Types of Wellness and Fitness Programs

As the broader conceptions of health and wellness have evolved, so too have the typologies of interventions offered by organizations. An early typology offered by several researchers proposed three levels of health programs:

Level I: Awareness programs, including newsletters, health fairs, screening sessions, education classes, and other activities that raise individual awareness of the consequences of unhealthy behaviors

Level II: Specific programs for lifestyle modification, including fitness programs, back exercises, and the like, characterized by active employee involvement in adopting health-promoting behaviors

Level III: Programs that create environments in which individuals can sustain healthy lifestyles over the long term, including the provision of fitness centers at the workplace, making healthy food available, and removing unhealthy food from the workplace.

From these three levels, fourth-generation programs evolved, variously referred to as total health programs, comprehensive health promotion programs, or health and productivity management programs. Johnson & Johnson's Live for Life program represents one of the earliest comprehensive wellness programs. Three key components of the J&J program are health risk assessment, creative educational units, and physical fitness training. Health risk assessments may include analyzes of stress management, fitness, nutrition, safety, and ergonomics, and the assessments are used to identify the individual's strengths and weaknesses. In the educational units, a wide variety of media is used to deliver education on such topics as weight management, smoking cessation, women's health issues, and blood pressure management, among other health-related subjects. In J&J's physical fitness training, programs are tailored specifically to individual needs. Evaluations of the Live for Life program have indicated positive effects on exercise, health behaviors, and employee work attitudes.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation's Health Management program is also a benchmark comprehensive program, initiated in 1977. The program reflects the company's culture and its belief that well-informed, healthy employees are happier, safer, more productive, and have better attendance records, and that these factors produce lower health care costs for the organization. Integrated, multidisciplinary teams provide health screening, primary care, exercise programs, nursing care, and employee assistance programs at Kimberly-Clark's various locations. Fitness facilities include indoor running tracks, Olympic-size pools, nature trails, weights, and aerobic equipment. Preventive and educational services are provided, which include family wellness, nutrition education, CPR training, and sport-specific workshops, among other programs.

Health and productivity management programs (HPM) have three basic goals: (1) to provide integrative services that promote employee health or assist with injury, illness, or work-life balance, (2) to increase productivity and morale, and (3) to manage medical benefits, risk management, employee assistance programs, and other services such that they promote health and productivity. Keys to the success of HPM programs include health promotion and wellness staff who serve as models of healthy lifestyles, employee empowerment, and self-responsibility. The distinguishing factor of HPM programs is the tie to the mission of the business and articulation of the links between individual health and business operations.

For more information on Wellness and Fitness, visit my Fitness and Health Books [http://www.deltamillsbooks.com] here.

Fitness Trampolines - A Fun Filled Way To Exercise

Towards the end of the twentieth century, fitness lovers were increasingly exposed to an array of new fitness equipment. Although some of them were nothing more than marketing gimmicks, others are still around and are benefiting their users. There has been fair bit of scientific investigation into these tools to determine their advantages as well as their risks, and the fitness trampoline was not exception. In the end, it has resulted in growing acceptance of the health benefits of trampolines.

Using a fitness trampoline is as simple as jumping on it, literally. A trampoline is generally made by securing a strong fabric such as nylon to the top of a hollow platform. For securing the trampoline cloth, coiled compression springs are generally used. To ensure stability of the platform during your fall, trampoline platforms are usually made of stainless steel.

Jumping on fitness trampolines strengthens the muscles and increases blood circulation throughout the body. Increased blood circulation constitutes a cardiovascular workout. Calf and thigh muscles get the much needed workout from the jump, and this exercise also helps you avoid the accumulation of hip fat. It helps you expunge toxic waste through sweat pores and invigorates your mood.

Occasionally newspaper articles highlight concerns about trampoline safety. Undoubtedly some unfortunate incidents have been reported, but preliminary investigation revealed that in many cases either the material used to build the trampoline was tampered with or the safety guidelines were not adhered to. The risks from trampoline use are greatly reduced when the trampoline is properly set up and safety rules are followed.

Generally, every trampoline manufacturer attaches a label that informs about the maximum weight that it can bear without any damage. You must use fitness trampolines individually, one person at a time. Many reported accidents occurred when several people jumped on trampolines simultaneously.

Mention the word gym and most kids will frown. On the other hand, trampolines are especially popular with kids. Jumping on fitness trampolines can help to prevent obesity in children. Kids get the much needed exercise without even thinking about exercise. It's too bad that we don't have similar fun filled solutions to get children to drink milk or study. If you're looking for a fitness alternative for your children or even for yourself, consider the benefits of a trampoline. There are several options to choose from so that you can get the most from your fitness experience.

Visit us for more information on Cool Games To Play On A Trampoline, trampoline boards and rebounder trampoline.

The Truth About Fitness (Growing Up Smart Fitness Fact #1)

Developing your body's flexibility, endurance, and strength through regular exercise is an essential part of being physically fit. If you want to stand out in a sport, or you just want to look and feel your best, exercise will make it happen. It's important to develop your body to its full potential.

Many young men, for example, are mainly interested in building up their muscles. But building only muscular strength and ignoring flexibility and endurance is not the path to physical fitness. Just playing basketball, for example, won't make you physically fit. To play basketball well, you need to develop your flexibility, endurance, and strength. That's why coaches insist on stretching, aerobic, and resistance exercises.

1. Stretching exercises help you perform your best and avoid injury and muscle cramps. They improve muscle and joint flexibility.


2. Aerobic exercises help you run and run and run without getting out of breath. They build up endurance by increasing heart and lung capacity.


3. Resistance exercises tone your body and strengthen your muscles. They increase muscular strength and conditioning.

Here are some tips on how to start exercising and how to keep your exercise program going:

• Decide on your exercise goals. What do you want to achieve? For example, if you want to improve your endurance, emphasize aerobic exercises. If you want to tone your body, emphasize resistance exercises. Make your goals reasonable and realistic.


• Develop an exercise plan based on your goals. Be sure your plan includes warm-up and stretching (flexibility), aerobic (endurance), and resistance (strength) exercises. To excel in any one requires work in all three.


• Set up a regular exercise schedule and stick to it. You are more likely to continue exercising when you have a schedule to follow.


• Begin slowly and progress little by little. If you're just starting a program, start with easy exercises. Gradually work up to more advanced exercises.


• Keep track of your progress by writing it down.


• Get a friend to exercise with you. Consider working with a coach or trainer to motivate you and provide instruction.


• Try to exercise three to four days a week for about 30 to 45 minutes each time. It's important to allow your body time to recover between workouts. Don't overdo it.

Help our children grow up wise and healthy. Join Frank Hawkins, Dr. Greta L.B. Laube, M.D., and our other experts at Growing Up Smart to read the latest ideas on all things kids. Participate in the conversation to benefit our children. Write an article and lend your voice to the effort. Comment and share your opinion. Visit Growing Up Smart at http://boysguidebooks.blogspot.com

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Before and After Photos in Fitness Magazines

Some supplement companies will go to any lengths to
prove their products' effectiveness. But sometimes the
evidence isn't quite what it's cracked up to be. Before and
after photos are the most compelling means by which to
convince a person of steroid-like gains.

Often the before photos show the bodybuilder in off-season
condition; fat, bloated, with pale skin. Hardly inspirational,
but true to life. And photos are sometimes reversed. In one
instance a supplement company presented a photo of a
fitness model in top condition, declaring it the 'after' photo.
Beside it, the apparent 'before' photo showed the model in
her last trimester of pregnancy. Anyone who is familiar with
the model's history is aware that the before photo was, in
fact, the after photo.

The same trick was used by an ex-professional bodybuilder
from the 1960s. Interestingly, his jowls sagged more and
his face looked older in the before photo. Apparently his
supplement line not only increases muscle, it may be the
proverbial fountain of youth!

Before and after photos from every day individuals sell a
product best. They represent people like you and me...
average weight trainees hoping to make dramatic changes
in short order. But these photos are also highly dubious. In
order to look as bad and as good as possible, the models
employ several tricks.

The before photos nearly always have the subject
slouching, frowning, pale skin, dull lighting, gut extended,
and with no muscle pump. The after photos use harsh
lighting with good shadow contrast, tanned skin, upright
posture with lats and shoulders spread wide, muscles
tensed, smiling with well-groomed facial and head hair, and
a muscle pump. It also is known that duct tape has been
used to pull back obliques/love handles in order to make
waists appear even smaller and shoulders even wider. The
same trick works under their arm pits, to make the pec line
more pronounced and sharp.

And so, are you truly seeing what the person has
accomplished and while on supplement 'x'? Hardly; what
you are witnessing is an illusion of posing and photography
skills of the model.

One winning competitor in the EAS Physique
Transformation contest in 1999 did look good if contrasting
his before and after photos, losing twelve pounds of fat. He
also, however, lost six pounds of lean tissue! Ignoring the
fact that he won, it could be said that his program was a
failure and that he did the opposite of what exercise was
originally intended to do, e.g., increase lean tissue/function.

But it is to these unhealthy extremes that one sometimes
experiences in order to make a dramatic difference in a
contest that allows only 12 weeks. After all, 12 weeks is not
a long time, particularly for advanced trainees more so than
novices. For the advanced, there is not much muscle to
gain and to produce good before and after photos requires
extreme loss of fat - besides slouching, frowning, and no
pump or tan in the before photos.

Unfortunately, many people (particularly novices) who are
unaware of the benefits and application of long-term
planning will burn out on such an endeavor, perhaps
quitting exercise all together. After a 12-week stint of near
overtraining (if they haven't done so by the contest's end and
if not understanding how to train), they conclude they cannot
tolerate another 12-weeks of further self-inflicted torture, let
alone another three years.

Not everyone entering these contests understand that it is a
short-term solution... to see how far the body can be pushed
as quickly as possible. After that point, training must take
on a more cyclic structure. This means maintaining most of
what was accomplished during the physique transformation
followed by 'easier' off-season training and peaking
infrequently thereafter. Fat loss may continue after the
contest, or prior to another peak, but 100% mental effort and
extreme demands may only account for 8-12 weeks total
throughout the year once reaching an advanced stage.
Training throughout the remainder of the year can still be
tough, yet tolerable and never as demanding.

I don't believe most beginner trainees realize the
importance of cycling or what needs to be done after a
physique transformation challenge. Most magazines don't
talk about it, nor do bodybuilding books. They present
general ideas and expect you to lift happily ever after. It is for
this reason that physique transformation contests and
magazines as a whole produce greater failure than success
in. The thoughts of maintaining or bettering one's physique
after 12-weeks of grueling effort is enough to shatter
anyone's motivation. Believing that you must continue
training in a similar manner (something to which we have
all fallen victim) is the best guarantee to exercise
termination.

Interestingly, can you imagine the loss in profits that
supplement manufacturers (magazine owners) are
encountering due to frustration of their readers and the
thousands dropping out of exercise - or perhaps no longer
purchasing that magazine and the supplements it
endorses. If sound training information were provided,
particularly long-term application, there would be more
successes and supplement purchases from advanced
trainees. Rather, supplement companies are hoping and
expecting a new generation of customers to make up for
those recently lost - short-term solutions for a quick buck.

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Brian D. Johnston is the Director of Education and President of the I.A.R.T. fitness certification and education institute. He has written over 12 books and is a contributor author to the Merck Medical Manual. An international lecturer, Mr. Johnston wears many hats in the fitness and health industries, and can be reached at info@ExerciseCertification.com. Visit his site at http://www.ExerciseCertification.com for more free articles.

How to Become a Fitness Model Fast

Becoming a fitness model is no east feat. You need to be especially toned and proportional to be able to compete against all those gorgeous models. However, it can be done, and it mostly depends on you. As long as you have a basically well shaped bone structure, you can, through proper nutrition and the right workout program, achieve highly impressive results.

The first thing you need to know is that the life of a fitness model is a structured one. It does require determination and effort on your part because you will need to control what you eat and to exercise according to strict guidelines. However, that doesn't mean you will have to become a gym slave or eat like a bird. Far from it. To become a fitness model you will have to feed your body to promote the development of lean muscle tissue. You can't do that by starving. However, you will need to know the right things to eat, as some foods help to burn fat and gain lean muscle tissue, and others don't.

The important thing to realize is that to become a fitness model you need to avoid guesswork and operate according to proven methods. There is no room for imperfection here. The best course of action is to follow in the footsteps of another fitness model and to copy her lifestyle. What worked for her should prove to be as effective for you. This isn't the time to experiment with this weight loss plan or that workout routine. It's time to get a proven system that can help you reach the perfect kind of body that fitness models have and to.

I recommend the Fitness Model Program by Jennifer Nicole Lee. I believe it's an excellent guide on how a fitness model should train and eat in order to cut down body fat and increase muscle tone. It can provide you with impressive results.

I've included 2 resources here which will help you on your way. Make sure to visit both pages. To read about this program, visit this webpage:

Fitness Model Program Review.

John Davenport lost over 30 pounds in his twenties after being overweight most of his life. He now runs a weight loss forum and publishes a diet and fitness newsletter. To read more tips on improving your fitness and looks, click here: Becoming a Fitness Model Tips [http://www.squidoo.com/How-To-Become-a-Fitness-Model].

3 Fitness Crunch Routines to Shape Up Your Abs

Indeed men and women pay much attention to shape up and firm up their abs. In fact, a number of the fitness machines have been developed to specifically address this growing concern. For men and women, being able to wear shirts that fit your body or show some skin is fashionable but you just cannot get into the fad but end up with embarrassment for flaunting flabby and fatty abs.

If you want to have an abs which is tighter and more defined, the crunches are known to be the most effective mid section exercises. Here are 3 fitness crunch routines to shape up your abs.

1. The bicycle crunch - A great routine to uptight your abs is the bicycle crunch. This routine is recommended to many fitness enthusiasts because it can practically achieve twice the result of a regular crunch. To start the routine, bear in mind that in order to attain a more desirable result you need to keep your bicycle crunch moderate or slow. This means that as you perform the routine, you have to use both your upper abs and lower abs. Start by extending one leg and keeping the other leg in a bent position. Have each opposite elbow touch the bent leg like a twisting crunch. Without dropping or resting your torso, try to perform the same routine on the other side.

2. The decline crunch - Most of the fitness centers have a decline sit up board or you can make a decline board on your own provided you keep it stable. Just like the traditional crunch, what you need to do here is to perform crunches but only that you do the crunches in a decline position. Most of the declines are adjustable particularly those in the gyms and the degree of the decline also determines the degree of difficulty such that you have to adjust it yourself to determine which height you want to work with. In this routine, one may opt to do a sit up or a crunch but the crunch is more challenging. Then if you are not satisfied with just a crunch, add up some weight on your chest.

3. The fitness ball crunch - This particular crunch makes use of a medicine ball. Here, you roll the ball backwards as you do the ordinary crunch so as to keep your buttocks in order, close enough to the ground. Once you are done, do it again in the other direction.

As you perform these crunch routines, make sure to observe that you perform the routine a bit slow so that you feel the contraction and the stretch in your abs.

Finding the perfect Workout Routines takes time and effort. These best workout routines is a great place to start if a person is interested in flat abs. The P90X workout routines is also another workout that will help develop flat abs.

Elliptical Trainer Review: Smooth Fitness

When it comes to elliptical trainers there is no one player who dominates the entire price range of models. There are different manufacturers who excel at different prices. For example, Icon Fitness rules the sub $1,000 price range through their various subsidiaries, including ProForm, Image, Weslo, Reebok and Nordic Track. The high-end is dominated by companies like Life Fitness and Precor.

In the mid-range category you have a number of contenders, but one company that is worth noting is Smooth Fitness. They are building quality elliptical trainers at a price that makes them a good value.

Selling Direct to the Consumer

For those unfamiliar with Smooth Fitness, they predominantly sell on the Internet. In fact, you cannot find their elliptical trainers at any stores. Their value proposition is to sell direct, thus cutting out the expenditure of the middleman.

Think about the expenses that are incurred when a company sells fitness equipment in a retail store. Besides the cost of the space, you also have to factor in the commissions paid to the salespeople. Selling online not only saves on retail costs, but also avoids the addition charge of local taxes. That can add up.

It should be noted that Smooth Fitness makes some exagerated claims regarding the reduction in price. That is typical marketing hype. And although you may not be saving over 40% on an elliptical trainer, you could be saving 5%-15% in comparison to purchasing through a retail store.

Smooth Fitness was one of the first businesses to sell high-end fitness equipment online. Initially they private labeled other brands like Spirit, Keys and Kettler. Approximately 5 years ago they started designing and manufacturing their own fitness equipment. In ten years they went from minor player to their recent inclusion in the Internet Retailer's Top 500 Guide, 2006-07 Edition. SmoothFitness.com came in at number 277 on the overall list, and was ranked the 15th largest e-tailer in the Sporting Goods category.

Smooth Elliptical Trainers Offer Value

The line-up of Smooth elliptical trainers is a perfect example why they have become a major player in the fitness equipment industry in such a short period of time. Their machines are engineered to be durable and yet provide a rewarding workout. For example, the Smooth CE 3.2 offers one of the better values in the $1,500+ price range. It is designed with a rear drive, which many find preferable, and claim it provides a smoother motion.

The machine itself weighs a hefty 175 lbs, adding to the stability. You get ergonomic pivoting foot pedals, that further reduce strain and impact. It comes standard with wireless heart rate control, for those who like to control and optimize their workout through their heart rate. You get a lifetime warranty on the frame and electromagnetic brake system, in addition to a 2 year parts and 1 year labor warranty.

One feature I particularly like is the built-in heart rate sensors in the upper handlebars. You will find that most elliptical trainers have heart rate monitors, but they are built into stationary handlebars. In order to get your heart rate you have to discontinue the upper body workout and hold onto the stationary handles, which defeats the purpose of the dual action workout.

Smooth Fitness currently has three elliptical trainers that are priced from $1,300-$2,000, they are the Smooth CE 2.1, 3.2 and 7.4. All their prices include shipping. Like other fitness equipment companies, the standard delivery is to your curbside. You may want to pay the extra few dollars to have their turnkey service, which includes inside delivery and set-up.

There is no question that there are better built elliptical trainers on the market. For example, Precor makes commercial grade elliptical trainers for the home. But they come with a commercial grade price, which is more than twice the cost of the Smooth Ellipticals. Of course, there are cheaper machines, but they are built with cheap components, which is reflected in a very limited warranty. The coverage is often 90 days parts and labor.

Combining quality and a moderate price, the Smooth elliptical trainers are one of the better values in the $1,000 - $2,000 price range.

Fred Waters is author of the Elliptical Trainer Review site, where you can get the latest Smooth Elliptical Trainer Reviews and Ratings.

Planning Your Fitness Program-Fitness

You now know that regular physical activity and exercise can help you avoid preventable diseases and add to both the quality and length of your life. If you are currently active, you are more aware of the benefits of regular physical activity and should be motivated to continue your efforts. If you are sedentary or sporadically active, you realize that you should not delay one day longer in making the behavioral changes necessary to improve your fitness level.
Identifying Your Fitness Goals

Before you initiate a fitness program, analyze your personal needs, limitations, physical activity likes and dislikes, and daily schedule. If you have inherited no major risks for fatal or debilitating diseases, your specific goal may be to achieve(or maintain) healthy levels of body fat, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, or flexibility/mobility.

Once you become committed to regular physical activity and exercise, you will observe gradual changes and note progress toward your goals. Unfortunately, you can't get fit for a couple of years while you're young and expect the positive changes to last the rest of your life. You must become committed to fitness for the long haul-to establish a realistic schedule of diverse exercise activities that you can maintain and enjoy throughout your life.
Designing Your Fitness Program

Once you commit yourself to becoming physically active, you must decide what type of fitness program is best suited to your needs. Good fitness programs are designed to improve or maintain cardio respiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and body composition. A comprehensive program could include a warm-up period of easy walking followed by stretching activities to improve flexibility, then selected strength development exercises, followed by performance of an aerobic activity for 20 minutes or more, and concluding with a cool-down period of gentle flexibility exercises.

The greatest proportion of your exercise time should be spent developing cardiovascular fitness, but you should not exclude the other components. Choose an aerobic activity you think you will like. Many people find cross training alternate-day participation in two or more aerobic activities(ie, jogging and swimming)-less monotonous and more enjoyable than long-term participation in only one aerobic activity. Cross training is also beneficial because it strengthen:, a variety of muscles, thus helping you avoid overuse injuries to muscles and joints.

Responding to the exercise boom, fitness equipment manufacturers have made it easy for you to participate in a variety of activities. Most colleges and universities now have recreation centers where students can use stair-climbing machines, stationary bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, and ski-simulators.
What Do You Think?

You now have the ability to design your own fitness program. What two activities would you select for a cross-training program? Do the activities you selected exercise different major muscle groups?

Cross training Regular participation in two or more types of exercises (e.g., swimming and weight lifting)

Looking for more information about creatine side effects and history of yoga? Also, know more about fitness blog

The Weider Crossbow Home Gym - Now The Weider Advantage

Why the name change? Because to those who are into fitness and working out at home, owning the Crossbow Home Gym is a huge advantage in being fit and healthy, feeling great and looking even better! How appealing is it to do all your exercising on one piece as opposed to using several pieces throughout your workout? And the best part? The results are usually better! The versatility of the Crossbow Home Gym has earned Weider great reviews in the fitness world.

How to Get Buff with the Weider Crossbow Home Gym

The Crossbow Home Gym is ideal not only for weight loss, but it is a powerful tool in strength training, as well. With 65 different exercise options available on this machine, the sky is the limit in work out routines. Assuredly, there will be no boredom for users of the Crossbow Home Gym! And you do not have to kill yourself to see results! The manufacturer recommends using the Crossbow Home Gym at least three times per week for 20 minutes. Following this schedule will affect every muscle in your body, building up and toning quickly. Imagine how you would feel and look if you invested more than three days a week! Should you prefer to 'go all the way' and include cardio in your workout, there is a Crossbow Home Gym available with a rowing option - definitely worth the additional dollars!

Why Choose the Weider Crossbow Home Gym?

This equipment stands apart from other similar pieces in full body strength training workouts because there are no weights utilized! That's right -no weights. The strength training is accomplished with resistance using power rods. The power rods can be adjusted effortlessly so you can move from exercise to exercise quickly and stay within your current fitness level. And there is a wide assortment of resistance training routines that can be used on the Weider Crossbow Home Gym. If you want to make it even easier to work out at home, the Weider Max may be for you. On the Max, all is required is pushing a button to change the resistance! How much simpler can it get?

Check out the Weider website for further information on this extraordinary piece of equipment. Not only is it exceptional in what it can do, it is very cost effective in comparison to the other strength training machines on the market today. The Weider Crossbow Home Gym would certainly complete your personal home gym!

You can also find more info on Home Gym Reviews and Home Fitness Homegym-fitnessequipment is a comprehensive resource to know about home gym, fitness equipments and gym reviews.

Exploring the Mental Aspect of Fitness

I promote and teach the 3 phases of fitness to all my clients. Many are unaware of what the three phases entail. If you fall into this same category…let me take this opportunity to enlighten you.

The 3 phases are the Mental, Physical and Financial aspects or phases of fitness. This is a concept I developed a little over two years ago and have had great success with improving client’s mindsets. Let’s look at how each of these relate to your health and fitness.

Mental fitness: Everyone has a fitness “script” or mindset concerning fitness. This is what is instilled in each of us at an early age. It is how our parents, teachers, loved ones, and society as a whole views health and fitness. Just like most beliefs we posses… they were learned.

I like to call it a fitness script.

Most scripts have been formed from the experiences in one’s life. This script is what is keeping people overweight, unhappy and full of excuses.

Speaking of excuses, in order to fulfill the “I am not worthy prophesy,” clients will sabotage their potential success with reasons why exercise will never work.

You see, they do not actually want to succeed.

Achieving their goals would mean they are abandoning the script; the script for failure.

No matter how much weight some people lose, they will eventually start to gain it back because they are “destined,” in their minds, to have big hips, thighs and buttocks.

There is also the added pressure of keeping it off, lifestyle changes, ridicule and judgment from the family.

Making excuses relieves the pressure. Actually, people become pretty good at it. The more excuses they make, the more they will believe them too. It becomes reality.

A lot of the excuses are based in fear as well.

When he or she attempts a weight loss program the fears begin to surface.

“What if I fail?”

“What if I lose weight and then gain it all back?”

“How will people look at me …judge me?”

“This will take up a lot of time.”

“I will lose a lot of freedom.”

“I would rather go down the traveled road…the easy road.”

All of this thinking is based on someone’s blueprint or script of fitness and of success.

Much of failure in life is rooted in fear.

The good news is anyone can edit the script at any time. They can discard the old ways of thinking; the thoughts that belong to someone else anyway - the reasoning that has lead to being overweight, unsatisfied and miserable.

When clients make up their minds to develop their own fitness script, one that involves proper exercise, eating habits and respect for their body, then they begin to write a “happy ending “ for themselves.

Proper fitness knowledge, affirmations/positive self-talk, support partners or friends are all tools to re-set the mental aspect of fitness and to get it moving full steam ahead.

When it comes to meeting fitness goals, I feel changing the inside first is the way to go. Your mindset will affect how you approach health and wellness. It can make all the difference in your fitness aspirations.

Looking and feeling good should be something you desire to do; not what you think should be done.

Beyond achieving goals or resolutions, proper health should be a way of living. If people would just make it a priority, then being fit would not be such a struggle or loathsome routine per se.

One of my clients, we will call her Joan, tells her story this way:

“I am a busy mother who put work and family above my health. After talking with you I decided to make my health a priority; not a time-consuming one, nonetheless a priority. I don’t really set goals. I just make sure I do something everyday for at least 20 minutes. Sometimes that is 7-8 minutes here and another 10 minutes there, but I always find time to exercise… it is never a matter of if, just when. I have a passion to look and feel great. By making exercise a part of my day, no matter what, it has made all the difference. I am a better mom, better accountant and better person for it.”

You see, it does not take extravagant routines, flashy exercise garb or expensive equipment to be fit. The main thing is that you do something to stay healthy. For me, (and my clients) it begins with the mind. Train your way of thinking. Write your own script on what the “healthy you” looks and feels like.

Find routines that make you feel good about you.

Before you ever pick up a dumbbell, get rid of all the “negative information” about exercise. Create a new script based on good, solid health and fitness information; this, alone, will have a huge impact on your fitness results.

Take home points:

Don’t believe what others have told you about exercise and fitness.

Develop your own fitness script based on good health information and positive experiences.

Begin any program focusing on your mindset and getting the inner self prepared.

Prioritize: make exercise a must… for you.

Do some type of exercise everyday. This does not have to be time consuming to get results.

Focus on improving how you feel about yourself and how that affects the world around you.

Having a fitness lifestyle is not just about the exercises you do; it is about how you view exercise and its ramifications on your life that makes the difference.

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust

Want to learn how to improve your finances by adding exercise to your daily routine? Go to http://www.hiptobefit.com John B. Perry, P.T., C.S.C.S. is a fitness and biomechanics enhancement expert. He has a fitness newsletter website, writes e-books and articles, produces fitness videos and performs seminars and teleseminars on Health, Wealth and Fitness.

Health and Fitness New Year's Resolutions

It's hard for me to believe but we are already starting the last month of the year. That means that it's time to start choosing your New Year's resolutions (okay truthfully I don't usually have true New Year's resolutions). I spend a lot of time reading and interacting on websites, blogs and internet forums covering fitness topics. Obviously I see a lot of resolutions by people that want to lose weight or get in better shape. But these things are hard enough to accomplish as it is. It seems like all New Year's resolutions are doomed to failure, so is it even a good idea to set fitness goals as New Year's resolutions?

To answer this I think that we have to look at a couple of problems with New Year's resolutions.

First we don't always really intend to keep them, it's traditional to make one (or more) thus we may pick something that sounds good when someone asks us what our resolution is but this doesn't mean that we are really intense about keeping it.

Second we often use a fitness resolution as an excuse to over indulge during the holidays. We are already out of shape and eating poorly and the holidays are such a hard time to workout and diet right. But if we are planning a diet or fitness related New Year's resolution then we often allow ourselves to eat even worse and workout even less because "I am going to work real hard after New Years, that's my New Year's resolution!"

So if you want to make a resolution to improve your diet or workout more, then that's great. I think that you should start this resolution right now! Not Monday, not tomorrow and certainly don't wait till next month. If something is important then why put it off? However I realize that many people aren't going to take this good (great) advice. If you insist on using the well being of your body as a New Year's resolution then I advise you to write down the reasons for doing this (longer life, less pain, etc) and re read them from time to time. Remind yourself that you are doing this for a purpose! Not just because it sounds good when someone asks you what your New Year's resolution is.

And make sure that you don't go wild from Thanksgiving till New Years because when you start your New Year's resolution then everything is going to be alright. Its okay to enjoy yourself a little bit, but it can take a lot of time and hard work to work off one gluttonous holiday and we have three of them in rapid succession.

Shane works with several websites, and so his writings are scattered over the internet. He is currently working on a few sports and fitness websites of his own and has just started working on a New Years resolutions website for the holiday, http://newyears-resolution.net

The Growing Popularity of Fitness Boot Camps

Ever been to boot camps where you get orders from loudmouthed trainors and all that jazz, er dirt? If not, you have been missing half of your life.

Boot camp is from the tough footwear that military boot camp trainees use. Back then, boot camp training is just for problem kids. Now, it's also for adults with problem bodies.

More and more people are talking about fitness boot camps and each day more and more signs up for them. Why? Here is a number of definitely valid reasons behind the increasing popularity of fitness boot camps:

1. Time EfficiencySince attending fitness boot camp training entails more preparation for disciplinary actions in case one decides to become a slacker, one learns more time management when doing fitness boot camp routines. Unlike other fitness training systems, boot camps make individuals work out the whole body while pressured for time. Usually, within just an hour of the usual fitness boot camp workout, one can very well train the whole body.

2. Health Benefits.As many workout trainings provide, fitness boot camps also have various health benefits. Since an hour of boot camp training can already pack an innumerable amount of exercise, the health benefits abound, too. The strength of the muscles and their definition will surely be improved. Cardiovascular health will be augmented, too. Flexibility will also be improved, thus less injury for boot camp trainees, in the long run, of course. Many enlistees say that fat burning can be easily achieved through the increasing fitness levels employed during training. And this increasing level of physical range makes it less boring to enlistees and more beneficial to their strength and endurance. Here are the usual mix-up of the physical activities that fitness boot camp have for enlistees:

- abdominal exercises - free weight exercises

- muscle strength and conditioning exercises

- calisthenics

- military fitness drills

- speed and strength training drills

- stamina building endurance training

- hill or stair climbing

- rope jumping

- obstacle course

- pilates

- track speed training

- yoga

3. Outdoor Venue.Exercising indoors could be really boring oftentimes. Aside from seeing those old walls and hearing the same music or noise at home, there's just not much stimulation for someone to exercise when at home. This is another popular reason for the fame of fitness boot camps - experiencing nature while it keeps you fit. Usually, fitness boot camps are being held in parks or even in locations with lots of natural views like beaches. Fresh air and the scenes make one always look forward to the next fitness training.

4. For the Gung-Ho.As many knows, any boot camp training, even fitness trainings require a big amount of cooperation from the enlistees. Obstacle courses and all those occasions wherein you will rub yourself raw with dirt while fitness training is best enjoyed by those who don't mind experiencing them, of course - the adventurous ones. But for those who were so spick and span and tamed all their lives, this one great time to get wild and dirty while being mindful of your fitness boot camp instructors' orders, of course. This is because instructors, who are mostly retired military personnel, know their position so much that they can impress it too well at times. If you are not so self-disciplined, learning it from the fitness boot camp training will do you good. It will not only make you physically fit but also make you learn a thing or two on how to mingle well with others.

5. Camaraderie is Best Enjoyed.Any boot camp training usually imposes the spirit of camaraderie since there usually are the buddy-buddy activities. There are even disciplinary actions wherein your partner may be punished for any offense that you incur. With all the group activities in fitness boot camps, it will be hard for one to not gain a friend after the training. The hustle and bustle of our busy lives make many of us yearn for the action-packed experience provided by fitness boot camps. If you are not that physically-compromised, why not give fitness boot camp training a try? It will be one fun and fit experience, really!

Georgette Pann, BS health/Physical Ed., Physical Therapist assistant, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, SCWCertified Sports Nutrition. She is owner of Nutrifitness Personal Training and Nutrition Studio.She has co-authored the book "Sure Victory-How to Design Boot Camp Workouts that Blast Fat and Build Power" to find out more go to: http://thefitnessbootcamp.com

Setting Fitness Goals

Many people make the mistake of setting their fitness goals too high when they embark on an exercise program. This leads them to abandon their plans out of frustration and impatience. Setting manageable goals is key to maintaining a fitness program over time.

If you have been completely sedentary you need to start out your fitness regimen by working towards small and realistic goals. These can be as simple as walking around the block once a day for a week, and adding another block each subsequent week until they reach the 30 minutes recommended by health professionals. A few sessions with a personal trainer can help you set reasonable goals for weight-bearing exercise like weight training. In the beginning focus on overall conditioning rather than building muscle. Check with staff at your gym or fitness center for recommendations about what exercise classes are right for your current fitness level.

When you're just starting out, it's easy to make rash promises like exercising every day. It's hard for even people in top condition to make time each and every day for training. Start off three or four days a week and build up from there. If you're taking up a new sport like swimming, skiing or golf, consider taking lessons with a professional so that you develop good habits from the beginning.

If you've been getting moderate exercise your goals can be a little more ambitious. If you're walking the recommended 30 minutes per day, why not add hand weights to your routine? This might also be the time to consider adding more weight to your lifting or taking an intermediate fitness course. You may also be ready to speak to a personal trainer about beginning to work on building specific muscle groups.

Once you've attained a high level of fitness, then it's time for some serious goal setting. Plan to run a marathon or participate in a 5K walking event. There are many of these events run to benefit charity, giving a double benefit of both funds raised and health benefits to participants. When preparing for an event of this nature, return to your early habit of setting small, realistic goals. Add miles to your run on a weekly basis until you are able to complete the full distance. Speak with your trainer to establish a regular schedule of weight-bearing exercise that will help improve your stamina and flexibility.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Fitness, Food, and Baseball

Fall Fitness - Ten Tips to Help You Fight Fall Weight Gain

As the old adage says, "fail to plan and plan to fail." Prepare for the fall season of change with these great tips for managing your fitness both physically AND mentally:

1. Don't limit yourself to gym workouts. Try new activities and new scenery. Drop into a Pilates or yoga class. Discover boxing or indoor rock climbing. Take a spin on the dance floor with a ballroom dancing or ballet class. Find a Boot Camp or outdoor fitness class in your area.


2. Become a student. Give yourself something to do other than sitting around eating out of boredom. Learn a new hobby. Sign up for a painting, pottery, or sketching class. Try a conversational language class to prepare for your next vacation. Sign up for an interior design or home remodeling course at your community college.


3. Employ active rest. Instead of flopping mindlessly in front of the TV to watch the new fall line up or Monday night football, use the time to stretch or do some ab/core exercises. Even if you just moved during the commercial breaks that would give you about 15 minutes of activity during a one-hour show.


4. Winterize your clothing and equipment. Don't let crisp weather keep you inside. There are great products on the market for keeping you nice and toasty in your own micro-environment while working out outside. Layering your clothing will give you the ability to remove or add based your needs as the air close to your body heats up. Waterproof shoes and jackets will keep you dry even when it's wet. Don't forget to cover your head and wear gloves!


5. Multitask. Use down, or waiting time to go for a walk. Got kids in after-school activities, for instance? Instead of spending that time in the waiting area or in the bleachers, take a spin around the park with a walk or run. There are plenty of exercises to do using outside spaces and no equipment at all. Ask an experienced exerciser or a fitness professional to show you how.


6. Give yourself a fitness makeover. Who doesn't feel great in new duds? Instead of waiting until you reach your fitness goals, reward your decision to get moving and make healthy choices now. Trade in that old t-shirt and the worn out sweats for some cute workouts clothes. Little rewards along the way will help to keep you motivated.


7. Drink a glass of water and count to your age before you cheat. Many times cravings are due to dehydration. By having a drink and waiting before grabbing that figure-busting treat, you give yourself a chance to see if you really "need" that snack or if you just need some water. Strive to drink half your body weight in ounces each day to keep general dehydration cravings at bay.


8. Relax and release. Pamper yourself with a massage or a refreshing body treatment. Not only can this help you to de-stress, it will also help you to be more in tune with caring for your body.


9. Eat with the season. Pumpkins, apples, squash, nuts, these and more are ripe for the picking at this time of year. Visit your local farmer's market to find out what else is in season in your area. Learn new healthy recipes using the foods freshly harvested. Not only is this good for your health, it can also be good for your wallet since leftovers can be taken for lunch.


10. Involve family and friends.Not only does it help you to bond, it also gives you a reason to stay motivated. Bring the family out for evening walks, weekend hikes, or bike rides. Ask a friend to workout with you. Prepare a new or favorite recipe with your kids.

Tami Williams is owner and Head Fitness Diva at Wildfire Fitness with results-driven programs including Bridal Fitness Indoor and Outdoor Boot Camps, Personal Training and Corporate Wellness.

Daily Exercise Workout - How To Tackle Any Fitness Goal With Ease

So you want to get started with a daily exercise workout to get yourself in shape? Many people today are looking for either a way to simply work off the pounds, or just get in better shape to feel better about themselves, even if they aren’t necessarily overweight.

First of all, if you are ready to get stared with a daily exercise workout, keep in mind that you absolutely must have an end target in mind before beginning. Knowing you want to get in shape isn’t enough; you need to know exactly what you want to accomplish by the end of your date.

For instance, you could have a goal of losing 20 pounds, reducing your body fat to 6%, etc. The important thing is to make it something measurable you can work towards. All too many people never achieve their workout objectives because they simply don’t know where they want to get to. Don’t be one of them.

First of all, once you have your objective for your daily exercise workout written down, write out a plan of action to achieve that goal. For instance, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds, you might decide to take up running.

If you haven’t been running for 15 years, then don’t try to start out running 5 miles a day; take it slowly at first. You might decide to run .1 miles the first day, .2 the second day, and so on. Work your way up gradually; that is the key to your success.

Remember, in order to succeed with fitness or anything in life, you need a laid out, specific goal in mind you want to achieve, and then a plan for how to do that. Don’t simply start your daily exercise workout with the end in mind to get in shape.

How will you ever know if you are in shape with foggy objective like that? Once you have this set target in mind, plan out specific ways to achieve that, start your daily exercise workout immediately, and you will soon be one your way to having the body you want, and much quicker than you ever thought possible.

For more treadmill comparisons, whether they be cheap treadmills or high-end models, and to find out how to achieve your fitness goals, try visiting http://www.online-treadmill-reviews.com

Belly Dance For Fitness and Weight Loss

One of the most popular fitness trends to have come out in recent years is the art of belly dancing. This once exotic dance form is now enjoyed by many women, both young and old, who belly dance for fitness and weight loss.

Belly dancing is called Danse Orientale (Oriental Dance) in Turkish and it is a social dance performed in parties, family get-togethers and during rites of passage. The belly dancing that we now know in the US today is a mixture of the traditional dances from the countries of Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Morocco, Spain and Russia. It's sensual moves celebrate the female form and contrary to the popular belief, it is a dance performed by women for other women.

Belly dancing is a complete body workout for it exercises not just the abs but also the legs, waist, knees, hips, pelvic muscles and thighs. It could also minimize menstrual pains and lower backache. Keep in mind that belly dancing's weight loss benefits can vary depending on the length and the intensity of the workout. Belly dancing can also be good for cardiovascular conditioning and for building strong bones.

As its popularity grows stronger, many gyms and fitness centers now offer belly dance lessons for fitness and weight loss. Classes are open for beginners and advanced students alike. Participants rave about the variety and the effectiveness of their routines which makes them stick to it compared to other programs they have tried before. Women who belly dance swear on the fact that the activity helps them in their fitness and weight loss goals.

If you prefer to try belly dancing in the privacy of your home, there are also many instructional videos on belly dancing which you can purchase online and on fitness stores.

If you're looking for a new exercise routine, then why don't you try the art of belly dance for fitness and weight loss?

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret]

Balance Ball - Aim For Fitness With Balance Ball Exercises

There are many fitness equipments that you will find in the market. You may find some that are too big for your convenience. There are also those that are too expensive. The balance ball is, so far, the best pick that you can make. Balance balls are very accessible. They are easy to find in the market. They are also very popular so you will surely find one in your vicinity.

Also, balls are very friendly. You do not need any technical knowledge so you can manage to exercise with the balance ball. At the same time, you can easily bring this wherever you want to do your exercises. As such, if you are to choose your fitness equipment, make sure you choose the balance ball. Using the balance ball regularly in your exercises will ensure you the benefits you want for your body.

Here are some exercises and workouts that you can do with your balance ball. Doing these will give your body a good sense of balance and flexibility.

1. Sitting Exercises for Warm-Up

You can use the balance ball as you warm up for your exercises. Simply sitting on it will give your body some workout without straining your muscles right away. Sitting around with the balance ball will train your body to adjust to the constant movement of the equipment.

2. Abdominal Exercises

The balance ball is perfect for abdominal exercises. You can use it as you do your stretching so that the stomach and back area will get the training challenges it needs.

3. Balance Training

There are various ways to proceed with a balance training using the ball. This will depend on what routines are prescribed by your instructor. At the least, simply lying with a small ball in your back is already a good training. The presence of the ball at your back is already a way of initiating a reaction from your nervous system.

Since you are conscious of the ball in your back, your core muscles tend to activate to the challenge. It also increases your mental focus.

Conclusion

Regularly execute your balance ball exercises. This ensures that you improve on your balance. At the same time, you also develop a healthier disposition for your body.

To learn more exercise ball workout tips, visit http://www.exerciseballworkout101.com

Personal Training Fitness Education - What to Expect

Find Personal Training Fitness Education in the United States and Canada. If you like working with people and would like to help others enhance wellness, balance diets and improve weight management through planned exercise regimens, then enrolling in one of several personal fitness training education programs might be ideal for you.

Once you begin participating in personal training fitness education, you not only get in shape while attending school, but you also gain focus and knowledge to teach others how to become fit and healthy as well.

In the course of a personal training fitness education, students can become certified as personal fitness trainers through comprehensive studies including anatomy and physiology, basic first aid and CPR, nutritional education (i.e., macro/micro nutrients, diet, nutritional consulting), fitness assessment, exercise programming, exercise machinery, and how to track client progress.

Furthermore, personal fitness training education programs frequently teach students how to facilitate kinesiology (a muscle testing method), as well as essential entrepreneurial skills in business, marketing and management.

Depending on the personal fitness training education program in which you enroll, some courses can be completed in less than six months; while a number of personal fitness training education programs may be more in-depth and require an extended period of training hours.

In most cases, personal fitness training education programs will result in a diploma or certification; however, graduates who have met all required coursework and training may be eligible to take a national certification exam to become nationally certified.

After you’ve completed your personal fitness training education program, you can go onto working in health clubs, fitness centers, health retreats, spas and salons, as well as vacation resorts and alongside major sports teams. While income varies, experienced and reputable personal trainers can expect lucrative earnings from $25,000 to well over $50,000 annually.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding personal training fitness education, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Salary source: Bls.gov (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Personal Training Fitness Education, Personal Trainer Schools, and other Schools. Personal Training Fitness Education: What to Expect
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Why The New Supplement "Stemulite" Works For Improving Your Fitness

With thousands of dietary supplements and fitness products available on the market, it's hard to determine what really works - and what doesn't. Bodybuilders, athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all ages need a fine-tuned nutrition and supplementation program in order to stay healthy, especially during periods of intensive training and workouts that break down muscle tissues. Stemulite is one of the latest formulas available, a unique, all-natural blend of ingredients that can help improve muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness levels.

Each Stemulite formula for men and women contains key ingredients linked to improved metabolic function, improving the cellular repair process, and increasing protein synthesis. Some of the ingredients also have powerful antioxidant properties that help eliminate toxins from the body and strengthen the body's immune system. If you've been searching for a potent, powerful and natural dietary supplement to complement your fitness routine, here's why you need to consider Stemulite as an addition to your lifestyle:

Stemulite helps repair muscles - after an intensive workout, muscle tissues can begin to break down if there is not enough protein available for repair. Most athletes and fitness enthusiasts need to take a protein supplement or other dietary aid to prevent muscle tissue breakdown from occurring, but Stemulite contains important ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid and stem cell extracts that increase muscle regeneration and reduce the risk of muscle loss. Instead of counting on amino acid and protein supplementation that can overload the body, Stemulite helps with protein synthesis and encouraging healthy muscle cell growth.

Stemulite helps improve strength and endurance - the addition of Indium, a rare earth mineral that has been used for several years in modern medicine, can help stimulate human growth hormone (hGH) to promote muscle gains. This can help any bodybuilder or athlete build lean muscle with ease, and when Stemulite is combined with a challenging exercise routine that increases muscle mass, an improvement in stamina and strength is often the result.

Stemulite helps repair the body overnight - sleep is essential for muscle and tissue repair, but few people get enough quality sleep to ensure the body undergoes its natural repair processes on a regular basis. The Stemulite night formula helps the body recover and repair itself during the most important stage of sleep - the REM stage - so that proteins and other nutrients can be processed efficiently and effectively. Indium also helps with this process, ensuring that muscle tissues and fibers are restored after a stressful day or intensive workout.

Stemulite boosts the metabolism - many people turn to weight loss supplements and metabolic boosters to increase energy and stimulate weight loss. Unfortunately, most metabolic boosters have several dangerous side effects and do not provide consistent results with ongoing use. Stemulite contains natural ingredients that support a healthy metabolism, and this can trigger a fat loss cycle relatively easily.

If you've been struggling with a sluggish metabolism and aren't able to increase muscle strength with your diet and workout routine, using a stem cell-based supplement can help. Stemulite offers several benefits for men and women of all fitness levels improve strength, stamina and endurance, increasing muscle repair, and increasing fat loss. It may be a valuable weight loss supplement and dietary aid for bodysculpting, toning, and improving performance in any athletic activity.

Everyday more people are discovering how Stemulite for men is helping to improve their workouts, weight loss, and quality of sleep. Stemulite for women is also available and can be found at http://www.TrueHealthyProducts.com

Used Fitness Equipment - Cheaper Alternative to Get Fit

Today, more and more people are getting more and more concerned about how their body looks. You can never deny the fact that having a great looking and muscular body is very attractive. With those well-defined muscles, you can be sure that you will have more sex appeal than your average person with that extra "love handles" or "beer belly".

You also need to consider the health reasons behind the great looking and muscular body. Having a great looking and muscular body means that you will also have a healthy heart. First of all, you need to consider that muscles burn fat inside your body. By doing this, you will be able to prevent heart related diseases where fat clogs up your arteries and make you suffer from heart attacks and stroke.

You have to realize the fact that there is a significant increase of heart related diseases and diabetes cases in the United States of America. Thanks to fast food and automation, people in the US are getting fatter and lazier each day. Because of this, more and more Americans are turning their TV off, and are now starting to exercise in the gym. Exercising is the best and the normal way to develop your muscles and keep your heart healthy.

It is very important to remember that by exercising, you will be able to have that muscular body you have always wanted. However, what if you don't even have time to go to the gym and you prefer staying at home?

You can consider answering this question by purchasing your own home fitness equipment. However, you also need to realize that home fitness machines are quite expensive. If you are a type of person who is in a low income level and you still want to exercise, you can still do so by jogging around your local park. However, the main disadvantage of this is your local weather. If it rains or snows, you can never go out and do your daily run.

So, the best way to exercise without going to the gym is by purchasing used fitness equipments. These are second hand fitness equipments that the previous owner doesn't want anymore because of various reasons. Some sells their fitness equipments because they plan on replacing their fitness equipment with newer models, while other says that they sell their fitness equipments because no one actually uses it.

However, before you purchase used fitness equipment, you have to consider the fact that these equipments are already used and may have maintenance problems. If it is possible, you have to try it out first for a few times. By doing this, you will determine if the used fitness equipment being offered is still in good working condition. Never buy used fitness equipment that emits strange and unnecessary noise when being operated.

If it is possible, you can bring your fitness trainer along when shopping for used fitness equipment. They will be able to determine if the used fitness equipment being offered is in top working condition or not. They will also be able to recommend some fitness equipments that you need.

These are some of the things you should remember when purchasing used fitness equipments.

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Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical Trainer: Elliptical Perfection

The Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer is a front drive elliptical trainer with a generous 20" stride length that uses an eddy current brake. These are features that are not always found in the $1000-$2000 price range for residential elliptical trainers. In addition, Sole has paid a lot of attention to biomechanics and ergonomic design with the E95. Oversize adjustable foot pedals that also include foam cushioning is a very commendable effort by a fitness equipment manufacturer to deal head on with foot numbness that is all too common with most elliptical trainers.

This is a very intelligently designed elliptical trainer that provides a very smooth motion. The smooth feel is due to the 30lb flywheel and high gearing ratio. Sole Fitness designs their equipment, ellipticals and treadmills, with the partnering of both design engineers and physical therapists. This collaboration has resulted in an elliptical trainer that approaches perfection in the Sole E95 elliptical trainer.

The physical therapy team contributed to the unique design of the ergonomic foot pedals and the cushioning is a direct acknowledgment of the aggravating "Elliptical Trainer Sleepy Foot Syndrome".

The engineering side of the house has designed an intoxicatingly smooth, whisper-quiet, drive mechanism that's proving to be very durable. The 4-wheeled foot rails are shrouded with plastic housings that both protect the wheels and reduce noise. Other manufacturers of front-drive ellipticals should take notice (hint to Octane).

Early front-drive elliptical trainer designs were prone to breakdowns due to the additional complexity of putting the drive system up front. They were also notorious for annoying squeaks from the wheels of the foot rails. However, as is typical with any kind of technology, as time advances, and so does the state of the art.

Sole appears to have taken the front-drive elliptical design to new heights. When all is said and done, there are several inherent advantages to a front-drive elliptical trainer. One of the immediate bonuses is an extended stride length due to the rail system. This is evident in the 20" stride length of the Sole E95. You would have to invest considerably more in a near-commercial grade rear-drive elliptical trainer to get an equivalent stride length.

And let's not forgot an often overlooked, but really neat benefit of a front-drive elliptical: the ability to get on and off it from the rear. No more having to awkwardly straddle the foot rails to get on like when using a rear-drive elliptical!

It also can't go without mentioning the very generous warranty terms provided by Sole on the E95: lifetime frame, 5 years parts and electronics, and 2 years on labor. Most other manufacturers aren't as generous (or as confident in their products). Just be aware that the E95 takes up some space with its 82"x33" footprint, so plan and measure accordingly, but if you have the space, then I think you’ll be very pleased for years to come with the Sole E95 elliptical trainer.

Rich Rojas covers the fitness equipment industry and elliptical trainers in particular. Check out his complete Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer Review and articles on health and fitness at http://www.ellipticalhome.com

Saving Money with the LifeCore Fitness R900 Rower

Rowers have been very popular for those looking for a machine to help them achieve a full body workout at home. Not only does a rower work muscles in the legs and arms of the user, they are also low impact. As a result, users do not have to worry as much about causing injury to their joints and bones when using one of these machines.

One of the downfalls has always been the fact that they are quite large, heavy, and cumbersome. The LifeCore Fitness R900 Rower strives to resolve this problem by weighing in at only 75 pounds and having the ability to fold for storage. By making the machine lighter and more compact, however, it is only capable of accommodating users of up to 350 pounds. The smaller frame also makes this model a bit less durable, which means the warranty on this model is for only three years on parts and one year on labor.

If the weight limit is not a problem, the rower can be a good buy for anyone looking for a quality rower at a lower price. Despite the fact that the price tag on this model is lower than many other rowers, it still offers 12 Preset Programs and 1 Polar Compatible Target Heart Rate Control Program. In addition, it offers 16 levels of Magnetic Resistance, which means it can be fully adjusted to meet the strength needs of different users.

The rower also makes special consideration when it comes to comfort. For example, it features an oversized seat as well as pivoting heel supports. It does not have a fan system, however, which is a feature that you might miss dearly as you are sweating out to a workout. Therefore, it is important to consider whether or not the savings you will enjoy when purchasing this model is worth the lack of extra features.

View Fitness Equipment, Tips and Resources at http://www.athomefitness.net/online

Lifetime Fitness, Stunning Study Reveals Best Physical Occupations

Lifetime fitness is a goal that would benefit everyone. The American Council on Exercise recently released results of its exclusive study that examined on the job physical activity of 10 common occupations.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, were commissioned to measure the amount of workday physical activity one can expect from a variety of common occupations.

They recruited 98 volunteers from businesses in the La Crosse area. The volunteers represented 10 different occupations. They had secretaries, restaurant servers, construction workers, mail carriers, custodians, lawyers, police officers, nurses, teachers and factory workers.

One of the things they wanted to achieve was to raise the awareness level of how much individuals move about at their places of work. Hopefully the researchers could also provide them with feedback that may encourage them to adopt a regimen of lifetime fitness.

Each participant was assigned a basic pedometer and asked to wear it during work hours for three consecutive days. The subjects went about their work days as usual. At the end of the days, they completed a daily log. They recorded the number of steps taken, total distance covered, and a brief description of the duties they performed that day.

It was found that secretaries, teachers, lawyers and police officers walked significantly fewer steps and less distance than other occupations. At the low end, secretaries were observed to walk only an average of 4,327 steps. That translated to the equivalent of 1.7 total miles.

On the other end of the spectrum, custodians and mail carriers accumulated significantly more daily steps and mileage. Mail carriers topped the list at 18,904 daily steps or approximately 7.5 miles. Their distance covered nearly double Shape Up Americas minimum recommendation.

There was a huge difference in the number of steps taken by all occupations. Results indicate that workplace physical activity varies widely among most occupations. If you are not in a very active job you definitely need to get some kind of supplemental physical activity.

Minor lifestyle adjustments can help meet the 10,000 step goal. Lifetime fitness can mean doing something as simple as not taking the elevator but walking up the stairs. How about a vigorous walk at lunchtime? Whenever playing a round of golf walk the course rather than using a golf cart.

Small group personal training, usually less than five individuals, is an excellent idea. This is a great way to get personal instruction and close supervision at a more economical cost. This approach allows parents to show their children that being active can be fun.

Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi continue to provide a great alternative to higher impact activities. The key elements of mind and body activities include proper posture, breathing and body awareness. By incorporating elements of mental and spiritual fitness, individuals will take better care of their entire being, not just their bodies.

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Why The Home Fitness Market Is Increasing In Popularity

So just why is it that home fitness is suddenly begin to increase in popularity over the last few years? The reason for many Americans who now exercise at home is because it is convenient, affordable, time efficient and for many it can be a private thing. Also following recent studies it has shown that those who join a health club are likely to quit their exercise program more quickly than those who workout at home.h

Moreover more and more people are starting to include the purchase of equipment as well as designing an exercise in order to carry out their home fitness program. They are also finding it easier to implement an exercise regime as well as being able to track their progress. So in other words what is happening is people today are now setting up not just their own health club program but also their own gyms at home.

In fact the home fitness market has blossomed since the early 1980's and those companies who produce fitness equipment were prior to this only showing a small percentage of the sales to home users. Whilst now approximately 30% of all sales of fitness equipment is being made for use in the home. However, it is important that when choosing exercise equipment it should be chosen for its safety, its effectiveness in helping you to achieve your goals, how much you have to spend and what space you have available in your home.

Also the reason why home fitness has become so popular over the last few decades is because home workouts and fitness programs are not only fun but they achieve great results. In fact recent studies carried out showed that those women who worked out at home got better results than those women who actively went to a gym to workout? In fact today if you were to do a search of the internet you will find a number of different sites that offer home fitness programs which do not require the use of fancy equipment. In fact there are many home fitness programs available which require little or not equipment at all.

Another major attraction for people to work out at home is the fact that it's been proven and shown recently that exercises using our body weight has produced far better results than the results from using many famous and expensive equipment. The body looks whole lot more natural and balanced, and it's so inexpensive in terms of time, space, and money.

More and more fitness fans are getting into these body-weight exercises that also do not require huge area to begin with, and therefore, working out at home has become a huge trend of late.

With the popularity of free body movement exercises such as Tai Chi and Chi Kung, the choices for home exercises are getting more plentiful. Besides, as many other kinds of martial arts are getting popular nowadays, the need for gym and paying for gym membership have really been transformed, or shall we say, upgraded in this "Less is more" mentality?

Besides being a naturopathic physican, Dr. Kang-pang Chan is a personal trainer certified by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

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Getting Physical - Physical Fitness Program

Leading a healthy life or trying to get on the road to a healthy lifestyle takes dedication, a plan of action and a commitment to stay the physical fitness course. To accomplish this goal, there are two key components: a healthy diet and following a physical fitness program.

Healthy Diet

One of the key components is one's diet. This is because a healthy diet provides the nutrients and energy needed to maintain a fitness program.

In addition, if an individual is trying to lose weight through a execise program and yet eats empty calories their efforts may prove counterproductive. If one's goal is to lose weight they should decrease their calorie intake and therefore it is important to eat a balanced diet.

It is important that one pay attention to how the food is prepared, in addition to monitoring the food that is eaten. Therefore, if committing to a physical fitness program it is best to eat foods that are broiled, baked, steamed, etc. On the other hand those involved in physical fitness training should avoid fast foods, processed food, foods that are fried etc. These types of food could contain excess calories or may cause the individual to feel sluggish. In turn this will decrease the individual's energy and motivation.

Physical Fitness Program

There are many physical fitness programs that individuals can pursue. The type of program that is followed is dependent upon the individual and what personal physical goals they wish to achieve.

For example if an individual wishes to lose weight they may wish to involve themselves in a fitness program that burns large amounts of calories. Some of those types of activities could include swimming. Swimming is an excellent activity because the individual utilizes the major muscles of the body and the swimming action burns a large number of calories.

Power walking is an excellent choice if one wants to build their stamina. Power walking is an exercise program that takes walking and ratchets it up a number of levels. This particular exercise stimulates the heart, raises the heart beat level and increases the respiratory level. These actions help to stimulate the cardiovascular system to a productive level which in turn increases one's stamina.

Additionally, a person who is trying to increase the tone in their muscles or bulk up, they may wish to lift weights.

There are two key components to leading a healthy lifestyle. These components consist of undertaking a healthy diet and following a physical fitness program [http://www.jsgenterprises.com/fitness/2.4.physical-fitness-physical-fitness-program.html]. Read more no cost pieces of writing at [http://fitness.jsgenterprises.com]