National Fitness Equipments, Exercises, Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise, Health Benefits, Physical Exercise

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment

Finding the Right Equipment

Before you make a final purchasing decision - consider these questions:

* Will the equipment help you achieve your desired goal - whether it's to build strength, increase flexibility, improve endurance, or enhance your health?

* Will you stick to the program? Keeping with an exercise program can be rough:
Think of all the basements, rec rooms and yard sales stocked with costly stationary bikes, treadmills and rowing machines that have gone unused and now serve merely as places to hang clothes. Before you buy, prove to yourself that you're ready to act on your good intentions.
To help you choose the best equipment for your needs, check out consumer and fitness magazines that rate exercise equipment. Then test various pieces of equipment at a local gym, recreation center or retailer to find the machine or device that feels comfortable to you.

Shop around: Exercise equipment advertised on TV or in newspapers or magazines may be available at local sporting goods, department and discount stores. That can make it easier to shop for the best price. Don't be fooled by companies that advertise "three easy payments of ..." or "only $49.95 a month." The advertised price may not include shipping and handling fees, sales tax, and delivery and set-up fees. Ask about the costs before you close the deal.

Get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies: A "30-day money-back guarantee" may not sound as good if you're responsible for paying a hefty fee to return a bulky piece of equipment you bought.

Check out the company's customer and support services. Call the advertised toll-free number to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company representative and how helpful he or she is.

You may get a great deal on a piece of fitness equipment from a second-hand store, consignment shop, yard sale, or the classified ads. Buy wisely: Items bought second-hand usually aren't returnable and don't carry the warranties that new equipment does.

Whether used or new, home exercise equipment can be a great way to shape up — but only if you use it regularly. Don't be taken in by claims of quick, easy and effortless results: There's no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat way to a toned body.

Labels: Aerobic Exercise, Exercise hypertension, Physical Activity safe, physical Exercise, Physical Fitness

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Tips for Safe Physical Activity

Slow down if you feel out of breath. You should be able to talk during your activity, without gasping for breath.

Drink water when you are thirsty to replace the water you lose by sweating.

Wear Suitable Clothes
* Wear lightweight, loose-fitting tops so you can move easily.
* Wear clothes made of fabrics that absorb sweat and remove it from your skin.
* Never wear rubber or plastic suits. Plastic suits could hold the sweat on your skin and make your body overheat.
* Women should wear a good support bra.
* Wear supportive athletic shoes for weight-bearing activities.
* Wear a knit hat to keep you warm when you are physically active outdoors in cold weather. Wear a tightly woven, wide-brimmed hat in hot weather to help keep you cool and protect you from the sun.
* Wear sunscreen when you are physically active outdoors.
* Wear garments that prevent inner-thigh chafing, such as tights or spandex shorts.

Stop your activity right away if you:
* Have pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest or neck, shoulder, or arm.
* Feel dizzy or sick.
* Break out in a cold sweat.
* Have muscle cramps.
* Are extremely short of breath.
* Feel pain in your joints, feet, ankles, or legs. You could hurt yourself if you ignore the pain.

Ask your health care provider what to do if you have any of these symptoms.

Drink water when you are thirsty.

Water helps every cell and organ in your body work. It cushions your joints, helps keep you regular, keeps your body cool, and prevents dehydration when you are sweating.

Labels: Physical Activity safe