Home Exercise – What Equipment Do You Really Need?

If we want to lose some weight, or start a new exercise program, then joining a gym is a great idea. So we join up, pay our fees and buy all the gear, and then can’t seem to find the time to go! There’s always something else to do. Looking after the kids, take the dog for a walk and cleaning the house. Well, at least we are doing something healthy, as all those things count as exercise anyway! But it’s not enough is it? If we want a proper workout, we have to set aside some proper time. It doesn’t have to be an hour or more at a time– breaking it up into six sessions of 10 minutes is just as good and still gets us our 1 hour of exercise.

One problem most of us have is we don’t have a room we can use exclusively as a gym. We need exercise equipment that can be tidied away when it’s not in use, but is easy enough to set up when we do want to use it. Well thankfully, there is a good range of this sort of home exercise equipment on the market these days.

Cardio Exercise Equipment for Home Use

Cardio-vascular exercise is the type that makes you breathe hard and work up a sweat. Whichever cardio vascular exercise you choose, it should be done for a minimum of half an hour a day to give significant health benefits, but again, this can be broken up into shorter sessions if you prefer. Remember, though, that you will need to warm up and cool down each time to avoid potential injury or strain or just stiffness the next day. This means that a 10-minute session might include two or three minutes at the beginning and end when you are not working hard enough for it to count as cardio. For this reason you might find the most time-effective way to do your  cardiois in one session.

Stairs or a low bench can be used to do your cardio, with similar results to using a machine, but not all of us can put the strain on our knees that this usually entails. So a low-impact machine can be a godsend. Treadmills are lower impact than running on a pavement but elliptical exercisers, bikes or rowers are even better. Also, most of them also measure the number of calories you burn, which is a good incentive. Start off with a 10-15-minute session every other day to start off, and this will help to ease you into the habit. You will then find it easier to stick with it than if you start off to hard and fast.

Weight or Resistance Training at Home

In addition to the cardio, and to improve the look of your body, you will need to do some resistance training as well. You can begin this training without special exercise equipment, by using your own body weight, which is a safe option, as long as you are in the right position for all exercises. There is plenty of advice available on this online. Curls, the safe alternative to sit-ups, are great for stomach muscles. For the chest, arm and shoulder muscles, try push-ups. And leg lifts or squats are usually sufficient for most people to achieve initial strength improvements to the legs.

 

By combining these two forms of exercise, the cardio as often as you like, but having one rest day a week, and resistance work every other day, it won’t be long at all until you start seeing results!

Click Here To See Home Exercise Equipment At Amazon.com

Elliptical Or Treadmill – Which Is For You?

If you are a fitness enthusiast you will probably be thinking of buying a home fitness machine. The two most popular pieces of home exercise equipment are the treadmill and the elliptical trainer. Read on for a comparison of an elliptical vs treadmill and to see which one is best for you?

Treadmill

A treadmill is an exercise machine that allows you to walk, jog or run while staying in one place. It can even simulate walking up a small hill. Many treadmills have preset programs and intensity levels to choose from. This allows you to program a workout that will match your fitness goal.

Elliptical Trainer

Elliptical trainers are a relatively new addition to the line of fitness machines, but they are rapidly gaining popularity. Elliptical trainers provide a low impact exercise that can be compared to running in mid-air. They work out both the lower and upper body.

Compare Elliptical vs Treadmill

Walking and running are popular forms of exercise. That’s because these are two activities that practically everybody can do. Walking or running outdoors is great, but there are times when it’s not practical. For instance, you wouldn’t want to go out in the rain or snow. If you want to exercise anytime you feel like it, you will want to have your own home fitness machine.

The question is, should you buy an elliptical trainer or a treadmill? Let’s compare elliptical vs treadmill so you can decide for yourself.

• Calories burned. A treadmill provides an excellent lower body workout for the legs, thighs and buttocks. An elliptical works out both the lower and upper body. You may think an elliptical trainer burns more calories than a treadmill but the difference is really not that much. If you want to burn more calories, exercise harder and longer!
• Possibility of injury. An elliptical provides low-impact exercise and is recommended for people with joint or back problems. Treadmills can have a higher incidence of injury for the simple reason that running on a treadmill is a high impact activity. This is not to say that nobody can suffer an injury on an elliptical. To reduce your chance of injury, warm up properly and build up the intensity of your workout gradually.
• Cost. The cost of treadmills and ellipticals can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the quality and features. On average, ellipticals are more affordable than treadmills.
• Durability. Comparing elliptical vs treadmill, an elliptical trainer is more durable because it has fewer moving parts.
• Space requirements. Quality treadmills and ellipticals require a sizeable amount of space. However, there are treadmills that you can fold up and store when not in use. Ellipticals require floor space dedicated for its use.

Elliptical vs Treadmill: The Verdict

An elliptical trainer offers a total body workout and provides a low impact exercise. In this sense it excels over the treadmill. However, personal preferences always come into play and you may find that a treadmill works best for you. As to whether you should get an elliptical or a treadmill, well, as ever, the final decision is yours. Just remember to consult a health professional before you start any exercise program.

Jack Lalanne Juicer Recipes

Eating the recommended daily amount of fresh fruits and vegetables is not an easy or convenient thing to do especially if you have a busy schedule. But if you’re serious about your health, you’ll do what it takes to consume enough fresh produce to prevent diseases like  high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis. And  juicing with a Jack Lalanne juicer will help you to achieve this. Fruit and vegetable juices are delicious, as you will see when you try the nutritious Jack Lalanne juicer recipes below.

Juicer Recipe No1 – Vitamin C Tropical Jubilee

2 mangoes,  1/2 cup pineapple,  2 kiwis

Remove the peels and use only the flesh of these fruits. Mangoes, kiwis and pineapples are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C provides protection against flu and colds. It stimulates the production of collagen and helps keep the skin smooth and elastic.

Juicer Recipe No2 – Lean Greens

4 carrots, tops removed,  2 stalks celery,  a handful of spinach,  a handful of kale

Wash the vegetables thoroughly before juicing. Use organic vegetables whenever possible.

Spinach and kale contain antioxidants that help protect the eyes from premature aging, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. This Jack Lalanne juicer recipe is also a rich source of Vitamins A and C.

Juicer Recipe No3 – Lemony Apple

2 apples, 1 lemon,1” slice of ginger

Use organic apples and juice them with their skins on. Vitamins and antioxidants are concentrated in the fruit’s skin. This healthy juicer recipe is a good source of Vitamin C and a great remedy for colds. Apple juice made with the peels on helps lower blood cholesterol.

Juicer Recipe No4 – Sweet Greens

1 cup broccoli, 1/2 cup green cabbage, 1 apple or 4 carrots

Wash the vegetables and fruits before juicing. The apple and carrots help to sweeten the broccoli and cabbage juice.

Broccoli and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables. They contain natural plant chemicals called indoles and sulforaphane that help detoxify the body and prevent cancer.

Juicer Recipe No 5 – Orange Juice

4 medium sized oranges

Before juicing the oranges, remove the peel but leave the white membranes at the center of the fruit. Take some of the white membranes inside the peel and add them to the juice. Do not juice the whole peel. It will leave a bitter taste in the juice.

Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C, and the white membranes contain bio-flavonoids that are said to protect against cancer.

Advantages of the Jack Lalanne Juicer

Compared to other juicers, the Jack Lalanne Juicer extracts up to 30% more juice. It is sturdily built and works quietly. With its extra-wide chute, you don’t have to cut up most fruits and vegetables; they will go right in. The Jack Lalanne juicer makes it easy to prepare any juicer recipe for you to enjoy.

See Jack Lalanne Juicers HERE

5 Delicious Low Fat Smoothie Recipes

Is it possible for you to get all the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber that your body needs and still manage to lose weight?  The answer is yes, if you include low fat smoothie recipes in your diet.

 
If you are trying to lose weight you’ll find that low fat smoothie recipes not only help you shed pounds but they also provide protection against many major diseases including  high blood pressure and diabetes.  Not only that, they also offer a nutritionally balanced diet that is convenient and delicious.

 
Smoothie recipes for weight loss are low in fat but high in nutrition, flavor and texture.  Non-fat yogurt, non-fat milk and fresh fruits make a delicious treat that is healthy and guilt-free.  Below are some low fat smoothie recipes for you to try.

 
Banana Oatmeal Smoothie:
1 cup low fat milk
1/2 cup instant oatmeal
1 banana, peeled and sliced
1 cup orange juice
Combine ingredients in a blender.  Blend on high speed for 1 minute.
Have this smoothie recipe for breakfast.  It’s low on fat but packed with carbohydrates and protein to start your day right.

 
Honeydew and Watermelon Breakfast Smoothie:
1-1/2 cups honeydew melon, chopped
1-1/2 cups watermelon, chopped
1 cup low-fat yogurt, plain
1 cup ice cubes
Juice of 2 limes
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend to the desired consistency.
A 16-ounce serving of this smoothie contains 3 grams fat, 35 grams carbohydrates and 3 grams protein.  One serving contains 350 calories.

 
Banana Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie:
2 frozen bananas, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup plain yogurt
Place frozen bananas in a blender; add blueberries and yogurt.  Blend until you get the desired consistency.  Pour into a glass and drink immediately.
A 16-ounce serving contains 32 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein and 3 grams fat.  One serving provides 410 calories.

 
Low Fat Smoothie Recipes for Snacks:
When you need a snack or a low-fat dessert, grab a smoothie to satisfy your craving.  Try the low-fat smoothie recipes below.
Orange Cream Smoothie
1-1/2 cups frozen orange juice
1-1/2 cups chilled evaporated skim milk
8 ice cubes, crushed
Place all the ingredients in a blender.  Blend until smooth and frothy.  Pour into a glass and serve.

 
Tropical Smoothie:
1 cup unsweetened crushed pineapple, un-drained
1 cup papaya, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend for 30 seconds.  Serve immediately.

Belly Fat – The Best Way To Lose It!

 

Nothing frustrates people more than not knowing the best way to lose belly fat. Usually, the first thing to come to mind in people who are looking to lose fat from their stomach is to sweat it out by doing sit-ups and crunches. But this in itself will actually build muscle beneath the initial layer of belly fat, and could, in fact, increase your waistline.

Doing an intense cardiovascular workout every other day is the best way to burn off belly fat. Here are some of the best activities for burning belly fat:

 

Jogging or Walking:

If you are looking to lose body fat without committing to an expensive gym membership then jogging and walking are great activities. You can alter both of these to suit any fitness level, which makes them ideal to experienced and beginners alike.

Aerobics:

Aerobic classes can provide some of the most intense cardio workouts available. Many gyms will have all sorts of aerobic classes on offer,including step classes, dance aerobics and even some intermediate martial arts. However,don’t forget that the benefits of an aerobic workout can be just as easily achieved outside of the gym, by purchasing any cardio workout DVD!

Sports:

If you remember back to your childhood, and the sports you used to play, then you can achieve amazing weight loss results. Signing up for the local baseball team, pick-up basketball or even volunteering as a coach for youngsters could quite possibly be the best way to lose belly fat.

Swimming:

Swimming is one of the best cardio workouts for anyone who suffers from knee, back or foot pain. Although a seemingly effortless activity,swimming is incredibly beneficial. In addition to providing the cardiovascular workout, it can also help to relieve stress and is extremely relaxing.

Yoga/Pilates:

Due to the fact that both Pilates and Yoga focus on the core muscle groups and the strengthening of the spine, they can be great choices when trying to find the best way to lose belly fat.

Mix and match these exercises to suit yourself, and do them regularly each week and it won’t be long before you see your belly fat disappearing!

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