Archive for January, 2012

Using Your Cross Trainer at Home

Jan31

Elliptical Cross trainers make the perfect addition to your personal fitness equipment. Many people prefer working out at home because it is at their own convenience and they can feel comfortable in their own privacy. Downsides to using the gym include having to wait to use equipment, and not forgetting the gym membership that goes along with it. If you calculated how much money you spent on an annual gym membership, it would in most cases work out cheaper to invest in a cross trainer.

Cross trainers are basically a mixture of several exercise machines, with the 2 movable handles and foot pedals you can guarantee a full body workout. Cross trainers offer a full cardio workout, with the minimal risk of injury. So instead of buying several fitness machines that will take up a lot of room in your house, it may be a good idea to just invest in a cross trainer.

For an effective workout session, consider choosing a cross trainer with progress display screens, there are also a range of cross trainers available with heart rate monitors so you can fully track your progress. The great thing about cross trainers is that they require minimal floor space in your home; they are easy and compact and are great to manoeuvre.

Tips on How to Exercise Using a Cross Trainer

It’s important to place your heels flat on peddles, some people may extend their heels upwards throughout the workout session, and this can lead to soreness of the calf muscles. To prevent this feet should be placed centrally on the pedals and keep them comfortably flat throughout the workout.

Warming up is essential, concentrate on  your calf and lower leg muscles in general, to avoid any injury or soreness with extensive use of the cross trainer.

Aim for extended arms movements, instead of constrained movements. It is important to use your arms to aid in speed control, as opposed to just relying on your legs. This helps you achieve a much more effective workout.

Set yourself a challenge, keeping the setting at an easy level will not help your fitness efforts, the best way is to start at a comfortable level and slowly raise the level as your workout progresses.

The most important tip is to keep hydrated, so always have a bottle of water nearby.

elliptical cross trainer

Fuel FE46F Folding Elliptical Cross Trainer

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Sport Relief 2012

Jan26

So Sport Relief is on the horizon, so what other great opportunity do you need to do a spot of fund raising as well as keeping fit?

Sainsbury’s sport relief events take place across the country on Sunday 25th March, there is an option to do 1, 3 or 6 miles, so you can get involved as a family, as a team or alone. It’s a great way of exercising. There are over 600 events being organised, where people can get involved in their own communities all over the country.

The one mile distance is a family favourite and is great for mums, dads, and kids as you can run, jog, or walk. You can complete the mile however you like whether it be a light hearted family competition or in your own time if you have smaller children. Sport Relief is also a great way of sending a message to children all over the UK, as it’s vital that they look after their health and keep fit in order to live a long and happy life.

Three miles is more of a challenge and could be ideal for the fun runner, or for the beginners who want to set themselves targets to try and race against the clock, or even to beat fellow competitors. You don’t have to do months of hard training to enjoy a 3 mile run.

The 6 mile run is for the people who like to push themselves to the limit and would be enjoyable to people who like to set themselves challenges. This distance may be more appropriate for the advanced runner, but if you want to be ambitious you should consider pre-training in order to get your body used to running such long distances. Perhaps it may be an idea to invest in piece of home gym equipment such as a treadmill or cross trainer so you can train your body to run at its full potential. Treadmills are great to have around the house, as you can train regardless of the weather conditions, and all the family can benefit from this piece of equipment.

So however you decided to take part, Sport relief is a great excuse to get fit and healthy. So get your running shoes on for this excellent a fun charity race!

 

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Treadmills Vs Elliptical CrossTrainers

Jan24

Treadmills and Elliptical cross trainers are the probably the two most popular pieces of home gym equipment and are great for full body workouts and aerobic exercise. Elliptical cross trainers have come to table quite recently, whereas treadmills have been around for a while and are one of the most well known pieces of gym equipment. But before you go out and commit yourself to buying a treadmill take a quick look at Elliptical cross trainers

Cross trainers are an impact free workout, which can make this piece of home gym equipment ideal for people with joint problems. Yet the treadmill offers a workout with more impact which strengthens the bones.

The main benefit of using a treadmill is to provide a better running experience for a dedicated runner, walker or jogger. During colder months it may be advisable to invest this piece of equipment, as the torrential weather conditions are enough to put a stop to any form of outdoor exercise.

If you’re looking for a total body workout then the elliptical cross trainer would be the machine for you. It has dual handle bars to give your arms a workout and foot pedals to exercise the legs. With less impact a cross trainer may feel like you’re putting in less effort than running, but in fact your burning just as many calories.

The main reason why treadmill sales have been so successful over the past few years is that you’re able to increase the ramp incline to simulate running uphill this allows a varied workout. Now the Elliptical cross trainer also gives you variation, as you can adjust the foot pedals, to simulate cross country skiing.

So it really comes down to your personal preference, you should take into consideration if you have any joint problems or perhaps if you feel you need to take a steady step into the world of exercise. The elliptical will be the right piece of equipment for you.

If you feel you need more of a cardiovascular workout, which include, walking, jogging and running. You can vary your workout. Try the treadmill, it’s more of a natural way of exercise, and modern technologies can simulate running on the road. So people of all ages and sizes can find a workout that suits them and enjoy it at their own pace.

It’s impossible to say which machine is the best as it comes down to your own personal preference.

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10 Minute Workouts

Jan19

Adults are advised to undergo 150 minutes of moderate workout every week. This sounds like a large amount of time and for busy parents it was seem like an impossible and unrealistic goal. But you can reach this target by doing three 10 minute sessions, five days a week.

Physical activity helps you live a long and healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, you can gain control over your body weight, and increase your mental wellbeing. Some easy 10 minute workout programmes you can do at home are:

Playing with the kids, go bike riding, have a game of football. Not only will you benefit form the physical changes, but you’ll form a better family bond. Getting out of the house for short and intense period of time can also tire the kids out, leaving a peaceful house for you to relax in.

Why not try skipping? Skipping can improve balance, coordination and flexibility. It doesn’t cost a lot, as all you need is a skipping rope, the right foot wear and a big space. Record how many calories you will burn, you may be surprised.

Why not set your exercise bike up in the front room? You can do your workout in front of the television.

Why not take the stairs at every opportunity? Choosing the stairs rather than the lift will not only help you burn calories but will tone up your legs and bottom.

Get out walking or invest in a treadmill? It really is the easiest form of exercise. During your lunch hour take a walk around, and choose a different route every day for variation. Why not invest in a pedometer, then you can keep track on how many steps you do.

There are so many things you can do around the house to keep you active. So in your free time have a think about what would be an enjoyable 10 minute workout. You don’t have to look at exercise as a challenge, you can do it in small portions and you can enjoy how you do it!

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Finding The Time To Exercise

Jan16

We all love having time off over Christmas and New Year, and we can see this an opportunity for a new start, perhaps your New Year’s resolution was to lose weight or get fitter. So we invest our time and money into gym memberships and in our time off work we turn into fitness gurus. But what happens when we have to go back to work? Our priorities are no longer in losing weight but turn back to our careers.

Perhaps you’ve worked so hard to maintain your weight loss goal. The last thing you want to do is regain the weight that you’ve spent so much time and effort trying to lose.  Before you know it, it can become an obsession. But don’t let weight loss takeover you life. Most people have very busy lifestyles and find it hard to fit in a routine exercise, and if your finding this hard then there are a number of things that you can do to add exercise into your daily routine.

Firstly you could start using your lunch breaks and go for a walk. You’d be surprised how much you could benefit from regular small doses of exercise. Figure out a few different routes, and take a different one each day, perhaps incorporate stair climbing, for those bad weather days.

Why not try cycling to work instead of driving or try walking if you don’t like that far away, a ten minute walk will help as long as it is hard enough to get you slightly out of breath.

If you’re based at home, plan your week so you can get of the house regularly; take a few trips to the shops every week. Look at way in which you can be more active around the home. Invest in some home gym equipment such as a Treadmill, Cross Trainer, or Vibration Plate.

If your day doesn’t let you incorporate exercise, then set your alarm for half an hour before you usually do. This will allow you time to go for a brisk walk before you go to work, if you know that there’s no way  you can fit exercise in before work re consider how you could spend your time on an evening. Most of us spend a lot of time watching T.V so why not purchase a piece of home gym equipment and work out while you’re doing it.

Schedule your next exercise session, write it down, and also record what you did in your work out, so you can keep track of your achievements.

We all know how busy our life’s can be but making the smallest changes can really help us to improve and maintain healthier happier lifestyle.

 

 

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Vibration Plates: Gold Standard

Jan13

The 2012 Olympics have committed themselves to promote good health and well being of the UK’s population. One area that they have studies is Vibration Plate Training, According to the British Journal of Science and Medicine 12 recreationally healthy volunteers were chosen to participate in an experiment. They were monitored over a 4 week period, some using Vibration Plates and some not. The concluding result was that Vibration training was effective in improving balance, and those who used vibration plates scored higher on different balance tests than those who didn’t use Vibration Plates.

Also Britain’s number one female ski racer Chemmy Alcott is a lot faster on the slopes than most skiers because she is now using Vibration Plate Training to help her get in prime condition for the slopes.  Chemmy, 26, represented Britain in the World Cup Ladies’ Alpine Ski competition and was ranked 16th in the world during the 2007-2008 competition season. She can reach speeds of up to 90mph on the slopes but her racing was bought to a halt when she broke her ankle while training in Canada in November 2008. Team head coach Mark Tilston incorporated training on the Vibration Plates into Chemmy’s fitness regime and it has become an important part of her return to form.

“It has been very helpful in recovery and rehab and we use it a great amount for recovery sessions and massage,” says Chemmy. Mark says the Vibration Plate Trainers were chosen because its excellent range of vibration frequency helps Chemmy achieve maximum strength development.

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Shape-Up now in time for Summer

Jan09

Let us guess… losing weight made it onto your list of New Year Resolutions. But has your resolve already faded? If you want to shape up in time for summer (and let’s face it, you can’t hide behind those thick winter sweaters forever) then you need to take a long hard look at your diet and your exercise routine.

If you know you need to exercise but seem to never be able to find the time then we may just have the solution for you… Vibration Plates. Vibration plates have taken the world of health, fitness and exercise by storm in recent years but their price tag meant that unless you were a gym member you were unlikely to have ever stepped foot on one.

Advances in technology have led to the development of a range of vibration plates aimed at the home fitness market, so you can now buy a quality product for your sole use at home without breaking the bank. You can even opt for a compact vibration plate if you find you are short on space or your finances are tight.

cheap vibration plates

So, how can a Vibration Plate help you?

Simple… When you exercise on the vibrating platform the effects of the workout are accelerated. Consider your muscles… when you are exercising on a solid floor your muscles flex in line with the movement of the exercise. Yet when you do the same exercise on a vibrating platform your muscles are FORCED to contract and expand at a rapid pace; in fact they do this on a vibration plate even when you are standing still.

One of the huge benefits of a vibration plate is that you can literally cut your workout time in more than half. A 50 minute aerobic workout on the hard floor can be reduced to around 15 minutes on a vibration plate thanks to the rate at which your muscles will be flexing.

Don’t be fooled into thinking a vibration plate offers you an easy escape route from real exercise, it does not. After a serious 10-15 minute session on the plate you will be feeling the burn. Persevere and by summer your body will be more toned and defined for sure. And if you incorporate a healthy eating plan into your routine then your body will be slimmer and sleeker in time for those summer shorts and vest tops. What are you waiting for?

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What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?

Jan06

 

New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

Home gym equipment has become more and more popular with the constraints of modern day living. A common perception of exercise is that it is time consuming activity, therefore is a daunting thought. The truth behind exercise however, is that as little as half an hour of moderate activity on most forms of home exercise equipment on a daily basis will be enough to improve your health and fitness.

Getting Fit

Regular exercise has been associated health benefits more than anything else. Studies show that exercise:

  • Reduces the risk of some cancers
  • Increases life expectancy
  • Helps and maintains weight loss
  • Enhances moods
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Can improve arthritis

To summarise exercise keeps you healthy as well as making you look and feel better. Why not make the New Year the perfect time to start getting in shape.

Watching your weight

With the increasing levels of obesity it’s no surprise that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Setting reasonable targets and staying focussed are the two main things when sticking to a weight loss plan. But they key to success is to stay committed.

Breaking off the Booze

Alcohol is loaded with empty calories, so drinking alcohol in moderation is vital, avoid large amounts of alcohol (binge drinking) as well as not partaking in alcoholic beverages every single day of the year.

Quitting Smoking

This is a great time of year to quit smoking. Not only will you extend your own life, but the lives of others around you. There is a variety of information and help available, so see your local doctor/GP for advice.

 

At Orbus Leisure, we are able to provide you with varied range of home fitness equipment that is proven to assist you in transforming your lifestyle for good!

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Dancing on Ice Stars Give Balance Bands the Thumbs Up

Jan03

Power Energy Balance Bands are the latest craze to snowball into the hit series Dancing on Ice this year!  Many of the world’s elite athletes have been spotted wearing them. Power Balance is a brand of hologram bracelet  that uses holographic technology to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body, and increase sporting ability. Balance Bands boost the energy levels, improving balance, making us faster, leaner and feeling as though we have a spring in our step.

 Now there are a growing number of celebrities that have been spotted with a distinctive silicone band on their wrists, as users claim it can improve their overall health. The Balance Bands have now made an appearance on ITV’s Daybreak (3rd Jan 2012) when Christopher Dean spoke about how he wears the bands to maintain better balance.

Some of the competing contestants to appear on Dancing on Ice 2012 including diet and fitness queen and actress Jennifer Ellison have said to have been using numerous balance bands positioned round both wrists and legs to naturally increase the standard of their performance as negative ions can increase physical performance and your standard of health in general.

Whether we’re Celebrities or just regular people working out to stay healthy and in shape, why not try the Orbus Leisure Power Energy Balance Bands today.

 

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