Archive for the ‘Fitness’ Category

One of the most popular pieces of workout equipment available is the exercise treadmill, and with good reason. These work-horses can be used by people of virtually every fitness level depending upon whether the user walks, jogs, runs or designs a custom exercise program. The beauty of a treadmill workout is that the exercises are so easy to vary simply by slowing down or speeding up the treadmill’s setting. Many people also invest in an exercise treadmill as an alternative to running outdoors on days when the weather is inclement, thereby getting rid of the tired excuse of “the weather was too bad.”

Once you’ve decided to purchase a home treadmill for your daily workouts, you shouldn’t rush right out and buy the first good-looking piece of exercise equipment you see. This can not only hurt your pocketbook, it can hurt you. Finding the best treadmill for your workout regimen requires some research and plenty of comparisons so that you don’t get burned. Check out sites that have treadmill reviews and compare features before buying. Some of the best sources of treadmill ratings can be found at sites run by trainers or gym owners.

There are four basic questions you should ask yourself when you shop for an exercise treadmill:

• What are my specific exercise needs (what do I need/not need)?

• How good are the parts and construction of this treadmill?

• What price range can I afford?

• How good is the warranty on this treadmill?

Understanding your exercise needs is as simple as knowing what you really expect to be doing once you get your exercise treadmill home. Be honest – not everyone works out by running a mile every day, and many of us shouldn’t! It will be primarily used to walk a few miles at a leisurely pace. If you weight 130 pounds, your needs will be different than a 275 pound man who will be running at top speed or creating a varied workout each day. Do you need a console that provides a dozen custom exercise programs, or simply a heart rate monitor?

Not all parts are the same

Next, look at the treadmill’s parts. Key features you should look for in treadmill reviews include:

•The Motor – A motor of at least 1.5 horsepower is essential. The higher the horsepower, the cooler the Read the rest of this entry »

When you go looking for weight loss information, how do you know what’s hype and what works? Weight loss forums get real busy this time of year. After the holidays, you’re back to bemoan the fact that the weight’s back and now what?? Everybody has their two cents to contribute.

Some of the more institution-like websites that deal with weight loss information are a bit stodgy and dry. This information, while for the most part credible, is plenteous, to the point where you begin to feel like digesting it all might take months. You’ll also find caveats galore. “Don’t do this if you’re on a salt restricted diet” or, “if you’re genetically disposed to …”, leaving you thinking you need a battery of tests performed to distinguish the do’s from the do not’s. Unless you can and want to spend a few months figuring out your own custom weight loss program, this type of weight loss information may not be news you can use right now. Credible, but maybe TMI for your immediate needs.

There’s no shortage of weight loss information books, from chic and trendy programs to scholastic tomes. The academic books, written by people with degrees in nutrition, contain accurate information. The trendy books – ones that read, ‘The (insert now-household name) Diet’ would not have become household names if they didn’t work for some people. Therein lies the rub. What if you’re not one of those people? You might even have tried one of these in the past and found it did not work, even though your neighbor lost 20 pounds with that method. This type of weight loss information carries its own caveat, that being that it might not work, although the theory and science is credible.

Then there are the so-called ‘miracle’ diets and pills. Some are plain snake oil remedies, which don’t work for anyone. Others employ herbs like ephedra or hoodia, which, while they work, can be super dangerous to your health, used improperly. Ephedra is a powerful stimulant and is best avoided, except in very narrow circumstances and under strict medical supervision. Hoodia is a plant native to the Australian outback. The aboriginal tribes make use of it when making long treks through the desert, in search of food. It suppresses the appetite, for sure, but is not a recommended lifestyle. Any qualified herbalist will tell you that both herbs should be used with caution, if at all.

So, where do you find practical, accurate weight loss information?

What’s not often mentioned in any of these venues is that losing weight has a largely psychological component. This is why your neighbor lost 20 pounds on the X diet, while you gave it up after a month of fruitless effort. The psychological factor is key to your success. The bottom line is your motivation and counting calories. That’s all there is to it.

So here’s my two cents. Allow a week to prep up for the effort. Just like quitting smoking, you’ve got to mentally prepare yourself. List every reason you can think of that motivates you to lose weight. Nothing’s too silly. Stick your list on the frig or hide it in your purse. During this week, make a food diary which details every bit of food you ingest. No cheating. Add up the calories for each day and divide by seven. That’s your average current caloric intake. If your weight loss goal is one pound per week, deduct 500 calories from your average and plan your menus accordingly. Weigh yourself on the morning of day one. Exercise will naturally enhance reaching your objective. Be hard on yourself and stick with the program. Fewer calories equals weight loss. This is the common sense approach to weight loss information that works for you.

Wow it’s the start of a new year again so it’s time to make another effort at kicking bad habits and taking on good habits
such as: joining a Gym to get fit and lose a few pounds. When most people join a gym, motivation runs high for the first couple of months and it’s great, but then they start to lose interest, this usually happens around March or April, some times sooner. People get tired of doing the same old routine with little or no results. Boredom overtakes and they quit. There are a few secrets to maintaining a successful training program:

1. There must be a plan of action based on the person’s goals
2. Progress must be tracked and logged.
3. The program must be interesting and appealing
4. It must be changed every 4 to 6 weeks for greater results and the keep its appeal.

Many people who are new to the fitness scene follow the same training routine day in day out for a couple of months and then give up in despair.

So what is the solution?

Those people could employ the services of a Fitness Trainer to keep them motivated and provide them with sound exercise routines that are interesting and will actually work.

Fitness trainers are qualified experts in analysing and creating a fitness program that is right for you and your goals. They will provide you with a certain program depending on your “fitness level,” and create it according to your needs, and keep you stimulated and inspired by giving you the correct exercises that will not bore you and you will not wish you were somewhere else.

If you are considering a Fitness Trainer, keep in mind that they will vary in fitness education and skill.

Here are some factors to consider when hiring a Fitness Trainer:

1. Proof of Certification
To ensure your success,
They must be certified by a highly accredited Fitness Institute. This implies greater knowledge and higher quality.

2. Education and Training
Choose a Fitness Trainer who has acquired a very high level of education and training in the health and fitness field.
They will have the edge over the others regarding your results and value for money.

3. Gives the right attention to you.
A good fitness trainer will provide his or her Read the rest of this entry »

Rowing Machines For Fitness

Rowing machines are an excellent fitness machine that should be included in ones routine as they are the ultimate in resistance exercise machines. The Rowing machine is considered an aerobic activity and are easy to use with just a little practice and are so popular because they offer low impact exercise. Rowing machines are excellent for overall toning as well as cardiovascular exercises. They are great for people of all ages. Rowing machines are also great exercise machines that are ideal for losing weight and are great for people of all ages and really deliver where promised. The rowing machine is supplied with computers of time, tempo, distance and burnt calories control to help keep track of your progress. Water and air rowing machines are the two most popular types though tend to be a little more expensive.

The Rowing Experience

An indoor rower, is a machine used to simulate the action of a watercraft for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Indoor rowing is one of the most challenging forms of exercise as it works most major muscular areas of the body, as well as being an excellent cardiovascular exercise. Unlike high impact exercises, which can damage knees and the connective tissues of the lower body as rowings most common injury site is likely the lower back. An exercise rowing machine will simulate the action of rowing a boat. You will also need to consider footing when you buy an exercise rowing machine. One of the most important things to consider when buying an exercise rowing machine is tension. The computer will be able to keep track of your speed, distance, and time.

Rowing Machines and Exercise

Exercise rowing machines are safe, easy to use and only require a little room space. An exercise rowing machine with large, solid foot rests will keep your feet from slipping while you’re working out. The smooth, steady rhythm will exercise your body and relax your mind. Rowing is also one of the few exercise machines that can strengthen the back. Exercising with Rowing machines is a complete exercise that is satisfying, enjoyable to do and provides a balance of fitness benefits. You may think of rowing as more of a sport than an exercise.

Choose Your Reviews To Choose Your Machine

Some people use rowing machine reviews and rower comparisons while others may simply compare the rowers specifications or rowers warranty. There are many rowing machine reviews online. Focus on all of the positive reviews. If a brand or make isn’t mentioned on any rowing machine reviews, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a bad machine.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a good exercise machine, you should know that the rowing machine is very good for fitness and thus is a good choice. Your doctor can determine if the rowing machine is good for your fitness, or whether or not it will give you joint troubles or any other muscle problems in the future. That’s a great way to determine if the rowing machine is good for fitness. Rowing machines are an excellent way to exercise more than just your legs. Rowing machines are an excellent tool for fitness as rowing works most major muscle areas, as well as being a very challenging cardiovascular activity. Rowing machines are terrific home fitness equipment. Rowing machines are designed to mimic the experience of rowing in a scull in the open water. So the answer is yes,  rowing machines will keep you fit for a long time.

Well, I’m closing in on one year at the gym. Five hundred dollars spent and I’m supposed to have a different body and different outlook on life. The keyword is supposed. Now, keep in mind for those who are asking themselves if I kept a regular schedule, if I ate the right foods, or if I cut out certain lifestyle activities in which I was accustomed. The answer is all yes. To give you a brief synopsis, I’m about 6’2″ tall, 192 pounds, with a 34 inch waist. I have a fairly athletic build all ready as I trained to become a professional wrestler in college. (Consequently, I did not pursue that dream as to settle down, get married, and have children.) My main objective (after my now ex-wife left) was to just get in the gym, stay motivated, and, possibly, trim a little belly fat. I knew I wasn’t going to be Hercules – not even close. I wasn’t in there to eventually bench press 300 pounds or push 600 pounds on my legs. That’s silly at my age. It was more cardiovascular conditioning and burning the belly fat.

So, Monday through Thursday I endured 30 hard minutes of cardiovascular exercise such as the treadmill, stairstepper, or bicycle. Then, I alternated a lower body workout (Monday and Wednesday) with an upper body workout (Tuesday and Thursday). For nine solid months, I consistently weighed 183 pounds. That’s taking a daily multi-vitamin and a protein shake per day. It’s like my body just absorbed every thing. Was there a difference in my energy level? Possibly – however, I couldn’t tell. I ate the fruits, the veggies, the grilled chicken, the fish, the protein, and, yes, for three solid months I even cut out beer and desserts.

Now, did I begin to date and feel better about myself? Sure. Did I think my arms and legs were bigger? Sure. But, I think it was all a placebo effect as my arms, chest, and legs never actually grew. So, I started doing more home aerobics and the simple exercises such as barbell curls, rowing exercises, and crunches. All basically targeting the same body areas but not on any machines.

So, this leads me to the question of the day. Are we genetically pre-dispositioned to a certain body type no matter what we do to change it? (Keep in mind, we’re not including surgery here.) Everyone on the paternal side of the family is short and stocky. I believe my height is inherited from a few great uncles on the maternal side. Although I have eventually gained ten pounds, I feel like I have subjected myself to everything in my power to reduce the size of my little “pooch”. I was miserable, to say the least, without an occasional beer (maybe two per week) or slice of pumpkin pie or coconut cake. I’m happier now. I can see my belt which matters the most and I can see everything below it which is the most important. I walk and jog for my cardiovascular exercise which, after all, is about elevating the heart rate two to three times per week for about 20 minutes. I lift my 110 pound barbell for three or four sets of exercises two to three times per week. I’m also swimming now that the pool is open at my complex. My energy level is the same. My confidence level is the same. Plus, I’m saving money and my exercise occurs at my convenience – not during gym hours. Not that I’m discouraging a gym membership but the purpose of this article is to debate whether we are bound to genetics in a physical sense no matter what we do to change it.

My answer is obviously in the affirmative that we can change our bodies slightly (non-surgically, again) but will never truly alter what we are pre-determined (possibly pre-destined) to become physically.

The concept of selling personal training is being given a new dimension by the personal trainers in this fast changing world where customer is the king. The age-old techniques of effecting a sale of the products to a prospective customer using the persuasive skills of a trained salesman are being redesigned and redefined. The vast increase in the use of Internet and the globalization of markets is acting as the catalyst in this new outlook and personal trainers are being sought to assist in effecting sales and increasing the sales, whichever suits one’s requirement.

In addition to imparting training to the sales personnel to effect a sale, the modern day personal trainer is entrusted with the responsibility of selling personal training program to the individuals as well as companies aspiring to increase the top line growth of the firm.

The personal trainer views the sales from a perspective totally different from that of a salesman. This is the innovative thing that a personal trainer brings to the business and ensures that the sale of products, which is the ultimate motto, is increased. Basically, the salesman sells goods to the customers that depreciate over a period of time, both in terms of value and utility, and takes money from the customers for the sales made to them.

The personal trainer also does the same thing, but under a totally different perspective. He views the transaction not as a sale from the salesman’s point of view, but as a purchase from the customer’s point of view and takes the position of an assistant buyer, educating the customer about the merits of the products he purchased. In the process, the personal trainer’s feelings or ideas about the product is transferred to the buyer. This puts the customer in a different perspective in that he visualizes the value in the products he bought more than as a mere expense incurred at the persuasion of the seller.

The added advantage for the personal trainer from this approach is that the buyer will feel the urge more to buy the product than the seller selling the product. This transformation in the perception, especially from the customer’s point of view, not only results in recurring sales but also increases the possibility for referral sales through the customer who already felt the importance of his purchase. This is the difference that a personal trainer brings to the business and is sought by individuals and companies for selling personal training programs to the individuals and the salesmen.

It has been pointed out that the personal trainer acts as an assistant buyer and brings about a drastic change in the perception of purchase from the customer’s point of view. The personal trainer is quick to identify the need for the purchase of a product. Most of the purchases made by the people is to fulfill their emotions. Purchasing or buying, in the view of the personal trainer, by the consumers is to overcome the pain of not owning the product.

The personal trainer effectively interprets the difference between the want and the need for a product. It has been discovered that most of the purchases from the customers is primarily to satisfy a want and not to fulfill a need. This “want” is identified as the major driving force than the fulfillment of the need. The personal trainer exploits on this concept more and uses the same effectively for selling personal training programs to the salesmen, and in turn, make the sales force an effective one in the organization.

The personal trainer, in his complimentary sessions with the sales personnel or individuals, tries to drive this point of the importance of want from the buyer’s perspective to his advantage. The personal trainer sets up a system for improving the sales of the product and approaches the issue with a clear strategy. Most of the programs dwell on the concept of want, understanding of the customer’s preference for a product and the importance of congruence of ideas or feelings between the personal trainer or the salesman with that of the prospective buyer to effect a transaction between the two parties to the transaction.

One more aspect that is concentrated on by the personal trainer in imparting the unique selling personal training programs to the salesmen and the individuals alike is the perception of the salesmen with regard to the sale. The salesmen, by nature, or more interested in completing a sale and pocketing the commission that may accrue to them in the transaction. When this notion takes precedence, the importance of the buyer in the transaction takes the back seat and the probability of the success of a sales hinges more on the persuasion skills of the salesmen. The personal trainer is asked to help the salesmen change this perspective, and imparts the required selling personal training programs in a one-to-one interactive session. The innovative approach of the personal trainer finally triumphs and the probability of converting prospects to sales and retaining the customers is easily achieved.

Things You Need To Consider Before Joining A Fitness Club

If you feel a little intimidated about exercising with men in a big sweat-infused gym room, consider Joining A Fitness Club. Don’t worry- not all the ladies in the club are trim and physically fit. That’s why they’re there. You’ll find ladies of all shapes and sizes at the gym, and you’ll make some wonderful friends.

If you have a buddy that you can go with – talking during the exercise makes the time go by much faster, and the accountability is helpful on those days you don’t feel like dragging yourself to the club.

Benefits of Joining A Fitness Club

One benefit of working out at a gym is that you have trainers who can show you how to do the exercises correctly. People can “spot” you during some exercises, if necessary, and guide you in correct form and to avoid injuries.

Another benefit is that you will usually find a large number of exercise machines that you may not be able to afford yourself. If you tried to stock your basement or garage with the same equipment, you’d run out of space and spend thousands of dollars, to boot.

Downsides include the cost of a membership. While it can be costly, if you go as many times as possible/practical during your week, you lower the effective “per visit” cost. If your schedule doesn’t’ allow you to exercise during the time the club is open, it might be better to find another club or another mode of exercise.

Some people are intimidated about exercising in form of others and prefer the privacy of home. If you can move past this and realize that no one is watching you and that everyone looks just like you when they’re on the same machine you are, you’ll derive great benefit from a gym membership.

Enhance your search for Joining A Fitness Club

Try to find a health club as close to your home as possible. If you have to drive very far to get to the club, you’re likely to find less time to make the trip. You’ll find on cold winter days that it’s preferable to take a nap over driving to a gym and having to drive back home when you’re done.

Many gyms will allow you to come in and try out the machines for a few days before deciding on joining. This is a very good way of getting the “feel” for a place and seeing if you like the style Read the rest of this entry »