Body Blitz Fitness

The best fitness equipment is the type that's going to help you achieve your goals - and be suited to your home environment. We've listed below a list of questions, in no particular order of importance, that you need to answer for before you buy a piece of home fitness equipment.

Have a go at these:-

1. How much do you want to spend?

You have to justify to yourself (and maybe your family) the amount you're about to commit to achieving your goal. How much you spend can also be a factor in whether you'll succeed.

For example, if you've spend £500 on an exercise bike you'll probably be more motivated to use it than if it cost £75. A more expensive piece of kit will usually be easier and more comfortable to use and have a better specification than a cheaper model.

If you're budget is less than £200 your choice is limited to either an exercise bike or elliptical cross trainer. For this price any treadmill, vibration trainer or rowing machine isn't going to be up to much unless you buy second hand - which comes with its own risk.

2. How much room do you have?

You need to know that the fitness equipment you buy is going to fit through your front door and then be practical to use either as a permanent fixture or be easy to fold up and store out of the way.

Many elliptical trainers and treadmills fold up into quite a reasonable size for storage but may be cumbersome to move from your storage space to the room you'll be using it. If it's a bit awkward are you really going to use it if you're a bit tired and don't want the hassle of moving it?

Also consider where you'll be using your kit. Many people opt for the garage but in the cold winter months is it a good place to spend half an hour or more? Will you disturb the rest of the family if you're going to use it in the lounge when they're trying to watch TV? Ellipticals, vibration trainers and bikes are usually quieter than treadmills and rowers but are you going to be puffing, blowing and dripping sweat every where?

3. How often will you use it?

You may only be using your machine for two hours a week and therefore a lower priced model could be sufficient for your needs. All machines have parts that will need replacing at some point with use. If you're going to be training for two hours a day then you really should look to spend more on a machine that has a good guarantee and reputation for reliability.

A machine that breaks down is not going to get you fit! Decide how much time you're going to devote to your training and be realistic about what to expect from a bit of kit. For instance, if a treadmill costs £250 and only has a 12 month guarantee it's not the best buy for someone training to run a marathon. Note that some manufacturers stipulate a recommended maximum hours usage per week.

4. How many people will be using it?

Many machines have a multi profile feature that allows you to store the training information for more than one user. This can be a good motivator as you can track your progress and hopefully see your fitness improve in terms of times and distances.

5. What's your goal?

If you're training for a marathon then it's obvious a treadmill is better than a rowing machine or bike - although you should also be including road running. If weight loss is your main priority then you have a number of options.

If you're very overweight an elliptical trainer is probably your best option. It puts no strain on your joints, works both the upper and lower body, and is good for burning calories. You can also start with a gentle work out and build up your fitness - please check the maximum user weight first or you may invalidate the warranty.

An exercise bike is also good if you're seriously overweight but will not use as many calories as an elliptical - again check the maximum user weight before you buy.

If you're looking to get fit then a treadmill will work you harder than any other bit of kit and often allows for more variation in the training which prevents boredom.

For many time is a problem so maybe a vibration trainer is your best option. These are the latest in fitness equipment technology and are very good for toning up or rebuilding strength after an illness or injury.

Rowing Machines remain a popular option for those who don't have the space for a treadmill (or don't like running) but still want to improve fitness. By changing the resistance on a rower you can also build strength. The rowing action will work all your major muscles and if done correctly is very safe.

6. What type is best suited to meet my needs?

The best fitness equipment to meet your needs is therefore a combination of all the above. The most important thing to consider is - are you going to use it week in week out? If you do then it will help you achieve your goals. If you don't then it won't - simple as that.

If you don't like running don't buy a treadmill. If you've never tried rowing, visit a showroom or gym and use one to see if you like the action.

Boredom is the greatest threat to achieving your goal, so if you think you'll get fed up cycling in your home then get a bike with a TV, iPod port or some of the other fancy features available these days.

If seeing progress is a motivator buy a machine with an advanced console that will record your achievements. Some manufacturers including Tunturi and Life Fitness have software you can download to your PC that will record and display your progress over time.

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2006 he published a book called 'Zone Mind, Zone Body' about how to achieve a peak performance more often. He's also a bit of an 'anorak' when it comes to exercise bikes and gadgets. To read his views on many more models please visit Fitness Equipment Reviews.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/whats-the-best-fitness-equipment-for-use-in-the-home-1271167.html

Cheap exercise bikes are two a penny - well not quite. But are they good value? Will they get you fit? Or is it false economy to spend well under £100 for an exercise bike.

A budget bike can be a complete waste of money or an absolute bargain buy. If the bike you buy doesn't do what you want it to do then you will waste your hard-earned cash no matter how little you spent.

The reasons why you're buying a bike are most likely to be:

• To get fit
• To lose weight
• To tone your lower body
• To recover from an illness or injury

With a bit of careful research you can get a really good bike that will meet your requirements at a very good price. However, there are some very shoddy bikes out there which will not last five minutes. Likewise, if you get bored of a very basic cheap bike within two weeks your not going to achieve your goal.

There are hundreds of cheap exercise bikes on the internet. If you've spent £75 on a bike you no longer use you'll not get much selling it on eBay because you'll be up against too much competition. You now have a piece of kit taking up space in your house that will probably make you feel guilty every time you walk passed.

Obviously a cheap exercise bike to one person may be expensive to another. When prefer the term 'budget' and use it for bikes under £200. It is possible to get a brand new bike for less than £75 - but we think they're not worth even that as you'll probably stop using it very soon. They look cheap, they feel cheap and usually fall apart quite quickly.

So before you think it may be too good to be true check out the features, reviews and what sort of warranty is available before you waste your money.

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2006 he published a book called 'Zone Mind, Zone Body' about how to achieve a peak performance more often. He's also a bit of an 'anorak' when it comes to exercise bikes and gadgets. To read his views on many more models please visit Exercise Bike Reviews.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/cheap-exercise-bikes-are-they-a-good-value-1271171.html

Most of us may not be familiar with a kettlebell. We may just consider it as a decoration, a toy or simply a cannon ball cast iron with a handle look alike. What we do not know is the importance of this weird exercise tool. One of the best ways to lose weight is through Kettlebell Exercise Routines.  It is a better alternative to weight lifting and further improving a person's strength, flexibility and balance.

Click Here For Kettle Bell Workouts Instant Access Now!

There are a lot of ways to learn kettlebell exercise routines. You can enroll yourself in a kettlebell class, buy an instructional video you can easily follow or a book about kettlebell exercises. You can as well research about it. A kettlebell instructor can also help you out , this is better since he/she can guide you and correct your mistakes.

Learn the basics of kettlebell. You can have these exercises thrice a week for at least 20-30 mins. Make sure you do not overdo it. You may be causing more trouble than improvement. Once you know the basics it is easy for you to do the more difficult routines.  The Kettlebell swing is one of the most basic things to learn, one can do this by holding to the kettlebell from the legs to above the head, this can either be performed by using one hand or two hands.

There are other basic things to know like the kettlebell snatch, jerk and squat thrusts. You can have it in combinations or depending upon the routine that has been instructed. In just a months time you can see results and you will have a new found friend in the kettlebell. Be patient and slowly learn the basic and shift to more difficult routines.

If you want to lose weight, then learn the kettlebell exercise routines. It may not be that easy as it seems but start with the basics and in the long run you will be an expert. Have somebody who is familiar with kettlebell and its exercises to teach and guide you. Enjoy your workout, enjoy your kettlebell.

Click Here For Kettle Bell Workouts Instant Access Now!

This author writes about Kettle Bell Workouts at Exercise Routine

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When choosing the best multi station home gyms for you, there are many things to consider. The goal in this purchase is to find the best overall equipment for your needs, your space and your lifestyle. Most people want their multi station home gyms to take over every aspect of the gym workout--- all in the comfort of their own home. For this end, the questions they will have to ask themselves in deciding on this purchase should be what body parts need training and how will this equipment integrate into their home and lifestyle?

Training Needs
Good multi station home gyms should encompass a piece for every muscle group in the body. If the user wants to work on quad, glutes and calves one day, she should be easily able to accommodate that need. If she wants to shoot for triceps, biceps, shoulders and chest, she should just as easily accomplish that feat. Even if she wants a simple ab workout, perfect multi station home gyms should be helpful in that arena. There are many different means by which multi station home gyms can accommodate this varied group of exercises.

Cables, bars, pulleys and levers are the components of the best multi station homes gyms. Along with these parts, good multi station home gyms will also feature padded areas on which to recline, incline or merely sit when completing exercises. These features together should equate to an at-gym experience that mirrors what one would experience if she or he were using free weights. The flow of the best multi station home gyms should feel unencumbered and smooth with no jerkiness or odd pulls of the parts. If the multi station home gyms have these qualities, they are a good fit for most households.

Home And Lifestyle Needs
Modern home gyms are generally made with high quality steel. The structures are ergonomic in appearance and capture the sleek look that could almost stand being presented in the living room. But who really wants their multi station home gyms right next to their entertainment center and fireplace? Do you really want to have to side step around it every time you go to sit in the recliner? As good as these newer multi station home gyms look, they definitely still oft reside in the home gym, a study or some other out of the way location that fits the lifestyle of the owner or owners.

Click on any of these links to find out more about home gym fitness equipment, multi station home gyms and home fitness exercise equipment.

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