Guest post by Jim Rollince

“Find the fun in exercise:” the best fitness advice that I can give anybody. And although I’m not a personal trainer myself, I do know that exercise, although as important as it may be, can sometimes be dull and routine.

Throughout life, you’ll hear things like “learn to love what you do,” and “make the best of it.” Although sometimes accurate, it’s important that we do things we like. Learning to like, in my opinion, is much different from naturally charming an exercise that’s enjoyable. Routines can be easy, and not very strenuous; but after all, they are just routines. As practitioners of fitness and exercise, we should teach ourselves new things, while also teaching our body the same. This is inherently true with things like dance. More specifically, Zumba is an excellent example of something dissimilar, fun, and exclusive. The ability to genuinely enhance cardiovascular function and endurance, while practicing muscle memory routines effectively exercises the whole body. Moreover, it’s very entertaining!

Entering into intramural sporting activities is another way to stay in shape while having some fun! This would include things like summer league softball, volleyball, soccer, etc… Meanwhile, there are less strenuous athletic events like kickball tournaments. Some towns are even host to dodge ball events! Depending upon your competitive level, it may be necessary to enter into a B league, or perhaps even co-ed. This will surely be a primer for more intramurals to come – Leagues typically run all year depending upon each facility’s ability to house its competitors.

But again, exercising doesn’t have to be routine, or highly competitive; so it’s with my last suggestion that I present to you outdoor activities. These are things like swimming, kayaking, tubing, jogging, mountain climbing, etc.. All of these activities are thoroughly enjoyable, and will shed calories. Although some of the above can be viewed as leisurely, they can be very effective ways to stay in shape. Treadmills and Ellipticals will shed weight and enhance muscle strength/endurance, but will never capture the soul and rhythm of dance, or perhaps the wonderment of climbing a mountain.

Remember to pull away from your everyday fitness routines and home gyms. Pick up a class or two of Zumba, or sign up for an intramural soccer league, and be on your way to fitness pleasure and diversity!

Jim Rollince is from Gym Source, distributor of home gym equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, arc trainers, and much more! Jim works closely with personal trainers and fitness instructors, helping people to get in shape and stay healthy.

Fit With Us Tips and Tricks, fitness equipment advice, women's fitness

How to invest wisely or save pennies as you tone your body

If you want to get buff, or already are and want to maintain it, strength training is the only answer. When you’re at the gym there are endless possibilities for challenging the muscles, including cable and weight stack machines, free weights, isolation stations and more. At home you probably long for the same variety. The good news is it’s easy to get everything you need if you know the price you’re willing to pay.

Splurge
• Life Fitness home gym – If you’ve got about $3,000 kicking around you might be tempted by the Life Fitness G7, which includes a chin-up bar, adjustable cables with quick-lock attachments, dual weight stacks and a mounted exercise book. This home gym is about the best you can get. It allows the user to perform moves on a bench, standing, or using an exercise ball. Search our store to find a variety of home gyms for women.
• Vibration platform- Some say a vibrating platform is simply an unstable surface, much like a stability ball, but others, including many professional athletes and trainers believe it offers much more including increased muscle gains when used as part of a strength training program. Workouts done on a vibration platform are said to require only a few minutes, three to five times a week. Many of these machines cost around $1,000, but Gaiam makes its own version, called the Chi Vibe, which is relatively cheap at between $400 and $500.

Grab the advice below then surf our store to see find great deals on strength training equipment.

Steal
• Pilates bodybands – These kits include an instructional DVD and a set of two or more resistance bands for overall body toning and strengthening. Not only are they about as cheap a strength training system as you can get, at about $30, but they’re extremely portable and easy to store. Just because bands are light in terms of weight, doesn’t mean they can’t put the same force on your muscles as a 10 lb. dumbbell. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to pack your vibration platform in your suitcase and take with you on holiday.
• Stability ball – Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. Stability balls can be a very useful part of your strength training program. To get the most out of your ball, use it in place of a weight bench. Not only is it a heck of a lot cheaper (about $10 to $20), but it will engage more of your muscles because it’s an unstable surface. You can also use the stability ball to make weight bearing exercises more difficult. Prop it under your hands for push-ups, push your feet into it for pelvic thrusts, place it between your back and the wall when performing squats…the possibilities are endless.

crystals Tips and Tricks, fitness equipment advice fitness equipment, fitness myths, strength training, toning abs

Get the most out of your next Pilates session

Other than a mat and a little know-how Pilates doesn’t really require any special equipment, but there are several products that can be used to make the moves a lot more challenging and fun. Besides that is the apparel  and footwear that keeps you comfortable and

What you’ll need
•    Mat - This is most important when it comes to Pilates and Yoga equipment. A good mat should be thick enough that you can kneel on it comfortably and it shouldn’t slide around. Rubber mats are a popular choice.
•    Comfy clothing - Dressing for Pilates is all about being able to move. Close fitting items in stretchy fabrics are some of the best choices. It’s also a good idea to avoid apparel with buttons or other closures that can make certain moves uncomfortable.
•    Good instructions – If you’ve joined a class with a certified instructor you probably won’t need to worry about this one. But if you’re planning to get into Pilates at home you should make sure you’re performing the moves right, or you’ll risk injury. There are a number of Pilates workout videos and instructional manuals that will have you mastering one hundreds in no time.
•    Footwear - Many people prefer to perform Pilates barefoot or in socks, but stretchy slip-on Pilates shoes keep your feet warm, maintain foot flexibility and allow beginners to grip the floor easier.  Many cost as little as $40.

Extras
•    Reformer – A gliding platform atop a frame made of metal or wood, this machine allows the user to stand, sit, kneel or lie in almost any direction. Using handles and bands they perform various pushing and pulling motions to slide the platform against spring tension. This machine is for serious Pilates enthusiasts.
•    Stability ball – The unstable surface of the stability ball is often used in Pilates to activate core stabilizing muscles.
•    Strength training accessories – Resistance bands, light free weights, weighted balls, circles, rings and more can be used while performing Pilates exercises.
•    Pilates chair – This stool has a spring controlled step and allows the user to perform over 75 exercises.

crystals Pilates, Tips and Tricks, women's fitness fitness rewards, Pilates, women's fitness

New exercise equipment can really motivate

Having a high-fashion outfit, the best gadgets and the priciest fitness equipment money can buy won’t make you an instant pro, but sometimes feeling a bit more like one is all you need.

Why you should give yourself fitness-related rewards
Instead of going out for dinner or splurging on a favorite high-calorie treat, try rewarding yourself with something that’ll help you along your fitness path. A comfy new sports bra or weighted hand gloves can give you incentive to continue your workouts or provide you with a new way to stay active.

Small rewards
•    Pedometer – These handy gadgets will help you make sure you’re getting your recommended 10,000 steps a day. Studies have shown people who wear pedometers increase their daily activity, often resulting in 100 extra calories being burned per day. Many new pedometers double as calorie counters, so you’ll know how many you’ve burned.
•    Sweat-wicking socks - It might not sound like much of a reward but the right socks can make a big difference in comfort when you’re sweating up a storm on the stationary bike. New Balance makes a great CoolMax line that’ll only set you back about $7 to $12 per pair.
•    MP3 player – iPod is the gold standard of MP3 players, but the units often have prices to match. Unless you have a collection of 1,000 or more essential workout songs you’ll be better served looking for a one or two GB MP3 player that’ll keep your workouts interesting with a more-than-enough storage of 250 to 500 songs. For the low prices some online retailers are charging for MP3 players (I got one for under $20) there’s no reason to break the bank.

Worth the extra splurge:
•    New headphones - You’re headphones might be in decent working order, but that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade to something better as a reward for reaching a fitness goal. To get the most comfortable headphones that’ll stay on while you work out expect to spend anywhere from $40 to $150. Shure sells many top-of-the-line models, but also a few decent ones priced around $50.
•    Mini stepper – This pint sized piece of fitness equipment won’t be what you’ll use for your daily cardio, but it’s a great way to *fit in a little fitness[Sneak Fitness Into Your Daily Routine] during your downtime. A basic stepper costs as little as $60. Set it in front of the couch and step off some extra calories while you check in with your favorite prime-time characters.
•    Two-piece yoga suit – Yes, a pair of old sweats performs the same function, but a matching yoga suit does it so much better. If you clothe your newly buff body in something flattering you’ll be inspired to go to the gym and show it off. Canadian company Roots has a great yoga line with separates you can mix and match.

crystals Tips and Tricks, fitness equipment advice, staying inspired fitness equipment, fitness rewards, women's fitness