Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Elliptical trainers are fast becoming serious competition for the traditional treadmill. Ellipticals provide a great range of motion for a great workout and they challenge endurance and coordination and really help keep you sharp.
An elliptical trainer can only provide those benefits, though, if it contains some must-have features.
In any piece of fitness equipment safety comes first. That’s provided by a sturdy frame and quality parts. It’s no accident that those attributes also give you a good deal for your money. Look for an elliptical made from good steel alloy and high-impact plastic or composites.
The handrails should feel like the Hulk could not rip them off. The stepping pads should be able to withstand an insane six-year old jumping on them until he’s sixty. Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but you get the idea.
At the same time, all those parts should be smooth and quiet. That isn’t just a matter of not being annoyed while you listen to music. Quality parts are quiet and vice-versa. They’re reliable and long-lasting and continue to perform like new even after years of use.
But beyond the basics, ellipticals have several unique features that will distinguish a great one from a merely good one.
Adjustable resistance and inclines will help you get the most out of your workout. As you use the machine over a period of time your strength and coordination levels will improve. That’s the who
le idea. The machine should let you start out at your level, but keep up with you as you rise.
One important feature that ties into that is stride length. Since ellipticals, by design, allow you to emulate walking they have to be set for some stride length. Get one appropriate to your height, leg length and natural stride. Some are as short as 14 inches while the average is 16″ or 18″. You will also find elliptical trainers that that have longer strides for taller people.
Even though you need the right stride, be prepared to stretch yourself a bit. You don’t want to feel awkward forever. With an elliptical many people do at first – that’s natural. But you want the machine to have the capacity to challenge you. A longer stride length is a factor in making that possible.
The arm handles (not present on all models) let you get a good upper body workout while you walk. If their resistance can be adjusted, that’s a great feature. Here again they should let you work them at your beginning level, but not be too easy as you gain muscle.
Look for quality that fits your body style and workout goals and you’re bound to find something that suits your needs. If you live in a small condo or apartment you may want to look at space saving ellipticals that fold up when not in use.
There are also some ellipticals, that has special features that allow you to target specific areas of the body so you can easily focus on your problem area.
You should also take a look at the elliptical’s warranty. Some warranties only cover your elliptical for 90 days, while others have a much longer warranty.
One of the most popular and well respected brands of elliptical trainers is Sole Elliptical Trainers
Check them out & you’ll be happy that you did.
See the full line of Sole Ellipticals –>Here
[ Note: I know that you will find the following information very useful in your quest for a healthier body. This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you today.]
One of the most surprising benefits I’ve discovered for being engaged to a gal from the Middle East, other than the vast cultural exchange, is the cooking.
Oh, yes ladies… my gal COOKS!
Which is good since I am a lousy cook. : )
Hanna enjoys it… and she brings a Middle Eastern flair to some really boring fitness/bodybuilding foods that I want to share with you today.
Here’s just two quick tips from Hanna on making the ultimate in “boring” foods — egg whites and tuna (yuck) — taste incredible.
TIP 1:
Lively Egg White Omelette
Let’s face facts: Egg whites suck. At least that’s what I USED to think until Hanna decided to experiment with my morning omelette.
Now I eat this stuff like it was candy.
Here’s what she does:
1. She cooks the veggies separate from the egg whites. You’d think this would be common sense, but I never did it and I’ve seen a lot of people just toss it all in together.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil to the veggies. This alone improved the taste tremendously.
3. Add 1/2 egg yolk to the veggies after cooking for 1 minute. This, again, is primarily for taste.
4. Garlic! If you love garlic, here’s your chance. Garlic ROCKS in egg white omelets.
5. Use Pam or another non-stick spray for the egg whites and cook them like you would a normal omelette. Then pour the almost-cooked veggies in the middle. Do the omelette dance.
6. Here’s the SECRET SAUCE… literally. This will sound nuts until you try it:
Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
Okay… Hanna’s bright, but this was an accident. She thought it was salsa. But I’ve NEVER gone back to salsa after stumbling on this incredible treat! I have no idea why it tastes so good, but it makes the omelette.
Try these tips and see if your egg white omelette doesn’t become your favorite meal of the day.
TIP 2:
Canned Tuna Extraordinaire
Again, I have the lovely Hanna to thank for this.
Like egg whites, I used to HATE canned tuna. Now, again, I can eat this every night without complaint.
Here’s what she does:
She cooks the veggies the same way as in the omelette above and then pours the tuna from the can into a skillet. That’s IT.
I’ve never had “tuna ala skillet” before… and I have no clue why this tastes so smooth and delicious, but it does.
If you hate canned tuna for being dry or tasteless, try this. You’ll never go back.
If you want 40 pages of recipes like this… very yummy and VERY healthy… then be sure to pick up my EODD “Favorite Foods” Dieplan.
Here’s more about it:
Favorite Foods Diet + Recipes <– click.here.for.more
Remember:
Don’t Quit. Get Fit!
P.S. Most of the recipes that come with my EODD book can be prepared in 15 minutes or less… so do not let the clock become your enemy when it comes to getting lean!
And remember: You can eat your favorite foods several days per week on my plan and still get rid of excess bodyweight.
Why give up living when you don’t have to, right? : )
Favorite Foods Diet + Recipes <– click.here.for.more
[ Note: I know that you will find the following information very useful in your quest for a healthier body. This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you today.]
One of the biggest myths out there is the myth that eating healthy costs too much.
Just the opposite… and I’ll prove it to you in three ways.
#1: Cash
Here’s some sample figures courtesy of my friend Scott Tousignant’s fitness blog…
2 medium size sweet potatoes $1 or… small fries from a fast food joint
2 red peppers $1 or… a can of pop
Bowl of oatmeal with fruit & protein powder $2 or… large bag of chips
6 Chicken Breasts $10 or… a sub combo from a fast food joint
18 eggs $3.50 or… a burger from a fast food joint
2 salmon fillets $15 or… large pizza
Loaded chicken salad (homemade) $3 or… bag of cookies
Large bag of oatmeal $3.50 or… 4 chocolate bars
Not much of a comparison, it is?
Yet the foods on the left would feed a family of two or more for 4-7 days… the foods on the right? 2-3 days if you live through it.
Tips to make the most expensive part of eating healthy — the cost of quality meats — go further include…
1. Use tofu fillers in chicken and beef recipes. Even if you hate tofu, you can barely taste the difference when combined properly.
2. Buy your meats in bulk online. You can find less expensive grass-fed beef and naturally-raised chicken and have it delivered to you if you live near a large city. If not, check the local farmers.
3. Eat meat only 3-4 times per week and use black beans with rice or inexpensive tuna for your other days. I eat tuna cooked in a skillet with lots of veggies and some olive oil almost every night and I LOVE the taste!
My book The Every Other Day Diet has over 40 pages of recipes in it to help you eat healthy and cheap… and you can still eat out and consume your favorite foods several times per week.
#2: Your Health
Do we ‘really’ need to talk about buy new (usually larger) clothes every year or two? Or about the health care costs associated with being even 20 pounds over your ideal weight, let alone more? How about the time you miss from work with excessive colds?
Eating healthy and taking care of your body adds years to your life… and for the record, the years eating poorly takes away from your life, on average, costs each American over 80,000 in medical expenses.
Want to add that to your food budget?
#3: The Big Picture
Anyone who has been fit knows the joy it brings… the freedom you feel from wearing whatever you want… the productivity you see from increased energy… the pace at which you move during the day.
Not only are these gifts priceless, but they are also massive cash-savers. Your productivity alone can add thousands to your bottom line each year, well off-setting any costs associated with eating quality food.
The Bottom Line…
Like any good accountant would suggest, you need to look at your ROI (return on investment) if nothing else.
What does investing in a better body, greater health, and vibrant energy do for your life? How can that actually translate into more income AND less expense?
You will be surprised.
Remember:
Don’t Quit. Get Fit!
P.S. If you want some tips on getting started with shedding that excess weight… go here for a short video… and prepare to take some notes! …
it’s freee….
Weight Loss Tips <— click.here