Women’s fitness is very important, but most women just don’t feel like they have the time to commit to it. They also feel guilty if they spend their time on something for themselves instead of for their family. This is especially true of working women with children. They often feel like their children have been without them enough hours on any given day. Women’s fitness doesn’t have to mean you don’t have time for your family. In fact, it is a great way to spend time with your family. Everyone will benefit from the time together as well as getting fit.
Walking is a great exercise for women’s fitness. It is very simple to walk with small children too. Simply get a stroller designed for walking or running. Pulling your children in a wagon is easy too. Ask another mom with children to join you. This will motivate you to keep moving and give you someone to visit with during your walks. 30 minutes of exercise each day is essential for women’s fitness. I am sorry to break it to you, but carrying groceries and chasing after children doesn’t count!
Yoga and aerobics are popular methods for women’s fitness. You can purchase tapes to do them at home on your own schedule. If you choose to do this, make sure you have plenty of open space to move around. Make sure you schedule time to exercise as well or it won’t get done. Ask your spouse to help you fit this in by giving the children a bath or reading them a story while you workout. Most gyms offer yoga and aerobics for women’s fitness as well. Call to find out how to join, the hours, and what classes are offered. It is important to find activities you enjoy or you won’t stick with them.
Weight lifting can be a part of women’s fitness too. Many women shy away from it because they are afraid of bulking up or looking manly. This isn’t likely to happen because of the different hormones men and women have. Weight lifting is a great part of women’s fitness because you will build lean muscle. The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn while exercising and relaxing. You will also become more toned. Lifting small amounts of weight with several reps is the most effective method.
Women’s fitness becomes more important as you get older. It can help you look younger and have a more appealing body. We tend to gain weight as we get older because our metabolism slows down. Your bones can become more brittle and you can develop serious health issues. Women’s fitness can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes. It can also help regulate your period and reduce the effects of PMS, both mentally and physically. Some women find staying fit helps them get through menopause easier as well. If you only take time to do one thing for yourself this is it, women’s fitness will benefit you now and in the future.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Fitness In Five Minutes A Day?
What is the minimum amount of exercise needed for health and fitness? While it depends on the person, lifestyle, and goals, the general wisdom is that 20-60 minutes per day of cardio pumping, iron lifting, or muscle stretching is necessary.
While no one could deny that these numbers produce optimal results, it is possible to accomplish great things in a shorter time.
The truth is that most badly out-of-shape people have lost a crucial “body-mind” link, a connection that helps them to feel the physical hunger for healthy movement. They hate sweating, don’t like walking, and often confuse thirst or emotional pain for hunger.
For those of us who have to ease our way back into an exercise routine, even five minutes a day can be a life saving door into a healthier world.
Here are the rules:
1) In order to get the most out of this routine, it should be spread out over the day. We’re suggesting sixty seconds of work at 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. This approach is called “Greasing the Groove” and has an exceptionally powerful effect.
2) Concentrate on the abdominal muscles. They are the most important group of voluntary muscles in the body, aiding posture, digestion, and sexual function. Critical to athletic performance, they transfer power from the lower to the upper body. When it comes to appearance, the abdominals are called “the window of health”—we are judged more often by our belt-lines than any other single physical factor.
3) It is virtually impossible to tone the abdominals without benefiting other muscle groups.
What exercises are best? I would suggest a tri-pronged approach: a “killer” exercise, a light exercise, and one that can be done in public—while walking or driving.
1) A roller wheel. These are available in any sporting goods store for about five dollars, and are the only ab exercise devise worth your money. Beginners roll out from their knees, more experienced exercisers from their toes.
2) Hip lifts. Lay on your back, brace your hands at your sides, cross your feet, lifting feet and knees from the floor. Now contract the abdominal muscles and lift the hips from the floor. Relax and repeat the hip lift for sixty seconds.
3) Power breathing. Contract your abdominal muscles HARD as you walk or drive. Combined with proper breathing techniques, this can actually be the perfect ab exercise. There are many yoga, Tai Chi and martial arts teachers who can teach you proper breathing technique—if you haven’t had training or studied this, don’t assume you already know how—seek out a teacher!
While the “Grease the Groove” technique is powerful (and can be used to develop strength, flexibility, or coordination) it is not intended to substitute for your longer cardiovascular workouts. It is offered as an addition, or for those days when you just can’t exercise, or as a way for the non-exerciser to begin. Consider it a doorway to a fitter, healthier world.
While no one could deny that these numbers produce optimal results, it is possible to accomplish great things in a shorter time.
The truth is that most badly out-of-shape people have lost a crucial “body-mind” link, a connection that helps them to feel the physical hunger for healthy movement. They hate sweating, don’t like walking, and often confuse thirst or emotional pain for hunger.
For those of us who have to ease our way back into an exercise routine, even five minutes a day can be a life saving door into a healthier world.
Here are the rules:
1) In order to get the most out of this routine, it should be spread out over the day. We’re suggesting sixty seconds of work at 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. This approach is called “Greasing the Groove” and has an exceptionally powerful effect.
2) Concentrate on the abdominal muscles. They are the most important group of voluntary muscles in the body, aiding posture, digestion, and sexual function. Critical to athletic performance, they transfer power from the lower to the upper body. When it comes to appearance, the abdominals are called “the window of health”—we are judged more often by our belt-lines than any other single physical factor.
3) It is virtually impossible to tone the abdominals without benefiting other muscle groups.
What exercises are best? I would suggest a tri-pronged approach: a “killer” exercise, a light exercise, and one that can be done in public—while walking or driving.
1) A roller wheel. These are available in any sporting goods store for about five dollars, and are the only ab exercise devise worth your money. Beginners roll out from their knees, more experienced exercisers from their toes.
2) Hip lifts. Lay on your back, brace your hands at your sides, cross your feet, lifting feet and knees from the floor. Now contract the abdominal muscles and lift the hips from the floor. Relax and repeat the hip lift for sixty seconds.
3) Power breathing. Contract your abdominal muscles HARD as you walk or drive. Combined with proper breathing techniques, this can actually be the perfect ab exercise. There are many yoga, Tai Chi and martial arts teachers who can teach you proper breathing technique—if you haven’t had training or studied this, don’t assume you already know how—seek out a teacher!
While the “Grease the Groove” technique is powerful (and can be used to develop strength, flexibility, or coordination) it is not intended to substitute for your longer cardiovascular workouts. It is offered as an addition, or for those days when you just can’t exercise, or as a way for the non-exerciser to begin. Consider it a doorway to a fitter, healthier world.
Health And Fitness
A healthy person is someone with a balanced physical, social and mental level of well-being, which can be achieved through a number of activities and lifestyle adjustments. It is important to keep physically active and fit as you get older, it is very easy to have an office job and slip into a routine which leaves no room for exercise; driving to work, sitting down at a desk in a stuffy office all day, eating fast food for lunch, driving home and sitting in front of the television all night may seem like an enjoyable way of life, but it will soon catch up with you. Simple adjustments can be made to make this routine to make it a lot healthier, for example; going to the gym twice a week in your lunch break, eating packed lunches from home with healthier food, and even running/cycling to and from work a couple of times a week.
As you get older and your health becomes more important, it may be time to give up any addictive vices you may have, such as cigarettes and alcohol. The older you get the less able the liver is to cope with any excessive drinking you may have been able to get away with in your younger days, and it will have more of an effect on your health. There are many non-alcoholic wines and beers now available, which look and taste the same as the normal beverages, but without the alcohol content. Smoking may be a harder task to give up, but the results are rewarding. Exercise can be very difficult for smokers, who are unable to cope with any prolonged periods of physical activity due to the weakness of their lungs. Not only does smoking inhibit physical performance, but it badly damages your health as a whole and can lead to well publicised serious illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease.
Diet is an important constituent of a good, healthy lifestyle, and ensuring that you are eating correctly is something everyone should be concerned about. A balanced diet means an appropriate intake of fruit and vegetables, widely recognised to be 5 portions per day, and as little salt and fat based meals as possible. Protein rich foods such as meat, eggs and fish should be balanced with foods rich in carbohydrates, such as potatoes and pasta. Luxuries such as chocolate and sweets do not have to be avoided all together, but consumed in moderation.
Another important factor to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being able to manage your sleeping habits; around 8 hours a night is acknowledged to be the right amount, anything less and you can become tired and irritable. Sleeping regenerates your body, and it is essential to be getting the right amount of rest.
Maintaining a strong, healthy lifestyle is not something which can be achieved overnight, but the end result is well worth the effort. A healthy person feels the difference, and has more energy and enthusiasm to pursue their goals and fulfil their potential in life.
As you get older and your health becomes more important, it may be time to give up any addictive vices you may have, such as cigarettes and alcohol. The older you get the less able the liver is to cope with any excessive drinking you may have been able to get away with in your younger days, and it will have more of an effect on your health. There are many non-alcoholic wines and beers now available, which look and taste the same as the normal beverages, but without the alcohol content. Smoking may be a harder task to give up, but the results are rewarding. Exercise can be very difficult for smokers, who are unable to cope with any prolonged periods of physical activity due to the weakness of their lungs. Not only does smoking inhibit physical performance, but it badly damages your health as a whole and can lead to well publicised serious illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease.
Diet is an important constituent of a good, healthy lifestyle, and ensuring that you are eating correctly is something everyone should be concerned about. A balanced diet means an appropriate intake of fruit and vegetables, widely recognised to be 5 portions per day, and as little salt and fat based meals as possible. Protein rich foods such as meat, eggs and fish should be balanced with foods rich in carbohydrates, such as potatoes and pasta. Luxuries such as chocolate and sweets do not have to be avoided all together, but consumed in moderation.
Another important factor to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being able to manage your sleeping habits; around 8 hours a night is acknowledged to be the right amount, anything less and you can become tired and irritable. Sleeping regenerates your body, and it is essential to be getting the right amount of rest.
Maintaining a strong, healthy lifestyle is not something which can be achieved overnight, but the end result is well worth the effort. A healthy person feels the difference, and has more energy and enthusiasm to pursue their goals and fulfil their potential in life.
24 Hour Fitness: A Trendsetter Of Fitness
I have been to a few fitness centers during my life. As a foreigner from a small country I had become familiar with a standard that is not precisely overwhelming, but have given me decent training tools, exercise equipment and fitness coaching good enough for me. When I entered the USA a few years ago I couldn't stop exercising, so I had to find a fitness center or a gym there as well. A few blocks from where I lived there was something called 24 Hour Fitness and I didn't hesitate entering their door. Once inside I suddenly realized that I had never been spoiled with such outstanding workout facilities, until now. I couldn't believe it; this was just marvelous!
There are lot of different fitness clubs that a person can go to in order to get in shape. Some of these gyms are single-unit clubs or small chains, while others are veritable giants of the fitness industry. One of these chains that would likely fit into the 'giant' category is 24 Hour Fitness. 24 Hour Fitness is a large health club and gym that started as a single health club and has grown into one of the world's largest privately-held and operated fitness chains in the world.
24 Hour Fitness was established in 1983 as a single club. It has grown to a company with more than 16,000 employees that has a presence in four countries. 24 Hour Fitness has it's headquarter San Ramon, California and currently has around 3 million members. Over the coming five years, 24 Hour Fitness plans to expand to have over 1000 locations all over the world.
One reason this club has been so successful is told by the name; they offer their members the ability to use their facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This convenience factor has been a big drive to help them expand their member base. Because of this fact, many other chains are now following them by expanding their hours of operation to try to meet this convenience factor for their customers.
Since the establishment in 1983, 24 Hour Fitness has gained public reputation for accomplishments that are outside of the fitness chain norm. In 2004, the 24 Hour Fitness company became the sponsor for the U.S. Olympic team and in the same year they worked with NBC to develop a television show called "The Biggest Loser". This show revolved around helping people to use workout and diet to lose substantial amounts of weight. Contestants competed in teams to lose the most pounds overall.
Like many big companies, 24 Hour Fitness has not been lacking in their share of troubles alongside their success. In February of 2005, a lawsuit was filed against the company that alleged they were conducting illegal business activities. The specific illegalities cited were that the fitness club continued to charge members after their contracts expired or were cancelled and that they did not use proper font formatting for their contracts.
Near the end of 2006, 24 Hour Fitness company settled the class-action lawsuit. They granted all complainants their choice of either about $30 in cash each or a free 30 day pass to the club.
Even with 24 Hour Fitness being in the middle of a lawsuit that was filed against them in 2006, alleging that the company continued to take money out of their customer's checking accounts as well as bill credit cards after the contract expired after being notified by the customer, it doesn't change the fact that this fitness chain has set a new standard for what I consider as high quality training facility, and I have yet to see a gym or fitness center better than 24 hour fitness in any respect.
There are lot of different fitness clubs that a person can go to in order to get in shape. Some of these gyms are single-unit clubs or small chains, while others are veritable giants of the fitness industry. One of these chains that would likely fit into the 'giant' category is 24 Hour Fitness. 24 Hour Fitness is a large health club and gym that started as a single health club and has grown into one of the world's largest privately-held and operated fitness chains in the world.
24 Hour Fitness was established in 1983 as a single club. It has grown to a company with more than 16,000 employees that has a presence in four countries. 24 Hour Fitness has it's headquarter San Ramon, California and currently has around 3 million members. Over the coming five years, 24 Hour Fitness plans to expand to have over 1000 locations all over the world.
One reason this club has been so successful is told by the name; they offer their members the ability to use their facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This convenience factor has been a big drive to help them expand their member base. Because of this fact, many other chains are now following them by expanding their hours of operation to try to meet this convenience factor for their customers.
Since the establishment in 1983, 24 Hour Fitness has gained public reputation for accomplishments that are outside of the fitness chain norm. In 2004, the 24 Hour Fitness company became the sponsor for the U.S. Olympic team and in the same year they worked with NBC to develop a television show called "The Biggest Loser". This show revolved around helping people to use workout and diet to lose substantial amounts of weight. Contestants competed in teams to lose the most pounds overall.
Like many big companies, 24 Hour Fitness has not been lacking in their share of troubles alongside their success. In February of 2005, a lawsuit was filed against the company that alleged they were conducting illegal business activities. The specific illegalities cited were that the fitness club continued to charge members after their contracts expired or were cancelled and that they did not use proper font formatting for their contracts.
Near the end of 2006, 24 Hour Fitness company settled the class-action lawsuit. They granted all complainants their choice of either about $30 in cash each or a free 30 day pass to the club.
Even with 24 Hour Fitness being in the middle of a lawsuit that was filed against them in 2006, alleging that the company continued to take money out of their customer's checking accounts as well as bill credit cards after the contract expired after being notified by the customer, it doesn't change the fact that this fitness chain has set a new standard for what I consider as high quality training facility, and I have yet to see a gym or fitness center better than 24 hour fitness in any respect.
Fitness Equipment For Your Home; When You're Tired Of Fitness Centers
Have you noticed how the body changes depending on the amount of exercise that you take? Seeing celebrities in the media with perfect bodies can make anyone want to buy some fitness equipment instantly. Regular exercise can make a huge difference to not only your condition but of course also to the way you look. Research has shown that people who do not eat less but exercise more will lose weight and tone up within only a few weeks. This makes getting fit worth while.
Burning calories should not be your only reason for taking up exercise and picking the right fitness equipment for your body and the areas of your physique that you want to improve is all important and there are more options than just jumping onto a treadmill for half an hour a day. With a well balanced exercise regime you can focus on problem areas of your body or simply on cardiovascular exercise. Know what fitness equipment to pick and get going!
But how do you get fit if you have a busy lifestyle? If you have a job and are taking care of the kids as well? Driving to the nearest gym may simply take up too much time, so how about getting some fitness equipment installed at home to make use of the time that you have available? You can even do your exercises when watching TV in-between chores. As exercising creates endorphins in the body you will get lots of energy from it and after half an hour you will be ready to face your busy day again.
So what fitness equipment is best for you? Exploring the options and outweighing what is best for you and your body is a great start to a good fitness regime. Examples of popular fitness equipment are:
The treadmill
This machine makes it possible for you to run a few miles anywhere you want. Put the machine in your bedroom or study, or buy one with wheels and roll the machine into your living room during the day to exercise when watching TV.
Ab crunch machines
This piece of fitness equipment will help you get rid of the dreaded belly. If your stomach is not as flat as you'd like it to be this is the kind of machine you should go for. The crunches can be done sitting or lying down and if you maintain a regular exercise schedule you will see results in a few weeks.
Ab Benches
This fitness equipment enables you to lie down and lift up your upper body to do a perfect ab crunch. This is a great exercise to strengthen your back and to create a flatter stomach.
So what are you waiting for? Take your pick from the great fitness equipment that is on offer nowadays and take your time to find out more about your own needs when it comes to getting in shape. Look at your body and figure out what you'd like to change. Log on to the Internet and browse the many types of fitness equipment available to you. Here (LINK) you will find plenty of information to get you going.
Burning calories should not be your only reason for taking up exercise and picking the right fitness equipment for your body and the areas of your physique that you want to improve is all important and there are more options than just jumping onto a treadmill for half an hour a day. With a well balanced exercise regime you can focus on problem areas of your body or simply on cardiovascular exercise. Know what fitness equipment to pick and get going!
But how do you get fit if you have a busy lifestyle? If you have a job and are taking care of the kids as well? Driving to the nearest gym may simply take up too much time, so how about getting some fitness equipment installed at home to make use of the time that you have available? You can even do your exercises when watching TV in-between chores. As exercising creates endorphins in the body you will get lots of energy from it and after half an hour you will be ready to face your busy day again.
So what fitness equipment is best for you? Exploring the options and outweighing what is best for you and your body is a great start to a good fitness regime. Examples of popular fitness equipment are:
The treadmill
This machine makes it possible for you to run a few miles anywhere you want. Put the machine in your bedroom or study, or buy one with wheels and roll the machine into your living room during the day to exercise when watching TV.
Ab crunch machines
This piece of fitness equipment will help you get rid of the dreaded belly. If your stomach is not as flat as you'd like it to be this is the kind of machine you should go for. The crunches can be done sitting or lying down and if you maintain a regular exercise schedule you will see results in a few weeks.
Ab Benches
This fitness equipment enables you to lie down and lift up your upper body to do a perfect ab crunch. This is a great exercise to strengthen your back and to create a flatter stomach.
So what are you waiting for? Take your pick from the great fitness equipment that is on offer nowadays and take your time to find out more about your own needs when it comes to getting in shape. Look at your body and figure out what you'd like to change. Log on to the Internet and browse the many types of fitness equipment available to you. Here (LINK) you will find plenty of information to get you going.
Diet Fitness Program - Achieve Your Fitness Goals
Incorporate a diet fitness program and make a regular part of your lifestyle. What you eat is what you become. While there are certainly others components to good health, eating healthy is by far the most important factor.
It is often realized quite late that the main culprit in your lethargic and overweight life is your diet. You become used to these junk foods and it becomes difficult to swap it for a healthy diet. The body becomes accustomed to what is being fed and that shows up on your skin, heart and structure.
A diet fitness program doesn’t mean dieting strictly, but staying away from food that adds layers of fat to your body, draining your self-confidence and drowning you into depression. Having small proportions of food every two to three hours will regulate metabolism that helps you shed fat from your body.
For some, food is a hobby, anti-depressant and a friend. Find a way to indulge yourself in a different hobby that is creative and your craving will go away.
One can make a program for himself/herself:
Add more green vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Stay away from processed food esp. white flour.
Have whole grain products and whole wheat instead of potato chips and fries.
The body needs some amount of fat daily, and these are obtained through raw, soaked nuts. Always make sure to soak them, because raw nuts contain an enzyme inhibitor that, when eaten raw and un-soaked, makes you feel sleepy.
Make a time-table and regularize your eating habits, especially at night. You should eat 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.
And, above all else, be happy. This will make you less hungry and you will automatically incorporate the diet fitness program in your life.
The bottom line is this: when you are first starting on a healthy way of eating, it can seem quite overwhelming. However, it needn’t be that way.
When you write out a goal for achieving the right eating habits, take it slowly, and stick to the plan, you will find yourself reaching that mark faster than you ever thought possible. Start slowly, stay on course, and you will soon become happier and healthier than you ever thought possible.
It is often realized quite late that the main culprit in your lethargic and overweight life is your diet. You become used to these junk foods and it becomes difficult to swap it for a healthy diet. The body becomes accustomed to what is being fed and that shows up on your skin, heart and structure.
A diet fitness program doesn’t mean dieting strictly, but staying away from food that adds layers of fat to your body, draining your self-confidence and drowning you into depression. Having small proportions of food every two to three hours will regulate metabolism that helps you shed fat from your body.
For some, food is a hobby, anti-depressant and a friend. Find a way to indulge yourself in a different hobby that is creative and your craving will go away.
One can make a program for himself/herself:
Add more green vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Stay away from processed food esp. white flour.
Have whole grain products and whole wheat instead of potato chips and fries.
The body needs some amount of fat daily, and these are obtained through raw, soaked nuts. Always make sure to soak them, because raw nuts contain an enzyme inhibitor that, when eaten raw and un-soaked, makes you feel sleepy.
Make a time-table and regularize your eating habits, especially at night. You should eat 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.
And, above all else, be happy. This will make you less hungry and you will automatically incorporate the diet fitness program in your life.
The bottom line is this: when you are first starting on a healthy way of eating, it can seem quite overwhelming. However, it needn’t be that way.
When you write out a goal for achieving the right eating habits, take it slowly, and stick to the plan, you will find yourself reaching that mark faster than you ever thought possible. Start slowly, stay on course, and you will soon become happier and healthier than you ever thought possible.
Cycling Your Way To Fitness - Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still A Top Choice For Overall Fitness
In all the craze over new fangled fitness equipment, exercise bikes often get overlooked. Stationary exercise bikes have been around for many years, which can lead some people to think they are outdated or not as effective as newer types of equipment. But for many people, exercise bikes provide a fun, consistent, reasonable means of exercising, improving cardio functions, and losing weight.
Stationary exercise bikes provide all the benefits of riding a bicycle. They provide good cardio workouts, have much less impact on knees, hips and other joints than walking or running, and can be used at any time it’s convenient. Most stationary bikes have manual or computerized controls to allow you to adjust resistance and speed. Many also come with heart monitors and cardio workouts already programmed in. There is a huge selection of price and style, and stationary bikes tend to be the most affordable cardio exercise machine.
Plus, with a stationary bike, you don’t have to worry about traffic, dogs, or bad weather. You can exercise in the convenience of your own home and even watch television or read a book while you bike. Try doing that on the bike path at the park!
Types of Stationary Exercise Bikes
Standard, upright stationary bikes come in single or dual action models. Dual action bikes have handles or levers to work the upper body and have been shown to provide more effective cardio workouts, burn more calories, and also improve overall body tone more efficiently than single action bikes. Dual action bikes work well for those with hip or leg injuries who need to exercise but also need to go easy on their legs. The dual action allows the arms to work harder to operate the machine, thus requiring less work from the legs.
A recumbent bike, sometimes called a “bent,” is a type of stationary bike that is more laid back…literally. It places the body in a semi or fully reclining position, taking pressure off the back area. Some people feel the position is difficult to adapt to at first, but many who choose recumbent bikes say they are very easy and comfortable to ride. They usually come with a larger seat, which often means you will stay on the machine longer or not have discomfort later.
Because of the reclining position, a recumbent bike works the abdominal muscles more and also creates more hamstring action. The lower center of gravity makes for better balance as well. Doctors feel they are better for those with back problems or with cerebral palsy and related diseases. The recumbent bikes also bring your feet more closely in line with your heart, keeping blood pressure low and providing for a safer overall workout.
Popular Models & Prices
Most stationary bikes come with ways to assess your speed and distance. Economy models have a tachometer/odometer combination and a design that utilizes a flywheel to provide resistance. These models are not programmable and provide the least effective workout, but are at under $200 can be an inexpensive way for a beginner or someone on a tight budget to get some exercise. They can be purchased at many department stores.
Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable consul that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels, fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality. Magnetic resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly and is quieter. These models can range from $200 up to $1500 and provide the broadest range of selection for the average person. Some popular models include Tunturi F520 (recumbent), Vision Fitness R2000, and several models from Schwinn, the popular bike manufacturer.
More expensive stationary bikes often use magnetic resistance and typically need to be plugged in to an outlet. They come with all the bells and whistles, including extended warranties, more varied programming features, and comfort options such as built in fans. They typically cost over $1500. Lifecycle 5500HR and 5500RHR (recumbent) are popular choices among those who are serious about their workout or have a healthy budget.
Other popular manufacturers of exercise bikes include Nordic Track, Reebok, Weslo, Keys, Fitness Quest, and Edge.
Compared To Other Equipment
All types of stationary bikes provide a low impact workout that many feel is an advantage over treadmill exercise. The force on the knees, ankles, feet and other body parts that occurs with walking or running can cause swelling or discomfort in the joints. It can irritate old injuries or sometimes even produce new problems. A stationary bike provides non-weight bearing exercise that reduces impact on these areas.
In the health and fitness industries, and among customers, there is an extensive debate over which machines burn more calories and give a better cardio workout. There is evidence on both sides of the issue, but many people agree that a stationary bike should have dual action to optimize weight loss and heart health. The pumping of the arms has a significant impact of the effectiveness of any workout, and a treadmill is less effective as well if you hold onto the hand supports rather than letting your arms swing or pumping them in rhythm to your motion.
Elliptical trainers are another exercise option that provides a low impact workout, but many feel they do not provide the same cardio benefits. Rowing machines are boring, more difficult to use, and can be hard on the back. Other equipment has disadvantages as well, making stationary bikes a good choice for overall effectiveness and satisfaction. Consumer buying shows that exercise bikes continue to rank as a top choice for exercise and fitness training.
In the ever expanding world of health and fitness equipment, there have been some true advances as well as a bunch of gimmicks. A stationary bike is an old standard that has been a proven exercise tool for years, and that continues to improve and adapt through new technology. The overall effectiveness, ease of use and variety of designs and prices makes a stationary exercise bike an excellent choice for beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike.
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