Thursday, 4 August 2011

What is the Best Exercise for Fast Weight Loss?

It is no secret that exercise is the most natural and the safest way for losing weight. But, is one exercise better than another exercise for fast weight loss? Let's explore the answer to that question.

The best exercise for fast weight loss is exercise of the cardio or aerobic variety.

Anaerobic exercise, such as strength training, lifting weights, or short bursts of intense energy do not really burn fat. They are good for other purposes but not for losing weight.

The one caveat to what I've just said is: The more muscle you have, the more fat your body burns because muscles consume energy. To supply those muscles with energy your body must burn fat, if you go about it in the right way.

When thinking about cardio or aerobic exercises that you can do for fast weight loss, you do not need to think only about the aerobics or the spinning class at the gym.

Aerobic and cardio exercises include any exercise that moderately increases your heart rate for sustained periods of time (30 to 60 minutes).

This can include walking at a brisk pace in the neighborhood, hiking in the woods, swimming in the pool, snowshoeing in winter, and many other kinds of exercises.

The secret to fast weight loss through exercise is consistency.

It helps very little if you do not do the exercise every day. You lose fat volume by your body burning more fat than what it puts back in the fat storage areas.

You eat every day, which means your body has the ingredients to produce fat on a daily basis. You must balance that out with daily exercise.

As far as the best exercise for fast weight loss, it is safe to say that it would be the exercise that you like most.

If spending an hour on the elliptical machine in the gym is your favorite then that is the best exercise for fast weight loss for you. The same goes for cycling, running on the treadmill, aerobics class, walking, etc.

The best exercise for fast weight loss is the exercise that you are going to love and enjoy doing. That will help you maintain consistency with your exercise routine.

Aerobic Training Machines -wordpress.com mountain bike parts Aerobic Training Machines

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Treadmills Christmas Gifts Guide - Know the Top 10 Xmas Presents For These Machines Now

This Christmas, you can expect everyone to get stuffed with all the delicious food and just forget about their diets or their belts. What better way to help them get back to shape than by giving them one of these very useful aerobic training machines? Not only are you promoting a healthier lifestyle, these machines can actually be used for a long period of time, and can be used not only by your friend, but his or her family as well. If you don't know what to get, then see the list below for the best of these machines in the market today.

Top 10 treadmills - aerobic training machines Christmas gifts for 2008

1. Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill - this multi-awarded fitness machine can track the heart rate of the user. Its platform is wide for comfortable use, and it comes with 15 different programs to choose from.

2. Stamina InMotion II Manual Treadmill - the beauty of this machine is that it is stylish, quiet, and customizable. Your friend can choose his or her own workout style, and get awesome results in a short time. It even tracks time and calories burned, too!

3. Stamina InMotion II Manual Treadmill - this is perfect for people you know that doesn't like clunky, big machines. The Stamina Motion Treadmill is sleek and stylish. Storage won't be a problem since this machine can be folded. The treadmill itself is wide enough to allow walking or jogging exercises.

4. Horizon Fitness T91 Treadmill - this treadmill's quality is at par with those found at health clubs, so you won't regret getting one for your friend or loved one. It's strong, durable, and has 9 intense workout programs to boot.

5. Phoenix 98516 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill - this treadmill is manual which makes workouts more strenuous and gives faster results. It's also less expensive than its electronic counterparts, so if you're strapped on cash, this is your best choice.

6. Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill - this small but very durable and stylish treadmill won't take up space in your friend's home since it can be easily folded up and stored. It offers very intense workouts for its small frame.

7. Merit Fitness 715T Treadmill - this middle-priced treadmill offers the best of both worlds: affordability plus usefulness. It gives great, vigorous workouts and you won't have to spend a lot to get it for your friend.

8. Cadence C44 - this small machine can actually give you a great cardio workout with added weight loss advantages. The speed and incline of this treadmill can also be controlled for better and faster results.

9. Sole F85 Treadmill (2008 Model) - this gift is great for your friend who's serious about his health. It's quite pricey, but it's worth it, seeing that this treadmill has a lot of features such as 6 programs, 2 additional programs which can be set by the user, and 2 programs that focus on heart rates. These are just some of the many features of this excellent treadmill.

10. Sole F80 Treadmill (2009 Model) - this newest model is lauded for being easy to use and made of very high quality materials. This is a great gift for those who are just starting to improve their health.

Aerobic Training Machines

Sunday, 31 July 2011

Healthier Vending Machines in Public Schools

The sugary and salty treats that line vending machines can be tempting for adults and children alike. Now, the Obama administration wants to limit that temptation by updating the Childhood Nutrition Act in order to eliminate unhealthy treats in school vending machines. The administration is proposing a $10 billion dollar investment over 10 years to improve the quality of foods provided in public schools.

Childhood obesity and healthy eating have been issues at the forefront of the First Lady's campaign since Obama's inauguration. Changes to the act aim to continue promoting good nutrition for America's youth by forbidding high-sugar, high-fat processed treats from vending machines in public schools.

Passed by President Johnson, the Childhood Nutrition Act was first established in 1966 and led to the development of free meal programs. These programs continue to thrive today. Now, the Obama administration seeks to increase the number of students enrolled in such free lunch programs and to increase the number of schools offering free breakfast programs.

Lawmakers are expected to begin debating the proposed changes in the next few weeks. Whether or not the goal of improving school nutrition standards will be met during Obama's term remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the Obama administration wants to keep the issue of school nutrition in the minds of today's parents. Promoting awareness of healthy eating habits from a young age is certainly a message that Americans will continue to hear from both the First Lady as well as the President.

Aerobic Training Machines

Saturday, 30 July 2011

Girls Hockey Training - What to Avoid This Summer - Part 1

I recently reviewed the off-season training program of a varsity women's hockey team from a major university.

The off-season training programs available to female hockey players have come a long way since I was a 16 year old reading women's fitness magazines to find tips and advice on how to take my game to the next level.

But reading this program was like getting transported back in time.

I could probably write a critique of the program that is nearly as long as the 76 page program.

But instead I will show you the 3 biggest problems I saw with the program and how to avoid making the same mistakes that can actually decrease your performance and increase your chance of injuries this off-season.

BIG PROBLEM #1: The exercises were NOT FUNCTIONAL

Functional training has become a big buzzword in the world of fitness in the last few years.
Essentially, the term applies to training that increases the ability of the person being trained to function in their daily pursuits.

In the case of hockey players, this would mean that the training addresses the specific needs of the athlete for their sport.

The exercises and drills included in this particular training plan were NOT functional for 2 main reasons:

1) They were largely machine-based

Machine-based training, whether used for hockey strength training or conditioning, is not only non-functional for young athletes, but it is also dangerous.

Most exercise equipment is designed for 6 foot tall 170 lb males. The size and configuration of these machines is completely inappropriate for young female hockey players. What's worse is that these machines provide far too much support and rigidity in movement to be specific for hockey. When was the last time you were in the corner trying to push a player off the puck with your body completed support by a comfy exercise machine?

This varsity training program relied far too much on machine-based training. All players must learn how to control their own body-weight safely and effectively in free space in order to excel at their sport.

This is simply impossible to do when sitting on a machine.

2) They were mostly linear in nature

Hockey is NOT a linear sport.

It is a multi-directional sport that is more lateral than linear in nature. In the average shift, a skater changes direction 40 times! Players will skate in straight lines every once in a while, but even that requires a stride that is largely lateral in nature.

The multi-directional nature of hockey must be addressed in a properly designed off-season training program.

Simply running sprints in straight lines or performing strength exercises in a single movement direction will not cut it!

Doing a largely linear training program will put players at a serious disadvantage once the season starts.

Moving laterally and changing direction are complex and demanding movements that MUST be trained in the off-season if players are going to be adequately prepared once the pre-season rolls around.

The summer training programs of girls hockey players must address their hockey-specific needs and be as functional as possible.

In Part 2 of "What To Avoid This Summer", I will discuss how an off-season conditioning program that is largely aerobic in nature can harm a young player's ability to excel on the ice.

Best Mountain Bike Reviws - wordpress.com

Thursday, 28 July 2011

High Intensity Interval Training - How to Optimize Your Workout Routine and Achieve Optimal Fat Loss

Humans evolved over the millennia being physical - survival meant performing consistently varied relatively low intensity endurance activities such as gathering food, building shelter, tracking animals, and simply moving with the seasons (this was 40,000 years before agriculture appeared). This means that humans developed the physiological need for moving at a low level of exertion for several hours a day.

Occasionally, short-duration outputs of peak power during fights and sprints were required - to chase, or flee an opponent or animal. Rarely, if ever, did man spend any long periods of time with his heart rate significantly elevated as a distance runner might today - just as we can look to those genetic ancestors of ours for answers to our dietary needs (i.e. eat plants and animals; do not eat grains or dairy), today we can and should take note of our ancestors' movement patterns for the exercise component of optimal health.

The Danger of Lengthy "Cardio Sessions" and Aerobics:

As a general description, physical efforts two minutes or less are considered anaerobic and those that last more than several minutes are aerobic. An aerobic "cardio" session is defined as spending long periods of time at 75% of your maximum heart rate. The danger of engaging in lengthy aerobic workouts, such as an hour running on the treadmill or 90 minutes on an exercise bike, is that it creates a stress response within the body. This can result in chronic damage to the body and less optimal fitness than is commonly believed.

"But, I love my 60 minute cardio sessions on the treadmill."Unfortunately, that kind of training (and thinking) is commonplace in today's gyms and health clubs; however, our bodies don't love those lengthy cardio sessions on our favorite piece of exercise equipment as much as we'd like to think.

Lengthy Aerobic Exercise Results In:


increased cortisol levels (cortisol is the stress hormone)
increased oxidative damage to your cells
increased systemic inflammation
depressed immune system
muscle breakdown (called muscle wasting)
decreased fat metabolism

Did you notice that last part about decreased fat metabolism? That's what comes as a surprise to many people - you can actually achieve optimal fat loss with short term high intensity workouts, also known as an interval training routines, than with long drawn-out cardio sessions.

What is Short Interval High Intensity Training?

Short interval high intensity training routines consist of alternating periods of high intensity work with rest in repeated timed intervals. Research conducted by Dr. Izumi Tabata from the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, Japan found that an interval training cycle of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated without pause 8 times for a total of four minutes produced remarkable results. His research showed that high-intensity intermittent training routines produced greater aerobic and anaerobic capacity than an hour of endurance exercise.

The Value of Short Interval High Intensity (Anaerobic) Exercise:


burns fat
builds muscle
builds endurance or aerobic performance (that comes as a surprise to many endurance athletes), but without the muscle breakdown
helps improve 'strong finishes' in endurance events

How to Create a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Workout:


The high-intensity phase should be strenuous enough that you are out of breath - typically one to four minutes of exercise at 75 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate
Recovery periods should not last long enough for your pulse to return to its resting rate.
Pick any type of exercise (running, swimming, recumbent bike, treadmill, elliptical machine, pushups, squats, etc).
Warm up sufficiently to get your body prepared to perform your workout
Select the time intervals and the number of rounds you would like to perform during your workout. (e.g. Tabata workout is 20 seconds of work, then 10 seconds of rest for 8 rounds)
Begin your workout exerting as much effort as possible with each consecutive round of work and get a good sweat on!

How Often Should I Do A Short Interval High Intensity Training Workout?


Short interval high intensity workouts are recommended to be done at least once per week on top of regular movement every day, weekly strength training, sprinting, and other metabolic conditioning workouts.

Are Short Interval Training Workouts for Everyone?


Yes, anyone can do short bursts of intense exercise, although you should start slowly if you've never done it before. Also, it's very important to do a good warm-up beforehand to ensure your body is primed and ready for exercise.
Yes, interval training is hard work, but the sessions are short and you won't be bored.
Interval training is not the only way to exercise, but it is an excellent foundation or for any fitness routine and a wonderful way to get healthy, lose weight, gain muscle, and... get back to your primal roots!

"You try to stay within the rules for the sake of the game, but you can always turn up the intensity."- Lawrence Taylor, ex-NFL pro football player.

Best Mountain Bike Reviws - wordpress.com mountain bike parts Aerobic Training Machines

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Man Boobs - Lose Them in 4 Easy Steps

Every morning you wake up and sit along side your bed. Your chest is weighing you down and your
back aches. You walk passed a mirror in your room and cringe at the sight of your man boobs. Well
you sir are in luck, because after reading this article you will know How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs.
You've probably put on the pounds over the years, a lot of men have. It's easy not to pay attention
with the world moving as fast as it does and our every day lives being so hectic. But one day you sit
there and realize something needs to be done. You're tired of walking passed mirrors and windows
and seeing your chest bulge from your shirt. Maybe you have even tried to tuck them away "painful",
and have you ever gone to the beach or a pool, taken off your shirt and been embarrassed because
you feel people starring and laughing? Doesn't that make you want to curl up in a ball in a corner
and hide?

It is finally time to take action! Do something about those man boobs. There is the chance that you
may have what is known as Gynaecomastia, which is the over development of breast tissue. If this
is the case I highly suggest seeing a doctor because not only are man boobs unsightly, they can
also cause problems in your back with the extra weight in the front. The first place you should look
is your diet. What are you eating, and how much of it are you eating? Is junk food your norm "Candy,
fast food, chips"; if this is your normal diet we have found your problem already.

How do we solve this problem? It's not going to be easy. It's going to require that you have a certain
mindset and are prepared to work. Your diet is certainly going to have to change. You're going to
have to start eating better foods like vegetables, fruits, chicken breast, and turkey. Check Labels
before purchasing your foods for saturated fats, sugars and calories. Exercise is also very
important. You will want to burn the fat and sculpt your body just like clay. Anaerobic "weight lifting"
and aerobic "walking, running, swimming, jogging" exercises are all fantastic ways to cut the fat off
and watch your man boobs wither away. Here are some basic steps to follow.

Step 1. Reduce Calories: The best way to burn fat is to cut the calories. But be sure not to get out of
control, like starving yourself. Just cut back and read food labels before purchase.

Step 2. Less Sugar: Sugar is burned for energy, sugar found in junk food and sodas burns rather
quickly, where vegetables and fruit sugars burn slowly. However, if you are not using energy to burn
these sugars over time these sugars will turn into body fat.

Step 3. Exercise: Walking, running, swimming, jogging, attending a gym, are all great ideas. The
reason is if you are staying active you can almost eat whatever you want! Why? Because your body
is burning everything you take in. Staying active is a key to getting rid of man boobs.

Step 4. Cosmetic Surgery: This can be expensive and very painful however; the results are usually
100 percent effective. Before taking this step into consideration I suggest trying to do it through a
good diet and exercise. I say this because after your surgery you will still have the same eating
habits and probably be back where you started before you know. That's why I suggest this step as a
last resort. Also be sure to seek a doctor's advice before taking this step.

Remember, you are the only person who can do this; no one can do it for you. But before you know it
those annoying man boobs will be gone.

Aerobic Training Machines -wordpress.com Aerobic Training Machines

Monday, 25 July 2011

Cardio Fitness Training Basics

Cardio fitness training is a fundamental part of any exercise program. The words "cardio" is interchangeable with "aerobic" and is short for "cardiovascular". Improvement in the ability of the heart to deliver oxygen to the muscles and in the muscle's ability to generate energy with oxygen results in increased aerobic fitness. Engaging in aerobic training has many benefits. Many people report feeling more "energy" from their program. Aerobic capacity is associated with a faster metabolism, which means that stored body fat burns faster. This enhances weight loss.

The type of activity you choose is less important than the quality level that you maintain. Tennis, racquetball and basketball can be considered cardio if they are performed with adequate intensity and duration. Otherwise, the Scottsdale, Arizona climate is perfect for swimming, running, cycling and hiking are great forms of aerobic training. Of course indoor machines such as the elliptical, treadmill and stair-master are primarily designed to increase aerobic fitness.

A few general guidelines for cardio fitness training:

o Perform cardio training for at least thirty minutes four days a week. To qualify as aerobic, you should break a sweat and/or stay within your target heart rate for at least twenty minutes. Your approximate target heart rate is between 65 and 80 percent of your maximum heart rate (calculated as 220 minus your age) Heart rate zones vary tremendously from person to person. It's often advisable to work with a certified personal trainer to help establish your personalized heart rate zones.

o Include intervals in your aerobic fitness program at least once weekly. Interval training involves alternating high-intensity aerobic bursts with periods of rest. This can significantly increase your metabolism.

o Properly designed strength training can actually increase your aerobic capacity. A full-body circuit training program with short rest intervals doubles as aerobic training. These workouts should be performed at least twice weekly in addition to your more traditional aerobic workouts.

o Remember to consult with your doctor before starting a any fitness program.

Aerobic Training Machines mountain bike parts sports-outdoors amazon2pligg