Smooth is new to the treadmill biz. Smooth treadmills have only been on the market a scant 20 years (unlike many companies that have been around since treadmills first were invented), but already Smooth has built itself up as a trusted name. In just these 20 years, Smooth has become the #1 treadmill dealer on the Internet.

So, what makes Smooth treadmills so popular?

They Are... uh, Smooth!

It's more than just a name! Smooth treadmills may be the most comfortable, gentle treadmills out there. They are quieter than most other models, and their unique cushioning got them heaps of praise from none other than Runner's World Magazine, which ranked Smooth in its top 10 best buys.

This doesn't mean that Smooth treadmills sacrifice any of the power of their noisier, rockier competitors. On the contrary, Smooth makes a variety of models of different strengths. The cheaper models offered by Smooth, in the under-$1,000 range, are less sturdy and strong than the pricier ones. But, Smooths are just as tough as any other machine.

The Price Is Right

On their website, Smooth boasts that they offer the consumer 40% savings on their treadmills because they buy their parts factory direct. This truth of this claim has been doubted, but it is a fact that Smooths retail for hundreds lower than most treadmills.

You can get a Smooth for just about any price. They have models that reach all the way into the thousands. But, with Smooth you get more for your money. A $1,500 Smooth will be packed with more features and high quality parts than another company's model of the same price.

They'll Take Care Of You For The Long Haul

Smooth has one of the most generous warrantees in the treadmill business. They guarantee the motors on some of their models for life. They have some rules you have to abide by to keep the warranty good; for example, you have to keep the belt lubricated. There are some other general maintenance requirements, but they guarantee that if you take care of your machine and the motor stops, they'll get you a new one. The other parts carry their own warrantees.

They also have a 30 day money back guarantee. If for any reason you aren't happy with it, you can return it and get a full refund.

If you don't believe me when I say that Smooth treadmills are great fitness machines for a great price, get online and see what trusted names like Treadmill Doctor and Prevention magazine have to say. Smooth treadmills rank consistently high on their treadmill ratings.

The only thing that some people don't like about Smooth treadmills is that they charge you for shipping and set-up. It's not that much, but you can expect to pay a little extra for it. Still, most treadmill companies only give you an instruction manual and a box full of parts, so it's a nice service to offer.

There are many fitness equipments that you will find in the market. You may find some that are too big for your convenience. There are also those that are too expensive. The balance ball is, so far, the best pick that you can make. Balance balls are very accessible. They are easy to find in the market. They are also very popular so you will surely find one in your vicinity.

Also, balls are very friendly. You do not need any technical knowledge so you can manage to exercise with the balance ball. At the same time, you can easily bring this wherever you want to do your exercises. As such, if you are to choose your fitness equipment, make sure you choose the balance ball. Using the balance ball regularly in your exercises will ensure you the benefits you want for your body.

Here are some exercises and workouts that you can do with your balance ball. Doing these will give your body a good sense of balance and flexibility.

1. Sitting Exercises for Warm-Up

You can use the balance ball as you warm up for your exercises. Simply sitting on it will give your body some workout without straining your muscles right away. Sitting around with the balance ball will train your body to adjust to the constant movement of the equipment.

2. Abdominal Exercises

The balance ball is perfect for abdominal exercises. You can use it as you do your stretching so that the stomach and back area will get the training challenges it needs.

3. Balance Training

There are various ways to proceed with a balance training using the ball. This will depend on what routines are prescribed by your instructor. At the least, simply lying with a small ball in your back is already a good training. The presence of the ball at your back is already a way of initiating a reaction from your nervous system.

Since you are conscious of the ball in your back, your core muscles tend to activate to the challenge. It also increases your mental focus.

Businesses that have high credit rates, increased risk factor, potential fraud and a high turnover fall into the “High Risk” category. Merchants with high risk businesses have a difficult time getting accepted with banks and credit card processors and many merchant account providers are not willing to take the risk. Generally the charges tend to be so high that most merchants back out.

Businesses related to industries like adult entertainment, online pharmacies, replica products, gambling and casino providers, travel, sports wagering, online tobacco business, alcohol, online dating, computer hardware and software, debt services, hosting and email services etc are considered high risk.

The major reason for banks and processors for turning down the high risk merchants is the volume (caps) limit. Because these businesses are high risk, there is always a chance that turnover would be high and the merchant account would be closed down due to this.

Very few merchant account providers will offer you high risk merchant account services for all your business needs with along with various major benefits. With a high risk merchant account you basically require various services that will help facilitate your business. Not every high risk merchant account service provider will offer you real-time and cost effective solutions with a quick and easy setup. Having an e-commerce business without a shopping cart is next to impossible and so you need a provider whose services will enable you and your customers to process transactions online. With the internet fraud on rise, make sure that your high risk merchant account provider is also offering you online fraud protection with scam control and SSL encrypted servers so that you can process the payments without any worries. Automated recurring billing, online reporting, dependable infrastructure, 24/7 customer support, multi-currency processing and major credit and debit card acceptance are just a few of the major benefits that your high risk merchant account provider should offer.

With such benefits your high risk business becomes capable of thriving and this will help you generate bigger and better revenue.

Online political advocacy campaign has transformed electoral politics. By lowering the financial barriers setting aside traditional grassroots tactics and community strategies to enter into the national political election debate, the Internet has energized activists and given rise to new voices and new forms of news and commentary. While the Internet has become an integral part of campaign infrastructure, it has also spawned the rise of bloggers and other alternative media, empowering thousands of new political actors and providing an important antidote to years of declining civic participation. In the last election, there was also a record number of small online donors to political campaigns, diluting but not eliminating the influence of big money in politics.

Unlike a highly centralized "one to many" traditional media platform namely grassroots tactics and community strategies - which limited political speech to those who could afford expensive television and newspaper ads - the Internet's decentralized "many to many" platform permits anyone to communicate with millions at little or no cost through free web hosting and blogging services and hundreds of online forums. According to a Pew/Internet report, 75 million Americans used the Internet during the 2004 election to get news, discuss issues and candidates, and participate through volunteering for or donating to campaigns, a significant increase from 2002. There is every reason to believe that these numbers will continue to grow dramatically.

The success of online political advocacy campaign the as a tool for political engagement brought scrutiny from Washington policymakers about whether and how federal campaign finance reform laws should be applied to the medium. Bloggers and free speech advocates fought against applying the complex regulations to the Internet activities of ordinary citizens, and they were successful in convincing the Federal Election Commission to build into the regulations substantial protections for individuals' online political activities.

The new campaign finance rules for the Internet leave the vast majority of uncompensated citizen-initiated election activities on the Internet free from any regulation. With few exceptions, you may develop websites, blog, e-mail campaign material, raise money, and collaborate with your friends on election related activities online without worrying about running afoul of the rules. Campaign finance obligations kick in only in very limited circumstances - primarily where payments are made to place advertisements and other communications on third party blogs and websites.

Developer/Link builder for optimumresponse.com, csgrassroots.com and supportthismessage.com. With this experience in grassroots lobbying and the combination of long-term strategic perspective and hands-on project management, Davis has been able to plan, implement and analyze grassroots campaigns of all types-educational and marketing, regulatory and legislative, local and national, high-volume and highly selective - incorporating a range of grassroots tactics.

Remember that recent visit to the doctor? The one where they told you that you need more exercise? Ready to do something about it? Of course you are, but what? You could try bungee jumping, scuba diving, or getting real. Many consumer reports treadmills are the way to go. There relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and available with special features like folding to meet the needs of the masses.

All About Treadmills
Fortunately, Consumer Reports treadmills information is largely up-to-date due to an investigation that included 24 brands of treadmills. Nordic & Bow Flex was only two of the 24 major brands tested. What were the Consumer Reports treadmills findings?

According to Rich Handel of Consumer Reports treadmills “If you're a serious runner, you'll want a non-folding treadmill because they're usually more stable. But they take up a lot of room”. Simply put, non-folding treadmills provide enhanced quality while treadmills that fold conserve the equivalent of a large freezer in space. Yes, they will cost more, not many ways around that. But sometimes the durability of treadmills have no choice but to out-weigh the treadmills cost.

Best Buys For Treadmills.
Consumer Reports treadmills information has revealed that the Vision Fitness T-9200 treadmills are the best buy for the buck. But, if you are set on folding treadmills the Bowflex 7-Series is the best buy according to Consumer Reports treadmills information. No matter your choice, be a savvy shopper when looking for treadmills as they can cost a pretty penny.

Check List:

Pretest your treadmill at the store before purchasing.
Purchase the warranty for this equipment, you won’t be sorry.
Decide what features you want to have as part of your treadmill purchase, and STICK TO IT.
According to Handel of Consumer Reports treadmills features may include:

Screen displays
Incline controls
Programmable exercise routines
Music and entertainment enhancements
And much much more
The cost of a treadmill can range from $500 - $3000. Thus Consumer Reports treadmills information really can save you a pocket full of change. Ways to cut the expensive of treadmills include shopping at garage sales and looking for second hand treadmills.

However if you choose to go for new treadmills, Consumer Reports treadmills say to pick up that extended warranty on these machines. Most plans run between $70 and $100 for warranties that can cover as much as three years. Repairs for treadmills can cost plenty, making these warranties a definite plus to have.

The stride length is the longest distance between your feet in the elliptical motion. This is the most important feature to look at when you are considering purchasing an elliptical machine because you want to choose the stride length that fits your body type. Think about when you walk or run. Your stride length gets longer as you start to run, so usually shorter stride lengths are not as comfortable for the average person. Choosing the right stride length for your personal machine can be tough if you haven’t been on many different ellipticals or paid attention to the stride length of the machines you like.

If you’ve ever chatted with people about which elliptical machines they believe to be the best, you will usually get different answers. Not all elliptical machines fit everyone the same. Unlike purchasing a treadmill or other pieces of workout equipment, an elliptical machine needs to fit your body type just right or it will feel uncomfortable or jerky. An elliptical machine may feel perfect to someone else but feel horrible to you. If you feel uncomfortable on a machine, it’s most likely because the stride length doesn’t fit your body appropriately.

Some elliptical machines offer an adjustable stride length. This is a more expensive feature but its great if you are going to have several users of different heights, or you will be alternating from walking and running speeds. However, usually one size fits all will do if you get the stride length close enough to what is required for your body type. There is no need to pay for the adjustable stride length features when you can get the stride length close to the needs of all users. Most people are able to adjust to the feel of an elliptical machine over time. Also, you will typically be moving at higher speeds in order to keep your heart rate at an optimal level so the need to vary your stride lengths during a workout is not required.

Stride Length and User Height

Let's review some helpful information that may help you choose your stride length. Understand that this decision is going to be directly related to your height. You don’t have to get it exact. Just follow the rules of thumb outlined below and you will be able to identify a stride length that will work well enough for your body. A difference in an inch isn’t going to be noticeable and you will adjust. You can also go with what you know. If you know the stride lengths of machines you feel comfortable on, stick with that.

Users Below 5'4"

Shorter elliptical users will be able to exercise comfortable on an elliptical stride length of 18" or less.

Users Between 5'4" and 5'8"

Any stride length bellow at 16" or less will probably be uncomfortable for people of average height. We recommend you stick with ellipticals with a stride length of 18". The closer you are to 5'8" you are, you may want to consider up to a 20" stride. I am 5'6" and I feel great on machines with a stride length between 18" and 20".

Users Above 5'9"

The taller you are, the more you will want to think about getting a machine with a longer stride length. If you are closer to 5'9" you will probably be ok even with an 18" stride, although we do recommend you try at least a 19" stride. The taller you are, you should try a 21" plus elliptical stride length.

A longer the stride length may cost you a little more money but you cannot cut corners here. If you choose the right stride length, no matter the flywheel position or the cost of the elliptical trainer, you should experience a more effective and comfortable workout

Folding treadmills are clunky and break easily. They have to be made cheaply in order to fold. The electronics are often the first to go. But, do you really need all those fancy extra features to get a good workout? A manual treadmill might be a better choice for you if you want a simple, easy workout without all the hassles.

Lots of major treadmill companies also make a manual treadmill in addition to their fancy, state-of-the-art electronic machines. A manual treadmill is one that doesn't run on electricity at all. You just hop on and start going, and you move the machine yourself. They are light, cheap and easy to store. Best of all, there are fewer parts that can break.

Is a manual treadmill right for you? Let's look at the pros and cons of a manual treadmill.

No Special Features

Of course, manual treadmills don't have all the extra features. If you are a serious athlete, or if you have a serious weight loss plan, a manual may not be right for you. If features like heart rate monitor, incline adjustment, speed control, preprogrammed workouts and all that other stuff are things you need, you'll have to go motorized. If you want variety and multiple workouts, a motorized machine might do you more good.

But, if you are looking for just a simple, easy workout, a manual may suit your needs better. In fact, it's a waste to spend all that money on a big clunky machine packed with special features you'll never even learn how to use.

Manual treadmills are great for people who want to keep it simple (and save money!).

Taking It Off The Hips

Actually, if you want to lose weight around your hips and abdomen, manual treadmills are better. This is because your walking is what sets it in motion. With a motorized treadmill, you push a button and the motor does the rest. But, when you use a manual, it's your own body that's driving the machine.

Health and fitness experts agree that manual treadmills are actually better for taking off extra pounds around your hips. This makes manual treadmills an ideal for choice for more of us than we'd like to admit!

Not A Good Obesity Buster

There is a myth surrounding manual treadmills that they are better for losing weight because your body drives the belt. This is true when it comes to abdominal fat, but not your overall body. In fact, a manual treadmill used improperly can be bad for your joints.

In general, manual treadmills are best suited for those who are already in pretty good shape. You don't have to be in perfect shape, of course; but manual treadmills are not recommended for those who suffer from obesity. In this case, a motorized treadmill will help take off the pounds much more effectively, and not cause undue stress to the rest of your body.

If a manual treadmill is right for you, it's a great deal. They are light and easy to use. You can usually find one for around $150, and it will last you as long as you want to use it. As in most cases, simple is best!

Everybody wants an elliptical these days, but not everybody can afford one. Ellipticals are all the rage in the fitness world. You've probably used one in the gym before. But getting an elliptical in your home is another story.

Some people will tell you that there's just no way to get a good elliptical without spending thousands. Cheap ellipticals are shoddy, made with cheap parts, weak, and not worth it even if you can save a little.

While you do get what you pay for, there are several elliptical trainers that sell for under $1,000 that receive consistently good reviews and ratings. Especially if you are a first-time elliptical buyer, one of these may be best for you.

Proform

Proform has several ellipticals that retail for just under a thousand. This includes the Proform 880, Proform 1080S and the Proform 1280, all of which you can buy for $800 to $1,000.

These low-priced models come with all the regular standard features, like gel grips and 12 different programs for you to choose from. They also have video games that you can play while you're working out. Of course, this isn't so important for a great workout, but it's an added bonus, especially considering the low price.

Proform offers the best warrantees in the elliptical business. You won't have any trouble finding any of the above-mentioned models in your fitness store. They're all quite popular.

Nordic Track

Always a trusted name in the fitness world, Nordic Track has some good quality ellipticals that are not astronomically priced as some of their best models.

The Nordic Track CX 925, CX 990 and 1055 are all sold for under a thousand. You can get a CX 925 for as little as $650.

Nordic Tracks are known for being quiet and comfortable. Even the cheapest models of Nordic Track ellipticals come packed with more than enough features to keep you busy.

The disadvantage to these inexpensive models is that they are not as durable as the pricier models. For its cheaper ellipticals, Nordic Track uses cheap parts, and there have been lots of complaints and bad reviews about the trouble getting the parts replaced.

Horizon

Horizon sells their E51's, E52's and E53's all for under a thousand dollars, and you can also get the popular Horizon 2.1 Elite for about $900.

These models are very popular. Horizon is one of the best choices for a first-time elliptical buyer. Horizons are known for their good design and smooth action.

But, cheap Horizon ellipticals also use cheap parts. There have been some customer complaints about the lack of sturdiness of these ellipticals, and trouble with them breaking down. If you want to buy a sturdy elliptical that you can use for years and years, Horizon's cheap models may not be for you.

Yes, it is possible to get an elliptical trainer for under $1,000. And, they are not all pieces of junk. Inexpensive ellipticals are a great choice for you if you're just starting out.

Having firm, lean legs is the dream of any man or woman. Legs can make your body look more appealing, and no amount of mere dieting can turn your legs into the limbs of your dreams. You need a good workout that targets your leg muscles. A stability ball workout can help you flex those muscles and achieve better leg muscle tone.

1. Before you begin your stability ball workout, stretch your muscles and do warm-ups. A stability ball is designed to ease the impact of the hard gym floor on your back, but it can also strain your muscles considerably if you do not engage in enough preparation. When you finish your stability ball workout, wind down with more stretching and breathing exercises to keep your muscles from getting sore.

2. Start your stability ball workout by propping the ball against a wall, then turning your back on it. Keep the back of your legs in contact with the ball. Place your hands on your hips, then slowly bend down, still keeping your body in touch with the ball. Stop bending when your knees reach a ninety degree angle. Hold this position for ten counts, then come back up. Repeat this twelve to fifteen times.

3. Continue the workout with lunges. Keep the ball propped against the wall, but this time, face it and place one foot upon it. Straighten your leg, then bend forward slowly in a lunge position. Hold your lunge for ten counts, then come back up to your original position. Repeat this lunge on your other leg, and do the routine twelve to fifteen times.

4. End your workout by lying down on the ball, with your navel against the ball apex. Place your hands flat upon the ground before you, but keep your legs straight. Slowly bend one leg inward toward the back of your thigh, then hold the position for about ten seconds. Return your leg to its original straight position, then bend the other leg. Repeat the routine for twelve to fifteen counts.

With the proper breathing, along with a balanced diet and good sleep, you can make the stability ball your companion in improving the tone and flexibility of your leg muscles. As long as you keep your back straight and your body in the right position, you can achieve the legs you want in no time.

Just because an elliptical trainer is expensive, doesn’t mean you are getting a better value or a better work out. Cheap is cheap but you will still get your heart rate up. Don’t forget that’s the goal—not having a bunch of bells and whistles.

The price range for elliptical trainers is enormous and can range from $200 to $5,000. Because there are certain features you won’t want to give up, you may be restricted to a specific minimum price. Most experts will advice that you must spend between $700 and $1500 to get a solidly built machine. Even this recommended price range is still rather large so what are you getting for the money?

Remember that in the higher price ranges you are paying for a heavier flywheel, heavier user weight limits, longer stride lengths, and a better warranty. All in all you are paying for quality because, lets face it, good quality isn’t cheep and you want your machine to last you a healthy lifetime.

But there is no magic number unfortunately. Don’t stick to strictly to looking in this price range because you need to find a machine that is going to fit your body and fit your household. If you’re going to have 2 or more members of the family using the machine, maybe you’ll want to spend more to have more user profiles, adjustable stride lengths, and a stronger quality frame. If you are buying the machine for only yourself, figure out what your ideal stride length is (and you don’t have to be exact) and get what fits your space. Don’t worry about all the extra features if you don’t need them. Be honest with yourself and allow yourself to give up some of the gizmos you may really want. You don’t need an MP3 jack, or a built in TV, or even a gazillion programs. But certainly spend the money if those extra gadgets are going to get you excited about getting on the machine. You are making an investment in your future health and if it just sits, you spent too much money anyway.

Get the machine that fits your needs. Unfortunately no elliptical review web site is going to help you identify the exact one. We can only give you the tools to help you narrow it down and make the best decision possible.

Visit Lauren's elliptical site for more information about home elliptical machines.

You will find comprehensive elliptical reviews and more articles.

As with all the other treadmills manufactured by ICON, the Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2200 comes with a host of trademark-heavy descriptions. Let's get some of them out of the way first, and try and make the actual product review a bit easier on the eyes. It is worth noting here that there are various model numbers for the Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2200 and some of them, confusingly, have different specifications. Why, I don't know, but if you're considering buying this treadmill - currently on sale at $699 - make sure you're not reading an old review!

Specifications:

* Drive motor: 2.25 CHP Commercial DurX™ Drive System
* Speed: 0-10MPH Touch™ Speed Control
* Incline: 0-12% 1-Touch™ Power Incline
* Treadbelt size: 20" x 55"
* User weight: 300lbs capacity
* Fan: CoolAire™ Fan
* Folding feature: SpaceSaver® Design
* Warranty: Lifetime on the motor, 1 year on parts and labor

The Main Features Ten workout programs on the Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2200 will give you plenty of choice. There are eight pre-set personal trainer programs and two customizable programs. Each program is divided into 30 second or one minute segments, with one speed and incline setting for each section. The treadmill automatically adjusts the settings as you work your way through each of these segments. You can also change the settings yourself by pressing the speed or incline buttons during the program, and it is also possible to repeat a segment if you don't want to move on to the next one too soon.

The Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2200 has a good sized belt, at 20" x 55". The cushioned deck, with another tongue twisting name - "DuraSoft III™ Impact Cushioning" - is a joy to use, and it really does make working out at home much more enjoyable than pounding the streets.

With advance apologies for the TM overkill, the Solaris™ Illumination Console has four LED displays; calories/distance, carbs/incline, time/pace and pulse/speed. The console also has Training Zones indicators, plus a 1/4 mile track on the display matrix. You can measure your heart rate using the handgrip pulse sensors, or the "optional" (meaning you have to pay extra for it) chest pulse sensor. I have to admit to never using iFIT for additional workouts, but the C2200 does have this built in technology if you want to hook up the treadmill to your PC or home stereo system and pay more dollars for extra personal training programs.

Like many of today's folding treadmills, the Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2200 has an easy to use fold away design. However, don't be fooled into thinking that a piece of exercise equipment this size is going to be as compact as storing away your ironing board!

Conclusion The Nordic Track Treadmill Model C2000 does its job well and it is a very reasonable price for a treadmill of this caliber. It is acceptably quiet, and I particularly like the cushioned deck. The negatives are the limited parts warranty and the overpriced extras. Overall though, I would recommend the Nordic Track C2200 for a home fitness solution.

Some call them cross trainers, steppers, stair masters and other things, but elliptical trainers are simply put cardiovascular machines that allow you to move your legs in a smooth, oval shaped motion similar to that of riding a bike. This rounded motion lessens the stress on joints that is often associated with its counterpart up and down motion.

Some elliptical trainers provide arm handles that lets you to either switch the focus of your workout from the lower body to the upper body or to simultaneously work out both the lower and upper bodies. Others are simply designed to work the legs and glutes. There's a trainer available depending on a target body part to shape.

Of the many elliptical trainers out there, Nordic Track Elliptical Trainers are some of the greatest tools to consider because they are made to provide a level of fitness that one should expect from elliptical machines. There are machines that feature some high tech devices to make the workout experience comfortable and enjoyable but the underlying principle is that the machine works efficiently by providing a workout that burns calories to achieve weight loss or gain better muscle tone.

A few great features of Nordic Track Elliptical Trainers are the adjustability of some of its settings. The resistance and incline of the trainer can be varied providing for a more challenging workout which in turn allows for more calories to be burnt and more weight to be lost. Adjusting the speed can also give the same results pertaining to a more challenging workout. The adjustable stride provides for different muscle groups to be activated during a workout allowing anyone to achieve a better body with even muscle tone. Switching from a lower body to an upper body workout or working out both at the same time has never been as easy as getting a firm grip on the moving handle bars. This cuts the overall workout time in order to achieve a better body in less the time it would take on a treadmill. All this can be done without having to compromise the characteristic smooth motion of elliptical machines that lessens the risk of injury or furthering an existing one.

Whether it's for weight loss, muscle tone or just for the sake of working out, Nordic Track Elliptical Trainers are for everyone of any age or physical fitness. All it really takes is dedication to the routine of working out.