Exercise Equipment

Exercise Equipments That Suit Your Fitness Goals by: Charlene J. Nuble Health-buffs that have been using exercise equipments are surely no neophytes on this matter. But newbies on exercise equipment won't have a hard time on knowing which to use. It's just a matter of getting armed with the right info and sufficient determination to be at your fittest. Choosing the best fitness exercise equipment to meet your needs could be a bit tricky and complicated. Equipments could cost you thousands of dollars. What's worse is that they might just end up collecting dust in your basement. Surely you don't want this to happen so here's a few tips: Decide on What To Work On. Are you a wheezing kiddo? Plainly stick thin? Could you qualify as an overqualified sumo wrestler? Blue baby? Just decide what you need to improve on. Consulting a physician might help. Or maybe simply looking at the mirror will do the job. Canvass Through Friends. You might have a health enthusiast friend like you who have been using exercise equipments for quite some time now. It'll be one fun activity if you could actually convince him to lend you his equipments. If you are close friends, you might even enjoy more bonding time while exercising. If you are just casual acquaintances, consider making the most out of your charm. Stealthily persuade him to lend you those stuff. By hook or by crook! All for the name of fitness. Home Work. And when finally you were able to earn that friend's trust, get your clammy hands on those equipments quick. Get those equipments inside the steam room of your house, where you won't mind getting sweaty that is. Figure out how much space in your home you have to work with. Did that exercise equipment fit in that spot? Does it look good against that wall? If not, consider renovation. Go Large. Go to a large gym and try out the various pieces of exercise equipment, including cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. Just a piece of advice, don't do this all of this testing activity in just one day. Trust me. Keep the weights very light - you just want to get a 'feel' for each piece of exercise equipment so you can figure out which ones you like the best. Make a list of your top 5 pieces. What's in Store. If there's a local fitness equipment store in your neighborhood, by all means, do visit that store. Ever clicked on your remote control and crossed upon a channel selling things from Abflex to miraculous necklaces? This might be one of the best time to finally get something from your drooling over those ladies doing workouts. See what exercise equipment they are offering to obtain those washboard abs and tight tushies, if that's what you're planning to morph your into. Oops, don't forget to compare prices. Financial Fitness. After all that trust-earning fuss, note-taking, drooling and renovations you actually succumbed to, it's time to check on your dough. Can you afford those exercise equipment? If not, Yoga or Pilates tapes could come in handy. I told you this could get really tricky. Exercise equipments stuck on your basement is a lot better than having nothing to turn to if you finally felt like exercising with an equipment, right? About the author: Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about fitness equipments, please go to: http://fitness-equipments.besthealthlink.net/or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Pilates and Fitness

Joseph Pilates: The Man behind the Movement by: Natalie Brown Joseph Pilates : The Man behind the Movement Joseph Pilates was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a frail young boy, who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. In order to overcome his weakened state, he studied body building, skiing, diving, and gymnastics. In time, he developed his own series of exercises. He moved to England in 1912, and spent much of his time working as a circus performer and a boxer. Eventually, he started teaching self defense methods to a group of police detectives from Scotland Yard. In 1914, at the outset of World War I, he was interned at a camp in Lancaster as an “enemy alien”. While in the camp, he spent a great deal of his time developing his exercise techniques. After his release, Joseph returned to Germany and began teaching his method to dancers. He decided to leave Germany when he was asked to teach his exercise methods to the German Army. In 1926, he emigrated to America and took up residence in New York. He met his wife, Clara, on the voyage. Joseph and Clara opened a fitness studio in New York City, and shared an address with the New York City Ballet. Joseph spent the remaining years of his life operating his studio. The nature of his work in those years was more akin to a physiotherapist for dancers than an exercise instructor for the masses. He also spent a considerable amount of time designing and constructing exercise equipment for use in his programs. Joseph Pilates was one of the first fitness instructors to advocate the mind-body connection, which consisted of both physical and mental training to achieve the desired results. His method consists of slow, deliberate movements combined with breathing and a focus on the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks. As quoted from his 1945 book, Return to Life with Contrology, he states that “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.” Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967. The studio is still in operation today. About the author: Harriet Spinzer is a history student and Pilates enthusiast. When she is not consumed with her studies, she likes to stretch and stuff. When she is not tangled up in her “Reformer”, she like to write freelance articles for websites such as http://www.pilatesinsight.com– a site that offers information about pilates - http://www.pilatesinsight.com/,pilates equipment - http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-equipment.aspxand pilates chairs - http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-equipment/pilates-chairs.aspx.

Your Greatest Asset is Health

Health is Your Greatest Asset? by: Kamau Austin If you are like many people who take the entrepreneurial plunge, you do so most successfully when you are approaching or entering into middle age. Your middle-aged years are also ironically around the time many people start to suffer problems with eroding health and weight problems. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have the best of both worlds: financial freedom and optimal health? I once heard Dr. Dennis Kimbro http://www.denniskimbro.com say on a television interview that most millionaires fail a few times in business, and suffer some bankruptcies before they become successful. Another salient point he made is that most of people become millionaires around fifty years of age. Why this is the case I don't exactly know, unlike Dr. Kimbro I can only speculate on these matters. My observation of many people makes me think perhaps the middle-age launch into business ventures has to do with people finding the confidence later in life. You have to have self-assurance to risk business ventures. Usually people don't have this type of business confidence until after they have run other peoples businesses. Or at least they feel more confident once they have worked for other people. Andrew Morrison, the owner of Small Business Camp, http://www.smallbusinesscamp.com once alluding to the book "Think and Grow Rich" said that many men become more successful in their middle years because they are less focused on sexual pursuits. I can relate to this because when I was in my twenties I would be too focused on dating, to have the focus to run a viable business. However, what would be the point of having a successful business if we don't have the health to enjoy it? Most people would agree business is a very competitive and challenging. It also stands to reason you should try to be at peak performance when undertaking a business venture. This is why you should seriously consider investing in your health to afford you the extra push -- to drive you to business success. Some of the major reasons you may want to bolster your health and overall fitness are because: - Studies show exercise helps relieve stress - Exercise helps elevate your mood - Exercise will help you think more clearly - Resistance training will help increase your muscle and bone density which tend to decrease with age - Stretching after exercise will to help keep you flexible which also tends to decrease with age - Regular strenuous exercise can help you increase natural hormones in you body like testosterone which will increase muscle mass, sexual desire, and overall health These are just some of the many well-known benefits you will achieve with a regular exercise program. It is no wonder that I find many people who are successful in business come from athletic or sports backgrounds. Many successful entrepreneurs have a regular fitness programs. If you are a woman who has had children and find yourself with some undesired pounds good balanced workout programs could be considered from people like Denise Austin http://www.deniseaustin.com or Donna Richardson http://www.donnarichardson.com . For men you may like the workouts of people like Billy Blanks and his TaeBo system. According to fitness trainers like Denise Austin, the focus of your workout should be on the balance of strength training, aerobics, and flexibility. Most fitness experts like Jason Martin of the BODeStore.com http://www.BODeStore.com make the point that strength training as alluded to earlier "will increase bone density and muscle mass, aerobics will burn fat and give you more cardio fitness, and yoga or martial arts will help counter the inflexibility associated with age". One thing you may experience as you age is you don't obviously have the natural energy you had when you were sixteen years old. Another problem you may experience is pain in your joints like your knees. If you notice pain in your knees and elbows especially on damp or humid days you may be experiencing the on-set of arthritis. Arthritis can be demoralizing when you are trying to obtain optimal health. It is definitely something you didn't have to worry about or contend with when you were in your twenties. Don't let arthritis totally derail your pursuit of health in your most productive midlife years! Seek the help of your doctor and perhaps explore some alternative remedies of relief. Personally I have found that some alternative treatments to be superior to pharmaceutical drugs. I hear good things about the supplement Phosoplex(tm) in helping with arthritis and other joint problems. The most important thing is to remember when embarking upon a health and fitness program is to do so with moderation. Don't overdue it and risk injury. Make sure you invest in good fitness shoes with good heel and ankle support. In Denise Austin's words "avoid boredom by doing various physical activities that you enjoy with your family". If you are quite a bit over weight maybe start out with walking more. In the end what does if profit you to become a millionaire, but you are totally unfit to enjoy your investment? Like the saying goes "your health is your greatest asset". About the author: Kamau Austin is a stay-at-home dad and health advocate. You can see more of his health insights at: http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com ------------------------------------------- Publishing Note: ------------------------------------------- This Article must be published with a disclaimer as such... This article is for general information purposes only. Before under taking any exercise or treatment program always first check first with your doctor and health professionals.

Garlic and Your Health

Garlic for Health by: Dr. Donald A. Miller Garlic is a traditional tonic in many cultures. In my teens and twenties, I was very aware that one should not eat garlic or onions out of respect for other people (e.g., bosses or potential dates). However, garlic breath does not bother me nearly so much as the foul stenches caused by tobacco use, lazy dental care, lack of exercise, obesity, and / or poor bowel regularity. I now use a lot of garlic, bought as pre-peeled cloves or dried minced chunks. I frankly like the taste. For those who think raw garlic "bites", briefly cook in microwave, water, a small amount of oil, or mix in many foods. Garlic oil from crushed cloves or garlic capsules can heal surface infections, cuts, herpes blisters, and other ailments. Before you get carried away with pills, capsules, and other sources of concentrated garlic goodness, be aware that the Mayo Clinic says, "Unfortunately, garlic is most effective when you eat it raw and in large amounts." I remember reading that Eleanor Roosevelt ate several cloves of raw garlic every day, which she covered with honey, because she hated the taste. The garlic was not the only reason, but she did live a long active life. ** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. ** About the author: Dr. Miller is author of ""Easy Health Diet"" http://easyhealthdiet.com/diet.htm""Exercise for Juniors to Seniors"" http://easyhealthdiet.com/JrSr.htmand numerous free articles on health http://articles.easyhealthdiet.com/ Seven of ten deaths are caused by preventable diseases.

Sugar Alcohol Products

Can I Eat Sugar Alcohols On My Low Carb Diet? by: Benji Paras "Polyols" or sugar alcohols are a number of different carbohydrates that are neither sugars nor alcohols--and are commonly used as artificial sweeteners in a range of products, from ice cream to chewing gum. While these tasty sweeteners appear to be the perfect solution for both low-carb dieters and low-carb food producers, recent studies of sugar alcohols have painted a somewhat different picture. To begin with, sugar alcohols are not entirely carb-free. Most studies have indicated that sugar alcohols contain approximately 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of calories as sugar--and in the form of carbohydrates. In addition, studies have shown that sugar alcohols are absorbed by the small intestine, but the process is slower and fractured. This affects a rise in blood sugar, but again is smaller and more gradual than with sugar--and the rise tends to vary from person to person. Sugar alcohols also have a laxative effect on some consumers. Since they are only partially absorbed, they bring water into the bowel--and undigested carbs into the colon, creating gas and bloating as the carbs are acted on by bacteria. Over-consumption of sugar alcohols can often have an adverse effect on low carb dieters, even when they can digest them properly. Sugar alcohols can trigger cravings in low carb dieters, causing them to deviate from dietary restrictions. In addition, sugar alcohols can often cause low carb dieters to choose an unhealthy diet of sweets, which appear to be carb-free, over a varied diet that includes essential nutrients. If you are currently on a low carb diet and want to mix sugar alcohol products into your diet, it is very important that you monitor your total sugar alcohol intake--and keep it at a minimum while consuming a healthy diet. One easy way to do this is to determine the total amount of carbs in sugar alcohol products you are consuming. You can do this by subtracting the amount of fat and protein calories per serving from the total amount of calories per serving. Simply multiply the grams of protein by four and the grams of fat by nine. Now subtract the sum of the two from the total amount of calories per serving. Using these figures, you can determine whether or not carbs are being "hidden" in "carb free" sugar alcohol products you consume, allowing you to make a better-informed decision that fits the prescriptions of your low-carb diet. About the author: Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com,specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a list of low carb foods along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.

A Mediterranean Diet

A Mediterranean Diet - How to Lose Weight Safely by: Roy Barker Copyright 2005 Roy Barker If you are looking for a way to lose fifteen pounds in two weeks, a high protein diet, a low carb diet, a fruit diet, a no fat diet, a blood type diet, a juice fast, a diet named after a place in Miami, a grapefruit diet, a cactus diet, a coffee and cigarette diet, a diet that includes sweets, a diet based on your body type, a diet based on an ancient religion or a diet based on your hair color, then this article is NOT for you. Fad and crash diets, such as the ones described above are not only unhealthy but they also cause rebound weight gain. Also most diets, even though diet gurus write them, cause an initial weight loss but the ultimate result is that you gain all of the weight back the minute you go off the plan. If you don't gain it back within a couple of diets, you are likely to gain it all back plus a bit more within a year. Crash diets dehydrate you, low calorie diets put your body into starvation mode so you plateau so you can't lose one more pound and high protein diets stress your kidneys and clog your arteries. So how does one lose weight? There is only one answer to this question. You need to expend more calories than you are taking in. Restricting certain foods, eating so-called fat burning foods, or dehydrating yourself with special pills or teas does not do it. It is simple math. The only way is to eat a little less and exercise a little more. Here is the equation below: Eating Less + Exercising More = Weight Loss. This is not a magical formula, it is just logic. It is also not a fast way to lose weight. As I have mentioned before, this is not an article about how to lose ten pounds in three days or 30 pounds in a month. It is about safe, healthy weight loss. In order to lose weight quickly and safely and without putting yourself at risk for such health hazards as dehydration, kidney failure, malnutrition, exhaustion, nervous dysfunction, tooth loss, dull hair, wrinkles, cellulite, sudden heart failure or stroke and lose the weight so that it stays off, you should lose no more than approximately two pounds a week! Although that might not sound like a large amount of weight to lose it actually is! If you lose 2 pounds a week that means you can achieve a weight loss of ten pounds a month! If you only have twenty pounds to lose then your weight loss is not only quite rapid, but you have the extra guarantee that it will stay off because you have followed a sensible exercise plan that did not involve starving, exhausting or depriving yourself. If you are willing to drop your impatience and desire for immediate gratification and stick to an exercise plan and healthy eating habits, then a Mediterranean Diet is for you. Remember being slim is only good if you are able to enjoy it! Do You Need to Lose Weight? Fascination with Fat If you want to lose weight, you first need to assess whether you need to actually lose weight or are simply a fashion victim. Unfortunately this society is fascinated with fat - who has it and who doesn't. As we are persuaded by so many images in the media that persuade us to believe that you can never be too thin, many of us are bad judges of our actual body weight. If you are under the age of eighteen and reading this book, the first thing you need to do is consult with your parent about your plans to lose weight. Have her make an appointment with a physician so that he can indicate to you whether or not you are a candidate for weight loss. If you are an adult, it is possible that you may not be overweight and are just trying to be, as Bridget Jones put it in Bridget Jones Diary "a stick insect with eyelashes." It is also very possible that you know you need to lose weight but have no idea where to start. If you are obese and you know it, then you have to check with a physician first to see how your health is before you embark on any exercise program or plan. The same is also true if you have any kind of medical condition but especially a thyroid condition or heart condition. Some physicians may not recommend a weight loss program for those who are over 40 as due to genetics and hormonal changes some people naturally just round out or gain weight in a way that simply cannot be changed. If your doctor tells you your spreading hips are due to menopause or genetics, believe him! It is not clever to fool with Mother Nature. About the author: Publisher & author: Roy Barker. Roy has an indepth and long established background with the vitamins, minerals and health industry and has researched and experimented with many diets over a thirty year period. More related information detailing the Mediterranean Diet can be found at http://www.safe-and-easy-weightloss.com

Fun ways to stay fit

6 Fun Fitness Activities... by: Kathy Burns-Millyard Exercising and staying fit doesn't have to mean hard work. Simply being active will help you get or stay in good shape. So with that said, here are some enjoyable activities that can help with your fitness goals too. Bicycling When you ask many adults when the last time they rode a bike is, they cannot answer. Although bicycling is a favorite pastime, many adults do not take advantage of this great option for exercise. Not only does bike riding exercise the body and build a stronger cardiovascular system, it allows you to get out and enjoy nature, fresh air, and see new sites. Jogging or Walking Both jogging and walking are GREAT ways to get fit. Not only do they tone the muscles, relieve stress, create a healthier heart, and improve lung capability, they make you look wonderful, which in turns helps you get excited about doing other exercise for fitness activities. Swimming Swimming is an excellent way to get into and stay in shape. If you do not own a pool, many high schools have aquatic centers, or there is always the YWCA or YMCA, or your local gym. Many offer water aerobic classes that will help you tighten your body, lose weight, and get a good overall workout. Tennis Anyone? Tennis is not only a fun sport, but also a great way to exercise. You do not have to be a Venice Williams to play; in fact, you do not even have to be good. Just running after the ball alone will help get you into shape. This is a great way to strengthen your cardiovascular system and lose weight. You can find tennis courts in just about every city and if you would like to play but have no idea how, lessons are reasonable. Tip: Raquetball is sort of a "one person tennis". If you don't have someone to play tennis with, or you aren't feeling sociable, try raquetball instead. Dancing Dancing is so much fun and whether you enjoy a slow, Ballroom dance or a nightclub packed with people all moving to heart-pumping techno, as long as you are moving, it really does not matter what type of dance or music. The whole idea is to move your body. Dancing has long been recommended as an avenue to fitness. Tip: Belly Dancing is an excellent workout for your stomach, waist and hips ladies! VCR If you have a VCR or DVD, rather than just using it for your favorite comedy or action-packed movie, try sticking in some good workout tapes. Even taking 15 minutes every day to work out will get you started. Try that for two weeks and you will be surprised at the results. Once you see that 15 minutes a day makes a difference, you will be encouraged to increase the time spent. And one of my personal favorites... Yardwork! Whether you're pulling weeds, planting flowers, mowing the grass or chopping wood: All of these activities can help you get into better shape. Don't cheat yourself though. Using a riding mower to cut the grass won't help you use the muscles or get your blood pumping ;) So go out and get active, have fun, and work on getting or staying fit too!