Denise Austin Diet and Exercise – Easy Weight Loss for Anyone
Learn About Denise Austin's Diet, Exercise and Workout Programs


November 13, 2009

How To Avoid Buying Home Exercise Equipment You Won’t Use. And Save A Ton Of Money!

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 8:35 am
It is estimated that 80% of home exercise equipment is not used after the first year.

So, you’re planning to buy a piece of home exercise equipment… and you have promised yourself that this time you are really going to use it!

Maybe you already have a collection of different exercise devices… but you are convinced that with this new contraption you will definitely reach your fitness goals.

Or you keep saying to yourself… “If I only had that fitness machine I would be motivated to work out”.

Around 80% of home exercise equipment buyers said the same thing… and the equipment they bought is gathering dust in the corner somewhere along with their dreams of muscle tone, more energy, weight control and feeling great.

Don’t part with your hard earned money before you make sure you will be one of the 20% that buys home exercise equipment and actually uses it, because as we all know… you are only going to get the physical benefits from the home exercise equipment you buy if you actually do the exercise.

Who Buys Home Exercise Equipment And Then Doesn’t Use It?

According to Consumer’s Union, it is the beginner, or inexperienced, exercisers that are most likely to purchase home exercise equipment and then not use it.

As a matter of fact… beginner exercisers don’t use 2/3 of the home exercise equipment they buy.

Although buying home exercise equipment seems like the logical first step to improved fitness… it is the beginners that give up using the equipment more than people who already enjoy an active lifestyle.

Let’s see why this happens…

Using Home Exercise Equipment Is An Exercise In Self Control

Most people over estimate their self control.

Even though they exhibit determination and enthusiasm when researching the home exercise equipment to buy, seeking out the best price, purchasing and installing the equipment in their home… most people just don’t have enough self control to use the equipment in the necessary manner to reap the rewards.

Thinking about exercise, talking about exercise, researching exercise and purchasing home exercise equipment is not exercise.

There is no home exercise equipment that will completely transform you and help you reach all your fitness goals without an investment of time and energy.

As a matter of fact… the costs of seeking fitness are immediate, while the benefits are delayed.

Most beginners get frustrated putting in the time and energy necessary to reap the long term physical rewards using the home exercise equipment .

As a result, 2/3 of the home exercise equipment finds its way into garages, closets and basements with the closing comments… “That thing didn’t work.”

Prove Yourself Worthy Before Buying Home Exercise Equipment

Most beginners buy home exercise equipment because they took a good hard look in the mirror and didn’t like what they saw… or they assessed their physical abilities and found them lacking.

Next step… buy a piece of home exercise equipment!

Well, hold on there… not so fast.

As I’m fond of saying… Fitness is a journey, not a destination.

The bodily changes and improvement of physical abilities you seek can only be obtained for the long term by incorporating consistent physical activity into your lifestyle.

Prove yourself worthy of the purchase of home exercise equipment by first adding physical activity to your lifestyle by using the effective, versatile and efficient piece of home exercise equipment that you already have… your own body!

If you are really serious about improving muscle tone and energy levels while controlling weight and feeling great… start by performing a workout program of body weight calisthenics exercises.

Body weight calisthenics exercise is the perfect method to use for the beginner, as well as experienced, fitness enthusiast when starting a physical fitness training program… and should remain part of a well balanced fitness training regime.

As a matter of fact… you should not start using home exercise equipment of any kind until you first have developed the ability to control the movement of your own body.

Once you have effectively added physical activity into your lifestyle… you can buy that piece of home exercise equipment to augment, vary and diversify your physical training with the confidence that you will actually use it.

In conclusion…

Body weight calisthenics exercise is the perfect place to start your physical fitness training program.

Properly done… body weight calisthenics exercise will develop a strong, lean and athletic body that actually performs as good as it looks.

Once physical training has become a habit… buy home exercise equipment to improve your already effective training.

The body and physical abilities you seek are not determined by the equipment you have at your disposal… but rather by your desire to improve and incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle!

Save yourself a lot of time and money by proving to yourself that you are not overestimating your self control… because if you fail to successfully add body weight calisthenics exercise into your lifestyle, you will most likely fail to use the home exercise equipment you buy.

So what are you waiting for?

Use your own body as your gym… and get started on your own personal fitness journey today!

November 8, 2009

The Benefits of Having Your Own Home Exercise Equipment

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 9:07 am
Obesity is occurring at alarming rates these days, and unfortunately gym membership costs are not getting any more affordable.  Not to mention the fact that many people who haven’t worked out for years are very self-conscious about exercising in front of other people.  These and many other reasons are why you should consider investing in your own home exercise equipment.

Before you run down to the nearest retailer or outlet and start charging items left and right, slow down for a minute and think about what pieces you really need and how you’ll fit your exercise equipment into your house or apartment.  Do you have a separate room you can use for working out or some space in the basement?  If you’re thinking of putting the treadmill in front of the television in the living room, consider how your roommates or family may like this.  Many options for home exercise equipment today are foldable or more compact, so if you give some thought as to the placement and then take your time to shop around, you’ll find just what you need.

If you’re still not quite sure about purchasing some exercise equipment for yourself, keep in mind that if you have the equipment in your house you’re more likely to use it on a regular basis.  It’s too easy to get overwhelmed after a long day at the office and get comfortable at home, forgetting all about going to the gym.  But when you have home exercise equipment right there in front of you, it’s easier to just walk to the basement or the other room and get yourself on the treadmill.  You also don’t need to worry about what you’re wearing or how you look when you exercise.  It may seem trite or trivial, but many people shy away from the gym because they don’t want anyone to see them when they’re sweaty, out of breath, and all flushed.  But with your own exercise equipment you can get as enthused as you want about your routine without having to worry about whether or not you’re sweating or if your sweatpants are in good shape.

Having home exercise equipment is also great for those who haven’t exercised in a long time.  Many who are very out of shape can exercise for only a few minutes at a time before they’re out of breath, and this can be embarrassing when you’re on a treadmill next to someone that’s jogging away seemingly without effort.  But with your own exercise equipment, you can go for five minutes or an hour or whatever is comfortable for you without being self-conscious.

When starting out building your own home gymnasium you should consider investing in some used free weights.  Start out with a few of the lighter weights and add to them as your need arises.  You can always add more free weights as your fitness level increases so it is not necessary to have a very large outlay of money when you first start building your home gymnasium.

The price of home exercise equipment is very reasonable and modest, especially when you consider that this is an investment in your health and even your longevity.  So why not pick out a few pieces for yourself?  You’ll be glad you did!

November 2, 2009

Best Home Exercise Equipment – How Can you Know?

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 4:00 am
When it comes to fitness and exercise equipment, one of the most common questions you often hear is, “What is the best home exercise equipment?” It’s easy to understand with so many different choices being available to us. This article will help you with an overview of the more common equipment options.

Before you get started searching for home exercise equipment you may want to consider a couple of important points first.

1. What is your budget for home fitness equipment?

2. What is your current fitness level and what do you want to accomplish in the future?

Why are these questions important? Well, your budget is for obvious reasons, but enjoying the home exercise equipment is very important as well. For example, let’s say you are in good shape now and want to add additional muscle mass. You wouldn’t want an elliptical trainer for that. A Bowflex system would be a better choice.

With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of your options.

Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most popular and best home exercise equipment options around. It’s ideal for cardio as well as weight loss and comes in all price ranges. You can also find some great deals on used treadmills as well. Be sure any treadmill has a wide belt, an incline setting, and a good warranty.

Elliptical Trainers

The elliptical trainer is fast approaching and in many cases, surpassing the popularity of treadmills. With their low-impact workout routines it’s easy to see why.

You control the intensity level and can easily adjust the levels of resistance. Like treadmills, elliptical trainers vary in price. Look for a good machine with a warranty.

Stationary Bike

Though this home exercise equipment option is not as popular as it once was, it is still a good choice.

You can find high end stationary bikes with built-in cooling fans as well as state of the art riding programs with video screens. It’s like you are a part of the Tour De France.

Steppers

If you want something for cardio work, a step machine may be your best home exercise equipment option. They are also great for your lower body.

Bowflex Home Gym

If building muscle mass is what you desire then you can’t go wrong with a Bowflex machine. You can several different models that all offer superior resistance training and muscle building. There are also some excellent deals to be found on used Bowflex equipment as well.

Free Weights

The oldest form of home fitness and exercise there is. Free weights are an inexpensive home fitness option that will quickly build muscle mass and get you in shape. For many people, free weights and a weight bench are the single best home exercise equipment option.

Regardless of which type of exercise equipment you choose, the key to getting any kind of results will always be in using it on a regular basis. By choosing the equipment that is in your budget and that you truly enjoy using, you will get the results you’re seeking and have some fun at the same time.

October 26, 2009

Where to Get Good Used Home Exercise Equipment

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 9:03 pm
Exercise equipment is very expensive and even if you appreciate that using it is an investment in health and longevity, it still can be very difficult to fit it into a home budget.  But used home exercise equipment might be a way to go.  Since most equipment last for literally decades and even with constant use will probably still have a lot of life left in them regardless of the age.  But where to find some good used exercise equipment and what should you look for before purchasing?

Before you start your search for used exercise equipment you should decide on the type of equipment you think would be of the best benefit to you.  Take a trip to your local home fitness center and check out the types of equipment available.  While looking at the equipment be sure to inspect the exercise equipment for quality of workmanship and if you are looking at gym equipment in a gymnasium you should look for the normal wear and tare.  This information will become vital when considering used exercise equipment.

Obviously most people would turn to eBay when looking for used home exercise equipment, but keep in mind that there is usually a large shipping cost for this type of equipment if you purchase it from someone outside of your immediate area.  However eBay does allow you to narrow your search to a specific range of miles around your home so that you can pick up something.  It’s recommended that for something as expensive as home exercise equipment you’ll want to arrange with the seller to inspect the pieces beforehand or pay in cash in person after winning the auction, if the piece is as advertised.  It’s never a good idea to just pay for something this expensive without having inspected it first.  Craig’s List online is also a good place to shop for used exercise equipment and some prefer it since it isn’t worked around an auction but is more like a huge garage sale instead.

You may have flea markets nearby that sell exercise equipment.  Goodwill, Purple Heart, the Kidney Foundation, and even the Salvation Army often sell good equipment from their donors.  You can easily find them online or in the phone book.

It’s important to inspect and try out the used home exercise equipment you find anywhere before you buy it.  When it comes to treadmills, look at the belt carefully.  It is curled or frayed at the ends?  When you run the machines does the belt have a tendency to drift to one side?  This signals uneven wear.  Of course belts can be replaced easily but if you plan on doing this then consider the added cost.  Try out elliptical machines and bikes.  Are the pedals securely fastened?  Do they have a tendency to wobble?  This might mean inferior quality.  As for weight machines and other pieces of used home exercise equipment, check pulleys, cords, belts, benches, and every moving piece.  Does it work effortlessly?  If not then something may be ready to break.  Make sure the cords and pulley don’t look frayed and worn.

Buying used home exercise equipment rather than new can be a good idea if it means sticking to your budget, but exercise caution and be sure that you don’t grab the first thing you see and that you have a chance to thoroughly inspect everything no matter what the brand name or price.

October 22, 2009

Home Exercise Machines are a Good Investment With a Faster Return

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 1:02 pm
Exercise machines are useful for improving cardiovascular and respiratory capacity and increasing stamina and strength. More than ever before, people from all walks of life and at all levels of fitness are committing to better health and well-being with the help of home exercise machines such as ellipticals. This surging health consciousness has resulted in a boom in the availability of fitness exercise machines. This is great because the more convenient it is for you to exercise, the more likely you are to continue a fitness program.

There are many different cardio machines on the market and as there are machines in all price ranges there is bound to be something to suit most people. Cardio machines are also very good for people who are recovering from injury as they will help to maintain fitness while ensuring that the muscles and limb movement are maintained in a controlled range eliminating the possibility of more injury.

Some good examples include treadmills, stationary bikes and eliptical machines. Top quality machines have up to 20 different programs to keep you motivated. For elderly people cardio machines are excellent for fitness and the health of their lungs and heart. The basic machines included in the home fitness equipment division are elliptical trainers, powered treadmills, home gyms, stepping machines, stair climbers, airstriders, mini steppers & recumbant bikes.

Elliptical exercise machines

Few home gyms compare to an elliptical machine for a total body workout. Elliptical exercise machines are without a doubt the most popular “new” type of fitness equipment on the market. Elliptical exercise machines are exercise machines that a person uses to simulate the walking or running motions of their legs and feet without moving in space and with minimal impact on the joints of the feet and legs. And since elliptical exercise machines are fun to use, you are more likely to work out regularly. Elliptical exercise machines are hard to beat when it comes to improving cardiovascular health. If you ever had the chance to work out using elliptical exercise machines, you probably agree that these machines are fun and easy to use. This makes ellipticals the ideal aerobic workout machine for beginners and experts of all fitness levels.

Stair Stepper

A stair stepper is designed to replicate the motion of walking up a flight of stairs and provides an extremely effective cardiovascular workout while also targeting the upper and lower leg muscles; to the out-of-shape or those who are new to a stair stepper routine, however, a quick workout can be an exhausting, arduous experience. An electronic stair stepper is the type you will most likely find in a gym or health club; a motor regulates the movement of the steps, which results in a workout with lower impact on leg joints. The stair stepper is a weight bearing, low impact exercise machine designed for cardiovascular fitness. The stair stepper is an effective weight loss machine, but in a treadmill/stepper comparison it comes in second best.

Treadmill

Because the two most popular forms of exercise are running and walking, treadmills are designed to accommodate both. Treadmills are the #1 selling home fitness equipment and for three good reasons:

They provide the most effective overall aerobic exercise,

they are incredibly easy to use, and

they have become incredibly affordable.

Treadmills more closely simulate walking, jogging or running than the elliptical. And the best part is treadmills have acushioned surface much more forgiving than outside terrain, so exercisers can often go farther, faster and longer than if they were outdoors. Depending on the model you purchase, many treadmills offer different programs to vary your workout speed and level of difficulty. It’s better to stay away from cheaper treadmills which lack the quality, stability, power and longevity of more expensive models.

Conclusion

Exercise Machines are great as they help you develop the correct range of motion and can ease you into your training routine if you’re starting out. The reason many people believe exercise machines are helpful in combating stressful and depressive illnesses is because when you exercise vigorously for longer than 20 minutes, your body floods with endorphins. In addition to their use as training equipment, exercise machines are also a basic aid in motor re-education and rehabilitation programmes, complementing and enhancing the effects of a spa cure.

October 18, 2009

Choosing the Best Home Exercise Equipment for You

Category: Exercise Equipment – Denise Austin Fan 4:15 pm
There is no end to the variety of exercise equipment you can buy for the home, from treadmills to free weights to rowing machines and complete sets of hydraulics.  It can be difficult to decide which is going to be the best home exercise equipment for you, but before you let these choices overwhelm you, consider a few pointers.

For one thing, the home exercise equipment is going to be equipment that you actually use.  If you’re very out of shape and are just starting out, an advanced stepper may be more advanced than you’re ready to handle.  A treadmill might be easier; then again, if you have problems with your knees and ankles (as many overweight people do) then an elliptical machine may be better since it has no impact.  A good salesperson can help you decide if one of these is the best home exercise equipment for you and you should be able to try out these larger pieces in the store before you actually purchase something.

If you walk on a treadmill and notice your knees are sore or your ankles hurt, switch to an elliptical.  You should also take the space in your home into consideration when choosing the exercise equipment for you.  Treadmills fold up while elliptical machines usually don’t, so make sure you have the space for the one you choose.

If you’re looking for something more advanced, then the best exercise equipment is going to include some weights for resistance training.  Unless you’ve had a lot of experience with lifting weights you may want to choose a workout station.  Those who aren’t that experienced in lifting weights are more prone to injury from improper form.  Workout stations are much easier to use correctly; it’s a lot of more difficult to get yourself in the wrong position in a workout station than it is when using free weights!  Many workout enthusiasts consider a workout station as essential part of their home gym for them.  You can get a total body workout that includes all your major muscle groups with many of these stations.

Of course the best home exercise equipment for is going to be something you use every day!  If you’re new to lifting weights, make sure you get some lighter weights and smaller increments so you can build up to a larger amount.  You can always add more free weights as your fitness level increases so it is not necessary to have a very large outlay of money when you first start building your home gymnasium.

If you **** walking but love biking, a stationary bike is going to be better than a treadmill.  If the workout station isn’t going to fit in your home and you need to move some things around just to get to it, then it might not be the exercise equipment for you.  Free weights and a bench take up much less space than an entire system and of course they can be just as effective if used properly.  The best advice anyone can give you when considering the best home exercise equipment for you is to take your time, shop around, and be realistic and practical about what will fit in your home and what you’ll use regularly.