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Posts Tagged ‘Exercise Equipment’

When it comes to exercise and achieving the individual fitness goals that we set for ourselves, often we need more fitness equipment than just our own body. Increasing fitness levels and achieving overall health, requires a commitment to a regimented eating and exercise program that will result in the shedding of fat and building of muscle. But in order to achieve these goals we must first identify the type of exercise that is likely to mean success for our particular body – and the type of fitness equipment that will help us do it.

For cardiovascular exercise – the fitness equipment depends on the type of exercise you choose. Runners – and walkers for that matter – require a good pair of shoes as their exercise equipment. Proper shoes can never been underestimated; they will further fitness goals and prevent injury. Whether running or walking, pounding on pavement can put an enormous amount of stress on knees, ankles, feet, and even back. High quality shoes can absorb the shock and make this fitness experience a much more pleasant one.

Other fitness equipment corresponds to other cardiovascular exercise – kickboxing often requires a punching bag; boot camp programs may require a medicine ball; and a high-energy step class will require a sturdy step on which to perform your exercises. For those who prefer to get their exercise by machine, fitness equipment may include the treadmill, stair climber, stationery bicycle, and elliptical machine.

But of course, fitness equipment extends to other forms of exercise as well. Weight training requires a variety of weights – both machine and free weights. Core training – such as yoga and Pilates – requires mats as a part of fitness equipment.

Fitness equipment does not have to be high-end expensive pieces of machinery. Optimum physical fitness can be achieved in the comfort of your home by simply utilizing every day objects around the house in order to supplement your exercise routine. Do dips on a kitchen chair, squats against a wall, or sprints on your stairs – exercise doesn’t have to be confined to a gym. As a matter of fact, many people consider their exercise videos to be the most important piece of fitness equipment that they have.

Fitness equipment can maximize your workout and go a long way towards helping you achieve your fitness goals. Keep your choices in fitness equipment creative – you’ll soon discover that exercise can be quiet enjoyable.

Of all the fitness skills, physical balance is one that is among the most important. And yet, people seldom work on their balance skills. There is a unique piece of exercise equipment that allows you to not only work on your balance, but doing so while performing other activities. Let’s take a closer look…

How To Improve Physical Balance

Your physical balance skills are one of the most important skills to maintain as you age. Like any skill, it will deteriorate if not practiced and worked on.

Up to now, the problem has been a lack of specific exercises or equipment to improve this skill. We have weights for strength training, indoor bikes for cardio, treadmills for running, but nothing specific for balance.

We need to maintain this skill not only for fitness activities, but in our every day life. Many senior citizens suffer falls due to instability issues. Further, their freedom to perform certain activities like driving is eliminated due in part to this physical deterioration.

In short, the only way to prevent a decrease in your physical balance is to specifically target and practice the skill.

Fitball Balance Discs: How They Work

Fitball balance discs are relatively small devices, with most being just over twelve inches in diameter. They are flat on the bottom but slightly oval on top, with a durable coating to support your weight.

The disc has a certain amount of pliability or “give” to it, meaning when you stand atop the disc, you aren’t stable. Maintaining your equilibrium on the disc is what helps you train your brain and muscles to balance.

Essentially, you are working your core muscles, which are crucial for stability. Even a brief session atop a Fitball balance disc will engage your leg and core muscles in challenging fashion.

How To Use A Fitball Balance Disc

The beauty of this portable, inexpensive piece of equipment is its versatility. You can use it while standing, sitting, or kneeling. Go ahead, try to sit atop the disc and see if you can stay in balance!

Some group fitness classes incorporate the disc into their workouts. It can be used in place of a step platform or in pilates as a method to target core muscles.

One additional benefit is improved posture. Working on your balance forces you to use your leg and core muscles while keeping your torso relatively still and quiet. This teaches you to stand erect, thereby having a direct positive effect on your posture.

Summary

Fitball balance discs are an excellent addition to any fitness regimen, since they focus on balance, a critical athletic and life skill.

They are portable, durable, and inexpensive too. Most online specialty retailers sell them for around twenty dollars. Using one consistently will strengthen your core, leg, and back muscles while adding a unique challenging dimension to your workouts.

When it comes to one of the leading names in exercise equipment manufacturers you cannot ignore the role of Cap Barbell that has been serving millions of customers all over the world since 1982. Cap fitness equipment comprises of free weight training equipment like dumbbells, bench press, barbells, mats, Olympic weights and other parts. If you are looking for fitness equipment that speaks both quality and standard investment in Cap fitness equipment is a wise and prudent choice.

Dumbbells are an integral part of any weight and strength training program and keeping this in mind Cap fitness equipment manufactures them keeping in mind the highest level of quality assurance. When it comes to the purchase of dumbbells there are many types that are manufactured and the following are the primary ones:

Adjustable Dumbbells: In this type of dumbbell the weight plates can be slid to the outer portions of the dumbbell and can be secured with a clip. These dumbbells also have adjustable weights that can be increased from 5 to 50 pounds. If you are focusing on exercises to increase the muscle mass you should opt for this type of dumbbell Fixed Weight Dumbbells: These fixed weight dumbbells are very useful for toning the muscle and they are available in various weights. Solid Metal dumbbells: These dumbbells are made of single cast iron and are very durable. These dumbbells are also coated with rubber to make them safe for exercising. Aerobic Dumbbells: These dumbbells are plastic coated and they weigh from two to eight pounds. They are normally used for aerobic workouts. When you need to buy dumbbells for your fitness needs you need to consider many factors and the key ones are the weight, the type of durability, the comfort and the type of workout that you need to undergo. If you are looking for functionality and portability you should opt for the adjustable dumbbells. If money is a determining factor you can go for the traditional cast iron dumbbells that are very economical.

From the above it is evident that no gym is complete without a good set of fitness equipment and the traditional dumbbell occupies a significant place in all gyms be it the regular or home based ones. When you are purchasing dumbbells for your gym you must ensure that you have the right types to suit all ages and fitness levels.

Cap fitness equipment gives you the advantage of making all the dumbbells available from a single place. They ensure the highest level of quality and functionality giving the customers guaranteed satisfaction. If you are looking for the right type of dumbbell for your weight training needs, you should opt for Cap fitness equipment dumbbells that will give you quality assurance for long. Dumbbells are one of the most basic weight training equipment occupies a special place in every gym. They are a part and parcel of every weight training program from beginners to experienced gym goers. If you do not have time to go to the gym just set up one at home and get the best Cap fitness equipment dumbbells for you.

When choosing which home gym exercise equipment will work best for you, there are many things to keep in mind. One being, what are you looking to get out of if?

Do you want to trim down your waist or bulk up your chest? These are factors to consider before buying equipment. When you know what your goals are, you can then take into consideration other key things like budget and space.

It’s often a good idea to give a machine a “trial run” in a store if you can, that way you know if you will fit the machine, and if it feels comfortable before you spend 10 hours putting it together. Just be ready for the sales people who will swarm you, after all it is their job. Knowing your facts before going into one of these stores is critical or you may get swayed into something you didn’t want. Steer clear of infomercial equipment and gimmicks.

If they promise you will drop 2 pants sizes by the weekend, it’s probably too good to be true. It is also a wise idea to shop around online. Not only can you often find a better price, you can have it delivered.

So now that you have narrowed down your goals, budget, spatial logistics and researched home gyms, you need to look to the future. Will you outgrow this machine in a matter of months or does it have the lasting power to change with your new body? Look into home gyms that offer accessory packages and weight upgrades.

While initially they may seem more expensive, it will save you from purchasing a new gym once you outgrow that small weight stack.

Most importantly, make sure you like the gym you buy. Sure, that sounds pretty straight forward, but if you aren’t completely satisfied with the equipment, you simply won’t use it and have wasted hundreds of dollars. If you have never lifted weights or done strength training before, either find a friend who has a home gym and test it out, or get a trial gym membership to see what equipment you like to use before buying something you hate.

The internet is a great place to do some initial research to see what is available and compare features, benefits and prices between the offerings from the various home gym manufacturers. When you have carried out your research you can then go forward with confidence knowing what you want, what you can afford and which is the best home gym system for you.

The use of exercise and fitness equipment often results in injury because of the high impact associated with using it. There are, however, various types of low impact exercise and fitness equipment available in the market. The three main types of low impact exercise equipment that you might consider buying are elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, and rowing machines. If you have enough space, then you should consider getting one of these low impact exercise machines for your home.

The first and most common low impact exercise and fitness machine is the exercise bike. Exercise bikes come in two forms – the upright form and the recumbent form. The upright form of exercise bike is similar to a normal bicycle in that the rider sits up straight while pedaling. The recumbent form allows the rider to recline while using the machine, thus reducing strain on the back while using the machine. The recumbent bike, while good for endurance training, does not provide a workout of the same intensity as an upright bike can. The standard bike mainly works the leg muscles. Both forms of exercise bike can be fairly affordable, with models available for as little as six hundred dollars.

The rowing machine is another type of low impact exercise and fitness equipment that you may wish to consider. It simulates the action of rowing a boat, helping to improve your cardiovascular health and strengthen the muscles in the upper body. The machine makes use of magnetism, air, hydraulics and water to create four different ways in which you can pull the machine. The rowing machine relies on a spinning fan to create air resistance when you pull on the mechanism. This simulates the actual experience of rowing. While a less expensive model can cost less than two hundred dollars, a more expensive model that is more durable and magnetic-based can cost thousands of dollars. No matter what model you choose to buy, however, you will still find it a fantastic option for exercising.

The last type of low impact exercise and fitness equipment that you might consider is the elliptical trainer. Using this machine involves standing on a pair of pedals and moving them around a wheel, making it resemble a hybrid between a regular treadmill and a stationary bike. Some elliptical trainers also include cross-training bars, allowing users to strengthen their arm muscles as well as their leg muscles. Elliptical trainers use two different types of brakes – friction brakes and magnetic brakes. Friction brakes tend to wear out easily so a machine that uses magnetic brakes would be the better choice. The width of your stride should also affect your choice of machines, as you should look for one that does not place your feet too far apart. A guideline for suitable stride width would be twenty inches. The cost of an elliptical trainer can range from less than five hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

If you are thinking of buying exercise and fitness equipment, you should consider these three types of low impact exercise and fitness equipment. Low impact exercise equipment is excellent for regular exercise and helps to reduce the strain and injury from using regular high impact exercise equipment.

Quality elliptical trainers that provide a quality workout and have a reliable performance record are generally expensive. In fact we recommend that you consider paying at least $1000.00 and preferably $1200.00 for an elliptical trainer. This generally assures that you will have a good quality elliptical machine. It is the old pay me now or pay me later situation and cost is an indicator of quality when it comes to fitness equipment.

Remanufactured elliptical trainers can be a viable option when considering top end cross trainers. A great example is the Life Fitness CT9500HRR remanufactured cross trainer. This is a top end elliptical trainer that is designed for in home or light commercial use. New list price for this top end elliptical trainer is $4995.00. As you can see this not a cheap piece of fitness equipment, however a good quality remanufactured CT9500HRR sells for about $2999.95. That is a serious savings of about $2000.00 for what we feel is a good elliptical machine.

Buying an elliptical trainer that is this expensive can cause you to have second thoughts but again you get what you pay for. Just head over the local fitness center, gym or YMCA and ask them what they are paying for their equipment and you will quickly understand what a deal this unit is. The Life Fitness CT9500HRR Crosstrainer has been remanufactured by Global Fitness, a Los Angeles-based company that refurbishes and re-sells exercise equipment from the industry’s most trusted names.

We recently had the opportunity to test the CT9500HRR remanufacture cross trainer that was purchase by a condo association for use by its members. We had previously used the CT9500HR that was in relatively new condition and thus were familiar with its operation. We also interviewed the manager of the condo association to find out if there were any problems with the remanufactured Life Fitness CT9500HRR. The association had purchased it just two months earlier and had only one minor problem when setting up the elliptical cross trainer. The self generating power system and wheels were especially appreciated features.

Each of our four testers spent an hour on the Life Fitness CT9500HRR. Two of our testers have more than 500 hours on elliptical trainers and are very picky when it comes to performance and features. One of our testers is a large martial artist and weight lifter and is immediate comment was on how sturdy the machine felt to him. Two of the testers thought the console should have been larger or laid out better. One feature we all would have liked to see on a high end cross trainer is the ability to change the incline and thus the stride length. This gives the user a more complete lower body workout. Never the less we all thought the Life Fitness CT9500HRR performed flawlessly.

Warranties are a concern whenever you purchase any piece of fitness equipment. Remanufactured elliptical trainers by Global fitness have a standard 6 month parts and labor warranty and a one year warranty on the motor. The company also has a 30 day return policy without any restocking fee.

If you are serious about acquiring a quality elliptical trainer for your home or office you may want to look at a remanufactured elliptical machine. As always you should do your home work and check out the customer reviews for each elliptical trainer you are considering. We also suggest that you take the machine for a test ride whenever possible. This can be accomplished by visiting your local fitness equipment dealer or fitness center and spending 30 minutes on the each model. Make sure the elliptical machine fits your body and workout style before you take out your credit card. Remember and elliptical trainer is a great way to stay in shape but only if you use it on a regular basis. That means your elliptical trainer has to be reliable and maintenance free.