FitSugar

5 Overlooked Pieces of Gym Equipment

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:05:45 PST

We may be well into January, but my gym is still crowded. Ultimately this is good thing meaning more people taking fitness seriously but there is a downside to all this health: waiting in line for the always-popular treadmill or elliptical machine. Here's a positive spin on the overcrowded cardio room; use it as an opportunity to try something new.

So many great pieces of cardio equipment get overlooked even though they provide the same (if not better) results as the old standbys. Here are five machines that give great workouts but won't keep you waiting in line to use.

Kranking Burns Major Calories

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:00:55 PDT

If you're unfamiliar with Kranking, you're not alone. A Krankcycle resembles a bike, but instead of peddling with your legs, you peddle with your arms. This piece of equipment is perfect for those with knee, ankle, or foot injuries, but when you watch someone krank, it doesn't seem like it's the most effective cardio workout.

A recent study from ACE (American Council on Exercise) studied 20 people who participated in a 30-minute Kranckcycle class, all wearing heart rate monitors. Researchers found that on average, each participant burned 9 calories per minute, for a total of 269 calories. When running 30 minutes at a pace of 10 minutes per mile, a person will burn about 295 calories, making the two workouts surprisingly comparable.

If you're tired of using your legs on the treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike, then get your arms cranking on a Krankcycle, and you'll get in a great workout. Tell me, have you ever tried Kranking?

Your Favorite Type of Cardio Machines Are All Taken, What Do You Do?

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:30:00 PDT

I know you have been through this. You finally convince yourself to go to the gym and when you arrive the gym is crowded. All your favorite cardio machines are full. Frustrated since you planned on hopping on the treadmill, or the elliptical or the stairstepper, now you can't. The options are endless. You could work out on a type of machine you rarely use, or you could split. What do you do?

LifeFitness 95 Series: iPod Integration

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:30:00 PDT

When I learned that there was a new treadmill from LifeFitness that integrated your iPod I thought to myself, "It's about damn time!" Move over geeksugar, your girl Fit is getting excited about technology.

The brand new 95e treadmill has an integrated iPod connector that allows exercisers to view iPod music/video lists and make selections directly on the touch 15" LCD screen. You can also watch iPod-delivered video content on the screen (requires video-capable iPod) or you can watch TV right there on the screen. Did I mention it is FM-radio ready?

Still not impressed? Well, not only does this mean that you no longer have to fumble around with your iPod while jogging, but you can also power and charge your iPod. This is thrilling -- I can not tell you how many times I have jumped on the treadmill only to find out that my iPod is completely and utterly dead. Such a motivation killer. Right now it seems that this little gem is only available for commercial purchase so I may be slipping a brochure under the manager's door at my gym today (I know she loves it when I do stuff like that). Find more details on LifeFitness.com.

View 3 Photos ›

30 Min Time Limit: Does That Apply to Me?

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 11:30:00 PST

The question has been posed if it is OK to ignore the 30-min time limit rule that most gyms impose on their cardio equipment -- Especially, when some of us are training or doing intense cardio workouts and your workout is longer than the allotted 30 minutes.

My thoughts: It is NOT OK to ignore this rule. The rule is there so that every paying customer (yup, you're not the only one shelling out dues) gets a turn. If your cardio program calls for longer than 30 minutes and people are milling around looking for a free machine, get off and find another way to finish your workout. Maybe grab a jump rope or try hopping on the rowing machine.

Now if there is no one waiting and tons of free machines, then I do think it is OK to continue on past the 30 minute rule. Just be aware of those around you and use the good ole' golden rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

From the Community: Printable 5-4-3-2-1 At-Home Circuit Workout

Fit Community — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:57:05 PST

Reader FitFabCities has a simple 15-minute workout for you - no equipment needed! She shared it with us in our FitSugar Community.

This printable workout gives you total-body toning plus cardio and it's as easy as 5-4-3-2-1! The whole thing is only 15 minutes long so it's perfect to squeeze into a busy day. Plus you don't need any equipment or a gym; simply push your coffee table out of the way and you're good to go!

Happy Workout!

TIPS

Feel free to take as many breaks as you need
Just starting out: go through once
Intermediate: go through twice
Advanced: go through three or four times
Take breaks between each round and make sure you drink plenty of water

You can get the printable version here: Fit Fab Cities

Share your own workouts, find a new one, or just get inspired in our FitSugar Community!

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer

Prevention — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:08:59 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Lisa Hoehn, Prevention

As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym - the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from 1997 to 2007. And while you may be proud of yourself for making it to the gym and squeezing in some cardio, taking a lackadaisical approach to your elliptical workout and casually spinning your legs while reading a magazine or watching TV isn't going to blast away those holiday cookies. Here, 10 mistakes you frequently make on the elliptical and how to fix them so you maximize calorie burn while adding fun to your ho-hum routine.

Top Workout Ideas For When the Gym Is Too Crowded

1. You’re too lazy to enter your information.
Most machines are calibrated for a 150-pound person - but personalizing your stats will help you get a more accurate calorie read. Aim to burn around 100 calories per 10 minutes, says Jennifer Cassetty, an exercise physiologist.

2. Your resistance is zero.
You might feel like a million bucks spinning at a mile a minute, but without resistance, you’re not going to see results, says Röbynn Europe, a personal trainer at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Make sure that you’re using enough resistance to push and pull through the stride. Then continue at a moderate pace until you feel like you’ve done all you can do. "You shouldn’t feel like you have even five minutes left in you when you step off," she says.

3. You're a sloucher.
Standing up straight helps to lengthen your abs, giving you a chance to engage your core and even work your upper body muscles, Cassetty says. Certified personal trainer Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS, president of Inspire Training Systems in New Jersey, recommends hopping on a machine with an upper body component so you can engage even more muscles - and blast more fat. Can't find a machine that lets you pump your arms? Let go: some research suggests that leaning on machine armrests during exercise reduces calorie burning.

How to Buy a Cardio Machine

4. Your machine sounds like it’s going to take off.
If you can hear the purr of the machine while you’re exercising, it means that you’re going too fast without enough resistance - which means you're not getting the most calorie burn out of your time, Cassetty says. Keeping a steady, moderate pace at a resistance that forces you to use your muscles will get, and keep, your heart rate up.

Learn four more fitness mistakes after the break.

For Newbies and Gym Rats Alike: Best Practices of Gym Etiquette

Michele Foley — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:06:52 PST

Going to the gym is more than just walking in and jumping on a treadmill: there's etiquette to follow. With so many of you making good on your New Year's resolutions and hitting the gym this month, make sure these gym-going tips are fresh in your mind.

Gyms are ridiculously busy in January. Check out our tips for navigating when yours is overcrowded.
No one wants to get sick from exercising. Protect yourself from the germiest spots in the gym. And do your part by always wiping down machines before you use them.
Nervous about taking a fitness class? Why it's important to tell the instructor you're a newbie, spy on a class before you go, and always stay for the stretch.
Know the ins and outs of navigating the machines: it's important to be able to deal with treadmill hogs, but if that doesn't work, try one of these underused pieces of cardio equipment instead.
Even when you're worried about time, there are ways to fit in a workout. Here are ways to maximize a treadmill workout and save time when strength training. When you're done, make sure to follow our time-saving makeup routine for the locker room - no one will even guess you just worked out!
Make sure to know how to act when you're there. From weight room etiquette to dealing with unsolicited advice, always be on your best behavior.
Gym mishaps? No problem, we've got you covered! Here are the 10 biggest mistakes you're making at the gym. No sports bra or socks? Still not a problem. How to deal with gym wardrobe fails.

Yoga Class: Studio vs. Gym

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:03:11 PST

With all the New Year's resolutions floating around, if "trying yoga" is on your list, you're probably wondering where the best place to practice is. With yoga's increased popularity, just about every gym offers yoga classes on their schedule in between Body Pump and Spinning, but there are also studios on every corner that teach yoga exclusively. Keep reading to find out which place you'd prefer getting your Down Dog on.

Price

Studio: Purchase single classes at a drop-in rate that's about $12 to $25 per class (depending on the length of the class), or you can buy a group of classes at a slightly cheaper rate. Some studios also offer monthly or yearly memberships, so classes are even cheaper, but this only pays off if you go a lot.
Gym: Many gym memberships include classes in the monthly or yearly fee, so yoga classes at gyms might be significantly less expensive than at a studio.

Continue reading to learn how studio's and gym's compare when it comes to atmosphere, convenience, and teacher qualifications.

5 Reasons You're Not Dropping Pounds at the Gym

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:26:31 PST

You belong to the gym, and you even make time to go, but still the scale isn't budging. What gives? While your intentions should be applauded, here are some reasons you're not seeing the slimming results you're after.

Cardio workouts aren't intense enough: In order to lose weight you need to do the kind of cardio that gets your heart pumping. That means brisk walking on the treadmill or leisurely biking while perusing through a magazine just won't do the trick. Kick it up a notch and run on the treadmill or take a spinning class. Add sprinting intervals to your workout to burn more calories and help reduce belly fat. To really see results it's recommended to do 60-minute cardio workouts like these five times a week. I know it sounds like a lot, but it's the most effective way to start dropping those unwanted pounds.
Eating high-calorie pre- or post-workout snacks: You definitely need energy to get through or recover from your workout, but it doesn't make sense to eat a 400-calorie snack when you've only burned 300 calories. Stick to snacks that are around 150 calories. Here are some ideas for healthy, low-cal munchables.

Keep reading for more reasons you're not losing weight at the gym.