Category: Fitness Equipment

Q. Dr. Giurini, can you explain how your shoes affect your spine and back?
A. Feet are like the foundation of a building; they are the foundation of the body. If the feet are mechanically unsound, they can change the relation alignment of all the structures above them. I often see patients with a mechanically “unsound” foot who are experiencing pain. By wearing shoes that don’t give the proper support, they can exacerbate the problem. Part of any evaluation for low back pain should be to look at the structures below, including the feet.

Q. So your shoes can contribute to or exacerbate back pain?
A. It’s a definite possibility. If a person is having low back pain and the physician can’t find a cause within the back itself, we need to look at the foot and how it functions in gait and how the entire lower extremity is aligned. In some cases, more supportive shoes or a shoe insert may help solve the problem

Nike Golf- Ignite Golf Balls **3-Dozen**

List Price: $89.97
Buy New: $29.97
You Save: $60.00 (67%)

Golf Ball Description
Ignite from Nike Golf offers longer distance, penetrating ball flight and amazing multi-layer feel and control to a wide range of players and swing types. Ideal for players that prefer low spin, long distance and a penetrating flight off the tee. Features:
# Hot and responsive core with exceptional energy return
# Ignite mantle lowers driver spin and responds to aggressive strikes
# Penetrating 408 dimple design provides longer roll and soft surlyn feel
# NOTE: YOU GET (18) 2-BALL PACKS = (3) DOZEN GOLF BALLS!!

Why Have a Cardio Heart Rate Monitor?

I recently finished a 12-week team fitness and weight loss program at my local gym, where I learned many valuable things about fitness training and how it relates to heart health and efficient workouts. I experienced first-hand the necessity of being able to watch your heart rate with an exercise heart rate monitor, while doing various speed and incline intervals on the treadmill to have a more effective workout. A cardio heart rate monitor can tell you your heart rate, cardio training zone, calories burned and give you valuable heart smart knowledge about your body’s fitness.

Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor Watch
Buy New: $104.95 - $141.88 (On sale from $181.95)

The stylish Polar F6 heart rate monitor is a great choice for using in large groups, where other exercisers might be using wireless training gear that could interfere with your own signal. The F6’s coded transmission prevents crosstalk with other monitors so you’ll get a personalized workout–even in a class environment. It’s packed with innovative training features to help you toward your exercise goals, including:

* Zone Pointer: A visible and audible feature on the display of your heart rate monitor showing your target heart rate zone and where your current heart rate is within that zone.
* Polar OwnCal: This feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. You can set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure with the OwnCal feature. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time (e.g. one week), it helps in achieving both short-term and long-term goals.
* Polar OwnZone: This feature guides you through an appropriate warm-up routine and automatically determines a safe and effective exercise heart rate zone–your OwnZone–while taking into account your current physical condition.
* Polar OwnCode: This technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors, ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.

The Fitness Bullets feature shows a bullet on the monitor’s display for every 10 minutes spent exercising/training in your target heart rate zone. The Time in Target Zone feature calculates the amount of total exercise time spent in your personal target zone. You can use this feature together with the Total Exercise Time to determine the effectiveness of your exercise program. You can also better assess your training data using the included Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software and the SonicLink feature, which wirelessly uploads exercise settings to the software or to Polar’s web service.

Feature Detail

* Display of heart rate, exercise time, and average heart rate
* 24 hour clock with day/week indicator and stopwatch
* Large easy-to-read display with split screen
* One-year average battery life
* Water resistant to 30 meters (100 feet)

Know Your Cardio Zones

After completing this fitness program, I learned that it is absolutely necessary to know what heart rate training zone you are working in to improve your workout efficiency — to get the most benefit in the least amount of time. A heart rate monitor helps you know what cardio zone (Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) you are working in. During class, we spent most of our time working between Zone 2: the “temperate zone,” Zone 3: the “aerobic zone,” and some time in Zone 4: the “threshold zone.” Zone 2 is commonly known as the fat burning zone, where you are exercising comfortably and body fat begins moving out of your cells. Zone 3, typically referred to as the sweat zone, involves exercising at 70%-80% of your maximum heart rate, burning a combination of fat and carbohydrates and increasing your aerobic capacity.

Beginning to intermediate workouts include work in Zone 2 & 3 for people training to improve their aerobic fitness. Zone 4 is a tougher place to work out, where you go above your “Anaerobic Threshold (AT).” (Your AT is the level of exercise your body can sustain utilizing both fat and carbohydrates as fuel). Finally, Zone 5: the “high zone,” uses the highest pecentage of heart beats and calories burned as you become more advanced and get in top physical condition. I could always count on my heart rate monitor to tell me which zone I was in and for how long, including my heart rates and recovery times. After a period of time, I got to know how my body’s heart rate responded while working between these zones, and up to AT and back down.

Know Your Heart Rate - Hands Free

In addition, a heart rate monitor can tell you your heart rate while your hands remain free of the treadmill. While we walked or ran the treadmill, the trainer called out something like “OK, now three minutes to the top of Zone 3,” or “Two minutes recovery time to the bottom of Zone 2,” as we lifted 5 to 8 pound weights, or stretched rubber bands in various routines. Its convenient and easy to look at your heart rate monitor while you are in the middle of these routines using your arms and hands for upper body fitness. Our trainer continually stressed to a few in the class that did not yet have heart rate monitors, that the treadmill heart monitor could not be counted on to be accurate. This is especially so while a person is lifting weights at various inclines and speeds while walking or running.

Watch Your Calories Burn!

I enjoyed watching my cardio heart rate monitor tell me the number of calories I was burning while working out, as well as up to about three hours afterward. At the beginning of each treadmill workout, Id punch my heart rate monitor to the calorie display and hit “Start.” By watching this display continually during my workout, it helped me to know how my bodys heart rate coincided with the number of calories burned. (The calories will naturally burn more slowly in the beginning of your workout). As we warmed up and worked into Zone 3, then up to AT — it was interesting to watch the number of calories burn so much faster! What was even more fun — was seeing the number of calories burned at the end of the workout session.

More Efficient Workouts = More Benefits

No matter where you are on your road to lifetime fitness, by working out efficiently you will increase your benefits in a shorter period of time. You can expect to have more energy, feel stronger, and have less stress while learning to use a program tailored to your exercise fitness goals and heart health needs. If you are more fit but looking for improvements, you can still expect to enjoy working out, burn fat more efficiently and train smarter, not harder. Even if you’re a serious athlete or marathon runner, you will continually increase your heart monitoring knowledge, and be able to create a precision fitness training program. In my own experience, I decreased my body fat percentage by 5% and decreased my resting pulse rate and recovery times. I learned how my body’s heart rate responded while working between the zones, up to AT and back down. I gained valuable knowledge so I am continually able to increase my fat burning and aerobic capacities, and go to the next level of improvement.

Summary - Work Out Smarter!

Once you get a heart rate monitor, you’ll be hooked! You’ll no longer be content to not be able to know your heart rate, training zones or calories burned. You’ll realize that by knowing your heart rate, you’ll get the very most from your body’s fitness capacities and your time spent pursuing your lifetime fitness goals. Today, its all about working smarter, not harder! A heart rate monitor will help you to work out the smart way! You’ll gain valuable knowledge about your personal fitness, which helps you reach your fitness goals easier, and faster. Just remember - be consistent, and don’t give up!

www.BestCardioMonitors.com

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Water Bottle with Bite Valve
Amazon Price:


Customer Review: This water bottle is exactly what I was looking for. It was a little difficult to get used to the bite and sip, but I got the hang of it after about two trys It’s a great water bottle and I haven’t noticed any build up in the mouthpiece and no weird tastes in the bottle. It’s excellent.

Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer
Amazon Price: $24.99


Customer Review: After trying the pedometer for a few days to see how many steps I take in a normal day, I was very motivated to improve! I have been trying to get the recommended 10,000 steps a day and it’s nice to have a product that is so accurate!

Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software
Amazon Price: $29.99


Customer Review: I’ve used quite a few pedometers in my day and this one is by far the best. Not perfect, though. Some of the pros: the flexibility of being able to carry it in your pocket or bag is not to be underestimated. If you want to wear your pedometer to work but don’t want it to be obvious, this is ideal. I also love the software option. In the past, I would mark my progress in a little notebook. But the fact that you can plug the unit into your computer and instantly see your data in the form of charts and graphs is great! Seeing a visual display…

Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor
Amazon Price: $34.58


Customer Review: Does excellent job of reporting heart rate. Includes watch and alarm for maximum and minimum rates. Simplicity plus makes it good for me

Everlast Multi Function Chinning Bar
Amazon Price: $34.78


Customer Review: Took way too long to assemble, screws aren’t the right size.

Once I finally got it together, it didn’t work on my door frame.

Apparently made for door that are very deep, the top part couldn’t actually grip onto anything and I fell on my butt.

Really, really substandard product.

Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer
Amazon Price: $24.99


Customer Review: After trying the pedometer for a few days to see how many steps I take in a normal day, I was very motivated to improve! I have been trying to get the recommended 10,000 steps a day and it’s nice to have a product that is so accurate!

Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software
Amazon Price: $29.99


Customer Review: I’ve used quite a few pedometers in my day and this one is by far the best. Not perfect, though. Some of the pros: the flexibility of being able to carry it in your pocket or bag is not to be underestimated. If you want to wear your pedometer to work but don’t want it to be obvious, this is ideal. I also love the software option. In the past, I would mark my progress in a little notebook. But the fact that you can plug the unit into your computer and instantly see your data in the form of charts and graphs is great! Seeing a visual display…

Omron HJ-151 Hip Pedometer for Aerobic Activity
Amazon Price: $13.99


Customer Review: I bought 5 of these Omron pedometers for my project walk it off group at work, 4 work great, one sadly does not count all of the steps. It is nice to see the total steps for 7 days as a comparison, and the mile count for that many days. Just wish it counted all steps taken more accurately with regards to one of the pedometers. Perhaps Amazon will send a replacement for the one dud.

Omron HJ-150 Hip Pedometer
Amazon Price: $12.49


Customer Review: I like this pedometer, as it just counts steps, no measuring strides, etc. also can review the past 6 days, as it starts anew after midnight. just have to clip it on and go. I wear mine from morning to bed time. a great purchase for my needs.

Safety Leash for Pedometer (1) Unit. Helps Save Pedometers From Loss
Amazon Price:


Customer Review: I wear a pedometer everyday, and have had a lot of trouble with the plastic clips breaking. I went through 4 plastic replacement clips in a year until I found this metal one. Perfect!

If you are looking to purchase a treadmill, the Bowflex 7 series treadmill should be at the top of your list. There are many people today who are looking for good ways to get in shape, but simply don’t know where to begin. A treadmill is the perfect way to start and accomplish your fitness goals and have fun at the same time.

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

List Price: $1,999.00
Buy New: $1,389.00
You Save: $610.00 (31%)

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill, motorized, computer-programmed and ready to go the distance in getting you fit! Get the low-impact, high-cardio workout benefits of a gym-quality motorized Treadmill, right at home! Deluxe model, with incline adjustment, telemetric heart reading capability and 15 programs. Here’s how Bowflex will have you flexing all your fitness muscles: Strike Zone deck suspension offers a comfortable surface that’s easy on feet, ankles, knees and hips. You get a soft landing and a firm lift-off on the big 20 x 60″ surface, a deluxe 2-ply belt; 15 programs for variety, including 2 user-defined, 2 heart rate control, and a body mass index. Quick keys for 0-9 speed and incline. Speed range from .5-11 mph; Sky-lite backlit LCD display for setting and workout readouts; Durable 3 HP continuous duty motor, made to last; 2 1/2″ precision rollers for smooth operation; Contact grip and wireless heart rate telemetry for heart rate workouts; Fold-up treadmill with soft-drop declining, so it’s portable and easy to store; 3-speed fan to cool you as you exercise. 2 bottle / cup holders; Measures 85 x 35 x 55 1/4″h. open. Folded it’s 41 x 35 x 65 1/2″h. Weighs approx. 300 lbs. Some assembly required. Maximum user weight 300 lbs. Note: please consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Run and walk your way toward a new, healthier you! Order now! Please Note: This item is shipped directly from the factory. Please allow an extra 2-4 weeks for delivery.

The Bowflex 7 series treadmill is a high quality treadmill that is very easy to set up. In fact, one of the treadmills strength is its ease of construction. You don’t need any experience whatsoever in setting up treadmills; just follow the step by step instructions, and you will be working out in no time.

The overall design is very sturdy, and is built to last. The treadmill also comes with a cushioned deck, which is very important to reduce the jarring to the knees and back.

Also, it is very easy to flood up or down; simply pull it up and lock it in the upright position. Once locked, all you have to do is press the handle to release it back down. The handle is 62″ inches above the ground, so you needn’t to worry about your child accidentally pressing it.

The only slight drawback to the treadmill is that it doesn’t come with a book-holder, which is a nice option if you want to read while working out. Again, this is a minor drawback, but something to keep in mind if you are an avid reader.

Many different retailers carry the bowflex; check the stores in your local area. The national chain Dicks Sporting Goods carries it as well. Be careful when deciding where to purchase these machines, however.

Some of the retailers who market them tend to be very lackadaisical about delivering them on time. As long as you stay with a larger and trusted retailer, you should be fine.

The bottom line is, whether you are just starting out or an avid workout nut, the bowflex 7 series treadmill is the right choice for you. It comes at an affordable price and at a quality level virtually unmatched by its competition.

For more in-depth treadmill comparisons, , try visiting http://www.online-treadmill-reviews.com.

If you’re a dedicated exercise buff, you’ll want to have your own exercise equipment at home. You’ll be acutely aware that having a home gym will help you save on the valuable money and time you’ll otherwise be spending on getting to and from the gym. But there are certain advantages to going to the gym - one of which is that you’re able to benefit from the state of the art equipment available at the gym, such as commercial elliptical trainers.

Commercial elliptical trainers are, understandably, of a considerably higher quality than home trainers. Gyms invest in good equipment, and none of them want to take the risk that any of their patrons may be able to distinguish cheap exercise machines from ones that are more worth the membership fees. Commercial trainers are often sold in bulk, but if you can afford a commercial trainer for home use, it would be a great investment. It’s not just for the bragging rights! If you don’t live alone, it’ll also be a great gift for your loved ones!

But in general, home trainers don’t come with the features available in commercial trainers. Home trainers are manufactured to be “basic” versions of commercially available trainers, which is to say they don’t have the fancy stuff that makes gym elliptical trainers so much fun to use. Among these is the heart monitor, which is a safeguard for people who may wish to keep a closer watch on their cardiac performance, in case they need to maintain a certain heart rate while exercising, for medical purposes.

And of course, having a home gym makes you miss out on the other fun things about going to a public place to exercise, which include — but are not restricted to — meeting new people and interacting with personal trainers. If you earen’t a very public person, and would rather exercise with the help of online classes, training videos and the like, you’ll definitely prefer a home exercise kit.

Elliptical trainers have been found to be good for the body overall. The primary benefit of such machines is that they exercise the cardiac muscles. And since all the limbs are exercised, it burns more calories throughout the whole body than other cardiovascular machines with fewer features.

Elliptical trainers are often compared to treadmills. Treadmills are the traditional indoor alternative to jogging, and is said to be more effective in toning the muscles. But commercial elliptical trainers have the benefit of giving not just your legs, but your full body a total workout!

Best-elliptical-machines.com provides you with the latest ins and outs on commercial elliptical and much more, come take a look!

Want to tone your limbs without having to go through round after round of rigorous exercises? You only need one machine to fill the job, and once you have it at home, you don’t need to go to the gym just to get it! Your elliptical trainer is your best buddy when it comes to getting a full body workout. Consider saving up for one at home!

Getting an elliptical trainer for your home will prove to be a great long-term investment. Not only will you save on the workout fees and the regular commute to your friendly neighborhood gym, you’ll be allowing the rest of your family to enjoy a full body workout too, and for free! Good health is a treasure for a family; something that’s worth spending for.

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer

List Price: $799.00
Buy New: $599.00
You Save: $200.00 (25%)

Features:
• BioGlide motion technology allows for a comfortable and natural 18-inch elliptical stride
• BioFit footpads and handlebars offer a comfortable feeling while working out
• Features eight computer controlled resistance levels
• Grip heart rate monitoring on handlebars helps you track your workout
• Includes a water bottle holder and transport wheels

And since health is a long-term investment, you have to be prepared to shell out the right amount of cash. The first thing you have to remember is that quality doesn’t come cheap. But don’t let this scare you - there are budget exercise equipment out for sale, affordable compared to the deluxe machines that frankly, only celebrities, highly paid computer programmers, or CEOs have the money to buy.

Some training machines cost thousands of dollars… but what if you only have a few hundred dollars on you? Well then, you should try out models like the Pro Form 700S - excellent quality for a great deal. Cheaper trainers are available of course, but be warned: they may not be as durable or effective as brands that have been tried and tested.

Do your research before going out to buy. Consumer ranking sites like Amazon and Epinions are among the best places to start reading up. Salespeople can talk your ears off about how certain models will get you your money’s worth (and have you noticed how they always point you back to the most expensive “full-featured” brands?) but only other buyers can tell you the most affordable and best-featured machines to suit your specific needs.

If you’re on a very tight budget, and don’t really need it for medical purposes, you could forego features like the heart rate monitor and computer compatibility. There are some machines that can be hooked up to your computer, and subsequently they can connect you to good workout classes through the Internet… but do you really need that? The only thing a good elliptical trainer should provide you is a healthy round of exercise. Read an EXCLUSIVE Review

Best-elliptical-machines.com provides you with the latest ins and outs on elliptical trainer and much more, come take a look!

If you are looking to build a home gym this year, there are some important criteria that should be taken into consideration. A good home gym offers versatility, the ability to have a few pieces of exercise equipment perform a wide variety of exercises. It must be durable and be able to handle the rigors of hard resistance training over a long period of time. Exercise equipment shouldn’t take up a lot of space. There are many exercises you can do with your own body weight and a mat, so the home gym equipment shouldn’t clutter up the workout space, nor be difficult to store. Finally it should be affordable. No one likes investing in a $1000 home gym just to use it as a coat rack or have it collecting dust in the corner within 3 months. This list of exercise equipment should offer solutions in each category listed above and it should provide a challenging and fun workout environment.

65cm or 75cm Pearly White Swiss Ball, Hand Pump Included

Buy New: $24.95

65cm or 75cm Swiss Ball adds hundreds of important core exercises, Pilates movements, and proprioceptive lifting exercises to your workouts. The most versatile exercise tool on market and an essential component to exercise programs because balancing effect maximizes muscle response. Plain vanilla style because any other color is overpowering and obtrusive. Black 9 inch pump is included.SIZE: 65cm or 75cm (if height is 5′4″ to 5′9″ choose 65cm; if height is greater than 5′9″ choose 75cm)

Exercise Ball

One of the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment, the exercise ball can be used in place of a bench for any supine or seated exercise. The exercise ball comes in a variety of sizes and depending on brand, is made of varying material. Because of the stress placed on a ball during a workout, it is important to look for a ball that is burst proof and it will not pop under you during a workout. To obtain the right size, a ball that sits with your hips and knees at 90 degrees is most likely what you should use for a majority of the exercises. For most, a 55cm or 65cm ball is sufficient. An exercise ball can be purchased for around $25-$60.

The exercise ball will provide an element of instability that cannot be duplicated by a bench; therefore you can improve core stability, and strengthen the integrity of your joints including shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. The more stable you become, the stronger you will be and will drastically reduce the incidence of injury.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

List Price: $399.00
Buy New: $220.00
You Save: $179.00 (45%)

Features:
• Combines 15 sets of weights into one, using a unique dial system
• Lets you rapidly switch from one exercise to the next
• Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds; adjusts in 2.5 lb increments up to the first 25 lbs
• Say goodbye to 16 dumbbells cluttering your workout space
• Five-year warranty on weight plates, two-year warranty on parts

Dumbbells

A good home gym isn’t complete without a few sets of dumbbells. 5-50lbs in increments of 5 will make a complete set for every type of exercise. Dumbbells are good for full body exercises that resist gravity. Exercises such as lunges, squats, shoulder press, bicep curl and chest press are just a few on the list of dumbbell exercises. They are durable, versatile, and a good set will last you a lifetime. A good set of dumbbells may cost $50-$100 for 3-4 sets of varying weight.

Foam Roll

A hard foam cylinder is used for self myfascial release, or self massage. A supplement to stretching, a foam roll can help to increase flexibility in a way that stretching cannot. In addition, it can help to relieve knots and adhesions within muscle tissue. If you don’t like being sore after a workout, a foam roll can help to alleviate the soreness and therefore should be a staple item for your home gym. Invest $20 in a good foam roll that will take away your pain and soreness after a tough workout.

Xerdisc

The Xerdisc is an air filled rubber disc used for improving balance, and stability. The same exercises that you do while standing (ie..shoulder press, squat, bicep curl) can all be done while standing on an Exerdisc. Improving joint integrity and balance will allow you to become a more stable, stronger individual and the exercises are fun and challenging. It can also be used for ab exercises such as crunches, and anything you can do to make ab exercises harder has to be good! A quality Xerdisc may run about $40.

Xertube

Tubing comes in a variety of sizes based on the level of tension you want. Tubing can be used for most exercises in place of dumbbells and they will provide a variable tension. The plus side to using tubing is that you can gain resistance from a lateral position that dumbbells cannot provide. Exercises such as wood chops, torso twists, and pulling exercises like the bent row and lat pull are just a few that you can do with tubing that you can’t get with other forms or resistance. Tubing is also safe for seniors looking to stay active as there is no risk of dropping the weight. Tubing is color coded in relation to the resistance it provides. I suggest 3-5 different tubes from thin to thick to give you opportunity to perform many exercises with small and large muscle groups. They are usually about $5-$8 a piece and can be used around doorknobs, in door jams and any other stationary post.

This exercise equipment should provide everyone from the novice to the advanced, a well rounded home gym that you can invest in for less than $200 total. The level of versatility, durability, and challenge that is provided by these pieces of equipment is unmatched by any single unit you can buy, and should give you years of workouts that can be changed and progressed as you continue to get into better and better shape. Consult with your personal trainer as to what exercise equipment may be best for your home gym.

Charles Carter, BS in Exercise Science is President of LIVE, llc of http://www.liveleantoday.com/page.cfm?name=FitnessPlans - visit the website for more information on weight loss, core fitness programs, optimal diets, and online personal trainer and dietician services. For more information on products go to http://shop.liveleantoday.com.

Weider home gyms are some of the most affordable home gyms on the market. Weider makes both weight stack home gyms and crossbow (or crossbar) home gyms (these are similar to the Bowflex Power Rod gyms).

Weider is a subsidiary of ICON Health and Fitness, one of the largest producers of exercise equipment in the world. Icon also manufactures brands like Proform, Golds Gym, Free Motion, Nordic Track, Epic and Reebok.

Weider Max Ultra Home Gym System

List Price: $399.00
Buy New: $299.00
You Save: $100.00 (25%)

Features:
• 240 lbs CRS Compound Resistance System, the most advanced resistance source ever designed
• High and Low Pulleys Perform dozens of exercises with this powerful system. Multiple straps accommodate a wide variety of hand positions and store conveniently when not in use.
• Rowing Seat Add aerobic exercise to your weight training and add aerobic exercise to your weight training.
• Space Saving Design The comfortable bench folds up for compact, convenient storage.
• Six Resistance Bars, Padded Leg Developer, Quick-Change Resistance, Multi-Position Padded Bench, Multiple Straps, Full Range of Motion

Most Weider home gyms use bendable bars (crossbow or crossbars) to create resistance.

The advantage to this (vs. using a weight stack with pulleys) is a more affordable, space efficient home gym that still gives you a wide variety of exercises to work your entire body including abs, back, legs and arms.

Weider has several crossbow home gym models, the most popular are the:

Weider Platinum - Offers resistance of up to 340 lbs. and 75 exercises

Weider Crossbow Advantage - Offers resistance of up to 240 lbs (upgradable to 440 pounds) and 65 exercises

Weider Max - Offers resistance of up to 240 lbs. and 65 exercises

All of the above models use crossbow technology.

Another unique feature found on the Weider Platinum (and Platinum Plus) is the Digital Resistance Control. This means you can change your resistance with the touch of a button - no manual adjustments needed.

Advantages of Weider home gyms are that they are space efficient, more affordable than weight stack gyms, and can give you an overall total body workout. They offer lots of exercises (65+) to work your major muscle groups. They can also be a viable (and more affordable) alternative to the more expensive Bowflex Power Rod home gyms.

Its also important to note that while the warranties on the machines themselves tend to be short, there is a lifetime warranty on the crossbars.

Disadvantages are that, for the most part, these are economy machines (especially the Weider Max and Weider Crossbow Advantage).

They are not built with the same high degree of construction as other home gym brands and as such may not hold up over the long run as well as other brands.

Bottom Line:

If youre on a strict budget but still want a decent home gym that will give you a wide range of exercises to work your entire body, you might consider a Weider home gym.

Theyre affordable, space efficient and can be more lightweight than a standard home gym. The Weider Advantage and the Weider Max have fairly positive user reviews behind them and they give you a large range of exercises, making these models a good value for the money.

The disadvantage is that these are economy gyms. They may not hold up as well over the long term as other gym brands - a fact seen in generally shorter warranties.

However, considering what you get for the price tag, most Weider home gyms - especially the Crossbow models - offer good value.

Charles ONeil is a personal trainer and writes for Home Gym Reviews - reviewing home gyms by brand, price, Best Buys, features, expert ratings, user reviews and more.

Obesity is one of the risk factors in many serious diseases like diabetes, heart ailment or gastro-related illnesses. Man’s present lifestyle has made it almost impossible to avoid fatty foods. A closer look at the most-sought after restaurants for busy people includes diners that offer quickie but fat-filled meals.

Added to the proliferation of tempting food outlets is the busy schedules of people who barely have enough time to meet their family, much more to exercise. There are those who make an effort to lose a few pounds but are hampered by their busy schedules.

LifeSpan 100% Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant

List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $16.99
You Save: $3.00 (15%)

Features:
• 100% pure silicone with no odor, no propellants and no distillates
• 4 oz bottle with universal pump sprayer
• 4 applications per bottle for a (1) year supply
• Prevents costly repairs by reducing friction between the running belt and deck

One strategy to keep up with a regular exercise despite one’s busy schedule is to buy exercise machines that can be used for a few minutes during one’s free time, anywhere. If you have a busy schedule, what you need is a machine that you can keep in the office or in the house, and which can be easily stored in a small space.

One of the most practical exercise machines is the treadmill. It may cost more than the other exercise machines but it has proven effective to most people who look at exercise with disdain.

Most people dread the times when they have to use their exercise machines because these are either too complicated or a tad difficult to operate. Using treadmills can come naturally for most people because what it requires is the basic walking and running skills, two skills that come naturally among humans.

If you have a tight budget, there are manual treadmills which operate simply by treading or walking on the rubber. For those who have more money to spare, there are electronic treadmills that measure the calories lost, miles traveled and other exercise data. No matter what treadmill you choose, you will definitely be able to recoup such investment in a short time as you will be able to stay on the machine longer than any other exercise machines.
Experts said that high-end treadmills with a motor horsepower of 1.5 or 2.5 continuous duty should be preferred. Also choose treadmills with a longer warranty period for their motor.

You can avoid getting injuries by doing some stretching first before starting out on the treadmill. Begin your treadmill exercise by walking and getting the hang of the machine. Do not try any antics as you can fall off the treadmill if you try running without getting too familiar with the machine. You may be excited when you first get hold of the machine but a 20 minute walk using the treadmill two to three times a week would be a good start. Gradually increase your speed and frequency as you get more comfortable with the machine.

Walking on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes every session will help you lose fat. However, always check with your doctor before doing any exercise routine to make sure you are not aggravating any physical illness.

Other people use their treadmills while watching television or listening to their favorite music. The secret of a successful exercise routine is not just a good exercise machine; you also have to enjoy what you are doing.


About the author

The author is a contributing writer for Treadmill Specials http://www.treadmillspecials.com where more treadmill information is freely available.

Other treadmills and treadmill reviews:

Ironman Treadmill and Equipment Mat - 3′ x 6.5′ x 5/16″
Amazon Price: $37.43


Customer Review: Completely satisfied … Isn’t bulky or as thick as I thought, but protects the carpet very well.

LifeSpan Fitness 100% Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant
Amazon Price: $14.99


Customer Review: It’s a lubricant, and it’s made of silicone. ’nuff said.

No, but really, I can’t say I noticed a difference with the treadmill after I put it on, but being that it is a lubricant, it certainly can’t hurt the treadmill. I used about 1/3 the bottle to lube up the undertrack portion below the belt. So depending on your treadmill size, you should get around three uses out of this product before it runs out. I’d buy it again when the time comes.

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill
Amazon Price: $1,327.99


Customer Review: This product was delivered in excellent shape and sooner than I had expected. The assembly was quite easy. The only suggestion I might have is there needs to be more information on the adjustments. There is not really enough information to allow me to adjust the belt without talking to someone.

Amazonman Reading Rack/Book Holder/Magazine Holder
Amazon Price:


Customer Review: This book holder has increased my exercise time 100%. Since buying this I’ve been much less reluctant to continue working out because I am no longer bored; reading keeps my mind busy and occupied while I work away the pounds.

Tags: exercise machines, treadmill, electronic treadmills

High-impact sports have been linked to increased bone density in young athletes. Now, research shows that these sports are also beneficial for the bone health of older competitors.

In a study of 560 elderly athletes competing in the Senior Olympic Games, investigators discovered that athletes participating in high-impact sports showed statistically significantly greater bone mineral density than those in low-impact sports. After controlling for confounding variables, the researchers also found that high-impact sports significantly contributed to bone mineral density according to the study abstract.

“We know that persistent participation in impact sports can positively influence the bone health of both men and women, and this is true for even the oldest athletes,” Vonda J. Wright, MD, said during her presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting. “These data imply that exercise in general, and high-impact exercise in particular, should be used as a tool for maintaining bone health while aging.”

Wright said. “… the greatest impact of exercise in healthy people can be seen in those participating in periods of intense exertion.” “We found that those people participating in higher-resistance or high-impact sports had a statistically significantly higher bone density than those participating in the less high-resistance sports categories…. the bone density could be attributed to those participating in high impact sports,” Wright said.

“This is interesting in light of the fact that in 2001, we also studied these senior Olympians and found that overall, osteopenia and osteoporosis were less prevalent in senior athletes than the general population,” she said.

“Even in the most elderly women, [there was] a very high percentage of even women in their 80s having normal bone density.” That study also showed lower rates of osteoporosis in women who competed in weight-bearing sports compared those participating in non-weight-bearing physical activity, she said.

Adapted from an article by Gina Brockenbrough

For more information on this study:

Vonda J. Wright, MD, can be reached at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Center for Sports Medicine, 3200 S. Water St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203; 412-687-3900; e-mail: drwright@seniorsportsandfitness.com. She has no conflicts to disclose.
Wright V, Kaz R, Irrgang JJ, et al. Participation in high impact sports predicts bone mineral density in senior Olympic athletes. #429. Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting. Feb. 14-18, 2007. San Diego.

Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. There is good evidence that physical activity early in life contributes to higher peak bone mass. (However, remember that excessive exercise can be bad for bone health.) The best exercise for building and maintaining bone mass is weight-bearing exercise: exercise that you do on your feet and that forces you to work against gravity. Weight-bearing exercises include jogging, aerobics, hiking, walking, stair climbing, gardening, weight training, tennis, and dancing. High-impact exercises may provide the most benefit. Bicycling and swimming are not weight-bearing exercises, but they have other health benefits. Exercise machines that provide some degree of weight-bearing exercise include treadmills, stair-climbing machines, ski machines, and exercise bicycles.

Strength training to build and maintain muscle mass and exercises that help with coordination and balance are also important. Later in life, the benefits of exercise for building and maintaining bone mass are not nearly as great, but staying active and doing weight-bearing exercise is still important. A properly designed exercise program that builds muscles and improves balance and coordination provides other benefits for older people, including helping to prevent falls and maintaining overall health and independence. Experts recommend 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity on most (preferably all) days of the week, including a mix of weight-bearing exercises, strength training (two or three times a week), and balance training.

Excerpted from National Institute of Health artocle about Osteoporosis prevention.

Are you in shape for (next) summer yet? Those sunny days are always just around the corner and everyone is out browsing for their insufficient bathing suits. How will your new swimwear fit on you? Are those legs tone and those arms fit? Have you been keeping up with your daily crunches and sit ups? That one always gets people. Those repair ab workouts. Although they can be a little irritating at times, they’re necessary to say the least. Come on, we all want a great set of abs. Why do you think we have so much ab exercise equipment attack the fitness market at all times? Regardless if you’re male or female, the abs is very important. Are you testing out some of the new age ab exercise equipment?

Ironman Double Ab Wheel
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $4.87
You Save: $5.12 (51%)

The Ironman Double Ab Wheel is designed to help its user tone and strengthen abdominal, arm and shoulder muscles. Its rubber contoured handles provide a comfortable and secure grip and its double wheel provides added stability. The wheel is compact and portable. Affordable abdominal exercise equipment.

When it comes to ab exercise equipment, I don’t have any. I prefer to do all my exercises without loads of machines. You know, pull ups, push ups, leg raises, dips, etc. Now, this is not the route for every individual who is determined to stay fit. Many people prefer some of the latest benches, treadmills, stairmasters, and ab exercise equipment on the market. This stuff is great if you can afford it. Why not take advantage of any modern aids if available? My wife has one of those big rubber balls. While I’m sure they have a more politically correct name, I don’t know what it is. She uses this ab exercise equipment for a variety of stomach and back workouts. I have to admit that I was rather taken back the first time I saw it. I could certainly see how it would provide you with a demanding workout and build your muscles. She continues to use it daily for a variety of exercises.

What ab exercise equipment do you prefer? Maybe you get your dose of ab exercise equipment at the local gym or fitness club. They typically have a variety of ab exercise equipment at your constant disposal. Regardless of what regimen you prefer, you know that your daily dose of ab workouts is obligatory for maintaining that tight stomach. If you are in need of assistance concerning ab exercise equipment or just simple routines, you can hop online and acquire anything your heart desires. From diet plans, to fitness regimes galore, you will find it all on the World Wide Web. Get started today and get those abs you’ve always wanted.

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, fitness and other related issues.

Tags: abdominal exercise equipment, ab exercise equipment

Do you have to wait in line at the gym for the rowing machine? There is a reason for that. You probably know that a rowing machine is one of the best pieces of fitness equipment for aerobics. Well, rowing machines or rowers do develop your cardiovascular system, but as legit exercise equipment a rowing machine places considerable demands on almost your entire muscular system too.

Here is a tip for exercise on a rowing machine. Keep your elbows close to your body. The reason is that the biceps muscle has two main functions. The first is flexing the elbow. The other is called supination, which is a biomechanical term for forearm rotation. Supination occurs when you turn your hand from a palms-down position to a palms-up position. Rowing machine suppination causes a more intense bicep contraction.

The usual home gym equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes and stair climbers are very good for leg strength and endurance but do not work your upper body and your lower body like a fitness rowing machine. The rowing stroke when using indoor rowing machines is about 75% leg work and 25 arms and upper body work.

Another benefit of indoor rowing is the absence of impact on your joints that you get with other aerobic activities. When you’re jogging on pavement or even when using a treadmill, there is some shock placed on your body every time you take a step. This is not the case with rower machines.

On the other side of the coin you probably do not want to completely avoid impact type exercise either. Impact builds bone density and strengthens tendons. Only you can determine youre proper mix of impact and fluid exercise.

When you’re doing a rowing machine comparison or looking to buy the best rowing machine, there are several choices available. There are four distinct types of indoor rowers: piston or cylinder based hydraulic rowing machines, flywheel rowers, magnetic resistance indoor rowers, and water rowers.

Hydraulic Rowing Machine

The hydraulic rowing machine may be the best way to go if space is a concern, or if you’re on a tight budget and you want an economical indoor rower. Hydraulic rowing machines receive create resistance from air or fluid that is compressed within a cylinder or a piston. Even cheap rowing machines provide for some adjustment so do not let low cost alone keep a hydraulic rowing machine from consideration.

Stamina 1205 Precision Rower
List Price: $250.00
Buy New: $179.00
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Features:
• Rower with precision-extruded aluminum beam and deluxe ball-bearing roller system
• Adjustable tension controls
• Single button multi-function monitor
• Comfortable, thick padded seat
• Pivoting foot plates for added comfort

Although hydraulic based indoor rowers are inexpensive, they differ from air, magnetic and water rowers because the rowing machine technique does not allow you to pull in a straight line, which is the natural rowing motion. It may require some practice to synchronize your arm and leg movements.

Flywheel Rowing Machines

The flywheel or air rowing machine provides a feel closer to outdoor rowing. Flywheel exercise rowing machines create resistance from the pulling motion, which spins a flywheel that turns attached fan blades. The resistance is actually provided by the wind. To increase the wind speed and air-resistance of a flywheel rowing machine, all you have to do is pull harder.

Compared to piston/cylinder or hydraulic based rowing machines, air rowing machines provide a more natural, continuous, and smoother rowing stroke.

Fitness Quest Integrity 3000 Air Rower is a popular flywheel air rowing machines. This machine is used by fitness enthusiasts, health clubs, corporate fitness centers, and rehabilitation clinics as well as home gyms.

Magnetic Resistance Indoor Rowers

A magnetic resistance fitness rowing machine provides a smooth rowing stroke. Some models like the Lifecore R900 Rowing Machine have short handles instead of oars. Unlike flywheel based indoor rowers which create resistance from the wind, magnetic rowing machines use a sensitive magnetic brake system.

With a minimum of big moving parts a magnetic rowing machines is very quiet. That is probably a good thing most of the time but some people like the auditory feedback they get from an air rower or a water rower.

Fitness rowing machines based on magnetic resistance are available with only magnet resistance or with a combination of magnetic and air resistance.

The Water Rowing Machine

A water rowing machine is often the first choice for people with outdoor rowing experience. WaterRower is the leading manufacturer. WaterRower’s unique patented Water Flywheel simulates the dynamics of a boat moving through water. Just like rowing outdoors. This indoor rower is quiet and nearly vibration free.

The WaterRower Natural (S4) Rowing Machine is hand-crafted in solid Ash and stained Honey Oak for consistency of color. Each machine is hand-finished with Danish Oil making it an attractive and unique piece of fitness equipment.

With all rowing machines, the motion is not unexpectedly like rowing, and not many of us have done that as often as we walk or ride a bike. You are going to have to practice to get the motion right. For beginners be wary of strain on your knees and lower back while learning the proper rowing technique. One fairly common injury among rowers is a hyper extension of the back. Be sure to thoroughly read through the directions that come with your rowing machine, and ask for help if you need it.

Almost all modern rowing machines have a multifunction fitness monitor that shows speed, distance, time, stroke count, and calories burned during your workout

Tags: rowing machine, fitness equipment