyone from the casual walker, to the more advanced jogger. If you are looking for a reasonably priced treadmill that is simple to operate, the Horizon is for you.

    Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Treadmill-Solutions.com. He provides more treadmill reviews, treadmill ratings and treadmill buying information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

    Monday, September 22, 2008

    7 exercises that can help get rid of a snoring problem

    7 Exercises That Can Help Get Rid Of A Snoring ProblemWriten by John Lenaghan

    The sound of snoring is caused by air struggling to pass through your nose and throat. If they are blocked or obstructed in some way, it can lead to snoring.

    One of the more common reasons for snoring is when the muscles in the neck and throat are not well toned. With some simple daily exercises, you can firm up those muscles which will often help with your snoring.

    Ask any professional singer and they'll tell you how important it is to do exercise daily that will help keep their air passages clear. Singers do exercises that help to tone their jaws, their tongues and their throats. Strong muscles in these areas will help them perform better.

    These same type of exercises can help with a snoring problem in many cases, by helping to keep the airways clear and breathing easier.

    Besides, you never know - these exercise might just help you win American Idol some day!

    Here are 7 easy exercises that you can do anywhere to help tone your muscles:

    1. Slowly open and close your mouth, to its fullest. Do it in a controlled way and ensure that your lips meet when your mouth is closed.

    2. Pucker up as if you're going to blow someone a kiss, then hold it for 5 seconds before relaxing.

    3. Practice your smile - make it big and exaggerated. Hold it for 5 second before relaxing.

    4. Press your lips together and hold them tightly for 5 seconds, then relax.

    5. Press your lips together and then make a sipping noise, as if you were sipping a drink.

    6. Stick your tongue out as far as you can. Keep it straight and horizontal - don't let it droop.

    7. Stick your tongue out to it's maximum and then move it side to side - touching the corner of your lips on both sides.

    Practice these exercises for a few minutes every day and you may find your snoring problem will disappear before you know it.

    John Lenaghan write about how to cure snoring and other snoring related topics on the Snoring Solutions website. For more information visit http://www.snoringsolutions.org

    benefits of exercise videos for weight loss

    Benefits Of Exercise Videos For Weight LossWriten by Bill Herren

    I asked my sister to come to my gym with a guest pass. She replied something to the effect of I am in no shape to go to the gym. What? I thought you go to the gym to get in shape not get in shape to go to they gym! Upon further questioning and digging I uncovered the obvious my sister is just not comfortable in the gym.

    I have found that others feel the same. I certainly do not agree with this type of thinking but I do recognize that it exists and some people will simply not go to a gym or exercise class simply because they are not comfortable in that atmosphere.

    Exercise videos are perfect for this type of person!

    On the flip side, my wife loves to go to the gym but she is also a very busy person. Sometimes she just does not feel like packing all of her clothing in her gym bag and hauling it all day. Sometimes she just wants to exercise at home.

    Exercise videos are perfect for this type of person!

    So what are the benefits of exercise videos and how can they help you lose weight?

    Exercise videos are usually led by world class instructors. These instructors are usually the top in their field. They have pioneered a system which more than likely has proven results.

    Exercise videos can keep you from getting bored in your fitness and weight loss routine. You can get an exercise video for aerobics, kick boxing, power yoga, step aerobics, basic training, and the list goes on. You can get them in a studio format, on a beach, by a pool, with beautiful scenery No limits!

    You can perform your exercise routine on your schedule. You are not dependent on the gym hours or aerobics class hours. You may have a hard time fitting a 5:30 class into your schedule but you can always find time to play a recorded video at your convenience.

    Exercise videos allow you to work at your own pace. If you miss a step or are just not conditioned, you can rewind or skip a certain part of the routine.

    Most exercise videos are full of positive reinforcement and affirmations. It is good to hear success stories and you can do it!

    You can more accurately measure your results. If you are doing the same video for an extended period of time you will know if you have improved either in cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, or strength. If you are doing a different routine in a regimented class sometimes it is hard to notice your improvements.

    Exercise videos are inexpensive. You can collect them and enjoy varied workouts and instructors for very low costs.

    The key to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume. Exercise videos take care of the calorie burning part of this duo. The body was made to move! When you exercise and eat healthy the benefits are priceless! You feel great, are sick less often, have greater range of movement, less pain, and a better mental outlook.

    Pick an exercise video for your level of fitness.

    Pick a video that interests you and seems fun to you

    Share videos with friends for a varied experience.

    Set aside time to workout to your video. Make it a ritual.

    If you start getting bored with a routine Find another one! But dont quit!

    Remember that moving the body is fun!

    Follow the instructions and warnings that come with the video

    Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise or weight loss program.

    Exercise videos are a fun, inexpensive way to lose weight and get in shape. What a great way to have world class instructors helping you get in shape and lose weight all on your schedule!

    Keep checking back. We may from time to time review specific exercise and fitness videos.

    Stay healthy, keep the body moving and learn to enjoy exercise!

    Wishing you the best of health and fitness,

    Bill Herren

    Bill Herren is the webmaster for weightloss-articles.com Everything weight loss related! Weight loss success stories, product reviews, exercise articles, weight loss recipes, and diet articles. All Free and all designed to help you lose weight!

    http://www.weightloss-articles.com

    free weights vs exercise machines

    Free Weights vs. Exercise MachinesWriten by Aaron Potts

    Anyone who has ever been in a gym before is familiar with the gleaming banks of shiny exercise machines. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they are usually cause for the newcomer to the gym to pause and ask, What IS all of that stuff?

    Well, according to the price that the gym paid for any one piece of that equipment, I certainly hope that it not only stimulates your muscles, but also cooks your breakfast, washes your car, and brings the kids home from soccer practice! Now the question becomes whether or not those machines were worth the price, or if you'd be better off doing a home aerobics video with a can of soup in each hand.

    Personally, I would advise you to get the low-sodium version of the soup, serve it up alongside a tomato sandwich, and then go buy yourself some free weights. Yes, that is just my opinion, but it does come with some scientific reasoning behind it.

    Natural movement vs. Controlled movement

    One of the things that you need to remember is that when you are exercising, you are training for LIFE. You may spend an hour a day at the gym, but that still leaves 23 other hours for your muscles to function without the aid of that fancy equipment.

    Whenever you do any given exercise, the movement of your body during that exercise is called the Range of Motion. The greater and more difficult the Range of Motion, the more effective the exercise is, because your body has to work harder to perform that movement.

    Let's take a classic dumbbell bicep curl for our case study. If you aren't familiar with the movement, it is basically performed by standing up straight with your palms facing forward, and a pair of dumbbells held down at your sides. You concentrically contract your biceps (also known as flexing your elbow) to bring the dumbbells up to approximately shoulder level, and then repeat the movement for a prescribed number of repetitions.

    Let's take that same muscle movement and do it using a bicep curl machine. You sit down, brace your upper arms on a pad, grasp 2 handles that are in front of you, and do that same fancy elbow flexing movement to move the handles in an upward motion. Pretty easy stuff so far, right?

    Now let's examine the muscles that are used in this motion. Wait - I thought we were concentrically contracting the biceps? That is correct, and if you are using the bicep curl machine, that is pretty much ALL you are doing. For one, you are sitting down. You know, like you did all day at work, and then in your car on the way to the gym. Then, your upper arms are braced on a nice soft pad to keep your upper body stable while you pull the handles upwards. The machine has effectively limited the muscles used in this exercise to the biceps, as well as the muscles in your forearms and fingers as you grip the handles.

    Let us now sidestep over to the weight room where the dumbbells are kept, and once again get in the start position for a standing bicep curl with the dumbbells. Notice the term standing. You know, like you DIDN'T do all day at work, and hopefully also did not do in your car on the way to the gym. So before we even start the exercise, we are using more muscles than we did on the machine - namely the leg muscles.

    Now let's pick up a 10 lb dumbbell in each hand. We've just added 20 lbs to our body weight. What is keeping us from losing our center of balance and falling clean over? The abdominal muscles and the muscles of the lower back and spine. Now we are using our legs, our abs, and our back. Flex those elbows and start to raise the dumbbells. Now our center of gravity has become a fluid state, and our legs, back, and abs all have to constantly compensate to maintain posture. Oh, and the biceps are also in on the action by this point, as are the forearms, the fingers, and the shoulder girdle.

    We now have the dumbbells all the way up and it's time to start lowering them again, via an eccentric contraction of the biceps (also know as extending the elbow). What muscle group controls the extension of the elbow? The triceps on the back of the arm.

    Did you lose track yet? It's okay if you did because you have illustrated the point:

    Machine Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms, and fingers
    Cost: Thousands of dollars

    Standing Dumbbell Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms, fingers, legs, abs, back, triceps, and shoulders.
    Cost: $40 for a good set of dumbbells that can be used for dozens of other exercises

    In a nutshell, free weight exercises simply USE MORE MUSCLES than machines do, which make them more effective. Does that mean that the machines are a complete waste? Absolutely not! In some circumstances it is BETTER to stabilize the muscles being used in any given movement. However, those circumstances are the exception, rather than the rule.

    So what do you do? Change up your routine, and incorporate free weights as well as machine exercises. However, keep the machine work to a minimum - say 20% of your total time spent working with weights. Spend the other 80% developing your stabilizer muscles, your sense of balance and coordination, and if nothing else - just standing up!

    After all, you can go home and sit down on the couch to enjoy your post-workout snack. The bicep machine already brought the kids home from soccer practice, remember?

    Aaron Potts is the owner and creator of Fitness Destinations, a content-filled health and fitness website for consumers as well as professionals in the fitness industry. Aaron's experience in the health and fitness industry includes one on one personal training in many different environments, maintenance of several health-related websites, and authoring of many fitness-related products for consumers and fitness professionals. http://www.fitnessdestinations.com

    Sunday, September 21, 2008

    does your treadmill need repair

    Does Your Treadmill Need Repair?Writen by Paul Webb

    Is your Treadmill having problems?

    If you are here because:

    *1. You own a treadmill.

    *2. You are having problems with your treadmill.

    *3. You want to prevent problems before they happen.

    Treadmills act like vacumn cleaners and seem to attract dust and dirt.
    This being the case, they need regular cleaning. We have found that:

    * Most motors overload and burn up because they are either full of dust and dirt
    or the deck and belt are worn so much that they cause excessive current draw on the motor.

    * Many belts have to be replaced because they have been out of alignment for so long
    that they have split or the edges have curled and are rubbing on the covers.

    * Many people risk being hurt every year because their treadmill will suddenly jump
    from 2 or 3 mph to 8 or 9 mph, or sometimes just stop, all because of dirty speed sensors.

    I you are having these problems there is help!
    You need the TREADMILL REPORT.
    This report is a must for every treadmill owner.
    It will help you diagnose and solve most of your problems
    as well as prevent future problems.

    Included in this report are directions for performing preventive maintenance
    on your treadmill and, repair procedures for some of the most common problems.

    Please follow these directions for safe and efficient use of your treadmill for you and your family.

    The procedures for checking these items are all in the Treadmill Report!
    http://www.treadmills.cc

    Paul Webb- Paul has been in the medical and fitness repair business for almost thirty years. So he has seen many of the problems associated with treadmills and fitness equipment.

     

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