For those who are overweight and out of shape, sports fitness equipment is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever purchase. An exercise routine focused on cardio workouts can help you live longer, look better and feel better. It's all about heart health. It is never too late to get started on a fitness routine.
Cardiovascular workouts are important in any fitness program. Sports fitness equipment focused can be set at a rate to match each individual's needs. Equipment is designed to get the body to pump more oxygen into the heart muscles where it is used to burn fat and carbs.
Prior to purchasing any sports fitness equipment, make sure you have all the necessary accessories. Invest in a good pair of training shoes. In addition, make sure you have a jump rope and a legitimate training program for your body. There are many valid training DVDs on the market. If you can't decide on one, ask a professional for advice or rely on a familiar name brand.
When it comes to equipment, most traditional fitness programs use a treadmill. It easily adapts to each person's ability level by adjusting speed and the level of incline. Walking, jogging or running promotes cardio health and a basic treadmill does all three. High-end treadmills add other gadgets like training software programs, multi-media systems and enhanced computer technology.
An elliptical cross trainer is a popular and effective piece of sports fitness equipment. Not only do elliptical provide a good cardio workout, they also give a good full body routine. While legs stride back and forth, arms also pull against the tension.
A stepper works more on lower body than on cardio but upper body movement can be added. Some steppers feature stationary arms while some allow back and forth arm movement providing more resistance. Newer sports fitness equipment based on stepping machines feature ladders and hand grips incorporating the entire body.
Another staple in the gym, a rowing machine offers an excellent cardio and full body workout. The motion of rowing requires striding of arms and legs. The rate of tension and speed of movement can be adjusted to adapt to each person. Newer machines features cutting edge computerized programs to fit ability levels and individual needs.
Versions of bicycles play an important role in fitness. Stationary and recumbent bikes continue to grow in popularity as many community centers feature organized classes. Stationary bikes remain a good source of exercise. Like most equipment, high-end models offer extras like computerized programs, a sound system with TV and music player and a wide array of settings. Recumbent bikes allow those with physical challenges to get back into an exercise routine.
I have been (on and off) a member of Extreme Fitness here in Toronto for the past 2 and a half years roughly.
They kept moving the gym equipment around every 3-4 months. You'd come to the gym some days and you couldn't find the piece of equipment you were looking for. ie. Today I went there and they had moved the punching bag and apparently put it in storage, thus totally negating me bringing my boxing gloves with me today. (This was the straw that broke the camel's back.)
And when I decided to cancel my membership I tried to talk someone in sales. Apparently they aren't allowed to cancel memberships, only the manager can do that. And the manager (Sam) is normally only there between 9 AM and 5 PM. Otherwise you have to make an appointment.
And what did Extreme Fitness actually do to earn that one star? Well they have weightlifting equipment, a fair amount of it. Just like every other gym in Toronto. They also have the TVs on the treadmills, computers in the lobby/waiting area and saunas (which I never bothered to use). Just like every other hum drum gym.
Extreme Fitness also tries really hard to sell you "sex" although they don't actually come out and say it. They try really hard to be sexy, playing dance music (all the freaking time its the same songs by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga!) and they even have singles events (which I thought "Wow, what kind of loser goes to those?")
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