Iechyd » Fitness Equipment

Choosing the Right Dumbells For Your Home Gym

admin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:35:59 +0000

When you walk into the fitness super-store you’re greeted by every imaginable machine, weight, tool, and toy designed to help you get into shape as quickly as possible. This is a quick overview of the main dumbbells you can choose to use in your home gym.

Dumbbells are an excellent choice for people who want to exercise on their own in a home gym. They are more challenging than a barbell or a machine so less weight is required to achieve a great body.

Dumbbells are also safer than a barbell because there is less chance of getting trapped under the bar. If a rep is too challenging, you can drop the dumbbells to the floor without injuring yourself.

And even better, dumbbells develop more balance in your body, which will give you the lean, athletic look that so many people admire.

Your first choice is the regular fixed-weight dumbbells. These are what most people think of when they picture a weight. These come in weight increments of 1 pound up to 200 pounds and beyond!

The advantage of having a selection of these in your home gym is that it makes changing exercises very simple, so you can switch from one exercise to the next at a high pace without having to fool around with any weight plates.

The disadvantage for a home exerciser is the cost of having a large enough assortment of dumbells. These weights will also take up more space in your exercise room.

Your next choice is an adjustable-dumbell. These have either a pin or a turning lock that allow you to add or subtract weight to the dumbell.

This is great in that you will only need one set to do almost any exercise you can think of. Also, these take up almost no space, so if room is an issue these may be the way to go.

The disadvantages are that changing the weight is often awkward which takes time out of your workout and these units are also considerably more expensive than simple fixed-weight dumbells.

The final choice is of course up to you. Both have their pluses and minuses.

Now get exercising!

Luke Wold is a Personal Trainer in Carson City.

His Carson City Bootcamp is the most fun and challenging workout in Northern Nevada.

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Exercise Bikes For Weight Loss

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 13:27:28 +0000

The convenience of working out in the comfort of your own home cannot be underestimated. Think of all the time you will save commuting to and from the gym and, not to mention, the money you can save. You will never need to wait for equipment, and there will be no strangers watching you sweat. If you are thinking of buying a piece of exercise equipment to keep in your home, consider a stationary bike. Exercise bikes for weight loss are a fantastic way to get a good cardio workout without stressing your joints.

With so many options available, you should be able to find an exercise bike in your price range. Many bikes conveniently fold up allowing you to store them out of sight in a closet or under a bed. Best of all, you remain seated the entire time. If you have tried running or walking on a treadmill, you know it is nearly impossible to watch TV or read a magazine during the workout. However, on a bike you can channel surf to your heart’s content, read a favorite magazine or even read a novel.

This may sound too good to be true, but before you disregard it, think again. Boredom is one of the primary reasons people quit an exercise routine. If you are happy with the overall experience of your workout, the chance of you sticking to it is much higher. Another way to combat boredom is by choosing the right bike. Some of the fancier models simulate riding uphill or let you increase resistance, while others offer a digital read of your heart rate and estimated calories burned. You could use this feature to challenge yourself to meet your target heart rate. Before making your final purchase, though, you should definitely make a trip to a local sporting store or exercise equipment shop and try out a few. The best bike will be the one that you like to ride and feels comfortable.

Exercise bikes are incredibly effective at increasing your heart rate, burning calories and even toning up your lower body. Cardiovascular exercise is essential to any workout routine. Using a stationary bike as part of your regimen will improve your circulation and endurance. It provides the same benefits as walking or running; but easier on the joints. In fact, it is the recommended workout for those suffering from back pain or knee problems.

Using exercise bikes for weight loss works best when combined with some strength training as well as a sensible diet. Be realistic. There is nothing wrong with easing into a fitness program. In fact, that is the best way to make a long-lasting change. If you feel out of shape, start with twenty minutes on the bike three days a week and alternate with two days of weights to tone your arms and tummy. When this routine begins to feel too easy, increase the frequency and duration until you feel challenged again. This is a great start to a healthier, more energetic lifestyle!

Did you know that simple guided mediation can actually boost your fat burning efforts? Visit Nicole’s blog and check out her amazing new brain entrainment technology that will end your body fat loss struggles for good!

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Cardio Training With Yukon Fitness Equipment

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:48:27 +0000

You can make your life a whole lot better-physically, emotionally, and mentally-with a simple regimen of cardio training just a few days a week. A popular excuse from people is that there aren’t good places to go cycling or running, or that they will go when the weather gets nicer. The best way to ensure that you don’t fall prey to these excuses is to set up your own cardio station at home. First, you will need to choose the type of cardio exercise you enjoy. Then, you will need to choose a brand. Here are some suggestions if you are considering Yukon Fitness equipment.

Did you enjoy bike riding as a child? Then an exercise bike might be for you! You don’t have to have the cycling skills of Lance Armstrong or a special cycling uniform to get a good workout from an exercise bike. There are different styles of bikes to choose from, whether you prefer to recline more while peddling or quickly spin like a professional racer. Exercise bikes focus mostly on the lower body, so you can often read or watch TV while working out. This can be especially motivating for those who are quickly bored by a repetitive exercise routine. Just grab a good book and peddle away. You will be surprised how fast the time goes! For an affordable solution, consider the Yukon Fitness Olympia upright bike or Easy Recumbent bike. Are you more of a racer? Consider the Higol or Denali bikes. These bikes have durable frames shaped just a like a racing bike that can be adjusted to your body shape.

Have you always wanted to train for a 5K race or even a triathlon? Then a treadmill might be just what you are looking for. If you are already a serious runner, look for a high-end treadmill designed to withstand the toughest workout. With Yukon Fitness, consider the top-of-the-line Inertia Runner X6.6. Are you more of a walker or jogger? The Inertia Runner X3.5 provides many of the same great features-a wide running space and an easy-to-use control panel-at an affordable price. Both of these treadmills fold up for easier storage – a real plus for home environments.

Want a cardio workout with minimal joint stress? Then consider an elliptical machine, sometimes called an elliptical trainer or cross trainer. Ellipticals use the same forward motion as a treadmill, but with less impact on your joints. If you are a beginner looking for an elliptical on a budget, consider the Easy Elliptical by Yukon Fitness. More advanced users should consider the Extended Stride Elliptical. It offers an adjustable stride length to customize to your particular shape and size.

Don’t let winter weather sideline your cardio routine. Set up your own cardio station at home and keep working towards a healthier and happier you!

Ty Hartwell is a fitness enthusiast with over 20 years experience in the industry. For additional information on fitness equipment, please visit Yukon Fitness gym equipment.

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Increase Your Workout With an Exercise Ball

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:52:37 +0000

An easy, convenient way to increase your workout is with an exercise ball. Using the exercise ball in your daily workout regime will increase your weight loss, burn calories, and increase strength. You can purchase one for under $30 and use it at home. The following are a few ways in which you can use your exercise ball in your daily life.

Large balls can be use as desk chair in your home office. It requires a lot more balance to sit on an exercise ball than an office chair. This results in extra burned calories and also an improved posture. The swiss ball can make your core muscles stronger just by sitting on it. It will work so well, you may want to take it to work with you.

Children love playing with a bouncing ball. Rolling and bouncing the ball with your children is a great way to burn calories without realizing it. You can even purchase them child sized balls and challenge them to a race by bouncing on the balls. It is a great leg workout.

Exercises with the workout ball ranges from easy to difficult. The workout ball works great with other workout equipment like hand weights and resistance bands. You can perform the seated shoulder press, squats, bicep curls, ab crunches, and more. The ball can even be used to as a weight bench by balancing the ball on your back while you perform a bridge. This not only works as a bench but also a way to improve your balance and strengthen your core muscles.

Learn More

For FREE Information Tips and Advice visit Exercise Balls

http://exerciseballsforsale.com

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Six Tips For Choosing the Best Home Fitness Equipment

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:24:14 +0000

Fitness equipment for the home is expensive. It is important that you buy the right products. Choose badly and you may find yourself with something inferior that not only works badly or breaks down, but could also be potentially harmful. So how do you know what to buy? Here are six tips.

1. Check out your local gym. See what products it uses. Gyms simply cannot afford to install inferior equipment. They need something that will work every time, all the time. Of course, they will choose professional equipment that is very expensive. Home gyms usually do not need equipment of such a high standard. But the same manufacturers that make the high-end professional equipment often also produce high-quality devices for home use, generally with fewer features but at much more reasonable prices.

2. Ask a personal trainer what he or she uses at home. These people know what is good and what is not. They may also be able to provide guidance on where to buy the equipment and on the best prices.

3. Try to find objective reviews of the equipment. Unfortunately, this is not always easy. For example, you will not find a lot online. Fitness magazines do carry product reviews, but sometimes these are little more than advertising and promotion, paid for by the manufacturer. You will need to be discerning. A good public library may have a selection of magazines offering a diverse range of views on certain products.

4. Check out user reviews. These can be found online, at sales sites like Amazon.com and Epinions, and also at some specialized fitness equipment retailers. However, be aware that these are not objective expert analyzes of the equipment. Nevertheless, the opinions of actual users can be a very useful guide. But a further caution – manufacturers themselves have been known to place favorable reviews on some of these sites.

5. Look at the warranty on offer. Gym equipment is supposed to be rugged and durable. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee, which means they have confidence in their product. These are the manufacturers you should trust.

6. Of course you will be looking at the price. But check too what accessories are included. For example, here are some of the accessories that are included with certain home gyms – squat bar pads, a revolving lat bar, a revolving straight bar, ankle strap, ab/tricep strap and single grip handles. Some of these are quite specialized and you may not use all these accessories. But as you progress in your training it could be that you find a use for them, and having them included with your equipment, rather than having to purchase them separately, could mean a significant cost saving.

Good luck. And good training.

Martin Roth is a full-time writer, with a specialty in health and personal fitness. His well known website Personal Health Monitor Blog provides news, reviews, tips, resources and advice on a wide range of timely issues. In particular, it offers a trove of in-depth information on Keys fitness equipment.

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Leg Magic Reviews – Is the Fitness Quest Leg Magic Machine Any Good?

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:51:24 +0000

Many of the lower body exercisers available today predominantly focus on the legs from a very specific angel. Lunges, squats and leg raises put most of the emphasis on the front and outer thighs. Some variations with leg positioning can be made to put an additional emphasis on the inner thigh but for the most part the inner thigh areas are largely overlooked. Anyone with a gym membership can easily validate this by performing a few intense workouts on a hip abductor machine. Within a day or two you will quickly discover how little the inner thighs are actually worked out.

On its own a workout for the inner thighs is not going to melt away pounds and pounds of unwanted body fat. However the exercise is important for developing, strengthening and firming up the inner leg muscles. The key is to incorporate a good inner thigh workout into an existing exercise program. One of the more popular inner and outer thigh exercisers available in the As Seen on TV market is the Fitness Quest Leg Magic machine. The Leg Magic works out the inner and outer thigh muscles with a unique design.

One the surface the exercise equipment looks like a pogo stick with a very wide track as the base. The feet sit on the track while you slide your legs away and back towards your body. The track for the Leg Magic exerciser uses Pulse Resistance Technology to add resistance to the movement of the exercise. This increases the intensity of the workout and allows you to achieve greater results in a shorter time frame. For those concerned about the durability of this machine, the Leg Magic exerciser will accommodate most users supporting a maximum user weight of 250 pounds. The supported maximum user weight is an impressive feat for a machine that only weighs around 22 pounds. Anyone limited on space will also be pleased to know that the Leg Magic machine also folds up for easy storage.

Overall the Leg Magic is a good exerciser for working out the inner and outer thighs. It is a specialized machine and on its own it is not going to melt away pounds of unwanted body fat. However, it will be beneficial for those that choose to include it with a good diet and exercise program. Adding workouts that target the inner and outer thigh muscles into an existing diet and workout regime will enhance both the overall look and strength of your physique.

If you would still like to learn more about this product you can read more about our Leg Magic Reviews page. Check with One4Fitness for some of our latest reviews on things like our treadmill ratings and more.

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Elliptical Exercise Equipment – An Overview

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:00:33 +0000

Training on hard surfaces can put too much pressure on your joints. For a better cardiovascular workout, you may need elliptical exercise equipment. This equipment gives you the sensation of brisk walking, jogging, or running without subjecting your joints to undue stress.

Of course, you will need to make sure that the elliptical machine that you purchase is one that is of good quality. This will help ensure that your workout is satisfactory and you are able to avoid any injury. Your machine should not be flimsy and it should be built for regular use. One way to ensure this is to check the track record of both the manufacturer and the distributor.

The good thing about elliptical exercise equipment is that they are made for ease of use. This is, in fact, good news for you if you are too busy to read through the machine’s instruction manual and just want to go right ahead and put the machine to use. The ease of use makes elliptical exercise ideal even for beginners. And while the machine is built primarily for home use, even the most serious of athletes can benefit from it. It can be used in conjunction with your regular exercise and training routine.

The elliptical machine is also very versatile. It can easily be adjusted to different levels of intensity, so you can fashion your own workout routine with it. This capability also helps beginners work gradually from the easiest towards more intense workouts. The equipment also provides you with a good upper-body workout, which may be lacking from your current routine.

If you are unsure as to whether the elliptical equipment is advisable for you then you may want to consult your personal trainer on the issue. As you make your decision, always keep your fitness goal in mind. This will help you weigh if the expected result is worth the cost of the machine.

Elliptical exercise equipment is one of the most popular piece of equipment in gyms everywhere. Learn to use Elliptical exercise equipment to maintain a healthy weight and life style by visiting Bestellipticalsearch.com.

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Introduction to the Three Types of Exercise Bikes

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:51:02 +0000

Buying an exercise bike is not something that we do every day therefore should be looked into properly. The first question you should ask yourself is why are you buying the bike? For many people, buying an fitness bike is the first step in taking control of their own health and fitness for others however they may believe that simply buying the exercise bike is enough. Once you have decided on why you want the bike for your home you then have to decide on what type would be best for your current available space and for the amount exercise you will be doing on the bike.

Let’s begin by saying that an exercise bike is a stationary bike mainly used indoors, although the warmer climes during summer periods they can be used outdoors as well, just don’t expect to travel very far. In general they can look similar to a normal two wheeled variety of bike with only a few main differences. The first difference you will notice is often there will be no rear wheel (or front wheel for that matter) and that since the bike never travels anywhere there will be no brakes. But of course that is if you are looking at an upright exercise bike.

Modern day fitness bikes have come on somewhat since the traditional up-right first came on the scene. Today we have recumbent exercise bikes which allow you sit on the bike like a chair with your feet extended out in front of you.

Although extremely popular in all the gymnasiums and health clubs they are less popular for those interested in home exercise. This is due to their large and cumbersome size and only those with a dedicated space for home workouts finding a use for the recumbent exercise bikes.

At the opposite end of the spectrum we have mini exercise bike. These small compact items often come easily foldable to increase the portability. These small bikes can be used on the floor and on a table allowing you to not only obtain a cardiovascular workout but an upper body muscular workout as well. It is however their small lightweight and compact design of the mini bike that has led to some people discrediting them as a gimmick. Many people believe they do not provide sufficient resistance to enable a proper muscular or cardiovascular workout and in fact they are just a small toy.

Somewhere in between the portability and light weight mini bike the large cumbersome generally fixed in one place recumbent bike we have the upright bike. These bikes have greatly increased in popularity and become the number one home exercise machine along with the treadmill. They are now light weight, foldable and portable as well as being available in many different budget brackets making them affordable to just about everyone.

Along with the new materials that help the portability and light wait off the upright exercise bike new computer technology has been integrated into even the most reasonably priced machine. One word of caution here however must be to try and not be overly impressed by the ability of the computer on the bike to such an extent that you forget to check out the other more important features.

More information on the recumbent stationary bike like the Weslo exercise bike can be found at Darren’s blog exercise bike guide

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Rebounding Your Way to Better Health

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:34:31 +0000

People have enjoyed jumping on mini-trampolines for many years now, and it has recently seen a major boost in popularity. You can choose from a number of brands, such as a Reebok Rebounder, an Urban Rebounder, and a Needak Rebounder. No matter what type you choose, it will give you a wonderful workout without having to go to a gym.

Rebounding is a healthy sport that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. A lot of people haven’t heard of rebounding, which is the same as using a mini-trampoline, but it provides people of all ages with an excellent aerobic and cardiovascular workout. In addition, it burns calories, increases muscle mass, is beneficial for legs and joints, and also improves the digestive system.

The rebounder was developed by an exercise specialist named Al Carter. The rebounder looks like just what it is, a mini trampoline. The small round mat is tightly-woven and about 28″ in diameter. It is hooked to the frame with heavy-duty springs. Back in the early 1980s, everyone was buying rebounders. They were the exercise innovation of the late 20th century. Although the fervor later died down, rebounders are still highly recommended for offering a fun way to promote good health.

You can make the most of a rebounding workout by adding arm movements, jumping, twists, and other moves. Even just bouncing for a few minutes a day can do good things for the body, but the more body parts you use during your workout, the more beneficial it will be. Rebounding helps the body develop stronger bone and muscle cells.

Getting Started With a Rebounder

If you’re new to rebounding, you can start by bouncing a little without moving your feet from the mat. The rebounder will do all the moving for you. You will see benefits from doing this easy bouncing as you develop the balance and confidence you will need to bounce higher and faster. Once you’re used to bouncing, you can start introducing other movements into your routines, such as jumping jacks, arm flexes, and knee lifts.

No matter who you are, you can most likely use a rebounder in your exercise routine. Even people with paralysis are able to use them to some extent with the help of their therapist, and it helps them gain strength and improve circulation. Some gyms have bars near the rebounders so that if you feel unstable, you can hang on and bounce. Having a rebounder in your home will be great for those rainy days, too, when no one can get outside to exercise.

Rebounding was developed back in the 1970s, and it’s still one of the best ways there are to get in shape. You can add to the excitement by bouncing to your favorite video or music. The whole family can get involved using the rebounder. For children, you can create games around a workout so that they don’t get bored. Make up versions of “Simon Says” or “Mother, May I” that they can respond to by bouncing on the mini-trampoline. They’ll have so much fun that they won’t even realize their also getting a great workout. The health of everyone in the family stands to improve by regular workouts on the rebounder.

A rebounder is intended for indoor use. When it’s not in use, it can be folded up and slid under a bed or put into a closet. It is lightweight and comes with a carrying case so that it will be portable. If you’re looking for a great workout that’s also a lot of fun, look no further than the Urban Rebounder.

Now you know one of the benefits of buying a trampoline. Visit buyingatrampoline.com for more tips on trampoline pits and urban rebounder trampolines and learn more of the benefits of trampoline ownership.

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Treadmill Reviews – 4 Sources of Quality Treadmill Reviews to Look at Before You Buy

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:02:37 +0000

Most buyers read treadmill reviews before buying a home treadmill. Reading these reviews can give you an overall picture of which treadmill is the best choice for you. It can also give you a heads-up about possible problems with a treadmill – or tell you a few added benefits that the treadmill manufacturer did not list.

But where do you find them? And what do you need to know in addition to reading these reviews?

This article will give you 4 high quality sources of treadmill reviews – along with what you also need to know before making your final choice.

First of all – you deserve a lot of credit. Taking the time to research your treadmill is a smart investment of your time. There are over 30 treadmill brands out there – with each brand producing from 3 – 10 different models. Plus most brands bring out new models each year.

So you have a lot of choices.

And some are better than others. Taking the time to research your treadmill means you’ll get a better deal – and probably feel more confident in your decision. There are several ‘hidden gems’ out there that can only be found by reviewing your options.

So where can you read treadmill reviews?

First of all there are the treadmill ratings done once a year by magazines like Consumer Reports, Runner’s World and other quality fitness magazines. These can be helpful in choosing a well-made design and strong brand. These reviews however are sometimes not as detailed as others and further research is definitely recommended.

Also these only come out once a year – usually around January, so it can be hard to find them at other times of the year.

You can also read user reviews at sites like epinions or amazon. These can be excellent since (most of them) are written by real people who have bought and used the treadmill. You’ll get various opinions on how the treadmill holds up over the long run and you can even get tips on things like assembly and setting up the treadmill.

Keep in mind that most of the reviews – especially on epinions – are of older models – so if you’re looking to buy the latest treadmill model, there may not be any reviews. And if you find a treadmill you like with lots of great reviews – you might not be able to find it in stores anymore since it’s been discontinued.

User reviews on these sites can also be quite scary. Human nature being what it is, people are more likely to complain and leave negative reviews than positive reviews. So while there may be 100 people who love that particular treadmill, they probably won’t leave reviews. And the 2 that had a bad experience will post the gruesome details for all to read.

A third source for reviews is the manufacturers or treadmill stores online. Some of these sellers are now getting smart and posting user treadmill reviews on their websites. While some people question the validity of these reviews, if you read them, many do sound like they are written by real people.

So again, while they aren’t the only source of your treadmill research, these reviews can still help you get an overall idea of the treadmill quality.

There are also several websites that are devoted to helping people review and compare treadmills. For example, the website I write for gives the strengths and weaknesses of different treadmill brands and models. There are also lists of current treadmills prices and ratings so people can compare the latest models at a glance.

Another advantage is that manufacturers sometimes send out exclusive coupons and promo codes to these sites. So visitors can not only review the treadmills, they can get a discount on them as well.

Again however, these sites are opinion based and can sometimes be out of date since some manufacturers change their models frequently. So you still need take it as only one part of your buying research.

So those are 4 sources of treadmill reviews and ratings. All of them can be valuable ways to help find the best treadmill for you.

Keep in mind that while reviews are valuable, it’s also important to know what you personally need in a treadmill. For instance, you may need a treadmill that is extra compact or that folds up since you live in a condo or have a small exercise space.

You may plan to run regularly on a treadmill – so you need a solid, well built design with a stable base and strong deck that doesn’t shake or wobble when you pick up the pace. You may want the latest models with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can download new workouts from the Internet.

By taking the time to research what’s out there, you’re way ahead of most buyers. And you’ll also find a much better machine that gets you excited about using it.

Kathryn O’Neill writes for Treadmill Reviews – a site offering treadmill reviews, ratings and easy comparison charts.

For the latest brand and product reviews with discount links visit http://www.TreadmillReview.net

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