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Fitness Gear You Can Fit in Your Suitcase

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Just because you're traveling doesn't mean you have to give up your workouts. Here are some great ideas for gear that's lightweight and won't take up much room in your bag.

Guess the Fitness Equipment

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

If you belong to a gym, have a home gym, or are intrigued by exercise equipment infomericals, then you probably know a lot about fitness equipment, or at least the names. Test your smarts with this quiz. To make it more difficult, I cropped some of the pictures so you can't see the entire item.

Question 1

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What's the name of this $40 item?

Wheelin' at Work: Desk Cycle

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

We all know sitting at a desk all day doesn't burn up the calories. There are simple ways to exercise at work, like disappearing into a restroom stall to do some squats, but what about getting some cardio? To work out while on the job, you might have contemplated a treadmill desk, but the size of both the price tag and the desk itself prevents you from asking your boss to spring for one. Here's another, much cheaper option — an under your desk, wheel-less, mini exercise bike. You can stow this model, made by by Stamina ($49), under your desk and pedal with your feet without your co-workers knowing. Or you can place it on top of your desk to conspicuously work your upper body. You can adjust the tension to make it easier or more difficult, and it also comes with an electronic monitor to time your workouts. There are even protectors on the legs to prevent it from slipping on the floor. What a great way to burn some calories while working or watching TV.

To see some more photos, click the images below.

Have You Ever Bought Fitness Equipment From TV?

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Infomercials are hard to miss. Since I'm so obsessed with fitness, I repeatedly get sucked into watching the "one time offer" fitness gear ads. While the ones that promise that you'll "lose 10 pounds in 10 days" are completely ridiculous, but some of these gadgets actually pique my curiosity. And they're always priced just right to be on the outer edge of affordable. Back in high school I convinced my mother we needed this Ab Roller after watching the Infomercial and I still use it. So what about you . . .

Have You Ever Bought Fitness Equipment From TV?

Yes I have — tell me what you bought below.

No I haven't.

I don't watch TV.

Fitness Gadget: GoFit Ultimate ProGym

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you love to use dumbbells while strength training, you're going to love using resistance bands. Not only can you do the same exercises, but you'll work your muscles differently because you can move the band in every direction.

If you're in the market for some bands, check out this GoFit Ultimate ProGym. It comes with three different bands with 5-, 10-, and 15-pound tension, two ankle straps, a door anchor, and two handles. The best part is that it also comes with a DVD, so you can learn how to use all this great stuff to strengthen and tone every part of your body. I love that it comes with a little carrying bag, so you can bring it on vacation with you. OK, well maybe you won't, but at least you have the option.

What's the Deal with the Bodyblade

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Always on the lookout for new fitness gadgets, the Bodyblade has grabbed my attention.

The Bodyblade ($50-$160) is a tool that claims to use up to 270 muscle contractions per minute, and doesn't bulk you up. Basically you just take the long blade, shake it by pushing and pulling front to back or side to side, and then try to match the movement of the blade as it oscillates back and forth. And you only need 60 seconds with this blade for a workout — red flag! Sure, I could see this blade working your core if you're standing on a Bosu trying to shake it, but then we're just getting into a lot of moving parts for a workout that you could get without all the tricks.

I did actually use something like this back when I had to do a little physical therapy; it was fun. While the gadget did seem to help me strengthen my shoulder, I can not say I'll be bringing a Bodyblade to the gym anytime in the near future. Along with PT benefits, the blade can be a helpful tool for training for golf, tennis, or even surfing, just not for everyday weight loss. It's a bit bulky and I would be afraid that I would take someone or something out as I tried to get the blade moving. I was also turned off that I could not find any caloric calculations on the site in terms of how much one can expect to burn by using the device.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try it, but I'll be sticking to my classic workout. Has anyone already tried the Bodyblade? Share the details in the comments section below.

Source

Smart Ways to Pump up Your Home Gym: Part I

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Buying fitness equipment is not always the easiest task. Finding the right piece for your home gym often means heading into unchartered territory. Everyday Health offers some great tips on making smart fitness buys. Here are highlights:

Keep what you like to do in mind. If you hate taking the stairs, a stair-stepper isn't going to change your habits. A treadmill might be a better option.

Because many types of equipment require a sizable outlay of money, look for the one that offers the most complete workout. If you're setting up a home gym, a good strategy is to devote the bulk of your budget to a good quality cardiovascular machine. Supplement that with less expensive strength training pieces, such as dumbbells and resistance bands.
Measure the space where you plan to install the machine and carry the dimensions with you when you shop. Stair steppers, for example, are quite tall.

There are more tips so

read more

Cool Fitness Gadget: NRG Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're looking for a new way to strength train, you may want to get your hands on an NRG BALL. It's a barbell and medicine ball rolled into one piece of equipment. It comes in a variety of weights including, 5 lb. ($59.95), 7 lb. ($69.95), and 9 lb. ($79.95). You can use it as shown, or you can unscrew one of the handles to do exercises like Overhead Triceps. You can also use the medicine ball on its own.

I know it seems pretty expensive, and rather gimmicky, but wait until you see all the exercises you can do with it. The website features a ton of videos to work your core, upper body, glutes, and legs. To see how a video on how you can use the NRG ball to get strong abs just

Valslide: A Must for Your Home Gym

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If you ever used a slide board in the 90s, then you know what a great workout it was for your hips, booty, and quads. It only works your lower body though, and celebrity trainer, Valerie Waters (she trained Jennifer Garner in her Alias days) wanted something that would work her total body the same way. That was the inspiration behind her invention of Valslide ($29.99) — cute how it's named after her. It's a pretty simple piece of equipment: two oval shaped pads that are slippery smooth on one side with foam on the other side. You place your hands or feet on the foamy part, and when you're on carpet you can slide in every direction. It makes regular exercises like push-ups and lunges much more challenging. At first I thought these seemed a little dopey, but after seeing them in action I think they are cool. Check out the video to see what I mean after you

Fitness Equipment For Under $30

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Whether you work out at home regularly or just every once in a while, it is good to have some equipment on hand. You don't have to break the bank to make a home gym! Here are some equipment essentials, all under $30.

What to Look For When Buying a Treadmill

FitSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Even though it's warm, you may not like exercising outside. Maybe your neighborhood isn't safe, you're worried about unhealthy sun exposure, or you have allergies. It's great to belong to a gym and use their equipment, but nothing beats the convenience and comfort of working out at home. If you're in the market for a new treadmill, Simpfit has some suggestions. Here are some things to consider:

Think about the motor. Ones with more power use less electricity, produce less heat, provide smoother movement, and also mean less wear and tear so the treadmill will last longer.
Think about the belt. Cheaper models have narrower belts, so if you're larger or have a hard time running in a straight line, you may want to think about splurging for one that has a wider belt. Also if you're taller, you may need a longer belt. Don't fall for ones that have "orthopedic belts." Your shoes offer enough cushion, and these treadmills may not last as long.
Look for a sturdy frame made out of durable material. Heavier ones that are welded (not bolted) will last the longest. It's even better if the manufacturer supplies a warranty against failure or corrosion.

Want to see what else you should keep in mind? Then

I Don't Buy It: Ab Rocket

FitSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I want to believe this commercial. I want to get rock solid, six-pack abs in just five minutes a day. I want to sit back and take a "rocket ride" and get "awesome abs." The problem is that devices that target your midsection, like this one called the Ab Rocket, just won't do the trick. The commercial sounds too good to be true because, well, it is.

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I'm not saying that you won't feel this in your upper, middle, and lower abs, but you can't get "the body you always wanted" by solely using this machine. Target toning doesn't melt away a flabby belly — only calorie burning exercise can help you do that. Once you get rid of excess pounds, it'll reveal an all around more toned body including a slimmer waistline, which is more than this silly fitness gadget could ever do.

"As Seen on TV" Put to the Test

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Tempted to splurge on that magical device you saw on TV last night that promises to remove four inches off your midsection in just four minutes a day? As you know, I am not one for buying "As Seen on TV" products, but Consumer Reports did the dirty (and expensive) work for you to see what works, or more so, what doesn't. Here are highlights:

Ab Lounge XL ($210). This mesh chair mimics the motion of a jackknife sit-up. The signature jackknife move engaged the target muscles, but for most tested muscle groups, it was not as tough as a full jackknife done on the floor. CR's take: Good range of motion, and can provide a good workout, but not a lot more useful than a floor mat.
The Bean ($50). On average, results were similar to those with no equipment for this inflatable device that targets abdominal and oblique muscles. CR's take: It might strengthen abs, but the Bean alone won't get you lean.
Urban Rebounder ($150). The intermediate workout on this mini trampoline for bouncing, aerobics, and running in place burned about as many calories as jogging at 5.6 mph. CR experts found the device easy to use and a nice change from typical aerobic exercise. CR's take: A good alternative to running, but more than the recommended 15 minutes is required to burn calories.
Fluidity Bar ($200). The advanced workout on this floor-standing ballet bar with attached mat burned fewer calories than the no-equipment, circuit-training routine. CR's take: A pricey but potentially enjoyable alternative to strength training, plus stretching. But its heft could make it hard to store.

Source

Cost Evaluation of Fitness Equipment

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

If you're looking to add some fitness equipment into your life but are not sure whether or not to do it at home or go the gym route, bankrate.com has evaluated the cost of some common equipment to help you along in your decision.

Here's a good list to get you started:

Jump-rope: Most will run between $10 to $40.
Workout-related books: Most will run between $7 and $50.
Fitness tapes/DVDs: Most will run between $5 and $30.
Joining a walking or running group: Often free or minimal cost to become a member, and many welcome nonmember participation.
Walking/running: The price of a good pair of shoes usually starts around $50.
Health club membership: The average is $34 per month or $408 per year, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. For commercial clubs, the median is closer to $54 per month, according to the association.
Workout with a personal trainer: About $47 per session on average, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.
Home treadmill (new): Most will run between $100 and $4,000. The more accessories, the more it's likely to cost.
Elliptical machine:. Most elliptical machines cost between $170 and $1,800.
Stairs: Free. And it's easy to work into your daily routine.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Leg Magic???

FitSugar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Right before I go to bed, I like to check out the news. When I was flipping channels last night, I saw yet another (of the many) stupid fitness infomercials. This one was called Leg Magic.

If you sit through this absurd commercial, at the end you'll hear someone say, "I have no time for exercise. I have time for the leg magic." Did I hear right? How can working your butt for 5 short minutes replace heart-pumping real exercise that keeps you healthy and strong?

This reminds me of the Ab Lounge and the Thigh Master - all of these pieces of fitness equipment just work to isolate certain muscle groups. I'm sure if you use them daily, you will strengthen those muscles, but these commercials claim to reshape your body completely, and help you lose tons of weight, in just minutes a day.

It's a total scam! These companies prey on people who don't realize that you need to do cardio in order to burn calories and lose weight. If you are 30 pounds overweight, and you tone your ab muscles, guess what? You'll have a toned middle under a huge tire of fat.

Check out this funny spoof video. This teenage girl is totally making fun of the Leg Magic. It made me laugh out loud. To see it