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Buying a treadmill? Congratulations on making an investment in your health!

But if you want to save yourself lots of pain and loads of money, steer clear of these 3 common mistakes that most treadmill buyers make when purchasing:

#1) Getting Taken in by the Icing

The ‘icing’ is all of the non-essential treadmill goodies that some lesser-quality treadmills offer you. These are meant to hide the fact that the essential factors of a quality machine aren’t there.

So what if it’s only a 1.5 HP motor – it comes with a free heart rate monitor! That 90 day warranty doesn’t matter – it gives you 30 workout programs!

This is like buying a cake after only seeing the icing and then finding out that the icing is ALL there is. Focus on the core essentials of a quality treadmill first – then enjoy the goodies.

#2) The Old Motor Horsepower Trick

Some not-so-savory treadmill manufacturers or stores will try to impress you with the peak duty motor power. Wow – you think – a 3.0 HP motor.

However, what they’re not telling you is that there are 2 measures of motor power: Peak Duty Horsepower AND Continuous Duty Horsepower.

Peak Duty Horsepower is the power potential of the motor – the highest power it can run at. However the treadmill cannot sustain this power and it will soon start to overheat. So this measurement is essentially useless to you.

Continuous Duty Horsepower is a more accurate measure of the motor power. This is the power at which the treadmill can continually, steadily operate for 24 hours without slowing down. Thus, this is the more accurate number to gage motor power.

I know of one extremely popular treadmill right now that is doing this and unfortunately people are buying it in droves because it seems like such a good buy.

Don’t be fooled by a 3 HP peak duty horsepower rating when the Continuous Duty HP is only 1.5 HP! Just remember that the motor is the most expensive part of the treadmill to fix.

#3) Considering Price to be the Most Important Factor

Although price is an important factor, your health is the most important factor. And a treadmill is an investment in your health.

Do you want to wreck your joints or give yourself permanent back problems just to save a couple hundred bucks?

Unfortunately, this happens all too often. I know of one woman who did permanent damage to her hips because she bought a cheap treadmill with cheap cushioning and then ran on it. Within 4 months, she was in so much pain, she couldn’t even walk on her treadmill.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You CAN find a high quality treadmill for a reasonably low price – if you know where to look.

While it’s true that not all of us can afford a $4000 commercial treadmill, there are higher quality treadmills out there for under $1500 and even some under $1000. Don’t sacrifice your health just to save a buck.

Bonus Mistake #4): Not Considering Your OWN Personal Workout Needs Before Buying

That’s great that you found a quality treadmill for $999. But have you considered the fact that you are 6 feet tall and that treadbelt is only 52″ long?

When shopping for a treadmill, many people fall into the trap of ONLY looking at treadmills and never looking at themselves.

For example, are you tall or are you planning to run a lot? Then you need to make sure the treadbelt is at least 55″.

Are you, or is someone in your household a little on the sturdy side? Then it’s probably best to get a treadmill especially built to take heavier weights.

Do you have back problems or a weak back? Then if you want a folding treadmill, it might be better to purchase one with a power folding option so that you can reduce the strain of heavy lifting.

Remember to consider your own needs when looking at treadmills

Regardless of which treadmill you choose – try to steer clear of these common mistakes and you’ll save yourself a load of grief (and a ton of money!) Good luck and have fun!

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http://www.TreadmillReview.net

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Our immune systems are under the attack. Due to increased polltion and decreased quality regulations on everyday products, our bodies now have to work harder than ever before to keep us in a state of questionable health. And if that weren’t bad enough, they are forced to operate without the necessary tools because we fail to consume adequate nutrients…then we wonder why so many people get sick. Because a healthy immune system will actually help guard against cancer and heart disease, as well as lesser issues like frequent illness and acne, it is important that we give it the best care we can.

1) Exercise

Exercising helps to circulate lymph fluid, white blood cells that fight disease-causing pathogens.

2) Take a Multi-Vitamin

“The alarming fact is that foods (fruits, vegetables, and grains) now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contain enough of certain minerals are starving us – no matter how much of them we eat. No man today can eat enough fruits and vegetables to supply his (or her) system with the minerals he requires for perfect health because his stomach isn’t big enough to hold them … The truth is that our foods vary enormously in value, and some them aren’t worth eating as food … Our physical well-being is more directly dependent upon the minerals we take into our systems than on calories or vitamins or upon the precise proportions of starch, protein or carbohydrates we consume.”

The preceding quote is from Senate Document 264, dated 1936.

3) Use Organic Cleaners

Regular household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that harm the immune and respiratory systems. It is a common misconception that spraying everything with disinfectant is healthy–on the contrary, if the chemicals will kill germs, think about what they do to our own immune systems (especially pets and children, who are both smaller and closer to the surfaces). The best way to avoid becoming ill from bacterial contact is to strengthen our resistance against it.

4) Switch Personal Care Products

Most hair care and skin care products contain harmful ingredients that are soaked right into the skin. Find some that contain all-natural ingredients, and don’t be mislead by fancy advertising.

5) Keep Houseplants

Plants help to filter toxins out of the air and replace them with oxygen.

6) Get 8 Hours a Night

Deep sleep allows the release of the growth hormone. This aids in efficient absorption of nutrients and amino acids, as well as stimulation of the bone marrow (where immune cells are “born”).

7) Cut Sugar

One hundred grams of sugar can reduce the white blood cell’s ability to kill germs by 40% for 5 hours.

Get Plenty of Fresh Air

“Understanding indoor air as I do, it is my contention that our immune systems are being compromised . . .from being ‘overwhelmed’ by polluted indoor environments which are loaded with airborne contaminants.” (Dan Schilling, Building Inspector and Indoor Air Specialist)

9) Avoid Antibiotics if Possible

Antibiotics override and disable the body’s immune system.

10) Drink More Water

Dehydration leads to excess body fat (yes, drinking water helps promote weight loss), joint pain, increased toxicity, and decreased nutrient absorbtion. Be sure to avoid dehydrating beverages, such as coffee and soda.

Brianna Stanley has turned her passion of health and wellness into her business. For more information on the Freedom Project’s simple 3-step process, click on http://www.miniofficeoutlets.com/stanley

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Q: All the techniques on your DVD are awesome! If you’re pinched for time, which general warm-up method would you use?

A: Make sure to perform dynamic stretching before every workout. It just takes a few minutes, but it can make a big difference in your performance.

To recap, when performing dynamic stretches, use the pendulum method: start slow and shallow, and gradually increase speed and range with each repetition.

DYNAMIC STRETCHING ROUTINE

1. Squat

2. Split Squat

3. Toe Touches

4. Waiter’s Bow

5. Side Bends

6. Trunk Twists

7. Arms Horizontal

8. Arms Vertical

9. Arms Vertical Alternating

10. PNF Pattern

11. Arm Circles

12. Wrist Flexion/Extension

13. Wrist Circles

14. Shoulder Shrugs

15. Head Tilt

16. Head Rotation

Note: For a dynamic stretching demonstration, visit http://www.strengthwarmup.com/index.cfm?t=DVD.Content

Many coaches prescribe too many repetitions for dynamic stretching. For instance, if we go to Hartmann & Tunnemann’s excellent text titled Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports, the following is recommended for the repetition stretching method:

“The repetition (also known as the dynamic or ballistic) method involves stretching with repetitive pulls or bounces using small intervals, rather than just one pull. An athlete begins the first repetition over a relatively small range of joint motion, gradually increasing the amplitude range, reaching after 15-20 movements, the maximal range. The process is then repeated 3-4 times, using body weight or an external force (weight, partner, etc.)”

Now, the authors are quick to point out that stretching methods should be performed after each training session; however, dynamic stretching as part of a warm-up can be useful to decrease muscle damage and improve performance. It will definitely help rev up the nervous system in preparation for activity. Keep in mind, though, that it takes only 10-15 seconds of contractions to raise the body temperature by 1C and a proper warm-up should raise body temperature by 1-2C (1.4-2.8F) to cause sweating; therefore, 5-10 reps per movement is all you really need.

Remember, the goal of a warm-up is performance not fatigue!

Q: I’m interested to know your thoughts on overshooting the training load in a warm-up for a set of 3×3. For example, if I were to do 3×3 in the bench press at 335 (as I will be doing on Wednesday) my normal warm- up would be something like this:

45×10

135×8

185×5

225×4

275×3

315×2

365×1

Then I would do 3×3 at 335. I’ve done this in the past and the set of 1 at a higher load then my work sets seemed to “wake up” my nervous system for the work sets. This is only anecdotal, obviously, but I’d be interested in your thoughts and any research on the topic that you were aware of.

A: Yes, this is a very effective method utilizing postactivation (aka post- tetanic facilitation/potentiation.) However, your jump from 315 to 365 is rather large – I would insert 1 or 2 more singles here. Keep in mind that as you ramp up the weight during your warm-up sets, the difference in load between successive sets should actually decrease.

Now if we review your scheme: 225 to 275 is a 50 lb. difference; 275 to 315 is 40 lbs; then 315 to 365 is 50 lbs. again. Rather, insert either 1 more warm-up set at 345 for a single (a 30 lb. difference) or ideally 2 more w-up sets of 335 and 355 for singles. Then, go ahead and perform your work sets at 335 and you should notice an increase in strength.

Q: At one of your workshops, I remember you mentioning that plyometrics are good during a warm-up. Other than various jumps, hops and bounds, what other exercises can you use for the lower body? I’m especially lost when it comes to upper body plyometrics. Any suggestions?

A: Yes, it’s true plyometrics can be very useful during a warm-up, but don’t go overboard! They place a tremendous amount of stress on the nervous system – if you do too much prior to training, it will kill performance. Then again, if you do just the right amount, it can potentiate your strength! In general, though, plyometrics are best reserved for your athletes.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video has to be worth at least a million, right? I’m going to save myself a bunch of typing and direct you to a sample clip from my latest DVD giving you a taste of some upper body plyometric drills. Go to http://strengthwarmup.com/images/explosiveupper.wmv. For lower body plyometrics, I highly recommend Christian Thibaudeau’s Modern Strength Newsletter series which you can still access at http://www.angelfire.com/ct3/modern- strength.

Btw, the DVD has a great application of the three-stance vertical jump test from my colleague, Chad Waterbury, that will increase your squat in no time.

Q: In your recent warm-up article, you state the following:

“Some strength athletes actually gauge their recovery by using an unloaded bar — or even a broomstick — during their warm-up. If it doesn’t feel right or feels strangely heavy, then they’re not ready to train yet and need an extra day of recovery.”

Surely, you must be kidding about the broomstick, right?

A: No, I’m not kidding at all. Something I learned from both Poliquin and Kinakin is that Mike MacDonald would start his warm-up by benching a broomstick. If it felt weird then he would not train that day!

And for those that don’t know, the powerlifting bench press world record has been held by Mike MacDonald in four different weight classes: 470 lb. bench at 181, 540 lb. bench at 198, 573 lb. bench at 220 lb., and a 577 lb. bench at 242 lbs. These were held at the same time for five years straight, from 1976-1981. In fact, Mike set 36 world records in the bench press across those four different weight classes. And here’s the kicker, he performed those lifts raw without the aid of a bench press shirt or elbow wraps. Success leaves clues…

Also (and perhaps not quite as dramatic!), a broomstick can be used during a warm-up as a diagnostic. Perform an overhead squat with only a broomstick since loading will cause compression and greater flexibility (i.e. a false measure.) Then, look for things like forward lean, heel rise, knee position, foot rotation, squat depth, spine curves, position of arms and head, etc. Address those issues with specific stretches (refer to my Stretching For Strengthening article series for more details.) This will help increase flexibility and strength, and will decrease the likelihood of injury during your workout.

Note: John Paul has a DVD available with demonstrations of all the warm-up techniques and drills mentioned in this article. Visit http://www.StrengthWarmUp.com for more info.

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Yoga defines yama and niyama as the positive and negative aspects of behaviour respectively. Traditional texts mention ten yamas and ten niyamas but Patanjali’s Yogasutra, which is considered the original treatise on yoga, defines five yamas and five niyamas. It has been mentioned that in Manusmirti that it is more important to follow yamas than niyamas. Here we give a brief description on the yamas and niyamas to be followed:

* Ahimsa (Non-violence): this is one of foremost yamas. It means the lack of intention to hurt others. This intention need not be just physical but includes mental and emotional cruelty. Here the attitude is more important than the actual act of killing. You should not even have the intention of offending others. * Satya (Truthfulness): this quality implies the honesty and sincerity in thoughts, words and deeds. This is possible only when one has conquered greed and ambition since these are the two major culprits which take you away from the truth. * Asteya (Non-theft): in Sanskrit, “steya” denotes the enjoyment or keeping with oneself the things that do not rightfully belong to them. This is basically the act of stealing or theft. A person is inclined to steal only when he has no love and has some selfish motive. A yogi or a student of yoga has very few basic needs. He has learnt the art of loving himself as well as the others. Hence he does not feel the need to exploit or steal from others. * Brahmacharya (Celibacy): sex has been defined as on of the vital necessities of human existence. It ranks next only to food. Since ancient times, very few people have been able to master their sexual urges. If not satisfied, these urges lead a person to depravation and develop psychotic tendencies. Yoga lays a great stress on the celibacy. It considers not only the act of sex itself as sexual but even thinking, talking and looking at opposite sex as a part of sex and hence has to be avoided. Patanjali has declared that brahmacharya increases the mental strength also called veerya in an individual. * Aparigraha (Non-gathering): this yama means not going on collecting wealth and objects just for enjoyment. Yoga teaches one to collect wealth and objects just to meet his primary needs. This is important because greed causes distraction and thus leads to increased strain on his mind and body.

The above mentioned points deal with vairagya or the negative aspects of one’s behaviour. Now we take a look at some of the niyamas or the positive aspects of the behaviour as described by yoga:

* Shoucha (Cleanliness): This includes the cleanliness of the mind and the body. Yoga has described a clean mind as the one free of any prejudices, false beliefs, ignorance and ego. Generally speaking, all the yamas come under this niyama since they deal with eliminating some or the other impurities. * Santosha (Contentment): a yogi is taught to be happy and satisfied with his lot. He does not need to achieve any ambition. * Tapas (Religious austerities) : This niyama describes the rituals like fasting needed to fortify the mind. Yoga believes that this increases the resistance power of the body and makes your body and mind stronger and thus you can face adverse conditions effectively. * Swadhyaya (Reading of religious literature): This practice is very useful for overcoming ignorance and facing the adversities of life calmly. It helps to fill your mind with peace. * Ishwarpranidhana (Devotion): this teaches you to rely on the divine will and to ascribe the effects of your action to the divine providence. This is a very useful habit to cultivate as you can accept everything as God’s will and can achieve peace of mind. This eliminates the fear and worry.

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When you review product ratings for treadmills, it is important to consider the intended purpose for the treadmill. Do you intend to use it for mostly running, mostly walking, or a combination of the two? Once you decide your intention, it is easy to pick the best treadmill to suit your purposes.

If you want a treadmill for mostly walking, the Smooth 5.15P is an excellent choice. The display panel has been upgraded so that no toggling is required, and it has a heart-rate monitor on the handgrip, and a long list of valuable warranties. The estimated cost is $900.

For walking/running combination use, the Horizon Fitness Elite 5.1T is recommended by professionals. It has a 350-lb. weight limit, so it is a good choice for heavier treadmill users. Hydraulic folding mechanisms aid in folding the steel frame, and it has various warranties as well. The estimated cost is $1800.

If you are an experienced runner, experts recommend the Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer to suit your needs. Even if you are a pro, this treadmill will satisfy your workout expectations. With a 400-lb. weight limit and lifetime warranty on all parts, this treadmill is durable and hassle-free, worth the estimated cost of $2800.

Concerned about the impact on your wallet? Check out the Image 16.0Q, recommended for walkers and only costs about $515. No matter what your specific needs or budget, these product ratings are suggestions that will help get you started in your search for the perfect treadmill.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Treadmill-Solutions.com He provides more treadmill reviews, treadmill ratings and treadmill buying information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Copyright 2006 John Perry

Physical fitness; I am sure this term means different things to different people. It conjers up memories of junior high gym class and specific tests or drills we did to determine our fitness level.

Many years later, I am still amazed at how many different ways fitness is measured. To some, it is the ability to run long distances. For others, it is the ability to do “x” amount of one task and finish an obstacle course under a certain time.

For most it is simply the way you look. This, combined with good muscle tone and perhaps even the way you carry yourself, represent good fit qualities.

For me, physical fitness represents one of the three aspects of fitness. I think it involves efficient movement patterns to allow the body to be successful. I feel it should be measured individually, yet have a common basis for measurement.

Every individual needs to compare themselves to themselves; measure their achievements to their past experiences. Now, I think it is great to learn from successful people around us and try to achieve results similar to other trailblazers in a particular area of interest.

However, “you vs. you” ought to be the motto.

I feel we, as a society, spend too much time comparing ourselves and our successes to someone else. Whether it is the money they make, the house they live in, the car they drive, the amount of happiness in their life or how fit or in shape they are.

More time ought to be spent doing things that feed on our individual passions and seeing in what direction that leads us. Worrying about another’s achievements or aspirations could lead us in directions we were never meant to go and therefore could stifle potential success and happiness.

What are you excited about? How do you want to look and feel? How do you measure success? Fitness?

Once you figure this out you will have your measuring stick.

What is the basis for fitness? This needs to be an exercise program that allows you to be successful – mentally, physically and financially.

Programs that improve your energy levels, muscle and joint strength, balance and overall flexibility are a must. This will allow you to move better, be more productive and prevent potential injuries and orthopedic problems.

Early in our development, we move properly; the body and brain communicate well and questions concerning orthopedic problems or fitness levels are, for the most part, a non-issue.

As we “mature,” we begin to develop poor movement habits, postures and compensations due to communication changes between body and brain. This is usually the result of daily work duties, hobbies, eating habits and bad advice or other learned information.

Many exercise programs just enhance these bad habits and lead to sub-par and unwanted levels of fitness. Many begin to blame old age, lack of time and genetics as the culprits.

In reality, it is ignorance… that’s right, ignorance.

Before you email me and call me bad names, ignorance is simply a lack of knowledge. The biggest problem I see with clients’ physical fitness level is their lack of knowledge.

People just need to be reminded of how to move properly again, like when we were younger. I would like to “tweak” the Beach Boy’s hit song and say “wouldn’t it be nice if we were younger- then we would move so much better.” This would mostly be because we would be moving efficiently, not just because our body is “newer and fresher.”

Re-setting the nervous system is done by moving in three planes of motion, (i.e. multiple directions), and working groups of muscles (muscle synergies) vs. isolated muscles. It is also important to work on balance, (one leg, reaching with arms or legs outside of balance comfort zone and exercising on different surfaces) as well as working through your available muscle and joint range of motion.

Full-body, multi-plane exercise routines will stimulate the brain for improved movement patterns, posture and injury prevention.

I cannot finish this article without mentioning the benefit of weight loss with this type of routine. Increasing energy and metabolism (due to nervous system stimulation and improved muscle mass and strength) will aid the weight loss enhancement.

Proper fueling or nutrition will, of course, help with weight loss and ideal weight maintenance. This is best achieved with portion control (portions size of fist per item) and protein to carbohydrate ratios (2.5 grams of carbs for every gram of protein).

Keep sweets, fats and oils to a minimum.

Your body will operate in proportion to how you train it and how you feed it; therefore, why not teach it to look, feel and perform how you want it to… take control of your physical fitness.

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” -George Bernard Shaw

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Almost everyone has experienced the fact that when one starts concentrating his mind on any immediate object or an idea, the mind starts wandering. It is very difficult to keep the mind busy with a single thought. The ancient sages too encountered the same problems. Arjuna, in Gita had mentioned that controlling the mind is the impossible thing on the earth. Hence, he was advised by Krishna that though mind control is difficult, it can be made silent and steady by regular practice of vairagya and abhyasa. However, he has warned that yoga is very difficult for people whose minds are not steady and controlled. Pantanjali, in Yoga Sutra has emphasized these two qualities to achieve mind control. Hence these are the very qualities that make the essence of yoga.

Mind is like a disturbed pond with many impurities. First you need to stop the inflow of fresh impurities and then remove the existing impurities to clean the mind. Abhyasa is the one of the practices for purifying the mind. Dhyana is one of the sub practices of abhyasa. This is a stage that the person reaches after practicing concentration for some time. At the start of dhyana, the mind is steadier and only a single thought about the object arises in the mind. Now it is safe to say that the state of dhyana is reached. Here the mind becomes very stable like the flame of a lamp in the calm atmosphere and its contact with the object of experience becomes intense and complete.

There are two varieties of dhyana called sagunadhyana or nirgunadhyana. In the first dhyana, the stillness of mind is associated with an object of experience which can be experienced through the sense organs. The second one is completely mental. It implies complete absorption of mind into itself. Here mind is not associated with any external object. It becomes completely still in this state. This mind is supposed to remain still, silent and sensitive such that it can understand any past, present and future event that might have happened anywhere in the universe.

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Anyone who has been in a grocery store recently knows that food companies are tripping over themselves in the rush to introduce “low carb” versions of everything from bread to candy to soda to cereal. Do not think for a minute that these companies are motivated by the health interests of consumers. The reality is that they are mainly concerned with the wallets of consumers and will market anything that they think a gullible public will buy. Low carb junk food is still junk food.

I know some of you reading this may already be raising your defenses because you have lost weight by cutting your carb consumption. Let me first congratulate you on your weight loss, and secondly say that this is not an anti-Atkins or anti-South Beach piece. This article is simply meant to educate readers on the reality of carbohydrates, “good” carb choices vs. “bad” carb choices, what they do, why your body needs them, and how to make better nutrition choices than food company marketing efforts want you to.

The first thing to understand is that carbohydrates provide the body with its main source of fuel, glucose (blood sugar), which is stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen. Any muscle contraction, whether during exercise, getting out of bed, or blinking an eye, is fueled primarily by glycogen. So, for those of you engaging in resistance training, this should immediately point out the fact that you need carbs for fuel in order to maximize your efforts in your resistance program. The next fact to understand is that your brain (which burns more calories than any organ in the body) and nervous system can only use glucose for energy. This is why, especially in the early or induction phases of carb restricted diets, dieters often feel sluggish and less alert than normal. By cutting out carbs, you are cutting off your brain’s main source of fuel.

Some of you are probably thinking, “That’s exactly what I want, because now my body will need to burn fat for energy!” Yes and no. Yes, your body will burn some fat for energy; however it will also generate glucose by breaking down protein stores in the muscles, organs and other tissues. This will severely compromise tissue growth, repair, and maintenance, and as discussed in previous articles, slow down your metabolism. Certainly, that is not the result you are looking for. As I said, this is not an anti-(insert your favorite low-carb guru here) piece. But, the truth is, carbohydrates are a nutrient, and a nutrient is defined as a “substance that an organism must obtain from its surroundings for growth and the sustainment of life”. So, does it make sense to follow a program that calls for the wholesale abandonment of vital nutrient? Of course not. What is needed is an understanding of the difference between supportive, quality carbohydrates that provide essential nutrients and fuel, and overly processed and refined carbohydrates that provide empty calories and support fat storage.

What do I mean by overly processed and refined carbs? Think about white bread, donuts, muffins, pastries, white rice, candy, sugary breakfast cereals, white pasta, potato chips, crackers, soda. Foods like these digest very quickly and give your body a rapid spike in blood sugar, which, when fat loss is the goal, is something we want to avoid. After your body takes the blood sugar it needs to replenish muscle glycogen, whatever is left over from that spike will get stored as fat.

What makes supportive, quality carbs different? They digest more slowly, producing a more gradual rise in blood sugar and providing a more even source of fuel. Look for breads and cereals made from whole grains, pasta made from whole wheat flour, brown rice instead of white rice, sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes, fruits in moderation and vegetables in abundance. Whole grain carbs will keep you feeling satisfied longer, and not looking to devour a bag of chips within an hour of eating your plain bagel.

So, the lesson is to not get taken over by carb phobia and fill your shopping cart up with all of the new low carb products. Just like in the early 80’s when the food manufacturers were frantically trying to come up with low fat versions of every product under the sun, they are doing the same now in order to sell more products, not because they are concerned with your health. Back then, consumers were tanking up on SnackWell cookies. They are low fat, so they must be okay right? Well, since the low fat boom of the 80’s, the obesity rate in this country has skyrocketed. That is not because the true culprit is now carbs. No, the reason is because junk food, whether low fat, low carb, or low whatever, is still junk food.

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Spinning exercise or studio cycling is not only popular these days it’s an excellent form of fitness. It helps strengthen your heart, tone your glutes, calves, thighs in addition to being a great exercise to slim legs.

Spinning exercise classes usually consist of about 12 to 20 people. Classes range from 50 to 60 minutes and are set to music. The instructor takes the class on a ride that includes all types of terrain that produces a great spinning workout.

If you are the type of person who doesn’t care for traditional exercise classes, this form of exercise is perfect for you. One of the many benefits of spinning is you will always feel like you’re keeping up with the class because everyone finishes at the same time.

The special spinning bicycle that you pedal has a weighted flywheel in the front and makes you feel more like you’re riding on a real bicycle. The spinning bike allows you to adjust the tension to keep pedaling within a comfortable range for your fitness level.

Adjustments can also be made to the handlebars and seat to make you more comfortable. Here are a few stationary exercise bike tips before you start.

Always bring a bottle of water to class and take frequent drinks while you ride. Spinning works up a sweat and it’s important that you keep hydrated. Also bring a small towel to wipe away the sweat to keep more comfortable.

Learn to pace yourself because spinning exercise classes can be very high energy. Don’t get caught up in the enthusiasm so much that you ride beyond your fitness level.

Wear padded bike shorts or consider bringing a seat cushion until you get use to the bike seat. They tend to be a little hard on your rear end until you get use to them.

The first step is to sign up for a class so you can start enjoying the benefits of spinning. Remember like any class, the instructors will vary on their focus. Some take you on an imaginary ride while other concentrate on a more rigorous variety of drills.

If you find you don’t like the style of one instructor, try another class. It could be a completely different experience with an instructor you like better.

Using a spinning cycle will give you the aerobic burst you need to get your heart racing and boost your endurance. Just climb on and start pedaling to your limit for a spinning exercise workout you’ll enjoy.

Copyright © 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.

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Whether you’re involved with running a commercial health club, or you’re an entrepreneurial fitness coach looking to start your own personal training studio, or you’re a home owner looking to build your home gym with quality equipment, you can get commercial grade exercise machines at a fraction of the cost with refurbished fitness equipment.

New commercial exercise equipment can cost you thousands of dollars. With refurbished exercise equipment, you can save up to fifty percent off the regular retail price of a new machine; all with virtually identical functions and even a similar warranty compared to a new machine. Everything from treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, steppers to free weights and even floor matting can be found at a discounted price from a fitness remanufacturing company.

Refurbished Exercise Equipment: Good As New?

If you find the right company that sells refurbished exercise equipment, then the answer is a definite yes. Fitness remanufacturing companies such as Global Fitness, Fitness Equipment Depot and Kacor Inc., who specializes in buying pre-owned equipment from health clubs, that have gone bankrupt or upgraded what they have, and remanufacturing the exercise equipment good as new.

Remanufacturing Process

The basic remanufacturing process of commercial exercise equipment is taking apart the used equipment, powder coat the frame and the machine is reconstructed from the ground up. In the end, the gym machine will function and look as though it is new. There are three different remanufacturing processes:

Total Remanufacture

* Machine is stripped down, and sand blasted

* Powder finish

* A test of all moving parts

* Savings of 35% off the price of a new machine

* Longest warranty period-comparable to that of a new model

Refurbished

* Touch up of paint job

* Testing of machine to make sure its 100% operational

* 40-50% off the price of a new machine

* Approximately 6 month warranty

Serviced

* Machine is cleaned with some minor touch-ups

* Testing of machine to make sure its 100% operational

* 40-50% off the price of a new machine

* Approximately 3 month warranty

* (Note: although this sounds like the fitness machine will have a short lifespan, it may be the case that serviced equipment is a newer machine that didn’t need as much work).

Tips on Selecting Refurbished Gym Equipment

Not all refurbished exercise equipment sold by retailers are the same, and you might need to do some research and shopping around before you make a final decision. Here are some tips to help you select the right equipment to ensure that you get the most out of your investment:

Check the Stock of the Items

Make sure that the refurbishing company has the item you’re looking for in stock in their inventory before purchasing. If they do not have in-stock inventory of the pre-owned strength training equipment, you could be waiting days, weeks or even months before your equipment arrives to your doorsteps.

Life Expectancy of the Reconditioned Machine

You can speak to a representative of the used exercise equipment company to find out how long the exercise machine was originally used, and what the life expectancy is (if any). Also, contact the original fitness equipment manufacturers to find out if particular models had any defects that were later resolved in later versions.

Get Some References and Contact Them

Obtain a list of previous customers from the remanufactured fitness equipment dealer, and contact them to find out what their experiences are like with their used equipment. This information can help you decide whether the remanufacturing dealer is fit for you before making a purchase.

Summary

When you’re considering options for commercial strength training equipment, treadmills, elliptical trainers or any other exercise machine, keep refurbished exercise equipment as a possible choice. Purchasing refurbished commercial exercise equipment from the right remanufacturing company can give you a practically new workout machine while saving you potentially thousands of dollars and allowing you the possibility to add additional equipment with any budget.

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