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!

Stretching

The Benefits of Stretching

There are several benefits of stretching, and it is important for you to include some stretching exercises into your fitness routine.

Stretching increases flexibility.

Flexibility is the degree to which an individual muscle will lengthen. As you get older, your muscles begin to shorten and tighten, restricting your flexibility. Your movement becomes slower and less fluid. You don't stand up as straight. You walk more stiffly and with
a shorter stride. You find it more difficult to bend down to pick something up.
You're more susceptible to muscle, joint and tendon injuries. One of the
greatest benefits of stretching is that it will increase your flexibility.
Increased flexibility will help you comfortably and fluidly perform life's daily
activities and help reduce the risk of muscle, joint and tendon injuries.

Stretching can eliminate low back pain.

Low back pain could be the most common kind of structural pain and it affects a large percentage of the population worldwide. Muscle tightness in the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexes and low back muscles is the common cause of low back pain. Not to mention our habit to have bad posture! Stretching these muscles will often eliminate the pain. Foam rollers are a great option to help stretch all those areas!

Stretching improves circulation.

Stretching increases blood flow to the muscles. Increased blood flow brings more nourishment to the muscles and gets rid of more waste biproducts in the muscle tissue. Improved circulation can also help shorten your recovery time. Check out some stretch bands to help get the job done!

Stretching feels good!

One of the best benefits of stretching is that it feels good! It is a great stress relaxer, and it helps improve flexibility! Precor makes a stretch trainer that is out of this world!

Our next blog will cover many different types of stretching techniques, and stretching accessories to help make stretching easier, and more comfortable!

Until next time!

Flatten Your Tummy for the Summer

As you get ready to head for the lake or lay out by the pool this summer, you may feel that your belly isn’t as flat as you want it to be. Whether you want to get really toned abs or are just looking to reduce some of the fat in your mid-section, we want to help you look great in your swimsuit. With over 20 years in the health and fitness business, we know how to get you looking and feeling great, and we’ve compiled a list of the most helpful ways to do so.

Eat Right

Cut out the fatty, starchy, high-carb foods and move toward lean meats, fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruit. This will not only keep your digestion going strong but keep your body in high-metabolism mode.

Don’t eat too much food that is high in salt/sodium. These snacks retain more fluid giving you a bloated, “fluffy” look. Along with salty snacks like chips and pretzels, frozen meals and processed foods have high daily values of sodium, so it’s best to steer away from those when possible.

Avoid eating 3 hours before you go to sleep. Allowing food to digest while you sleep limits its effectiveness.

Drink Water

Studies have shown drinking water throughout the day helps fill you up leaving you less hungry at meal-time.

Proper hydration also aids digestion.

By drinking water, you are hopefully staying away from sugary soda or alcohol, which are calorie-loaded and weight-inducing.

Incorporate Ab and Full-Body Exercises

Even though you may be focusing on reducing your belly fat, it’s important to incorporate fully-body exercises and cardio workouts, which help get rid of excess weight. Start each workout with a quick jog or power walk outside or on a home treadmill.

We also recommend using workout weights to increase muscle mass. Cardio and strength training increase your metabolism and help you burn more calories.

Don’t forget to do targeted workouts focusing on improving your abdomens. There are a number of exercises that focus on the 9 different regions of the core. These may be as simple as crunches on a medicine ball or as complex as using a Body-Solid Home Gym. As you advance, increase intensity by either adding weight or reps. You can, for example, do crunches while holding a weight plate to your chest or tossing a medicine ball to your partner or trainer.

About the Author: Fitness Equipment Etc. has the largest showroom of work-out equipment and gear in New England. We specialize in providing you exactly what you need whether it be an elliptical cross trainer machine or floor mats for exercise. Browse our collection today, and find what you’re looking for!

Q: Why buy from a Specialty Fitness Equipment Store?

A: First and foremost, it is what they do! More than likely, you want something that isn't junky like at a sporting good store and at the same time, you do not want to break the bank.

Well, would you go to the grocery store to purchase tires for your car? Or would you buy your computer at your local drug store?

Fitness equipment is a specialized product. When it comes to treadmills, ellipticals, home gyms, exercise bikes or fitness gear the more chances are you need proper advice. Why not visit someone that knows this in their sleep?

By all means prepare yourself, bring web pages into the store and ask questions!

Sporting goods stores carry the low end stuff. They are of poor quality, rather pricey for what you are getting and you have a very limited selection of machines. Remember this: the person who makes their decision on what to sell basis it on a spreadsheet and where they make more money. I would wager they never stepped foot on the machines or know anything at all about them!

Making any buying decision can be a daunting one. If you go on-line you will find so many websites that make claims about certain brands that they happen to sell and claim how good they are. But those sites are basically that, only websites, without a sales floor or office.

Many even make a sale and email the manufacturer to drop ship to your house. You buy this way? More than likely you will be sorry!

As we see more Internet ripoffs we are aware that this leaves a black mark in the fitness market. We don't want customers to have a bad experience trying to choose a fitness machine. Only a SPECIALTY FITNESS dealer can help you choose the proper machine and more importantly, explain why! None of our staff work on commission!

Isn't it more expensive?

Contrary to popular belief it is not more expensive to visit your local fitness dealer. You not only will find that they have what you are looking for, the price point, but you will also get the proper recommendation. This way you will not be paying $800.00 for a hunk of junk. Be smart about your buying decision, buy properly. Specialty stores have the same levels of pricing you will find from those supposed expert websites which are nothing more than a guy at home with a slick site that works on commission. It will not be more money and it will certainly be less headaches.

In most cases we pay the same or even less than BIG BOX Sports and only a Specialty Fitness dealer has the BEST inexpensive lines, from the quality manufacturers that make the best products.

We always recommend that if you are serious about buying the right exercise or fitness equipment at the best value, then to buy at a Specialty Fitness dealer. (Even if it is not us!) SPECIALTY does not mean expensive! We are here to advise and help you make the proper decision.

The truth about fitness machines

They break down. Yes this is the truth that no one wants to admit. There will be a service call in your warranty period. When you shop at New England's Largest and top retailer of fitness Equipment, you call them and they take care of the problem. You do not have to deal with the manufacturer or an e-mail address to rectify an issue. Fit Equipment Etc and FitnessEquipmentEstore have been around for over twenty years. They will know what and how to repair the problem. Talk about peace of mind! Fit Equipment Etc. offers the lowest prices, the biggest selection and does their own repair and delivery! (What else could you ask for!)

Fit Equipment Etc

243 Boston Turnpike

Shrewsbury, Ma 01545

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Top 5 Benefits of Home Exercise & Fitness

Study after study demonstrates the importance of exercise in living a healthy life. A good workout can keep your heart, joint, mind and waistline in great shape. Many people would love to work out more, but can’t find the time, don’t like their neighborhood gym or a variety of other reasons. One way to overcome some of the obstacles associated with working out is to exercise at home.


Have you been thinking about getting a home treadmill, recumbent exercise bicycle or even just some basic exercise gear? There are a number of reasons to exercise at home that this article will go over. Also, it’s important to remember that your home gym can be as grand or as simple as you wish. Some readers may be thinking about an entire exercise room with multiple cardio machines and free weights. Others may be thinking about a yoga mat and a medicine ball in their living room. This article applies to both situations and everything in-between.

1. Convenience
If your fitness space is in your own house, it's never too crowded, too far, or too dark to get a little exercise in. You never have to fight traffic or get a sitter if you are working out in your own home. Another great advantage of home workouts is that you can exercise at any hour of the day and never have to wait in line. While some gyms are open 24 hours, most do not accommodate light night energy bursts or holiday workouts.

2. Freedom
Another huge advantage of exercising in your own home is you set the rules. You can turn the music on as loud as you want or put the TV on any channel. You’re also able to watch workout videos to get extra instruction and motivation when working out. Additionally, most gyms have restrictions on bringing in a friend or a personal trainer that isn’t associated with the gym. Working out alone can be boring and less motivating, whereas having a buddy or trainer can keep you motivated and entertained.

3. Comfort
There’s no place like home. Whether people feel judged on their workout progress, overall look, sweat output or goofy workout clothes, a lot of people really don’t like working out in front of others. Others really like to work out to relieve stress and get away from everything. A crowded, stinky gym may not really be what you’re looking for. When working out at home, you can sweat and sing as much as you want! Not to mention, you can quickly jump in your own shower when you’re through. Say goodbye to awkward locker changing and forgetting your shampoo.

4. Save Money
Gym memberships range a great deal from city-to-city and gym-to-gym, but an average membership is usually around $35 a month plus an initiation fee. By exercising at home, you save $420 a year (excluding initiation fee) and $2100 over a 5 year period. Buying a bit of home workout equipment doesn’t look so bad anymore!


5. Climate Control
If you’ve ever been in a gym and thought, "that fan really could be spinning a bit faster" or if you’ve been on a January morning jog in your neighborhood and lost feeling in your toes, you can relate to this one. Working out at home allows you to control all the factors of your exercise space. Rain or shine, you can burn those calories!


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.