If they say that the world?s divided between two types of people, the vanilla lovers against the chocolate addicts, in the world of exercise, it?s a war between the free weights enthusiasts against the people who love using exercise machines.

Now, if you?re leaning more about purchasing exercise machines, we?ll simply play devil?s advocate by pointing out the many benefits you can enjoy with free weights home gyms.

FREE WEIGHTS HOME GYMS ARE LESS EXPENSIVE

There is no way that free weights would become more expensive than any exercise machine ? even if they?re older models or secondhand purchases. If you?re short on money, free weights home gyms are your best options.

THEY TAKE UP LESS SPACE

There are of course a few exercise machines that are foldable. The keyword here is few. Free weights, on the other hand, no matter how heavy, are always no trouble to hide from plain view. If you want a gym that takes up minimal space, free weights are truly the answer to your prayers.

THEY SERVE MANY PURPOSES

More often than not, exercise machines tend to serve a solitary purpose; a treadmill, for instance, can never let you do anything but walk or run in a straight line. Free weights, however, can serve multiple purposes, depending on how you use them. They can either help you increase your muscle strength or simply get rid of unwanted fat.

THEY ARE PORTABLE

If you?re going away on a trip, there?s no reason why you can?t bring your dumbbells with you, especially if you?re bringing your car. Exercise machines, on the other hand, are anything but portable.

Contrary to popular opinion, building affordable home gyms is actually a very easy idea to translate into reality if you heed the right advice. The phrase affordable home gyms is a factual phrase and not an oxymoron!

Browse through the tips listed below and see which ones would work for you. We have no doubt that by the end of this article you'll already have a fairly complete idea about how you can be one of the lucky owners of an affordable home gym!

Focus on Simplicity

Do not let yourself be swept away by the many rising ?fashionable? trends in the world of fitness. Although these trends do have benefits to offer, they usually cost more than the average exercise routine we?re used to. Experts point out how the regular use of free weights and an exercise machine (a simple treadmill or an exercise bike could do) can easily aid you in your quest for a better physique.

Focus on Your Needs

If all you need is a total body workout to further tone the muscles that you already have, then make sure that your home gym?s able to fully satisfy those needs and avoid spending more than you should.

Choose the Best Room

A good room to renovate as your home gym would be one that enjoys good ventilation. Without good ventilation, you?d be obliged to make use of an air-conditioner to get rid of the undesirable smell of body sweat.

Choose a Good Quality Motorized Treadmill

Most novice home gym owners usually think that purchasing the cheapest of treadmills is the best thing to do. Unfortunately, they?re wrong. Cheap treadmills tend to cause more injuries to the user and what?s the point of saving on equipment cost when it?s certainly going to be offset by increasing medical expenses?

If you're a technophile and tend to look at the old age use of barbells and other free weights with reluctance and maybe even a modicum of disgust, you're definitely more suited to digital home gyms.

Technology has indeed made its impact on the world of physical fitness and has resulted in the proliferation of digital home gyms. Digital home gyms are certainly more expensive to set up than other types of home gyms, but if you believe you?ll be happy with nothing but that, here are some tips on what you should concentrate on to make your home gym positively congruent with the digital revolution.

THE LOOK AND FEEL

Your personal gym must have a futuristic look to it if you wish it to become as modern as possible. A futuristic look would often encompass furniture and design made in basic colors of black, gray, and white and materials that consist of glass and metal. Absolutely no country style décor is allowed.

VENTILATION AND SOUNDPROOFING

Your digital home gym must be air-conditioned. Furthermore, anything that has to do with ventilation must be kept out of sight (air pipes, etc.), and if that's not possible, they should be designed in such a way that it would not detract from the gym's overall look.

Walls must be soundproofed as well to allow you to play music as loudly as you wish.

MODERN EQUIPMENT

Body Monitoring Among other things, the equipment used in your personal gym must be able to detect your heart rate, your blood pressure, and the amount of fats and calories you?ve been able to burn in how many minutes? worth of exercising.

The Precor elliptical machine may be an ideal selection for your specific needs. Not only are they known for their high quality commercial gym machines, they also are popular for the high quality home gyms. If you are looking to purchase an elliptical machine, the machines offered to you through the Precor line are known for their high quality, the most important aspect of the machine’s exercise equation being the consumer and their workout. If you are truly looking to invest in a product that will take the beating that you can give it, Precor is the right choice for your exercise needs.

Precor has several elliptical machines on the market that provide just the quality you are looking for wide, with a wide assortment of models to meet your personal needs. The best machine for you is the one that will provide strength and durability. The highest priced one and the highest quality model is the Precor EFX 5.33, for serious and dedicated athletes who choose to be on a steady exercise regime of the highest standards. Heavy and large, these are also the features that make it so extremely stable. Lots of extras are included in this particular model, like moveable handlebars for a higher quality upper body workout, 14 programmable-programs to choose from, a 20-degree ramp that goes forward and backward, and a sturdy stable ride that is gym quality. Additionally, the elliptical machine should provide the features that you are looking for including things like calorie counters and programs that will increase your strength. There are many things that you will want to secure including price. In other words, they have all that can be looked for in the quality, price, and durability of their elliptical machines. That makes them a good choice for most to select.

Yet, if you want to really know if the Precor machines are the right selection for you, take a good look at their consumer ratings. You can find these reviews of the Precor on the web written by consumers. They will give you a first hand look at just how easy it is to use these elliptical machines along with the various options and how well they work out of the box. In most cases, there are plenty of opportunities to succeed if you plan to use these reviews to get you an inside look at these machines. Try out a Precor elliptical machine, you will never go any further in regard to quality.

Why Have a Cardio Heart Rate Monitor?

I recently finished a 12-week team fitness and weight loss program at my local gym, where I learned many valuable things about fitness training and how it relates to heart health and efficient workouts. I experienced first-hand the necessity of being able to watch your heart rate with an exercise heart rate monitor, while doing various speed and incline intervals on the treadmill to have a more effective workout. A cardio heart rate monitor can tell you your heart rate, cardio training zone, calories burned and give you valuable heart smart knowledge about your body’s fitness.

Know Your Cardio Zones

After completing this fitness program, I learned that it is absolutely necessary to know what heart rate training zone you are working in to improve your workout efficiency -- to get the most benefit in the least amount of time. A heart rate monitor helps you know what cardio zone (Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) you are working in. In class, we spent most of our time working between Zone 2: the "temperate zone," Zone 3: the "aerobic zone," and some time in Zone 4: the "threshold zone." Zone 2 is commonly known as the fat burning zone, where you are exercising comfortably and body fat begins moving out of your cells. Zone 3, typically referred to as the sweat zone, involves exercising at 70%-80% of your mazimum heart rate, burning a combination of fat and carbohydrates and increasing your aerobic capacity.

Beginning to intermediate workouts include work in Zone 2 & 3 for people training to improve their aerobic fitness. Zone 4 is a tougher place to work out, where you go above your "Anaerobic Threshold (AT)." (Your AT is the level of exercise your body can sustain utilizing both fat and carbohydrates as fuel). Finally, Zone 5: the "high zone," uses the highest pecentage of heart beats and calories burned as you become more advanced and get in top physical condition. I could always count on my heart rate monitor to tell me which zone I was in and for how long, including my heart rates and recovery times. After a period of time, I got to know how my body’s heart rate responded while working between these zones, and up to AT and back down.

Know Your Heart Rate - Hands Free

In addition, a heart rate monitor can tell you your heart rate while your hands remain free of the treadmill. While we walked or ran the treadmill, the trainer called out something like “OK, now three minutes to the top of Zone 3,” or “Two minutes recovery time to the bottom of Zone 2,” as we lifted 5 to 8 pound weights, or stretched rubber bands in various routines. It’s convenient and easy to look at your heart rate monitor while you are in the middle of these routines using your arms and hands for upper body fitness. Our trainer continually stressed to a few in the class that did not yet have heart rate monitors, that the treadmill heart monitor could not be counted on to be accurate. This is especially so while a person is lifting weights at various inclines and speeds while walking or running.

This time of year treadmill sales soar for primarily two reasons:People commit to a New Years resolution to get back into shape.

Fanatic runners are faced with sucky winter weather and have to move their workouts outdoors.

But buying a treadmill can be complex and confusing. Like cars, there are countless models, and the question is, do you buy the equivalent of a Yugo or a Mercedes.

There are three important factors to consider when you compare treadmills:

Your Budget

Your weight and height

Desired Treadmill Features

What Should You Budget

Like most items you purchase, the model you prefer will probably cost more than you imagined. If you go to a mass retailer like Walmart or Costco you will notice a number of treadmills in the $200-$500. Some are not even motorized. These are what I consider throw away treadmills. The come with a short-lived 90 day warranty. That's because most of them will not function more than 90 days.

If you want a treadmill that will last for the duration, and provide you with a challenging workout, this is my recommendations. For walking you want to spend a minimum of approximately $1,000. This will buy you a solid and stable model that will come with a one year service warranty, a minimum 2 years parts and 10 year motor warranty.

If you are a jogger or runner then I recommend you start at the $1,500 range. A model at this price will include a 20" wide belt, a minimum 2.5 continuous duty horsepower motor and is overall built with quality components.

For serious runners start at the $2,000 range. You will get a treadmill that has a longer deck for sprinting and interval training. The motor is powerful enough to handle continual use at a high level. The deck and the belt are designed for constant pounding. Models over $2,000 generally have a generous warranty.

Your Weight and Height

Both the weight and height of a treadmill user should determine the model you are considering. For example, heavier users will require a more powerful motor and a reasonably thick deck. I worked for a company that compromised on the thickness of the decks on their low-end models and guess what? Some cracked. The deck should be a minimum of ¾".

The perfect motor for a treadmill is one that does not strain. It should work effortlessly, otherwise it will eventually burn out and generally be noisy. And you do not want to replace a motor, especially after the service warranty has run out.

When comparing treadmill motors you want to go by the horsepower of the continuous duty, not peak horsepower. Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can reach. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained power during regular use. The continuous motor power is what is consistently delivered during heavy usage over an extended period of time.

Since peak horsepower is usually significantly higher than a motor's continuous capability, continuous horsepower better helps you determine which treadmill will accommodate your intended exercise use. Generally speaking, the larger the motor the more powerful it can operate at a continuous rate.

Here’s a great question I recently addressed:

I’m a personal trainer from Los Angeles and I just disagree with your belief that bodyweight exercises are better or far more effective that free weights or machines. I’ve had tremendous success with my clients using free weights and machines. What evidence do you have that leads you to believe that bodyweight exercises are better than free weights or machines?

First of all thank you for your question and I’m glad that you take the time to read the information I write about. Secondly I’ve never said that bodyweight exercises are better than free weight or machine training. The truth is that I’ve used bodyweight training, free weight training (barbells & dumbbells), machine training, medicine balls, exercise bands and much more to help myself and the people I work with improve. Each one merely represents a tool I have available. One saying I go by is: “Tools not Rules”. I try to learn as much as I can about each system of exercises because one never knows when one will need it.

I’ll give you a great example of why you should know as much as you can and keep an open mind. When I worked as a strength and conditioning assistant with the WNBA New York Liberty women’s basketball team we never had a consistent place to do our strength and conditioning workouts. We worked out at Basketball City, Bally’s Health Club, Madison Square Garden & the player’s hotel rooms. On the road it was even worse as many times the players had no access to a gym. This made it difficult to maintain consistency in our workouts but we didn’t use that as an excuse. Here’s what we did. At Basketball City we used machines and dumbbells (that’s all they had). At Bally’s we had access to an entire health club but many times it was very crowded so we stuck with Olympic lifts, squatting and dead lifting as most people don’t use these exercises. At the hotel rooms players would use bodyweight exercises and exercises bands and of course the best exercise: rest and sleep. At Madison Square Garden all we really had was the court where we did anaerobic conditioning, plyometrics, bodyweight training (pushups, walking lunges etc…) and stair exercises. Finally on the road the players were introduced to stair exercises. In the hotels stair cases players would do workouts designed to improve their strength, power, flexibility and conditioning. The stair exercises were such a hit that I was inspired to produce a DVD on just stair exercises. Can you imagine if I believed that we could only get a good workout with free weights and machines!

So to answer your question: I do think that expensive equipment, health clubs and supplements get way to much credit in the health & fitness industry at the expense of making people believe that you can’t get great results without them. The truth is you don’t need expensive equipment, gyms and supplements. Secondly, my stance isn’t that bodyweight exercises are better but it is usually the best place to start. Even when I train professional athletes who use barbell squats I’m going to take a look at how they squat with no weight to check their form. Taking that further I always look to see how someone handles their own bodyweight before progressing forward and using external resistance.

Buying treadmills can a be a daunting task and if you are not sure what you are looking for then you could end up with something that is totally wrong for you.

Before rushing out and buying a treadmill there are certain things that you should know. For starters you should know how often you plan on using this machine. Also, you should always take your weight and height into consideration when looking for a treadmill. There are some treadmills that are bigger and stronger than others and they are designed for heavy-duty use and these are the ones that you should look into buying.

Tips To Get You Started

Most people order their treadmills from a magazine or catalog. While these treadmills may appear good and are usually priced high to give you the idea that they are great, buying a treadmill before trying it out is not always the best thing to do. It is recommended that you visit a sport or department store that has treadmills on display where you can try them out.

It is always a good idea to buy a treadmill from a specialty fitness store. The people who work at these stores will be well educated on the equipment and they can help you greatly in finding the machine that is best for you. Due to the fact that treadmills are quite expensive, it is not something that you want to rush into buying. You need to take your time and find the perfect machine. Buying a treadmill without getting some advise first is not the recommended route to take.

You should be aware of the different types and kinds of treadmills that are available today. Some are more powerful then others and therefore will work in a different way. It is always good to buy a treadmill that has a good motor. It has been found that unless a treadmill has a good motor, which has at least 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower, it will wear out easily. You should be careful of this when buying a treadmill. This is why it is always a good idea to try out the treadmill before buying it.

You should look for treadmills that have adjustable speeds as well as a ramp that can be adjusted up and down. These types of treadmills are usually better and you will get a better work out from these machines, which is what you are looking for. The key is consult a trained professional who is well educated in the way of treadmills who can help you find what you need.

Purchasing an elliptical trainer is an investment. It’s actually a rather large investment, not only financially, but also more importantly, in your health and fitness. You want to make the right buying decision since so much is at stake. I’ve heard about too many people who purchase the wrong elliptical trainer and then wind up getting permanently sidetracked and discouraged from their carefully planned fitness goals. So please take a few moments to read these key points to find out what to look for in elliptical machines:

*Price –- if you’ve read any of my other articles on evaluating elliptical trainers you will know that I’m not a fan of cheap ellipticals. The best advice I can give you is to stay well clear of ellipticals that retail for under $500. It may seem to go against your grain, but the best value in home ellipticals are between $1000 and $2000. You can snag some very high-quality home ellipticals on sale for around $1300.

*Manufacturer Reputation –- spend some time to research the major manufacturers of elliptical machines. Some of the top names are: Precor, Life Fitness Smooth Fitness, Tunturi, New Balance, and all of the brands from ICON Health and Fitness such as ProForm, Reebok, NordicTrack, and Weslo. Investigate the quality and repair statistics for their machines and also the responsiveness of their customer service departments. Sometimes bigger isn’t always better in this market!

*Resistance -- there are two types of resistance: belt friction and magnetic friction. Belt friction is found on low-end models and should be avoided. It’s both noisy and unreliable. Magnetic resistance comes in three varieties: manual, motorized and eddy current brake.

All use the concept of creating friction on a cast iron flywheel via a magnetic field. Where the motorized version moves a pair of permanent magnets closer or further from the flywheel using an electric motor, the eddy current brake increases and decreases the magnetic field with a series of coils that comprise an electromagnet. The eddy current brake is found on higher-end models and is preferable since there are no moving parts to wear out as in the motorized braking system.

*Stride Length –- stride length is a critical specification in elliptical trainers. A few inches in this dimension will make the difference between your elliptical trainer feeling like a choppy stepper or a smooth and gliding elliptical trainer. Don’t settle for anything under 17 inches. Some models, such as the Smooth CE, have an adjustable stride length to accommodate people of different heights.

*Incline Ramp –- some models have an adjustable incline ramp that can add a cross training dimension to your elliptical workouts. The steeper the incline the more stress placed on your calf, hamstring, and gluteal muscles. Models such as the commercial grade Precor EFX 546i and the low-end Reebok RL 645 from ICON Health and Fitness both come with incline ramps. Decide for yourslef if this is an essential feature.

*Console –- displays come in 2 basic types: LCD or LED matrix. Some even combine both. The keypad is typically a series of membrane switches to control resistance and select program options. Most elliptical consoles display the essential data such as elapsed time, calories or energy burned, pace, distance, resistance and/or incline level, and heart rate if supported.

The console may require separate batteries and/or be powered from the main power connection to the elliptical. The important thing is that the electronics behind the console be reliable. Unfortunately, there are too many stories about faulty electronics in some units that cause the display to malfunction or fail altogether.

*Programs –- most elliptical trainers come with at least a few built-in programs. Many others come with more than you may ever use. And it’s not just the expensive models that have lots of programs. Training programs can add variety and incentive to your workouts and models with a heart rate control feature can dynamically vary the resistance to keep your heart rate in a training zone. Call me boring, but I usually opt for the plain old vanilla “Manual” mode. I’ll sometimes add my own variety by changing my pace to perform interval training. This all comes down to personal preferences.

The use of elliptical trainer machine reviews is a great thing. First of all, the machines themselves are outstanding because they can give you an excellent workout, one that is safe for your waistline as well as your joints, and they are relatively affordable compared to many home gyms. Secondly, with getting the elliptical trainer machine reviews that you need, you’ll have a good idea of which model to go with. And, when you get consumer reviews, this is an outstanding way for you to simply cash in on what others like you have found on the equipment they have used.

What To Look For In Elliptical Trainers

There are many things that you can find out from just reading the box that the machine comes in. The challenge for you, though, is to stay at home and learn more about these machines so that you can make the right choice about them. Here’s what you should consider.

· Put Name Brands Aside. The first thing you’ll need to do is realize that a name brand doesn’t bring better quality or more value. Your first task is to find several manufacturers and determine which ones offer you the equipment that you need.

· Electronic Versus Manual. Oh, the gadgets are galore here. You will find a wide range of products to choose from when it comes to these guys. Some record how well you are doing, track your heart rate, the calories you burn and a number of other features. Others are simple, manual machines that are low end options for the low budget. Sure, it is nice to have a gadget-filled piece of exercise equipment, but it is also important to insure the cost of the product fits within your budget. Look for a medium here.

· Cross trainer comparisons need to include a wide scope of things from the cost and features to the difficulty level of use, the ease of storage, and the warranty that they hold.

Look At The Reviews

Beyond all of this, though, you really need to take a long hard look at the ratings and reviews for the equipment you plan to purchase before you do so. When you invest this type of time in doing so, you’ll find yourself well off in the way of making that purchase. A review will provide you with details about the product such as how the machine worked in a real life situation. For example, many products claim to be easy to use. When you get them home, you can’t figure out the programming and neither can most people. When you read this in the review, you’ll know it isn’t as simple as the manufacturer would like you to believe.

You will find all of the elliptical trainer machine reviews available to you throughout the web. Consumers are more than willing to provide you with an inside look at how well their machines have worked. Perhaps two models look just about the same to you? Their reviews will tell you just how well they compare in a real life situation.

Elliptical exercise machines are soaring in popularity, and for good reason. They are among the most effective pieces of fitness equipment on the market today. The “all over” workout you get with elliptical cross trainers is well suited to many different fitness levels and it is easy to learn the proper techniques for using one.

Benefits of Elliptical Machines

Elliptical trainers provide tremendous benefits to users, including:

•Weight Bearing Exercises – Fitness experts agree that a weight-bearing workout is the best way to improve conditioning, increase bone density, strengthen muscles, and burn calories efficiently.

•Low-Impact Workout – Despite providing a good weight-bearing workout, an elliptical cross training machine is very low impact. This means less stress on your joints during cross training exercises because your feet never leave the pedals and therefore do not experience high impacts.

•Cardiovascular Workouts – An elliptical machine or cross trainer provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, a key part of overall fitness. Whether you want to lose weight, firm up your body, or a combination of both, incorporating cardiovascular exercise into your workout routine is critical to your long-term success.

Other Factors

Anyone who has ever gone through the cycle of starting and stopping an exercise routine several times will tell you that one key to sticking with your routine is to find something that gives you maximum results in the shortest amount of time. Elliptical cross training fits the bill perfectly. Most people live busy lives and do not have several hours per day to devote to total body exercise, so an elliptical machine lets them get in a good workout in a minimal amount of time.

Motivation to exercise is a big issue for many people, but most elliptical machine users will tell you that they have an easier time staying motivated to get on their machine. This is because you can vary your workout tremendously, depending on the amount of intensity you want, and also do other things like read or watch TV while on your elliptical machine. This helps reduce boredom and increase the likelihood that you will use your elliptical for low-impact cross training regularly.

Proper Technique and Motion

Any exercise or fitness equipment can cause injury or discomfort when used improperly, and elliptical cross training machines are no exception. They are among the easiest pieces of equipment to use, but still require you to use proper techniques for maximum safety and fitness benefit.

Here are a few key tips to remember:

•Adjustment – Make sure the elliptical machine is adjusted properly to your size and range of motion. For most people, a step length of 18 to 24 inches is recommended to start.

•Intensity – Familiarize yourself with how to change the intensity of your elliptical cross training. You may be able to increase resistance, increase the incline, or a combination of both. Remember that it is better to exercise at a lower intensity until you have built up the strength and stamina to a more intense regimen.

•Posture – Always maintain an upright posture while on an elliptical workout machine or cross trainer. Keep your shoulders back, chin up, back straight, and abdominals tight. Do not lean forward over the balance bar or handles; instead, make sure your body weight is being carried by your lower body throughout the exercise.

Stop wasting your money on useless informercial abdominal products. Learn how to effectively work your abs with the right ab equipment so you can finally develop a flat sexy waist with abs you can be proud to show off.

What ab equipment you need depends on how you go about training your abs. If you train your abs with the most people get ab exercise - lots of sets and reps - then you don't need much in the way of ab equipment. Performing sets of the basic floor crunch and reverse floor crunch are all you realy need. If these ab exercises are uncomfortable for you, then you may need some basic equipment just for comfort reasons.

Now, if you decide to train your abs properly, you'll most likely need some quality ab equipment. What do I mean by training your abs properly? Your abdominals are a muscle group, just like any other muscle group.

Let's take a look at some common misconceptions with regard to ab exercise and then we'll mention some ab equipment that actually works for you.

Is there anything out there in the fitness world suffering from more misinformation that how to get abs?

The number of ab machines constantly coming to market is mind boggling. Especially considering that they aren't needed and won't give you the results that you want.

Let's set the record straight on ab training right now and give you the real information you need so you can say no to the next infomercial ab machine and yes to actual abs.

* Training your abs consistently will eventually give you the flat stomach or six-pack that you want.

No. It's not gonna happen if your abs are covered by a layer of body fat and doing endless sets of ab exercises is not the way to rid yourself of that excess body fat.

* Train your abs everyday for best results.

Again, no. Your abs are a muscle, just like your chest, lats, arms and so on. You should train your abs just like these other muscles, with progressive resistance and high intensity - then allow them to rest and recover. Never train your abs more than 3 days a week.

* You need to do hundreds or reps and feel the burn to get great abs.

Yep, again the answer is no. The abs a muscle just like I mentioned above. To get six pack abs you need to strip off the fat, but you also need to build the abs to get them to really pop out.

If the muscle isn't developed, you'll just have a flat stomach but no abs. The name of the game is progressive resistance for sets of 8 - 20 reps, just like your other muscles.

* Train the abs with lots of sets and high reps to burn off stomach fat.

You guessed it. This is also false. Spot reduction just isn't going to happen as much as we'd all like it to. You can't burn fat on your stomach by doing endless crunches.

In order to do the proper ab exercise and develop a flat, toned, tight midsection, you need to follow these rules. And that means working your abs with progressive resistance weight training, just like your other muscles.

You need to put together a proper weight lifting program, nutrition plan, and cardio in order to rid your stomach of that stubborn layer of fat and bring yout your abs.

How to Compare Treadmills - Choosing the Right Machine For You

Many people enjoy treadmills, but they can be a confusing piece of equipment to buy. There are, literally, hundreds of brands of treadmills. Learning how to compare treadmills is the only way to purchase the right brand for you. If this is your first treadmill purchase, though, you might want to consider the benefits of owning a treadmill.

Treadmill Benefits

Because the two most popular forms of exercise are running and walking, treadmills are designed to accommodate both. The speed and incline controls on a treadmill were designed to let the user control the machine to fit his or her needs. Treadmills also offer you the same workout despite the excruciating heat of summer, bitter cold of winter, vicious wind of spring, or incessant rain of fall.

Treadmills also offer a low impact workout. Their deck surfaces are designed to reduce pressure on your joints and absorb the impact of your feet as they repeatedly hit the surface. Most treadmills offer some variety as well. Depending on the model you purchase, many treadmills offer different programs to vary your workout speed and level of difficulty.

You must compare treadmills to learn about the different benefits.

Things To Think About

Before you begin to compare treadmills and invest in one , though, there are many things to consider. First, consider the horsepower. You do not want something that will wear out. Second, consider treadmill speed. Buy one that fits your activity needs. Next, decide whether or not you want a treadmill with a program. You also want to think about belt size, the durability of the deck, the type of incline you desire, and the hand rail options you want.

Comparing The Brands

Now you are ready to compare treadmills. When you start the comparison process, it is best to read a variety of reviews for the treadmill you are considering. Almost every brand has its own review guide to help you make a decision. In addition to reading reviews, think about trying the brands you like. You want to like the feel of the machine before you drop an extensive amount of money on it.

Treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment. For this reason, many people look to purchase discount treadmills for use in their homes.

Treadmills offer excellent cross training ability. You can train for any one of a number sports using a treadmill. You can also get all of the benefits of regular exercise using a treadmill. Home discount treadmills offer all of the benefits of going to the gym without the expensive price tag and the hassle.

Things To Consider When Shopping For Discount Treadmills.

There are a number of things to look for when purchasing a treadmill. First, consider treadmill speed. They are built for either walking or running, usually not both. Buy one that fits your activity needs.

Second, consider the horsepower. Weaker motors wear out easily. If this is a piece of equipment you intend to own for some time, you do not want something that will wear out. Do not confuse this with peak horsepower. You are looking for continuous duty horsepower.

Next, decide whether or not you want a treadmill with a program. This works for some people, and others really hate it. Go with whatever fits your needs, because if you do not want one, don't spend the extra money for it. You also want to think about belt size, the durability of the deck, the type of incline you desire, and the hand rail options you want.

Where To Shop For Treadmills

You can purchase a discount treadmills at any number of locations, including online. Many stores offer treadmills on sale at peak exercise equipment buying times of year, like during the New Year's resolution craze.

Where you purchase your treadmill will depend on your wants and needs. Purchasing one online can get you a great price, but do not forget to consider the shipping. Purchasing one in a local store can also get you a great price, but it does not always offer the selection the internet might. Shop carefully, and you can get an excellent deal on a discount treadmill.

Only about 20 percent of the U.S. population engages in some type of physical activity on a regular basis, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturer Association International (SGMA). That leaves approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population living predominantly sedentary lifestyles!

These sedentary lifestyles have produced a high number of adults who are overweight or obese. To be more precise, around 65 percent of U.S. adults weigh too much, according to the "results from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey" conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.

If you're one who is sporting some extra body fat, there IS a solution! BECOME MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE!

In order to lose fat and pounds, you must burn more calories than you consume! Now, if you've never exercised, you certainly do not want to try to go out and run a marathon! But, an exercise that just about anyone can engage in...one that is relatively safe and requires no special skills...is walking!

Walking is a great way to rid your body of fat tissue and to build muscle mass. It is a low-impact exercise, with minimal risk of injury. And, when done regularly, it improves cardiovascular health, as well as endurance.

David A. Rives, in Walk Yourself Thin, is a formerly overweight individual who walked his way to a leaner, fitter body. He discovered from his own personal experience that increasing one's level of activity to over-compensate for the number of calories consumed each day can lead to loss of excess fat.

How long and how far should you walk? Rives says that you should walk just as fast and as long as you comfortably can each day, if you're striving to replace fat with lean, muscle tissue. As you become fitter, you'll be able to walk faster, longer, and farther.

Treadmill Walking

Of course, where you walk is entirely up to you! However, there are many benefits to walking on a treadmill.

When you walk outdoors, you're at the mercy of Mother Nature. Let's face it! Sometimes, she doesn't cooperate, and the weather conditions can be less than ideal for walking outdoors. On those days, you either brave the weather, or you simply don't go out to walk!

If you get your daily walks done on a treadmill, however, you don't have to miss a workout! You may walk in a comfortable, controlled environment, any time of day or night! Now, how convenient is that?

When you walk on a treadmill, you have no obstacles to watch out for, to walk around, or to trip over. Thus, your chances of injury are reduced. And, treadmill walking is relatively simple to do!

Treadmills typically have display windows that show your speed, incline level, intensity level, as well as the length of time you've spent on the treadmill and the distance you've traveled. These displays allow you to monitor your workouts more closely.

Most decent treadmills today have pre-programmed workouts, with various workout levels from which to choose. This makes the treadmill perfect for beginning walkers up to advanced walkers.

Purchasing a Precor Elliptical Trainer is an excellent choice when shopping for elliptical fitness cross-trainers. The term "elliptical" literally means to be oval shaped. An elliptical trainer uses a smooth oval like movement to provide smooth movement that is both easy and fun. An elliptical machine works when you stand on soft footpads, and hold handgrips that will help with balance issues.

Depending on the model you purchase, your machine may have an upper body workout feature as well. The exercise itself is a lot like walking or running. However, while you are bearing weight on your feet, your feet will not leave the footpads, so you will not experience the level of joint impact you might with walking or running on a treadmill. You, therefore, get an excellent total body workout in a very low impact environment.

Why A Precor?

Precor started their revolution in the fitness world in ninteen nintey five. They were the first company to introduce an elliptical cross-training machine. It was successfully received for the same reasons ellipticals are popular today. It was popular with both athletes and non-athletes, which is an excellent place to start as a fitness company.

Since then, Precor has been continually revising and adding to their design to build a better product. Precors offer a fine construction with excellent components. They are, easily, the best built ellipticals on the market.

Precors also offer a cross ramp feature. The adjustment of the cross ramp changes the muscle groups you are exercising and adds a bit of spice to your workouts. Precors are absolutely silent, and have preprogrammed courses to help you with your workouts. This machine has a smooth flow in both the forward and backward directions, which means your feet will never leave the footpads.

If you are using an elliptical-type machine for intervals, then I believe that you are not getting the results you deserve. In my opinion, the elliptical machines are one of the least effective methods for losing fat - just as bad as spinning classes (which I'll cover in a future newsletter).

Now you might know someone that is uses the elliptical all the time and is lean. But I will be the farm that they can thank their genetics, their strength training, and their nutrition for their results. I have yet to see someone transform their physique with the elliptical trainer. In fact, when someone comes to me with a failing program, I often see them using the elliptical for their interval training. And that's the first things I change.

The elliptical machine is sneaky, and it fools us three ways. First, you can get your heart rate up really high and easily. Second, you can get a big sweat on. And third, the machine tells you that you have burned an awful lot of calories (even though the calorie counter is likely inaccurate, as was shown on a CBS news report).

So why doesn't the elliptical work? Because you just don't do as much mechanical work as you do when you run or cycle. Basically, it's just easier and less effective. Getting your heart rate up is not the key determinant of fat loss.

Your body is a well programmed machine. It's 'wired' to increase heart rate and breathing as soon as it senses motion (that's why you start to breathe heavily after taking a single flight of stairs - it's not just because you are unfit).

The key factor in fat loss is the amount of work done. Until you learn to separate the influence of the two, you won't be using intervals in the best possible manner.

As fat loss expert Alwyn Cosgrove explains, "The problem is not the elliptical itself -- it's just that it tends to allow/promote momentum (as most people have the resistance too low) from bodyweight alone. So unless you crank up the resistance and actually produce some force and/or MOVE your bodyweight - it's nothing but momentum. So if you're not actively using your muscles to produce some sort of force you aren't burning many calories."

But even then, I still don't think using a high resistance level on the ellliptical will get you the results you are looking for. Yet despite their ineffectiveness, elliptical machines and the like remain a popular training method. But that's only due to the human condition - like flowing water, we seek the path of least resistance. We'll will do anything to get around obstacles rather than doing the real work required to overcome the obstacles. Given the choice, humans always go with the easiest option.

Compare the elliptical to the Stairmaster. Stairmasters are more effective but less popular. Why? Because we've found something easier (the elliptical) that still gives us the comfort of a sweat and an elevated heart rate (even if we don't get the results). And now millions of gym goers pat themselves on the back after flailing around on the elliptical for 30 minutes and thinking they've been shedding fat.

Training in your comfort zone is useless. Your metabolic rate will increase when your body is forced to change. The harder and smarter you train, the greater your increase in metabolic rate. That is why you have to do things the right way (the TT way!), to lose fat. As I've always said with Turbulence Training, the key to getting results is making your body change. That means using training techniques that demand your body to change. The elliptical will not cause your body to change. It is a waste of time.

So what works better? If you have my TT Reports, you know I recommend the stationary bike. It's safe, effective, and convenient. You can work at a very high power outage, and that is no illusion. You are doing the work (as long as you are not spinning at a very high RPM - that is another waste of time!).

Of course, you can also use sprinting. But that has a few more risks to it, whether it is done on a treadmill (risk: falling) or outside (risk: muscle pulls - so prepare appropriately).

Some other manly fat loss interval options are sled pulling, Farmer Walks (see photo), pushing heavy objects, wheelbarrow carries, and complexes. I'll talk more about the exciting fat-shedding potential of lifting complexes in my future reports.

An essential part of a healthy life plan includes an exercise routine which will not only work around your schedule, but something you can do year round and anywhere you want to be.

Running or walking is one of the best forms of exercise compared to other exercises such as Pilates, or weightlifting because of the natural way your body moves. You can also perform this exercise anywhere you are and need very little equipment. As a result, you will be more likely to continue running/walking throughout your life. If you are serious about taking advantage of this natural form of exercise, you will need to prepare yourself for unexpected events such as rain, snow or pesky neighbors. The safest and most convenient way to run or walk is by using a treadmill.

If you are considering buying a treadmill, there are a few things you should familiarize yourself with before actually going out (or online) and purchasing one:

1. Price: When it comes to treadmills, the more you pay the better machine you will get. This is because you are paying for added accessories and more stability. Compare it to buying a car. The basic model will do the job. You might become bored with the lack of extras, but if you are on a budget, this will do fine for you. Remember, you can always upgrade. Then there comes the mid-range model. More accessories are added, which can make the ride smoother and a bit more lively, and the price is still pretty sensible. If you are really in the mood to splurge, the high quality treadmills will shock you with more bells and whistles than you could ever dream of. Some people, however, may become overwhelmed by all the present courses, heart monitors, incline levels, cup holders, book holders, and digital programming offered by top-of-the-line treadmills. Browse around online to see which add-ons you will enjoy and which you can live without, this will narrow down your choices and keep you from getting too carried away by the latest and greatest.

2. Stability: Make sure you wear your workout clothes when shopping for treadmills, you will want to "test drive" certain models to see if they are stable enough for your running/walking form. You will want to be cautious of machines that shake or rattle when you are going full speed. A good stable ride will make a world of difference in your safety and will also cut down on the noise level. Also take into consideration the motor volume, if you plan to read, watch the television or listen to music, a noisy motor will quickly become a big distraction.

3. Size: In the store and especially online, size can be deceiving. Make sure to measure the room which will be housing this machine and allow for plenty of "walk-around" space. When you are buying, check the dimensions. Size is not always an indicator of quality.

Treadmills might seem a bit pricy, but they will pay for themselves over time with convenience and indoor safety. Plus, your exercise routine can be more consistent with a treadmill. Look online for bargains. You might be surprised by the prices and options available. With a little research, you will surely be able to find the perfect treadmill for you and your budget.

One of the most popular pieces of workout equipment available is the exercise treadmill, and with good reason. These work-horses can be used by people of virtually every fitness level depending upon whether the user walks, jogs, runs or designs a custom exercise program. The beauty of a treadmill workout is that the exercises are so easy to vary simply by slowing down or speeding up the treadmill’s setting. Many people also invest in an exercise treadmill as an alternative to running outdoors on days when the weather is inclement, thereby getting rid of the tired excuse of “the weather was too bad.”

Once you’ve decided to purchase a home treadmill for your daily workouts, you shouldn’t rush right out and buy the first good-looking piece of exercise equipment you see. This can not only hurt your pocketbook, it can hurt you. Finding the best treadmill for your workout regimen requires some research and plenty of comparisons so that you don’t get burned. Check out sites that have treadmill reviews and compare features before buying. Some of the best sources of treadmill ratings can be found at sites run by trainers or gym owners.

There are four basic questions you should ask yourself when you shop for an exercise treadmill:

•What are my specific exercise needs (what do I need/not need)?

•How good are the parts and construction of this treadmill?

•What price range can I afford?

•How good is the warranty on this treadmill?

Understanding your exercise needs is as simple as knowing what you really expect to be doing once you get your exercise treadmill home. Be honest – not everyone works out by running a mile every day, and many of us shouldn’t! It will be primarily used to walk a few miles at a leisurely pace. If you weight 130 pounds, your needs will be different than a 275 pound man who will be running at top speed or creating a varied workout each day. Do you need a console that provides a dozen custom exercise programs, or simply a heart rate monitor?

Not all parts are the same

Next, look at the treadmill’s parts. Key features you should look for in treadmill reviews include:

•The Motor – A motor of at least 1.5 horsepower is essential. The higher the horsepower, the cooler the motor will run and the longer it will last.

•Flywheel - Smooth treadmill motion means a solid flywheel for your workouts. You don’t want to jar your knees while exercising.

•Treadmill Deck - Good shock-absorbing materials in the treadmill deck. Also check the deck for a weight limit if you are a larger individual. Size matters. The wider and longer the deck, the less likely you are to trip or fall while working out.

•Overall Construction – Is the treadmill frame sturdy, with solid welds?

•Console - Does the console have a reliable shut-off system for emergencies? Can you monitor your treadmill exercises by keeping track of the time, speed, distance, calories and heart rate at the same time?

•Warranty - The warranty on any exercise treadmill should be at least ninety days. Some will have a separate warranty for motor, moving parts (such as the belt) and the frame. If you can find out this information, it can help you make a decision on another consideration – cost.

An exercise treadmill should help you get in shape without destroying your budget. With prices for treadmills ranging from $400 to over $3,000, be sure to consider what you do and don’t need for your treadmill workouts. The guidelines above will make you a savvier consumer when you check out online treadmill reviews because you’ll know what information to look for so that you will get everything you need for your workouts – and nothing you don’t.