Fitness Equipment Guide: The lastest cardiovascular fitness equipment reviews to make sure that you are up to date with the basic fitness cardiovascular equipment available. 

As with anything that you do in life, from work to leisure activities, having the right equipment or tools will aid you in achieving your individual exercise and diet goals. If you have a pleasant or successful experience the first time you complete an activity, then it is more than likely that you will continue to partake in that activity. Therefore Newsfitness.com has produced a fitness equipment guide to aid you on your fitness and health journey . The equipment review is not product specific but will detail the benefits that the equipment will provide to you. 

Below is a featured article and to the right are other fitness equipment reviews to keep you up to date with the latest fitness equipment.   
Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor and Stopwatch

Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor and Stopwatch

If running is what you do to stay in shape, the RS100 will give you valuable feedback ...

$80.74 - $125.03

Go To Store
Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor Black with MP3 Armband

Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor Black with MP3 Armband

If running is what you do to stay in shape the RS series heart monitors will give you ...

$109.95

Go To Store
Polar RS300XG1 GPS Heart Rate Monitor

Polar RS300XG1 GPS Heart Rate Monitor

The RS300XG1 is perfect for cross-sport training. Speed and distance are nothing without ...

$188.00 - $190.00

Go To Store
Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black)

Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black)

A smart, intuitive training computer for runners and cross-training athletes, the Polar ...

$70.00 - $149.95

Go To Store
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer

The Schwinn 430 offers eight computer-controlled resistance levels and eight workout ...

$599.00 - $989.99

Go To Store
New Balance Men's MR993 Running Shoe,Grey,11 D

New Balance Men's MR993 Running Shoe,Grey,11 D

Packed with New Balance® comfort technology, the 993 men's running shoe offers a ...

$82.99 - $140.00

Go To Store
adidas Men's Duramo 2 Running Shoe,Black/Steel/Tin Metallic,11.5 M

adidas Men's Duramo 2 Running Shoe,Black/Steel/Tin Metallic,11.5 M

The breathable nylon/mesh construction of adidas®'s Duramo 3 men's shoe ensures a ...

$33.22 - $59.99

Go To Store
ASICS Men's GEL-Strike 2 Running Shoe,White/Navy/Gold,7.5 D US

ASICS Men's GEL-Strike 2 Running Shoe,White/Navy/Gold,7.5 D US

A road shoe for runners seeking cushioning and stability. Check out the sleek design, ...

$47.99 - $51.50

Go To Store
Polar F4 Men's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black Thunder)

Polar F4 Men's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black Thunder)

The F4™ Black Thunder heart rate monitor from Polar® combines all the necessary heart ...

$62.99 - $99.95

Go To Store

Do You Have A Poledancing DVD?

June 18, 2010 0 Comments

Poledancing dvd have become very popular lately. Why is that? Maybe because pole dancing will potentially be in the next olympics. Or perhaps it is because many more people have been pole dancing lately, both men and women. Could it be because these people don't want others to know that they are pole dancing? Whatever the case is, pole dancing dvds have become very popular recently.
Pole Dancing DVD


So do you have a pole dancing dvd? Pole dancing is something that is thought to have originated in circuses during the 1920s. It is thought that it started with the circus tent poles being used as props.

Pole dancing is a performance art that combines dance with gymnastics and aerobics. It was not until more recently that it evolved into the burlesque form of dance which became more acceptable in the 1950s and widely appreciated in the 1980s in both Canada and the United States.

Pole dancing as a performance art is an incredible workout. It requires upper body strength that takes years to develop, as well as a great amount of endurance. For this reason it has more recently become a popular form of aerobics.



Pole dancing tones your entire body while working your core and upper body strength. Because this is true, a number of dance studios throughout the country are beginning to offer pole dancing classes as an alternative to other ways of staying in or getting in shape.

Many people do not choose to do pole dancing in public places simply because of the burlesque association it has with society today. Rather, they wish to do it in the privacy of the home. This is why many people buy their own pole, install it somewhere in their home and then buy a pole dancing tutorial dvd. By doing this they can get a great workout in the privacy of the home.

Looking to find the best deal on Pole Dancing DVD, then visit www.poledancingdvd.org to find the best advice on Pole Dancing Benefits for you.

Abs Workout Equipment: Strengthen Your Core And Save Your Back

May 24, 2010 1 Comment

If you want to work out your abdominal muscles, there is a lot of new abs workout equipment that can help. Which one is best for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. The important thing is to get started doing abs exercises.



Everyone should be sure to get a good abdominal workout. It is about much more than how you look, although this may be your particular concern, especially if you are a woman. They are really critical, though, because they help in core strengthening.

One of the keys to a healthy lower back is to keep your core strong. Many people who end up having problems experience them because their abs are not strong. When abs are not strong, the reciprocal back muscles are unable to relax. The constant tension eventually may result in spasms, pain and worse.

Naturally, abdominal exercises like crunches can just be done on a floor. But by using equipment, you are able to work your muscles out in other ways. Also, they help to keep your interest. One of the keys to exercising is that if you like it, you are far more likely to actually do it.

There are many different price ranges and complexities in abdominal equipment. There are simple pieces like an ab bench where there is weight to be held, giving your abs a more intense workout than could be gotten with a normal bench.

There are also a wide range of new pieces of equipment that allow you to get more out of your crunches. With most of them, the movements are similar to those of crunches. However, doing them on a higher quality machine will allow for smoother and more enjoyable movement.



Of particular interest are some new models that are specially designed to take stress off the neck, back and shoulders. Doing abdominal exercises can sometimes cause problems in these areas, especially if you have existing issues or if the exercise is not performed exactly right.

Fat cannot be spot reduced through exercising. However, abs workout equipment can help you with muscle toning in the area as well as core strengthening. Your back will appreciate it more than you know.

Learn more about Abs Equipment Benefits.  Stop by Darryl Jones's site where you can find out all about Abs Workout Equipment  and what they can do for you.

Building your home gym

December 18, 2009 0 Comments

Congratulations you have or are contemplating making the big decision to invest in your fitness and health in building your home gym. Congratulations your health and new more vibrant body will thank you for many years to come. When you come to this decision as I did 4 years ago there are a lot of things that you must consider. Hopefully we will get you thinking in the right direction and make this process more an enjoyable experience and hopefully a lot less costly.




 

 
The first item to consider when building your home gym is the space available for your equipment. Measure out your home gym area first and draw your dimensions out on paper. You want to create an area that is inspires you to train. Not look cluttered with equipment that is piled up. Your space will determine the types of equipment that you can purchase.

 

 

If your new home gym is a small area then you will be looking for multi-purpose equipment. There are a lot of fitness equipment products in the market that have been built with this purpose in mind. If you have a larger area like a spare garage then the space and types of equipment you purchase will require further consideration.

 

 

 
The second phase in building your gym would be to consider what results you want to achieve in your gym. If you are only looking to build strength and muscle then purchasing cardio equipment may not be for you. Analyze what results you want and research on what types of equipment will help you to meet these goals. If there is more than one person who will be using the gym then consideration of the different types of equipment will be need to be discussed and agreed. Prioritize the equipment in numerical order. 1 is the high priority 2 the next and so on till you have your full list.

 

 

 
The next phase is to develop the budget. Now you have worked out your space available, determined the optimal results that you want to achieve and you have your prioritized equipment list, creating the total budget to spend is next. When determining your budget add up all of your yearly gym fees and any other costs that you pay for fitness related items. With your new home gym you will not be spending this going forward and you can put these into the budget. Also most equipment will last you many years and you will be saving money in future years from not paying annual gym fees.

 

 

 
After you have worked out your total budget start to allocate how much you think you will need to spend on each piece of equipment. This way you will be able to determine whether you will be purchasing the equipment new or second hand. This is important as it will help you focus on where to look for the equipment.

 

 

 
If you have the budget available for new equipment then the internet is perfect for tracking down equipment and comparing prices. I would ask at this stage if you visit our store to compare our prices and read the equipment reviews to help you on your way. Don’t jump at the first piece of equipment because it looks good. Do your homework and make sure you’re getting the right price and that it will provide you with the results you are looking to achieve.

 

 

 
If you are going down the path of second hand equipment you can pick up some fantastic equipment at a fraction of the price of new, your local paper and online auctions sites (from commercial gyms) have plenty of discounted equipment that will meet your needs. I would suggest that you try where possible to view the condition of the equipment to make sure that it is in perfect working order. The last item for consideration is generally the second hand equipment has no warranty.

 

 

   
The last phase in building your new gym is the feel. You will be spending a lot of time in the gym so setting up the feel of the gym is important. Do you like to watch TV while exercising? Should you mount a TV on the wall? Do you get inspired by putting pictures or mirrors on the wall whilst exercising? Do you exercise to music? These items will take money out of your budget for buying equipment however getting the look and feel to your new gym is important to entice you to come back and sweat some more.




 

 

 
Creating your new gym can be a challenge, however armed with the above questions and pre-planning you are in a position to make the experience enjoyable and positive. Now you have all the information that you need to build your new gym and to enhance your overall fitness. Good luck and we at www.newsfitness.com hope you build your dream gym and wish you happy healthy exercising.

Exercise Ball: Your Abs’ Best Friend

December 8, 2009 1 Comment
The exercise ball has become one of the most popular exercise equipments. If you’re not familiar with its name, chances are you’ve seen it – either in infomercials or in the display windows of exercise shops. They are the oversized plastic balls that you can use to perform all sorts of exercises. They are also a great choice for people looking to tone their abs.
 
 
 

 


 

Benefits of Using an Exercise Ball

  • It Works Multiple Muscle Groups at the Same Time – Aside from working your abs, an exercise ball also works on the other muscles that you would use to keep yourself sitting on the ball.
  • Works Your Core – The Exercise Ball can be used to not only work the main muscles of your abdominal area, but will also work your core. Other equipments aren’t able to give out such results.
  • It Can Make Exercise Fun ­– If you haven’t worked on an exercise ball before, chances are you will find it a fun experience.
  • Muscle Strength and Endurance – Using an exercise ball helps to promote your muscle strength and endurance levels. It’s also this that helps your abs to get toned and defined.
  •  High Level of Calories Burned – Using an exercise ball can help you burn more calories compared to some exercise equipment. This is ideal for people who want to lose weight quick.

Aside from the above benefits, exercise balls are also fairly affordable – a great option for beginners.
 
More than Just the Abs

Although the ball was designed with abs exercise in mind, you can also use it to tone your arms and your lower body. It is a reliable exercise equipment that can target almost any muscle you want. The exercise ball can also be used to treat back injuries and strains.

In addition, here are some of the other uses of your exercise ball:

·         Weight Training
·         Pilates
·         Play
·         Yoga
·         Flexibility Exercise
·         Warm Up and Cool Down Exercise

You can also use your exercise ball for just sitting around. A lot of people advocate this as sitting on an exercise ball forces you muscles into proper muscle alignment that will benefit your spine. Using it as a chair also helps improve your circulation and can also help to make you feel more energetic.

Spine Health

When working on an exercise ball or any exercise that targets the abdominal muscles, you will inevitably be putting strain on your spine. The exercise ball helps allows your spine to settle into a proper alignment. By using it to do your abs crunches, you will be putting less strain on your spine and help to promote spine health.

Before exercising, especially if you are planning to do situ-ups, it is important to ensure the health or your spine. If prior to exercising you are already experiencing back pain, it is advisable to see your chiropractor or health care provider about it before working on an exercise ball.

Warm ups and cool down exercises are also Key as they help your muscles to adjust to your exercise routine.

Heart Rate Monitor for Cardio Exercises

November 18, 2009 0 Comments
Using a heart rate monitor when doing cardio exercise is one of the best ways to plot your progress. When doing a cardio workout, your target heart rate should be somewhere between 50% or 75% of your maximum heart rate level. Those parameters are known as 'the zone'. Keeping your heart rate at the ideal zone helps you burn the optimal amount of calories, without endangering your heart health.



Calculating Your Maximum Heat Rate

The American Medical Association reports that your maximum heart rate should be around 220 minus your age. If you are 35 your ideal maximum heart rate should be 185 and your exercise heart rate should be somewhere between 93 and 139.

There are various zones when it comes to heart rate. Here are some that you may want to focus on

Warm Up (Healthy Heart Zone) - 50 to 60% of maximum heart rate
• Fat Burning (Fitness Zone) - 60 to 70% of maximum heart rate
• Endurance Training (Aerobic Zone) - 70 to 80% of maximum heart rate
Warm Down (Healthy Heart Zone) - 50 to 60% of maximum heart rate

Other zones include the Anaerobic Zone, used in Performance Training and the Red Line, which should be the maximum heart level zone; most people can only stay at the Red Line for a short time.

Benefits of Using a Heart Rate Monitor

• It Helps Keep You in the Zone
• You Can Monitor Your Progress Better
• It Helps Keep You Safe

The above are some of the top benefits of using a heart rate monitor. First, a wrist or a strapless heart monitor helps keep you in the zone. By doing so, you are burning the calories at the optimum level. Exercising at your targeted heart rate is one of the best ways to reach your goals.

Another benefit of using a heart rate monitor is that it helps show your progress. External improvements usually only occur after 6 or 8 weeks of continuous workouts. Internal improvements, however, occur earlier. With a heart rate monitor you will be able to observe changes in your hear rate. At the beginning, you heart rate may shoot up too fast, but as your exercise more often, your heart rate changes will be much easier to control.

A heart rate monitor also helps to keep you safe. By using it, you will know when to pull back, especially if your heart rate is going past your maximum levels.

Should You Invest in a Heart Rate Monitor?

Yes. Aside from its exercise-related benefits, heart rate monitors also help you keep tract of your heart health as well as the health of the people close to you. You can also benefit from it if you are training for a competition (i.e. marathons) or if you are rehabilitating from an injury.

In addition, doctors and trainers alike advocate the use of a heart rate monitor especially if you will be participating in cardio activities such as

• Cycling
Running
• Swimming
• Skiing
• Kayaking
• Walking
• Hiking
• Climbing
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Spinning
• Skating
Elliptical Exercise
Treadmill Exercises
• In-line skating
Health Club Classes

More or less, any activity where you will be using your body will benefit from the use of a heart rate monitor.
Page 1 of 1.
TKO Anti Burst Fitness Ball Set 65cm

TKO Anti Burst Fitness Ball Set 65cm

The TKO Anti-Burst Fitness Ball is perfect for yoga, pilates and other fitness classes. ...

$15.75 - $28.95

Go To Store
Max Fitness 75cm Exercise Ball with Foot Pump (Black)

Max Fitness 75cm Exercise Ball with Foot Pump (Black)

Max Fitness 75 cm Exercise ball with FREE Pump included. Incorporate the versatility and ...

$15.99 - $24.99

Go To Store

Do You Have A Poledancing DVD?

June 18, 2010 0 Comments

Poledancing dvd have become very popular lately. Why is that? Maybe because pole dancing will potentially be in the next olympics. Or perhaps it is because many more people have been pole dancing lately, both men and women. Could it be because these people don't want others to know that they are pole dancing? Whatever the case is, pole dancing dvds have become very popular recently.
Pole Dancing DVD


So do you have a pole dancing dvd? Pole dancing is something that is thought to have originated in circuses during the 1920s. It is thought that it started with the circus tent poles being used as props.

Pole dancing is a performance art that combines dance with gymnastics and aerobics. It was not until more recently that it evolved into the burlesque form of dance which became more acceptable in the 1950s and widely appreciated in the 1980s in both Canada and the United States.

Pole dancing as a performance art is an incredible workout. It requires upper body strength that takes years to develop, as well as a great amount of endurance. For this reason it has more recently become a popular form of aerobics.



Pole dancing tones your entire body while working your core and upper body strength. Because this is true, a number of dance studios throughout the country are beginning to offer pole dancing classes as an alternative to other ways of staying in or getting in shape.

Many people do not choose to do pole dancing in public places simply because of the burlesque association it has with society today. Rather, they wish to do it in the privacy of the home. This is why many people buy their own pole, install it somewhere in their home and then buy a pole dancing tutorial dvd. By doing this they can get a great workout in the privacy of the home.

Looking to find the best deal on Pole Dancing DVD, then visit www.poledancingdvd.org to find the best advice on Pole Dancing Benefits for you.

Abs Workout Equipment: Strengthen Your Core And Save Your Back

May 24, 2010 1 Comment

If you want to work out your abdominal muscles, there is a lot of new abs workout equipment that can help. Which one is best for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. The important thing is to get started doing abs exercises.



Everyone should be sure to get a good abdominal workout. It is about much more than how you look, although this may be your particular concern, especially if you are a woman. They are really critical, though, because they help in core strengthening.

One of the keys to a healthy lower back is to keep your core strong. Many people who end up having problems experience them because their abs are not strong. When abs are not strong, the reciprocal back muscles are unable to relax. The constant tension eventually may result in spasms, pain and worse.

Naturally, abdominal exercises like crunches can just be done on a floor. But by using equipment, you are able to work your muscles out in other ways. Also, they help to keep your interest. One of the keys to exercising is that if you like it, you are far more likely to actually do it.

There are many different price ranges and complexities in abdominal equipment. There are simple pieces like an ab bench where there is weight to be held, giving your abs a more intense workout than could be gotten with a normal bench.

There are also a wide range of new pieces of equipment that allow you to get more out of your crunches. With most of them, the movements are similar to those of crunches. However, doing them on a higher quality machine will allow for smoother and more enjoyable movement.



Of particular interest are some new models that are specially designed to take stress off the neck, back and shoulders. Doing abdominal exercises can sometimes cause problems in these areas, especially if you have existing issues or if the exercise is not performed exactly right.

Fat cannot be spot reduced through exercising. However, abs workout equipment can help you with muscle toning in the area as well as core strengthening. Your back will appreciate it more than you know.

Learn more about Abs Equipment Benefits.  Stop by Darryl Jones's site where you can find out all about Abs Workout Equipment  and what they can do for you.

Building your home gym

December 18, 2009 0 Comments

Congratulations you have or are contemplating making the big decision to invest in your fitness and health in building your home gym. Congratulations your health and new more vibrant body will thank you for many years to come. When you come to this decision as I did 4 years ago there are a lot of things that you must consider. Hopefully we will get you thinking in the right direction and make this process more an enjoyable experience and hopefully a lot less costly.




 

 
The first item to consider when building your home gym is the space available for your equipment. Measure out your home gym area first and draw your dimensions out on paper. You want to create an area that is inspires you to train. Not look cluttered with equipment that is piled up. Your space will determine the types of equipment that you can purchase.

 

 

If your new home gym is a small area then you will be looking for multi-purpose equipment. There are a lot of fitness equipment products in the market that have been built with this purpose in mind. If you have a larger area like a spare garage then the space and types of equipment you purchase will require further consideration.

 

 

 
The second phase in building your gym would be to consider what results you want to achieve in your gym. If you are only looking to build strength and muscle then purchasing cardio equipment may not be for you. Analyze what results you want and research on what types of equipment will help you to meet these goals. If there is more than one person who will be using the gym then consideration of the different types of equipment will be need to be discussed and agreed. Prioritize the equipment in numerical order. 1 is the high priority 2 the next and so on till you have your full list.

 

 

 
The next phase is to develop the budget. Now you have worked out your space available, determined the optimal results that you want to achieve and you have your prioritized equipment list, creating the total budget to spend is next. When determining your budget add up all of your yearly gym fees and any other costs that you pay for fitness related items. With your new home gym you will not be spending this going forward and you can put these into the budget. Also most equipment will last you many years and you will be saving money in future years from not paying annual gym fees.

 

 

 
After you have worked out your total budget start to allocate how much you think you will need to spend on each piece of equipment. This way you will be able to determine whether you will be purchasing the equipment new or second hand. This is important as it will help you focus on where to look for the equipment.

 

 

 
If you have the budget available for new equipment then the internet is perfect for tracking down equipment and comparing prices. I would ask at this stage if you visit our store to compare our prices and read the equipment reviews to help you on your way. Don’t jump at the first piece of equipment because it looks good. Do your homework and make sure you’re getting the right price and that it will provide you with the results you are looking to achieve.

 

 

 
If you are going down the path of second hand equipment you can pick up some fantastic equipment at a fraction of the price of new, your local paper and online auctions sites (from commercial gyms) have plenty of discounted equipment that will meet your needs. I would suggest that you try where possible to view the condition of the equipment to make sure that it is in perfect working order. The last item for consideration is generally the second hand equipment has no warranty.

 

 

   
The last phase in building your new gym is the feel. You will be spending a lot of time in the gym so setting up the feel of the gym is important. Do you like to watch TV while exercising? Should you mount a TV on the wall? Do you get inspired by putting pictures or mirrors on the wall whilst exercising? Do you exercise to music? These items will take money out of your budget for buying equipment however getting the look and feel to your new gym is important to entice you to come back and sweat some more.




 

 

 
Creating your new gym can be a challenge, however armed with the above questions and pre-planning you are in a position to make the experience enjoyable and positive. Now you have all the information that you need to build your new gym and to enhance your overall fitness. Good luck and we at www.newsfitness.com hope you build your dream gym and wish you happy healthy exercising.

Exercise Ball: Your Abs’ Best Friend

December 8, 2009 1 Comment
The exercise ball has become one of the most popular exercise equipments. If you’re not familiar with its name, chances are you’ve seen it – either in infomercials or in the display windows of exercise shops. They are the oversized plastic balls that you can use to perform all sorts of exercises. They are also a great choice for people looking to tone their abs.
 
 
 

 


 

Benefits of Using an Exercise Ball

  • It Works Multiple Muscle Groups at the Same Time – Aside from working your abs, an exercise ball also works on the other muscles that you would use to keep yourself sitting on the ball.
  • Works Your Core – The Exercise Ball can be used to not only work the main muscles of your abdominal area, but will also work your core. Other equipments aren’t able to give out such results.
  • It Can Make Exercise Fun ­– If you haven’t worked on an exercise ball before, chances are you will find it a fun experience.
  • Muscle Strength and Endurance – Using an exercise ball helps to promote your muscle strength and endurance levels. It’s also this that helps your abs to get toned and defined.
  •  High Level of Calories Burned – Using an exercise ball can help you burn more calories compared to some exercise equipment. This is ideal for people who want to lose weight quick.

Aside from the above benefits, exercise balls are also fairly affordable – a great option for beginners.
 
More than Just the Abs

Although the ball was designed with abs exercise in mind, you can also use it to tone your arms and your lower body. It is a reliable exercise equipment that can target almost any muscle you want. The exercise ball can also be used to treat back injuries and strains.

In addition, here are some of the other uses of your exercise ball:

·         Weight Training
·         Pilates
·         Play
·         Yoga
·         Flexibility Exercise
·         Warm Up and Cool Down Exercise

You can also use your exercise ball for just sitting around. A lot of people advocate this as sitting on an exercise ball forces you muscles into proper muscle alignment that will benefit your spine. Using it as a chair also helps improve your circulation and can also help to make you feel more energetic.

Spine Health

When working on an exercise ball or any exercise that targets the abdominal muscles, you will inevitably be putting strain on your spine. The exercise ball helps allows your spine to settle into a proper alignment. By using it to do your abs crunches, you will be putting less strain on your spine and help to promote spine health.

Before exercising, especially if you are planning to do situ-ups, it is important to ensure the health or your spine. If prior to exercising you are already experiencing back pain, it is advisable to see your chiropractor or health care provider about it before working on an exercise ball.

Warm ups and cool down exercises are also Key as they help your muscles to adjust to your exercise routine.

Heart Rate Monitor for Cardio Exercises

November 18, 2009 0 Comments
Using a heart rate monitor when doing cardio exercise is one of the best ways to plot your progress. When doing a cardio workout, your target heart rate should be somewhere between 50% or 75% of your maximum heart rate level. Those parameters are known as 'the zone'. Keeping your heart rate at the ideal zone helps you burn the optimal amount of calories, without endangering your heart health.



Calculating Your Maximum Heat Rate

The American Medical Association reports that your maximum heart rate should be around 220 minus your age. If you are 35 your ideal maximum heart rate should be 185 and your exercise heart rate should be somewhere between 93 and 139.

There are various zones when it comes to heart rate. Here are some that you may want to focus on

Warm Up (Healthy Heart Zone) - 50 to 60% of maximum heart rate
• Fat Burning (Fitness Zone) - 60 to 70% of maximum heart rate
• Endurance Training (Aerobic Zone) - 70 to 80% of maximum heart rate
Warm Down (Healthy Heart Zone) - 50 to 60% of maximum heart rate

Other zones include the Anaerobic Zone, used in Performance Training and the Red Line, which should be the maximum heart level zone; most people can only stay at the Red Line for a short time.

Benefits of Using a Heart Rate Monitor

• It Helps Keep You in the Zone
• You Can Monitor Your Progress Better
• It Helps Keep You Safe

The above are some of the top benefits of using a heart rate monitor. First, a wrist or a strapless heart monitor helps keep you in the zone. By doing so, you are burning the calories at the optimum level. Exercising at your targeted heart rate is one of the best ways to reach your goals.

Another benefit of using a heart rate monitor is that it helps show your progress. External improvements usually only occur after 6 or 8 weeks of continuous workouts. Internal improvements, however, occur earlier. With a heart rate monitor you will be able to observe changes in your hear rate. At the beginning, you heart rate may shoot up too fast, but as your exercise more often, your heart rate changes will be much easier to control.

A heart rate monitor also helps to keep you safe. By using it, you will know when to pull back, especially if your heart rate is going past your maximum levels.

Should You Invest in a Heart Rate Monitor?

Yes. Aside from its exercise-related benefits, heart rate monitors also help you keep tract of your heart health as well as the health of the people close to you. You can also benefit from it if you are training for a competition (i.e. marathons) or if you are rehabilitating from an injury.

In addition, doctors and trainers alike advocate the use of a heart rate monitor especially if you will be participating in cardio activities such as

• Cycling
Running
• Swimming
• Skiing
• Kayaking
• Walking
• Hiking
• Climbing
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Spinning
• Skating
Elliptical Exercise
Treadmill Exercises
• In-line skating
Health Club Classes

More or less, any activity where you will be using your body will benefit from the use of a heart rate monitor.
Page 1 of 1.

Benefits of an Elliptical Trainer

November 9, 2009 0 Comments

An elliptical trainer, known simply as an 'elliptical' or a cross trainer, is a type of fitness equipment. It is a stationary machine, which has been designed to simulate the movements of walking or running with as little impact as possible. These elliptical cross trainers are used in cardio exercises and they are favored by many because of their low impact nature.

Here are some of the benefits of using an elliptical trainer.

1. It Provides Low Impact Exercise

Low impact exercises are those that put little strain on the joints. Exercises like running and jogging impact the joints on the hips, the knees, and the feet, causing them to crush into one another. Over time, this repeated impact can lead to joint degradation and can worsen conditions like arthritis and gout.

Using the elliptical allows the limbs to movie in a natural motion while at the same time supporting the joints. This makes the machine ideal for people who want to get a good cardio exercise without having to worry about joint damage. It is also useful for older users and those with existing joint problems.

2. Offers Combined Upper and Lower Body Workout

Most of these trainers come with handle bars that allow users to exercise the upper body and lower body at the same time. These trainers can also be used to exercise the core. Several movements and body positions can also be used to target specific muscle groups and burn more calories at the same time.

3. Variety


The problem that some people have about cardio exercises is that they will eventually get to a point when their routines lead them to a weight loss plateau. This happens because the body gets used to repetitive exercises and as a result, the number of calories burned will slow down.

With the elliptical trainer, a user can adjust the machine's resistance levels in order to push the body harder. A variety of moves and positions can also be applied to keep the body burning calories at the optimal level.

Aside from the above benefits, elliptical trainers are also known to be time saving fitness machines because it allows the user to exercise the entire body at one time.

Buying Guide

When you decide to buy an elliptical trainer for you home, here are some factors that should look into.

• Free of Jolts and Shakes - A well made cross trainer will have no jolts and shakes when it is used. Unwanted movement can defeat the purpose of having it being a low impact machine.
• Incline Adjustability - Look for a trainer that has an adjustable incline as you need to be able to adjust the incline as you progress.
• Resistance Levels - Like the incline levels, look for a trainer with several resistance levels. This helps to provide
• Size - Trainers come in a variety of sizes, choose one that will fit into the space that you have.

If you are not planning to purchase your own machine, you can still use the above criteria when choosing a machine at the gym of your choice.

The Treadmill - Your Best Friend or a Foe?

October 25, 2009 0 Comments

A Good Cardiovascular workout is an essential part of any fitness or weightloss program. As part of a good cardiovascular workout, running or walking is a cheap cost effective way for you to be able to start your new exercise routine. However most of us live a hectic life balancing work committments, family and a exericise routine can become a challenge. The treadmill has developed over the last 20 years to aid the balancing of your hectic life.





The origin of the treadmill was in 1817 to reform prisoners and was called a treadwheel. The machines of today were designed and developed in the 1950's for medical research and diagnosis of heart and lung diseases. Todays models have advanced from these machines however the principle of the treadmill is much the same.

The treadmill consists basically of a conveyor belt, a motor and a frame. The belt moves in a cyclical motion to the rear of the machine allowing the user to walk or run on it.Todays machines are built with a computer to allow the user to program the required constant speed. The speed of the movement in the belt i the speed that the user has to run or walk to stay on the belt. Therefore the user can prgram the right speed or incline to provide the benefits to the body.

The advantages of the Treadmill are many and are categorised in 3 components: As a form of cardiovascular exercise; as an indoor activity; and as a measurement fitness calculator. All three of these advantages have led to many people purchasing this piece of equipment to meet their fitness goals.

As a Caridovascular exercise the benefits the treadmill provides are:

  • As an aerobic exercise that will increase endurance of the body
  • Increase the bodies motabolism to help it burn fats and tone the body
  • Improves the body's waste removal system
  • Reduces the impact on the leg joints as the treadmill deck absorbs some of the impact

As an indoor activity the benefits are:

  • Rain, Hail or too windy you can still work out in a set indoor climate.
  • If the area is not safe or it is late at night then the treadmill can be used in a safe and secure environment.
  • You can use the machine and watch your favourite television show at the same time.
  • It is cost effective in comparison to yearl Gym membership
  • Can fold up to reduce the space taken up.

As a measurement fitness calculator the benefits are:

  • You can set the speed or incline levels to make sure that you maximise the benefits gained.
  • You can measure your exact distance travelled so that you can make sure that you can track the distance covered and set your self goals.

The Disadvantages of the Treadmill are:

  • Small homes have little available space and fitting a treadmill into your home can be a challenge.
  • The cost of a treadmill is quite dear in comparison to running outside which is free.
  • Unless you have a television set up looking at the same room for a period of time can be tedious.
  • People can injur themselves if not used correctly.

The treadmill is an essential peice of cardiovascular equipment for the fitness enthusiest . It solves the problems of finding exercise time in the daily schedule and measures performance over time. The treadmill is an effective tool that can aid your cardiovascular exercise. Whether you buy a treadmill or not to make sure that you exercise regularliy is the most improtant aspect in your new fit lifestyle. If you are in the market for a treadmill or other sporting equipment than check out these prices.


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Choosing the Right Shoe for your Training

October 24, 2009 0 Comments

Going into a sports store these day looking for a new pair of shoes can be a daunting experience. There are many types of shoes to choose from and just working out which shoes are best for your specific needs can be challenging. Therefore this post will help to guide you through the initial stages so that when you walk into the store or purchase your shoes online you can make an informed decision. Newsfitness.com will look to provide you with the latest information on: running shoes; walking shoes and cross trainers.

 

 

Running Shoes

 


Running shoes have revolutionized over the last 20 years with the major companies like Nike, Adidas and Asics to name a few, spending large volumes on developing the perfect running shoe. The running shoes have over the years from being made from leather to now being created from synthetics. The goals of the perfect running shoes are to initially prevent injuries and to complete the exercise in relative comfort.


 


When running the impact on your ankle and feet are very high so good foot motion is critical to prevent injuries whilst training. Running shoes today are built with motion-control to provide stability and sturdiness whilst running. The provide a solid arch curve on the instep and aid to keep the ankle fro rolling too far over when your heal strikes the ground. These shoes provide excellent support if you have "flat feet" and if you have fallen arches. If your arches are high then you may want to investigate shoes that have greater cushioning that encourage the rolling upon impact.


 

If your stride is neutral then there are shoes that have a combination of motion control, cushioning and balance or stability that will aid you in creating an efficient running motion and maximizing your workout.


 

Most people find the stability shoes are the most comfortable, the cushioning runners the lightest and the motion control the heaviest. People with severe flat feet or high arches should not look at the lightweight shoes for professional athletes as they tend to sacrifice therapeutic controls for a reduction in weight.


 

Walking Shoes


 

Walking Shoes have similar attributes to the running shoes however as walking provides different stresses to running there are some differences. Due to the foot being in contact with the ground for a longer duration, the walking motion creates a different impact on the ankle and foot. Most walkers, depending on the how much incline or hills are being challenged often feel soreness in their lower back. To combat this walking shoes tend to be stiffer or more ridged then running shoes with greater cushioning. Many professional walkers look for a shoe that has a heel that is relatively flat relative to the ball, as this will promote a rolling motion whilst walking and reduce the lower back strain.


 

Cross Trainers


 

The third review is the Cross training shoe that needs to take different motion into consideration. These shoes are perfect for activities like aerobics, step classes, and kick boxing. These activities involve large amounts of lateral (or sideways) movement upon impact. The previous two shoes have been built for forward motion and don't provide the required stability or support for this type of exercise. The cross trainer generally has a wider outsole than the runner or walker. This unique design allows the cross trainer to provide excellent stability for the lateral movement that you will be completing whilst exercising.


 

Now that your are armed with information about the different types of exercising shoes for the many activities that you will be performing on your road to fitness and well being. The right type of shoe will reduce the impact on your joints and enable you to maximize your exercise whilst minimizing the potential injury risks to your body.



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