Archive for the ‘fitness gyms’ Category

Total Gym Review from Personal Experience

December 1st, 2009 admin

My main goal has always been to tone rather than build muscle. Having babies, getting older, lack of exercise and physical problems takes it’s toll on our bodies and if we ignore it the body goes south. I was not over weight but my body was what I call “skinny fat,” lacking tone and muscle. Toning workouts for the Total Gym are so effective, you can turn back the hands of time, while also getting a great cardio workout at the same time. You simply set the bench to a lower incline to firm and tone and a higher incline for building and sculpting muscles.

I did my Total Gym workouts three times a week for about 20 minutes while listening to music or watching television. I say used it, because several years later, Pilates showed up on television and I had to have one. Since I didn’t have room for both, I reluctantly sold my Total Gym on EBay to a guy in Texas.  I love Pilates too, but if I had to choose my favorite it would be the Total Gym. It’s worth every penny in terms of quality, customer service and it is reasonably priced.  Personally, I would opt for a higher end model, like the Total Gym 3000. As you get into your workout routine, you’ll appreciate having the additional options.  Actually, I tried the Total Gym 1000 while in a Sears store and was surprised how much better my Total Gym 3000 model was compared to the less expensive ones.

Other people rate their experience with using a
Total Gym on average 4 out of 5 stars. I read one review where a man described having a lot of pain in his left shoulder and bursitis, tendinitis in both shoulders. He described how his Total Gym allowed him to work his shoulders without the discomfort he had with free weights. He also reported his shoulder pain decreased substantially with regular Total Gym workouts. Reading this only made me regret selling my Total Gym even more, because today I suffer with the same kind of shoulder problems.

One exercise I have always dreaded is squats. The Total Gym makes doing squats much easier and comfortable.  Total Gym is designed to reduce strain on joints and believe me it does just that. I can do more reps and really target stubborn areas like outer and inner thighs not to mention it firms the butt in the process. You can speed up your reps and add cardio, getting a total body workout in less time. Upper body workouts are also easier using your body’s own resistance. The Total Gym is a total fitness gym for you can work the entire body at the same time.
The Total Gym can be stored away between workouts but I think it’s best to keep it out so you will be motivated to use it. I used to jump on it whenever I had break from the kids. Why not work out while watching the soaps, right? Motivation comes easy with the Total Gym because it’s actually a fun workout.

Overall I give Total Gym 5 stars for its quality, simplicity, work out results, and most of all its motivating. Workouts with Total Gym are really a fun way to get in shape and offers easy ways to lose weight. If you are looking for a total fitness home gym that shortens your workout while toning, building muscle and cardio strength, the Total Gym is an excellent choice.

I am a writer for affilitate marketing and enjoy helping people learn ways to save money. Click here and save up to 50% off Total Gym!

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What to Look for When Choosing a Gym in London

November 13th, 2009 admin

There are quite a few things to consider when choosing the right gym for you and it’s not just about the price. Frequency of use, location, type of equipment, quality of personal trainers, ambience and assorted facilities are all important factors when considering which gym to join. After drawing up your shortlist you need to whittle it down to a couple that you might want to visit before making your final decision on which gym will suit your lifestyle best.

The first thing to consider is ‘location, location, location’. What is most important to you? Should the gym be near your home, close to work or somewhere in between? Or perhaps being near your children’s school is the key. Remember to consider how your gym visits will fit into your current daily schedule as that will also help you decide the location.

Next, ask yourself how often you will be using the gym – and be totally honest! There’s no point signing up to a ‘four times a week’ fitness plan if your commitments simply prevent you from getting there more frequently than once a week – you’ll simply be wasting your money. Perhaps you need motivation and want to attend gym with a friend so you can spur each other on. In that case, is the location the most convenient for you both?

Additionally, what type of fitness equipment do you need? Are you likely to concentrate on weights, the latest cardiovascular machines, or perhaps you want to undertake a mixed programme. Will your chosen gym have the right equipment for you to undertake your fitness regime? If your plan is for a structured and supervised fitness programme, are there qualified, reliable and friendly trainers available at the gym ready to attend to your needs?

Once you’ve finished your work out, will you be able to change in comfort and then have a chat with your friends in a comfortable coffee shop or bar? Or perhaps you want to do more, such as have a swim or pamper yourself in a spa. Lastly, it’s very important that you feel comfortable in the gym and its surroundings. You will want the ambience to be suited to you. In this instance, you’ll have to decide whether you prefer loud and energetic music, or perhaps a more sedate environment.

Once you have answered all those questions, honestly evaluated your motivation and all your needs, you’ll know whether you want to go for the ultimate health club in Kensington offering the full works or whether to choose a specialist fitness gym with less add-ons closer to home. You know what you want – now go for it!

Elisha Burberry is a freelance writer who loves her job and the occasional glass of red wine.

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Bringing a Pilates Focus to your Gym Workout

October 25th, 2009 admin

You spend all that time and money with your Pilates teacher weekly, right?  Whether privately, in a semi-private or in a group mat class.  You love how you feel when you leave the studio or class, right?    You believe in the work and see what it has done to your body, then why not take the principles of the workout with you onto the gym floor the next time you go there?

Who said Pilates could only be done on the floor on a mat?   What stops you from using your powerhouse everytime you sit at a piece of equipment?  what prevents you from “lifting in and up” everytime you use the Lat Pulldown or Cables for Tricep Presses?  Why can’t you breathe through the “back ribs” when you inhale and melt over that stability ball or when you are doing Lateral Shoulder Raises anyway?

Nothing stops you.  Nothing but the mindset that one activity belongs in one place and the other in another.

As a Pilates Instructor and a Personal Fitness Trainer/Instructor, I am concious of queing and coaching all my clients – whether they know Pilates or not – men and women alike – to use and engage their core structure, their powerhouse, the abdominals before making any movement with a piece of equipment, dumbbell weight, resistance band, etc.

Yes the specific exercises of the Pilates method are distinctive.  Yes, the names of the Pilates exercises, whether found on the mat or any of the studio apparatus are distinct and memorable and yes, they move the body through a set of fluid, flowing motions while resisting against a stable position.

In the case of Pilates, we refer to this stable position as the “powerhouse,” defined as the imaginary box drawn between your right and left shoulder and right and left hip points.

It is this stable position, from deep inside the abdominal core, that all the exercises inside the gym must and should also emante.  Generally, I find that newcomers to the gym, as well as many old “hardheads” approach the equipment just to move thru pushing or pulling the weights without giving any conscious attention  to abdominal engagement, stabililty, balance or even use of their breath to facilitate the movement of the body or the weights.

By employing the classic principles of Pilates,

  • control - of the movement of the exercise, the muscle involved within the exercise and transitions to the next exercise.
  • concentration – bringing full attention, focus and commitment to the exercise; eliminating the extraneous details and chatter, thus maximizing the value achieved with each rep and movement.
  • centering – bringing a centered focus to the core powerhouse as well as one’s body in space.
  • precision - focused attention to the precise placement, alignment and movement of the body.
  • breath – use of the breath to faciliate and/or challenge the movement of the body.

I have noticed, as have many of my clients, (whether they know Pilates or not) a Pilates-inspired workout has slowed them down enough to bring a consciousness to their workout, their body and the results they want to achieve in the gym.

Applying Pilates grace and focus in the gym amounts to true integrated, functional core strength training.  But that is what Joseph was really developing anyway on very different apparatus when he created the Pilates method.

Summary

I have found, as have many of my clients, that an pilates-applied approach within the gym may completely eliminate the need for spending the last few minutes of the workout hour on the floor doing abdominal exercises.  For enagagement of the powerhouse with control, focus and stability throughout the entire gym workout will yield an hour long abdominal workout that is far more effective than a brief “hit it and quit it” generally used in the last 15 minutes for most of us on the floor.

Gina Jackson, MBA, CPT, holds Advanced PFT recognition as a member of the International Association of Fitness Professionals (IDEA); is certified as a NY Power Pilates Teacher and a proud Business Member of the Pilates Method Alliance.

Gina made a conscious career and lifestyle change to fitness in 2000 and assists clients in lifestyle fitness training programs; she is the Fitness Consultant, creator and energy behind the successful stories of a myriad of clients featured at http://www.fitnessbygina.com – http://www.pilates4fitness.com – http://www.Prescription4Fitness.com – all of which provide fitness resources, tips, articles and MP3 downloads designed to assist all realizing their fitness goals.

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Tips on How to Select a Fitness Gym

September 29th, 2009 admin

Just deciding to get fit or trying to maintain a regular exercise or workout schedule can be enough of a daunting task. There are so many programs available now, from yoga to strength training, and everything possible in between, and all can be done either at home or in a gym. Choosing a gym and a fitness program will depend on a few important factors.

Consider your fitness level and be realistic. Things like body composition and flexibility levels need to be taken into consideration. A doctor should be consulted before you begin any exercise program, especially if you have not been physically active for a given amount of time. Once you have determined the level of fitness that you are comfortably able achieve, then set one or even a few key goals. Perhaps one goal would be to tone up or lose those last 10 to 15 pounds, or maybe you want to take part in a benefit walk with friends or co-workers. Whatever the goals may be, they will help you stay focused and motivated.

You should think about the kind of physical activities you really enjoy. If you simply pick things that you think are easy, or like because they are trendy, you may soon find yourself finding excuses as to why you don’t want to go to the gym after all. For example if you like to dance, then look for an exercise class that offers aerobics which includes dance moves. If you are a social person then go shopping for a health club or a gym membership as opposed to exercising alone at home. Also, don’t join a club that has more to offer than you will realistically use or do. For example, if you have no love of a steam bath, then why join a gym that offers sauna privileges?

Whether you choose to exercise at home or at a gym, be sure to maintain variety in your routine. This will help to prevent overuse or injury to a specific joint or group of muscles. It will also help to prevent boredom resulting from a repetitive exercise routine.

If it looks like a gym or health club is the way you want to go, then you should consider the location. Depending on what time of day you plan to exercise and where it will fit into you daily/weekly schedule, you may want to have your gym be handy to home, or on your route to work. Also be sure to visit the gym you are considering at the time of day you plan to be there to do your workout. If you dislike crowds or prefer a large group to workout with, this will give you a heads up as to how busy the place is going to be when you plan on being there. When you visit, check the locker rooms to see if the showers are fresh and clean and look well maintained, or do they look like something from a horror movie?

You should also consider your financial status. Sometimes home gym equipment can be pricey as can memberships in health clubs. Don’t join a gym to benefit your health then spend each day stressing out about how to come up with next month’s fees. Instead, if the dues are just too expensive, check your local city or municipality recreation department. Many times they will have regular exercise programs offered at a much more affordable rate, and with just as good of a variety of programs as your local gym.

Once you are involved in a regular exercise routine, don’t forget that when you have achieved the goals you set for yourself, set new ones based on your new fitness level. This way you will always feel motivated and continue to grow physically and emotionally.

A leader in the Fitness industry, Extreme Fitness strives to offer its members motivating personal training Toronto. Check us out today and find out what one of the premiere gym Toronto is all about.

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Making A Home Fitness Gym At Home

September 9th, 2009 admin

Today, more and more people are becoming conscious of their figure. But because their so busy running their lives and their businesses, they don’t have the time for workouts. Although local gym membership is very accessible and provides all the needed equipments for workouts, still conflicts arise. It can include adjusting to the gym’s opening times, stress of traveling from your home to the gym, and pressure on the weather condition.

In case you are facing this difficulty, consider building your own home gym to achieve your fitness goals and keep you in shape. There are various ranges of exercise equipments you can utilize at home. Time and weather condition is not a problem anymore. You can do your exercises within your own set schedule. But the question is what equipments you are going to buy.

If you are starting out your venture, or becoming active again after a long break, it is advisable not to pursue your home gym. Instead you must enroll at a local gym within a short period of time. It can help you check out a number of fitness equipments available in the market today. You can ask your fitness instructor about its advantages and disadvantages and how these equipments can meet your fitness needs. Thus, you can list down the equipments that you will purchase for your home gym.

If weight training is your main focus, then the first step is to purchase a set of weights. You can buy free weights which are less expensive. The prices can be as low as 50 dollars or lower. But you need a combination of weights weighing 4.5 kg (10lb) and 9kg (20lb) which is a hand-held dumbbell with a bar. The end of this bar is replaceable with other weights for more flexibility. There are different types of bars. But it is up to you to choose whether you are going to use the plastic or metal weights. Metal weights are the traditional weights used even before but plastic weights are more modern and often are sand-filled weights.

You can consider weight machines if you want to workout specific groups of muscles including the biceps, deltoids, and quadriceps in a safer way. More over, free weights cannot provide good workouts for hamstrings and calves muscle groups. However, you need to pay the price of a weight machine. Costs and configurations may widely vary from a simple resistance machine, to an adjustable, multi-stationed weight stack. You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars.

A stair stepper is another popular alternative. A simple stair stepper model can offer you a better cardiovascular workout and low impacts on your joints when exercising to build your calves and thighs. This machine is also a space saver and can cost from 80 to 150 dollars. A more complex stair stepper has adjustable speed, resistance level, speed, pedal distances and more. It also includes an HRM (heart rate monitor) as well as digital readouts for distance climbed, calories burnt, and speed. It can cost 1,700 to 2,000 dollars. Treadmills are good workouts machines too for your home gym. The prices depend on the types, models, brand, and features.

Building your home gym can cost you money. However, it is worth investing for to meet your fitness needs.

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