Fitness
How to sneak exercise into your everyday routine
Instead of hitting the snooze button, many disciplined people wake up early every morning to hit the gym before work. Some manage to carve out time during the day or get in their reps or a run before bed. But for others, it’s hard to find the time to squeeze exercise into their busy days. […]
Fitness
Use Goal Programs to Spice Up Your Workouts
Want to add a little variety to a stale workout routine? Maybe you need a little extra motivation? Try a Goal Program! Having a fitness goal can increase accountability and make workouts more fun. By using a goal program, you’ll finish your workout and reach those fitness aspirations more quickly. Thankfully, there are four different Goal […]
Wellness
Are you functionally fit?
In your everyday life, how often are you required to do something that even remotely resembles a bench press? And even though they are all the rage in the fitness world right now, how useful is a muscle-up to the average person? This line of thinking has lead to the growth of functional fitness. This […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Returning to running after an injury
Ask Coach Jenny Q: I am very out of shape having broken my ankle last July. I’m healed and released to exercise (low impact) and we just bought a Livestrong Elliptical. I looked at the fitness fusion programs and there is no way that I can start at 20 minutes. I’m more like 3 minutes. […]
Fitness
Use Internet Product Reviews and Claims to Your Buying Benefit
Buying the right fitness equipment for your home gym can be a daunting task. If you are like most people making a significant purchase for your home, you will probably turn to the Internet to do some research on product reviews, or even make a purchase. It has become almost second nature for a majority […]
Wellness
Get up to ward off diabetes
Do you sit down for more than four hours each day? If so, it’s time to get up! Recent research suggests that the more time you spend sitting, the higher your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a dangerous condition marked by high blood sugar levels. It’s the fifth leading cause of death […]
Nutrition
The full effects of appetite suppression pills
Weight control, in its simplest form,seems pretty straightforward: We gain weight because we eat and we eat because we’re hungry. It’s completely logical, then, to assume that appetite suppressants hold the key to weight loss. But do these supplements really offer a useful solution? Are there any potential side effects associated with common, over-the-counter products? How They Work Appetite suppressants, as the name suggests, limit your cravings for food. The hope is that this will stop you from taking in the excess calories that get stored as fat. Different products try to . Generally, a stimulant such as caffeine, is also included to increase the effects. In fact, caffeine itself has appetite suppressing effects. Because of all this variety, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanism by which these products actually suppress your appetite. The question of whether or not appetite suppressants actually work is as difficult to answer as how they work, and for the same reasons. With all this uncertainty, you may not be comfortable investing money in some of these pills. Is there anything else you should know if you’re considering using appetite suppressants? Potential Concerns A major source of concern when it comes to the efficacy of appetite suppressants is this very lack uniformity. When combined with a lack of evidence regarding the usefulness of some compounds, […]
Fitness
Travel to Different Destinations without Leaving Home
Keep your workouts fresh and exciting. Exercising with Passport Media Player can transform your static workout routine into a dynamic adventure, filled with intensity, excitement and education. While en route, scrolling text appears on-screen to inform the user about locations along the way. Compatible with all Vision Fitness Classic, Touch and Elegant consoles, Passport Media […]
Wellness
8 Reasons you're tired
Do you find yourself yawning, rubbing your eyes and dozing off around 2:00 p.m. every day? If so, you’re not alone. Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common complaint among Americans. Fatigue is sometimes caused by a medical problem. But if a trip to the doctor reveals that you’re OK, certain behaviors may be to blame […]
Wellness
Exercise and fibromyalgia
Conditions that cause pain in your joints and muscles can lock you into a terrible loop. Often sufferers are afraid to exercise out of concern that it will worsen their pain. Unfortunately, the lack of exercise will usually make their condition more difficult to bear. Fibromyalgia, which affects 5.8 million Americans, is just such an […]
Fitness
Treadmills – To Lubricate Or Not To Lubricate?
Ensure Maximum Life Of Your Treadmill With Lubrication Proper maintenance for your treadmill, including lubrication, is a must do! Depending on your model, you may sometimes have to lubricate the running deck with paraffin wax. The reason for applying wax to the running deck is so the running belt moves smoothly over the deck surface. […]
Fitness
6 Quick power breakfast ideas
You’ve already heard how important breakfast is for providing morning fuel and starting your day with regulated meals and metabolism. The trouble is how much time it takes to build a traditional breakfast — time you’d rather spend getting as close to 7 1/2 hours of sleep as you can manage. Get the best of […]
Nutrition
Power lunches: The healthiest ways to brown bag
Whether you work in an office or work out of your home, you have three choices for lunch. 1. Eat out. This limits your food options to what’s available nearby, and can double or triple your meal choices. 2. Skip lunch. This is more common than you’d think, and sets you up for poor productivity […]
Fitness
Why Drinking Water is Essential to Your Health
Consuming enough water is essential to maintaining good health whether exercising or sitting still, yet many Americans do not consume enough water, which can lead to dehydration. Why is water so important? How much do you really need? What does water do? Water is a powerhouse when it comes to keeping your body working as […]
Nutrition
Protein powders: What they do and don't do
One of the most widely used sports supplements by far is protein powder. Generally consisting of either dehydrated whey or casein, protein powder is featured in the routines of bodybuilders, runners and everyone in between. And while the research bears out the usefulness of protein powder in certain situations, it has also been promoted as […]
Fitness
A Magic Number for Weight Loss
Simply stated, if your goal is to lose weight, your body needs to be in a calorie deficit. That means you need to burn more calories than you consume. You can achieve this goal three different ways: You can eat a lot less, exercise a lot more, or you could eat a little less and […]
Wellness
How to talk to a friend who is sick
Anyone who’s dealt with a serious illness knows how it goes….you’ll bump into a friend you haven’t seen in a while who has heard about your situation and they’ll ask “How are you?” Even if you answer “Fine,” they’ll then lower their voices an octave and say, “No, how are you really?” Or you tell […]
Nutrition
Condiments can make or break your diet
What would a burger be without ketchup? A sandwich without mayo? Or a baked potato without sour cream? It’s hard to imagine eating many foods without their condiment counterparts. But using high-calorie condiments may actually be sabotaging your healthy eating efforts. Condiments and Your Waistline Condiments kick dishes up a notch by adding flavor. But […]
Fitness
Sign Up for a Race for More Workout Motivation
Are you in a fitness rut? Telling yourself you’ll get back on the workout wagon next week? You’re not alone. Even those of us that work in the fitness industry have lapses in workout motivation. For years I followed the roller coaster that is typical of many people. I’d get in a workout groove and follow my […]
Wellness
Reasons to watch less TV
We all grew up hearing about how too much TV was bad for us. It was killing our braincells or destroying our eyesight or making us socially awkward. Despite all these warnings from our childhood, the average American still watches about 34 hours of TV every week,with another three to six spent watching recorded shows. […]
Nutrition
Coconut oil: Miracle or myth?
Celebrity doctors and health food enthusiasts alike are touting coconut oil as the new miracle food. From preventing Alzheimer’s disease to promoting weight loss to giving you silky-smooth skin and even soothing diaper rash, it seems like there’s nothing that coconut oil can’t do. Or is there? Health or hype? Coconut oil isn’t a new […]
Wellness
5 Fitness books (you didn't know were about fitness)
Athletes understand the value of cross-training, but did you know that cross-reading can be just as valuable? Some of the best insights into your training will come from experts in other fields. If you’re looking for something to read this spring, try one of these fitness classics from other sections of the library. Bonus points […]
Fitness
The link between emotional and physical endurance
“Visualize the win” is one of those phrases that all athletes have encountered at one time or another. Affirmations and visualizations are by no means a new addition to training tactics of athletes. It’s well recognized that a positive mindset during training and competition will help you push yourself even further and perform your best. […]
Wellness
Skin cancer: One of the biggest threats to outdoor athletes
In general, exercise is a good thing. However, if you’re an outdoor athlete, take note: being active outdoors puts you at a high risk for skin cancer — which could be deadly. Outdoor Athletes and Skin Cancer If you run, bike, golf or play other sports outside, you have an increased risk for skin cancer […]
Fitness
Use Goal Setting to Revitalize Your Home Workouts
Whether you’re looking to step up your spring training or revitalize a lagging New Year’s resolution, personal goal setting is incredibly beneficial. It can help bring new motivation and drive to your home workouts, similar to how a personal trainer adds an element of accountability that pushes your workouts/performance to a higher level. If you’re […]
Wellness
The Best Martial Arts For Fitness
Here are the top 5 styles of Martial Arts for fitness. Some arts are better than others for accomplishing specific goals. Which one is best for you?
Wellness
Why do we need water?
Everybody knows that they need to drink water, especially while exercising or competing, but few understand the science behind exactly why. Water makes up most of the human body, including 80 percent of our blood, 90 percent of our lungs and 70 percent of our brain. All told, about 60 percent of our bodies are […]
Fitness
The Best Home Fitness Equipment for Runners
Long days, better weather and the promise of 5K’s to come, make early spring an awesome time for running. Depending on your running goals, the right piece of home fitness equipment can help you to fit in more quality training, avoid injury, or simply add to the enjoyment of your cross training workouts. If you’re […]
Fitness
8 Vital injury-prevention practices for your workouts
If you get hurt working out, you have to quit exercising for a while. Although it’s true that you should expect some “burn” or discomfort during your workout, real pain is a warning sign that you’re doing something wrong. To keep doing right, observe these 8 injury-prevention tricks from the pros: 1. Know the Danger […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: How to eliminate IT band pain
Ask Coach Jenny Q: I’m struggling with ITB pain on the side of my knee. Do you have any exercises that are helpful for this? Thanks, Emily A: I’m sorry to hear about your ITB issue Emily, but there are several exercises that can help. Before I get to them, let’s talk about what the […]
Fitness
Running Deck Cushioning – What Sets Vision Fitness Apart
Spring is finally here! You’re not about to start over with your fitness at square one like last year. You’ve set yourself up for success by training all winter long on your Vision Fitness treadmill. Today is the day you are going to go outside and test your winter training. Fast forward one hour later […]
Wellness
Avoiding injury while power lifting
You don’t have to lift extremely heavy weights to get benefits out of strength training. If you want to start looking like a body builder, though, power lifting is a must. This is the practice of lifting weights heavy enough to put you at failure within four to six repetitions. It’s not for everybody, and […]
Nutrition
The truth behind negative calorie foods
Imagine a food that actually burns more calories than it provides, that helps you lose weight just by eating it. The idea sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? These so-called negative calorie foods have been promoted by many fitness books and diet plans. But do they work? Is there science to back this claim or is it […]
Fitness
“Have to” or “Choose to” – Revitalizing your New Year’s resolutions
This year is already 25 percent gone. Your New Year’s resolutions – may have suffered a similar fate. It’s true that most people fail in achieving their stated New Year’s resolutions. In fact, 50 percent will have given up at this point. Why do health and fitness resolutions often fall by the wayside? Maybe it’s […]
Wellness
How to choose a martial arts school
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, relieve stress or learn a new skill, martial arts lessons may be the answer for you. Most classes provide a full-spectrum wellness experience. The only trouble is, for most parts of the Western world, you have so many options it’s hard to know where to take […]
Nutrition
8 Alternative snacks
Between-meal snacking is either forbidden or essential, depending on which diet you choose to follow. Either way, most quick and available snack foods are decidedly weight-loss and nutrition unfriendly. Try these eight alternatives for your late morning, afternoon and after dinner munchies. 1. Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts (Gorp) There’s a reason hikers and campers […]
Fitness
Layman's Guide to METs
I have been asked many times over the years about METS since they are displayed on most of today’s cardio machines, including our new Elegant and Touch consoles. Simply stated, METS is a good way to measure your exercise intensity and therefore the effectiveness of your exercise. MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent Task where one […]
Fitness
Revive your workout with plyometrics
Do you want to revive a tired workout regimen? Get a sleeker physique? Challenge your body in a new way? Sticking with a regular workout routine is great for your mind and body. But after weeks or months of doing the same exercise routine day in and day out, it’s common to stop seeing results, […]
Fitness
Test a Treadmill Before You Buy – The 5 & 5 Demonstration
Once you step into a fitness equipment retailer, it can become daunting to think about trying out all of your options. Aside from checking out aesthetics, testing the performance of a piece of equipment, including a treadmill, is equally important. Here are a couple of tips to help you through the process. I like to demonstrate […]
Fitness
Test a Treadmill Before You Buy – The 5 & 5 Demonstration
Once you step into a fitness equipment retailer, it can become daunting to think about trying out all of your options. Aside from checking out aesthetics, testing the performance of a piece of equipment, including a treadmill, is equally important. Here are a couple of tips to help you through the process. I like to demonstrate […]