Fitness-Equipment Articles
A Treadmill Reader Rack What Is It And What Does It Do
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 421)
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A treadmill reader rack is a generic term for the basket which holds the varying amounts of instruments that the modern day treadmill offers the consumer as part of accessory pack that comes with your treadmill.
Bearing in mind the cost of a new treadmill, the quality of the machine itself should not surpass the quality needed, and expected, of the read out equipment that will come with it. In addition to the durability that one expects from a treadmill, the reader rack should be easy to use and give you the information that you require to complete your work out with the optimum effect. You really don't want to be worrying about the onboard computers when you are doing a 20k run on your treadmill!
The treadmill reader rack should offer good ergonomic designs, as well as an ease of use. They should supply the information that you require on a wide range of relevant statistics, such as calories used up, speed, miles (or kilometres) run and heart rate amongst other things.
In addition to statistics on your own personal well being during your work out, a treadmill should also offer lots of practical functionality. By that I mean the means to control the type of workout that you are experiencing, by altering the speed at which you can run, or the incline of the slope. In an ideal world, a good treadmill should also let you vary both of these factors during the course of a workout, to give you precisely the type of exercise that you are looking for.
Some treadmills are specially designed for the rehabilitation of either the athlete or the patient, but, in either case, the machine should give you all the information that you require. If you are a sports person or just someone in the recovery room, the right information must be delivered in order to fulfil the criteria of the treadmill that you are using to give you the maximum benefit.
Some machines actually go a stage further and go beyond the functional to what could only be described as luxury. What else could you call magazine racks and space for your MP3?
The onboard computers of some treadmills also allow you to program and save custom routines that you might have entered yourself.
Either way, a treadmill should give you what you need - you should not compromise on quality, nor functionality.
Treadmills And The Basics Of Purchasing
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 370)
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For a long time treadmills have been a popular way for people to exercise in their homes. People use them to lose weight, get in shape and maintain a certain fitness level. It is very common to find someone with a treadmill in their home. If you are looking for a great piece of equipment to use when in your home, you should look into a treadmill. When you have your own treadmill at home, you can get exercise from walking or running even if you can not go outside. But if you want to get a treadmill and you want to start a treadmill routine, you need to be sure you do it safely and stay healthy. Be sure to take on a good program and to choose your treadmill carefully because it can be an expensive investment.
Before you purchase a treadmill you need to know what features to look for to be sure you are getting the best one for you and your needs. Some things to look for are:
Motors: Motorized treadmills have inbuilt motors that make the belt and life operate. Motor treadmills also let you raise and lower the incline easier. You can change the pace of your workout how you see it best for you.
Horsepower: The horsepower is the measure of the treadmill's motor. If it has a continuous horsepower it is how well it works continuously without lagging. The peak horsepower is how much power it can get for a quick burst.
Incline: The incline is used to mimic the natural human style of walking or running. Manual incline lets you change it yourself by speeding up your pace. A power incline lets you adjust the incline while you are walking or running.
Belts and Decks: A thicker belt gives you more cushion for your legs and joints. Short belts give you a faster pace and some people prefer these.
Speed: When you think of a treadmill, you often think of the speed. Most go from 0 to 10 MPH.
Computer Controls: Treadmills all have some type of computer control to keep them going. Many have odometers and speedometers and some even have pre-programmed workouts.
Elliptical Trainer Ratings
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 404)
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Buying an elliptical? You may want to look at several elliptical trainer ratings before buying to get an idea of which elliptical trainers are best for you.
Before you look at elliptical trainer ratings however, here are a few things you should know about how elliptical trainers are rated:
#1 Elliptical Trainers are Rated in Specific Price Groups
There are really 3 categories of elliptical trainers: Economy Buys, Mid-priced and Commecial Grade ellipticals.
Economy buys range from about $300 to $1000. Mid-priced ellipticals range from $1000-$2000. High End or Commercial elliptical trainers range from about $2200 and above.
When experts go to rate elliptical trainers they usually compare the elliptical trainers within price class.
So just because an economy elliptical trainer gets 5 stars and a mid-priced elliptical gets 4 stars, that doesn't mean the economy elliptical is better than the mid-priced elliptical. It just means that compared to other economy elliptical trainers, that one is superior.
#2 Experts Value Elliptical Features Differently
Ever wonder why certain elliptical trainers get rated highly by some experts and not by others? It's because different elliptical trainer raters value some features over others.
So for example, while Consumer Reports may give more weight to long warranties and stability, Consumer Guide may value smoothness of ride or ease of use.
It doesn't mean one elliptical trainer is better than another - it could just mean they are rated using different criteria.
#3 Use Caution When Reading User Elliptical Ratings
In addition to expert elliptical ratings, there are also websites that allow people to write a personal review of their elliptical. While these can be helpful when shopping for an elliptical, be cautious of basing your decision just on these ratings.
Exercise equipment is big business and some companies are not above having one of their employees post negative reviews on their competitors.
Also, no one elliptical brand has a perfect track record - sometimes even the best brands make a dud. And those are usually the people that go online to post a negative review. Those people who are happy with their elliptical are less likely to post a comment.
Bottom Line? Take user ratings with a grain of salt and compare them to your own research when deciding on your elliptical trainer.
So those are three things to keep in mind when looking at elliptical trainer ratings.
How To Measure Your Treadmill Belt For Replacement
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 295)
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To measure your treadmill belt for replacement do the following:
If your treadmill is not a major brand and it needs a new belt you may have to special order a belt. Following are instruction for making sure you get a good measurement.
Next to the motor the treadmill belt is the most important part of the treadmill. If it becomes frayed or starts to turn up on the sides then it is time to replace the belt.
The treadmill belt will also split at the seam. You should check the belt on a regular basis to ensure it is safe. If the belt wears thin it can ruin the deck, then you have the double expense of replacing the belt and deck.
There are many companies that sell replacement treadmill belts, and some of them will take special orders. But you must have the correct measurement so your belt will fit. Following is the directions to measure your belt.
1. Place a mark on the edge of the belt, then using a string or tape measure go completely around the belt to get the circumference. This needs to be as close as you can get it.
2. Measure the width of the belt.
Example 102? X 15?
If your belt is so bad that you know it has to be replaced then cut it off and measure the entire length and width of the belt. If it is a very old belt please allow for stretching.
You can also set the rear roller about halfway of the adjusting screws then measure around the front and rear rollers for an accurate measurement. If you can not find a company that offers special order belts let me know.
Trampoline Basics
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 544)
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Trampolines are a wonderful thing, I don't know if you have noticed but in the last few years more and more people are getting a trampoline for their backyard. My neighbor got one a few years ago and every time his kids would come and visit the grandchildren would spend most of their time on the trampoline or in its environment.
Some people think that trampolines are mainly used by kids, that trampolines are mere toys for kids to jump around and have fun. People are beginning to discover that a trampoline can be used for physical fitness for children as well as adults. While there is a certain level of convenience associated with purchasing a special fitness trampoline, it isn't necessary to receive the benefits of trampoline exercise. The same kind of trampoline that is used by children can be used by adults as well.
Working out on a trampoline is very different from any other traditional exercise we know, which makes it a fun activity. The workout is even a little more challenging since most adults need to learn how to master the trampoline, and from my experience, what sometimes looks like an easy task may prove to be much more difficult...
The aerobics associated with jumping on a fitness trampoline strengthens the heart in the same way as other cardio exercises like running and jumping rope. This increase in cardio rate encourages energy use and weight loss. Spending five to eight minutes doing trampoline exercise is like running a mile, only with less time and effort. Trampoline exercise tones muscles in the lower half of the body. The legs, thighs, hips, stomach, and abdomen are all used when exercising on a fitness trampoline. The trampoline workout can also be a fun activity for all the family, it is fun to watch and once you learn how to use it properly you can also contribute your opinion, and improve the workout altogether.
Trampoline jumping improves coordination many athletes and gymnasts use trampolines for this reason. Jumping on a trampoline isn't just about bounding up and down. There is some level of skill involved in reaching a good height and landing in the right way. As I mentioned before, the mere task of getting the hang of the trampoline is a challenge, although it may take some time, once you get the trampoline basics in your blood, you will be addicted to it, and to the constant improvement in your workout. As you learn to master the trampoline, you will probably get higher and more energy efficient while on the trampoline.
A small trampoline, or rebound trampoline, is ideal for those who have knee injuries. Since smaller trampolines are not designed for high jumping, there is less pressure on the joints during exercise. Other benefits of a fitness trampoline include improvements in breathing through increased capacity of lungs, reduction in stress and tension, lowers cholesterol levels, and increases energy levels. A fitness trampoline is a good way to get exercise for people who have joint issues that keep them from jogging and running.
A trampoline is a great way of staying in shape and enjoying it, why not try to use a trampoline and see if its something you can enjoy?
Exercise Bikes Vs Treadmills
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 1205)
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You've decided you want to exercise at home. There are hundreds of pieces of home cardio equipment available. The most popular are treadmills and exercise bikes. In deciding between the two, you should compare long-term sustainability, the effectiveness of the workouts, and safety.
Overcoming Boredom
The biggest obstacle to a home exercise routine is sticking with it. You don't have to drive to a gym, so your home fitness equipment is more convenient. The problem is that other distractions are just as convenient at home. The key is to make your routine fun. You want to look forward to your daily workout. You have to be realistic. Playing with the heart rate monitor or watching the calorie counter go up will only be fun the first couple of times you exercise.
Treadmill vs. Boredom
On a treadmill, you walk. Walking isn't that fun. You can walk at different speeds, but that isn't really much more fun. If you get a treadmill that offers an incline, that keeps it a bit more interesting. Walking uphill isn't exactly fun, but it's different. It presents a challenge.
You can't really read on a treadmill because you are bouncing up and down. You can't keep your eyes on the same sentence, and you usually end up with a headache. Basically, the only thing fun to do on a treadmill is watch television or movies. If you are really into TV or movies and are able to put your treadmill in front of a television, you can probably keep your treadmill workout from becoming too boring. Problems consist of commercials, the noise coming from the machine, and again, the bouncing.
Exercise Bikes vs. Boredom
Exercise bikes are unique in that many of them come programmed with various biking routines. You simulate different courses that require you to sprint, pedal uphill, and perform at different levels within one workout without having to keep pressing buttons and changing everything. You can even select random programs so you don't know what's coming, which really keeps you on your toes. Some exercise bikes can even be plugged into televisions and video games to let you interactively pedal through visual courses.
On upright exercise bikes, you run into some of the same problems as treadmills as far as reading is concerned. Recumbent bikes, however, allow your hands to be free to hold a book or magazine, video game controller, or phone. Multi-tasking during an exercise bike workout keeps it from becoming boring and allows your workout to more easily fit into a busy schedule.
Defeating boredom to successfully keep up a long-term exercise routine is much easier with an exercise bike than a treadmill.
The Calorie Factor
In a study conducted by Nordic Track, young, healthy people used various exercise machines and did cardio workouts. Although they felt they used the same intensity on all machines, they burned the most calories on treadmills and ski machines.
On average, most people burn about 750 calories per hour on a treadmill. The same people are likely to burn about 550 calories per hour on an exercise bike. So it's a no-brainer, right? You should get a treadmill because they burn more calories.
Well, not exactly. You can't get so caught up in which machine burns the most calories. You have to take a lot of other factors into consideration. How likely are you to sustain a treadmill routine as opposed to an exercise bike routine?
Because exercise bikes are usually more fun than treadmills, you are much more likely to stick with it long-term. This means that even though you can burn more calories on a treadmill, you are also more likely to stop using it altogether.
You might also find it difficult to use it long enough per workout session to get the full benefits. Most people find it easier to workout for 20 minutes on an exercise bike than 20 minutes on a treadmill. You have to think about that. If you are likely to only do 10 minutes on a treadmill but can easily do 20 minutes on an exercise bike, you will burn more calories per session on an exercise bike.
So just going strictly by the numbers, treadmills burn more calories. If you easily get bored or have tried and failed to stick with exercise routines in the past, you might want to consider burning less calories per hour in favor of a sustainable long-term exercise bike regimen.
Your Safety
The biggest difference between exercise bikes and treadmills is overall safety to your body.
The first case of safety is the most basic. You can fall off of a treadmill. It's very difficult, however, to fall off of an exercise bike. In fact, you would probably have to try to fall when riding an exercise bike. While you might be thinking you'd have to be pretty clumsy to fall while walking, it happens more than you'd think. People get involved with watching television or the beat of music. One wrong step and you can seriously injure yourself. It's also possible to spill water or sweat on the treadmill track, causing a safety hazard you might not notice until after you've slipped.
Another safety hazard is injury from the activity itself. A treadmill puts quite a bit of stress on your joints, especially your knees and ankles. Even if you invest in a treadmill with some degree of shock absorption, when you eventually get to a jogging or running point, you can put severe orthopedic stress on your body, even up to three times your body weight. People with existing conditions such as arthritis will find a treadmill painful at times due to this stress. Otherwise healthy individuals can sustain injury and possible long-term damage over time.
Exercise bikes put much less stress on your joints. A properly positioned exercise bike supports your weight and still allows you to receive the benefits of a higher impact cardio workout. Upright bikes can sometimes stress your back in the way you have to bend to reach the handlebars. Recumbent exercise bikes, however, can actually improve existing back pain by forcing proper posture and giving support as you exercise. On any exercise bike properly used, your knees and ankles are not stressed as they are on a treadmill.
The less you stress joints, the less likely you are to sustain an injury during your workout. You are also less likely to be sore afterwards. Most importantly, a non-workout injury doesn't always have to halt your exercise routine on an exercise bike. If you hurt your back or neck, you will find the support of a recumbent exercise bike will keep you from having to stop your exercise regimen altogether. Let's face it - if you have to stop, you are less likely to start again.
An Exercise Bike is Better for Your Health than a Treadmill
As you can see, both pieces of home fitness equipment have advantages. While the treadmill continues to be the most popular piece of home gym equipment, most people are more likely to faithfully use an exercise bike. This means you're more likely to have to dust a treadmill until it gets the garage sale sticker.
Trampoline Buying Tips
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 384)
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Trampolining is a fun activity, while offering a good exercise for the entire family. Once you develop the love for the trampoline in the minds of the family, they will get out of the house and break the sedentary habits of watching TV, sitting on computer and playing video games. So if you are looking for purchasing a trampoline, here are some useful guidelines to help you in buying the right trampoline.
What should I look for before buying a trampoline?
Trampolines are available in various shapes and sizes. But the one you buy should fit well within the open space available to you. You should consider the number of people who will be using the trampoline. This is very crucial from the safety point of view. After deciding on these issues, go for a trampoline that agrees completely with your style of living.
Where should I buy the trampoline?
It is very easy to buy a right trampoline. Many websites providing the necessary information have sprung up. They answer all your questions about trampoline styles, parts, safety issues and health benefits. They have a shopping section from where you can buy the entire set and get it at your doorstep without leaving the house.
Should I buy from Fun Spot?
Fun Spot is a popular website, offering a range of trampolines and their accessories. They provide free shipping. You can pick a mat of any color from their site. Their webbing is sturdy and UV protected and is stitched on the edges of the mat to double the lifespan of the stitches. This ensures the durability of the mat, thus saving time and money. Their prices are the lowest and you can get a trampoline within your budget. They provide technical support over the phone via an 800 number.
I have heard about Jumpsport. Tell me about it.
Jumpsport is a website that is a member of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Product Safety Circle. It has been awarded the Family Choice Gold Award. The site offers free shipping on all trampolines. They offer useful hints on assembling the trampoline once it reaches you. There are links providing information about their products, spares and accessories. You can also access the detailed safety and health page from the home page.
Treadmill Comparison 3 Things You Must Know Before Buying
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 504)
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Buying a treadmill? You'll probably be making several treadmill comparisons when doing your research.
Here are 3 things you must know when making treadmill comparisons in order to find the best one for you.
#1 Compare Apples To Apples
Don't compare prices between treadmills online and treadmills sold at a store. They are two different marketplaces, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
When I was selling a Proform treadmill many years ago, the gentleman buying it had gone online and seen the same model for less. I had to explain to him that this price was an online price only. Buying a treadmill online can sometimes be considerably cheaper, depending on the manufacturer, sales, closeouts, etc.
So when comparing treadmill prices side by side, make sure you compare online treadmills to online treadmills and store treadmills to store treadmills.
Also make sure you're comparing the same models. It sounds obvious but some treadmill brands have so many similar sounding treadmills in their line-up it's easy to get confused!
#2 Know the Key Ingredients to a Quality Treadmill
Make sure you know the top 4 key ingredients to a quality treadmill:
- Motor Power
- Stability
- Warranty
- Cushioning
Your motor is the heart of your treadmill and adequate motor power is extremely important. Most experts recommend at least a 1.5 HP motor although I prefer a 2.0 HP or higher to ensure you don't burn the motor out (and then have to pay costly repair fees).
Stability ensures that your treadmill will not shake or wobble when you start to run on it.
Your warranty will protect your investment and quality treadmills will include a warranty. (You shouldn't have to pay extra for a treadmill warranty - unless you want to, of course!)
Cushioning is the ability of the treadmill to absorb the force of your step. Higher cushioning means lower impact on your joints and ligaments. Cushioning is extremely important as poor cushioning can cause injury and muscle strain
#3) Know What YOU Need When Reviewing Treadmills
Many people get sold on all of the 'neat' features of the treadmill - but don't ever consider if they'll really use them.
For example we'd all love to own a commercial-grade, luxury treadmill - but for many people, it's MORE than they need. On the other hand, a serious runner might actually need that kind of stability and cushioning in a treadmill.
If you don't really care about 30 workout programs, why pay extra for them? If you know your 6'2? son will be running on the treadmill, remember to look for one with a longer running area and adequate user weight capacity.
By knowing what you you need before comparing treadmills, you'll save yourself a lot of time and frustration.
So there you have it - keep these 3 points in mind when making treadmill comparisons and you'll be well on your way to making an excellent treadmill purchase! Enjoy and have fun!
Home Gyms Can Improve Your Relationship With Your Partner
(category: Fitness-Equipment, Word count: 381)
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Yes you read it right, home gyms can improve your relationship with your
partner! But how?.... you must be thinking, well if you can carry on reading I
will enlighten you with this important information. Gyms at home are highly underrated, there are a wide choice available on the market, weider home gyms are one of many if you are looking to purchase quality discount home gyms.
So how can a gym improve your relationship? well that is easy. Owning a home gym has many benefits:
-You save money on gym memberships
-You can workout at home any time you wish
-Your own home gym is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week
-You get rid of that unslightly fat and put on some lean muscle
-Your health, strength and stamina increase
Voila! there it is, now your partner can have nothing to complain about ever
again.
There are things you need to take into consideration when buying a home gym.
You need look at your budget, a quality gym thats going to last a lifetime isn't
cheap - but it is a cost you won't have to endure again. The higher end gym
equipment comes with a lot of warranty and some even go as far as giving you lifetime warranties on certain parts of the gym, which considering the price you paid is expected.
You need to think about space. Do you have the room in your home for gym
equipment? you don't want to start setting up your gym and find it is not going to fit! I suppose you could always extend your home to give your equipment room to breath.
Don't always go for the cheap equipment, money saving is admirable but
throwing it away is plain stupid. Look for the discount deals on higher end gyms and there are always discounts and special offers, a little browsing through some great sites will help you find the very best equipment. Finally you want a gym that looks good in your home and doesn't stick out like
a sore thumb compared with the rest of the decor.
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