Why Add Resistance Bands To Your Training?

With so many options out there for training, why consider adding something like resistance bands?

Well for many reasons.  One of the most popular would be how versatile they can be.  They travel well and are easily portable, but they offer you a different feel than free weight training alone. 

Resistance bands can help improve your flexibility.  Something we tend to lose as we age.  Flexibility is crucial to preventing injury.  Improving free range of motion is also important. 

Muscle fibers are activated, as well as the amount of force, comparable to free weight training.  Personally, when doing a home routine, it is a great way to "change up" the exercises.  From dumb bells, to bands, and back, offers some muscle confusion, and variety as well.

Price.  Resistance bands are a very minimal investment.  With prices ranging from $7.99 and up, how can you say NO to these clever little inventions!

My advice, stay with the same company for all various resistances.  This way you may gage your progress correctly.  If you jump to different manufacturers, they may offer different resistances.  Not all companies are alike.  Spri and Valeo offer some great bands with handles, and even rings to challenge you.

For a demonstration, or more information, come visit us at Fit Equipment Etc, 243 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, Ma! 

We are always here to help, and get you on the right path to healthy!

Kettlebell Training

Kettlebell Training

Kettlebell training is a great way to get yourself into amazing cardiovascular shape. It helps you to build muscle, while at the same time burning off fat. Only gaining attention in the Western world within the last few years, Kettlebell Training has long been a popular way for Russians. 

Kettlebells originated in Russia back in the 18th century.  Resembling a cannon ball with a handle attached, it was used to help train the Russian military and athletes, and keep them in shape.

There are many benefits of Kettlebell Training. Some of these include: building lean muscle, increased stamina, higher levels of agility, and increased strength.  Kettlebell Training allows the user to get an intense workout!

There are a variety of ways to use this piece of equipment.  In place of ordinary dumb bells for many body parts including shoulders, chest, back, biceps, legs, etc.  Also, a routine designed specifically for the kettlebell and its variety of exercises. Cleans, Presses, Squats, Jerks and of course The Turkish Get Up, which is a very complicated, and skilled move.  It can be very hard core, and challenging.  Proper form and use of this device can really catapult you, when a routine becomes boring and repetitive.

So what are you waiting for? Challenge yourself to try a kettlebell! Various sizes, ranging from 2.5 lbs-100lbs+, and measured in either pounds or KG's find the size right for you, and get to work!

Visit our website, or come into Fit Equipment Etc to "grab" a few kettlebells today!

About the Author: Fit Equipment Etc. is New England’s largest showroom of fitness equipment. Fit Equipment Etc also has a wide selection of work out equipment for sale online. Offering the best home treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, exercise gear and more, Fit Equipment Etc can supply you with everything you need to create your own home gym.

  

Top 18 Benefits of Weight Training

1.  Weight training tones your muscles which looks great and raises your basal metabolism...which causes you to burn more calories 24 hours a day. You'll even burn more calories while you're sleeping!

2. Weight training can reverse the natural decline in your Metabolism, which begins around age 30.

3. Weight training energizes you!

4. Weight training has a positive effect on almost all of your 650-plus muscles.

5. Weight training strengthens your bones, reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis.

6. Weight training improves your muscular endurance.

7. Weight training will NOT develop big muscles on women...just toned muscles!

8. Weight training makes you strong. Strength gives you Confidence, and makes daily activities easier.

9. Weight training makes you less prone to low-back injuries.

10. Weight training decreases your resting blood pressure. 

11. Weight training decreases your risk for diabetes.

12. Weight training decreases your gastrointestinal transit time, reducing your risk for developing
colon cancer.

13. Weight training increases your blood level of HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind).

14. Weight training improves your posture.

15. Weight training improves the functioning of your immune system.

16. Weight training lowers your resting heart rate, a sign of a more efficient heart.

17. Weight training improves your balance and coordination.

18. Weight training elevates your mood, leaving you with a feeling of well being, and accomplishment!

Health Benefits Using Free Weight Equipment

Everybody can benefit from the use of free weight equipment it isn’t only for bodybuilders and professional sports players. Working with weight equipment won’t necessarily turn you into a muscle bound hulk, although it will strengthen and tone your body, provide you with an excellent all-round workout and help to improve your long term health. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym; your strength will improve with two or three days of weight training a week with two days of rest between workouts.

There are many advantages of training with free weight equipment, one of which is that just about anybody can benefit from it, including older people, women and children. Free weight training can help to build self-esteem and confidence; it’s also an excellent way to socialize and have fun while you keep fit. Many parents view weight training as a family activity and encourage children to participate.

And using weight equipment has been proven to be a good way to lose weight, and to help keep it off, especially when combined with a healthy diet can give significant results. Weight training is particularly effective as a method of losing weight, because it increases the body's metabolic rate, which allows fat to burn off constantly - even when we’re asleep. BONUS!

Regular weight training increases the lean muscle mass, which helps to strengthen the bones and burn fat. Stronger bones mean stronger muscles, which can improve stability and balance and ultimately lower your risk of falling and breaking a bone. This is a particular benefit for older people who are using free weight equipment, although it’s never too early to start strengthening the bones.

It is possible to get a much greater development with the use of free weights than you can with machine exercises. Dumbbells and barbells are more effective in developing the stabilizer muscles and require more balance and coordination than machine exercises.

There can be other long term benefits as well, especially for older people who are training with free weight equipment. Weight training can help prevent the onset of such diseases as osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis and hypertension, and is even beneficial in helping to prevent depression and cardiovascular diseases. Weight training is increasingly included in rehabilitation program for stroke and heart attack victims.

If you have a sedentary lifestyle or a desk-bound job and aren’t particularly active, free weight training can help you. The use of weights can help you improve your posture, strengthen your lower back and ultimately avoid back injury, the most common reason for those aged under 45 to limit their physical activities.

And two of the biggest advantages of weight training? It doesn’t require any expensive or complicated equipment; you can train effectively with dumbbells or a barbell.

No Excuses...Now get to work!! And have fun!!

The Foam Roller..does it live up to the hype?

With all the new fitness crazes out there, lets look at one on the rise.

Foam Rollers..are they worth all the hype? Well, in my opinion...YES!

As we age, we tend to get "tight". Stretching helps keep our bodies flexible. When we are more flexible, we can move easier, and prevent injuries. A foam roller is a device that originated from the physical therapy world, and has crossed over into the fitness industry.

Think of it as a "rolling pin" for your muscles. As a rolling pin can eliminate air bubbles in dough, a foam roller can eliminate "knots" in the muscles. It can increase blood circulation to the areas of pain, and promote healing that much faster! Does it work? YES! It can cut your healing time in half!

After a good leg workout day my legs can be tight, and even with stretching feel sore. So I foam roll as well, and it makes me feel more limber. Investment is inexpensive. Prices ranging from $15 to $45. But well worth it!

Check them out here at Fit Equipment!

About the Author: Fit Equipment Etc. is New England’s largest showroom of fitness equipment. Fit Equipment Etc also has a wide selection of work out equipment for sale online. Offering the best home treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, exercise gear and more, Fit Equipment Etc can supply you with everything you need to create your own home gym.

Fall Back Into Fitness

Ah, the summer..So much fun! Taking those long summer days to head to the beach, that family cookout, or even that evening concert. All the while, munching and drinking ourselves into oblivion. The one thing we tend to lax on is fitness. Our workouts..our walks, our strength training, our group training sessions, spin classes, the cross fit routine, or even that home DVD that motivates you! (Thank you Tony Horton!) Yes, ALL OF THOSE THINGS fall by the wayside when summer hits.

Why is it we all go "gung ho" to get into that summer bathing suit, yet once in it, we forget to maintain those good habits? I'll tell you why, human nature. We work hard, but then there is a time to play. And play we do! But welcome to the fall, and with that comes a reality slap. Whoa..The holidays are coming! I think my pants shrunk! I never noticed THAT before! Now what? Time to dust off that elliptical, lubricate that treadmill, and tour your local health clubs. Fall is the perfect time to fall back into a fitness routine. Time to get the diet and nutrition habits back in check before the holidays roll around. A way to jump start on the New Year resolutions. Maybe you can knock off a few pounds before the holidays! Get yourself back to start by the time the New Year rolls around.

As a certified personal trainer, I have seen and heard it all. So no surprises! It is never too late to start! If you feel you may fit into the category of "lost fitness soul", don't worry, you are not alone! We are here to help you! Give us a visit, or a call, even visit our website @ FitnessEquipmentEstore.com and we will do our best to get you motivated and on your way!

About the Author: Laurie is a CPT at Fitness Equipment Estore which features New England’s largest showroom of commercial & home gym exercise equipment. The showroom and online store feature some of the industry’s best home gyms, commercial and home treadmills and more!

Top 5 Fitness Mistakes

Whether you’ve been regularly exercising for years or just starting out, you may be doing something that is getting in the way of getting optimal results from your workout. You make a point to fit in your exercise and work hard during the exercise. You stretch, drink water and try to stay consistent with your workout, but there are a few other points you may be forgetting.


Why not make sure you are getting the most of the effort you put into working out? This article will walk you through the most common fitness mistakes that are holding you back.

1. Skipping Cardio OR Strength Training

Cardio exercises will keep your heart healthy, while strength training tones muscles and burns fat. Both are necessary for a proper workout regimen. But many people are simply too concerned with the specific results they want. Women want to lose belly fat so they solely do abdominal and cardio work. Men want to bulk up so they focus strictly on weight training. This is simply not a good strategy. Every workout should have a balance of cardio and strength training. While you may lean towards one, both aspects should be employed in your regimen.

2. Doing the Same Ole, Same Ole

If you are always doing the same routine and working out the same muscles, you will start seeing diminishing returns. When you repeat the same exercise, your body learns ways to do it more efficiently by expending less energy and burning fewer calories. Whether it’s jogging, weight lifting or yoga, be sure to mix it up every so often. By that we don’t just mean added reps, distance or time. Pick up a new routine. It may be tough at first, and you should be sore afterwards, but it truly is the best for getting results.

3. Expecting Results Immediately

This is especially true for new exercisers. Like anything worth doing, getting in great shape is no small task. You won’t come back from the gym looking 5 years younger. This probably won’t happen after a month at the gym either. What you need to focus on is long-term work that will give you long-term results. Don’t be frustrated if you don’t start seeing results instantly. Keep in mind that the change will be gradual, so other people may be noticing the change before you do.

4. Doing the Gym Slouch

When working out, it’s so important to have good posture. Whether you’re on the elliptical cross trainer or the treadmill, be sure you aren’t slouching or gripping the handlebars for dear life. Make sure you're spine is straight.

5. Over-Doing It

As the old saying goes, everything is good in moderation. By doing too long or intense of a workout, you run the risk of burning out or hurting yourself. In both of these situations, you’ll be away from the gym for a while. So don’t put yourself in that situation. Gradually add intensity and take some time for your body to recover after a tough workout.



About the Author: Fitness Equipment Etc. features New England’s largest showroom of commercial & home gym exercise equipment. The showroom and online store feature some of the industry’s best home gyms, commercial treadmills and more!