Archive for the 'Fitness' Category


November 23, 2009

Defining Fitness

Author: admin

The definition of physical fitness has broadened from being focused primarily on athletic performance to include modern health-related aspects.  The reason for this change is that fitness, or being fit, can be complex or even abstract. This is the reason for so many different definitions. For instance, government health agencies and other organizations define physical fitness differently although they do agree on certain aspects.

To get clarification on the definition, you have to first understand the definition of fitness is composed of two separate parts. Including both parts makes things more accurate. The most accepted definition includes a general or health-related fitness component as well as the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or tasks. The definition falls short when it only uses one part.



November 17, 2009

Mall Walking and Treadmills

Author: admin

In many shopping malls, walking programs are encouraged.  You can walk with a group of friends or go it alone and be quite safe.  It’s quite possible to cover the distance you generally cover in an outdoor walk. Mall walking is quite popular in places where there are long winters and people are advised not to go outdoors to walk because of ice and snow.

A good walk can be had using a treadmill. You don’t need a fully equipped modern treadmill for indoor walking. A basic manual treadmill will serve the purpose very well and it will help in achieving good health and weight loss.  Walking is an excellent aerobic exercise that is very good for your heart and other organs of your body. It helps to promote good flow of blood throughout the body.



November 3, 2009

Build your own Home Gym Space

Author: admin

Today’s fast paced lifestyles make it increasingly harder to keep up healthy levels of fitness and body image.  This sometimes leads to self-esteem issues.  Setting up a home gym with equipment you’ve personally chosen can reduce a lot of stress and agravation in trying to balance life, family and workload.

In building a personal gym, you can help maintain a more well-balanced lifestyle.  This will eliminate the need to rush back from work and force yourself to train when you’re least motivated. There are various home gym equipment choices that can be chosen for a wide range of different exercises.  Two of my favouties are the mini rebounder and the elliptical machine.  They will keep you in shape and on course to reach your overall fitness goals. When time and conditions are not a problem any more, you can work out at your own pace, in the comfort of your home.



November 2, 2009

Yoga for Back Pain

Author: admin

Physical therapy offices are seeing more and more upper back and neck tension complaints.  The increasing time spent sitting at a computer and in traffic are to blame and it’s hard to avoid getting stiff and achy even if you are normally very active.

Most of our daily activities are done while seated and with a forward motion.  Over time, gravity makes the shoulders begin to round, the chest become constricted with the head jutting out.  The upper back then gets stretched and rounded.

The result is tight pectorals and weakened back muscles.  You start using muscles that weren’t meant for posture and they get sore.  Yoga for backs therapy teaches you some easy to do, highly effective poses that really pay off if practised daily.  In the meatime, a good back brace will give you some good support to relieve the pain.



October 30, 2009

Benefits of an Exercise Ball

Author: admin

Many people are now considering an exercise ball as a good way to improve their overall health and body conditioning.  The ball is an inexpensive investment compared to other home gym equipment and can be used in so many ways.  Building your core fitness is only one of them.

Using the ball to increase your balance and stability will pay off in a great way as you get older.  As you use the muscles in one area, others are engaged automatically.  Used on a regular basis, balancing on an exercise ball will give you results quite quickly and make it more fun to use other equipment like a mini rebounder or an elliptical machine.  Get good information before you start so that you proceed in the correct and safe way.



October 14, 2009

Exercise Ball

Author: admin

An exercise ball is an excellent way to get in shape and tone your body. It is becoming a very popular way to get fit.  It also can be used to lose weight and develop coordination and stability. The ball need not be used just for Pilates. it is a highly effective piece of equipment.

First, understand the ball. They are made of highly durable rubber or latex.  Good ones are made with thick skins. Thinner ones will cost less but are more likely to break. Some balls have different surface textures to suit different types of workouts: smooth, for light exercises; and patterned, to keep a sweaty body from slipping off. Exercise balls come in different sizes and finding the right size for you is easy. Sit on the ball and if your knees are level or slightly below your hips, that is the right one. Also, check the weight rating.  For moderate workouts, select one rated three times as much as your weight.  For heavy workouts, find one rated to 400 pounds.



October 10, 2009

Chest Workout

Author: admin

It is really important to realize when you start doing exercises to get rid of your chest fat that the whole purpose is to start building muscle in your chest so you can burn fat more effectively there.

In order to effectively build muscle and do a good chest workout, you need to find the right exercises to do and train the right way.  Too often people take on an exercise program and really not understand what they’re doing.  If you’ve never done any sort of training before, it is recommend you get a personal training session just so they can educate you on the right way to do the exercises.



September 12, 2009

Elliptical Trainers

Author: admin

One of the fastest growing segments in the health and fitness industry is elliptical exercise equipment.  It has been one of the most recommended exercise machines by physical trainers as it provides a total body workout. Elliptical trainers are one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment and are excellent tools for getting a cardiovascular aerobic workout indoors or outdoors. The major benefit of an elliptical machine is that it burns more calories while reducing the risk of injury.

An elliptical exercise machine provides a maximum amount of efficiency when working out. Many of these machines work multiple parts of the body at the same time.  Jogging, for instance, focuses more on your lower body and tends to produce impact and overuse injuries. A good elliptical machine will work on several parts of your body including the muscles in your legs, arms, back and abdomen.



September 8, 2009

Foldable Treadmills

Author: admin

For some people, having workout equipment, like a treadmill, in their home is a necessity. It provides a great way to be keep fit and healthy, even when indoors. For most users, Treadmills are the most sought after piece of gym equipment that can be easily placed and stored in your their home. Most, if not all, are designed to be compact and manageable so as to hide away in a closet or garage when not in use.

The foldable treadmill is the perfect solution for those who have limited space, like flats and apartments. Be sure to get the overall dimensions of the unit so that you at least have an idea of where you can place it when you workout. However, every treadmill unit design may have a different size and not all slim and foldable treadmills are easy to store. You may be amazed that some units may look diminutive in size but it would take a muscled individual to move them. So better plan ahead of time before you purchase one!