Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A Fitness Partner Is A Great Benefit For Motivation In Exercise And Fitness

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.

Salsa Dancing For Fitness Is Hot

Salsa dancing is emerging as a refreshing replacement for conventional aerobic exercises. Classes based on the fiery music and movements of Salsa, Mambo, Cumbia, Merengue and more are starting to get people interested in Salsa dancing, while at the same time giving them a pounding workout.

Salsa music first appeared in the 1960s as a rhythmic fusion, birthed in the cultural melting pot of New York City. Combining Cuban Son with Guaracha, Montuno and Guaguanco, it also has a strong Puerto Rican Plena, Bomba and American jazz influence that mellows the smoking urban sound.

Salsa’s popularity began to percolate beyond the borders of the Latin neighborhoods in the early Seventies, spreading into New York's ballrooms and dance halls. Although somewhat formulized when practiced by those who favor profession competitions, salsa dancing in its most traditional form is typically spontaneous and extremely energetic. Dance movements alternate between the very slow and the furious, an embodiment of its lively musical style.

From a strictly athletic point of view, a night of dancing is a superb workout. It merges aerobic and anaerobic training, working your stamina and leg strength. Any kind of dancing is a great way to build the perfect body shape. The continual movements build up aerobic stamina while steadily burning calories over the course of the evening. This helps to strengthen and tone your legs at the same time you lose weight. But salsa excels at this.

Experts say that dancing salsa can burn up to 10 calories a minute, without the negative side effects of high impact exercises such as running. You can learn salsa dancing in the privacy of your home or in a studio, with or without a partner and it’s a fitness program that can easily be integrated into your social life. By using salsa dancing to get fit, you will not only look great, but you’ll have no excuse not to get out more and improve your social life.

The sudden bursts of frenzied dancing in Salsa also can help to improve the anaerobic fitness essential to sports like sprinting, swimming and basketball. Equally important to the aerobic paybacks are the improvements in flexibility and dexterity, a commonly overlooked facet of fitness. Elasticity from dancing will help your swiftness, power and co-ordination by growing your overall range of motion.

When you think about it, dance is actually the most natural form of exercise around. It is also a lot more fun. Life is too short to waste on regimented aerobics, spinning and step classes. Put some spice in your fitness regimen and become a Salsero!

Pregnancy Fitness After The Baby Is Born

What happened to that pre-pregnancy body you once had? After nine months of your body going through numerous changes, many of which you do not like or enjoy, your newborn is here and its time to lose the excess weight you have most likely gained. You can speed the process of regaining your pre-pregnancy shape by exercising regularly.

While it may not help eliminate any stretch marks you may have, exercise will help you regain the body you had prior to becoming pregnant. Some of the most common questions asked by new moms are: How soon can one begin postpartum exercises? How long will it take to regain my pre-pregnancy shape? And what are the best exercises to help me achieve my goals? Keep in mind one of the most critical factors that help determine the answers to these questions is how healthy you were during your pregnancy - both physically and mentally.

Have you ever wondered how celebrity moms lose their baby weight so rapidly? One of the most common reasons is because they exercise strenuously prior to and during their pregnancy. Celebrities have been known to lose up to 60 pounds in what seemed like a few days. However, please keep in mind that this is not considered as the normal time frame. These individuals are also quite careful (almost to the point of obsession) about the types of foods they eat. They are also quite able to afford personal trainers and nannies so that they can perform their exercise routines 5-7 days a week for many hours at a time.

Because most new moms have the regular everyday tasks to contend with such as work, errands, families, losing that excess weight after childbirth is not quite so easy. Hopefully you found the time and the desire to engage in some kind of exercise during your pregnancy, even on the days you just wanted to simply crawl back in bed. If you did, you will find that the process of losing that extra baby weight will be a lot easier for you than for new moms who did no exercise at all while pregnant. Exercising regularly during your pregnancy will have given you the opportunity to become familiar with what will motivate you, give you the best results, and identify the types of exercise that you
find the most enjoyable.

Walking, jogging, aerobics, yoga, and many other types of exercise will allow you to lose the extra weight more quickly and you will feel better at the end of each day. Having a new baby can be an exhausting task and the simple act of exercising regularly will undoubtedly increase your energy and stamina when you need it most. Most doctors will say that it is safe to start a post-pregnancy exercise routine six weeks after the birth of your child. Walking and swimming can be started shortly after your baby is born if you do so in moderate amounts at a slow pace. Work up slowly to the more strenuous exercises to ensure your safety and reduce the risks of any complications that could arise from over-exerting yourself before your body has had adequate time to recover.

Fitness Beliefs Are Not Inborn – They’re Acquired

Our belief determines our act and this fact stands true for fitness as well. These beliefs are seldom inborn and most of them are acquired over the years. Some of us believe that exercise is effective only if you do it in the morning but this notion is absolutely baseless. Beware of the fact that some ideas can get you into trouble because they have the potential to cause harm in the long run.

Fitness for most of us is associated with weight loss as it helps in keeping our body in good shape. Many people believe that unless exercise hurts them in some way, it isn't doing any good to their body. This belief is extremely dangerous as it may inspire them to continue exercising even when in pain thinking that it’s the right way of doing so.

In reality, exercise does require some effort for you to improve your fitness level but it does not mean that you should feel pain in the joints or muscles. In case of slightest hurt, you need to stop, slow down, or modify your exercise. A proper fitness regimen can help you get rid of those excessive fats in an effortless way.

Some of us avoid drinking fluid or water during exercise believing that it will cause stomach cramps but in reality, it’s not a good idea. You’re suppose to replace immediately the water you lose through sweat while exercising or working out. You should always remember that water is the most important element for an exercising individual as his performance is directly related to his state of hydration.

NEVER associate weight loss with sweating. Sweating has no relation with weight loss for that matter. But unfortunately some of us believe that if we are not actively sweating while exercising then very few calories are being burned. Most of us often not realize that the temperature and humidity of the surroundings also affect the rate of perspiration when you exercise. Running on a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym is definitely going to produce less visible sweat as compared to standing outside in the heat yet it will burn many more calories.

So, try to keep yourself away from unrealistic beliefs while exercising and never get frustrated and stop exercising during weight loss. Exercise makes you lose weight slowly but steadily so keep up the hope and make fitness a part of your life.

3 Little Known Tips To Buying Fitness Equipment

Did you know that buying fitness equipment for your home isn’t really that difficult?
It’s true that the world of fitness equipment can seem like a maze at times and that there are literally hundreds of different types of fitness equipment pieces that might work well for your home arrangement. However, with a little guidance, the process really isn’t that hard and you will be amazed at the bargains that you can find if you just dig a little deeper than the average consumer is usually prepared to. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you out in your quest for new fitness equipment.

1. Look at used equipment. This is where some good deals can be found. Fitness equipment can obtain a weird status in a person’s home. They might have been really excited to buy it initially and dreams of a fit body and monthly gym savings might have filled their head. However, after 3 months, the equipment often sits vacant in that person’s home. Used equipment can be a really good deal due to the fact that it’s often times almost as good as new but now it’s for sale. To you. For cheap. Check out newspapers, Ebay, and other places; compare prices and get a deal.

2. Consider commercial fitness equipment. Often times, you can buy the same equipment that your local gym has. Imagine, you can have that same (gasp!) Stairmaster that has dogged you for years at the local Ballys, right in your basement. This might be appealing to some who have the capital to invest in a large piece of equipment. If you no longer have to pay a $50 monthly fee to go to a gym every month, this might be a really smart investment. Look into commercial equipment, you might be pleasantly surprised.

3. The first two points are almost worthless without considering the financing of your new fitness equipment. When looking to finance your new set of fitness equipment there are tons of important factors to keep in mind. You really don’t want to be paying too much for equipment that might be found at a cheaper price (after everything is considered) elsewhere.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Fitness Gyms For The Home

If you’ve decided this is the year to get serious about your fitness congratulations are in order. Just making the decision is a great start. But between family, work, and other pressing engagements in an all too busy day when the heck will you ever get to the gym? Have you considered investing in one of the many fitness gyms for the home?

It’s really the answer. With just a little help from us we’ll show you how to find the perfect fitness equipment for your home. With so many fitness gyms on the market it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out which gym is the right one for you. Heck if you do it right you will choose equipment that your entire family could use. Of course if you have a medical condition always check with your doctor first before undergoing a new fitness program.

Just like different commercial fitness gyms have different equipment to offer their members different home gyms also have different equipment to offer. It’s a lot easier to stay on track with your fitness program if you know what it is you want out of your work out. You should also figure out what your current fitness level is.

You have treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, cross country ski machines, free weights, and even multi machines to choose from. Home fitness gyms can be as simple or as complex as you want. The only other thing limiting you is your budget.

There’s nothing cheap about home fitness gyms. At least not the quality ones and you should never compromise poor quality for a cheap price. A treadmill is always a great buy if you have the room. You can vary your workout, increase the intensity, burn calories and get your cardio workout. Choose a belt driven model that has a safety shut off and that the treadmill itself is wide enough. Make sure you also know what the warranty is.

Home fitness gyms also do well with rowing machines and they offer an all over work out that has minimal impact on joints. Once you get the hang of the rowing machine it is an excellent piece of fitness equipment to have in your repertoire. Stationary bikes have been on the market for ages. The newer ones have a few more bells and whistles but at the end of the day they still do the same basic thing they did back then. Stationary bikes are a great start if you have had a sedentary lifestyle.

Home fitness gyms should always include a set of free weights. They are perfect for sculpting the body. They are affordable, easy to store, and a must for anyone that’s serious about their fitness program. You don’t burn a lot of calories with free rates but you do get some very nice definition by combining the two types of fitness training.

Knowing what it is you want makes it much easier to look at all the home fitness gyms on the market and then choose what’s best for you. You’re going to look great!

Finding A Fitness Trainer


The decision to get fit is a great goal to set for yourself, but it can be hard knowing where to start. A Fitness Trainer can assist you by discussing what you want to accomplish from your efforts. Some people want to lose weight, some what to tone their body, and others want to build their muscles. There are specific exercise programs that a Fitness Trainer can recommend to help you in the area you choose to work on. They can also show you the correct way to do each of the exercises so that you get the maximum benefit from your workout.

Finding the right Fitness Trainer for you is easier than you think. If you belong to a gym or fitness center, ask about a personal Fitness Trainer program. For those of you who want to work out on your own or who don’t have a gym in your area, you will have to search a little bit harder for a Fitness Trainer. Ask your doctor, friends, and family members if they can recommend anyone to you. The internet is a great place to locate any in your area as well as give you some basic information on what a Fitness Trainer can do for you.

Fitness trainers are going to vary in their methods. You will want to talk openly with a Fitness Trainer regarding their philosophy, training, and consulting methods. You will also want to discuss their educational background and certification as a Fitness Trainer. Of course, the cost of their service is going to be an important factor to discuss as well.

Ask them why they became a Fitness Trainer. Ask for references who you can contact regarding their experiences with the Fitness Trainer. Since you are going to be exercising in your free time, you are going to have to discuss a schedule that works well for both of you. Make sure you share your fitness fears with the personal trainer and see how they react. They should also be made aware of your fitness level and any health concerns that are going to need to be considered while getting fit.

After talking, you should feel comfortable with the Fitness Trainer. If you don’t feel like you are compatible then keep looking. You need the time and money you spend with a Fitness Trainer to be well spent, not stressful. Trust your instincts when it comes to being around this particular individual. It is a good idea to talk with at least three potential Fitness Trainers before you make a final decision based on what each has to offer you.

Getting fit is easier when you have the expertise of a Fitness Trainer behind you. They are great for motivating you as well as giving you personal attention to meet your fitness goals. Make sure the Fitness Trainer you choose to work with has your best interests in mind as you work together to devise a challenging yet rewarding fitness program that are going to give you the results you having been hoping for.