Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Bands, Baby!


This Article is Part 3 in the Series 'What's That?' Fitness Equipment Explained.

What Are Resistance Bands?
Resistance Bands, also called 'Bands' work well for toning and light strength training. Bands can be used to train almost any muscle group in the body. The exercises range from simple and obvious to very innovative.
View some here. They are also very popular for rehab and pre-hab exercises. Bands are even used in some fitness classes.

Resistance Bands are another great piece of fitness equipment for 2 reasons:

Reason #1.
Resistance Bands can be easily packed for traveling. Take them with you to the hotel, friends and family, or even work.


Reason #2:
Resistance Bands are inexpensive. Everyone likes that, right?

Description:
Bands are simple. They are a rubbery, plastic material tube with a handle on each end. Bands usually come in three different resistances- light, medium and heavy resistance. Different color bands offer different levels of resistance.

Prices:
Bands are fairly inexpensive. $10 - $20.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Dumbbells, Darling!


This is article 2 in the series 'What's That? Fitness Equipment Explained'

Dumbbells are a great piece of inexpensive fitness equipment. You'd be surprised at the excellent workout you can get with just dumbbells. View some here.


What are Dumbbells?
Most people have seen and used dumbbells. Dumbbells are basically a small bar with weights on both ends. The variations in dumbbells come in weights, coatings and price.

What are Dumbbells Used For?
Dumbbells are used for strength training. You can build muscle mass and/or tone up your entire body with dumbbells.

By adding the weight of light dumbbells to your aerobic routine, you can increase your caloric burn. The additional weight of dumbbells can also help your balance training.

How Much?
Dumbbells are priced according to weight and coating. The lighter, iron dumbbells are usually the least expensive. The chrome or special coated dumbbells should be the most expensive.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

What's an Exercise Ball?

This Article is Part 1 in the Series 'What's That?' Fitness Equipment Explained.





What's an Exercise Ball?
You've probably seen these in the gym, fitness center or on T.V. An Exercise Ball, also known as a Swiss Ball or Physio Ball, is a round, blow up ball that looks similar to something you might find in a kid's playhouse or in a bounce pit.

Why Use an Exercise Ball?
Whatever name you choose to call it, Exercises Balls have the same purpose: Balance and Core Training.

Being round, the ball's unstable surface forces the user to engage her core muscles in order to remain balanced.

How To Use an Exercise Ball:
Just about any exercise and any muscle group can be done on the ball. Just remember that the purpose of using an Exercise Ball is for Balance and Core Training. Not strength, cardio or other modes.
There are 1,000s of exercises to choose from. Visit: www.iBodyFit.com/sampleclasses.php to view free exercises on the ball!

Exercise Ball Sizes:
Exercise Balls come in three popular sizes. 45cm, 55cm and 65cm. Ball sizes are based on user height.

Exercise Ball Prices:
Exercise Balls can be purchased at Sporting Good stores, Target, Amazon and many other retailers. Prices range from $25 - $40.