Have you decided to purchase a piece of home workout equipment? There are a lot of choices available today on the market for home gym equipment. The key is to find the right piece of equipment for you and your workout needs. The elliptical machine is quickly gaining popularity both in and out of the gym. The elliptical machine is an excellent choice for home equipment, especially if you do not want the traditional treadmill or exercise bike.
Why An Elliptical Machine?
Elliptical machines came onto the scene a few years ago and they have been gaining in popularity ever since. There are a few reasons why elliptical machines are a good choice for your exercise needs. Ellipticals offer a weight resistant workout which is important because, weight resistant workouts burn calories faster and more efficiently. Also, with a weight resistant workout, you are building bone density which is particularly important for men or women who are at risk for osteoporosis.
How Will I Burn Calories Faster?
Elliptical trainers involve both the arms and the legs making it a crosstrainer, in a smooth and natural motion. Because you are utilizing both your arms and your legs you are involving more muscle groups than with other machines, therefore you are optimizing your energy expenditure. In today’s busy world everyone is limited on time, so why not optimize your exercise time? Studies have shown that because elliptical machines are optimizing energy expenditure, the average person will burn more calories.
What About My Joints?
One of the reasons that elliptical trainers are so popular is because they provide an excellent aerobic workout with minimal stress on your joints. Traditional cardiovascular workout machines such as treadmills or stepper machines cause an impact on the joints because your feet leave the machine and come down, thereby causing stress on your joints.
With an elliptical trainer there is no need to remove your feet from the foot pads so there will be little stress on your knees, ankles, hips and back. Because of the fact that the elliptical machine is a low/no impact machine it is a perfect choice for people who are suffering from or are recovering from any joint problems such as knees, ankle, hip or back. Often people with joint problems feel that they have to give up on exercise, but no more with an elliptical.
How Do I Choose An Elliptical Trainer?
Now that you have decided to choose an elliptical machine for your home gym you will be faced with many different machines and many different brands, and it can be very overwhelming when you are trying to choose the best machine for you.
You definitely need to look for a machine that has quality craftsmanship, and is sturdy. You will want one that will be able to stand up to a tough workout, no matter what pace you want to workout at.
Most elliptical machines will come standard with an on board computer. The computer will usually come preset with a number of different work-out programs. It is best to look for an elliptical trainer that has a number of different programs preset into the computer. Depending on your workout goals, you will want a computer that offers a weight loss program, interval programs and a good variety of other programs.
Some of the higher end models come with on board computers where you can actually download more workout programs from your home computer. These models of course are quite a bit more expensive and you probably do not need this function if you are just starting out.
It is also important to look for a machine that operates smoothly and quietly. If your cross trainer operates smoothly you will be able to hear the television or radio easier. Also a smooth machine is typically run with magnetic resistance instead of belts. Machines run on belts typically will require more maintenance.
You may be interested in an elliptical trainer that folds away for storage purposes. Many people look into ellipticals that store well because they want to use them when they need them and put them away in a closet when not in use.
What Brands Are Available?
There are a lot of very good brands of elliptical crosstrainers on the market today, some of the most popular brands available are:
* Precor
* Healthrider
* Preform
* Nordictrack
* Schwinn
* Smooth
Which Elliptical Trainer Is The Best?
The best way to determine which elliptical machine is the best fit for you is by making a list of al of the features that you are looking for in a trainer. You should also set a price limit for yourself, as some of these machines can cost a few thousand dollars. Once you find the perfect combination of features and price you will have a machine that is perfect for you.
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About the Author
Kevin Brown is successful author and publisher of many informative websites including http://www.best-elliptical-trainers.com. His websites offer tips and advice on a wide array of topics including elliptical machines, rowing machines, elliptical reviews, and more.
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With the holiday quickly approaching, I’d like to give you 7 quick tips on getting through the feasting without sabotaging your weight loss efforts.
1) Eat as much vegetables and pumpkin as possible…*before* the turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Pumpkins, onions, celery, sweet potatoes, yams, squash, green beans, and fruits such as cranberries and apples are high in fiber and tend to make you fuller faster. The presence of these foods in your gut will also decrease fat absorption from the other more fatty foods, such as the meats and cheeses, so prioritize consumption of these foods, and get them on your plate before the others.
2) Eat slow. Eating slowly allows you to feel full *before* you’ve eaten more than you actually need. By taking smaller bites, enjoying the conversation around you, and focusing on the meal as just a small spart of the celebration, you’ll be more likely to spend 20 minutes on one plate, rather than starting on thirds inside of 15 minutes (you’ll thank me when you don’t have the post-meal stomach-ache this year!).
3) Choose your pie wisely. You will literally save hundreds of calories by choosing a fiber-rich, lower sugar pumpkin pie over rich, buttery apple, or even worse, pecan pie. The pumpkin pie takes up just as much room in your stomach, which will still satisfy your appetite.
4) Take a walk. The post-meal physical activity will boost your metabolism, and keep those fatty acids circulating in the bloodstream so that they’re less likely to get deposited as fat on the waistline, butt and thighs (note: save the backyard football for *before* the meal - you don’t want to get tackled with a belly full of turkey).
5) Snack beforehand. Don’t fast all day because you know you’ll be eating a big meal later on. The last thing your body needs is to be in starvation, fat-storage mode when the feast arrives. Instead, eat a healthy, complex breakfast (like a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit), and snack throughout the day on 100-250 calorie meals, like a piece of raw fruit, a handful of nuts, or a small salad. You’ll be less likely to overeat at any big meal if you practice this habit.
6) Don’t overdo exercise. I know those Thanksgiving day exercise classes and early morning workouts feel great and make you feel less guilty, but just don’t overdo it. A 3 hour marathon of lifting, cycling, and running is only going to increase stress on your body and raise the level of fat storage hormones, just before the food goes in. Follow this rule: don’t exercise any more than you would on a typical day.
7) Have fun! For those of you on a strict diet-exercise regimen, this is one of those times of year to really enjoy yourself. Everybody needs a break once in a while, and one piece of pumpkin pie, or a tablespoon of gravy, is not going to sabotage your routine and make you fat. As a matter of fact, occasionally indulging yourself is a great way to feel mentally and physically excited about getting back into your routine. So try to follow the simple rules in this article, and at the same time, break loose and have fun!
Happy holidays everybody!
Head trainer Ben Greenfield runs the online training website Pacific Elite Fitness, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, as well as certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CPT & CSCS). For over 6 years, Ben has coached and trained professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, and helped hundreds of individuals achieve their personal fitness goals. For more information on online personal training and fitness, contact Ben at elite@pacificfit.net.
www.pacificfit.net
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Are you living your dream life now or are you waiting for just the right time to start? Here’s the good news–you don’t have to wait and your journey can be as sweet as your destination.
A few months ago one of our clients asked, “Where has the excitement gone?” He felt that he was just going through the motions day after day. He talked about all the struggles and sacrifices he had made to get to where he thought he wanted to go. He felt he was truly in a rut. He said what he really wanted was something he could be passionate about again. We suggested that this may be the perfect time to shift gears and go into a new and exciting direction. He started to think about what he really loved to do. He thought about his fondness for horses, photography, golf, and spending more time with his family. He came to realize that when you love what you do and do what you love, there is no rut. Today he
works less, accomplishes more in less time, and has more fun.
Take a few minutes now, sit quietly, and think about a time in your life when you were really excited about your dream. Is that dream still important to you? What do you really want in your life? It is important to believe that change is possible. Visualize your dreams and make it fun. Start taking action by doing something that puts excitement back into your day. Think of your many options. Perhaps all you need to do is to delegate some of the tasks that you dislike and concentrate on doing the things that you love. New opportunities will appear. You will begin to live with more passion and your life will have new meaning and purpose.
Is it time to reinvent yourself? This is the best time to think about that with the new year approaching. What are you going to do to move yourself to your dream life? Are you going to find a new career that inspires you? Will you take action to improve your fitness and your health? Would you like to have a new or better relationship with someone? How about your finances? What fun activities can you weave into your life? Is there a challenge you have been avoiding that you will now act on? We believe that people are capable, competent, and resourceful and they have within them all the tools they need to live their best life. Remember,
“The minute you begin to do what you want to do,
it’s a different kind of life.” -Buckminister Fuller-
Allan Kenyon is a Personal and Business Coach. He helps his clients live their dream life. Allan was a certified instructor for eighteen years with the Carnegie organization and he received coach training with Coach Training Institute. Allan and his wife Barbara are a coaching team. Barbara holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and is a Graduate of Coach U. The Kenyons work with success-minded men and women who want to achieve their personal or professional goals faster than if they were to go it alone. Their clientele include professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, sales people, and people in transition. Their coaching focuses on goals in the areas of career, money, retirement, health, relationships, getting organized, and life balance.
The Kenyons offer a 30 minute complimentary telephone coaching session so potential clients can decide if their coaching is for them. They can be reached at 402-423-6777 or by E-mail at KenyonCoaching@aol.com. Their website is http://www.kenyoncoaching.com.
Tags: dreams, excitement, finances, fitness, fun, health, life, living, love, passionate, resourceful, visualizedreams, excitement, finances, fitness, fun, health, life, living, love, passionate, resourceful, visualizeShare This