Home Gym Guides

The elliptical trainer is fast becoming one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment. You’ll see them in every profession health club and they are increasingly being bought for use in the home. Here are some of the benefits of using elliptical machines as part of your exercise program.All Round Fitness

An elliptical trainer will work both your legs and your arms. This can help burn off more calories and tone the muscles in both of these areas. It also provides a great cardiovascular work out that builds stamina and endurance.

Low Impact

The gentle circular motion does not cause undue stress on the joints. Using equipment like a treadmill can cause stress to the knee and foot joints. This can lead to discomfort and in some cases injury.

Variety

A home elliptical trainer is easy to use but there is enough variety to stop you getting bored. You can add variety to your exercise routines by concentrating on using your arms for 2 minutes then your legs for 2 minutes and alternating this through your work out. You can also take advantage of the ability to go backwards. Most of the new ellipticals have built in programs on their computers, which will add another interesting dimension to your exercise routines.

Quiet

Modern elliptical machines use magnetic or electromagnetic resistance and they are very quiet to use. This is ideal for the home setting where you maybe exercising in a room where others are also relaxing. Their quiet operation also makes listening to music or watching TV possible during your workout.

Value for Money

Home elliptical machines are available in all price ranges from budget machines right up to professional models. When you compare them to the price of an annual gym membership they work out at amazing value for money. And as a bonus, the whole family can enjoy using it.

There are a great number of different home elliptical machines on the market today. The one that is right for you will be determined by your budget as well as how much space you have in your home. For instance if you live in a small apartment, you will not want the exercise equipment taking up the whole room. Therefore, the best machine is one that folds up and can be stored away easily.All Over Workout

If you have room in your home for a large piece of equipment, you may opt for a professional style cross country skiing machine. This will not only give you a great all over cardiovascular workout, but will also help tone all of your muscles. Therefore, you can combine everything in one workout and save time.

Time is Precious

Time is the reason that most people give as to why they do not work out. Either we do not have time to go to the gym or do not have time to exercise in the morning. It can get difficult if you get up early for work, to make the effort to get up a half hour early to exercise before getting ready for the day. If you begin this practice you will start to notice the difference.

Use the Equipment

Remember that in order for the machine to work well for you, you have to use it regularly. The biggest mistake most people make when it comes to exercise equipment is that they do not use it. They spend money purchasing equipment only to have it sit in a room or under a bed gathering dust. It may be difficult to get into the habit of using the machine, but once you do, it will become automatic for you. As a matter of fact, you will feel strange if you do not work out every day.

Factors to Consider before Purchasing

When looking for the best home elliptical machine always have your budget in mind. There are some very expensive machines on the market and it is so easy to be taken in by all of the gadgets and accessories, so beware, and keep a cool head.

Also make sure that the elliptical machine comes with a warranty, so if there is any issue with the machine after it is purchased you will know that you are covered.

Another good idea before purchasing a machine is to talk with the local gym owner or training instructor and ask their advice on what are the best home ellipticals on the market for your requirements. They should be able to give good advice and information as they deal with this type of equipment day in day out and will know the best machines.

Points to remember when looking for the best home elliptical machines:

Set a budget and stick to it Make sure that the equipment comes with a warranty Check out the training machines in the local store or gym Ask the local gym owner or trainer for advice on the elliptical training machines

Therefore, if you do your research and take into account the above factors, you should be able to find the best home elliptical for your training needs.

Weider home gyms are very popular pieces of home fitness equipment. Weider offers a wide range of products for home gym enthusiasts. It is known for producing functional gyms that are priced attractively compared to its competitors.Weider’s parent company is one of the largest producers of fitness related machines and equipment. Another subsidiary of the same company is Reebok.

Weider gyms usually make use of crossbows or crossbars in order to provide resistance. As against weight stack gyms that come with pulleys, these end up being more affordable and take up a considerably lower amount of space – something home users really appreciate.

You should keep in mind though that the small size and low prices of Weider gyms doesn’t mean that they are not good enough. In fact, most Weider home gyms allow you to perform a number of different exercises. You can use them to work all parts of your body such as your abs, back, legs or arms.

Several Weider home gyms models are available in the market and each one has its own unique features. The Weider Max, for example, provides maximum resistance of 240 lbs. Similarly, the Weider Advantage provides the resistance of 240 lbs. Both these models make it possible to perform 65 different exercises.

The Weider Platinum home gym provides for 75 exercises and 340 lbs. of resistance. It also features a Digital Resistance Control which helps you control the resistance by simply touching a button and no manual adjustment.

All the above models are crossbow based.

For the price at which Weider home gyms are available, they are a good deal, especially for the beginner. They may not be built as sturdily as their expensive counterparts from other brands but they help you start exercising and keeping fit for a small investment.

Say good-bye to longer less effective workouts. In fact no other aerobic equipment or exercise comes close to the Superior Performance of the Bowflex TreadClimber Fitness EquipmentIt is hard to beat the cardiovascular workout you get, plus getting results you want in the shortest amount of time. The Bowflex TreadClimber revolutionary technology gives you the power to:

*Bring up your heart rate quickly and keep it there.

*Burn more calories and loose weight fast.

*Work more core muscle groups at the same time.

*Minimize joint impact.

*And do all this with out running or jogging.

Get the body you want in half the time with the BOWFLEX TREADCLIMBER TC5000

The Bowflex TreadClimber is a remarkable piece of fitness equipment for the home gym. Essentially a hybrid of three different kinds of fitness machines, it provides a smooth , fluid and VERY LOW impact workout that will have you sweating and panting and burning loads of calories in no time. The low impact of this treadclmber is very important and especially valuable for the elderly, those recovering from injury, or those who are concerned about the long-term damage to the knees that running or jogging can have on you.

So, what are your goals? To loose weight, tone up, feel more energized, or just live a healthier lifestyle?

The Bowflex TreadClimber fitness equipment combines the features of today’s 3 best aerobic machines: Stair climber, Treadmill and the Elliptical all into one amazing workout! With these three options, I will guarantee that you will reach your goals faster and easier. By switching my routines I’ve found that boredom is never a factor. With its dual treadle system you get two separate rolling platforms, like a treadmill, but with each of the two pads lifting as you walk forward. It gives you an ultra smooth motion with out the impact of a stepper. This is my favorite of the three options. All I need is some good tunes playing, my jug of water and my treadclmber.

It is important to stress that this is not a running machine, it is considered more of a hill walking machine. This TreadClimber fitness equipment can be used as the traditional treadmill or as a standard stair master with just a few minor adjustments.

The Bowflex TC5000 is a sturdy well built unit with many great features:

*Speed range of o.7 to 4.0 *Resistance levels from 0 to 12 *Electronic functions include-speed, distance, total steps, time, calories per minute, total calories, climb indicator and heart rate *Wireless heart rate monitor, and many other features!

In Summary:

With a Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 machine, you get a superior cardio workout in the shortest amount of time, with a lot less impact on your joints, all in the privacy of your own home.

For more articles like this please go to my website: http://health.mbsonlineproducts.com

The Total Gym 1700 is a home gym that exercises your entire body using your own body weight. It also includes a weight bar that allows you to add up to 75 pounds of additional weight to your workout.You can increase the resistance you lift by adjusting the angle of incline of the ergonomic glide board. As you build strength, you can easily increase the angle of this glide board to make your workout more challenging.

The design of Total Gyms lets you build up your muscles across a wide range of motion. The pilates bar that is included with the Total Gym 1700 further enhances your range of motion while exercising.

With the Total Gym 1700 you will not only be able to give your upper body and lower body a complete workout; you will also be able to fully workout your abdominal muscles and even get a cardiovascular workout.

The machines efficient design allows you to accomplish this complete workout in as little as 15 to 20 minutes per session, three to four times a week.

The Total Gym 1700 is a top of the line offering that includes such extra features as a wide base for greater stability and an exercise mat to protect your floor. You also get an exercise chart to guide you through your exercise sessions.

This home gym is an excellent alternative for people who are looking for a home gym that will give them a complete workout with safety and economy in mind. At 69 pounds the Total Gym 1700 is lighter and more mobile than most other home gyms.

You will only need an area of about 8 feet by 7 feet to comfortably use this home gym. When not in use you can fold the gym and store it under a bed or in a closet.

All in all, the Total Gym 1700 is an excellent and economical option for those looking to get in excellent shape and build a smooth and toned body. If you are looking to build the physique of a bodybuilder, you will want to look at other home gyms or free weights. But for most people the Total Gym 1700 will meet all of your strength building needs. We give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Running on a treadmill may seem like an extravagance to a lot of people, simply because running requires only strapping on a pair of shoes and getting outside. However, there are some advantages to having an indoor running surface, and the Bowflex Treadmill is one of the best mid-price home treadmills that money can buy.The first big advantage to having a treadmill in the home is you can run in any kind of weather. This is a big plus for many parts of the country for many times of the year. It also means you need a lot less running gear. Yes, running naked is an option if you are so inclined.

The other big advantage of running on a treadmill often not given consideration is that it is much easier on your joints, chiefly the knees. Pavement is hard, and the repeated impact can take its toll on the knees over time. A treadmill offers a much less resistant surface, and is designed to absorb impact, thus reducing the amount of stress put on your knees.

One of the features that makes a Bowflex treadmill and exceptional unit is the extra large running surface. Many home treadmills skimp on size and power in order to accommodate smaller room sizes. The Bowflex treadmill can be folded up for storage, but still boasts a 20 inch by 60 inch belt. This is a large enough surface for all but the tallest running enthusiast.

The Bowflex treadmill is made by Nautilus, a name synonymous with quality and familiar to anyone who frequents a gym. It is a hefty unit, weighing around 300 pounds, with a strong 3 horsepower motor that provides plenty of power even for uphill climbs.

The treadmill has a variety of running programs, to keep it interesting for home runners. Often, running on a treadmill can become quite boring, without any change of routine. However, it also allows you to run or power walk in front of the TV, a method preferred by many. The unit comes with an ingenious wireless heart monitor, as well as the more standard hand grip kind. Some of the higher end models also boast a built in fan, which is a nice feature, although it is easy enough to set up a room fan beside the treadmill.

The Bowflex treadmill comes with the dreaded ‘some assembly required’ tag, however, most buyers have found that the assembly is quite easy. As mentioned, it is a heavy unit, around 300 pounds, and quite large when assembled, so it is best to put it together in the room where it is going to reside. Though the Bowflex can be folded up, you may want to dedicate a space to it. This will also help to inspire its use, if you don’t have to set it up every time you want to use it.

Our sedentary society needs all the help it can get in terms of getting people working out and raising their heart rates for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Many people find it difficult to make the time commitment for this important activity. With a treadmill in the home, the task becomes easier. However, many people will opt for cheap units that simply aren’t up to the job, and the unit ends up unused. It is a good practise to buy the best unit you can afford, and set up a regular schedule to get on it and use it, even if at first it is only for a few minutes of walking. Eventually the habit forms and you will increase the level of the workout.

If you are considering buying a treadmill for your home gym then you certainly can’t go wrong with the Bowflex name. A Bowflex treadmill in the home will help make your fitness and weight loss goals a reality in no time.

How many years have you told yourself the same thing: This is the year you’re going to get into shape? With images of your new, slender body so clear in your mind, you rush out and join a gym. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months. Perhaps you went a few times, but getting to the gym is simply too difficult. You don’t have the time or energy to get there. Now you’re stuck in a three-year contract that’s costing you $40 per month–with no results to show for it. The contract will let you cancel at any time, but that would be admitting defeat.What do you do? Do you just give up and enjoy the way the couch molds around you while you watch prime time reality shows? Look, it’s not you, it’s the fitness industry. Like any other business, fitness clubs are there to make money. For the very few who are hyper motivated, health fitness clubs are great things chockablock with useful (and some not so useful) gym equipment. For the rest of us, they’re designed to get us to pay as much as possible and use the facilities as little as possible. Commercial space and gym equipment are expensive things.

How did super motivated people become this way? Being successful at something, more than anything else, makes you more confident and provides needed motivation. That success can begin at home. If you start with just the things you really need and work a little every day, you can convert you living room, or garage, or your backyard, into a working gym.

I have tried a home gym, you say. I purchased gym equipment, that big cable and pulley thing that now is used as a clothes rack (that started out looking like a torture device, maybe one of those racks that stretch you.) I bought that bike too, with the big fan for the front wheel that sends me lurching up and down with the moving handle bars. Makes a great towel rack though.

Fitness equipment doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy to work. Because you need to start slow and work up to the harder exercises, a large bag of playground sand and an army duffel bag will do the trick. Begin by chunking the sand into 5 pound bags. Use duct tape to secure them. Now, you can use as many or as few to put into the duffel bag. With the bag on, do a few deep knee bends and pushups. Of course, consult a manual, the internet or other source to be sure you use correct form with your exercises.

Once you believe you’ve made some advances, buy an inexpensive set of weights and a stand for them so that you can perform knee bends with the dumbbells and also standing presses. Forget the equipment for bench presses, since it’s not truly worth the cost. But in any event, be certain to see a physician before beginning (and don’t let that step be just another reason for not doing your exercises!).

Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are a wonderful new innovation for the home gym that simply make working out with free weights a breeze. Dumbbells are the best tool for muscle building, even better than a straight bar and much better than a resistance machine. The makers of the original Power Rod technology and the new Bowflex Revolution have now used their creativity in the free weight arena to come up with a truly clever idea in the Bowflex SelectTech.When it comes to resistance training, serious fitness enthusiasts know that nothing beats free weights. In order to keep good form, the body must employ numerous stabilizer muscles, which keep the limb steady while working it against the resistance. Strength training machines are often more inclined toward isolation exercises, by keeping the movement restricted throughout with the use of mechanical assistance. Though this can show large gains when first starting, a plateau is often reached after awhile that will have developing body builders switching over to free weights.

Free weights, however, also have some disadvantages. One of them is that the likelihood of injury is much higher than with a machine, because the same range of motion that leads to muscle development, could potentially tear a ligament or put undue stress on a joint, if the exercise is not conducted properly. This is especially true of exercises that use a lot of weight, like bench presses or squats. The only real way around this is to work up carefully and slowly to the big weights, always keep correct form, and use a spotting partner if possible.

The second big disadvantage to free weights is the need for a large number of weights, and a fair bit of room to keep them in. This is where the new Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells come in. These dumbbells have the classic dumbbell shape, of two weights on either side of a handle. The big difference is that instead of having to either remove and replace weight plates, spinning off the threaded collar each time, or grab from a huge rack of dumbbell pairs, the SelectTech dumbbells use a dial to set the weight, then when you lift the appropriate amount of weight is attached to the handle and whatever you aren’t using is left behind.

What this means is that instead of needing a huge rack of dumbbells, usually at least 10 pairs, you simply have one set of handles and the various weight plates. But unlike standard weight plates, the SelectTech sits neatly in a tray, and without the need of threading a collar each time the weight can be changed in an instant.

This is especially advantageous to those who like doing circuit training. Circuits are a combination of aerobic and anaerobic workout, so that the heart rate is increased at the same time muscle is worked. Generally circuit training requires jumping from set to set without any pauses in between, and unless you have a professional dumbbell rack this is near-impossible with a standard adjustable dumbbell. The Bowflex SelectTech makes it easy.

The dial on the Bowflex dumbbells allows you to switch from 5 to 52.5 pounds in an instant. All that you need to do is rest the dumbbell back in the tray, set the dial to the appropriate weight, and lift it out again. It is that easy. The trays keep the unit compact, and the dials keep the changeovers fast, so it is really the best of both worlds and a really great innovation for the home gym.

Like most Bowflex equipment, however, the SelectTech dumbbells are expensive. However, a full set of dumbbells will cost you as much, and used dumbbells are in demand, as anyone who has scoured Ebay or Craigslist will know. So if you are going to spend upwards of $300 on a set of dumbbells, you should take a good look at these.

It isn’t all that often that a truly useful innovation is created for the home gym market. Often, what is touted as a breakthrough is often some gimmicky retread of someone else’s idea. Bowflex has consistently looked at some of the barriers that exist to working out at home, and found clever ways to address them. The SelectTech dumbbells are designed to get around two of the problems with using free weights at home – the need for lots of space and the need for speed in switching weight – and succeeded admirably.