Archive for the ‘Fitness Equipments’ Category

Stationary Bikes

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Stationary Bikes for a great cardio work out

A stationary bike is also called an exercise bike and is popular exercise equipment used by millions of people the world over. It comes in the shape of a bicycle with a saddle, pedals and handlebars. The only difference between a bicycle and stationary bike is that the former is a mode of transportation, whereas the latter is used for exercises. An ergometer is attached to it in order to measure the level of activity performed by an individual while exercising on the bike. You can also make your own exercise bicycle by placing a regular cycle on bicycle rollers or trainers. It is the perfect device for warming up before sessions and plays a significant role in increasing and the transport of oxygen to various parts of the body.

Types of Stationary bikes:
The market nowadays is flooded with all sorts of fixed bikes that have emerged as popular exercise devices among health conscious people. There are various types of exercise bikes that have been designed to suit the needs of specific individuals such as indoor cycling bikes, upright bikes, regular bikes etc. These bikes are available in various colors and are great for those looking to stay fit. Most of these bikes revolve around the technique of applying resistance as opposed to gravity by applying pressure on the pedals. Resistance mechanics include fans, magnets and friction techniques. Some of these bikes even allow the users to pedal backwards allowing them to work the agonist muscles. This increases the intensity of the workouts by significant margins and helps enhance the overall performance of the individual.

Mini bikes: These exercise bikes can be used only for exercising and cannot be used in cycling training sessions. They are used solely for exercising and the user can also turn the pedals with his hand for exercising the limbs.

Benefits of exercise bikes:
•    Stationary bikes are used for increasing the fitness levels of the body and training for cycling events.
•    It is great for cardiovascular workouts and helps increase an individual’s stamina.
•    These bikes are great for weight reduction and help burn calories faster than various traditional methods of exercise.
•    The low impact movement applied in operating these bikes does not strain the muscles or joints.
•    These bikes increase and are great for maintaining the health of the heart and lungs.
•    A number of workouts can be performed for varying periods on a fixed bike. They are great for eliminating the affects of heart disease, hypertension and obesity.
•    They enhance the overall health of an individual and enable you to maintain a great body.

Selecting a Stationary Bicycle
Stationary bikes are a safe and efficient means of working out regularly. They enable you to perform low intensity cardiovascular exercises and require limited space.  Prior to purchasing a fixed bike you must consider its seating position as well as the method of resistance. You can select from the standard upright bicycles or semi-recumbent bicycles that are comparatively more comfortable. The various resistance mechanisms include magnets, hydraulics, wheels, friction belts, fans etc. Several of these bikes are also equipped with computers and devices that enable you to monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, intensity of exercise as well as your progress. They also enable you to track the distance covered, speed and calories burnt during a single workout.

Prior to purchasing a stationary bike, you must consider your needs, interests and exercise objectives in order to avail maximum benefits out of your fitness program. Position of the bike is of utmost importance. Most upright bikes are equipped with a large, well cushioned saddle and are quite comfortable. However, you must remember that fixed bikes can vary from basic to high-tech based on the gadgets and mechanisms available. You must clearly analyze your requirements prior to making the final purchase in order to enhance your overall health benefits.

Share and Enjoy : Be Happy and Stay Fit : EXCERCISE
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • StumbleUpon
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Furl
  • Live
  • YahooMyWeb
  • IndiaGram
  • IndianPad
  • Print
  • email
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Weight Benches

Monday, September 1st, 2008

Weight Benches for lifting iron

Equipment is the backbone of any exercise program. It helps enhance the overall output of workout sessions and increases the intensity of exercises. Exercise is an essential part of any fitness regime and helps fight a number of ailments such as stress, depression, obesity, cancer, heart disease etc. It is essential for individuals to include exercise as part of there daily routine in order to remain absolutely fit. There are various types of exercises such as running, swimming, , cycling, tennis etc. that enable you to maintain the general fitness of the body. However, certain sports such as weight lifting, power lifting, bodybuilding, athletics, football, golf etc. require enthusiasts to undergo specific training. You can join a commercial gym or work out at home depending upon the availability of equipments and time.

There are two types of equipments you will find in the gym: and machines.
are the most basic form of weight training equipment and are not attached to any sort of pulleys, cables, pins or weight stacks. They comprise of barbells, dumb bells, weight plates etc. Weight benches are the most common piece of equipment available in any commercial gym. There are four types of benches:

    Adjustable weight benches: These can be adjusted to various positions such as flat, inclined or declined position, depending upon your requirements. Some benches have racks on one end for holding bar bells whereas other benches do not have any racks and are generally used for dumbbell exercises.
    Hyper extension weight benches: These are used for working the lower back, hamstring and glute muscles. Some commercial gyms also have hyper extension benches that can be used for sit ups to work the abdominals.
    Preacher weight benches: These benches are specifically designed for working the biceps. They have angled pads to support your upper arms while working out. This prevents you from swinging the weight and enables you to isolate the biceps muscles.
    Abdominal weight benches: These are declined benches that are used for doing abdominal exercises. They are attached to rollers that are hooked to your feet in order to avoid sliding.

Tips for working out on benches:
    It is essential for you to warm up before starting any weight lifting exercises as it prevents injury and gets the blood flowing to all the parts of your body.
    Lift and lower the weights slowly. Do not use momentum.
    Bouncy or jerky movements can result in an injury.
    Make sure that you use full range of motion of the joints while exercising.
    Do not hold your breath at any point of time during the exercise.
    Pay attention to your posture balance and coordination.
    Set up a target and try to achieve it by exercising.

The principle of over load:
Weight benches are specifically designed to enable you to lift weight with ease. In order to lift weights you need to use more resistance than usual. To avoid plateaus you must increase the work load gradually. You must lift enough weights to complete the desired number of reps and then increase the weights gradually to achieve the principle of overload.

It is essential for you to use the right technique while lifting weights in the absence of which you can get hurt or injured leading to several health problems such as muscle pulls, damage of muscle tissues, joint injuries, spinal injuries, fractures etc. The emphasis in weight lifting is on the use of the correct form. Therefore, it is essential for you to appoint a certified trainer capable of guiding you throughout your workout session. You must perform an exercise only under the watchful eyes of your trainer in order to avoid any risk of injury.

Share and Enjoy : Be Happy and Stay Fit : EXCERCISE
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • StumbleUpon
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Furl
  • Live
  • YahooMyWeb
  • IndiaGram
  • IndianPad
  • Print
  • email
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts