The treadmill was one of the first pieces of home fitness equipment appealing to walkers, joggers, runners and a wide range of people. Treadmills are often used in the home to save time and avoid the expense of going to a gym. Today, fitness equipment manufacturers are trying to meet the high demand for home exercise treadmills.

AC motors that are found in some treadmill units run at one continuous speed and rely on a transmission to regulate speed whereas units powered by DC motors use variable voltage to regulate the speed at which the belt spins. With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight. For a standard treadmill motor look for HP of around 2.5HP, this will ensure an easy and smooth action.

Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill. The console indicates the belt speed and other factors, such as heart rate, miles per hour, and distance. One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance.

Quite a few of the treadmills available today have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout. A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine. The newest models of treadmills come with many extra features that you may not need.

A heart rate monitor enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. Adjustable inclines let you vary the steepness of a hill.

Buying fitness equipment over the Internet has grown at a fast pace over the past few years. The more incline variation offered in a treadmill unit, the more expensive the model will be. Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping.

Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers. The taller a person is the longer their stride so you'll need to choose a treadmill with a longer and wider belt. One indication of the likely longevity of any treadmill is to check out the length of the manufacturer's warranty; the longer the better.

If you can afford to buy a treadmill with a heart rate monitor, it'll be a good investment in your health. Be careful not to believe the marketing hype if you're looking for a cheap treadmill; the truth is you get what you pay for. Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print.

You'll want a treadmill with an aluminum or high alloy steel frame that's strong enough to support the heaviest runner who'll be using it. A noisy treadmill can upset other family members or roommates and even your neighbors if you live in a duplex, apartment or condominium.

When planning your purchase always take into account any other members of your family, or roommates, who'll be using your treadmill. Be aware the better quality treadmills can cost as much as $5000 and have a lot of bells and whistles you don't need.

The lack of wind resistance makes running on a treadmill slightly easier than it would otherwise be on an equal elevation grade outdoors. More and more people every day are choosing to get healthier; the majority of beginning exercisers start out by just walking or jogging. Be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints. Make sure to see your doctor or naturopathic doctor before you start any new fitness or exercise program.

What are the visions that come to mind when you think of a person that is "lean"? I think of the body of a dancer. Someone who is lithe, long and lean, with little fat on their body, and who is muscular without being bulky. This body type is very much a desirable object of affection for many women, and women try to achieve this body type by exercising in ways that will make them lean, not bulk them up.

I've noticed that when I do a lot of running, my muscles tend to get bulky, especially my calves and my quadriceps, both of which tend to bulk on me fairly quickly.

While I enjoyed the extra muscle mass due to weight training and running, I wanted to find something that would stretch my muscles out, and instead of really working my quads and calves hard and not letting them get that long, lean look, I wanted something that would get me the same cardio workout without bulking me up.

I finally found that perfect cardivascular workout that will help me "stretch out" in the elliptical machine. I purchased a Horizon elliptical, which I feel is one of the most superior brands in fitness equipment, and let's just say it's getting a lot of use in my house.

I've noticed since regularly doing my cardio fitness routine on the elliptical that my muscles do not seem to bulk up as much, and that I do not get as sore as I did with running, since the elliptical provides the best of both worlds.

What I mean is it offers a great workout for your cardiovascularly, while it also is soft on your joints and will not easily let your muscles bulk up unless you have it on a very high resistance setting that tends to work your bigger leg muscles harder. On my elliptical, I will go forward for about ten minutes, then alternate going backwards to help tone and strengthen my buttocks area.

I find that it gives a great balances and changes up my muscle groups a little more so that it evens out my muscle workout a little more, and helps me build strength in different ways rather than just going forward the whole time. I also feel it firms my butt well.

Finding an elliptical can be tricky. If you want to get an elliptical machine but are not looking to spend a lot of money, beware. The cheaper elliptical machines are cheaper for a reason.

A low end model can feel rickety when you're working out on it, and can often not have the settings you would like so that you can change up your workout without constantly working your muscles at the same intensity every time.

You will want to get an elliptical machine that has a nice flow to it, in other words, it should have a smooth flow of motion. Some of the lower end models almost tend to feel like they are not moving easily, and this can put more pressure on your joints and make you want to get off as fast as possible.

Look at the amount of programs it has, and the display. Do you like the look and feel of the machine? Also, you want one with comfortable enough hand grips, and one with a large enough foot rest so that you don't feel like you're going to fall off of it all the time.

I've been on my fair share of low end models, and they really defeat the purpose, because they're so uncomfortable to operate, that you find yourself wishing for the workout to be over quickly. When I bought the higher end Horizon model, I instantly loved it.

It was easy to move, had a nice display that also offered a heart monitor option, and several resistanced settings as well as fat burning and cardio sessions for you to choose from so you don't get bored and can train your muscles to reshape themselves.

I've noticed that my muscles do seem longer and leaner since I've been regularly using the elliptical, and wouldn't give this great piece of workout machinery up for anything. If you're looking for what I call the yoga and pilates of cardiovascular workouts, then the elliptical is your answer!

If you are looking for a fun, effective and inexpensive piece of fitness equipment for your own home, then the gazelle may be right for you.

Advertised on TV, endorsed by fitness professional Tony Little, this machine is similar in design and motion to the animal it's named after. It is a simple and effective tool that is low impact and easy on the joints. It's easy to use and does not take too much time to learn.

The way it works is simple - standing on the foot pedals and grasping the handles at about chest level, pushing and pulling your arms and sliding your feet back and forth is the way to start. The gazelle will glide with your movements, creating a simple, yet effective workout targeting mainly your legs, lower buttocks, and waist yet at the same time, offering a complete aerobic cardiovascular workout.

You will be hard pressed to find a machine that is simple, fun and effective like this one.

Personally, I like the natural, flowing motions will help you get on track and moving towards your exercise goals, whether it's a slimmer waits, stronger legs, or even just a healthy heart. It is inexpensive, efficient in terms of space and very effective. It is available, usually on a discount at most local sporting good stores and can be used by all members of the family.

The low cost of the gazelle is what makes it a great home exercise option. It comes in different models, allowing you to select one that has the right features for you. You can also purchase exercise videos, that offer variety, and inject a sense of enthusiasm and fun into the workouts. Many exercise variations are possible with this machine.

At the end of the day, remember that this is just one tool among hundreds. While it's definitely something to consider not only price, but also in convenience and effectiveness, you must do your research and consider other equipments too.

Try making the gazelle a part of your daily routine, while watching TV, enjoy your favorite sitcom at the same time. This makes the experience fun and convenient.

For best results, include some aerobic exercise and weight training along with the gazelle. When used properly, this is a good option and can be exactlly what your body needs to get you back on your feet and motivated to keep you on track with your workout routine.

When you exercise at home, you save cash and time. When you work toward improving health maintenance it often pays off tremendous benefits. We all should exercise at least three times each week for 20 to 30 minutes. Your life will feel richer when you exercise, many people have found this to be true, that is why so many are turning towards building their own home gym.

You can build a gym with just about anything in it. If there is a specific machine that you cannot get enough of at the gym then chances are you can find one for your home as well. The only thing that may stand in your way is the price of home gym equipment. You can generally find some affordable options but some machines are expensive no matter where you buy them from. That is why so many people look for their home gym machines in places like the Buy and Sell, buying used is a great way to save.

And don't forget that you can get your walking in regardless of the weather by picking up a treadmill at a local yard sale too. The newer treadmills will provide you with the distance, heart rate, and even calorie counting that you need to know just how much fat and calories you are burning as you work. Treadmills are great home gym equipment pieces that give you alternatives in losing weight, toning up, and so much more.

Dumb Bells are bargain basement gym equipment that help you with weight resistance and toning in a big way. You can buy dumb bells cheap, get them in many sizes to help tone the upper arms, and build strength. Dumb Bells will help you build a stronger and fitter body from your own home. They are easy to store as well and they take up next to no room whatsoever.

Aerobics are fun to do when you have a friend over. Get in a few laughs as the two of you learn the new steps of aerobic exercises. Learn to do aerobics' and raise your heart rate by picking up an old CD or display from the local thrift store. Enjoy yourself and have fun doing aerobics in your living room right there in front of the TV.

Older exercises like ones where you recline on the floor and performance sit-ups, push-ups, etc are easier when you have equipment at home. You can watch the sporting programs on TV and enjoy extensive exercise shows to help you set up your own routines that work for you. Turn on the television and lay flat on the floor to workout with the instructor. This is a very cheap way to healthier living and all you need is a bottle of water for cool down!

When you exercise using your own home gym equipment, you will save money by not having to pay those expensive gym costs per visit and by driving less and wasting less gas. Having your own home gym gives you the advantage of working out more regularly too. When you have your own home gym, you can stay out of the cold weather and still workout.

If you do not exercise several times each week you could find yourself in a pretty dire situation later in life. By exercising regularly, either at the gym or at home, you can keep things like heart disease at bay and even help to prevent things like diabetes. IF you do not want to put out the money to have the privilege of going to the gym a couple of times a week there is no need to worry. Anyone can build a great home gym for little money and this will be open to them 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

You can find all kinds of fitness equipment at bargain stores both online and offline. These are great ways to save on your purchases without having to put up with inferior machines. You can even look in the paper for people who are selling off their old equipment; this too is a fantastic way for you to get more for less.

Dumb Bells for example will give you many different alternatives in arm exercises. These come in many sizes to help tone the upper arms and give you strength. Dumb Bells will help you get stronger right from your own home and they come in a wide variety of price points. You can even take a quick look online for some amazing workouts that will give you just the kind of results that you are looking for.

Your home gym can be a particular room in your home or it can be more versatile. If you have the extra room them by all means turn one into a gym. You can have weight machines, a treadmill, a stationary bike, all kinds of good stuff in there. But if you live in a smaller place and there is simply no room for things like that this does not mean you cannot have the equivalent of a home gym. All that means if that you have to be a little more creative.

For example: look for machines that will fold up and store well. These allow you to pull them out when it is time to exercise and then pout them away again when you are done. More and more companies are coming out with products like this so that people who are serious about getting in shape can no matter where they live, whether it is a tiny apartment or a Beverly Hills mansion.

You can even do some common exercise for free at home. There are a couple of exercise programs on television early in the morning that you can start making use of. Get up and workout with the instructors to benefit from some great exercise shows a lot of these are tons of fun.

Become healthier and happier by relieving stress and getting fit by exercising at home. When you exercise from your own home, you'll be saving money by not having to pay an instructor to be your guide. When one of the children is sick you can still exercise as well, there is no end to the benefits that come from a home gym.

For those people who work in an office, sitting in an office chair without adequate back support can create a great deal of stress on their lower back. This can happen to anyone who works long hours sitting in the office chair. Our back portion is build on a highly complex mechanism and even with the use of modern advanced technologies pin pointing the exact cause of low back problems can be difficult. At the middle of our back is the spinal cords linked with a sophisticated inter linking of vertebrae and various bones in the back. The spinal cord is linked by a complex array of muscles and bones that are attached with one other very minutely. There are many back problems that can occur as a result of some change in the spinal cord. These changes often happen due to an injury to the neck or back or can be due to sitting on the office chairs.

Any shift in the spinal cord alignment can cause the muscles to tighten up and go into tremor thus making the muscle work continuously. It happens mostly in the seating position while working and sitting without a proper office chair back can lead to many ailments. The back ailment can also lead to poor posture that stresses the soft tissues and joints in your spinal cord. For all those people specially working in an office, sitting in an office chair can either cause or exaggerate the lower back pain. This problem can also happen due to today's lifestyle that often includes longer time of sitting at home watching TV or working on the computer, also during the commute to and from work and many other related works. And so, it is this sitting position that poor postural habits tend to develop and create problems like back pain, etc.

The seat of the chair has to be comfortable so that a person can sit comfortably for a longer period of time. Make sure the seat has enough elastic foam padding to reduce the stress on hips and thighs. It needs to be wide enough to provide at least an inch of space on either side of your body so that you can sit properly. The Waterfall type seat shape can lessen the pressure on the back of the thighs. If your chair has the seat depth controls then you can adjust the front edge of the chair accordingly. If the back side of your legs touches the edge of the seat of chair, then you will not be able to lean against the chair’s back support. Office chair back support is meant to give you the true comfort while sitting on the chair.

You must look for a chair that has an adjustable back support option that elevates or lowers to a height and supports the curve of your back. The lumbar curve helps to uphold a good posture by simply filling the gap between the spine and the seat and thus supporting the natural inward curve of your lower back. You must ensure for the adequate lumbar support which is must to avoid the stress on your spinal cord. A chair’s backrest should be designed slightly curved to follow the natural form of your spine. Well-cushioned arms that can be adjusted in height and width can help you to maintain the straight wrist posture for computer work thus reducing the muscular pains in back and shoulders. The armrest that are too high will not allow your shoulders to relax while those that are too long will prevent you from getting close to your desk and will surely cause discomfort.

Walking has become quite a popular way to get fit and burn off some calories. Exercise is good for you, right?

Do you know how far you walk each time you head out the door?

I've been known to go for a long walk, then get in the car and try and retrace my steps, figuring out the total distance I walked via the car's odometer. (This was in the olden, pre-pedometer days!)

Trust me, a pedometer is much easier, is probably more accurate, and is really not too expensive.

Like anything else in life, you get what you pay for, though. There are some very inexpensive models you can buy (I'm talking $3 or $4), but for the most part these are inaccurate and a waste of time.

Here are a few tips compiled by members of the Weight Management practice group of the American Dietetic Association-- you might find these helpful if you decide to go pedometer-shopping:

Starting an exercise program is an important decision, but it doesn't have to be an overwhelming one. Establish a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime by planning carefully and pacing yourself. Motivate yourself by writing your plan on paper and reviewing it frequently. Keep the following points in mind as you design your fitness program:

1. Map out your fitness goals. Are you starting a fitness program to help lose weight, or do you have another motivation, such as preparing for a 5K race? Having clear goals will help you gauge your progress.

2. Determine a logical progression of activity. If you are just beginning to exercise, start cautiously and progress slowly. Consult your doctor or physical therapist for help designing a fitness program if you have an injury or a medical condition. Be sure to ask for a program that gradually improves your range of motion, strength and endurance.

3. Build activity into your daily routine. Finding time to exercise can be a challenge, so make it easier by scheduling time to exercise as you would any other appointment. Watch your favorite show while walking on the treadmill, or read while riding a stationary bike.

4. Include different activities. Different activities (otherwise known as cross-training) can keep exercising from becoming boring. Cross-training also reduces your chances of injuring or overusing a specific muscle or joint. Alternate activities that emphasize different parts of your body, such as walking, swimming and strength training.

5. Allow time to recover. Don’t work out too long or too intensely. Doing so will result in sore or injured muscles and joints. Plan time between sessions to give your body a chance to rest and recover.

Let me first clarify something: when I refer to items as "cheap" in this article, I am referring to the quality and not necessarily the price. There are many high quality pieces of equipment that are "cheaply" priced and there is no reason to suspect any problematic capabilities to be present simply because of a lower priced piece of merchandise. The issue within this particular article is the effective danger of a cheap trampoline to your family and friends.

As it's a ingrained process to want to shop for an object for as little as possible, we've turned into a clan of "super" bargain hunters. As this isn't a problem in itself, where issues can heighten themselves is if we allow bargain hunting to lead to skimping on quality. By looking around, whether in shops or online, there are literally thousands of better bargains to be had, so there really is no excuse to let the quality suffer as well and buy "a lemon", particularly when it comes to an item as potentially harmful as a trampoline.

There are, of course, several areas in which we should not risk a "lemon" purchase and one of these areas is the trampoline arena. If you are buying a trampoline for your family to use, you need to reflect on the observation% that each year thousands of people are injured on trampolines. This should be enough stimulus to help you stray from the inexpensive trampoline purchase and settle on a model with a lot more safety capabilities. This can, however, be a challenging task.

Sort Through the Nonsense

Searching through all of the inexpensive trampoline propaganda to determine the truth about good quality trampoline parts and equipment can be a difficult and grueling task that may not seem worth it to many people. It can be easier to simply buy that inexpensive used trampoline from your neighbor and patch over the hole with some duct tape, but in the long run there is nothing easy about a visit to the emergency room because of a malfunction in the springs.

In fact, despite the obvious health and fun benefits, trampolines have been highlighted by the American Association of Pediatrics as generally unsuitable for children, whether indoors or outdoors, due to the potential danger factor. However, it's easier said than done to convince children otherwise, therefore the AAP advises that should you go ahead with a trampoline, makes sure it's as safe as it can possibly be.

Enclosed trampolines offer some of the safest alternatives, as they help to prevent any falls. Ensure that there are plenty of safety mats spread around where the trampoline is situated. Although these particular features only come with the more expensive trampolines, the extra expense far outweighs the medical costs that can be incurred otherwise.

Anyone who has ever wanted to get fit at home knows just how valuable home gym equipment can be. Having your own gym equipment saves time and quite often, money. For these reasons many fitness enthusiasts and others who care about their health, put a lot of research into finding home gym equipment that suits them - This article takes an unbiased look at one of the most popular Home Gyms available today - The Body Solid EXM1500S.

During an independent consumer review of various home gyms, the Body Solid EXM1500S came out as the number 1 best buy. Manufacturers claim that this home gym includes all the features needed to tone, trim, and strength train the body. The home gym itself does infact serve a number of purposes.

There are 5 'stations' provided on the EXM1500S, allowing the user to do multiple exercises. The most common exercises found a in weight-trainer's repertoire are the Bench / Chest Press, the Leg Extension / Leg Curl, and the Seated Row - all of which can be performed properly on the EXM1500S. The gym can also be used for other exercises, and includes a 160lbs stack of machine crafted weights, which may or may not be enough for the more advanced weightlifter but is certainly enough for those just starting out. The weights themselves can be used to up resistance in 10lb increments.

Assembly of the EXM1500S is relatively simple as it comes with clear, easy to interpret instructions. Another rated feature of this home gym is its size - The specifications on the manufacturers website state that it is only 83" High, 49" Long and 36" wide - fairly compact compared to most gyms that offer this many features. The build quality can't be faulted, everything is smooth and practically silent when you are using the gym. As with all Body Solid home gyms you get a Lifetime Warranty. If you play your cards right, many of the stores who sell the EXM1500S, will also give you free home shipping.

To conclude, the EXM1500S does provide all of the features you would expect to find in a decent home gym. Those of us looking to tone up, trim down, and strength train almost any part of our body, would find this gym useful. The build quality is solid, and the lifetime warranty puts at ease even the most cautious of minds. All in all, a fairly good buy.

Trampolines are great to have around the house. Not only do they provide for children's recreational fun time, they're also used for fitness purposes such as gymnastics or aerobics workouts.

Many believe that trampolines and trampolining were originated by Eskimos in which a walrus skinned sheet was used to toss people up into the air. However, the trampoline process has evolved greatly to having present day trampolines are made of a strong taut fabric stretched over a metal frame anchored together by strong metal coils.

In all the luxury we're surrounded in today, there are also many types of trampoline accessories available to promote more safety, fun and ease of use in the trampoline that includes enclosures, exercising equipment, ladders and more.

Trampoline Bounce Board
A safer way to practice your big air skateboard, snowboard, and wakeboard moves Fun Spot's Bounce Board lets boarders harness the trampoline's full training potential without damaging the trampoline mat

Trampoline Cover
Trampoline cover protect your investment by extending the life of your trampoline's components. Fun Spot trampoline covers protect against sun, rain, salt and leaves, and are especially effective at extending the life of your safety pad and mat. Trampoline covers also serve as a safety tool by helping communicate to children that the trampoline is "closed" when adult supervision is not present.

Trampoline Ladder
Crafted of powder-coated, high-carbon steel, our trampoline ladders are built to withstand years of rain and UV exposure. Unlike other trampoline ladders that require a lot of tedious assembly that compromises stability, the rungs of our trampoline ladder are welded to the sides, making assembly a breeze and the ladder safer. These trampoline ladders have two height settings--39 inch and 47 inch--making them perfect for most home trampolines.

Flybar
Skating legend Andy Macdonald’s latest love jumps like a trampoline and travels like a skateboard. This is not your daddy's pogo stick! Macdonald and an MIT engineer stoked the Flybar with enough patented elastometric springs to launch a 200-pounder 6-ft in the air! The elastometric spring system is fully adjustable, propelling riders from 120 to 250-lbs. Powered strictly by leg strength and body weight, the Flybar will launch both your and your heart rate.

Backpack Cooler
Fun Spot's Backpack Cooler is the ideal beach companion! This all purpose bag is equipped with an insulated cooler spacious enough to contain an entire six pack of beverages. The upper mesh pouch opens wide to hold wet beach wear.