Is A Cross Trainer Right For You?

Posted in Buying Guide, Elliptical Cross Trainers, Fitness Equipment, Weight Loss Tips | 0 Comments

Apr13

Cross trainers, along with treadmills and exercise bikes are one of the most popular pieces of fitness equipment that people purchase for weight loss and improved fitness. Here are a few reasons why so many people buy cross trainers for their home, so you can assess whether a cross trainers is the right piece of fitness equipment for you and your family:

Weight loss and improved fitness

Cross trainers have helped many people to achieve their weight loss goal, and a cross trainer may be able to help you too! Using a cross trainer might can help you to burn those excess calories and can help to improve your strength, the overall health of your heart and your lungs. Exercising on a cross trainer helps raise your heart rate and focuses on certain zones that are most appropriate for weight loss and fitness.

A Cross Trainer can be used at any time

One of the greatest benefits of owning a cross trainer is that you can exercise whenever you want, night or day, hot or cold, or in rain or sun! In these modern times many of us lead hectic lifestyles and find it hard to fit in a regular exercise routine. So the ability to exercise whenever we want for as long as we want is ideal! Having a cross trainer at home can be cheaper than joining a gym and you don’t have to worry about opening or closing times, and you don’t have to worry about sharing the machines with other people.

Cross trainers can help prevent us from training too hard

One of the most common mistakes that people make when they first start to exercise is that they train too hard. Training too hard at the beginning of your exercise program can lead to injuries, this may contribute to you quitting exercise because you may feel like it’s too hard and not worth all of the effort you’re putting in.

Cross trainers can help you to avoid this common mistake by giving you the ability to regulate the speed at which you exercise at. Some cross trainers are sophisticated enough to monitor your heart rate whilst you’re exercising, and the best way to work out is to ensure you’re always training in the right heart rate zone.

Cross Trainers exercise the lower and upper body

Cross trainers exercise both the lower and upper body by providing resistance to the muscles of the legs, chest, arms and shoulders. Becuase our legs and arms are moving in a criss-cross fashion, cross trainers can also work our midsection as well.

Cross trainers provide an overall toning workout, as well as providing us with an aerobic exercise many of us need to burn maximum calories and body fat.

These are just a few reasons why people invest in cross trainers, there are so many more advantages!! Visit www.orbus-leisure.com for more information and good luck with your weight loss!

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Top Treadmill Tip of The week

Posted in Excercise Tips, Treadmill Running Machines | 0 Comments

Apr09

The Interval Workout

This is a 40-minute long interval training workout that can allow you to burn up to 500 calories. If you perform it 5 times a week you can ‘waste’ a total of 2500 calories. This means that you would have to adjust your diet and save 150 more daily in order to sum up 3600, the equivalent of 1 pound weight loss. Interval workouts are some of the most popular workouts for fast weight loss. This work out is based on 17 intervals. The speed varies for each interval in order to alternate the exhaustion with resting periods. The incline for this treadmill workout remain at zero during the entire workout. Check the information table below and get all the detail of this treadmill interval workout. You even have information about the calories burned for every interval. Note that the amounts of calories burned are for a 130 lbs (59 kg) woman. The amount of calorie burned is higher if your weight is higher and/or if you are a male.

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Buying A Vibration Plate

Posted in Fitness Equipment | 0 Comments

Apr06

There are a few things to consider when buying a Vibration Plate and Orbus leisure are here to help you through the selection process.

All of our Vibration plates have a detailed product description, so you can gain a clear understanding of the benefits, functions, sizes and prices of each of our trainers. In order to make a purchase that you’re happy with you need to be aware of the differences in quality, features and functions of the range of vibration plate trainers available on the market. Orbus Leisure hand pick every piece of fitness equipment from leading manufacturers so we can be sure that there is a machine to suit everyone’s needs, this also ensures that  that we are supplying a quality product, regardless of the cost.

Things to Consider:

Design and construction

Due to the nature of the product, your vibration plate needs to be strong and stable. All of our vibration plates are constructed from high quality materials, mostly high grade solid tubular steel. All of our machines can be delivered within the UK, some self assembly is required, clear instructions and tools are always provided to make self assembly minimal.

Size of the plate

The machine works by the user exercising whilst standing (sitting or kneeling) on the vibration plate. Therefore the bigger the plate you have the more room you have to exercise in comfort, a bigger plate will also allow you to perform a much more diverse range of exercises. It’s important to remember that a bigger plate requires a bigger motor.

Motor size

All vibration plates are powered by an electric motor, the more powerful the motor, the more powerful the plate will be. If the machine has more of a powerful motor it will be capable of providing stronger vibrations under heavier weight conditions for a longer period of time. Motor speeds are quoted in watts (W) and you can find this in each products individual description.

Frequency

basic Vibration plates will operate at a single frequency it’s important to remember that the higher the frequency the better the machine will perform, a machine with a varied frequency plate has the capability of vibrating at different speeds, different speed setting deliver different health benefits, this allows for a more varied workout and better physical results.

Amplitude

The amplitude of a machine reflects the distance the plate travels whilst vibrating and is measure in mm. Generally the higher the amplitude, the more intense your workout is going to be. All of our product descriptions show specific amplitude data.

Size and weight

The first thing you should consider when it comes down to buying a piece of home gym equipment is the size and weight of the item before you commit to buying anything. If you have limited space it might be an idea to consider a compact vibration plate, which can be easily stored away when not in use.

Instructions

A Vibration plate is a piece of gym equipment in its very own league, and if you haven’t used this piece of equipment before then you need to understand exactly what to do before starting your workout. Every vibration plate is supplied with a user manual and an exercise guide

We hope that these tips can help you make buying your vibration plate run a lot smoother. If you have any more questions or queries then feel free to contact our customer helpline on 0845 300 8028.

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A Cross Trainer Can Give You Amazing Results

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Apr02

If you’re considering using fitness equipment to lose weight, you might be wondering how a cross-trainer can give you results that you’re going to be delighted with. The main reason that people use a cross trainer is to achieve a full body workout, for convenience and to stay motivated and to target specific areas of the body.

Full-body workout

Full- body workouts burn a lot of energy and work all of your major muscle groups, so is an extremely efficient way to exercise the body. When you use a cross trainer you are using your arms and legs, so you’re fully engaging the lower and upper body. The cross trainer challenges your muscles and exerts resistant pressure, forcing you to work hard to create a motion and move your body. Some machines don’t benefit your upper body, so it’s important that you do your research and ask questions during the sales process.

Convenience and Motivation

If you invest in a cross trainer you can exercise whenever you wish from the comfort of your own home. You don’t need to step outside when the weathers bad and you don’t have to pay for any expensive gym fees. If you stay motivated, having exercise equipment at home can be a great way to ensure that you stay on track with your training programme. Many people are able to achieve exceptional results with a cross trainer. Using as chart can be a good idea, so that you have a regime to follow. Rewarding yourself can keep you motivated plus knowing that you’ve spent money on a piece of home gym equipment will be an incentive.

Targeting those problem areas

If you want to tone up your thighs, tummy and behind, a cross trainer is the perfect piece of equipment for you because it focuses on these areas and can give them and intense and targeted workout. Also, if you want to increase your upper body strength and bulk up there, a cross trainer will be your best starting point.

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Unstoppable Energy

Posted in Elliptical Cross Trainers, Excercise Tips, Fitness Equipment, Treadmill Running Machines, Vibration Plates, Weight Loss Tips | 0 Comments

Mar30

Winter is over AT LAST! so put a spring in your step with these energy boosting tips!

1. Never skip breakfast. Break the word itself down “to break a fast” and your body can’t drive in full gear if it hasn’t had the fuel.

2. Move daily. If you move more you’ll find that you have more energy. You can go to the walking while the weather is nice! Invest in a Treadmill or a Cross Trainer for when you’re at home. Just keep those legs moving!

3. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Snack throughout the day, and eat smaller more frequent meals, this way you will experience a steady dose of energy instead of experiencing energy drops. But try not to snack on fatty/sugary junk food.

4. Try a new tact. Spring is the best time to get rid of those bad exercise habits and start new ones. Put the scales away for a while, and focus on how your clothes fit and how you feel in them.

5. Drink lots of water. Dehydration can be the cause of fatigue because it slowly creeps up on you. You should aim to drink around 8 cups a day, if you drink any less you could become sluggish all the time.

6. Exercise in the AM. Sure you’d have to get up slightly earlier, but doing your workout in the morning instead of after work can give you an energy boost that can last all day, so waking up an hour or two earlier doesn’t matter, because you can get that time back at night.

7. Invest in some home fitness equipment. For example you can do a vibration plate workout whilst you watch TV, and may encourage all of the family to get active.

8. Eat lots of berries. Berries that are blue, red or purple are great for you, the colour comes from Anthocyanin which is a powerful antioxidant that boosts energy and all berries contain tons of this!

9. Talk a walk outdoors. Get some fresh air in your lungs with a change of scenery, and a brisk walk can really get your blood going and can work wonders for your moods and motivation. The sun is a signal to your body that it’s not bedtime yet, so you’ll instantly feel more alert and energetic.

10. Get plenty of sleep. Energy starts with a good night’s sleep, adults need an average of 8 to 9 hours to restore and regenerate their minds and bodies.

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Springtime – The Best Time of Year to Get Active!

Posted in Exercise Bikes, Fitness Equipment, Treadmill Running Machines, Vibration Plates | 0 Comments

Mar27

The months of being able to hide those lumps and bumps that we hate under those warm knits are finally behind us, while this can bring a sigh of relief to some people, it will most likely to bring horror to those who have been hibernating in their homes since November.

Statistics prove that a lot of us are overweight and unfit, and that many of us would like to change the way we look and feel in one way or another. Spring is here and it’s time to stop making the excuses and to face up to the truth. Don’t worry you don’t have to join a gym and take hours out of your busy schedule, when the answer could be right on your door step:  Home Gym Equipment!

If you’re considering purchasing a new piece of fitness equipment, whether it’s the only piece you want or another addition to the established home gym, then you’ll realise that the quality equipment will come with a heavy price tag. Be it a Treadmill, an Elliptical Cross Trainer or a new Vibration plate, this can be a huge investment for majority of us. But have you considered what time of year you should be buying your equipment?

After the Christmas period the New Year’s resolutions start to kick in and more people want to get fit and will be tempted to purchase fitness equipment. So this means that there’s a heavier demand in winter, so spring and summer will see a slowdown in sales, and it is in these months where you can find the best deals and lowest offers. You can really save money compared to the winter time prices, and you can see a great example of this on an Orbus Leisure Web site, where the summer sale prices are at their lowest ever levels.

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Sport Relief 23rd-25th March 2012

Posted in Excercise Tips, Orbus Leisure News, Treadmill Running Machines | 0 Comments

Mar23

It’s finally here, all preparations are complete, it’s taken a lot of planning but this weekend will see the biggest Sport Relief ever!

Over the past few months celebrities such as David Walliams and John Bishop have completed some of the most amazing Sport Relief challenges yet. Frank Skinner has even set his own personal challenge to overcome a lifetime fear of swimming.

Freddie Flintoff has amazed the world by setting an astonishing 14 records in the space of 12 hours, which included some very strange tasks including the most hotdogs made in 1 minute – 9 and the fastest 100metres on a Pedalo (1minute 58.62 seconds)

Members of the England Football team have been battling it out in the Kitchen, Strictly Come Dancing took to the water, and the stars of the fantastic sitcom Benidorm encounter Simon Cowell and the Britain’s Got Talent judges. Frank Lampard and his fiancé Christine Bleakly make a cameo appearance in the comedy ‘Outnumbered’ Even the biggest names in Rugby are getting stuck in, teaming up to sing with JLS.

And you can see it all in a superb night of sporting entertainment starting at 7.00pm on BBC1 Friday 23rd March.

It’s not just about the celebrities of course, over the weekend more than a million people will be taking part in a mile long run for Sport Relief all over the UK to raise money for people who need it the most, both here in the UK and in some of the world’s poorest countries so any donations really do make a difference!

So enjoy the show tonight and if you’re taking part in the Mile at any point this weekend then good luck!

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March Madness Sale: Best Buy Guarantee on All Fitness Equipment!

Posted in Elliptical Cross Trainers, Exercise Bikes, Fitness Equipment, Orbus Leisure News, Treadmill Running Machines, Vibration Plates | 0 Comments

Mar19

At Orbus Leisure we thought we’d treat our customers with major discounts this month, and as we continually aim to provide the best offers and promotions on the internet, we maintain our price promise and will not be beaten on price for any equivalent product in any of our categories.

Elliptical Cross Trainers: We have carefully selected a range of elliptical’s to ensure that there’s a machine for every user for every occasion. This is our best ever cross trainer sale with 60% off of our fantastic range of ellipticals but hurry! This is only for a limited period of time only!

Treadmills: Again we have some great deals on our treadmills, and we supply some for the best units on the internet, with a range to incorporate any requirement from simple home use, to fully commercial treadmills. Our offers often change because here at Orbus Leisure we will not be beaten on price.

Vibration Plates: We supply some of the best home use and commercial models available on the market. Our BH Fitness Pro Vibe Plate is the leading oscillating unit in the UK. Our prices are almost 70% lower than the nearest high quality competitor, and our CF1250 Oscillating Plate is the fastest selling unit on the web.

Exercise Bikes: For regular gym goers who love their spin classes, the casual home user, we have a grade of bike that will suit your needs, with some offers that simply won’t be beaten.

 

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Vibration Massage Exercises – Giving You Good Vibes

Posted in Excercise Tips, Vibration Plates | 0 Comments

Mar16

Calf Massage

Lie down on the floor so that you’re facing the ceiling with a gym towel in the centre of the Vibration Plate. Rest your calves comfortably on the plate with your feet pointing towards the ceiling and place your hands behind your head for extra support. This will focus the vibrating action through your calf area which will result in a pleasant massage. If you want to increase the intensity of this massage try placing one foot on top of the other.

Quadriceps Massage

Lie down on the floor, face down and rest your quadriceps on the gym towel. Place your arms on the floor for stability and totally relax your lower legs. The massage will focus vibrations through the quadriceps.

The whole point of massage is to create better circulation, and is ideal for:

  • Healing injured muscles
  • Improving oxygen supply
  • helping to get rid of waste products

So, by increasing circulation massage on a vibration plate can:

  • Improve skin tone
  • Reduce the appearance of cellulite
  • Encourage muscle recovery after injury
  • Help speed recovery after exercise
  • Offer an effective pre-workout warm-up

And only a short massage is needed to get great results after 3 minutes of massage on a vibration plate, there’s an increase in skin blood blow which will last until at least ten minutes after treatment.

Click the image  below to see our range of Vibration Plates

 

 

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How To Run Stronger And Faster Than Ever.

Posted in Excercise Tips, Treadmill Running Machines | 0 Comments

Mar12

If you’ve decided that you want to add a treadmill as a piece of home gym equipment then your ultimate goal is probably to become a faster runner. To do this, follow this strength and mobility circuit that Women’s Fitness have created because it can help to improve your running technique and lower your risk of injury.

Start with a few minutes of brisk walking to warm up, and then perform the exercises shown below.

Single Leg Dip

Why? To strengthen muscles that stabilise the pelvis and knee join.

How? Stand with your weight evenly spread out over both feet. Lift one leg in front of you and imagine you’re going to sit on a bar stool. Then direct your bottom backwards and bend your supporting knee, It’s important that you only go as far as you can without feeling uncomfortable. Try and do 6-10 repetitions per leg

Bridge

Why? It strengthens the glutes and lower back which improves pelvic stability.

How? Lie on the floor with your knees bent and with your feet flat. Raise your body to form a line from your knees to your shoulders. Hold the position for five seconds and then lower for five seconds. Repeat this five times.

Full Squats

Why? Strengthens glutes, hamstrings and quads; they improve ankle flexibility and elasticity in your Achilles’ tendon.

How? Stand with more weight on the balls of your feet. Hold your arms out directly in front of you; keep your torso upright ensuring your knees don’t wobble in or out. Let your heels lift when they feel like they’re going to go. Go as deep as you can and then raise yourself back up into the start position. Repeat 6-10 times.

 

Plank

Why? This exercise strengthens core stabilisers and your lower back, this will improve running posture.

How? Lie down with your face to the floor and your elbows under your shoulders with your hand clasped. Engage your core and raise your body upwards to for a straight line from your neck to your heels. Hold the position for as long as one minute, but don’t forget to breathe regularly.

 

Hip-flexor Stretch

Why? Tight hip flexors restrict your stride and put that extra bit of stress on your back.

How? take a large step forward with your left leg, allowing your knee to rest on the floor so that your shoe laces are facing down then bring your torso upright and curl your tail bone under, then press your right hip bone forward. If this feels like it’s too easy, take a hold of the foot of your back leg and draw it towards your buttock on the same side. Repeat with your other leg.

 

Calf Stretch

Why? Tight calves contribute to excessive rolling of the foot.

How? Take a large step forward with your left leg, bending your left knee. Make sure that your right leg is straight, with your toes pointing forwards. Press your right heel into the ground, but keep your torso upright it’s important that you don’t arch your back then swap sides.

 

Spine Mobiliser

Why? Lower back pain is common in runners so better spinal mobility reduces the problem.

How? Lie down with your knees bent and with your feet on the floor close to your bottom. Open your arms at shoulder height and let your knees drop to the left. Bring them back to the centre and drop to the other side. Repeat a few times, and then hug your knees to your chest.

For more running tips visit Orbus Leisure

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