There’s no doubt about it:  physicians will tell you that routine exercise is good for the body. Next time you consider implementing an exercise regimen into your life or your home, consider the equipment you will want to have nearby.

An Elliptical Workout

    For the complete at-home gym, consider purchasing an Elliptical. The high quality ellipticals have a range of different workouts to choose from and many different intensity levels.  Star Trac is the brand to trust when it comes to high quality elliptical machines that are built to last, and function at the highest level during workout sessions. Consider the Star-Trac P-TBTx Total Body Trainer  for your at home gym. The elliptical workout is so effective because it combines stair climbing, cycling, skiing and walking all in one movement for the ultimate workout. For a more economical elliptical with the same high quality user-friendly Star Trac design, try the Star Trac P-TBT Total Body Trainer.  A cardio workout will help you to get and stay fit and energetic.  It’s time to equip the at-home gym, lose weight and get into shape.

Exercise Bicycle

    There’s one piece of gym equipment that will never go out of style and is constantly being improved upon: the exercise bicycle. The Star Trac P-UP Upright Bike is a state-of-the art piece of exercise equipment. It’s suitable for warm-ups, at home fitness, and is even used by top athletes.  
    
Recumbent Bicycle

    For those who prefer a recumbent design exercise bicycle, or require it during rehabilitation from an injury, the Star-Trac S-RBx Recumbent Bike Plus is a good selection.  It’s user friendly and it measures the heart rate to prevent over exertion.  
    For the ultimate recumbent bike The Star Trac P-RB Series Recumbent Bike  has many extras.  This state-of-the-art piece of fitness equipment actually adjusts the intensity level of the workout based on the user’s heart rate and includes a personal fan. The Star Trac P-RB Series Recumbent Bike is a winner.

    Star Trac’s Upright Bike and Recumbent Bike are excellent choices in fitness equipment.  Both are superior design and quality with easy to use controls for a variety of workouts.  The design for Star Trac bikes and other fitness equipment was executed after studying the exerciser’s behavior and incorporating common movements into the structure of the machine. Ease of use, comfort, flexibility and durability are some of the characteristics of Star Trac’s fitness equipment.

Rowing Machine

    Some fitness enthusiasts prefer a nice upper body workout without the weights. An investment in a rowing machine can make all the difference.  The Stamina ATS AirRower, is a well-built piece of exercise equipment that is also foldable, for ease of use in an office or an apartment.  The molded seat is especially good for longer workout sessions.  A rowing machine can provide a great cardio workout right at home. And then, it can be put into a closet or out of the way place until next time.  

Don’t Forget the Abs: Abdominal Exercise Equipment

    For the busy person who may not have time to exercise, a breakthrough product is on the market to exercise abdominal muscles. The Slendertone Flex Abdominal Training System  is basically a belt that can be worn around the waist. The person wearing the Slendertone will receive an abdominal workout after pressing a button and receiving electrical stimulation.  So, if you have no time for a workout, there’s still no excuse for not attending to your abs.  The price tag of only $139.95, as well as the convenience factor, makes the Slendertone Flex even more tempting, and worth a try.  
    Old school ab crunchers can now breathe a sigh of relief. No need to get on the floor to strengthen and tone abdominal muscles unless you prefer it that way. 

 

However, the main incentive to make you start exercising is overall natural health improvement. It can help you not only in your physical well being, but with mental health as well.  Here are some top reasons to motivate you to exercise:  

Weight control: Regular physical activity helps people lose excess weight or stay at a reasonable weight; exercise increases metabolism and burns calories. Duke University research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that overweight, sedentary adults who began exercising lost visceral fat, or at least did not gain more. Those who did not exercise, however, gained more in just six months.

Increase flexibility, muscle strength and endurance: Health studies repeatedly reveal that strength training increases muscle strength and mass and decreases fat tissue.

Bone strength and prevention of osteoporosis: An active lifestyle benefits bone density.

Stronger immune system:  The findings from some studies support the possibility that exercise may delay immunosenescence (age dependent decline in immune function).

Better sleep:Daily exercise can serve as relaxation therapy.  It can improve the general quality of sleep, help with quicker sleep-onset, and longer sleep duration leading to feeling more rested upon waking.

Chronic back pain relief:  By increasing muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and posture regular exercise helps to prevent lower back pain, middle back pain and upper back pain.  Many exercise studies show that yoga, in particular, seems to help.

Personal stress management: Exercise stimulates various brain chemicals, which may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.

Fight depression: Many studies show that exercise promotes positive mental health and reduces symptoms of depression.

New brain cell development:Exercise stimulates the formation of new brain cells (neurons). It also strengthens connections between those cells. The areas of the brain that are stimulated through long-term exercise are associated with memory and learning.

Cardiovascular disease prevention:Lack of physical activity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. There is a direct relation between physical inactivity and cardiovascular death. In a long-term, Swedish study, women and men who were physically active at least twice a week had a 41 percent lower risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) than those who performed no physical activity.

Cholesterol lowering: Physical exercise favorably influences blood cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.

Type II Diabetes prevention and control: Exercise can promote healthy blood sugar levels in the body.  There is strong evidence from randomized controlled studies (e.g. Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study and the Diabetes Prevention Program in the U.S.) that moderate physical activity combined with weight loss and balanced diet can confer a 50-60 percent reduction in risk of developing diabetes among those already at high risk.

Lower blood pressure:  Low physical activity increases the risk of hypertension. Regular exercise training seems to be effective in reducing blood pressure. Trying out some different types of exercise fitness equipment may be one way to go (i.e. treadmills or elliptical equipment.)   

Reduce stroke risk: Research data indicates that moderate and high levels of physical activity may reduce risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic strokes. According to a study in the December 2007 issue of Neurology, published by the American Academy of Neurology, people who have good physical function after the age of 40 may lower their risk of stroke by as much as 50 percent compared to people who are not able to climb stairs, kneel, bend, or lift as well.

    Most people associate strength training with clunky dumbbells and heavy and expensive weight equipment.  Resistance training offers a flexible and inexpensive solution to strength training because the bands and tubing are portable, come in different sizes and tension levels and are designed to work arms, legs, back, and other important muscle groups, and are inexpensive.

What’s the Difference between Resistance Bands and Resistance Tubing?

    A resistance tube is an actual tube of rubber that usually has a handle on each end. A resistance band is a ribbon of elastic and they come in different colors to represent different levels of tension. 

    To be most effective, different ones are used on different parts of the body.  Many trainers and fitness specialists use resistance tubes to develop arms, chests, shoulders, and legs.  Resistance tubes complement exercises such as squats, chest presses, standing rows, lateral raises, and bicep curls.

    Resistance bands, great for toning, are usually recommended for strengthening the shoulders, buttocks, and thighs. This can be done through exercises such as the lunge, upper back rows, upright rows, standing hip abduction, and leg hip extensions.

Popular Resistance Bands and Resistance Tubing

    Thera-Band exercise and resistance tubing is effective and economical and can used in clinical or home-fitness settings. Use of the tubing for resistive exercise provides positive and negative force on the muscles, improving strength, range of motion and muscle group cooperation. Color-coded progressive resistance gives “at-a-glance” documentation of progress from one level to the next.

    Some brands are even latex free and are comprised of a synthetic latex material that performs like latex, but does not have any of the allergenic issues associated with natural latex. Low powder also helps to keep clothing clean.

Choose the Right Resistance Level

    Most companies manufacture five resistance levels for each band they sell. Although they vary in color, they can generally be described as: extra-light, light, medium, heavy, and extra-heavy. Trainers generally recommend that people start at the level they feel most comfortable. A very light level is typically suggested for children and seniors, or to improve the smaller muscle groups of the upper body.

    Women of average strength are advised to use the lighter levels and for working small to medium muscle groups such as the back and hips.

    The medium level is recommended for the average man or active woman. It tones and develops medium muscle groups such as the arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. The heavy level is generally used by stronger men and women to tone medium to large muscle groups. It is designed for advanced upper body work and intermediate or advanced lower body work. For advanced elite athletes, the extra-heavy level is perfect for advanced lower body workouts.

Resistance Band and Resistance Tubing Pros

    Phillip Page and Todd S. Ellenbecker are excellent resources for learning more about these strength-training products.  They co-authored The Scientific and Clinical Application of Elastic Resistance.

    Phillip Page, MS, PT, ATC, CSCS, is a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and certified strength and conditioning specialist. He manages clinical education and research for Thera-Band Products and has a private practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in sports and orthopedic physical therapy. He has worked with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks and has lectured internationally on the scientific and clinical use of elastic resistance.

    Todd S. Ellenbecker, MS, PT, SCS, OCS, CSCS, is the clinic director at Physiotherapy Associates Scottsdale Sports Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. A licensed physical therapist, he is certified by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a sports clinical specialist and orthopedic clinical specialist. The APTA also awarded him its Sports Physical Therapy Clinical Teaching Award in 1999. He was chairman of the APTA’s Shoulder Special Interest Group and is a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy and American Journal of Sports Medicine.

    So, to maximize strength, speed, and power, resistance bands and resistance tubing are a practical solution. They can be used on their own or as a supplement to free weights and machines.  They are great tools for customizing workouts and for isolating muscles.  They travel well and will not break the bank.

    January…it’s that time of year when we all evaluate what needs to change in our lives?  For many of us better health is something we continuously strive for, especially as we get older. To start out your new year on a healthy note consider making fitness easy by bringing it right into your home.  Professional quality exercise equipment and physical therapy products can help you lose weight, increase flexibility, regain balance, manage pain, build muscle, increase bone density or even lower blood pressure.   You don’t even have to leave the house.  Forget those expensive gyms and drives to work out!  Save time and money, make exercising simple and convenient.

    It is important that you choose the right exercise equipment and physical therapy products. The choices are limitless so be sure to consult your healthcare provider before buying and using exercise equipment or therapy products. Also set your fitness goals before buying exercise equipment and products.  Do you want to build muscle? Increase flexibility? Lose weight? Increase bone density? All of these goals require unique and specific exercise equipment and physical therapy tools.  Make sure you are purchasing what will work best for you.

The Essential Exercise Equipment: Treadmills

    Want it to be easy to walk or run no matter what the weather?  Buy a quality treadmill for use at home.  Improve your cardiovascular system or burn fat to lose weight.  The difficulty on these kinds of machines can be increased or decreased to suit your individual preferences.

The Very Best in Vibration Therapy: The Power Plate Machine

    Vibration Therapy is one of the most cutting edge treatments talked about today.  The Power Plate Vibration Therapy Machine, uses whole body vibration of WBV to help increase muscle strength, blood circulation and bone density.  

Modern Exercise Bikes: This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Exercise Bike! 

    If you want to train like a professional athlete fro the comfort of your own home then you want the latest in exercise bike technology.  Monitor your heart rate, speed, time and calories burned while exercising.  Exercise bikes can help you set fitness goals and then achieve them!

Turn Your Swimming Pool into Exercise Equipment: Aquatic Therapy Supplies

    If you have a pool swimming isn’t the only thing you can be doing to stay in shape.  Aquatic therapy tools like Buoyancy Belts, Aquatic Gloves, Aquarunners and Aquaflex Paddles can help you harness the power of water to improve your body, weight and strength.

Find Harmony and Balance: Balance Boards and Equilibrium Training

    Balance boards and beams help increase strength, balance, equilibrium and coordination. This can improve sports performance and time spent on rehabilitation.  A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine conducted by Evert Verhagen, a visiting scientist at the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, “proves that balance board training is effective for the prevention of recurrent ankle sprains.”

Improve Flexibility and Endurance: Exercise Balls and Exercise Mats

    Yoga, strength training and fitness stretching exercises can all be facilitated with the right exercise ball and exercise mat. There are a variety of choices for traditional exercise balls. You can choose the color, size and design you prefer. You may also want to consider the Small Ball Release, which can help you stretch, release and lengthen muscle and interconnective tissue. You may want to purchase a Small Ball Release instructional video to get started.  To complete your exercise room it is essential that you have an exercise mat that is portable and functional.   Again choose the color, design and size that suits you best.

    Start the New Year with a commitment to your health and quality of life.  Make exercise simple by acquiring the tools you need to stay in shape. 

    Since the 1960s the Soviet Aerospace program has used whole-body vibration technology or vibration therapy, also known as Advanced Vibration Technology, to help the cosmonauts battle the effects on the human body while in space for prolonged periods of time.  While these individuals lived in space, they experienced zero gravity which caused a myriad of physical problems ranging from loss of muscle strength, flexibility, bone density and prolonged recovery time.