Continue reading »]]> Just because you see something on TV doesn’t mean it’s not good. One of our most popular items on the floor right now is the AbCoaster. We have the commercial version in the store, but the AbCoaster really works. It brings the effective exercise from knee raises and makes the motion easy for anyone to do. The AbCoaster does this by allowing you to glide on two rails, working your abs from the bottom to the top, unlike crunches, which mainly work your top abdominal muscles. Prices range from $250-1500 depending on the model you want and how heavy duty you want it. Come in and try out our AbCoaster today!

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You may have seen pushup handles on television or in stores called the Perfect Pushups. In fact, we sell them too. Is this really the best equipment to achieve your fitness goals?

Image via Wikipedia

Pushups have been used since mankind discovered we had muscles to develop our chests and shoulders. Did it really take a US Navy SEAL to discover the secret behind what pushups really were supposed to be?

Here’s the thing: Pushups are good. They help build muscles, endurance, flexibility, burn calories, and maintain your body weight. Pushup handles are good. They help take strain off your wrists. The Perfect Pushup handles are good. If you use them correctly. You have to be careful that they don’t turn on you when you’re not ready for them to. Keep them controlled, with slow, even movements, and they are a useful addition to any gym bag. Wear yourself down, lose control, and they can spin without warning, causing more damage to your wrists or shoulders.

Are they a good tool? Yes. If you use them properly. Are they for everyone? Definitely not. Use your head, and good equipment, and you can go far.

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Continue reading »]]> It is important to regularly maintain your home elliptical machine.  With regular maintenance, you can expect many years of use. Wipe down the console, frame, and handlebars daily, and inspect for damage on a regular basis. You can use the attached form to keep track of regular maintenance, as well as your serial number and date of purchase.

In addition to regular maintenance, consider an equipment mat. This will help make cleaning easier, as well as absorbing some of the shock from use, especially on hard floors.

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Continue reading »]]> A treadmill isn’t right for everyone. We can’t all take the pounding on our joints, or don’t like the noise from the motor or belt, but also don’t want to give up the full body workout that it offers. Enter the xRide, the seated elliptical from Octane. It offers a full-body cardio workout, works your muscles more efficiently than a recumbent bike, and doesn’t force you to stand up for your workout. Here’s what the manufacturer says about it:

Get ready for the ride of your life with Octane’s xR6 Series seated elliptical cross trainers. Offering innovative, motivating programs and features, the Octane xR6 gives you an ‘alternative fuel’ to help you achieve your exercise goals. You’ll love its smooth elliptical motion and the invigorating push/pull action of the moving handlebars as you pedal and push your way to an exhilarating total-body workout experience.

All xR6 models include many program options and customizable interval programs that let you make your workout your own. The xR6e and xR6ce offer heart rate-controlled programs to help you better manage your training, plus the innovative 30:30 performance program that lets you test your fitness level and see your exercise efforts pay off in just a short period of time.

Challenge yourself even more with the unique workout boosters—Muscle Endurance, Chest Press and Leg Press—focusing on troublesome areas for optimal results and the best overall workout. You will feel the difference!

Built with exercisers’ needs in mind and backed by the award-winning service of Octane Fitness, the xR6 Series seated elliptical promises a great ride—and a great workout—every time!

Octane Fitness xRide Series Ellipticals from Octane Fitness on Vimeo.

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Continue reading »]]> If you’re not watching your heart rate while doing cardio, you may just be burning a few calories and not strengthening your heart.

Polar Heart Rate Monitor

Use a heart rate monitor with a chest strap to get the most accurate information while you workout. Many machines have a receiver that will display information from your chest strap while you use them so you can track your heart rate and adjust your workout level accordingly.

You can find many formulas online to calculate your personal target heart rate (what you should be working with while exercising) online, but most of them don’t take into account your resting heart rate. You could be a 35 year old male, and your friend can as well, and you should probably be aiming for two different heart rates while you workout. For example, a friend of mine has a resting heart rate of 40 bpm, and mine is 70 bpm. We should not be aiming for the same rate while we’re running. One difference is he has been running 10 miles/day for 20 years. I have not. His heart is in much better condition than mine is, and doesn’t have to beat as often to circulate his blood. Even though we’re the same age, we need to have different goals.

Here is the formula you should use:

The formula differs for men and women, but only with the starting number; 220 for men and 226 for women. The following examples use a 35 year old with a resting heart rate of 70 beats per minute.

Men:
220 – Age = Maximum Heart Rate

Example: 220 – 35 = 185

Maximum Heart Rate – Resting Heart Rate = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve

Example: 185 – 70 = 115

Bottom of training heart rate range = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve * 50% + Resting Heart Rate

Example: 115 * .50 = 57.5 + 70 = 127.5

Top of training heart rate range = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve * 65% + Resting Heart Rate

Example: 115 * .65 = 74.75 + 70 = 144.75

Women:

226 – Age = Maximum Heart Rate

Example: 226 – 35 = 191

Maximum Heart Rate – Resting Heart Rate = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve

Example: 191 – 70 = 121

Bottom of training heart rate range = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve * 50% + Resting Heart Rate

Example: 121 * .50 = 60.5 + 70 = 130.5

Top of training heart rate range = Maximum Heart Rate Reserve * 65% + Resting Heart Rate

Example: 121 * .65 = 78.65 + 70 = 148.65

The Application:

Fat Burning – Beginner 50-65%     Intermediate 55-70%     Advanced 60-75%

Cardio Respiratory Conditioning – Beginner 50-65%     Intermediate 65-80%     Advanced 80-95%

• To get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for a full 60 seconds when you are the most relaxed (i.e. just woke up in the morning on your own, no alarm clock, etc.)
• When training in training heart rate range, go from bottom to top, hold for 10-20 seconds, and then go back down.
• Use a talk test to see if the percentages used in the formula are getting you where you need to be.
• Fat burn should be able to carry on a conversation with a little difficulty
• Cardio Respiratory Conditioning should be able to barely carry on a conversation with difficulty. If necessary, adjust percentages accordingly.

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Continue reading »]]> Thanks to an upgrade on our website host, we lost the database connection to our shopping cart, and are unlikely to get it back. We were hoping to have some more time to get this up and running, but it looks like that’s not going to happen. I’m sorry about that. Welcome to the new look though, it’s sure to change quickly.

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Continue reading »]]> This year Teeter has released a portable back stretcher, a much cheaper and more portable alternative to traditional inversion. The P3 is a simple to use way to decompress your spine and relieve pressure. From their website:

Relieve Pain – Reduce Pressure – Improve Performance

Ideal compact stretching solution!

A few minutes a day with the Teeter Hang Ups P3 Back Stretcher can help target the source of your aches and facilitate better health in all of your weight-bearing joints.

Decompress with the P3 Back Stretcher to help relieve pain and reduce pressure.  User-controlled traction allows for the perfect stretch to:

• Encourage realignment
• Rehydrate vital nutrients within the disc
• Reduce pressure on nerves
• Enhance cartilage nutrition and joint lubrication
• Apply reverse-loading  to the support structure that encases each joint – helping to increase ligament strength and improve flexibility and shock absorption

Designed for those who can’t live without their Teeter inversion table, and who need a portable decompression solution, the P3 Back Stretcher is a lightweight, effective way to decompress every weight-bearing joint from between the shoulder blades to the ankles.  The P3 Back Stretcher cleverly accommodates those who desire decompression but who want an alternative to traditional inversion equipment!

FEATURES

Convenient and Portable: Folds compactly for travel and storage – weighs just 5 lbs

Durable, High-Quality Construction: Aircraft-grade aluminum frame sets the P3 apart from other ordinary back care gadgets

Custom-Fit Features: Embossed height settings and simple push-button release, make finding your ideal fit a snap

Ergonomic Support: Contoured foot supports ensure comfort

100% pre-assembled

Bonus: Nylon travel bag and instructional DVD guide you through finding your ideal setting and help you maximize benefits

SPECS

Packaged dimensions
20″ x 11.5″ x 3.5″  (51 x 29 x 9 cm)
Packaged weight
5.5 lbs  (2.5 kgs)

Watch this video on YouTube.

Related articles

• Teeter Hang Ups Celebrates 30 Years (prnewswire.com)

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