Home Gyms Review: 5 Tips To Get The Most From Your Home Gym

A home gym can help you build an incredible looking body, skyrocket your metabolism and shave years off your age.

If you choose wisely, you’ll have all the tools you need to accomplish these goals (and more). But not everyone knows where to start or how to get the most from a home gym.

When clients ask me about buying home gym equipment, here are 5 things I tell them to get the most from their purchase:

1) Buy a well rounded piece of equipment:

Unless you have…

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A home gym can help you build an incredible looking body, skyrocket your metabolism and shave years off your age.

If you choose wisely, you’ll have all the tools you need to accomplish these goals (and more). But not everyone knows where to start or how to get the most from a home gym.

When clients ask me about buying home gym equipment, here are 5 things I tell them to get the most from their purchase:

1) Buy a well rounded piece of equipment:

Unless you have hundreds of square feet in your home to dedicate to multiple pieces of equipment, you should look for a home gym that covers all the major exercises (including the ones you don’t like), such as chest, back, legs (hamstrings & quadriceps), shoulders, biceps and triceps.

2) Make sure your home gym is stable:

There’s a saying, ‘You get what you pay for.’ Most of the inexpensive home gyms you buy from a local department store have very narrow bases, so they tend to rock. Stay away from home gyms that do not have a good stable base.

For a basic rule of thumb, look at home gyms that are more ’square’ or ‘as high as they are wide’. As an example, you won’t want a home gym that 10ft high x 2 ft wide x 2 ft deep, unless you are going to anchor it to a concrete floor.

3) Put your home gym in a place you will use it:

If you leave your home gym in a room you normally don’t go into to, odds are high that you aren’t going to use it. The more inviting the room where you place your equipment, the more likely you will use it (how many of us really want to work out in a dungeon?).

If there’s only one place you can place your home gym, then work on the room. Maybe add a coat of paint or put up pictures that inspire you. Add a stereo system or a wall mounted television. By making the room inviting and inspiring, you’ll ensure that workouts will be enjoyable.

4) Make a simple & short workout routine:

Don’t go making or using ‘Mr. Or Ms. Olympia’ home gym workouts. That’s the first big mistake that people make when they first get their equipment. Instead, start by making a workout that is only 30 to 45 minutes long. That’s less than a 1 hour TV show.

Do this workout 3 to 5 days a week. Remember to work all your muscles (not just the ones you like) for optimum results. It helps to keep a record of your workouts on paper so you can see just how far you’ve come.

If you’re stuck on what to do, don’t worry. Many home gyms come with beginner workouts. But again, don’t go all out and kill yourself the first few workouts – start from where you are and build on it. Consistency is key for a killer body.

5) Write your workout days on the calendar:

Like any important appointment, make an appointment with your home gym. You need to make the effort to put yourself, your body and your health first – especially at the beginning stages. Experts tell us it takes 3 to 6 weeks before actions become habit. Once you’ve built the habit of working out, it will get easier.

To help you stick to your exercise appointment, get loved ones to encourage you and make you accountable. Once you get past the 8-week mark, you’ll feel (and look) so great you’ll wonder why you didn’t get a home gym sooner.

So those are 5 ways to get the most out of your home gym equipment. If you want to know which home gyms are my picks for ‘Best Buy’ check out: http://www.freetobethin.com/article_Home_Gym_Reviews.html

Enjoy and good luck!

Elliptical Exercise Equipment – What To Look For When Buying

Buying elliptical exercise equipment can sometimes get confusing. Here are 3 key features to look for when buying your elliptical to keep things simple and avoid buying a lemon.

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Buying elliptical exercise equipment? There are so many different brands and types of ellipticals out there – it can get confusing! How do you know which one is best for you and how do you avoid buying a lemon?

In order to keep things simple and have the very best buying experience, here are 3 key tips to help you choose the best elliptical exercise equipment:

#1) Price

If you want a quality elliptical trainer, be prepared to spend at least $800. Why? Because most ellipticals under this price point just aren’t built to stand up over the long haul.

Example: My $400 elliptical that I bought from a department store several years back lasted 3 months – 4 if you count the last month it was used as a clothes hanger in my living room.

After 3 months it developed a loud squeaking noise that couldn’t be fixed – no matter how long or hard my handyman husband worked on it.

If I’d been smart enough to spend a bit more, I’d probably still have the elliptical today. In the end it was a huge waste of money and time.

So the bottom line is this: If you’re really serious about getting in shape, you deserve to invest in a piece of exercise equipment that’s going to last you – so be ready to spend a bit more on your elliptical trainer. If you consider how long the elliptical will last you, you actually SAVE money over the long term.

#2) Who Are You Buying It From?

While there are lots of places the sell elliptical exercise equipment – both online and off, make sure they have several years of experience and a solid return policy. If a company has experience selling elliptical equipment, this will make your transaction (and shipping) go much more smoothly.

A solid return policy also gives you peace of mind when buying your elliptical. For example, even if you try your elliptical out in a store, you might get it home and find that after a week it strains your arms or hurts your hips. You want to know that you can return your elliptical without a hassle.

Many specialty fitness stores will offer some kind of return policy and most experienced online elliptical stores also offer you a standard 30 day return policy. But it’s always important to check before you buy.

#3) Upper Body Arms

The beauty of an elliptical trainer is that it offers you a total body workout.

Whereas treadmills and recumbent bikes tend to work mainly the lower body only, ellipticals offer you a chance to burn calories and build strength using upper body arm handles. This means more calories burned in less time.

Surprisingly enough however, not all elliptical trainers offer upper body arms with their units. Make sure you choose an elliptical with upper body workout arms included if this is an option you want.

It usually won’t cost you extra to have upper body arms however one note of caution: Many of the cheaper ellipticals don’t necessarily have the coordination between the arms and legs exactly right. This can result in injury or a less efficient workout.

Rule of Thumb: You should not have to lean over to use the upper body arms.

So there are three things to consider when buying elliptical exercise equipment. Keep these things in mind and you’ll save yourself time and loads of frustration!

For more buying tips and elliptical reviews visit:

http://www.ellipticaltrainerreview.com/Elliptical_Articles.html

How To Determine The Type Of Stair Lift To Best Fit My Staircase

You have made the decision of having a stairlift inside your house to help the elderly members of your family go about your household easier. Now, there are different ways to go about chair lift installation.

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How To Determine The Type Of Stair Lift To Best Fit My Staircase

You have made the decision of having a stairlift inside your house to help the elderly members of your family go about your household easier. Now, there are different ways to go about chair lift installation. You can go ahead and buy your own stairlift. There are so many stores that sell all kinds of stairlifts at present.

If you want to get a cable driven stair chair, you can easily do that. The older models of stair lifts actually made use of this well-known cable system. But this cable system has been the subject of much criticism because of the hazards they bring. The cables actually drag right behind the chair, so there just might be people who would trip over these wires. It is because of this fact that the modern stair lifts now use that is known as the rack and pinion system. This new system has been revered because of how it can give a much smoother ride.

Another kind that you can get is the outdoor stairlift. This is ideal for households that have stairs that lead to gardens and yards. With outdoor stairlifts, your elderly relatives would no longer have to worry about walking up and down those steps to enjoy the natural beauty of your garden.

But if you would rather go with installing your own stair lift, you can do this as well. Most manufacturers of stairlifts actually develop product kits that are easy to install all on your own. All you need is a standard set of power tools, and you can install your own stair lift in just a matter of hours.

The first thing to do here is to obtain the measurements of your stairway so that you can give these figures to your manufacturer. Your manufacturer can then prepare your kit in accordance with the measurements you have provided. Stair lift measuring is not that hard to do at all. Here are the things that need to be measured: the overall length of the stairs, the distance from to top stair to the bottom stair, the width of your stairway, the bottom clearance, the rise of a single step, the tread of a single step, and the diagonal of a single step. You can enlist the services of your manufacturer in obtaining these measurements. You can also check the Internet for loads and loads of sources on how to go about stair lift measuring.

Do not worry if this endeavor takes a lot of time and effort. Because in the end, the time and effort you exert here will be well-rewarded.

Choosing the Right Treadmill for You

Convenience, ease and the efficiency of Treadmills have made them a revelation in the health industry. We have gone through such a variety of fitness exercises which either break your back trying to get them right, or are too difficult to master, let alone do them every day…

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Convenience, ease and the efficiency of Treadmills have made them a revelation in the health industry. We have gone through such a variety of fitness exercises which either break your back trying to get them right, or are too difficult to master, let alone do them every day. But with a treadmill, you can burn calories the simplest was possible, by walking or running. Which, by the way, are the two most natural exercises you can imagine! You walk when you are a 2 year old, some even before that, and yet when it comes to exercising people turn to complex gym routines and diets to stay fit!

Work schedules, personal security, weather and health status; all make us reluctant to go out doors for walks on a regular basis. So it isn’t a surprise that even the world’s most advanced societies are facing health dilemmas. People in general don’t have time for gym workouts, and those who do are too exhausted by long work days to do them. As for recommenders of walking as an exercise, Treadmills not only make exercise easier, they cut out the obtrusive factors which hinder us in forming routines.

In addition to providing some very helpful bits of information along the way, treadmills provide a wide variety of exercise options. From walking to hill climbing, jogging to running, you can pace yourself as you like so there is something for everyone in the use of treadmills. However, with the market being so overcrowded with a wide range of treadmills, we see a need for guidance in making the best choices for you.

At the moment there are three distinct types of treadmills available on the market. So to pick out the best treadmill for you, let’s have a quick look at what each one of them has to offer.

First up is the Manual Treadmill; you don’t have to be a fitness guru to understand that a manual treadmill is non-motorized. It’s a simple machine with a belt and rollers that you move with your effort. The simpler a machine, the fewer are the chances of things going wrong with it. So that’s a positive feature; it will last longer. However, since the treadmill’s belt doesn’t move itself you can set your own pace, which is not so good for the lazy people who are unlikely to push themselves.

Next, there is the Motorized Treadmill with features to set the pace of your walk, jog or run. You can set your required pace and keep up with it over a period of time to get optimum exercise out of the time you spend on it. Then there are the ‘incline’ options in some motorized treadmills; these can help you decide the amount of incline you want for your run. The negatives go with the positives though, it’s a complicated piece of equipment and when it has problems they are complicated as well. Plus a motorized treadmill is going to be more expensive, compared to a manual treadmill, but with those features, you have to decide for what you want.

Now you can’t say you don’t have space for a treadmill; Foldable Treadmills have made that excuse redundant. Foldable treadmills can be stored in a negligible amount of space. These are great for use in the office or at home, whenever you take a break. So, if you are facing schedule constraints, or are just too lazy to take up regular exercise, then a foldable option might just be the best treadmill for you.

Frankly speaking, there is no hard and fast rule to determine which type of treadmill is better than the other. Though a comparison of treadmill features does help you decide which one is the best for you. Keep in mind, the treadmill that suits a friend perfectly isn’t certain to be even rated as ‘decent’ for you. So read up some treadmill reviews and choose according to your own situation.

A top factor that will affect your choice would be your personal age and weight. Though some might say that exercise is necessary for everyone, but the mode of exercise has to differ accordingly with the individual traits. A bulky person may need a wider belt or the handlebars may obstruct the usual path of the arm movement, so check the details before you buy. Age matters when you choose as well, especially for older people, the resilience of the deck and the heart rate control are very important. Safety features help every age so make sure that you don’t compromise on those. Similarly, whether you opt for running or walking determines not only the top speed you need from your treadmill, but also the size of the belt as well.

You look for a treadmill when you are conscious that you need to improve on your fitness levels. However, your aspirations determine the sort of treadmill you need. If you want to burn as much as you can in good time, trying out the incline options isn’t a bad idea at all. Again heart rate interactive checks are very handy to get you to your optimum fitness levels without doing damage to your body. ‘Who will be using it?’ is just as important as ‘how will you use it?’, if you buy a treadmill while targeting the fitness improvement of your whole family, then keep in mind any inhibitions that might stop a member from utilizing the treadmill to the full. Chances are if you are willing to spend enough, there will be a treadmill that will suit a diverse group of individuals like a glove!

Long or short workouts determine the quality of motor you need for your treadmill. If you use the treadmill in short bursts the ‘peak duty’ might not be as useless as you first thought. It can be maintained for a short period of time by the treadmill so perhaps that restriction can help keep your treadmill’s price down

How much do you use it? The amount of workout that is likely to be done on your treadmill should affect your choice of equipment. The more you want to use it, the more we would recommend that you go for high quality treadmills. Repairs will even out the price difference between cheap treadmills and high-end treadmills when you compare them in the long run. Consequently, it would be advisable to go for the higher priced quality treadmill rather than a cheap treadmill that would spend more time with the repairman than it does with you!

Benefits Of Elliptical Machines

In the history of fitness and aerobics, elliptical machines are the only aerobic products who made a breakthrough. Almost all gyms, fitness clubs and even homes have already acquired their own elliptical machines. Elliptical machines continue to be popular. Users and buyers of these machines even reached 2.8 million in 2005.

Why are elliptical machines popular? What do users get from them? There are many benefits that can be enjoyed by using an elliptical machine.

Ellip…

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In the history of fitness and aerobics, elliptical machines are the only aerobic products who made a breakthrough. Almost all gyms, fitness clubs and even homes have already acquired their own elliptical machines. Elliptical machines continue to be popular. Users and buyers of these machines even reached 2.8 million in 2005.

Why are elliptical machines popular? What do users get from them? There are many benefits that can be enjoyed by using an elliptical machine.

Elliptical machines are able to provide healthy bodies by maintaining a healthy bone density. Researches have shown that the bone density has an impact on how healthy the person would become. A person is healthy if he has a healthy bone density.

The exercises needed to maintain a healthy bone density include running, aerobics, weight lifting and exercises where the person remains on his feet. However, these activities may cause jarred bones, which is very dangerous.

With the elliptical machine, all exercises to maintain a healthy bone density can be performed. Using an elliptical machine, the person will be standing on his own feet on a platform wherein he will be bearing weight.

Stepping up and down the platforms causes pedaling with an oval movement. This is very similar to the movement done when walking or running. This only means that the elliptical machine is able to provide the same benefits people can get with these exercises. Plus, they do not experience harmful stress that can impact the bones and muscles.

Safety is ensured with elliptical machines. Using the machine will allow a person to perform exercises smooth and flowing. This minimizes the risk of being injured when performing workouts. The muscles are safe since the pressure is evenly distributed on all the muscles of the body. This will prevent the person from stressing and harming a certain muscle group.

Elliptical machines were also proven to provide workouts best for the cardiovascular system. This is because of the many movements that can be made using the machine. All the muscles of the body are working which is good for maximizing the cardio impact in the body.

Many people would like to maintain a healthy body or even lose weight the easier way. However, they would not like to risk the benefit they can get in doing harder exercises. With the elliptical machines, users are able to do exercises the easy way without sacrificing the amount of weight they would lose.

Many manufacturers have developed elliptical machines and incorporated high technology with them. Many were designed to provide natural motion of body when using the machine. They may be priced higher than other aerobic products but people can be assured that the physical benefits they would like to get will not be neglected.

Buyers can choose from a wide variety of elliptical machines that are now sold in the market. They may come in different forms, in prices and most are incorporated with the highest technology there is in aerobic products. People may still opt to buy the more traditional elliptical machines, which continue to be bestsellers.

Elliptical machines will continue to develop and provide optimum workout for its users. These machines will continue to grow in popularity since they appeal to almost all users. Anyone who uses the machine can be assured of a total workout and the same time will allow burning of fat and calories.

Choosing Quality Exercise Equipment

It seems like every time you turn on the TV these days, there is another commercial for exercise equipment. The latest and greatest treadmill or the second to none all in one machine are advertised on a daily basis. And why not? Consumers love them. We’re always looking for ways to shape up faster and without as much work. And, that’s just what this equipment claims to do. Work out for just 20 minutes a day, three days a week and you’ll have the body of a supermodel in just o…

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It seems like every time you turn on the TV these days, there is another commercial for exercise equipment. The latest and greatest treadmill or the second to none all in one machine are advertised on a daily basis. And why not? Consumers love them. We’re always looking for ways to shape up faster and without as much work. And, that’s just what this equipment claims to do. Work out for just 20 minutes a day, three days a week and you’ll have the body of a supermodel in just one month. If only that were true. We wouldn’t have to put ourselves through the pain of the gym everyday.

If you are looking for some quality exercise equipment though, it is available. You just need to do some research and talk to enough qualified people to learn what equipment will be best for your work out routine. A treadmill works for a lot of people who like to work out in the privacy of their own home. And there are a lot of benefits that can be gleaned from running on a treadmill everyday. This type of aerobic exercise is good for your heart and your lungs. Just be sure to keep tabs on your heart rate so you don’t over do it and put your heart in danger. A general rule of thumb for running is that you should be able to talk semi-comfortably while you’re running. If you can talk without any trouble at all, you’re probably not running hard enough or fast enough. If you can’t talk because you’re busy huffing and puffing, you’re probably pushing yourself too hard. Slow down a bit and take it one step at a time.

There are several other types of exercise equipment available that can prove beneficial to our health as well. A popular piece of equipment these days is the exercise ball. They come in different sizes, so it’s important to determine which one will work for the goals you have in mind. There are many muscles that you can work using the ball. And the balls usually come with a set of instructions that tell you how to use it for different muscle groups. It’s also a great way to stretch your muscles, which is an important factor in every work out.

Some people prefer yoga or Pilates as their main workout. Each of these activities has their own set of exercise equipment as well. Along with the exercise ball, it’s important to invest in a mat. Not only will it give you the comfort you’re seeking when lying on the floor, but it’ll help keep you from getting dirty as well.

Elliptical Trainers Vs. Treadmills

They are many reasons why people prefer to workout on a elliptical trainer more than they would on a treadmill. Along with keeping the body in shape and toning up the muscles, they are low impact cardio vascular workout machines. This means that they go easy on the joints of the legs and the knees. Especially helpful for those who are in the sixties and seventies, or those who have a had a leg or a knee injury. They also provide a variety of resistance levels, incline levels …

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They are many reasons why people prefer to workout on a elliptical trainer more than they would on a treadmill. Along with keeping the body in shape and toning up the muscles, they are low impact cardio vascular workout machines. This means that they go easy on the joints of the legs and the knees. Especially helpful for those who are in the sixties and seventies, or those who have a had a leg or a knee injury. They also provide a variety of resistance levels, incline levels and programs for the beginner as well as the advanced.

Thus treadmills and fitness rowers are high impact cardio vascular machines. This means that it puts pressure on the knees as well as on the lower part of the legs. Not recommended for those with knee and foot injuries as well as the older people. It’s a very safe machine to use unlike a treadmill machine, where you might fall off if the speed is increased suddenly. Thus it provides a complete workout and the more expensive elliptical exercise trainer come with many additional features. The more expensive versions of the elliptical trainers are meant for gym use and those who are into the advanced state of exercising.

It’s important to ask the advice of the doctor before starting of any exercise. Thus ensure that before you are ready to join a gym or even climb on top of the elliptical exercise trainer, a doctor’s advice is heeded. Before you begin to use one, ask a personal trainer or the gym instructor to show you how to use the elliptical trainers, this will help you better in the workout. During your workout, you can change the incline and the program levels by using the control panel. Ensure that all electrical and mechanical fittings are in place to save you from injury.

Finding the Right Trampoline For You

Trampolining is a great way to get fit while having fun, but how do you find the right trampoline for you?

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Trampolining is a great way to get fit while having fun, but how do you find the right trampoline for you? Like so many other products these days, including fitness equipment, there is such a vast array of shapes and sizes available that any choice can seem completely overwhelming. But if a trampoline seems like the right fun and fitness choice for you, here are a few tips to bear in mind before you step into the store.

Buying the wrong type of fitness equipment can result in serious injury, so it is always worthwhile investing some time and energy in finding not only the right trampoline for you, but also one that is constructed to the very highest safety standards. Be sure to do some research on the trampoline’s manufacturer before you sign on the dotted line, making sure that they have a reputation for producing high quality goods. Also be sure to find out if the manufacturer or retailer offers a warranty and/or return policy, just in case some flaw should exist in your trampoline.

Any piece of fitness equipment will only be as well used as it is suited to you, so before you buy, be sure to have thought thoroughly about your trampoline expectations. Some basic traits relate to the high quality construction mentioned above, such as a sturdy frame and a taut base that will allow you bounce to your heart’s content. Above and beyond this, personal taste comes into play. Do you want to use your trampoline indoors, or outdoors? Do you want to share the jumping experience alone, or with others? All these factors will help you decide what style of trampoline is best for you.

Choosing the right trampoline can allow you bounce your way to health and fitness, so be sure to invest some time examining the market to find the best trampoline for you. While we all love a bargain, remember that you usually get what you pay for, so don’t shy away from paying a little more to get a sturdier trampoline, especially if you anticipate heavy usage. When you know you have made the right choice, there will be no limits to your fitness fun, and you will bounce yourself all the way to better health.

Get Fit – Choose the Right Treadmill

Today everybody has become health conscious and wants to stay fit, but going to the gym can be a luxury which many people do not enjoy because of time constraint. You can solve this problem by getting a treadmill for your home. Not only can you workout at home without having to go anywhere, you can also exercise at your convenience anytime you want.

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Today everybody has become health conscious and wants to stay fit, but going to the gym can be a luxury which many people do not enjoy because of time constraint. You can solve this problem by getting a treadmill for your home. Not only can you workout at home without having to go anywhere, you can also exercise at your convenience anytime you want. A treadmill is a piece of exercise equipment where you run on the spot, without moving any distance. You can exercise while watching TV, or even read while you run. Even when there is bad weather you can run indoors.

The working system of a treadmill is the belt system. The top of the belt moves to the rear, allowing you to run an equal and necessarily opposite speed. The speed and the distance covered can be set or measured. You can also change the rate of speed when you need. Because all factors of the run are known, the exact energy spend is able to be calculated. Some treadmills also have special built-in features such as heart rate monitors, step count, amount of calories burnt, etc.

How to choose the right treadmill:

Well, after deciding you want to buy a treadmill for yourself, but looking at the number of different treadmills available, you may get confused as to which one is best. There are lots of things you need to consider. Price is of course something you need to consider, but remember never to compromise on money when it comes to your fitness and health; after all you do not want to feel sorry later. Don’t become a slave to price. Consider the durability and functionality first, and then come to the price.

Before you set out to buy a treadmill, first decide where you want to put it, and measure up the space. If space is an issue, you may want to choose a model which folds for storage. One important factor that you need to consider while choosing the treadmill is its motor. Choose one that has a larger and heavier motor if you are looking for long lasting and durability. There are two ratings of horsepower. Peak duty rating is rated on the treadmill tag, and continuous duty rating, which is very important as it determines the quality and the duration of the treadmill, is stamped on the motor. Get a 1.5 continuous duty horsepower or higher if your weight is more than 185 pounds.

Pay attention to the size of the walking track and the walking deck. Get a thick size deck at least 3/4 inches thick, for comfort of the feet and legs. The length of the walking track should be at least 48 inches and the width about 17 inches, so that you do not step off the track. You can get a longer track if you are going to run on the treadmill. Next check the shock absorption. Avoid buying treadmills that have shock absorbers on the legs as this is not effective shock absorption. The treadmill’s suspension must be directly under the walking deck to provide effective cushioning for the legs, feet and back. Foam or rubber is used for the padding. Foam can be softer and more comfortable than rubber, but it requires more time to return to its original size after impact, where rubber can recover to full thickness instantly and is a better shock absorbent.

Some treadmills even have a range of special preset exercise programs that can automatically change speed and can even measure your heart rate. They can be more expensive than the usual treadmills, so if you are on a limited budget you could always buy a cheaper one and get a separate heart rate monitor and develop your own programs.

Bring one home!

Walking is a very effective exercise which everybody is able to do. It is basic, doesn’t require a lot of coordination, and can be an excellent way to deal with stress by clearing your head. Anybody of any age can do it, and it is the same for a beginner as well as for an athlete. So, if you are an indoor person, cannot go to a gym, or if you do not get time to go out to exercise, you can get a treadmill and exercise at home whenever you can and want to.

5 Ways To Get The Best Use Out Of Your Home Treadmill

The #1 fear that people have when investing in a home treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment) is that they won’t use it.

You know the story. It gets delivered, you set it up and enjoy it for a few days…and then it sits…and waits.

A few months down the road, you notice how dusty it has become and how much space it’s taking up. And you remember how much weight you were determined to lose by using it faithfully every day. But now, unfortunately, it doubles as …

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The #1 fear that people have when investing in a home treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment) is that they won’t use it.

You know the story. It gets delivered, you set it up and enjoy it for a few days…and then it sits…and waits.

A few months down the road, you notice how dusty it has become and how much space it’s taking up. And you remember how much weight you were determined to lose by using it faithfully every day. But now, unfortunately, it doubles as a clothes rack.

Never fear. This article will help you make sure that DOESN’T happen.

A treadmill provides the best overall cardiovascular workout & it’s still the number one exercise machine for those who want to lose weight. So it’s an investment in your health that will pay large dividends…if you are prepared to get the maximum benefit from it!

Here are 5 easy ways to get the BEST use from your home treadmill:

#1) Do your research first

Make sure you look at what each treadmill offers you and compare it to your unique needs.

For example, if you live in a condo and/or like things neat and clean, a folding treadmill might suit you best. If you want a folding treadmill, do you prefer a manual folding treadmill (like most folding treadmills) or do you want a shock-assisted folding treadmill with wheels on the bottom that’s easy to move?

If you like to drink water during your workout, make sure there’s a water bottle holder included in the treadmill console (it might surprise you how many treadmills do not have this feature.)

Do you get bored easily and need a challenge? What about getting a treadmill with lots of user programs or one that is iFit compatible?

These things may seem little and maybe it might cost you a bit more; but if it means you’re actually going to enjoy your workout it will be well worth it!

#2) Place the treadmill in a ‘happy’ spot.

By ‘happy’ I mean well-lit, open and stimulating. Don’t put it so you face the bare wall when you walk or run. I’ve tried this this and the workouts don’t last long! If you get bored easily, put it facing the television or facing a window where you can have an attractive view while working out.

Rooms and spaces have definite ‘feels’ to them and that will affect the success of your workouts. Make sure your treadmill is placed in an area that makes you feel energized, happy and mentally stimulated.

#3) Get your exercise arsenal ready BEFORE the treadmill arrives.

Do you like listening to fast music when you exercise? Do you like watching your favorite movies? What about reading magazines? What inspires you to work out and feel your best?

Get these things ready even before your treadmill arrives and you’ll be three-quarters of the way there. Have several workout or favorite CD’s around. Get your favorite movies or shows on tape. Gather your favorite magazines.

By having an ‘exercise’ stash around your treadmill, you’ll be inspired to workout AND you won’t be stuck running around looking for something to do when you want to start exercising.

Again, this may seem simple, but it works. Why do you think gyms have magazines, televisions and CD players handy?

#4) Make an exercise plan.

Before you start working out, try making a plan, a “roadmap to your rock-hard body” so to speak. By writing down how long and what kind of workout you’ll be doing in week 1, 2, 3, 4 etc, you’ll get yourself psyched up for success.

Remember that every time you workout, you are planting the seeds for the kind of dream body that you want.

By having a plan, you can see just how many seeds you’ve planted (and even how long it will take to start reaping the results!) Have fun with it and you’ll be motivated to achieve your health goals (and get maximum benefits from your treadmill!)

#5) Track your progress

Ok this is related to #4 but it’s more of an ongoing thing. By tracking your progress every day, you get a major sense of accomplishment which snowballs into even greater fat-burning results.

I suggest you have ‘minimum goals’ like “I’ll walk for at least 10 minutes.” or “I’ll do 5-30 second intervals.” These are easy to do and you’ll probably go beyond them – which will encourage you even further and heighten your sense of accomplishment.

And of course, you’re also getting maximum benefit from your treadmill!

Those are 5 ways to get best use from your home treadmill. Just remember that even a little bit of preparation will pay off large dividends in the long run.