Treadmill Information, Reviews and Bargains » Ellipticals

Tips on Selecting the Right Cardio Equipment

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:29:41 +0000

Tips on Selecting the Right Cardio Equipment

The following video provides a great overview of cardiovascular exercise including treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bikes. It should be helpful in deciding which piece of equipment if right for you.

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Best Cardio Machines For Weight Loss

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:49:08 +0000

By John Paul Lee

Have you ever set foot in a gym, only to find an endless number of different cardio machines with no clue on where to even start? You'll find cardio machines ranging from elliptical to treadmills to stairclimbers and many more, but which cardio machines work the best in aiding your goal to lose weight without any complications? Before we begin, there are three main things that you should remember when choosing a cardio machine.

1. Pick a cardio machine that doesn't require much skill.
Cardio machines don't have to be high-tech or gimmicky so you would be better off with sticking to one that is simple and very easy to use. The ideal goal here is to find a cardio machine that is simplistic and mechanical in nature. That way your body will naturally move the way it would as if you're outdoors--walking or running.

2. Find a cardio machine that you're comfortable with and stick with it.
Our primary concern when working with a cardio machine is to minimize any risk of injury. It is important to keep your connective tissues and joints healthy throughout a cardio session. This also will reduce aggravation of any injuries you may have as well. Any form of injury, big or small, will put a halt on your weight loss progress and it is something we should avoid at all costs. Start with experimenting with different machines and see how your body responds. If it's comfortable to your taste then by all means stick with that machine. However, if you experience any discomfort, steer clear of it right away!

3. Keep your cardio sessions short and intense.
There are several reasons why it's important to keep a cardio session short and intense. You don't have to spend as much energy diverting your focus onto balancing yourself or maintaining a specific form throughout a cardio session. Imagine yourself running on a treadmill platform where space if pretty much limited compared to running on an open ground. That much of a difference will have an impact on your body and unnecessary energy wasted. Thus, it is better to aim for a few miles instead of running an hour long marathon.
Now that we have all three important criteria covered, I'd like to recommend the four best cardio machines that involve low impact exercise, going hand-in-hand with weight loss.

Recumbent Bike
The recumbent bike operates similar to the stationary bike but the difference is that your body is in a seated position. This machine is often recommended for those looking to reduce stress off their lower back which is a bonus for those who have nagging lower back problems from the past.

Stairclimber
This is one of my favorite cardio machines. A stairclimber involves low impact movements which helps you keep your focus and maintain the intensity without interrupting your flow. It's a nice replacement for those who cannot find stairs to walk on.

Treadmill
Treadmills are a great choice for those who prefer an interval style of training as a replacement for outdoor running. The platforms are professionally designed to reduce impacts on the joints. Plus, you have the option to control the difficulty level by either increasing or decreasing the speed and you can raise the platform to form an incline.

Upright Stationary Bike
If you're looking for a low impact exercise that'll help you maintain a high level of intensity without losing balance, this is the machine you're looking for. Both recumbent and upright stationary bikes are recommended for their ease of use because they are easily programmable to meet your standards.

To sum it up, these four machines are highly recommended due to their relative ease of use--and not to mention, they involve low impact exercises which is a plus for any existing injuries that you may have, easing the pain on your connective tissues and joints. Lastly, choose a cardio machine that is simple and straightforward so that it'll help YOU focus by picking a cardio machine that is simple and straightforward. This way, you can focus on high intensity training rather than focusing your attention on mechanics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Paul_Lee

Best Budget Elliptical Trainers

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:52:21 +0000

Fitness reviews say that, in general, the best elliptical trainers cost at least $1,000. If $1,000 is beyond your budget for an elliptical trainer, you still have some options, but experts say you shouldn't expect a low-end machine to offer the same flexibility and durability as more expensive elliptical trainers. That's most evident in the manufacturer warranty. On the higher-quality elliptical machines above, one-year warranties are standard, but less expensive models often only back their machines with a 90-day warranty.

Reviews like the Schwinn 418 (est $800) , which wins a couple of best-buy ratings. The Schwinn 418 has a flywheel design, like the Smooth elliptical trainers above, and the handlebars move, providing an upper body workout. Heart-rate sensors are located on the handgrips. There are 12 programs, a weight capacity of 275 pounds, and an 18-inch stride, which should be comfortable for most users. Schwinn offers a 15-year frame warranty, shorter than the lifetime frame warranties offered by Precor and Smooth, but reviews say the quality and durability of the Schwinn 418 are excellent for this price range. Compared to the higher-end Spirit XE 350, the Schwinn has eight resistance levels compared to 20 for the Spirit. The Spirit has a higher weight limit and a two-year labor warranty. Schwinn only gives you a six-month labor warranty.

However, we're read some recent complaints about manufacturing flaws with the Schwinn 418. Several owners posting comments to Amazon.com report that the Schwinn elliptical trainer broke in the same place -- that the welds holding the mast to the frame are too weak. Although the price is low, the six-month labor warranty and reports of the exact same durability problem gives us pause. Though it costs more, the Spirit XE 350 comes with a two-year labor warranty.

In this price range, TreadmillDoctor.com likes the NordicTrack Elite 1300, Epic 1000 and ProForm 21.0 (est $850) . All three of these elliptical machines are made by the same manufacturer, Icon Health and Fitness. We found the ProForm to be a bit easier to find in stores. This model has an 18-inch stride, gel handgrips on the handles and 12 programs. Its big innovation is that it includes a few video games you can play on the small console screen. You control the games with the handgrips. Reviews say this feature is pretty gimmicky, but the elliptical trainer as a whole is a good value. Unfortunately, the ProForm warranty is one of the worst in the industry -- only 90 days on parts and labor. The weight limit is 250 pounds.

The Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A elliptical trainer (*est. $400) has an unusual one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. Blake Bissaillion from BuildingMuscle101.com recommends the Fitness Quest Eclipse, saying that its steel frame is sturdy and won't wobble even at higher speeds and that it can support up to 275 pounds. Bissaillion says the Fitness Quest elliptical trainer is lightweight and compact enough to be wheeled from room to room. The Fitness Quest 1100 HR/A has a 275-pound weight limit, ten preset programs and two heart-rate-controlled programs -- a large number for this budget price range. The heart-rate sensors are in the handgrips, which move to provide an upper body workout. This model uses a flywheel design like the Smooth and Schwinn elliptical trainers above, but the stride length is only 15 inches, which may be too short for tall individuals (as opposed to the Spirit XE ellipticals above, which have a 20-inch stride). We found some good owner comments for this model.

Other reviewers like the ProForm 900 (est $600) . Like the Fitness Quest above, the ProForm 900 has handlebars for an upper body workout and an included heart-rate monitor, located on the handgrips. This ProForm elliptical trainer has six exercise programs, but at additional cost, you can download more programs from the Internet. It also has a fan in the console to keep you cool. Although these extra features sound nice, reviews say such things are often gimmicky, especially when the machine itself isn’t built to last. Reviews warn that the ProForm elliptical trainer does not have the stability of higher-priced elliptical trainers, plus ProForm's standard warranty is very short -- only 90 days.

At TreadmillDoctor.com, editors highlight the Image 8.5 (*est. $400). This model is also made by Icon Health and Fitness, and it shares the same short 90-day warranty. This flywheel model has a 17.5-inch stride, movable handles for an upper body workout, and a handgrip heart-rate monitor.

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Best Elliptical Trainers

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:45:44 +0000

If you've used an elliptical trainer at the gym, it was likely a higher-end commercial machine. Reviews say commercial machines are more expensive and feature-laden than most people need at home. However, Precor ranks highly in reviews for both its commercial and home elliptical trainers. The (*est. $2,700) is Precor's entry-level model, and the editors of Prevention magazine say it's one of the most durable on the market. The Precor elliptical trainer has four programs including an optional heart-rate monitor, 20 resistance levels, an incline that adjusts from 12 to 25 degrees, and a long, 19-inch stride. This makes it one of the largest home models, with a footprint of 75 x 30 inches. The Precor machine weighs 197 pounds. According to the manufacturer, Precor elliptical trainers don't have a weight limit, so they are appropriate for heavier individuals.

The Precor EFX 5.17i elliptical trainer has an accessory holder on the console for your water bottle or CD player. Precor comes standard with a child safety feature to prevent accidental startups, but you have to pay extra for the optional heart-rate monitor. The Precor EFX 5.17i elliptical trainer doesn't include an upper body workout, but step-up models do, including the (*est. $2,700) and the EFX 5.33 (*est. $3,800). However, these two models have a 20-degree fixed ramp, so if you like to adjust the incline while working out, you might opt for the EFX 5.17i instead. With Precor elliptical trainers, you must choose between an upper body workout and an adjustable incline.

We featured the Precor EFX 5.21 (*est. $3,700) in a previous version of this report, but chose to replace it with the EFX 5.17i, which is less expensive but has comparable features. For the extra money, the Precor EFX 5.21i gives you two extra workout programs, a slightly larger 13- to 30-degree incline, and an included heart-rate monitor. The only downside to Precor elliptical trainers (besides the high price) is the large size and weight (the very qualities that make them so stable), so make sure you have enough space.

Another higher-end option is the Life Fitness X3 elliptical trainer (*est. $3,000). This elliptical trainer has movable handlebars for an upper body workout and an interactive heart-rate monitor to help keep you in your target heart-rate zone. The Life Fitness elliptical trainer has 12 workouts, including a "My Workouts" section that stores weight, incline levels and progress for up to four workouts or people. However, experts at TreadmillDoctor.com say this model is overpriced for what you get, and in this price range, Precor is better.

If you're looking for a lot of features on a limited budget, reviewers like the Smooth CE 3.2 (est $1700). Experts say it's durable for the price and offers a full complement of features for the money. It has nine customizable programs, a 300-pound weight capacity, and comes with a wireless heart-rate monitor. Movable handlebars give your upper body a workout, but reviews especially like the pivoting foot pedals, which decrease ankle strain. One drawback: The stride length on the Smooth CE 3.2 is 16 inches, which may be too short for taller people. However, Smooth's step-up model, the CE 7.4 (est $2,500) has a 19-inch stride, equivalent to the Precor elliptical trainers above.

Smooth's elliptical trainers use a flywheel instead of rollers on a ramp for the leg movement, and thus, the user can’t adjust the incline. The machine's speed and resistance are based on the workout program, but these can be customized as you work out. This is an improvement over Smooth's former CE models, which didn't allow setting changes. The high-end Precor EFX 5.17 elliptical trainer (*est. $2,700), on the other hand, has an adjustable incline to vary your workout. (Reviews say a variable incline can help isolate different muscle groups.) Smooth elliptical trainers have a lifetime warranty on parts and a one-year labor warranty.

According to reviews at TreadmillDoctor.com, Spirit elliptical trainers are a great value right now; editors think that Spirit is actually underpricing its elliptical trainers. This manufacturer gets good reviews for its treadmills, but we didn't see as many reviews for its elliptical trainers. Both the Spirit XE 350 (*est. $1,450) and the Spirit XE 550 (*est. $1,750) have a long 20-inch stride and upper body handles. Articulated foot pedals reduce ankle stress. Twenty resistance levels and ten workout programs help vary your workout. Neither of these machines has an adjustable incline (a feature you're unlikely to see at this price level). Both models have heart-rate control, a fan and an accessory holder. Both machines include a lifetime warranty on the frame and brake system, plus five years on other parts. A two-year labor warranty is included, which is more generous than Smooth.

The Spirit XE 350 has a 350-pound user weight limit; the XE 550 has a 400-pound weight limit. Added features on the higher-end XE 550 include molded handgrips, a cushioned foot pad and a heart-rate "autopilot" feature, which varies the resistance automatically to keep you in your target heart-rate zone. The entry-level Spirit XE 150 (*est. $1,250) costs less, but doesn't have many heart-rate features, has a smaller display, a 300-pound weight limit and no adjustable foot pedals.

We highlighted the Vision Fitness 6200HRT elliptical trainer (*est. $1,500) in a previous version of this report. The manufacturer upgraded this model to the X6200HRT (*est. $2,000), which also gets some high scores in reviews. Like the Life Fitness elliptical trainer and Spirit XE 550 above, the Vision Fitness X6200HRT will automatically change resistance to maintain your target heart rate (sensors are located in the handgrips). The movable handles work your upper body, plus this model can fold up for storage.

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Comparing Elliptical Machines vs. Treadmills

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:42 +0000

Kurt, from Save Your Life while You're in Time, Elliptical Machines Prevention Tips from a Heart Attack Survivor, wrote the following guest post I think you will enjoy and benefit from as well.

Comparing Elliptical Machines vs. Treadmill
Did you know that more and more individuals are recognizing the benefits of using exercise machines these days? Using these, they can workout on right in the comfort of their own homes – at their own pace and at their own time.
Another good thing about using stationary exercise machines is that they will give you the same level of physical workout that you will get by running for one hour, for example. You can even multitask and listen to music or watch your favorite television programs because there are some stationary machines which come with LCD’s as an added feature.
Moreover, instead of just giving you the chance to work on your lower body, there are stationary exercise machines with handles which lets you work on your upper body at the same time.
Elliptical Machines versus Treadmills: Which One will Give You the Ultimate Overall Body Workout?
Now, two of the most popular stationary exercise machines are treadmills and elliptical trainers. As you may already know, the treadmill is the older among the two because it has been around the fitness industry for what seems like forever. Elliptical machines, on the other hand, are relatively new in the fitness industry – although they are so popular these days that you will hardly see any gym or fitness club without one of these nifty exercise machines.
So which among these two stationary exercise machines will give you the ultimate body workout? To help you out in deciding, let us take a look at some points of comparison:
The physical differences between treadmills and elliptical machines
Visit any gym or fitness club and you can easily see the physical difference between these two. Basically, a treadmill is a typically bulky, black exercise machine which is made up of a looping belt. It imitates the act of running or walking without ever leaving your position.
Meanwhile, an elliptical machine is a stationary exercise machine which can produce varying positions including an elliptical motion, thus the name. Another difference between the treadmill and an elliptical machine is that the latter has handle bars built in so that you can also be given an upper body workout.
The types of exercises which are imitated with treadmills and elliptical machines
Using a treadmill will allow you to go through the motions of walking or running. This is unlike with the help of an elliptical trainer which lets you do cross-country skiing, stair climbing, hiking and biking.
The vigorousness of workouts that you can do with treadmills and elliptical machines.
For this aspect, the treadmill and elliptical machine seems to be on an equal footing because both machines can be adjusted according to the level of physical exertion that you like.
The impact of the treadmill and elliptical machine exercises to your joints
Basically, elliptical machines have the edge when it comes to the impact that it has to your joints. When you use an elliptical trainer, it will be similar to gliding or running on air because of the smoothness of motion that your feet and legs will make.
Those who have knee problems, those who are overweight and the elderly will have a better and easier time working out using the elliptical trainer.
The overall body workout provided by treadmills and elliptical machines
Finally, with a treadmill, it is only the lower portion of the body which is given a workout. This is unlike the elliptical trainers which have handles that will let you work on your upper body as well.
As you can see, the benefits of using elliptical trainers seem to outweigh that of a treadmill’s. However, it is still up to you to pick out the machine that will give you the level of workout that you need and help you meet your fitness goals more easily.
If You want to read more info on Treadmills, Bob of treadmillbargains4u.com as an huge list of products reviews here and Chris of http://www.aussie-retiree.com has a good article here

Top 10 Fitness Facts

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Some things you should know about exercise

By Barbara Russi Sarnataro
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature
Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH

Want to be sharper at work? Feel less tired at home? Spend some quality time with your spouse? How about enjoying a cookie without guilt?
If you answered "yes" to all of these questions (and who wouldn't?), exercise is the answer.
Being physically active offers benefits far beyond the obvious. (Of course, an improved physique and a clean bill of health aren't too shabby, either.)
If you've been looking for the motivation to begin an exercise program or get back into working out regularly, here are 10 fitness facts that may help inspire you to get off the couch.
1. Exercise Boosts Brainpower
Not only does exercise improve your body, it helps your mental function, says certified trainer David Atkinson.
"Exercise increases energy levels and increases serotonin in the brain, which leads to improved mental clarity," says Atkinson, director of program development for Cooper Ventures, a division of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.
All that makes for a more productive day.
"It is clear that those who are active and who exercise are much more productive at work," says Todd A. Astorino, assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University-San Marcos.
Improved productivity not only makes you a better worker, it makes things better for everyone in the workplace. Companies with less wasted work hours and less sick time end up with lower health care costs -- and an improved bottom line, Astorino says.
2. Movement Melts Away Stress
As much as it may stress you out just to think about exercising, once you actually start working out, you'll experience less stress in every part of your life.
"Exercise produces a relaxation response that serves as a positive distraction," says Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. He says it also helps elevate your mood and keep depression at bay.
You're not the only person who will benefit from more happiness and less stress in your life. When you're less stressed, you're less irritable, Atkinson says -- and that could improve relationships with your partner, kids, and co-workers.
3. Exercise Gives You Energy
You might be surprised at how, say, popping in a workout tape for 30 minutes in the morning can change your whole day. When endorphins are released into your bloodstream during exercise, says Astorino, "you feel much more energized the rest of the day."
And when you improve your strength and stamina, it's easier to accomplish everyday tasks like carrying groceries and climbing stairs. This also helps you feel more energetic over the course of the day.
A common excuse among Atkinson's clients is that they're too tired to exercise, he says. While exercise may make you feel more tired at first, he says, that won't last long.
The physical tiredness you feel after working out isn't the same as everyday fatigue, he says. Besides, once your body adjusts to exercise, you'll have more energy than ever.
4. It's Not That Hard to Find Time for Fitness
The key, says Atkinson, is to use your time more wisely. Think about killing two birds with one stone.
Take your kids to the park or ride bikes together, and you're getting physical activity while enjoying family time, he says. Beyond that, go for a hike, take the kids swimming, or play hide-and-seek, tag, softball, or horseshoes in the backyard.
At work, he says, schedule a meeting on the jogging track or on the golf course.
Also, forget the idea that you have to trudge to the gym and spend an hour or more doing a formal workout. Instead, you can work short spurts of physical activity into your day.
"Everyone has 20 minutes," Atkinson says. "Everyone has 10 minutes to jump rope, and sometimes that's better than 20 minutes of walking or running."
Indeed, squeezing in two or three bouts of 15 or 20 minutes of activity is just as effective as doing it all at once, says Astorino. Vacuuming the house in the morning, riding bikes in the park with the kids in the afternoon, then taking a brisk walk in the evening can add up to an active day.
Recent U.S. government guidelines say that to lose weight and keep it weight off, you should accumulate at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, says Astorino. But half an hour a day is all you need to reap the health and disease-fighting benefits of exercise.
5. Fitness Can Help Build Relationships
Think of what exercising with a partner can do for a relationship, whether it's with a spouse, a sibling, or a friend you used to go to lunch with once a week.
Not only that, says Astorino, but exercise is always more fun when there's someone to do it with. So plan to walk with your spouse after dinner every night. Meet your sister or that friend for tennis or an aerobics class instead of lunch.
Besides, Astorino says, people who have exercise partners stay with their programs and reach their goals more often than those who try to go it alone.
"For long-term weight loss, you need to have social support," Astorino says.
6. Exercise Helps Ward Off Disease
Research has shown that exercise can slow or help prevent heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis (bone loss), and loss of muscle mass, says Astorino.
It also helps ease some aspects of the aging process.
"Because exercise strengthens the muscles and joints, it is going to reduce your odds of having some of those aches and pains and problems most adults have, mostly because of the inactive lives they lead," Bryant says.
Provided you don't overdo it, he says, exercise can even boost immune function -- so you spend less time down with a cold or flu.
"There isn't a major health problem where exercise cannot have a positive effect," says Byrant.
7. Fitness Pumps Up Your Heart
Not only does exercise help fight disease, says Bryant, it creates a stronger heart -- the most important muscle in the body. That helps makes exercise -- and the activities of daily life -- feel easier.
"Your heart and cardiovascular system will function more effectively," says Bryant. "The heart will build up less plaque. It will become a more efficient pump."
And "when the heart becomes stronger, it pumps more blood per beat, so at rest, the heart rate is lower," says Astorino. "It's not going to have to beat as fast" to expend the same amount of effort.
Within only a couple days after you start exercising, Astorino says, "the body readily adapts to the stimulus it's getting and it becomes easier. You will feel less fatigue. It will not take as much effort when it comes to breathing. You shouldn't have as much pain or soreness."
8. Exercise Lets You Eat More
Pound for pound, muscle burns more calories at rest than body fat. So the more muscle you have, the higher your resting metabolic rate. And, of course, you also burn calories while you're actually exercising.
All this means that "cheating" with a cookie once in a while isn't going to take you back 10 steps. "Can you eat anything? No," says Atkinson. "But you can afford to enjoy some of the things you really like when you exercise regularly. You can better get away with those things in moderation than you can when you're not working out."
9. Exercise Boosts Performance
After a few weeks of consistent exercise, you may feel your clothes fitting differently and see that your muscle tone has improved, Atkinson says.
You may also notice your newly pumped-up muscles in other ways, especially if you're a recreational golfer or tennis player, or like a friendly game of pick-up basketball, says Atkinson. Exercising consistently will strengthen your muscles, increase flexibility, and improve your overall performance.
"Your muscles will work much more efficiently and you'll gain a greater sense of endurance," says Bryant. In addition, he says, your reaction time and balance will improve.
10. Weight Loss Is Not the Most Important Goal
Weight loss is the reason many people exercise in the first place. But it's certainly not the sole benefit of an exercise program.
Bryant says the long-term goal of weight loss is sold too heavily to people starting fitness programs, and that can be discouraging. People have trouble sticking with something if they don't see results quickly.
"Really, they should think about the level of functioning in the activities of daily living," says Bryant. "That can serve as the motivation to keep them coming back for more."
So whatever weight loss goal you have when starting a fitness program, don't make it your only goal. Strive to feel better, to have more energy, to be less stressed. Notice the small things that exercise does for you quickly, rather than getting hung up on the narrow goal of the number on a scale.
"With a goal of losing weight and enhancing health, exercise has to become a part of a person's life, not an afterthought," Astorino says.

Planning a Home Gym

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:32:39 +0000

You are taking the plunge into home fitness. It does not matter if you are looking for weight loss or general fitness, it is a big commitment. Now where do you put your gym? Back in the early years, home fitness equipment was ugly and needed to be in an unfinished basement.

Modern fitness equipment is not only better quality but better looking. When deciding to put a home piece of exercise equipment in your house, think about your comfort when using it. A television, MP3 player, window, or good lighting for reading are all things to think about.

If an unfinished basement is the place you have, make it feel more comfortable. Rubber flooring is not only affordable but gives you a comfortable place to stretch. Good lighting also makes a difference psychologically. Mirrors sometimes are a good idea. They make the area look bigger and help with your form when resistance training.
Boredom is cardiovascular fitness’s worst enemy so something to keep your mind off of that 20 to 40 minutes is a huge key to your success. A good tip is to work out when watching your favorite television program. It takes 30 days to form a habit, and once it is a habit you are off to achieving your goals.

Plan this room carefully because proper use of this room can make you enjoy the other rooms in your house longer. Some of the better home equipment manufacturers have space planners on their web sites;

Top 10 Benefits Of Working Out

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:12:00 +0000

By Sabrina Rogers

NUMBER 10
Helps you sleep better
Although it may seem like common sense knowledge, studies linking regular exercise and improved sleep patterns are fairly recent. These studies have shown that moderate to vigorous 20- to 30-minute workouts three to four times a week help you sleep better. However, you should work out in the morning or afternoon rather than close to bedtime, or you may find yourself too energized to sleep.

Working out helps you fall and stay asleep more easily, and it increases the amount of time you spend in the deepest stage of sleep. It also improves the quality of your sleep by making the transitions between its cycles smoother and more regular.

NUMBER 9
Slows the aging process & reduces the risk of premature death
Most people lose 10% of their aerobic capacity each year after the age of 30. However, regular exercise can actually make you more aerobically fit as you get older. Working out also improves skin and muscle tone, increases flexibility and reduces the risk of many age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke (see below).

NUMBER 8
Builds and maintains healthy muscles, bones & joints
As you get older, your bones lose density (mass), your joints become stiffer and less flexible, and your lean body mass decreases. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to slow or prevent muscle, joint and bone problems. A moderate to vigorous workout program can help you maintain strength and flexibility into your golden years.

NUMBER 7
Strengthens and boosts your immune system
Various studies have shown that working out improves immune function. In teenage and adult men, exercise is a powerful natural immune cell stimulator. In older men, the functioning of the immune system progressively declines, which can lead to an increased risk of infectious diseases and a reduced response to vaccination. The good news is that regular, moderate cardio workouts, such as jogging, walking or cycling, can partly offset the immune function decline in healthy older men.

NUMBER 6
Improves mental acuity
Many studies have proven that people who work out on a regular basis have better memory, reaction time and concentration than their sedentary counterparts. And it doesn't take much: walking for 45 minutes three times a week is enough to improve your degree of mental sharpness. Aerobic activity stimulates the middle-frontal and superior parietal regions of the brain, which are associated with attention and keeping goals in mind.

NUMBER 5
Improves confidence
Ask yourself this simple question: Do I feel better about myself when I'm sprawled out on the couch eating a bag of potato chips or after a great workout at the gym? Duh. If you're out of shape and start working out, you'll gain muscle tone, strength, stamina, and you'll feel better emotionally. This will inevitably give your self-image and self-confidence a boost, which is often one of the best motivators to stick to a workout program.

NUMBER 4
Increases energy and endurance
How many times have you skipped the gym because you were "too tired" to work out? But when you have hauled your ass there despite your fatigue, haven't you felt much more awake and energized afterward? People who work out regularly have more energy, strength and endurance to get through their daily activities than non-exercisers. In fact, you will likely notice this feeling of increased energy and vitality a few short weeks after you start to exercise on a regular basis.

NUMBER 3
Improves sexual performance and restores libido
It's a fact: Regular exercise can increase sexual drive, activity and satisfaction. Physical endurance and muscle tone improve sexual functioning, and exercise jump-starts the sympathetic nervous system, which increases blood flow to the genital area. The good news is that even low levels of exercise help keep your "equipment" functioning properly; in fact, you can significantly lower your risk of erectile dysfunction by burning only 200 calories a day, the equivalent of walking briskly for about two miles.

Short bouts of intense exercise increase testosterone levels, which can stimulate sexual desire. But gym rats beware; too much exercise can reduce testosterone and other male hormone levels, which can lead to a decrease in libido. Finally, don't stop as you get older; men over 50 who work out regularly have a 30% lower risk of impotence than those who don't.

NUMBER 2
Reduces stress, depression and anxiety
Exercising reduces stress and anxiety by diminishing electrical activity in tense muscles as soon as you finish your workout, which makes you less hyperactive and jittery. In addition, your body releases more endorphins for an hour and a half to two hours after your workout, which boosts your mood and promotes relaxation. Another benefit of physical activity is that it provides you with the motivation to improve your diet, and proper nutrition reduces stress. There is even evidence that regular exercise can aid in treating clinical depression.

NUMBER 1
Reduces the risk of many diseases
The best reason of all to work out regularly is that it reduces your risk of many serious and potentially deadly diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, colon cancer, breast cancer (yes, even men can get it), stroke, heart attack, and arthritis.

WORK IT
You've been hearing it for years -- now you know exactly why working out is good for you. Stop making excuses and start integrating regular exercise into your weekly routine. If you still can't find the motivation, why don't you try signing up for a few sessions with a hot female trainer?

The Beginner’s Guide to Exercise

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:29:44 +0000

How to get started with an exercise program.
By Dulce Zamora
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

You've decided it's time to start exercising. Congratulations! You've taken the first step on your way to a new and improved body and mind.

"Exercise is the magic pill," says Michael R. Bracko, EdD, FACSM, chairman of the American College of Sports Medicine's Consumer Information Committee. "Exercise can literally cure diseases like some forms of heart disease. Exercise has been implicated in helping people prevent or recover from some forms of cancer. Exercise helps people with arthritis. Exercise helps people prevent and reverse depression."

And there's no arguing that exercise can help most people lose weight, as well as look more toned and trim.
Of course, there's a catch. You need to get -- and keep -- moving if you want to cash in on the benefits. This doesn't necessarily mean following a strict, time-consuming regimen at the gym -- although that can certainly reap benefits. The truth is you can get rewards from many different types and levels of exercise.

"Any little increment of physical activity is going to be a great boost to weight loss and feeling better," says Rita Redberg, MSc, chairwoman of the American Heart Association's Scientific Advisory Board for the Choose to Move program.
Your exercise options are numerous, including walking, dancing, gardening, biking -- even doing household chores, says Redberg. The important thing is to choose activities you enjoy, she says. That will increase your chances of making it a habit.

And how much exercise should you do? For heart health, the AHA recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking, on most days of the week.

Yet "if you're getting less than that, you're still going to see benefits," says Redberg. "It's not like if you can't do 30 minutes, you shouldn't do anything, because you're definitely going to see benefits even at 5 or 10 minutes of moving around."

Ready to get started? Health and fitness experts helped WebMD compile this beginner's guide to exercise, including definitions of some common exercise terms, sample workouts, and recommendations on home exercise equipment.

A way to measure the intensity of your exercise is to check you heart rate or pulse during physical activity. These should be within a target range during different levels of intensity.

For example, according to the CDC, for moderate-intensity physical activity, a person's target heart rate should be 50% to 70% of his or her maximum heart rate.

Get Ready
The first step to any workout routine is to evaluate how fit you are for your chosen physical activity. Whenever you begin an exercise program, it's wise to consult a doctor. Anyone with major health risks, males aged 45 and older, and women aged 55 and older should get medical clearance, says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise.
But no matter what your medical condition, you can usually work out in some way.

"I can't think of any medical issue that would get worse from the right kind of exercise," says Stephanie Siegrist, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Rochester, N.Y.

After assessing your fitness, it helps to set workout goals. For example, do you want to prepare to run a 5K? Hit the gym five times a week? Or just walk around the block without getting winded?
"Make sure the goals are clear, realistic, and concise," says Sal Fichera, an exercise physiologist and owner of New York-based Forza Fitness.

Whatever your goals and medical condition, approach any new exercise regimen with caution.
"Start low and go slow," advises Bryant. Many beginners make the mistake of starting out too aggressively, only to give up when they end up tired, sore, or injured, he says. Some get discouraged because they think an aggressive workout will produce instant results.

"Generally speaking, when people go about it too aggressively early in the program, they tend not to stick with it over the long haul," says Bryant. "What you really want to do is to develop some new habits that you can stick with for a lifetime."

Fitness Definitions
Even long-term exercisers may have misconceptions about exactly what some fitness terms mean. Here are some definition of words and phrases you're likely to encounter:

• Aerobic/cardiovascular activity. These are exercises that are strenuous enough to temporarily speed up your breathing and heart rate. Running, cycling, walking, swimming, and dancing fall in this category.
• Maximum Heart Rate is based on the person's age. An estimate of a person's maximum age-related heart rate can be obtained by subtracting the person's age from 220.
• Flexibility training or stretching. This type of workout enhances the range of motion of joints. Age and inactivity tend to cause muscles, tendons, and ligaments to shorten over time. Contrary to popular belief, however, stretching and warming up are not synonymous. In fact, stretching cold muscles and joints can make them prone to injury.
• Strength, weight, or resistance training. This type of exercise is aimed at improving the strength and function of muscles. Specific exercises are done to strengthen each muscle group. Weight lifting and exercising with stretchy resistance bands are examples of resistance training activities, as are exercises like pushups in which you work against the weight of your own body.
• Set. Usually used in discussing strength training exercises, this term refers to repeating the same exercise a certain number of times. For instance, a weight lifter may do 10 biceps curls, rest for a few moments, then perform another "set" of 10 more biceps curls.
• Repetition or "rep." This refers to the number of times you perform an exercise during a set. For example, the weight lifter mentioned above performed 10 reps of the bicep curl exercise in each set.
• Warm up. This is the act of preparing your body for the stress of exercise. The body can be warmed up with light intensity aerobic movements like walking slowly. These movements increase blood flow, which in turn heats up muscles and joints. "Think of it as a lube job for the body," Bryant explains. At the end of your warm-up, it's a good idea to do a little light stretching.
• Cooldown. This is the less-strenuous exercise you do to cool your body down after the more intense part of your workout. For example, after a walk on a treadmill, you might walk at a reduced speed and incline for several minutes until your breathing and heart rate slow down. Stretching is often part of a cooldown.

Sample Workouts for Beginners
Before beginning any fitness routine, it's important to warm up, then do some light stretching. Save the bulk of the stretching for after the workout.

Once you're warmed up, experts recommend three different types of exercise for overall physical fitness: cardiovascular activity, strength conditioning, and flexibility training. These don't all have to be done at once, but doing each on a regular basis will result in balanced fitness.

• Cardiovascular activity. Start by doing an aerobic activity, like walking or running, for a sustained 20-30 minutes, four to five times a week, says Bryant. To ensure you're working at an optimum level, try the "talk test": Make sure you can carry on a basic level of conversation without being too winded. But if you can easily sing a song, you're not working hard enough.
• Strength conditioning. Start by doing one set of exercises targeting each of the major muscle groups. Bryant suggests using a weight at which you can comfortably perform the exercise eight to 12 times in a set. When you think you can handle more, gradually increase either the weight, the number of repetitions, or number of sets. To maximize the benefits, do strength training at least twice a week. Never work the same body part two days in a row.
• Flexibility training. The American College on Exercise recommends doing slow, sustained static stretches three to seven days per week. Each stretch should last 10-30 seconds.
To learn how to perform certain exercises, consider hiring a personal trainer for a session or two, or take advantage of free sessions offered when you join a gym.

Home Exercise Equipment
Exercise doesn't have to be done at the gym. You can work out in the comfort of your own home. And with calesthenic-type exercises such as squats, lunges, pushups, and sit-ups, you can use the resistance of your own weight to condition your body. To boost your strength and aerobic capacity, you may also want to invest in some home exercise equipment.
Experts offer their thoughts on some popular home exercise items:

• Treadmill. This best-selling piece of equipment is great for cardiovascular exercise, says Bracko. He recommends starting out walking at a low intensity for 30 minutes and applying the talk test. Depending on how you do, adjust the intensity, incline, and/or time accordingly.
• Free weights. Barbells and dumbbells make up this category of strength-training equipment. Dumbbells are recommended for beginners. Fichera suggests purchasing an 18 pound adjustable dumbbell set, which can be adjusted in 3 pound increments.
• Other strength training equipment. This includes weight stacks (plates with cables and pulleys), flexible bands, and flexible rods. Fichera says flexible bands are good for beginners, especially since they come with instructions. But he doesn't recommend them for long-term use; your muscles will likely adapt to the resistance and need more of a challenge.
• Exercise ball. Although instructions and/or a companion video can accompany this gadget, Bracko worries that beginners may use exercise balls improperly. "Some people fall off or can't keep the ball still," he says. But if you enjoy working out with an exercise ball, it can provide a good workout.
• Exercise videos and DVDs. Before working out with a home exercise video or DVD, Siegrist recommends watching through it at least once to observe the structure and proper form of the workout. To further improve form, she suggests working out in front of a mirror, if possible, or having someone else watch you do the exercise.

Elliptical Trainer Review

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:33:10 +0000

Consumer Reports magazine and TreadmillDoctor.com have the best elliptical trainer reviews. Consumer Reports tests and compares models based on ease of use, safety and value, using both trained fitness professionals and regular people to identify the best elliptical trainers. TreadmillDoctor.com sells replacement parts and supplies for fitness equipment, so editors are in a unique position to judge long-term reliability and value. Websites like Elliptical-Trainers-Review.com and Elliptical-Trainers.com do include some critical comments, but we didn't see any testing methodology discussed. Accordingly, we took the recommendations of these sites with a big grain of salt. Consumer Reports and TreadmillDoctor.com offer much more credible elliptical trainer reviews.

Consumer Reports notes that elliptical trainers in the lower price range often have problems right from the start; the bottom line, the magazine's editors say, is you get what you pay for. Models costing over $2,000 performed best in testing. One of the magazine's best buys cost $800, although the editors point out that this elliptical trainer lacks the sturdy health-club feel of the more expensive models.

You might recognize the Orbitrek Elliptical Glider (*est. $160) from TV infomercials. Consumers posting to Epinions say that the Orbitrek can tip at high speeds, causes painful, choppy movements and all too often breaks within a year. Further, some consumers say they had a hard time getting the manufacturer to honor the one-year warranty when the machine broke within that time frame. Owners posting comments to FitnessInfomercialReview.com echo those comments. Better choices include the entry-level Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A (*est. $400) or Image 8.5 (*est. $325).

Elliptical trainers are a mix between a stair stepper and a ski machine. You stand on pedals, which move on an elliptical track, usually via rollers. Some models have only stationary or preprogrammed incline options, while others allow the user to adjust the incline throughout the workout. Reviews say that elliptical trainers have caught up to treadmills in popularity because they provide a variety of aerobic workouts, while the ski-type leg movement limits the impact on joints.

Some elliptical trainers provide an upper body workout as well as lower body, and most offer multiple exercise options with varying levels of difficulty. Fitness reviews say that while elliptical trainers give you a good workout, they do tend to overestimate the number of calories you're burning, usually by 20 percent to 30 percent. Elliptical machines that ask you to enter your body weight can be more accurate. In general, reviews say that you'll burn 500 to 650 calories (depending on effort) after one hour of exercise on any cardio machine, whether it's a treadmill or an elliptical trainer.

Best elliptical trainers
If you've used an elliptical trainer at the gym, it was likely a higher-end commercial machine. Reviews say commercial machines are more expensive and feature-laden than most people need at home. However, Precor ranks highly in reviews for both its commercial and home elliptical trainers. The (*est. $2,700) is Precor's entry-level model, and the editors of Prevention magazine say it's one of the most durable on the market. The Precor elliptical trainer has four programs including an optional heart-rate monitor, 20 resistance levels, an incline that adjusts from 12 to 25 degrees, and a long, 19-inch stride. This makes it one of the largest home models, with a footprint of 75 x 30 inches. The Precor machine weighs 197 pounds. According to the manufacturer, Precor elliptical trainers don't have a weight limit, so they are appropriate for heavier individuals.

According to reviews at TreadmillDoctor.com, Spirit elliptical trainers are a great value right now; editors think that Spirit is actually under-pricing its elliptical trainers. This manufacturer gets good reviews for its treadmills, but we didn't see as many reviews for its elliptical trainers. Both the Spirit XE 350 (*est. $1,450) and the Spirit XE 550 (*est. $1,750) have a long 20-inch stride and upper body handles. Articulated foot pedals reduce ankle stress. Twenty resistance levels and ten workout programs help vary your workout. Neither of these machines has an adjustable incline (a feature you're unlikely to see at this price level). Both models have heart-rate control, a fan and an accessory holder. Both machines include a lifetime warranty on the frame and brake system, plus five years on other parts. A two-year labor warranty is included, which is more generous than Smooth.