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

Our Review Of The Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill

Two of the most effective ways to keep fit are walking and jogging, so having a treadmill at home makes sense as you can have your daily walk or run no matter the weather. A good treadmill for the home can be expensive, but one of the more affordable is the Merit Fitness 725T treadmill. This machine will ensure you get your exercise every day of the year.

 

Treadmill Description

 

This is a compact, folding treadmill that is equipped with a 1.25 horsepower continuous motor, and a speed setting between 1 and 10 miles per hour. It has an elevation level of 0 to 10 percent, a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds and comes with 7 preset workout programs.

 

What You Will Like About The Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill

 

First of all, this is an affordable treadmill. It is also durable and easy to assemble. It comes with everything you will need to set it up and you should be able to assemble the unit complete in about an hour. When you operate the treadmill, it starts slowly and works its way up to the desired speed, making it easy to get on the treadmill safely.

 

The Merit Fitness 725T offers features you would often only find only on more expensive models. It has an automatic incline, preset workout routines, and a heart rate monitor, letting you track your progress. The treadmill even has two cup holders for your drinks.

 

The running area is sturdy but cushioned, making for a low-impact workout. As long as you keep it well-lubricated and well-maintained, the machine will run quietly and smoothly. You can watch television, listen to music or read a book while doing your cardio workout on this treadmill.

 

What You May Not Like About the Merit Fitness 725T

 

Actually, for the price of this exercise machine there’s surprisingly little you can say against it! Assembling the treadmill does take a little time and patience, but you only need to do this once, unless you are moving it to different locations. Lubricating the machine is also a bind, but it has to be done before using the treadmill for the first time and regularly after that to make sure the equipment works perfectly.

 

The treadmill folds in an upright position, which means it can’t be stashed under the bed, but on the other hand, you don’t want to be lugging this 123-pound machine around either.

 

Our Recommendation

 

This is a good quality, inexpensive treadmill with excellent features and it will help to keep you fit for years to come. With great savings to be had on the Merit Fitness 725T treadmill on Amazon.com, there is no better time to order this home exercise equipment than right now!

Choosing A Good Treadmill

There are many reasons why some people are not able to get into the open air to do some walking. If this applies to you, but you would still like to walk for exercise, a treadmill for the home could be the answer.

Choosing a good treadmill isn’t always easy.  There are many different types, features, and price ranges that must be considered.  It’s important to decide what you need and don’t settle for less because if you do you may not use it.

Treadmills are usually an expensive purchase and you need to make sure that you are getting a piece of equipment that will last.  They can range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the features.

It’s important that you try any piece of exercise equipment out before purchasing it so that you can make sure that it works the way you need it to.  Treadmill injuries can happen in an instant so it’s essential that you purchase one that is sturdy, has hand rails that are easy to grip and in the right place for you, and a belt that is made for your stride.

Once you have chosen the type and size of treadmill you want you will next need to consider the available features.  Some of the most common features include:

Pre-Set Programs:
A pe-set program will take you on a specific course that will, typically, change the speed and inclination while you are working out.  Many people like to use pre-set programs in order to change their workouts and so they don’t have to worry about speeding up the machine or changing the incline themselves.

Pulse Monitors:
Pulse monitors are a good way for you to make sure that you are working within your target heart rate.  Pulse monitors can also show how your body is responding to your workout so that you don’t overdo it.

Built-In Fans:
Many people like to have a built-in fan to keep them cool while walking or running.  There can sometimes be quite a difference in price for treadmills that feature built-in fans.

Book Holder:
Book or magazine holders allow people to read while they exercise  which can help to alleviate boredom while working out. Although it is not something I would recommend doing on a treadmill, as it can cause you to misstep which is dangerous, especially at high speeds.

Water Bottle Holders:
These are a nice feature so that you can stay hydrated without having to stop exercising.  This is a fairly standard feature on most treadmills.

It’s important to take your time while testing and shopping for a treadmill because it’s a larger purchase and you want to make sure that you are choosing one that will last you for quite some time.

Amazon.com have a large selection of treadmills at terrific prices. CLICK HERE to visit Amazon.com

Getting Started With a Walking Routine

It can be a little daunting when you try something new, and starting with a walking routine is no different. But just by following a few simple guidelines, you’ll be walking towards your goals in no time!

Starting Out
If you are new to walking as an exercise routine, it is important to remember that you will have to build it up gradually. Start out with short, easy walks, and slowly increase the length and strength of them as the days and weeks pass. Although it is recommended that we do 30 minutes of exercise daily, you may have to start lower than that, depending on your current activity level.

Setting Goals
Set small goals for yourself when you are starting out. It’s a lot easier to see yourself losing five pounds than fifty pounds and you are more likely to keep going if you are continually hitting small goals along the way to better health. This is also the case when setting time and distance goals. If you start out too quickly you may not be able to keep your pace up.

Make It A Habit
You need to make it a habit.  If you only walk occasionally you are less likely to stick with your program, whereas if you do it, say, five times a week you will find that it will become a part of your daily routine and your body will miss it if you don’t do it. And try to keep up a good pace while you are walking. This is especially important if you are walking with a friend, because people find themselves talking to each other and as they do this they unconsciously slow down. It’s important to know what your target heart rate should be and to keep a check on it periodically, just to make sure that you are getting the most out of your exercise time.

Stay Hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated so that you can maintain the right level of exercise while taking care of your body. Dehydration is a serious condition which can affect you even after working out. Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your walking routine.

Stay Safe
Watch out and stay safe. It is always best to walk where there are other people, or with others. Walk during the day or if you have to walk at night, make sure the streets or walking areas are well lighted. Make sure your friends and family know where and when you take your walks, and if you can’t find a safe area to walk outside, then consider purchasing a treadmill or joining a gym.

Check First
Finally, always remember to check with your doctor before starting a walking or any exercise program.  It is also important, if you are walking to lose weight, that you eat a healthy diet in order to promote adequate weight loss.

Happy Walking!

Weight Loss And Exercise

A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.

It was not always this way. Not long ago in the United States, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.

Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.

In fact, health experts insist the obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.

However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get quality Zzzs.

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.

In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.

2. Walk the walk.

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts.

Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while.

3. Walk the treadmill.

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.

Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.

4. Seize the time.

Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule.

Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.