Beauty And Fitness

Health is wealth. By being physically fit, it can make a person look lean both inside and out.

There is a lot a person can do such jogging or walking in the morning, doing fitness or any other sport and recreation activities with friends. Just like taking any medicine, one should first consult the doctor before undergoing any form of exercise. Physical exercise is beneficial because it helps maintain and improve ones health from a variety of diseases and premature death. It also makes a person feel happier and increases ones self esteem preventing one from falling into depression or anxiety. It has also shown to make a person with an active lifestyle live longer than a person who doesn’t.

The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase ones metabolism and make one either gain or lose weight. A person who has never worked out before should do it gradually. Doing it too much for the first time can make one pull a muscle or have an injury making it worse. Endurance will never be built in a day and doing it repeatedly will surely be good to the person. Focusing on certain portion in the body can help make it improve. A good example is going to the gym and doing a workout more often in a specific area such as the abs can give one a chest pack. But beauty is not only about having muscles which is what people can see. It is also about enhancing the beauty within. Here are some things one can do everyday to stay beautiful and healthy;

· Reading books and other reading material more often keeps the mind sharp just like working out keeps the body in shape.

· Work no matter what kind it is produces stress. One can reduce this by taking the time out to do something special like lying in a hot tub, shopping or watching a movie. Studies have shown it is reliever and helps one from looking haggardly.

· Pollution is something people cannot control given the size of the problem. When one goes out, it is best to put some form of protection such as beauty products that contain antioxidants that protect the skin from damage. There are also other beauty products available and choosing the right one with the help of a dermatologist can help the person.

· Another way to stay healthy is to give up some vices. Most people smoke and drink. Smoking has been proven to cause lung cancer and other diseases as well complications for women giving birth. Excessive drinking has also shown to do the same.

· For people who don’t smoke, it is best to stay away from people who do since studies have shown that nonsmokers are also at risk of developing cancer due to secondary smoke inhalation.

· Lastly, it is best to always start the day with a positive outlook. Just as studies have shown that exercise makes a person feel happier, smiling produces the same effect. A smile can do a lot and it is contagious in a positive sense. It brightens the day of not only one but others as well.

Kids and Fitness

One of the major health concerns in today’s society is the
problem of obesity which affects children as well as adults.
While some people’s weight is controlled by medical or genetic
conditions, most cases of obesity are just a matter of poor diet
and exercise habits. As a parent, there are a few simple things
that you can do to improve your child’s chances against
developing a weight problem.

Diet is a major factor in childhood obesity. Between snack
foods and fast food restaurants, we are a society that eats on
the run. Teaching your child good eating habits can save them a
lot of heartache later on. You can start by buying healthier
food at the grocery store. Replace potato chips with fresh
fruits or replace your soda with fruit juice. If these healthier
items are the only snacks in the house, your children may
complain about them but they will eventually eat them.

Fast food restaurants are also an easy place for your children
to eat food that contains too much fat and calories. These
businesses have acknowledged the problem of childhood obesity
and many now offer healthy alternatives to their regular menu.
So instead of French fries, you can purchase your child a fruit
treat or flavored yogurt. While the child may still want the
French fries, you need just to remember that you are the parent
and you should stand firm on any decisions that you make dealing
with your child’s fast food choices.

Until a few years ago, schools were also guilty of serving
children fattening foods. Many school vending machines included
everything from candy to corn chips. While many schools have
replaced these vending machine items with healthier snacks such
as peanuts and low fat potato chips, some others have not. You
may want to check with your child’s school to determine what
kind of foods that your child can purchase. If your school still
carries the traditional snacks, you may be able to discuss the
matter with the school administrator to have these unhealthy
food items replaced. Most schools are more than happy to comply
with this request.

Another factor that causes childhood obesity is the lack of
exercise. With the invention of home video games, some children
never get off the couch for hours at a time. You should try to
limit the amount of time that your child is allowed to play
these games. If he argues about it, just remove the games
completely until he has agreed to your terms. In the spare time
that the child now has, encourage him to go outside and get some
fresh air and exercise.

The best way to teach your children good eating and exercising
habits is by example. You need to be willing to eat healthier
yourself and in reality most of us could use more exercise. If
your child sees that you are eating those vegetables and that
you are exercising every day, he may be encouraged to join you.

Eating right and getting enough exercise is all a matter of
choice. Making wiser choices now will ensure that you and your
children will be healthier and happier

About the Author: Find helpful and creative ideas for parents
and grandparents while you shop our great selection of
affordable kids furniture and classic toys. Another article with
more information on this topic can be found at
http://www.hybridoption.com/kidsfurniture.html.

Fitness Equipment

Every one wants to be thin, sexy looking and in great shape.
But it is not an easy task. If you have to keep your body fit
and healthy then you will have to follow a nutritious diet and
also do regular exercise. To be fit means not only looking good
but being healthy and maintaining the strength and structure of
your body. This can be achieved with the aid of different
fitness equipment.

There are many types and styles of fitness equipment available
in the market. The best way to determine what will work of you
is to bring home the equipment, try it out and see what fits you
best. Either way, you must actually use the equipment regularly.
You can also join a gym or other physical fitness programs that
will give you access to good quality fitness equipment. But
exercise alone is not enough to keep you in top shape. You will
also have to follow a dieting method along with the physical
exercise to keep yourself healthy and physically fit.

The best alternative is home equipments. Fitness equipment are
usable in different shapes and dimensions. Buying such equipment
saves your time and money on memberships. Also if you have such
equipment at home then you can workout at your own convenient
time.

While buying fitness equipment, ensure that the instrument you
are buying is suited for you or not. The next factor to be
considered is cost. As these fitness equipments are highly
priced you can ask your dealer for discounts when you purchase
them. You can go in for installments also. But before you do
those be sure to find out the usage costs and other fees if
applicable.

Fitness equipment is necessary for right and a full body
exercise. The regular habit of exercise through fitness
equipment is good to the body and also for exercising certain
particular groups of muscles. The welfares of exercising include
weight release in obese people, step-up in vitality, betterment
of strength, increment in tractability, ameliorated looks, a
notion of well-being etc. The whole thing will give a boost to
your confidence also. A study carried on by doctors has depicted
that, with only sixty days of right work outs and diet a person
can appear almost 10 years younger.

Treadmills are mainly used for cardiovascular workouts. The
main drawback of this equipment is that it becomes monotonous
for the user. Apart from this wind resistance is not there in
this method of exercising. Also research has proved that
treadmills help to burn out calories. In addition to this the
treadmill also helps you to tone each and every muscle in your
body.

Elliptical machines are mostly used for a whole body work out.
Free weights are splendid for weight training. Back pairs are
exercise equipment which is used to back up the back and aid in
avoiding injury. With this equipment you loose weight without
much impact on your knees, hips and back. But this is also a
full body exercise and helps you to tone your leg and thigh
muscles. This also gives strength to your hands. All this can be
enjoyed without much stress and strain.

Exercise Bikes are the ones with low impact but with high
performance. The workouts of this equipment affect the joints
and body parts. They are most economically priced. But they have
a very low calorie burn up.

About the Author: Christopher McCombs is a professional
personal trainer. Chris owns Positively Fit Inc., providing
personal training, fitness and nutritional support throughout
Southern California. Learn more by visiting
http://www.socalworkout.com/.
Fit

Aqua Fitness

Aqua fitness is used quite often by people looking to get in
shape in this day and age dominated by the fitness craze. There
are many reasons why aqua fitness is so popular, and there are
many redeeming qualities for the body when it comes to aqua
fitness, but the best feature about aqua fitness is the fact
that for most people, it is fun. There is little in the universe
that is more fun than swimming, and quite frankly, swimming is
one of the best forms of exercise for the muscles in the human
body, but there’s much more to an aqua fitness workout than JUST
SWIMMING.

Of course swimming laps isn’t all that there is to aqua fitness
routines, though swimming laps in a concentrated effort with
varied strokes is certainly a part of any routine. Many muscles
can be strengthened, toned, and stretched by swimming a number
of laps, depending on your level of fitness, with different
strokes. The butterfly, for instance, as an excellent way to
workout your upper body torso, including your pecs and your
lats. Even the doggie paddle strengthens your neck, back, arms,
and legs. The biggest benefit of aqua fitness can come from
simple static exercise. Herschel Walker, the famed Heisman
Trophy winner, used aqua fitness techniques to build the
endurance and strength in his legs by simply running under
water. The resistance from the water itself helped build those
oak trees that Herschel called legs. There are plenty of
resistance and isometric exercises that can be used to build
strength and muscles, from simple flexing and movement to more
advanced routines involving light weights under water.

There are plenty of enjoyable water sports as well that can be
used to help build the body. Sports such as water polo, water
soccer, and water volleyball, while competitive and fun, are
very good for building muscle. The great thing about aqua
fitness is that it tends to use the whole body as you train and
exercise. Bodybuilding in typical fashion generally requires
exercises involving free weights and machines that focus on a
primary and secondary muscle structure. For instance when you do
curls with either a dumbbell or a barbell, you are using the
resistance of the weight to strengthen the bicep as you curl the
weight up, and you are stressing the triceps as you lower the
weight back down. Two muscles are exercised, and unhealthy
strain is placed on the back which supports the exercise as
there is little to no support behind it. The same exact exercise
done under water with far less weight is more effective and is
safer as well. First of all, the back is reinforced by the water
itself. Secondly you can use far less weight, putting less
pressure on the back, because of the resistance of the water,
which exercises the muscle. In the water, all of the back
muscles and abdominal muscles are utilized as well, due to the
resistance of the water, so it is a far more effective work out.

About the Author: Kate Steplton travel.syl.com/health/ - More
thoughts from different authors on a variety of subjects

It certainly pays to be fit. People who are fat or maybe just a
little on the flabby side are prone to be short of breath after
climbing a flight of stairs. They ache all over after spending a
day just window shopping at the mall or strolling in the park.
And usually, those are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes
to the problems that heavy-set people face.

Generally, a physically fit person enjoys a gets to be in good
physical condition because of regular physical activity, proper
nutrition and ample rest to allow the body to recover fully from
the rigors of everyday living.

Being fit not only makes us more physically capable of meeting
the challenges that come our way, it also helps us out mentally
and emotionally. For one thing, it helps us deal with stress
better which is quite a benefit if you really think about it.
Not only does stress ruin our well-being and sap the enjoyment
out of our days, it can kill us slowly by adversely affecting
essential body functions.

Among the staples of the most popular and effective programs
for physical fitness are regular exercise, physical therapy,
massage and even taking a hot bath or other activities that can
relax and sooth our nerves. Physical fitness means more than
just taking care of the physical parts of our being, you know.

However, with regard to our overall fitness, an effective
regimen should address our flexibility, cardiovascular
endurance, muscular strength and endurance, body composition,
agility, balance and speed.

There is no easy way to physical fitness. It always takes time
and hard work, as well as discipline and consistency. But being
physically fit is its own reward and more than well worth the
sacrifice. We hate to admit it but overweight people really do
envy those with impressive physiques.

Being fit and free from stress allows us to attain peace of
mind as well as the confidence and capability to face any
physical, emotional and mental challenges of everyday life.

Sometimes, the biggest challenge in getting fit is getting
started. So why don’t you seize on that momentum that you are
probably feeling now and start on a physical fitness program?
Try walking a few blocks and see the difference it can make.
After that, you may not want to stop trying to get physically
fit.

About the Author: Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for
http://fitnessandourworld.com/ - In addition, Jonathon also
writes articles for http://totallytraveling.net/ and
http://healthandourworld.com/

Health Fitness

Health fitness involves exercising and working out to look and
feel better. Your physical and mental well being depend on it.
Exercising can reduce your chances of heart disease and
diabetes. It can also reduce the effects of depression and
eliminate stress. The physical and mental benefits of health
fitness are well worth the efforts. They will ensure you are
able to live a healthier, happier life. Do you want to just live
your life or do you want to enjoy your life? The choice is
yours.

Health fitness involves finding activities that are going to
improve your current fitness level. Everyone’s current level of
fitness is different so improving your fitness level can be
walking for 10 minutes and for someone else it can be jogging an
extra ½ mile. The point is you have to start somewhere and you
should only compare yourself to where you want your health
fitness level to be in the next year. Set realistic goals that
are challenging but achievable.

There are too many ways to improve your health fitness to
count. You get to choose the activities that you are able to
participate in that you enjoy. This is one way to motivate
yourself. If you enjoy football then go play it twice a week. If
you hate aerobics then don’t do it. Look for another exercise
that will help your heart but that you like doing. For too long
in our society exercise has been viewed as something dreadful
that we avoid at all costs. If you want your health fitness
goals to be possible then turn the entire situation into
something positive.

Health fitness isn’t all about exercise either. How many of us
take the time to meet our own needs on a regular basis? Not very
many of us. Our careers and families keep us plenty busy. Take
some time for yourself at least once a week for one hour. Use
this time to do something for only yourself. It can be as simple
as enjoying a bubble bath or reading a good book. Take up a
hobby you enjoy or learn a new skill. This quality time will
help you unwind and relieve stress. It is a very important part
of health fitness. Our mental health can cause physical health
problems for us as well as affect our diet and sleep patterns.

Eating properly also plays an important role in health fitness.
You will feel sluggish and irritable if you consume large
amounts of carbs, fats, and sugar. They give you a temporary
boost of energy but not for long. Eating plenty of fresh fruits
and vegetables will help you maintain energy levels all day long
without the fluxuation. You will also consume less calories but
feel full all day long. Health fitness is a very important issue
that more of us need to focus our attention on. It affects both
our physical well being and our mental well being. Health
fitness gives us the opportunity to be the healthiest we can.
You will look and feel better than you have in a long time.

About the Author: Get all the latest information about Health
Fitness, from the only true source at
http://www.1fitnessinformation.com. Be sure to check out our
Health Fitness pages.

Virtual Fitness

Clients no longer have to go to the gym to work out with a
personal trainer - which is a big relief for those individuals
who just don’t have the time in their busy schedules. Some
personal trainers are now offering custom designed workout
programs for their clients that they can access from the comfort
of their own home.

“Cyber training” is one of the fitness industry’s top five
trends. And with today’s technology, the fitness industry
doesn’t expect this fad to pass anytime soon. Online videos via
email and pod-castings delivered to your cell phone and mp3
players seem to be the way of the future - putting fitness tips
and your own exercise program literally into the palm of your
hand!

Your personal trainer will use your personal information and
current state of health to design your own custom virtual
exercise program. Nutrition plans that can also be delivered to
you via email and based on your personalized fitness and health
goals – for example: weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain, body
toning, endurance training, post-pregnancy training, etc. For
the exercise training + nutritional menus personal trainers are
often teaming up with registered dieticians and nutritional
consultants to provide their clients with proper nutrition
expertise. Then personal trainers will handle the video portion,
which includes visuals of live models, music, sound effects, and
stylized routines. Some virtual fitness online even comes
available in a number of different languages.

In a way virtual fitness is kind of like home video workout
tapes. However they are now available over the internet and you
get to work with a personal trainer - just not in the flesh and
blood. For most people, they don’t need a personal trainer
holding their hand through the exercises - All that’s needed is
a mental connection between trainer and client, which can be
achieved through a number of videos, emails and phone calls.

The benefits of virtual online personal training are as
follows:

•You can workout in the comfort of your own home – so you
escape what’s sometimes considered a “competitive gym
environment”.

•You can schedule your workouts any time of day – this is great
for people who work shift work or like to workout before 6am or
after 11pm.

•You are free to do other tasks – virtual workouts are
convenient for those who can’t get to a gym because of other
responsibilities – child care, home businesses, etc.

•Feel free to break up your workouts – doing fitness at home
means if you don’t have time for a full workout program you can
split it up into 10 to 15 minute segments.

•Virtual is less expensive - Another BIG reason why clients are
drawn to virtual training is the lower cost! The virtual
downloads are much less expensive than hiring a personal trainer
- which could cost between $50 and $100 an hour.

About the Author: Anna Fleet is a certified fitness instructor
and the face and voice behind http://www.fitnessgear101.com/ – a
site with information on exercise balls, weight lifting and
more.

Senior Fitness

Staying fit and mobile plays a large role in senior health.
It’s not always easy to maintain fitness levels as we age.
Naturally, our bodies change, but we don’t want them becoming
immobile! Here are some tips to make your senior years more
enjoyable and fit.

As much as possible, continue doing your daily living tasks.
Taking a bath, even if it’s just a sponge bath, gives your arms
a mini-workout. You’re bending and keeping flexible, which is
vital for proper joint health.

Cooking involves peeling vegetables, some walking, bending to
reach pots and pans. Don’t fret that you may not be able to do
all grocery shopping by yourself. As long as you can continue
cooking at home, this allows more chance for movement.

So, we’re continuing our daily tasks, and now it’s time to
consider some specific exercise.

Golfing provides fun, a chance for walking, bending, and
maintaining flexibility. Even miniature golf allows for some of
these tasks, so join the grandkids if you can.

Perhaps getting out to a golf course isn’t possible for you
right now. Buy one of those mini-putting greens you can use
indoors. Even these will improve your ability to move more
freely.

Several times a day, make it a point to stop and work on a
flexibility exercise. For instance, stretch your legs while
sitting in the recliner. Do five or six mini leg lifts or
stretch your arms over your head and hold them there for a count
of ten. All activity, even simple ones, increases your ability
to move freely and with less pain.

Check with your doctor about the exercises he or she suggests.
You may be asked to visit a physical therapist who will work
with you on improving your fitness. Therapists have some fun
ideas on staying fitter – simple games you can play in your home
with your grandkids, like batting a balloon back and forth with
a plastic racket. You’ll find yourself enjoying the exercise
even more with your children around!

By making a simple choice each day of staying mobile as much as
possible, you increase your chances of living a more independent
life.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health
expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/
for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well
as reviews and comments on popular diets.

Health Fitness Guide

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can
achieve" - W. Clement Stone

Like any learned skill, there are certain basics that must be
mastered first. The very bedrock upon which all health and
fitness achievement rests are thoughts. Everything man-made in
the world or any action you've taken in the past all started
with a thought. There is not one man-made object or goal that
didn't start as a thought in someone's head that was then made
into reality. Your toaster, your TV, your automobile, your
desire for better health.

A single thought ultimately transformed into physical reality.

In order to achieve any health or fitness goal you must start
with this basic concept; thoughts are things. Thoughts are the
foundation upon which you build the framework for attainment of
your goal. Every thought has a physical manifestation in our
bodies; every thought produces physical substances called
neuro-transmitting enzymes that have instant effects on how we
feel and who we are at the cellular level.

Don't believe me? Think of biting into a big, juicy lemon or
think about fingernails slowly running down a chalk board and
tell me you didn't have an immediate, physical response.

Or how about a thought that changed the world?

Every day, thousands of times a day, all over the world people
fly from destination to destination. It's amazing that a person
can step into a device that lifts them off the ground and flies
through the air at great speed sometimes over great distances
safely carrying them to their destination in a matter of minutes
or hours! Only a bit over a hundred years ago that would have
been considered impossible or a miracle. Yet it happens every
day today and it started with a thought in someone's head that
man could fly. On December 17th, 1903 the thought that man had
had for generations to fly, became reality.

That is the power of thoughts!

If you can have that kind of immediate response from such a
simple thought, just imagine what you can accomplish with a
focused, burning desire backed by faith and persistence!

Life isn't fair or normal, there's just life. But that should
be a comforting thought. If life were fair all things would be
equal and all people would be equal. The logical conclusion is
that there could be no social movement up or down, no bettering
of yourself nor worsening, no getting healthier, just
stagnation. Because life isn't fair it means you have the
ability to control whether you improve your life or make it
worse but at least you have the ability to make change.

What about external influences which you have no control over?
Say your significant other is killed in a car accident or you
become paraplegic in a skiing accident. The list could go on and
on. But there is one thing you have total control over.

Viktor E. Frankl, a concentration camp survivor, put it best in
his book "Man's Search for Meaning,"

"The one thing you can't take away from me is the way I choose
to respond to what you do to me. The last of one's freedoms is
to choose ones attitudes in any given circumstance."

The only absolute freedom you have is choosing how you react to
life. And how you choose starts with a thought.

Who you are right now is the sum total of what you've thought
about up to this moment. If you're not satisfied with who you
are right now, the good news is who you will be from now on is
entirely up to you. Change your thoughts and you can start
changing yourself. If you want to lose weight or be more fit, it
all starts with a thought.

About the Author: Jeff Baker is a web manager and author living
in Arlington, TX. His interests are health and fitness after
nearing a 100lb weight loss through goal-powered concepts. His
FREE Goal-Powered Fitness newsletter can be found at
http://www.goalpoweredfitness.com

Fitness: How Important Is It?

As a society, we have become very lazy. This is partly due to
such things as advances in technology and new products that are
designed to make life a little easier. We practically have
everything done for us now. In the past, we had to get up to
change the television channel. Now, we have a remote control. We
can have food delivered directly to our home. We can order
virtually any product and even go grocery shopping online. In
all reality, if we didn’t want to, we would never have to leave
the house. Because of these conveniences, obesity on the
constant rise. So, it is SO important that everyone incorporate
some kind of fitness program into their lifestyles.

Now, incorporating a fitness regimen into your lifestyle
doesn’t necessarily have to include a massive change in how you
live your life. It can be as simple as adding a routine of only
fifteen to thirty minutes a day, three days a week. If you think
about it, fifteen to thirty minutes isn’t very much time at all.
Most of us shower for that long. So, why don’t more people
include fitness in their life? The bottom line is that we’ve
become lazy.

Motivation

The key to including a fitness program in your life is
motivation. You have to become motivated by something. By
keeping that motivation in the forefront of you mind, you can
push yourself to achieve your fitness goals. For example, do you
have a special event coming up, such as a big party, reunion or
maybe your wedding? Do you want to fit into clothes you haven’t
fit into since you were in high school? These are motivation
cues that help push us to achieve our goals. Once you have the
motivation, however, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what
needs to be done to make you more fit.

Ask A Professional

If you want to include fitness into your lifestyle, and you
have motivation, ask the help of a professional in order to
determine what you should do. For example, join a gym and employ
the help of a personal trainer. Or, get online. One online
company that is great for fitting fitness into YOUR life is
Workout Pass. They offer thousands of different types that can
be customized to fit your needs. There are workouts centering on
the sport you play. There are programs for the area of your body
you would like to target. There are even workouts to fit special
needs such as pregnancy and back strengthening. The main thing
is to find a workout program that you will enjoy as it helps you
accomplish your goals. Also, there are plenty of fitness forums
that are available on the internet. And most of them are free
and can give you all kinds of tips and tricks to get fit and get
that body you’ve always wanted.

If you haven’t already, include a fitness program into your
lifestyle. Not only will you feel better but you’ll look great,
too. Just get moving! You'll be glad you did.

About the Author: Denise Duncan is an author for several health
and fitness related websites, and an editor for
http://www.HealthAndFitnessHome.com . For a great workout plan
at home try http://workoutpass.com/jewel962?site=47.

Fitness For New Moms

Becoming a new mother is certainly one way to incorporate more
exercise into your life! From lifting to bending to picking up
items, to carrying – seems like you never have a chance to sit
still now that your precious bundle has arrived!

However, you may be feeling the need to exercise to get back
into shape after your pregnancy. There’s no need to join an
expensive club, though. Start by exercising with your little
one!

One of my favorite exercises when my niece was born was dancing
with her. We swayed to Mozart, twirled to 50’s tunes, and rocked
gently to lullabies. Consequently, I became fitter, and Sarah
has learned to appreciate all kinds of music.

Simply lifting your baby up and down and saying the words,
“up”…. “down” give your arms a mini workout and help your baby
learn! That’s right! Talking and moving help increase baby’s IQ!
So sing to your baby, tell him or her that you’re moving “left”,
“right”, “over”, “under”, “around”, etc.

Purchase a sturdy stroller and take baby out for a walk each
day. The fresh air will be beneficial to you both, and it’s
another great way to introduce your child to the objects around
the neighborhood. You do want to make sure your stroller doesn’t
jiggle too much – it’s not much fun pushing a stroller and
ending up with numb hands (like you’re pushing a lawn mower!). A
quality stroller will help you want to go for more walks with
baby!

As your baby grows, he’ll mimic your movements. This is a fun
time to incorporate some silly movement games into your
“exercise” session. Watching her trying to do exactly what you
do brings tears of joy and much laughter!

As you can see, exercising with a baby is not only possible,
but loads of fun as well. It’s a time to bond, teach, and take
care of yourself and your little one. One day soon you’ll be
telling your school age child about all the fun you both had
exercising together when he was a baby. And yes, it will happen
quicker than you ever dreamed!

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health
expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/
for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well
as reviews and comments on popular diets.

Fitness

Fitness is something our culture knows about, but doesn’t activity participate in. Our lifestyles contain too much fast food and not enough exercise. Fitness is essential for your well being and overall health. It can make you age slower and live longer. Fitness keeps the blood pumping in your body and your heart healthy. Those who participate in fitness activities for at least 30 minutes each day significantly reduce their risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Fitness doesn’t have to be grueling exercises that leave you exhausted and sweaty. It can be a brisk walk each morning or on your lunch hour. It can be playing in the yard with your children in sports like kickball, basketball, and football. Fitness can also mean lifting weights, aerobics, or yoga. The more you enjoy the fitness activities you participate in, the more likely you are to stick with them. For added motivation mix things up a bit and vary your activities. Find a friend to do a fitness plan with so you will have some motivation. It is also a great way to deepen your friendship and encourage each other to do another set of reps or to walk another lap.

Your family can spend more quality time together while participating in fitness activities including sports and bike riding. Studies show children who have regular fitness activities in their daily routines are less likely to be overweight and more likely to keep fitness a part of their lifestyle when they get older. Studies also show children are spending less time outdoors and less time on fitness activities because they are busy indoors with video games, TV, computers, and cell phones.

There are many articles online and fitness magazines out there to help you make positive changes to your lifestyle. You can also join the gym or hire a personal trainer. Fitness should be something you do daily, not think about doing or wish later in life you had made time for. The hardest part about fitness is getting started. As long as you get moving you are on the right track. The smallest changes in your daily activities can help you get fit.

Don’t think you can put on a pair of running shoes and go for ten miles after years of sitting around. You just might give yourself a heart attack trying that! Instead, start out with a short distance and slowly increase your distance each week. If you do too much at once you can damage your body as well as wear yourself down. All that will do is discourage you and lead to you giving up rather quickly on your quest for fitness.

Before you start any fitness program, it is a good idea to get a check up from your doctor and discuss your fitness goals. Make sure you do any exercises properly and that you take the time to stretch, warm up, and cool down each time. Fitness is very important but doing it properly is crucial for it to be effective.

Men Health And Fitness Tips: Where To Turn For Men Health And Fitness Advice

When it comes to men health and fitness, America as a country is getting further and further behind the rest of the industrialized world. More men in the United States are overweight than any other country in the world, and it's time we did something about it. Fortunately, there are a ton of options when it comes to losing weight. For example, there are plenty of gyms in cities across America. If you're not a fan of getting all sweaty and gross in front of strangers, you can always order your own home gym or get a treadmill. Nowadays, you can even watch television programs and get fit! There are entire channels devoted only to giving you a trim figure.

If you want to learn more about men health and fitness, you could always start subscribing to a men's magazine. In addition to having in depth consumer reports on various electronics and doodads, they also have health and wellness sections. From telling you the best times of the day to go running if you're looking to increase your metabolism to showing you how to shape your triceps, men's magazines have just about everything you could hope for.

If you'd like a more engaging kind of activity, you could hop online and check out some of the men health and fitness forums that are everywhere. These forums allow you to discuss men's health issues in an anonymous fashion without the embarrassment of talking face to face with your primary care physician. They also can act as support groups, with everyone encouraging one another to stay on track in terms of diet and exercise. The only thing to remember when you're dealing with forums, however, is that you can never be sure of who you're talking to. Take all of the advice you get on the forums with a grain of salt, because the people may or may not know what they're talking about.

Fitness Woman – Bring Fitness Into Your Life

It’s a well known fact that women put the needs of their family
in front of their own needs. With our way too busy lives it’s
tough to become a fitness woman but you really need to make it a
priority and take some time for yourself.

As we get older our metabolism slows down and which means those
extra pounds can show up much quicker but worse yet they tend to
stick around. Being overweight isn’t healthy so it’s important
that you become that fitness woman who makes sure your daily
routine includes eating a healthy diet, getting sufficient
exercise, and making sure you get a good nights sleep.

More and more fitness centers are recognizing that offering
onsite childcare is a smart business and it’s great for you. No
worrying about finding childcare or you’ll feel a lot less
guilty when you know your kids are having fun while you take
that time out.

As a fitness woman you should also consider exercising with
your children. There’s no better role model than yourself and
the younger you start with the better. With very young children
you can push them in their stroller while you jog or walk. The
fresh air’s great for them too!

Chasing the kids around the back yard with a game of tag or
perhaps a game of soccer with the older kids, or just plane
keeping on top of the toddler is a great way for the fitness
women to get a little exercise with no fees attached. Be
creative – the level of activity is dependent on the age of the
kids. The fresh airs good for all of you and what a relaxed way
to burn up a few calories.

Fitness women know how to prioritize their time so that they
can get that little bit of time for themselves to get their
exercise in. It may mean laundry waits a day or the dishes don’t
get washed right away but these women recognize that if they do
not take care of themselves they will become run down or maybe
even sick. You deserve that little bit of time for yourself.
Just 30 minutes will leave you refreshed. You’ll be doing a lot
for your mind, body, and soul. When your family sees how much it
helps you they will be ready to help out with those chores.

A fitness woman will need to stay motivated over time and
continue to keep her workout time on top of her priority list.
In fact to keep to your commitment mark your exercise time right
in your day timer so no matter who wants to schedule something
during your time that block of time is gone – period – treat it
like you would any other appointment.

Almost all of us have a couple of friends that would love to
become a fitness woman too so consider asking them to join you
on a walk or run. It’s a great way to keep yourself motivated
too. Together you form an excellent support team. You can share
your trials and tribulations.

We are women hear us roar! So make sure you take time to become
a fitness woman and take care of yourself.

About the Author: Get all the latest information about Fitness,
from the only true source at
http://www.topfitnessinformation.com. Be sure to check out our
fitness woman pages.

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.

About the Author: Gary Holdon is a writer and internet
publisher. Read his popular weight loss and fitness articles at
http://www.11-weight-loss.net/

Cycling Your Way To 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.

About the Author: C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for
http://www.best-home-gyms.com, providing consumer information on
the best discount home gyms. Read our elliptical trainer
reviews, exercise bike and treadmill reviews for great ideas on
equipping your gym. Copyright 2005 Best-Home-Gyms.com

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.

About the Author: To learn more great tips on total gym
fitness, as well as how to stay in shape for the rest of your
life, try checking out http://www.onlinefitnesstips.com.

A Fitness Partner Is A Great Benefit For Motivation In Exercise

In a quest for a healthier lifestyle, women know that fitness
and exercise are important. Exercise can improve your health,
increase your energy level, relieve stress, and help you to
sleep better. A fit woman will remain stronger and more
independent as she ages.

Sometimes the road to fitness is a difficult path when you are
attempting to initiate and exercise program and eat healthier
alone. Attempting to exercise daily, watching your nutrition,
and making healthy lifestyle changes are often overshadowed by
boredom or a too busy lifestyle. At one time or another, most
women have had trouble starting or sticking with a fitness or
exercise program.

Being a fit woman does not have to mean a solo journey. If you
have ever had trouble initiating a fitness program or sticking
with the exercise program you have started, a fitness partner
may be the solution. A fitness partner is a powerful motivator.
Being accountable to a fitness partner can help you start a new
exercise program or stick with the exercise program over time as
you continue on your road to fitness.

The right fitness partner can motivate you to achieve your
fitness goals. Your fitness partner should be positive and
supportive as she encourages and supports you. In choosing a
fitness partner, look for someone whose fitness level is close
to yours. As you become fit together, you can progress at a
similar pace, and encourage each other to climb to new levels of
fitness. Having similar fitness goals will allow you and your
fitness partner to share triumphs and encourage you to
accomplish individual fitness goals.

Keep lines of communication open with your fitness partner. A
good fitness partner is honest and sensitive. Cheer each other
on in your fitness successes and avoid being critical.

In addition to a fitness partner, the right fitness program is
also important to achieve health. Sisters in Sneakers provides a
complete home fitness program and exercise program designed
especially for the fitness needs of women. Sisters in Sneakers
includes color coded exercise cards for flexibility,
strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises so you can vary your
exercise routine day to day. Since exercise alone is not enough
for a healthy lifestyle, Sisters in Sneakers includes
nutritional information including fat and calorie awareness to
get your eating on the right track. Motivation is important for
fitness, and Sisters in Sneakers includes inspirations and
nutrition tips as well. An exercise band is a great tool for
resistance exercise and is also a part of the Sisters in
Sneakers complete fitness program.

Look no further for your new fitness partner. Sisters in
Sneakers will connect you with a fitness partner just for
asking. You and your new Sisters in Sneakers fitness partner can
motivate each other on the way to fitness and health, as you
work out in the privacy of your own home.

It is time to get serious about starting to exercise and
becoming involved in a fitness program. Your health is
important. You do not need to be an athlete to be fit. The first
step is the hardest.

Grab your sneakers, your new Sisters in Sneakers Home Fitness
Program, connect with your Sisters in Sneakers fitness partner,
and start on the path to better health with Sisters in Sneakers
today.

About the Author: Linda Schnable is co-creator of the new
Sister in Sneakers home fitness program for women. Developed by
a physical therapist, Sisters in Sneakers is the only home
fitness/exercise program to include a fitness partner. Check it
out today. http://www.sistersinsneakers.com

Cycling Your Way To Fitness - Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still

Cycling Your Way To Fitness - Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still
A Top Choice For Overall Fitness
By C.J. Gustafson

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.

About the Author: C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for
http://www.best-home-gyms.com, providing consumer information on
the best discount home gyms. Read our elliptical trainer
reviews, exercise bike and treadmill reviews for great ideas on
equipping your gym. Copyright 2005 Best-Home-Gyms.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=8763&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Fitness Machine Review

Fitness machines are specially design and constructed apparatuses for use in circulatory, respiratory, and muscular enhancement. These fitness machines range in function and style, depending on make and the desire of the user. Some fitness machines serve as “many-exercises-in-one,” whereas others are designed for a specific type of exercise.

When it comes down to it, fitness machines are left to the particular needs of the individual. A rowing machine is inappropriate for a runner! Fitness machines are very specialized.

Individual Fitness Machines:

Treadmill: This is a virtual stepping machine. By stepping forward on a horizontally moving belt, leg muscles, circulation, and respiration all come into play. This fitness machine can be adjusted for speed, so if a leisurely walk or a brisk race is a preference, than the treadmill will facilitate. Some fitness machines will even measure weight loss, calories burned, miles run, and time progressed. This is ideal for the lap-runner and tennis player!

** Think: Walking on a small carpet being slowly pulled out from behind.

Stair Climber: A stair climber is a stationary apparatus with inserts for feet that move up and down from the down thrust exerted on them by the feet. Muscles and circulation get the primary workout here. Like the treadmill, this fitness machine includes indicators for calories burnt, miles “run,” and time performed. The feet should always be parallel with the floor. This fitness machine is ideal for firemen and the police!

** Think: Running in a pool with water up to the chest.

Rowing Machines: Just as was on the Titanic! This fitness machine simulates the rowing of a boat. By sitting between two fastened oars, one eases forward and thrusts back, eases forward and thrusts back... The upper body, especially the arms, along with circulation and respiration, gets attention here. This fitness machine is the appropriate exercise for one who is considering taking up kayaking!

** Think: Pulling oneself through a doorway with heavy wind relentlessly slamming into you from the other side.

Home Gym: Home gyms are not all the same, so the individual’s needs and preference are essential here. Another main consideration for this set of fitness machines is the space allotment necessary at the user’s home. Measuring the space beforehand is an advisable step when thinking about purchasing an entire home gym. This set of fitness machines is the right move for the person wanting the total workout, as long as the right combination of fitness machines is considered.

** Think: Trying to stand on a sea of marbles while holding on to a handrail. That’s what a workout with a treadmill, a rowing machine, and stair climber feels like at first. It’ll get you moving!

Fitness Machines are fun as well as healthy. As with anything, knowing what is needed is a must for anyone buying as well as using fitness machines, whether at the gym or at home.

If one can take the pain, it’s worth the gain!