Bodylastics: It works on Muscles, Not the Joints

My search for an exercise equipment or gadget that works well on muscles but does not hurt the joints was long and difficult.This was to replace my gym membership for which I have paid much and did workouts religiously to be 'worthy' of the price.So one day I sort of computed my membership payments and the result floored me!I could buy equipment with the total, use them exclusively, and yet save some money.

So I went looking for that optimum equipment that fills my requirement and still save me money.I comparison-shopped, looking at Bowflex and several others.Not one fit my needs, plus being quite costly and complicated as well.Some friends already own them. I tried theirs out, to see if the pro’s would outweigh the obvious con’s. It didn’t take long to realize that this equipment was not right for my routine, or needs.

Wanting to at least keep my muscles toned, I looked for 'exercise bands' on the Internet to use meantime.Then I came across something: "Bodylastics, A home gym exercise system", it said. When I clicked on the site, I was baffled.It was simply resistance bands! And they call that a whole system?Uhh ha...Probably, I thought, and looked for it.And there it was, the magic words..."Won't hurt the joints."! tough on the muscles.Exactly what I need! Yet, is that possible with just some resistance bands?

Still skeptical, but very curious, I keep reading.The write-up said the band can perform more than 140 exercises possible in gyms.The assertions were backed up by demo pictures.And it said the product was not a static strength exercise band. The different system options provided 15-94 levels of tension.The various levels of tension was designed to gradualy increase exercise difficulty without anything else.

So I thought it is worth a try with the $49.00 price.95, and try it out.Well, $49.95 is only a small portion of what I paid as gym membership fees.Perhaps it can replace the 20,000 dollars worth of equipment i had in mind.

I have been using the Bodylastics exercise bands for three months now. All I can say is: “Wow!”

Unbelievable how such a system can be so small it can be contained in a cabinet, be relatively inexpensive, yet work results comparable to gym-produced exercises. I noticed a marked improvement in my tone, strength, and even lost unneeded weight and my joints didn’t hurt anymore.

Lifting weights can negatively afffect tendons and ligaments due to overstrain.Bodylastics exercises move only the muscles with only the needed force so there is no overstraining the ligaments, tendons and joints. Thus I can take my whole gym system along when I travels.No gym membership payments anymore.The worthiest $50.00 that I ever spent!

Maximum Weight Loss

"Rapid Weight Loss Techniques"

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical incapabilities. There are a lot of positive changes once a person experience weight loss. It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim head turner body.

The very first thing that an over-weight should do is seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss regimen. This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to the determination of proper weight loss technique. And to lose weight rapidly and effectively four aspects of life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight's life:

First: Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements. Begin by learning a diet food plan that can easily be accustomed with. Incorporate an exercise plan that allows even at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

Second: Set realistic goals. The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to easily lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will never be disheartened and lose focus.

Third: Listen as the body speaks. Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different fast weight loss programs and plans. Try out substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction. Exercise program must be suitable to one's body, as others are not able to exercise as intensely as others can. If walking is all that you can do, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. Muscles burn more calories than fats so it's also a good idea to put on a little muscle and looking good too.

Fourth: Eat more fibers for it makes a person full sooner and stays in the stomach longer, slowing down the rate of digestion. A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster. Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes your body's insulin level. Thus, making your body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

Fifth: Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat. Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried. It is recommended for those on strict diet to opt for grilled food as this does not have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

Sixth: Takes lots of fluid. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed. Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, you must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to an easy weight loss success. Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

How does the bridal diet work?

 

Your wedding day is going to be one of the most important days of your life. It's the day when all eyes are upon you and only you. It's only to be expected that you will want to look as good as you can on your special day. Of course, you'll want to ensure that your makeup, dress and hair are as good as they could be. But what if your dress is a little tighter that it was when you attended your last fitting? You need what we call a bridal diet.

In the short window of time that you have left to you, you need a highly target plan that will deliver several pounds of weight loss every week - right up to your wedding day (and beyond, if you want!).

You need a bridal diet that is easy to follow and doesn’t take up a lot of your time or attention. You are going to have enough to think about in the weeks ahead without having to concentrate on your food intake.

It's quite common to have lots of parties etc as the weding approaches and this is the time when a few pounds can go on without our even noticing.

So your bridal diet that is going to help you lose weight for your wedding needs to be simple and straightforward, undemanding in terms of time and able to put you in the right frame of mind for what is bound to be a somewhat stressful build up to your wedding.

What is the big difficulty when it comes to losing weight. Why do we find it so difficult, even when we are highly motivated?

We need to be aware of the fact that our digestive systems developed in ecosystems where food was much, much more scarce than it is today. So, our alimentary canal is designed to draw as much energy as it can out of every meal. Also, we are designed to prefer high energy foods, that is fatty and sweet foods, because, in years gone by, these sorts of food would give us the best chance of survival when we didn't know where our next meal was coming from. And that is why we'd rather have a donut than a dry biscuit.

So the ideal bridal diet needs to help us overcome these natural tendencies and help us reduce our calorie intake without causing mental angst or unhelpful cravings.

If we understand why our body behaves the way it does with regard to food, we can at least have a fighting chance of losing weight when we need to.

There are hundreds of diet plans and clubs available some of which might be appropriate for a bridal diet and some of which might help you lose weight for your wedding but for unrivalled success in this most special of weight loss scenarios, you need a plan that deal with your bridal diet explicitly.

If you're looking for a highly targeted plan that will help you shed 10 pounds in just 14 days, then you can't do better than Strip That Fat - it's specifically designed to deal with short-term dieting targets and it worked wonders for my two daughters when they decided to lose a few pounds for their wedding (they had a double wedding and I can't tell you how proud it made me to see them looking so slim and beautiful on their special day).

 

Weight Loss VS Muscle Toning

Having a nice lean and sculptured body is the goal or in many cases the dream of many individuals. We often hear people talking about "toning up", but what does that really mean. If you begin to notice that you have extra "flab" hanging from the back of your arms does this means you need to get to a gym and start working your arms? Most would say yes, but actually the answer is no, although working out and lifting some weights is never a bad idea.

Whether it is the back of your arms or the most popular the abs, working out any particular muscle does not mean you will be able to see that muscle any better at least not until you get rid of the layer of fat that is hiding it. So what does this mean? You can do a hundred sit-ups a day but until you lose weight you will not be able to see your six pack. When you are say working out your abs you are indeed burning calories however they could be coming from the fat around your ankles, you do not get to choose.

So if working out your muscles does not necessarily mean that it is going to stand out and be visible then why weight train? The simple fact is muscle burns more calories than the fat covering those muscles. Therefore if you want to have the overall appearance of being sculptured then you need to get your body burning the calories and the easiest way to get this done is to regularly work your muscles; all your muscles, eat properly, and add in some cardio.

A well rounded workout that includes weight training, will turn your body into a calorie burning machine, strengthen your muscle and preserve the muscle you have which becomes increasing more important as you age. You will have better balance, flexibility,  and stronger, healthier bones; again important especially as you age. You can not choose the area of your body that you want to lose weight from and do specific exercises to make it happen, therefore instead of wanting to lose the belly fat choose to work towards an overall leaner, stronger and healthier body.

If your goal is to strengthen your over all body and to lose your excess body fat then you should be doing weight training at least four times a week. This will enable you to work out each muscle group twice a week and still allow your muscles time to rest (two days is best). Remember it is not the working out of the muscle that causes it to strengthen but instead the recovery and rebuilding after the fact. A weight training plan may look like this:

Day 1: Chest, shoulders, triceps, quads, upper abs, obliques
Day 2: Back, biceps, hamstrings, glutes, lower abs
Day 3: No weight training
Day 4: Chest, shoulders, triceps, quads, upper abs, obliques
Day 5: Back, biceps, hamstrings, glutes, lower abs
Day 6: No weight training
Day 7: No weight training

The days you choose and the order in which you do the activities is entirely up to you, however it is recommended that you group upper body together for one workout and then lower body for another workout.

Information About Treadmills.

A treadmill is a piece of exercise apparatus that is typically used inside. The exerciser can run or walk whilst staying in the same place, when using this equipment. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain.

The machines belt moves from the front of the system to the back at varying speeds for a person to walk or run against. The exercise speed (running or walking) is easily set (the speed at which the belt rotates is the speed at which the individual moves).) The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor driven. For a less expensive treadmill that is simple and light, go with a passive version. This design is not motor powered, it is powered by the individual running and just offers resistance to motion.

Treadmills History:      

Treadmills were invented in 1875. The first machine was a "lever power" treadmill and was used for agriculture. They are manufactured in various sizes so as to accommodate various sizes of animals . The little treadmills were operated by dogs and sheep to deliver power to the fanny mills or butter churns they were connected to. The larger ones were driven by horses to run threshing machines.

The First Medical Machine:

The first medical machine was invented by UW cardiologist Robert Bruce in 1952 and he was called the father of exercise cardiology, along with UW staffer Wayne Quinton. The Standard Stress Test was invented to help diagnose lung and heart problems and to see the severity of those diseases. Quinton later sold his interest to Stairmaster, who was subsequently bought by Nautilus.

Tunturi Treadmill:

Tunturi was founded in 1922, and started as a bicycle repair shop. The Tunturi company is is given the credit by many individuals as the first manufacturer of physical fitness equipment, because of their well known W1 exercise bike. The company is based in Finland, and today they have the enviable reputation as probably being the leading and best-known manufactures of high class fitness equipment, which includes exercise bikes, rowers, and steppers.

Aerobics, Incorporated:

In the late 1960's Bill Staub noticed that treadmills were very expensive and were used mainly as medical testing machines. An affordable home treadmill was built by Staub who was trained medical engineer. He sent Dr. Cooper a prototype, and he was so impressed, he sold the first few hundred to people that were his referrals. 40 years ago, Dr. Cooper's business, Aerobics, Inc, started full scale manufacturing of PaceMaster treadmills. Since that time, they have evolved from manufacturing basic treadmills to manufacturing apparatus with computerized and automatic functions.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration:     

The U.S. space program used treadmills onboard Skylab to keep the astronauts in good shape, while they were in a gravity free environment. The first treadmill that was used in the space by the astronauts was just a Teflon coated plate that allowed the feet to slide while the astronaut ran in place with bungee cord tethers.

For more information about treadmills please go to our website for videos and reviews of the Tunturi treadmill exercise machine and more .

 

The Benefit Of Stretching Exercise

Illustrated Stretching Exercise

Stretching exercises are recognized as a necessary part of any fitness training and physical activity; many muscle and joint injuries have been prevented this way. This is not the only thing that it is important to remember if you intend to carry our fitness programs.

To increase your flexibility and to avoid injuries, stretch before and after workout. This flexibility is further improved when you carry out muscle and tendon stretching exercises after you have finished any physical activity.

For instance, stretching movements for a warm up only have to last a third of the time that the same movements do when you are doing a cool-down, so they need to last for about a minute. It is not advisable to stretch and then relax straight away but to return to the original position slowly.

Ideally the stretch should last a few seconds then a slow return because it is easy to damage joints or even pull muscles when this is not done correctly. Work slowly in increments instead of immediately proceeding to doing the hardest exercise or position so make sure that you have stretched or warmed up all muscle groups.

A neck workout is as important as the rest of your body and is quite easy, only requiring pressure from the palm of the hand as it rests against the forehead which can then be repeated at the side of the head and the back. If you carry out regular stretching prior to fitness training you will be surprised just how flexible your body becomes and it will increase your ability to perform certain training. It is a common sight seeing relative newcomers try to compete with people who are far more advanced but this is never a good idea; just stick to what your body is comfortable with and you will gradually increase you abilities. Do not expect your body to be able to carry out the same exercises and level of training every time you go to the gym because some days you will have a better workout than others; this is perfectly normal and to be expected. Going to the gym every other day for fitness training is the best way as you can rest all your muscles at the same time and give them a chance to recover and grow before you return for another workout. Aerobic exercises are very good for the health of your heart and improve lung capacity and lower the heart rate; look to carry out rowing, running, skipping for example before you start attacking the weight machines.

Many people find music good for exercise, especially something with a regular beat that can be worked to; of course mp3 players are ideal for this. If you are someone who has trouble relaxing or sleeping then you may want to consider stretching exercises as it is good for you even if you are not working out. Even if you do not intend to workout, stretching is an excellent way for the body to relax, especially if you find yourself in one position for a good deal of the day.

To get more information on stretching exercises visit the Stretching Rack

All about Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems  falling asleep, staying asleep or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It  is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder.

It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Researchers do not know exactly why people need sleep, but we do know that lack of sleep can kill. Humans deprived of sleep for long periods begin hallucinating and develop other mental problems.

Important hormone production is regulated during sleep; in children, human growth hormone (HGH) is released during deep sleep. Insufficient sleep can affect hormonal balance in adults as well. Getting enough deep sleep and they do know that people can go longer without food than without sleep.  During sleep the subject’s Sleep metabolic rate and energy consumption are reduced.  The cardiovascular system also slows down during sleep as blood pressure drops as well as

Insomnia can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Its consequences - sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance - are similar to those of sleep deprivation. If this form of insomnia continues to occur from time to time, the insomnia is classified as intermittent.
Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months.
Chronic insomnia lasts from months to years.  Insomnia occurs 1.4 times more commonly in women than in men.

If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, a sleep specialist can confirm if your suspicions are correct – and make a careful and detailed medical evaluation to find the source of your sleep problem.
A doctor or a sleep specialist can diagnose your sleep disorder based on a number of factors, including:
• A description of your symptoms
• Your age
• Your gender
• Your psychological history
• Your medical history

Insomnia can be caused by the following habits and conditions whick risk factors for developing a sleep disorder:
• Poor sleep environment (e.g., too noisy, too brightly lit, too hot, or too cold)
• Excessive use of caffeine, alcohol, or certain medications and drugs
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Illness
• Obesity
• Anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder
• Stress, such as the death of a loved one or job pressure
• Unhealthy or irregular sleep routine
• Early or late-night bedtimes
• Traveling between time zones
• Daytime napping
• Shift work with a rotating schedule

 

 

How to Stay Motivated in Your Exercise Program: Six Secrets

We all know how easy it is to put off exercise, especially if you have a busy life, but here are six key ways to keep yourself motivated:

1. Track your progress.
Find a method to track how many miles you've walked, how many calories you've burned or how many steps you've taken. Consider making a wall chart with milestones written out along a line. Make a check mark each day when you make progress toward your next milestone. You can even create a little character of yourself to move along the line. Each day, you can see how far you have to go until your next milestone, and how far you've come.
You can also track your progress on a simple calendar. Mark off the days that you complete your exercise routine. You'll be motivated as you get to the end of the month and you see how well you have done with your plan. Several of the best online diet programs have an online component where you can track your progress, alongside your intake of food and water.

2. Reward yourself.
Once you've reached a milestone on your chart, or checked off a certain number of days on your calendar, be sure to reward yourself with a non-food reward. Buy yourself some new music on iTunes to exercise to. Treat yourself to new workout clothes. Enjoy a movie out with your spouse. Reward yourself in ways that really matter to you, and you'll be more likely to make an effort to work out more.

3. Give yourself a break.
If you miss a day due to illness or a busy schedule, don't beat yourself up about it. You won't get anywhere by putting yourself through a guilt trip. If you end up getting down on yourself each time you make a mistake with your exercise program, you'll probably get rid of your program entirely. Just plan to make up for a missing session on another day.

4. Mix up your exercise routine.
One of the main reasons that people stop exercising is out of boredom. While your exercise program may be exciting and fresh when you first start, even the most fast-paced workout DVD can get boring after a while. Mixing up your routine will keep you interested enough to want to keep working out. In addition, changing your workout from time to time will help you lose more weight and get more fit. Over time, your body gets used to the same repetitive motions and figures out ways to make the exercise easier. By introducing different types of movement, you'll keep your body guessing and get more from your exercise.

5. Work out with friends or family.
Exercise is a lot more enjoyable when you do it as a group. The best way to stick with a program is commit to another person to work out together. You can motivate each other to keep going. It won't be as easy to skip a workout session if you have promised someone else that you'll work out.

6. Try behavior modification
A subliminal or non subliminal audiotape or CD (such as Think Right Now programs from Mike Brescia) may be able to help your mind and spirit work alongside you to help keep your body moving each day. If this is something you think might work for you, check out the current offerings from Hay House, as well. This publisher specializes in self help and personal empowerment titles, seminars, and programs.