When it comes to effectively burning calories, what are the best choices of workout equipment out there? What about equipment that is fun to use so it won't just become a piece of furniture - like a coat rack - in the future?
1) Treadmill. The treadmill is the most common piece of exercise equipment people have. However sometimes people get bored because they make the mistake of doing the same old routine day in and day out. Simply stepping on and walking or jogging at the same speed for thirty minutes gets boring very quickly and doesn't make for an efficient workout.
2) Elliptical. Elliptical machines utilize the full leg motion of a treadmill with the simple non-knee jarring motion of a stair climber. It takes a little bit of practice to find your stride on a treadmill and "get the hang of it." However once you get going, you can enjoy prolonged workouts with little stress on the joints.
3) Exercise Videos. Okay, while not really "equipment," exercise videos keep us motivated by adding an extra motivational element to your workout. Having someone- if even just on the TV screen- "push" you to the next level can be quite motivating and help you stay focused on your workout goal.
4) Exercise Balls: Exercise balls were once seen as a fad, but it appears the fad is here to stay. Reason being that they are highly effective and very fun! These balls- in whole form or ½ form mounted on pads, challenge you by putting your body in an unstable environment. Exercise balls are versatile enough to use for just about anything, including weight training, abdominal training, yoga and pilates exercises.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Eating Less Doesn't Always Mean Losing Weight
The way most people go about losing weight is to eat very little, usually by skipping breakfast or lunch, or both. But this only has the effect of slowing your metabolism so you require less calories, which makes losing weight more difficult. This is made worse when the body enters what is known as starvation or survival mode.
This comes about when the daily calorie intake is less than the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the minimum amount of calories needed each day.
Fearing that food has become scarce the body adapts to this in several ways.
• With the level of available carbohydrates predictably low, energy stores are rapidly depleted. Glucose can be manufactured by the body though only if amino acids are available, but as they come from protein, which will also be in short supply, the only other source is the body's own muscle.
The cause of starvation mode is eating less calories than your BMR figure, and this is usually the problem most people have when they try to lose weight. The solution is eat more!
This comes about when the daily calorie intake is less than the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the minimum amount of calories needed each day.
Fearing that food has become scarce the body adapts to this in several ways.
• With the level of available carbohydrates predictably low, energy stores are rapidly depleted. Glucose can be manufactured by the body though only if amino acids are available, but as they come from protein, which will also be in short supply, the only other source is the body's own muscle.
The cause of starvation mode is eating less calories than your BMR figure, and this is usually the problem most people have when they try to lose weight. The solution is eat more!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Used Exercise Bikes Are a Wise Choice
If you are looking to get into shape and become healthy then purchasing exercise equipment is a great start. What piece of exercise equipment should you choose? A great refurbished and/or re-manufactured exercise bike is a great place to start; it provides a great cardio and leg workout and is rather inexpensive if you find a used model.
Why Use An Exercise Bike?
1. Exercise bikes help you strengthen and develop a number of major muscles including your quads, your glutes, and your hamstrings.
2 It is joint friendly because there is almost no impact from the weight of your upper body because of the way the bike is used.
3. It offers an excellent workout for your cardiovascular system.
4. It is very safe because it is an indoor activity, and you can do it anywhere from your own home to a well attended fitness facility.
5. You can enjoy other pleasures like reading, watching television, or listening to music while you are working out on an stationary exercise bike.
Where Can I Find A Reconditioned Model?
Reconditioned bikes are available from a number of sources. Perhaps the best way to locate a used exercise bike dealer is through the internet. A simple search engine query will reveal hundreds of dealers with different purchase requirements. Some may even have local show rooms in your area.
Why Use An Exercise Bike?
1. Exercise bikes help you strengthen and develop a number of major muscles including your quads, your glutes, and your hamstrings.
2 It is joint friendly because there is almost no impact from the weight of your upper body because of the way the bike is used.
3. It offers an excellent workout for your cardiovascular system.
4. It is very safe because it is an indoor activity, and you can do it anywhere from your own home to a well attended fitness facility.
5. You can enjoy other pleasures like reading, watching television, or listening to music while you are working out on an stationary exercise bike.
Where Can I Find A Reconditioned Model?
Reconditioned bikes are available from a number of sources. Perhaps the best way to locate a used exercise bike dealer is through the internet. A simple search engine query will reveal hundreds of dealers with different purchase requirements. Some may even have local show rooms in your area.
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