Health Specialist » Fitness Equipment

Recumbent Stationary Bikes

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:59:45 +0000

The world of stationary bikes and exercise equipment in general is on the verge of major revolution. This may be due in part to the overwhelming success of such interactive video games as Dance Dance Revolution. An orthopedic surgeon from Denver, Ted Parks, devised Gamebike to use with the Sony Playstation console. The players actually pedal to play the games in the same way that Dance Dance Revolution players must dance on a dance pad to interactively play those games.

XMAT produces a recumbent bike that can be used with many different home video game consoles. It is not interactive but instead provides the power for the gaming. It requires the gamer to exercise in order to play those hours of video games. While price point is a bit high at nearly 350 the average exercise equipment will set you back plenty too and wont provide built in incentive.

There are more elaborate versions of the same concept. Stationary bikes that have lengthy scenerios which have corresponding changes in pedaling tension for various landscape changes are new to the market. The price point on these more involved stationary bikes can be as steep as the hills they simulate at a whopping 5000 plus.

But whichever system appeals to you after a careful stationary bike review, the marriage of exercise equipment and video game enthusiasm is one that is here to stay. The obvious problem of stationary bike boredom is the target of all this. But there are always the the old standbys of watching Television or reading while on the bike.

There does seem to be some advantages to the new use of video gaming in the realm of exercise bikes. That is that the activity which is already omnipresent with so many can be extended to improve health when combined with traditional stationary bikes.

Getting the Most Out of an Elliptical Machine

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:37:36 +0000

Do you want to get fit? Do you want to get yourself into a cardiovascular program that will shed pounds off your belly and keep your heart working in tip top shape? Most people would think that the answer to this is jumping on the treadmill or cycling endlessly. However such forms of exercise cause more pain than gain. If you are one of those who knows this very well then you might want to try using an elliptical machine.

In the 80s, the fitness world welcomed the arrival of cross-country sky machines. They were seen as better alternatives to the old-fashioned treadmills and stationary bikes because they allow health buffs to workout more with less time. The cross-country machines were indeed great in this light but a lot people find cross-country ski movements to be rather unnatural and thus more taxing to do. Because of this, innovative fitness machine developers modified the design to adapt to what people usually do with their body walking, stepping, cycling, or skiing, but now with an elliptical motion, which produces less or no impact. This allows people to workout more and burn more calories without getting tired or burnt out easily.

How effective is an elliptical machine in burning calories?

There are hundreds of elliptical machines in the market and their effectiveness to burn calories varies greatly. Some manufacturers say that within an hour you can burn over 700 calories or more. While this may be true, the optimization of calorie-burning depends upon the user how much time or how much effort is exerted working out is a primary factor on the elliptical machines effectiveness. It is safe to say that the rates would be similar to those of cross-country ski machines.

Benefits and Drawbacks with Elliptical Machines

An elliptical machine allows exercises to work out their bodies in shorter periods with less or no strain. Elliptical machines can be used for all fitness levels, from beginner to athletic, and all working out ages. The elderly could well benefit from its use because it produces less stress on the joints. It can be a great alternative to cycling and running machines to prevent boredom from exercise. At home, it can be used while watching the TV or listening to the radio as it generally produces less noise compared to running on treadmills.

The problems with elliptical machines also lie on its benefits. Because it is easy to use, some people tend to overdo their workout. People forget the importance of warming up, stretching, and cooling down. Some exercisers also tend to work their heart rates up to the limits. The lack of impact may also result into the burning of fewer calories when not enough effort is exerted. The variety of models can be confusing to a lot of consumers as compared to buying more basic machines like the treadmill, where the only concern is for it to allow one to run continually.

When buying elliptical machines it is important to first check your budget and then see all models and brands that would match your funds. You should then check the features of each model and see what you think would best serve your purposes. It is important to try working out on the machine as you would normally work out with proper shoes and clothes on. Most importantly, you should check with your doctor to see if the machine and the exercise it allows you to do would be appropriate for your health level.

Working out can be fun with an elliptical machine! Try and see for yourself.

Treadmills Boost your health but make sure you choose the right one

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:15:27 +0000

Treadmills are very popular methods of exercise. These exercise machines have been helping people lose weight and get in shape for many years now. Buying a treadmill is not hard but if you have ever done it, you know that it can be expensive. It is an investment you will greatly benefit from but you need to choose carefully before you buy. There are many reasons why you would choose a treadmill for yourself. You can improve your fitness and your health. You can build and maintain your fitness level all in the comfort of your home. However, you also need to be sure that before you buy a treadmill and begin a training program that you do it in the correct way to remain safe and healthy.

Before you purchase a treadmill you need to know what features to look for to be sure you are getting the best one for you and your needs. Some things to look for are

The Motor A motorized treadmill has an inbuilt motor that makes the belt and lift operate. A bonus of motorized treadmills is that they let you raise and lower the incline easily. With motors you can change the pace of your workout how you need it to be.

Horsepower The horsepower is the measure of the treadmill motor. The continuous horsepower is how well the treadmill can work without lagging. The peak horsepower is how much power the treadmill has for short bursts.

Incline The incline is used to mimic the natural human style of walking or running. Manual incline lets you change it yourself by speeding up your pace. A power incline lets you adjust the incline while you are walking or running.

Belts and Decks A thicker belt gives you more cushion for your legs and joints. Short belts give you a faster pace and some people prefer these.

Speed When you think of a treadmill, you often think of the speed. Most go from 0 to 10 MPH.

Computer Controls Treadmills all have some type of computer control to keep them going. Many have odometers and speedometers and some even have pre-programmed workouts.

Elliptical Trainer Review Sole Fitness

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:53:18 +0000

One of the most crucial features to consider when purchasing an elliptical trainer is the warranty. The extent of the warranty speaks volumes as to the quality and the durability of the machine.

There is a relative new player in the elliptical trainer industry, Sole Fitness. They are defining their niche by offering one of the most extensive warranties available at any price range. This includes 5 year coverage on parts and electronics, and 2 year labor. Excludes the E25

Why is the warranty so important when purchasing fitness equipment? First, it reduces your liability if the machine breaks down. Replacing parts and hiring someone to service your elliptical trainer can be very costly. Second, the warranty generally reflects the quality of the machine.

When you think about it, a warranty is based on simple economics. If an elliptical trainer is built to last then the manufacturer can offer a generous warranty. On the other hand, if the machine is of questionable quality, it would be cost prohibitive to support it with a lengthy warranty. The company would go broke with service costs.

Why do you think cheap elliptical trainers come with a 90 day parts and labor warranty? Its because the manufacturers do not have much faith the machine will last much longer than that.

Beyond their warranty coverage, Sole Fitness is building some excellent elliptical trainers. In a recent test I very impressed with the smooth elliptical motion, and how quiet it was, even when I cranked up the resistance. I also liked the 20 stride. Most ellipticals are built with a 16-18 stride. With a smaller stride you often feel like your workout is constrained, and the elliptical motion bouncy. For someone who is over 6 the longer stride is a must, but even for people of average height the 20 stride feels natural and comfortable.

Sole has an excellent reputation. Their treadmills have won several Best Buy awards. TreadmillDoctor.com calls their folding treadmills, One of the best fold-ups on the planet.

In addition, their treadmills are used by the Hilton chain for in-room fitness. Having been proven in a commercial environment, this is a statement on the durability of their machines. This same quality can be found in their elliptical trainers.

Do I Need A Quinton Treadmill? Are They Any Good?

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:31:09 +0000

A Quinton treadmill is one of those rare items in the densely populated consumer world a product that is actually so good that there is little to no hype surrounding it. For those of us wearied by the in-your-face Buy Treadmill! advertising that attacks us almost every time we switch on our TVs, a Quinton treadmill could be just the breath of fresh air we are looking for.

The pervasive drive towards fitness that dominates our culture today can lead us toward making impulse purchases just so that we can have what we want when we want it right now! Looking good is an important part of our lives, and a treadmill can help us achieve that goal. But if you are affected by todays invasive advertising and dreaming something along the lines of Must buy treadmill! Must buy treadmill! then you probably wont have taken the time to read about the many benefits a Quinton treadmill can offer, and that would be a real shame. A Quinton treadmill really is the quiet treadmill champion, and one you cant afford not to buy.

If you have succumbed to those Buy Treadmill voices, then you cant afford not to do your research your fitness depends on you making the right treadmill choice. And while a Quinton treadmill wont be splashed all over the TV or Internet like so many other brands, a Quinton treadmill is well worth a second look. Consumer reports rate the Quinton treadmill as one of the best available. If you really care about your fitness, then you need to add a Quinton treadmill to your Buy Treadmill list!

Though a Quinton treadmill resides in the higher treadmill price bracket, consumer reports consistently cite these treadmills as being well worth the investment. Found in many gyms, a Quinton treadmill has earned its place in a professional fitness environment, with its ease of use for even the beginning runner or walker, its reliability and the great workout it affords. Professional runners often cite a Quinton treadmill as an important tool in achieving their success, but that shouldnt deter the novice exerciser what this really means to you is that as you progress through your personal fitness goals, your Quinton treadmill will be there to cheer you on!

So if the Buy Treadmill bug has bitten you, dont forget to put a Quinton treadmill at the top of your wish list. It might not get as much TV time as its loud-mouthed competitors, but thats because quality speaks for itself. When Buy Treadmill dreams hit, look for a Quinton treadmill.

Choosing Your Fitness Equipment

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:09:00 +0000

Fitness equipment is a large group of tools that are used in exercise and are referred to also as exercise equipment. These can include simple items such as balls, track shoes and skipping ropes as well as more complex pieces of equipment such as treadmills, weights, bicycles and many others. Today a wide range of fitness equipment is available for sale with new designs constantly being produced due to the high demand for equipment that is effective in building muscles and strength as well as for losing weight.

Some of the types of fitness equipment available for use can be classified according the type of exercise for which they are built. The first class to be discussed is the strength training equipment. These include free weights and machines referred to as the resistance machines.

The most common type of resistance machine is one that uses gravity as a resistance source. This design is used mainly in weight machines. Gravity in combination with a simple design of pulleys, wheels and inclines, uses a percentage of the weight of the user as the resistance transferred. Other types of resistance machines can use other forces other than gravity to provide resistance. These include friction, spring-loaded, fan-loaded or fluid-loaded machines.

Another type of equipment belonging to the strength training equipment is the bands and tubing, which are lightweight options for training at home and in the office.

The other class is the aerobic fitness equipment which is mainly the endless-path machines. These include devices such as the stationary bicycles, the treadmills, the elliptical trainers, aerobic riders, the stair climbers, the ski and rowing machines. The stationary bicycle focuses the exercise on the legs by the action of pedaling. The treadmills are an all body exercise as you may walk or run at various speeds. There are also some models that can simulate slopes for a more intense workout.

The stair climbers replicate the action of climbing a stairway. This device now also has modifications that replicate the pulling up action off the hands for a more through workout. The skiing and rowing machines work both the arms and legs simultaneously with the rowing machine also working the back muscles. The elliptical trainers are a cross between the stair climbers and the ski machines. The aerobic riders also exercise the arms and legs at the same time by the use of a simultaneous pull and push motion.

There is also a miscellaneous group of fitness equipment. These include items such as heart rate monitors and exercise balls as well as many others. The heart rate monitors are used as a motivational tool in exercise as they monitor the heart rate and provide feedback to the individual exercising. The use of exercise balls has become very important in training such as flexibility training and for balance as well.

When using any type of fitness equipment it is always important to seek professional advice as the improper use of this equipment can cause severe damage.

I Want A Proform Treadmill. Are They Any Good?

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:46:51 +0000

The Proform treadmill is possibly one of the best-known names in exercise equipment. Produced by that behemoth of fitness equipment manufacturing, Icon Fitness, the Proform treadmill is often seen as synonymous with sturdy construction and reliability. While many treadmill experts do indeed rate the Proform range highly, for every positive Pro Form treadmill rating you will find, it seems there is a corresponding review that reports consumer dissatisfaction with the Proform treadmill line.

Some quick research will reveal many a positive treadmill rating for the Proform range. The construction of the Pro Form treadmill range is considered by those in the know to be excellent, and these treadmills are also deemed to offer a good motor. The electronic readouts that they provide are consistently clear and easy to use. As a company with a relatively long history in treadmill construction, Proform treadmills have developed many innovations, such as the adjustable deck cushioning that is available with some treadmills, and the likes of the scissor type arms included in Pro Forms CrossWalk treadmill, which provides the user with the same upper body workout that is afforded by an elliptical machine. These innovations have helped distinguish Proform treadmills from their treadmill competition. But are these factors enough to secure a top-notch treadmill rating?

It would seem that this is not necessarily the case. Despite the many exercising advantages offered by the Proform treadmill, it is not difficult to find many a consumer treadmill rating that reports great disappointment with a Pro Form treadmill purchase. There exists an apparent consumer treadmill rating consensus that Proform treadmills lack the punch that was expected of them, and long term users report myriad reliability problems and poor customer service. Some users have even reported safety concerns with using a Proform treadmill, and even though certain issues have been resolved by the company by adding extra safety features to their newer treadmills, the older models remain as they were, so caution is recommended when purchasing a used Proform treadmill.

Overall, the Pro Form treadmill offers a good package of features, including a range of innovative designs not available with other treadmill brands. Proform are not, however, deemed the most reliable make of treadmill available in todays fitness equipment market place, and with relatively short warranty periods and questionable customer service, the treadmill ratings tell us that a Proform treadmill might not be the wisest investment for the serious exerciser.

Home Gyms Can Improve Your Relationship With Your Partner!

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:24:42 +0000

Yes you read it right, home gyms can improve your relationship with your
partner! But how?…. you must be thinking, well if you can carry on reading I
will enlighten you with this important information. Gyms at home are highly underrated, there are a wide choice available on the market, weider home gyms are one of many if you are looking to purchase quality discount home gyms.

So how can a gym improve your relationship? well that is easy. Owning a home gym has many benefits

-You save money on gym memberships
-You can workout at home any time you wish
-Your own home gym is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week
-You get rid of that unslightly fat and put on some lean muscle
-Your health, strength and stamina increase

Voila! there it is, now your partner can have nothing to complain about ever
again.

There are things you need to take into consideration when buying a home gym.

You need look at your budget, a quality gym thats going to last a lifetime isn’t
cheap – but it is a cost you won’t have to endure again. The higher end gym
equipment comes with a lot of warranty and some even go as far as giving you lifetime warranties on certain parts of the gym, which considering the price you paid is expected.

You need to think about space. Do you have the room in your home for gym
equipment? you don’t want to start setting up your gym and find it is not going to fit! I suppose you could always extend your home to give your equipment room to breath.

Don’t always go for the cheap equipment, money saving is admirable but
throwing it away is plain stupid. Look for the discount deals on higher end gyms and there are always discounts and special offers, a little browsing through some great sites will help you find the very best equipment. Finally you want a gym that looks good in your home and doesn’t stick out like
a sore thumb compared with the rest of the decor.

Benefits Of Elliptical Machines

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:02:33 +0000

In the history of fitness and aerobics, elliptical machines are the only aerobic products who made a breakthrough. Almost all gyms, fitness clubs and even homes have already acquired their own elliptical machines. Elliptical machines continue to be popular. Users and buyers of these machines even reached 2.8 million in 2005.

Why are elliptical machines popular? What do users get from them? There are many benefits that can be enjoyed by using an elliptical machine.

Elliptical machines are able to provide healthy bodies by maintaining a healthy bone density. Researches have shown that the bone density has an impact on how healthy the person would become. A person is healthy if he has a healthy bone density.

The exercises needed to maintain a healthy bone density include running, aerobics, weight lifting and exercises where the person remains on his feet. However, these activities may cause jarred bones, which is very dangerous.

With the elliptical machine, all exercises to maintain a healthy bone density can be performed. Using an elliptical machine, the person will be standing on his own feet on a platform wherein he will be bearing weight.

Stepping up and down the platforms causes pedaling with an oval movement. This is very similar to the movement done when walking or running. This only means that the elliptical machine is able to provide the same benefits people can get with these exercises. Plus, they do not experience harmful stress that can impact the bones and muscles.

Safety is ensured with elliptical machines. Using the machine will allow a person to perform exercises smooth and flowing. This minimizes the risk of being injured when performing workouts. The muscles are safe since the pressure is evenly distributed on all the muscles of the body. This will prevent the person from stressing and harming a certain muscle group.

Elliptical machines were also proven to provide workouts best for the cardiovascular system. This is because of the many movements that can be made using the machine. All the muscles of the body are working which is good for maximizing the cardio impact in the body.

Many people would like to maintain a healthy body or even lose weight the easier way. However, they would not like to risk the benefit they can get in doing harder exercises. With the elliptical machines, users are able to do exercises the easy way without sacrificing the amount of weight they would lose.

Many manufacturers have developed elliptical machines and incorporated high technology with them. Many were designed to provide natural motion of body when using the machine. They may be priced higher than other aerobic products but people can be assured that the physical benefits they would like to get will not be neglected.

Buyers can choose from a wide variety of elliptical machines that are now sold in the market. They may come in different forms, in prices and most are incorporated with the highest technology there is in aerobic products. People may still opt to buy the more traditional elliptical machines, which continue to be bestsellers.

Elliptical machines will continue to develop and provide optimum workout for its users. These machines will continue to grow in popularity since they appeal to almost all users. Anyone who uses the machine can be assured of a total workout and the same time will allow burning of fat and calories.

What you need and what you get from a Pilates mat exercise

Health Specialist — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:40:24 +0000

Youve probably heard of Pilates mat exercises, and have probably heard that it works great, or you probably heard that it sucks because its so hard. Pilates mat exercises, are the bare basics of the Pilates exercise invented by Joseph Pilates in the Early 1910. First of all, your idea of Pilates must have included something with machines that have springs and bands, but Pilates can also be done without machines, just a simple mat, and this is called Pilates mat work, or simple Pilates mat.

Pilates Mat exercises have been considered very beneficial, especially for those who want stronger abdominal muscles and a stronger core. By core I mean the abs and the lower back. Pilates, as Joseph Pilates made it to be, is a low intensity groups of exercises that supposed to strengthen your muscles. Usually, exercises are done with Pilates machines, but Pilates Mat exercises however, have more challenging exercises simply because your body doesnt have to rely on the support of the machine to do the work, making it shoulder the work that you are making it do. These results in a variety of developments, more so, on the abs than any part of the body, and we all know that that piece of fat under the navel is really hard to get to.

The other benefit of a Pilates mat exercise is its sheer lack of exercise equipment. Unlike other Pilates exercises, this only requires you, as the name says, a Pilates mat. And youre ready to go, of course every Pilates exercise requires you some sort of instructor, either a real one, or a video, to tell you what to do, or if what youre doing is correct, which brings us to the question of do I really need an instructor? And the answer is yes, every exercise needs an instructor, even something you might think as simple as a Pilates mat exercise wont look very simple once youre in a hospital bed. Pilates mat exercises can be very advanced body work, and doing it wrongly can as with every type of work out, give you injuries. A Pilates mat instructor has to be certified by a qualified school make sure that your instructor has real qualifications before you take Pilates mat classes.

So when we touch the issue of a Pilates mat instructor, we ask what would be best. A DVD or a real one? Essentially, most Pilates experts recommend a real instructor, an instructor can point out what your doing wrong, can position you correctly if you dont have the right posture, and can personalize the exercise youre doing specifically for your bodys needs. However, there are lots of Pilates mat exercise videos out there that have been getting good reviews recently. Some people might have gone on to saying that its as good as the real instructor, well to each his own, but my suggestion is, if you can afford a real instructor, then get one. Thats the problem with real instructors though, the price, youll have to pay for classes monthly for that, but with a DVD, youll only have to buy it once and then you can use it for years to come. Whats also good with a Pilates mat exercise DVD is its convenience, you wont have to travel to the gym or to class you can just spread your mat on the floor, turn on the DVD and the youre good to go.