Browsing Tag: Workouts

    Elliptical Trainers

    Before Buying An Elliptical Trainer

    November 29, 2019

    While there are several good reasons for exercising on an elliptical trainer, before you make your final choice, there are a number of important things you should consider first before placing your order.

    Testing and trying out as many models as possible until you find just the right one for you, at just the right price, is also a good idea. There are many models to choose from and finding the most suited for you can be time consuming, but well worth the effort.

    1. Front drive versus rear drive:
      Rear-drive models are a little more expensive than the front-drive models – although both types are becoming cheaper. An advantage of using the rear-drive type is that they create a more natural elliptical movement and usually have adjustable inclines, a smoother ride and longer strides. The most basic difference between these two types of elliptical machines is the location of the main parts i.e. the brakes, pedals and linkage system. Self evidently the front drive machines have them in the front, while rear drive models have them in the back.
    2. Size and space – folding or non-folding:
      While some models fold for easier and more compact storage, make sure you have enough space wherever you plan to put the machine. An approximate assembled size: L197 x W66 x H170 cms (plus/minus) depending on which model you choose and a weight of approx 170 kgs. The fold away models can of course be folded and stored in a cupboard and in some cases under the bed or somewhere else convenient where they wont be in the way when not in use.
    3. Display:
      The display should be easy to read and provide the information you’re looking for, such as calorie exertion, degree of incline, heart rate, speed, time and of course distance. Some models offer full-colour LED dot matrix console displaying a real time clock, energy consumption, step rate and overall accurate training feedback.
    4. Stride length and pedals:
      Any machine you consider buying, should feel comfortable for your body type, especially since the stride length on some elliptical models can be too short for taller people. The pedals should have a non-slip design as well as fit your feet.
    5. Handlebars:
      Handlebars should move back and forth smoothly and be ergonomically placed with padded grips. Most machines have the option of hands-free for lower-body workouts only.
    6. Adjustability:
      When trying out, look for resistance levels and adjustable inclines. Some models have 20 or more resistance levels and an incline that adjusts from 12 to 25 degrees.
    7. Features:
      Some models include several accessories such as bottle water holder, CD player, child safety feature to prevent accidental start-ups, wireless heart rate monitor or heart-rate sensors in the hand-grips, fan and video games, scalable pre-set profiles and/or tailored user profiles although some of these accessories are sold separately.
    8. Framework:
      The framework should be sturdy and well balanced to allow for the most demanding of workouts.

    There are many elliptical trainer models to choose from. BigFitness has an extensive and wide range of these exercising machines and depth information – at the moment they have special offers with discounts.

    Please note:
    Before starting a new exercise programme it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor or other professional medical adviser.

    Weight Loss

    How to Lose 10 Pounds

    November 20, 2019

    Last week I was training one of my favorite clients when her friend came into the gym to meet her and said to me, “I have to lose 10 pounds for a wedding next month! What can I do?”

    “Well, that’s easy,” I said, “You just need to use this one machine and you can easily lose that stubborn fat in time for the wedding”. Needless to say she was thrilled, until I told her that the machine she needed was a time machine.

    If she had a time machine, she could go back in time 8 weeks and that would easily give her enough time to accomplish her goal and more. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem to like that idea. So just before she was about to smack me upside the head, I said, “Wait! I have 5 simple rules that will help you lose 10 pounds, and here they are!”

    The 5 Steps to Fast Fat Loss

    1. Cut all modified carbohydrates from your diet
    2. Use interval training 4 times per week
    3. Use bodyweight circuits as your resistance training workouts
    4. Stay active on off days for at least 30 minutes with a stress-reducing activity
    5. Eat only one reward meal per week and stick to a 90% compliance diet

    I stunned her with those tips, and as I backed into the corner covering my head for protection, I thought I might be safe. But then she came back at me demanding to know what I meant by cutting all modified carbohydrates.

    How was that going to help her lose 10 pounds?

    So I explained, “A modified carbohydrate refers to anything not in its natural form. So you need to cut out pastas, whole-grain products, breakfast cereals, and all the regular bad processed carbohydrates. Stick to only fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts to get carbohydrates. But don’t fear fruit, it won’t make you fat. In fact, it will play a big part in helping you lose 10 pounds.”

    I told her again and again that diet was the key to fat loss, and then I stared long and hard at the Frappacino she was holding in her hand. “That type of dietary discretion has to go,” I said, before asking her if she had ever been taught about the 90% compliance diet.

    What is the 90% Compliance Diet?

    I knew she was going to ask about the 90% compliance diet, so I figured I’d cover this as well while we were talking nutrition. “Over the week, you must stick to the whole, natural, unmodified foods approach at least 90% of the time. But you have 10% wiggle-room. That gives you 10% of your calories you can have from a reward meal and 2-3 little treats.”

    She didn’t understand at first, but then I said, “So if you eat 1500 calories per day, that means you have 150 calories (10%) that can be treat calories. But if you want a reward meal of 600 calories, you’ll have to be perfect (100% compliance) for 4 days before you have your 600 calorie reward meal. And make sure your reward meal is only 600 calories, don’t go back for seconds and take it up to 1200 calories.”

    The Best Workout To Lose 10 Pounds

    With nutrition out of the way, I wanted to improve her workout program, so we switched her from useless high-repetition “toning” workouts to using challenging bodyweight exercises done in circuits.

    This is a combo of strength training and interval training and helps you burn fat while sculpting your muscles. But it doesn’t bulk you up, so there will be no weight gain and you’ll be able to lose 10 pounds fast.

    I then told her that interval training has been shown to work better than normal cardio for fat loss, especially burning belly fat. Interval training workouts also take less time, and therefore are a fast way to lose 10 pounds. But do intervals no more than 4 times per week.

    Finally, I told her that she’ll have three days per week where she doesn’t need to do structured workouts, but she should stay active and reduce stress for at least 30 minutes. Yoga, pilates, walking outside in the fresh air, and playing light sports are great for staying active and reducing stress. And that’s a secret to help you lose 10 pounds. So stick to this plan, and you can drop 10 pounds in only 4 weeks.

    Weight Loss

    Losing Weight ideas For the Working Mommy

    November 20, 2019

    With the pressings of day-to-day life, occasionally exercising on a regular basis can get hard for a working mommy. I recognize it’s because I’m a working person myself. I’ve been working for many many years. The undue stress at office, paired with the tension of attending to my loved ones, some of the times make it out of the question for me to stick to my losing weight tips and plan.

    That articulated, I don’t let tension become a self-justification for avoiding workouts all in all! Every one of us has merely twenty-four hours granted in a day, so if you are able to fit in all of your day-to-day actions within that twenty-four hour period, how is it that you can’t get time for workouts? Don’t you brush teeth, or get a shower daily? Why do you do this? Because they’re part of your day-to-day procedure. You recognize that if you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis, you’ll suffer from dental caries. Likewise, if you don’t get a shower on a regular basis, you’ll have skin problems. However do you recognize that if you don’t exercise on a regular basis, you’ll get plump?

    It isn’t correct to use the ‘deficiency of time’ as an alibi for averting workouts. Let’s be truthful here: you’re in all likelihood either afraid of workouts or just don’t recognize where to begin! In either event, this content on losing weight tips will assist you in achieving your physical fitness goals.

    1. Discover an ally to exercise with: exercising alone isn’t always a pleasurable experience. All the same, if you are able to have a friend exercise with you, probabilities are that you’ll start loving your physical exercise rather than hating it! Plus taking in somebody else working out in the gymnasium will prompt you to carry on with your work out procedure. If you know another working mommy who has the equivalent physical fitness goals as you, then get her involved also!

    2. Acquire an IPOD: Take an IPOD with you if you go to the gymnasium. This is a bang-up way of booting out the tedium from your physical exercise routine.

    3. Practice what you luv: There are workouts that you in all likelihood don’t luv to do; if you pressure yourself to do these exercises it’s only a matter of time before you feel blasé about them. If, alternatively, you discover workouts that you really luv, then it gets easier!

    4. Begin it slowly: If you’ve never worked out in life, it’s only innate that you’ll be afraid to go to the gymnasium. Disregard losing weight tips who state that you have to work out daily in order to slim down. Alternatively, try to sit back: start by exercising only for 15 to 20 minutes per day, for 2 or 3 days a week. As your body grows accustomed to your new exercise program, you are able to scale up the volume of your physical exercise.

    Entertainment

    Online Entertainment Alternatives to Satellite and Cable Programming

    June 26, 2018

    I would love to tell my cable company to take a hike. It seems like every six months I call and ask them to lower my bill or else I’ll move over to satellite. But even I know this is an empty threat. Satellite prices are just as bad, if not worse than the price for cable. Factor in the multiple HDTVs I have and the fact that I can’t just settle for the basic programming – the price of television entertainment in the Joynt household is ridiculous.

    So I start to ask myself – “Self, what do I really want in home entertainment?”

    The answer is actually clearer than I thought. I can do without basic cable programming except my wife likes to watch The Biggest Loser and all those silly dances and singing competition shows. We both love almost all of the HD channels like Discovery, A&E; and SyFy. We also enjoy premium movie channels, but most of the time the movies aren’t what we really want to watch – so this seems like a waste of money. Oh, and I also can’t live without my sports programming.

    I started to think about the possibility of connecting my computer to my TV. This way we could watch all the TV shows and some of the sports we wanted online, but we would likely lose some of the HD, and the online sports subscription packages are expensive. Apple TV is cool, but I already have my MacBook, and I don’t really want to have to purchase another piece of hardware when cable already offers similar on-demand programming. So I’m still looking for other alternatives.

    Then I see that Netflix started to offer instantly streaming movies and TV shows. Awesome! I can now cancel my premium cable channels knowing I can download the exact movie I want when I want for like $11 per month. I can instantly play them on my computer or TV (through my Blu-Ray DVD player) at my will. Score!

    I also notice that for $36 per year, I can stream unlimited music from Pandora to my TV and home entertainment system through my Blu-Ray DVD player. Score!

    My wife loves to watch Mark Levin, in particular, so we landed on a CRTV membership for $10 per month. This includes four new movies every month – sent to our house – ours to keep forever. I like this club especially because I can share these DVDs with family and friends.

    One thing my wife loves about cable is the on-demand workouts. In particular, she likes to do yoga at home. Searching for online yoga, I found the Gaiam Yoga Club. For $5 per week, she gets all of the yoga she wants, and she has even successfully developed her own home yoga practice.

    Then I saw the biggest news of all and something that could really change the game. Google TV was announced in May 2010 as a new platform aiming to bring the Web and all its glory to the TV. I know, I know – others have tried this before including Apple TV. But unlike Apple, Google is willing to create partnerships with the likes of Sony, Logitech, Intel and Dish Network. In my opinion, this sets the stage for a successful campaign. The first Internet-enabled TV (Sony) that runs Google’s software is scheduled to launch by the fall of 2010, and it promises to provide “richer internet access (to your TV), so you can browse the web just like you would from a computer.”

    Ultimately, it looks like we’ll all have to wait and see how this shakes out. In a press release from Dish Network, the company claims Google TV will debut as a compliment to current satellite programming. Will Google create a similar partnership with cable? If not, will cable subscribers to continue being customers? Along with my other subscriptions above, I really don’t think there will be another reason to keep the cable company.

    The lines between cable/satellite programming and online entertainment are definitely beginning to blur. It will be interesting to see if online entertainment becomes competition or complimentary. For the sake of the price of home entertainment, I would love only to have to pay a monthly internet access bill and not a cable bill although for now, it looks like Google TV may only be available through satellite subscription.