Andrew Fulton's blog

Top Benefits of an Elliptical Machine

There are many types of exercise equipment on the market today and every manufacturer claims their product is the best. I have tried many of them personally, and I keep coming back to the elliptical machine being the top piece of equipment. There are a few reasons for this, so I thought I would let you know what I believe the top benefits are.
- Great for all Levels of Fitness
Let me ask you, what is the most difficult part of starting an exercise program? Most exercise programs are too intense for beginners. What an elliptical machine will allow is a very easy and light workout to get a person acclimated to the workout regimen. Even if the program is only 5 minutes a day to start, this machine is the perfect tool to get you going. There is no set up needed, you just get on and start your stride. All the models have handles that move along with the stride of your legs to give a more natural feeling, kind of like walking on air, but you don't have to use them. They also come with fixed handles as well, and some of the higher end ellipticals have a heart rate monitor built into those handles. Now you are probably thinking why can't I just walk on a treadmill, or even outside? Sure that is an option, but that brings me to the second point about why this is one of the best pieces of exercise equipment you can own, it is easy on the body.
- Easy on the Body
Wow, saying an < a href="http://exercise-bikes.org/foldable-exercise-bike">exercise machine is easy on the body is kind of contradictory in a sense. Many people see exercise as being tough on a person. While this is true, exercise is meant to create health, not pain or discomfort. When I say an elliptical machine is easy on the body, I am specifically meaning that it is a low, or even a non impact activity. Think about what happens when you walk. Walking alone puts two to three times your body weight on your hips, knees, and ankles. If you are carrying around extra pounds that you are trying to shed, your knees will give out long before you lose the weight. I know, I have been there and have had knee pain starting during the first week of my program. When I switched to an elliptical machine, your feet never leave the foot platforms. Your feet rotate like a bicycle, but with a much larger stride depending on the machine you are using. Your arms chug back and forth on the handles, if you choose to hold them. Overall some of the best aerobic workouts I have gotten have been on an elliptical machine.
- Wide Selection for Every Budget
The last benefit really doesn't have anything to do with the exercise, but rather the elliptical machine itself. There are a huge variety of machines to choose from, and know this; an elliptical machine at any price range is very effective. What you are paying for are really the bells and whistles. Some elliptical machines have built-in video games to help pass the time. Some have an iPod dock and speakers. Many have a built-in fan to help cool you down. There are a wide range of workout programs that an elliptical machine may have. There are even machines where you can program your own custom workout based on your level of fitness.

Quality Training Equipment Buying Tips

Having high quality training equipment is one of the key aspects to having a successful workout. Taking away the frustration of working with substandard setups can make a real difference to the results you want to achieve and make the thought of training a lot more enjoyable. A lot of people make the mistake of paying for the cheaper options but the reality is that the cheaper option is one of the reasons why they stop exercising anyway and is often used as another excuse. A number of general rules can be applied when buying training equipment:
* First of all, are you buying just for yourself or are other people going to avail of it too. Is it going to be used on a daily basis or just occasionally and will it need to be able for a lot of punishment?
* When buying don't cut corners on cost. If you don't like it now but you like the price tag then chances are it will end up as an expensive clothes' rack in the corner of the room. It's better you are happy with it now although it may have cost a little bit more, than being disappointed later on when you first try it out or a few weeks down the road when your resolve may not be as strong.
* Before you leave home do your research and have good general idea of what type of equipment you are looking for and how much you are willing to pay it. The internet is full of websites and forums offering sound advice and a little time spent here could make all the difference later. All too often people are corralled by wily shop assistants into buying things that maybe didn't suit their needs and it's always better to buy from a reputable store whose business is centered around fitness and training equipment. Their expertise will help confirm any previous research that you will have done.
* Don't be afraid to ask to try it out. See how using the equipment feels, does it feel awkward or wrong in any way. Most reputable stores are only too willing to let you experience using the equipment before you buy.
* If it needs to be assembled then it's safer to let the experts do it. Assembling it yourself or getting one of your to do it may end up in an injury. Normally if you buy from a reputable store they deliver it fully assembled and ready to use.
If you stick to these simple buying tips then you will be a lot happier with you newly purchased training equipment.

Benefits of the Sit Up Exercise Bench

If you want flat, lean abs the sit up exercise bench is the right bench for you. It also holds in numerous other benefits. I will share these benefits with you in this article to help you decide whether it is the right exercise equipment for you.
Strengthens your core - Your core is the area of your lower back, abs and hip flexors. A stronger core will help you to lift and move better. The sit-up exercise bench will particularly strengthen your core area.
Help tone and tighten abs - One of the main benefits of the sit-up exercise bench is that it will tone and firm up your mid section. This can help you to fit better into your old clothes.
Helps you perform more exercises - You will be able to do more exercises than just normal floor crunches with the sit up exercise bench - making it a multi-tasking fitness bench.
Support - Unlike floor exercises, the sit up bench really support your lower and upper back. It may make it more comfortable for you to do than floor exercises.
An all-in-one abs training station - You don't need lots of other machines or more floor space with the sit-up exercise machine, it is really an all in one.
Help you to effectively target all your abs muscles - The sit up exercise bench helps you to target your lower, upper and side abs.
May help to burn fat and lose weight - If you use the sit-up bench correctly and you follow a healthy, calorie controlled diet, you may lose fat and weight.
May give you a six pack abs - The best benefit of the sit-up bench comes with regular use - a six pack abs may just be in your reach.
I hope that these benefits have inspired you to start using your long neglected exercise bench, or that it has given you the motivation you need to buy your own sit-up exercise bench.

Top 4 Helpful Tips in Buying a Treadmill

Top 4 Helpful Tips in Buying a Treadmill

People nowadays should be wise enough in buying everything. Discounts, sales and several promotions are sprouting everywhere but there are only few sales in the fitness equipment industry. People are looking for a good substitute to expensive quality treadmills and just want to spend less money. You may find various of treadmill manufacturers in the market today. Below are the tips on choosing a quality treadmill.

1. Think of how much money you will spend on buying a treadmill. You can find treadmills with good deals and great discounts. Fitness Equipment shops are now lowering the price of their fitness equipment because they are aware of the recession going on.

2. Talk to the salesman if you can get discount, if he cant give you any discounts tell him that you will look on fitness equipment on other shops. With that, he will definitely give you one but don't worry if he can't. Just to go to other shops and do the same thing.

3. Buy quality treadmills on manufacturer's website. Big manufacturers today have their own website and you can really find low price treadmills on their website.

4. Buy treadmills at Amazon or eBay. You can get some great deals on these sites plus you can check on treadmills' reviews on the equipment that you want.

You also have to consider your conditions like how long you're going to use the machine and your weight. If you're planning on using the machine for longer hours, the treadmill should have e tread belt. Check on how much weight a treadmill can handle especially for bigger people. A sturdy and stable treadmill if advisable to bigger people.

Also check on treadmill's peak horse power, warranty, of free programs to help you lose, shock absorption, emergency button or key, storage-if it is foldable or not and other features you want.

By checking on those guidelines it will make sure that you are going to choose the type of treadmill that will perfectly work for you.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-4-Helpful-Tips-in-Buying-a-Treadmill&id=5675237

Is A Full Body Workout In 11 Minutes Possible?

Is A Full Body Workout In 11 Minutes Possible?

Unless you live under a rock, you have heard of the sport of mixed martial arts. Companies like the UFC and Strike force have televised shows where martial artist compete in a sport that has been growing over the last 15 years. These athletes are in great shape so it should be no surprise that a workout product that is popular right now utilizing power bands is being promoted by former champion Randy Couture.
You know that in competitive sports, you need to have endurance, strength, and work out intensity, Well, mixed martial arts is no exception. You have to be fit but you do not need to be built like a body builder. If you look at guys who compete in mixed martial arts shows like the Ultimate Fighter, you see that these guys have toned muscles and good cardio.
Do You Need To Be Body Builder To Use This Program?
You know that the idea of working out is not really how much you can lift, that's just for strongman competitions. Any trainer will tell that it is about how much tension your muscles can handle at a controlled pace. So, when you think of a constant and controlled pace, you think about something like power bands that have been popular over the last few years when you hear of terms like "functional training."
Training in this manner provides complete resistance during the whole motion of the movements allowing you to have a better workout with less time. Ideally you'll want a system that offers enough resistance. Unless you consider yourself a hardcore bodybuilder type, then this approach would probably not benefit you. Traditionally, a door gym is geared more to the everyday person who wants to work out but can't always make it to the gym.
Is The Door Gym Easy To Set Up?
The door gym is portable and attaches to the back of any door in your apartment or house. Since it doesn't take any floor space, no furniture will have to be moved to make space for it. The setup is straight forward and easy to do and will only take a couple of minutes.
There are exercises explained in the printed manual but the more exercises can be found on the DVD that come with the package. The DVD contains the way to properly perform some of the exercises and have a bunch of exercise routines you can do. It even has the 11 minute routine designed for those who are short on time but still want and effective workout.
The workouts can vary from easy to challenging depending on how much time you have available for training and how hard you want to work out. Since you have both the leg straps and the handles for your hands, you can get a total body workout in half the time. The power bands are rated 25 lbs, 35 lbs, and 40 lbs so you can easily switch from one resistance to the other.
When looking to workout at home, space is always an issue. The average person will most likely not need more than 200 pounds of resistance to have a good workout. The question then is not whether or not you need a gym membership, the real question is, can you get a quality workout in a short period of time like 11 minutes?. Utilizing a power band system correctly, yes you can.

Mini Exercise Bike

For more information about mini exercise bikes visit http://exercise-bikes.org/mini-exercise-bike