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!

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!