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3 Ways to Make Sure You're Using Your Fitness Gear

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:50:42 -0700

It's great to keep fitness equipment at home, but the hardest part is getting motivated to use it. Here are three things you can do so they help burn calories instead of collecting dust.

Don't put equipment away. Many types of fitness gear can be folded up so they're out of your way, but if they're out of your sight like in your closet or under your bed, chances are you're less likely to set them up to use. So whatever you use the most, it's OK to tuck it in a corner so you don't trip and fall, but make sure it's still easily accessible.
Set up a small fitness area with all your equipment. Place a yoga mat in the corner for stretching, a set of dumbbells for strength training, and a stability ball for both stretching and strengthening. Seeing the equipment all set up is more inviting, so you're more likely to use it.
Buy equipment to complement the equipment you already have. If you're tired of your plain old resistance band, buy some accessories such as a door strap or ankle straps so you can mix up your routine. Or buy a fitness book or DVD to show you new ways to use the equipment you own. Put some spark back into your old favorites.

Do you have any other ideas? If so share them below.

Smart Ways to Pump up Your Home Gym: Part I

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Buying fitness equipment is not always the easiest task. Finding the right piece for your home gym often means heading into unchartered territory. Everyday Health offers some great tips on making smart fitness buys. Here are highlights:

Keep what you like to do in mind. If you hate taking the stairs, a stair-stepper isn't going to change your habits. A treadmill might be a better option.

Because many types of equipment require a sizable outlay of money, look for the one that offers the most complete workout. If you're setting up a home gym, a good strategy is to devote the bulk of your budget to a good quality cardiovascular machine. Supplement that with less expensive strength training pieces, such as dumbbells and resistance bands.
Measure the space where you plan to install the machine and carry the dimensions with you when you shop. Stair steppers, for example, are quite tall.

There are more tips so read more.

Bring a healthy skepticism about performance claims with you when you consider equipment. For example, most aerobic equipment will burn 400–600 calories an hour, not the more than 1,300 calories that some manufacturers claim. And no device is going to produce "perfect abs" in just three minutes a day.

Keep in mind that it's impossible to burn fat from just one part of the body. Don't be swayed by emphatic testimonials or dramatic before-and-after pictures.

Take a test drive before you buy. This means spending some real time working out on the machine in proper exercise clothes and shoes. Don't make your decision on the basis of a few seconds of use while still in your street clothes. Also, reputable dealers will often allow you to try out the machine for 30 days and return it for a full refund if you're not satisfied.

Source

Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

Speak Up: What Gear Would Make the Perfect Home Gym?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:30:19 -0700

Now that colder weather is moving in, exercising outdoors may not be that appealing. Working out at the gym is great, but all those people sharing equipment means germ central. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to have your own home gym you could use whenever you wanted, and not have to drive to?

If there was no limit on the amount of money you could spend, what equipment would you buy to make your ideal home gym?

Game Review: Your Shape For Wii

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:50:08 -0800

There's a new fitness game in town and it's ready to work you out and make you sweat. Your Shape ($69), a new Wii game by Ubisoft, makes Jenny McCarthy your workout coach and training buddy so you don't have to sweat it out alone.

The game comes with a camera that you perch on your TV; it captures your image and plays it on your TV so you move with a reflection of yourself, like looking in a mirror. The camera also monitors your movements, and if you slack off, Jenny will let you know - she also gives you praise when you make a correction. Who couldn't use an ego boost mid-workout?

To learn more about the game, continue reading.

Start a Home Gym With These 6 Things

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:45:00 -0700

With today's economy, we're looking for ways to save money. While you shouldn't compromise on your health, paying for a $50 or higher monthly gym membership may not be doable. You can get a workout at home that's just as effective, so here are some products you'll need to start your own home gym.
Source

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Fitness Equipment For Under $30

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Whether you work out at home regularly or just every once in a while, it is good to have some equipment on hand. You don't have to break the bank to make a home gym! Here are some equipment essentials, all under $30.

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How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

The cold temps are moving in and it's that time of year for colds and the flu. To prevent getting the sniffles, sore throat, and achiness, you've got to avoid the germs. It's not enough to watch out for germy places in your home. You've also got to beware of places that are shared by tons of people, and for FitSugar readers, that means the gym. Yours may seem neat and clean, but that doesn't mean it's germ-free. So here are some ways to avoid the invisible creepy crawlies that can make you sick.

Spray down all equipment before you use it with disinfectant spray. It may be a rule at your gym that you have to clean equipment after you use it, but who knows if the person before you remembered, or how thorough they were. Wipe down everything you touch including handles on weight machines and dumbbells, yoga balls, and buttons on the displays.
Purchase your own mat for yoga, Pilates, or strength training. They're sweat on by many, and rarely get washed.
If you're a major germaphobe, pack along other equipment like weights and resistance bands.
Bring your own towel from home to wipe off your sweat or to use after you shower. The gym towels are supposedly clean, but you never know.

For more tips on avoiding gym germs read more.

Refrain from touching your mouth, nose or eyes while working out.
Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer.
Keep a towel between you and the seat in the sauna.
Fill up a reusable water bottle at home, and bring it to the gym. Germs can pass easily from a person's mouth, to their water bottle, then to the fountain tap and back to another bottle, and to another person's mouth, if people hold their bottles against the tap when filling them. Gross.
Shower immediately after working out to get rid of germs. If you can't, be sure to wash your hands and face, place your sweaty clothes in a plastic bag, and put on a clean outfit.
Wear flip-flops in the shower to avoid picking up athlete's foot.

Get Suspended While You Travel Like Mary J. Blige

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

When you're on the road you can't always get to a gym, but that doesn't mean you should throw in the towel when it comes to exercising. Do what Mary J. Blige does while traveling, and bring along a TRX suspension Home Training Kit ($170). It's a two-pound strap and handle weight-training system you can easily pack in your suitcase. Just attach it to a door or other sturdy base and you'll strengthen and tone your muscles by lifting and lowering your own body weight. Beverly Hills trainer Gregg Miele uses it to train both Mary and the fabulously fit Jennifer Lopez is also a fan.

They're not the only lovers of this piece of equipment. When she's not in the pool, Olympic swimmer Christine Magnuson uses TRX to strength train, since she doesn't always have access to a weight room. To see a video of how she uses the TRX, read more.

Looks fun, doesn't it?

Recession Proof Your Workout: Beg, Borrow, and Deal

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:00:50 -0700

Despite Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's claim that the recession is over, most Americans aren't buying it. I'm not sure what you think of Bernanke's outlook, but the last two years of economic downturn have taught me a lesson in frugality I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

My husband bought a new bike recently - new to him anyway. After visiting nine different bike stores and confronting the truth that he could not afford to put thousands of dollars toward a bicycle, I directed him to Craigslist. Not only did he find the bike of his dreams, he ended up having a few to choose from. Within a week of looking he found a barely used 2008 Cannondale for $650, a bike he saw at a store a week earlier for $1,250.

I've used Craigslist quite a bit but never for pricier items because it seemed to risky to me. After this experience I'll be turning there when I'm on the market for something new. A quick look on the site yesterday showed hundreds of barely used elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills averaging around $200; that's at least an 80 percent discount off retail prices and has me seriously considering buying a piece of equipment for my home.

Have any of you had good experiences using Craigslist to find fitness equipment?