Archive for March, 2009

Try A Water Rowing Machine For The Best Workout Ever

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Author : David Cowley

Anyone that swims knows that water can be a great form of resistance for those who want an aerobic exercise and resistance training at once Rowing machines are great pieces of workout equipment, and a water rowing machine can mean aerobic activity, resistance training, and overall toning in one

Using a water rowing machine is a lot like rowing in real life The faster you go, the more resistance you'll get from the water This also means that you can go slower if your level of physical fitness calls for it Because you're seated at all times, there is no impact which is good news for those who have problems with their ankles, knees and hips

Rowing machines imitate the action of rowing a boat Have you ever seen a sculling race that is very popular with the collages in England? As you watch you will see the rowers sliding back and forth in there chairs as they row with the oars This back and forth movement with the lower body along with the rowing action of the upper body provides a total body workout This is has been long acknowledged as one of the best types of exercise available

Some might question the benefit of a water rowing machine, thinking that they just can't get the same workout they do with a treadmill or elliptical machine Many people assume that in order to get a good workout you need to be standing up However, with a water rowing machine you are working virtually every muscle in your body at the same time You push off with your legs and use your entire upper body for the rowing action

You are getting the aerobic workout when you go faster and are getting resistance training for all your muscle groups as well The back of your legs from your feet to your lower back is getting resistance training But with a water rowing machine you are also stretching your entire body as well Physical therapists use these machines quite frequently as the patient is working all their joints and tendons without putting addition stress on them Some who use a water rowing machine report feeling stretched and even relaxed after a workout

Some may also hesitate to think of using a water rowing machine in their own home, worried about water getting on their floor or about the weight of such a piece of equipment In reality they are constructed in such a way that they're more watertight than most waterbeds and while they may be a little heavy when they're full, the water tank of most models of water rowing machines removes easily so you can empty it when you need to move the machine They're usually no heavier than a good humidifier

Consider the great workout that you get with a water rowing machine it's no wonder that many are using this as the main aerobic equipment they have at home and many gyms are adding them to their areas as well If you're looking for a great piece of equipment for your own home that offers everything you could want when working out – aerobic training, resistance training, and overall stretching and toning – then why not give one a try?

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Home Exercise Equipment. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Home Exercise Equipment. Visit http://www.exercise-team.com

Submitted By ArticleUnited.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Guidelines in Finding A Fitness Club

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Author : A. Aaron M.D.

You would like to join a fitness club but there are so many choices! And then you will just end up having a headache! Fitness clubs are effective motivators They should motivate us and not frustrate us Before you choose on a fitness club, make sure that it suits your needs and goals And before you do that, you should first learn and decide on what is your priority By then, you will know what you really need in a fitness club Here are some guidelines you can consider in choosing a fitness club that is best for you:

1 Where is it located?

The location is the first thing that you should consider when finding a fitness club If the club is far from your home, you will just another excuse not to work out It is best to find a facility that is near your home

2 Are the employees friendly and nice? Will they be able to help you reach your goals?

Make sure that the instructor has the necessary experience to work with you The instructor should be a certified professional that can work with you safely and effectively Your instructor should also know if you have physical limitations or you may find an instructor that is well trained to work with you You can also check the age of the instructor especially if it is one factor for your motivation and learning The staff should also be helpful, friendly and professional You can also ask the services they offer and find what is important for you Some facilities have their own dietician and physical therapists that can offer services for you

3 What kind of programs does it offer?

Find time to see what programs are there for you and check if they suit your interests Do they offer group classes? Choose the facility that offers the classes you really like You can do a trial class to check it out if you want

4 Are the facilities and equipments good and will they be available anytime that is most convenient for you?

Check if the equipments are enough for all members Otherwise, you will waste your time falling in line and waiting for your turn Also make sure that the facility is open during the time you are most likely to do work outs and exercises

5 Is the entire facility well maintained, clean and safe for you?

Machines and other training facilities should be in clean and in good order If you see a lot of “out of order” signs, it could be something to think about Modern equipments are safer and more comfortable to use, so you may also want to consider that Are the floors cleaned regularly to avoid accidents? Is there enough room for everyone? Also check if the facility is located in a place away from danger, consider also if the location is well lit

6 Are the members of the club friendly and can they be your friends?

The fitness club is also a venue for social interaction Take time to drop by and meet the members of the club before you enroll Other members can be your buddies in the near future and should be considered

7 What is the schedule of classes and will they be convenient for you?

Find out what classes are offered at a specific time and consider if you will be available at the schedules given

8 How much would it cost you?

It is important to know the monthly membership fee and what it covers Some fitness clubs have hidden charges and you should be keen in checking that Check if they have promotions or discounts and do they offer services at an extra fee It is also important to know how long the club has been and how often they increase rates

9 How is it different from other fitness clubs?

Don’t just stick into one fitness club Try to visit as many facilities as you can and make a comparison Then you can just narrow down your choices to the facilities that met your needs and priorities

10 What do people say about it? Take your time to gather feedback from other members Ask them what they can say about the club and let them tell you about the experiences with the facility

Choosing a fitness club is just like shopping on the best shirt for you Do not be pressured and do not try to contact them right away You can take your time to review and gather enough information if you are still not sure which one to choose Once you have made your choice, enjoy and make the most out of it

A. Aaron M.D. is a practicing physician and writer based in Atlanta.
He is also a premier resident expert at-THOUGHTSEARCH.COM

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Benefits of Cardio Interval Training

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Author : A. Aaron M.D.

In a long-term study of the health of the people of in the United States, the U S Public Health Service documented the chances of developing heart disease among various groups in the population Long before the any symptoms appeared, epidemiological research could identify high-risk groups

Among the highest risk factors are male sex, age over 35, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high levels of certain blood fats, and a family history of cardiovascular disorders

Other researchers have added to this list another risk factor: the compulsive, hard-driving, highly anxious personality The greater the number of severity, the greater the person’s overall risk

These threats to the heart can be divided into two main categories: those beyond individual control, such as age, sex, and heredity, and those that can be controlled, avoided, or even eliminated Among those in the second category are what cardiologists call "the triple threat " These are the high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and high cholesterol levels in the blood

If you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, your risk of having a heart attack is twice that of a nonsmoker If you smoke, have hypertension, and eat a diet high in fats without any exercise at all, your risk is five times greater than normal

The Healthy Heart

If these risk factors endanger the heart’s health, what enhances its well-being and improves its odds of working long and well?

Obviously, quitting cigarettes and eating a low-fat diet will help The next best thing you can do for your heart’s sake is to give it what it needs: regular exercise or a complete cardio interval training

The heart is a muscle, or, more accurately, a group or "package" of muscles, similar in many ways to the muscles of the arms and legs And just as exercise strengthens and improves limb muscles, it enhances the health of the heart muscles as well

Since World War II, several large-scale statistical studies have evaluated the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease One well-known survey compared 31,000 drivers and conductors of some bus companies The more sedentary drivers had a significantly higher rate of heart disease than the conductors, who walked around the buses and climbed stairs to the upper level

The why and how behind these statistics were bet explained by classic experiments with dogs whose coronary arteries were surgically narrowed to resemble those of humans with arteriosclerosis Dogs who were exercised were had much better blood flow than those kept inactive

The exercise seemed to stimulate the development of new connections between the impaired and the nearly normal blood vessels, so exercised dogs had a better blood supply to all the muscle tissue of the heart The human heart reacts in the same way to provide blood to the portion that was damaged by the heart attack

To enable the damaged heart muscle to heal, the heart relies on new small blood vessels for what is called collateral circulation These new branches on the arterial tress can develop long before a heart attack — and can prevent a heart attack if the new network takes on enough of the function of the narrowed vessels

With all these facts, it is now boiled down to a single question: What should be done in order to prevent such dilemmas?

Some studies showed that moderate exercise several times a week is more effective in building up these auxiliary pathways than extremely vigorous exercise done twice often

The general rule is that exercise helps reduce the risk of harm to the heart Some researches further attested the link between exercise and healthy heart based from the findings that the non-exercisers had a 49% greater risk of heart attack than the other people included in the study The study attributed a third of that risk to sedentary lifestyle alone

Hence, with employing the cardio interval training, you can absolutely expect positive results not only on areas that concerns your cardiovascular system but on the overall status of your health as well

This particular activity that is definitely good for the heart is a cycle of "repeated segments" that is of intense nature In this process, there is an interchange periods of recuperation It can both be comprehensive activity and moderate motion

Consequently, the benefits of merely engaging into this kind of activity can bring you more results that you have ever expected These are:

1 The threats of heart attack are lessened, if not eliminated

2 Enhanced heart task

3 Increase metabolism, increase the chance of burning calories, therefore, assist you in losing weight

4 Improves lung capacity

5 Helps lessen or eliminate the cases of stress

Indeed, cardio interval training is the modern way of creating a healthy, happy heart and body

A. Aaron M.D. is a practicing physician and writer based in Atlanta.
He is also a premier resident expert at-THOUGHTSEARCH.COM

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Using Your Home Gym Equipment For Best Results

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Author : David Cowley

If you're ready to start losing weight and to get in better shape, you may be in the market for some home gym equipment The idea of having your own equipment where you can use it at your own convenience and without having to worry about a long line or about people in the gym judging you for how out of shape you are can be very appealing, and many have found that the right gym equipment can really get them back into a good routine of physical fitness But before you grab the credit cards and run down to the local sporting goods store, you should give some consideration to the following pointers in order to get the most out of your home gym

For one thing, it pays to be honest about how good of shape you are in right now and if you have any physical limitations If you're very overweight then some advanced equipment such as an elliptical machine or stair stepper might be a little ambitious A better piece of home gym equipment to start with might be a treadmill or recumbent bike These machines are a bit less challenging and usually easier for those just starting out Getting overwhelmed with home gym equipment that's too difficult for you to use or that's too advanced for your current level of fitness is just going to get you discouraged and keep you from using it altogether

You should also ask yourself where you're going to store your home gym equipment If you're thinking of adding pieces to the bedroom, how much room do you realistically have? If you keep it in the garage, will that make it inaccessible? Will it be too cold during some months or to hot during other months so that you decide not to use it? If you can, it's always recommended that you clean out a specific area of the living space for your home gym equipment If you don't need to drag it out or fight your way around some things then it can be much easier to use and you'll be more likely to stick with your routine

If you are unsure if you will really stick with a home exercise routing perhaps purchasing some used exercise equipment would be a good first step After you have developed a good routing that has lasted for several months then you may want to invest in some of the newer and better equipment There are many good buys available from people that had great expectations, but they were unable to stick with it for one reason or another

Be sure to add some resistance pieces to your set of home gym equipment By lifting weights and adding muscle tone you will burn calories more efficiently and will lose weight faster as well This doesn't mean straining yourself or overdoing it Just lifting a little bit of weight on a regular basis can yield great benefits, so even some hand weights can be part of your home gym equipment and can be easily stored in any closet or under the bed

Of course your home gym equipment won't do any good if you don't use it Make it part of your regular schedule and stick to it, and you'll get results in no time

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Home Exercise Equipment. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Home Exercise Equipment. Visit http://www.exercise-team.com

Submitted By ArticleUnited.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind

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