Home Exercise Equipment

Cheap Treadmills

Is it possible to find quality in cheap treadmills? The answer is yes you can. This all depends on what you are looking for. Companies like Proform, Spirit, Healthrider, Nordictrack, Smooth Fitness, Sole and Weslo have a real interest in producing quality across their entire line of treadmill models whether high priced or cheap treadmills, their reputation depends on it. These companies have a reputation to uphold so they make sure that even their cheapest treadmills are of good quality.

Please take a look at our treadmill buying guide

The established leaders in the fitness industry is ProForm treadmills. Their originality in performance products for home use was defined with the introduction of its original Space Saver models. These treadmills have delivered premium solutions for many user concerns and issues. Proform treadmills incorporate smooth operating mechanisms that generate minimal noise and the use of a wide belt which makes it much easier for users to focus on their workout.

One of the newer economy models is Proform’s 5.0 CrossTrainer. It offers several unique fitness tools that can help you reach your goals much faster. It also has other great qualities you would want to find in a cheap treadmill as far as the motor, belt and design go.

When it comes to premium performance Healthrider Treadmills are in a class of their own. They definitely did their homework prior to the introduction of their original treadmill. They are commited to providing excellence in quality. Their manufacturing is based upon a combination of modern technology, minimal force, ease in usage, and an enjoyable user experience.

One such treadmill is the  HealthRider Pro H500i. It comes with 2 upper, 2 lower and 2 total-body cross-training workouts. These workouts prompt you to perform a variety of muscle-sculpting exercises. The SoftTrack Impact Reducing Cushioning reduces impact on your joints by 15% compared to road running and delivers the perfect balance of comfort and joint protection. This feature alone makes it a great inexpensive treadmill buy.

Weslo Treadmills range from less than $100 to $499. Weslo models offer a basic cardio workout. Weslo models incorporate space saving designs as well as those that work well in larger fitness areas. Weslo Treadmills also offer an advanced features on most of their product line. Their cushioned platformis one of them. Other advancements include statistics tracking technology for monitoring the body’s heart rate continuously without the workout having to be interrupted.

The Weslo CardioStride Plus costs just over $100.00. It is a manual treadmill that provides the option for a personalized user workout program. It also features an easy-to-use incline control that allows variety in your workout. It also features a user feedback console that monitors and displays statistics relating to speed, distance, time and calories during the workout so that the user can easily keep track of his or her efforts and performance. Just a reminder, manual treadmills are usually not running treadmills, they are better suited for walking.

These are just a few of the quality cheap treadmills you can find out there. We will continue to help you choose a treadmill that is right for you and find you the best treadmill warranties.

Elliptical Trainers - Are They For You

Not so far in the past, elliptical trainers established a new level in the wide range of exercisers offered for individual workout routine. These trainers have since managed to win thousands of people and make it the preferred exerciser for cardio workouts. Each passing year there has been an upsurge in the quality and popularity of these exercisers.

Those who are into being fit are always looking for a way to work the whole body and have it done simple, and with the most benefit. It also helps if it can be used at home and where they usually work out. This machine can do that for the lowest level of fitness up to those who are in perfect shape.

Keep in mind, when attempting any exercise routine, consult with your physician concerning your health and physical ability to operate the machines.

Research centered on the world of exercise, shows that sports or physical activity consisting of constant movement like running, soccer, tennis, etc. is better for your overall health, specifically bone density. A workout on an oval exerciser may not seem to compare with such high impact activities, however, oval exercisers produce a workout just as challenging due to the options offered on different models. All this without damaging to your joints, muscles, and bones.

The oval exerciser consists of two platforms (or pedals) and -if your model comes with these- two dual movement arm bars concentrating on the upper body performed simultaneously with the elliptical workout. The platforms move in an oval direction while stepping up and down, which closely copies the natural movement when running or walking. Possibly the most attractive advantage of these exercisers is the fact that because your feet constantly remain on the pedals, there is little or no impact to the joints or bones. Due to the natural movements involved, you are able to increase your workout performance at far less of a risk than is offered by most other "total body" exercise equipment.

The Track Record of Elliptical Trainers Compared to Treadmills

Statistics show that elliptical workouts, due to the lack of concentrated impact maintain the lead against treadmills. With little or no impact, you will not fee the workout in the wrong places such as your joints, which will assist in increasing your exercise time since there is no pain. as a result you could burn the same or more calories as on a treadmill, but at a much higher comfort level.

Treadmills require the user to walk, jog, or run which meas the feet are alternately raised up then lowered. The impact level increases dramatically as you increase the level of your workout intensity. This high impact movement often results in the irritation of old injuries and heightens the risk for new injuries. Your knees, ankles, and back are at risk for severe joint damage if the high impact exercise is repeatedly engaged in. Due to this, the cross trainers are most preferred by people afflicted with knee, back, and ankle problems.

On the cardio workout level, ellipticals are equal with the treadmills, because of the option of an added workout from the arm bars which treadmills do not have, hence the total body workout. These arm bas can be used to intensify your workout, or you can merely focus on an excellent, thorough lower body workout.

Letting Your Elliptical Trainer Work For You

There are many benefits to choosing an elliptical trainer for your exercise equipment. One of the most important being little or no impact exercising. The cross trainers offer extensive cardiovascular workouts, as well as total body conditioning if your machine includes dual arm bars. Because of the low impact, pregnant women as well, though at a high risk for injuries when exercising, are able to use elliptical workouts without risk to themselves or the child they are carrying.

The one featured option that truly places the elliptical cross trainers on a higher efficiency level is the reverse feature. This allows you to pedal backwards, resulting in a more thorough workout for muscles groups that might not usually be taxed throughout the course of an exercise routine. These near effortless movements, either forward or backward, result in a workout that focuses on the abdomen, back, buttocks, and leg muscle groups. This, added to the option of changing your incline and resistance levels, produces the coveted "total body" workout.

Know the Brands and Models

The following link are the most preferred elliptical trainers available along with their purchase prices.

Your final decision should include careful consideration and research on your part, enabling you to choose the best elliptical crosstrainer that will allow your workout to be the most beneficial to you and your health.

 

Polar f6

The Polar F6 heart rate monitor is one of the most popular of the general fitness heart rate monitors from well known and respected manufacturer Polar. The Polar F6 heart monitor consists as with most heart rate monitors of a wrist receiver and a transmitter with chest strap.

But the Polar F6 monitor offers so much more than a standard exercise heart rate monitor that it easily justifies its popularity and many think it is the best heart rate monitor in its price range.

Polar F6 Features

The F6 Polar heart rate monitor watch has the following features including one or two which just a few years ago you might only see in a scientific heart rate monitor in a lab.

• time of day, daily alarm and stopwatch functionality
• accurate wireless heart rate monitor with continuous heart rate measurement
• very clear display with large digits and back light
• elasticated heart rate monitor strap incorporating transmitter
• heart rate display which shows beats per minute or percentage of maximum heart rate
• optional target heart rate zone training alarm which will sound when your rate rate is either under or over the guidelines you have set. This can be set for either beats per minute or percentage of maximum heart rate and can be set to be loud or quiet. Using Polar Own Zone this can be easily set to various exercise intensities and changed during exercise.
• calorie expenditure and percentage of fat burning calories via Polar Own Cal technology
• coded transmission prevents cross talk with other heart rate monitor users during group exercise
• data recall feature so you can access the data from your last 12 fitness sessions (duration of exercise, calories burned, percentage of fat calories, maximum heart rate, average heart rate and time in heart rate training zone) and see the past week as an exercise diary
• ability to send data to and from Polar's fitness trainer website via Polar Uplink and Weblink features. This interface is free of charge and can be obtained from the Polar website
• motivational information to keep you going    
  • fitness bullets – one appears on the watch display for every 10 minutes you exercise within your target heart rate training zone
  • real time display of the total time inside the fitness zone while you are exercising
  • real time display of calories burnt (when every calorie counts)
  • total exercise time with average heart rate
   
• water resistant to 30 meters
• choice of colors

You can see that the Polar heart rate monitor F6 is a fully featured sports heart rate monitor great for all kind of sport and general fitness. It is an ideal running heart rate monitor and for cyclists the F6 HRM can be fitted to handlebars via a bike mount.

Having reviewed a whole heap of watches of all makes and models for this site, the F6 is the one many chose as an inexpensive basic model my own use - a balance of great features without being overly complicated to remember the main functions during a fitness session. It's great that it works with most standard gym equipment too without the transmission getting mixed up with those on the other machines.

Strapless Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor?

If you are looking for a strapless Polar F6, you'll be waiting a long time. Polar are careful of their reputation and have resisted manufacturing a strapless heart rate monitor watch as these are not accurate enough for serious athletic measurement and they do not give continuous readings.

F6 Suitable for Women?

As Polar have produced the watch in coral and pink as well as more traditional male colors such as black they are obviously thinking of this as a womens heart rate monitor as well as a mans!

Just one thing - the Polar F6 watch receiver is designed to fit an average wrist for both men and women. My only concerns would be if you had very narrow wrists. The daintier Polar F4 is specifically designed as a heart rate monitor for women but does not have all of the features of the Polar F6 monitors. If you are an average woman I would stick with the F6.

Any problems?   

Like all polar heart monitors the batteries need to be replaced by a qualified service center. This means about once a year for the wrist receiver. Although the batteries in the chest strap are likely to last longer (2500 hours of use) it is advisable you get these checked at the same time.

Professional battery replacement wasn't enough to put people off the F6. The Cardiosport heart monitor others owned before the F6 could have the batteries changed locally in theory but none of their local stores knew how to do it - so they have a dead heart rate monitor lying about - and nowhere to send it. Contrast this with a wide network of service centers and a smooth battery replacement process for Polar Heart Rate Monitors - it's actually easier just to leave it to the professionals.

Anything missing?

The F6 is a pretty basic model meant for general fitness purposes and not for serious elite athletes. It will be suitable for most people who just want to get fitter without too much fuss.

The F6 is not fitted with GPS (Global Positioning System) which helps determine the distance you have covered (and is particularly useful off-road) nor does it have the capability of using the Polar Foot Pod or Bike Pod sensors. If you are looking for a Polar GPS heart rate monitor, there is the top of the range Polar RS800G3 Multisport GPS Computer Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Creatine Supplements

Creatine supplements is one among the most accepted and commonly used in the bodybuilding market today. Many athletes want to remain legal by not using steroids and turn to creatine supplements to gain energy and muscle.

Intake of creatine supplements can elevate the natural creatine levels in the body. Creatine offers an array of benefits apart from being a supplement that athletes and bodybuilders use to gain strength and muscle mass. Creatine effects seems to work best for sprinting and weightlifting sports. It also plays a significant role in the body's energy production by supplying you with a boost of energy required to carry out a heavy lifting.

Creatine is found naturally in body. Nutrition and amino acids like arginine, methionine, and glycine help in the formation of chlorine. Adding foods like herring, beef, red meat and salmon to your diet will enrich creatine the content in your body. Natural creatine contains saturated fats to increase weight. However, the supplements help weight gain in proper proportion and help for strength of the muscle and muscle movements. They also play a critical role in protecting the health of the brain from neurological injury, neurotoxin agents and stress. They multiply the muscle cells together by drawing the water to the muscles avoiding the breakdown of proteins.

Creatine is used for the resynthesis of Adenosine Triphosphate to provide energy to the muscles for exercise. There are three phosphates attached to this molecular structure namely adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine Triphosphate (ADP). ATP releases phosphate molecule and becomes ADP to provide energy. PCr donates a phosphate molecule that combines with ADP to regenerate ATP. Muscles go through three energy phases. Initially the ATP is broken down for energy and rebuilt in the ATP-Pc system. This system is the immediate energy system until all ATP is depleted. In the next system, various metabolic processes produce energy to give off lactic acid lasting for a period of ten to twelve minutes.  The final one is the aerobic system that carries the body’s energy needs over extended periods. All the three systems do overlap and the ATP-PC system kicks in occasionally. This is essential because the muscle contractions are more intense and stronger during ATP cycle.

Creatine supplements are used with monohydrate, are a white flavorless powder, and easily suspend in water. For a maximum profit, the creatine supplements are advised to take with the food is rich in carbohydrate. Carbohydrates increase the insulin concentration in the blood flow, so that muscle cells absorb them. Creatine reduces muscular fatigue enabling you to achieve higher athletic performance during short-duration, high intensity activities. Creatine also increases endurance levels and recovery rates. It builds lean body mass by accelerating fat loss. Most supplement companies recommend a procedure called loading to saturate your muscles with creatine. There are numerous ways to get the most out of creatine supplements by maximizing uptake and minimizing discomfort.

Bowflex Ultimate 2

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 home gym is the top  model for Bowflex. Overall, customers review this home gym a 5 on a scale of 1 - 5 because of its durability, comfort and the quality of features.

PROS:

There are 95 different exercises available which means there are options for every part of your body; arms, legs and your core.

It comes with a 12-year warranty. Bowflex stands behind their product 100%.

It comes standard with 310 pounds of resistance (with an option to upgrade to 410 pounds).

It folds and rolls for convenient storage which means you can use it in one room and store it in another if space is a challenge for you.

The pulley system provides great resistance while delivering a smooth, quiet operation.

It comes with a six-week guarantee: if you aren’t satisfied, return the home gym for a full refund, minus the cost of shipping and handling.

A  workout poster, training manual, DVD, and instructional video are included with the purchase. These are great tools that enable you to get the most from your Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym.

Power Rod technology is one-of-a-kind and promises a no-time-limit warranty on the Rods.

A beginner can learn how to operate this machine in a short period of time.

The squat station is fantastic. It ensures proper posture while doing a squat and prevents ‘cheating’, therefore resulting in the best movement possible.

An in-home  gym is so convenient. Many Bowflex owners rave about not having to travel to the gym to exercise. It is right there and ready to use at any time.

CONS:

The upgrade to 410 pounds of Power Rod resistance is an extra cost. Just include it with the original purchase instead of tacking on another cost.

Yes, the machine folds and rolls, but for some women, it is heavy and bulky and not easily rolled over carpet. In addition, Bowflex asks for another $100 to get the mat that is placed underneath your machine to prevent damage to carpets and floors. The mat should be included in the purchase price of the home gym.

A few owners mentioned that it took nearly 16 hours to put this machine together, not the mere 4 hours the company mentions in its advertising. (Be prepared to take the time to devote to assembly of your home gym.)

Overall, customers who purchased and own a Bowflex Ultimate 2 home gym are very happy with the machine and with their personal results. It comes highly recommended.