Category: Fitness

A Guide to Home Gyms

Although the jogging fad of the 1970s has long subsided, many people exercise to stay in shape. Many people work out in public gyms, but an increasing number exercise at home, and the home fitness gym market is growing exponentially. With so many options now available, from universal gyms, to free weights, to Weider Crossbow machines, choosing the right home gym can be a challenging process.

It is important to keep in mind several factors when decided which home fitness gym is right for you. Your fitness goals, the amount of money you are willing to spend, the amount of space you have, and the complexity of the equipment are all factors that will need to be considered. Luckily, the answers to these problems often fit together in a way that simplifies the process of choosing the right home gym for you.

First, you need to figure out what your particular goals are. Do you want to lose weight? Are you looking to build strength or increase your endurance? Will more than one person use the home fitness gym? The answer is vital to deciding which type of home gym is best for you. Some home gyms are made specifically for one type of exercise, while others work on all areas of fitness.

The next item to consider is how much money you are willing to spend. Prices range from around $15 for a small set of free weights to over $2000 for a total home fitness center that can be used by two people at once. To an extent, the price reflects the quality of the system, but you also have to factor in what you will use your home fitness gym for. There is no sense in buying a top of the line total fitness home gym if you just want to lose a few pounds.

The amount of available space is also an area of concern. Some home fitness gyms can be compacted and fit in a closet, while others will take up the majority of a room. Once again, the price and primary purpose of the home gym will influence how much room it will need. For example, a pull-up bar can fit in a doorway and is relatively cheap, but it can only be used for one type of exercise.

Finally, some people have said that some of the more expensive and versatile home fitness gyms are too complicated to use and that they prefer something simpler, such as a set of free weights and a weight bench or a stationary bike.

One thing that becomes clear when taking all of these different factors into account is that they affect each other. To meet very simple and specific fitness goals, an inexpensive, simple, small home gym is the best buy. For more complex goals, or for the goals of an entire household, a larger, expensive, complex machine may be needed.

A Guide to Earning Pilates Certification

Whether you want to work in a Pilates studio, a fitness club, a therapeutic clinic, or as a personal trainer, the first thing you need to do is to get certified from a reputable Pilates training institution.

There are accredited training institutions that run certification courses in Pilates. One needs to attend hundreds of hours of lectures, hands-on training, observation, and apprentice work before one is qualified to appear for a rigorous written and practical examination.

Each student must have already studied anatomy and be a certified fitness professional or licensed rehabilitation practitioner to be able to receive a Pilates certification.

In addition, a qualified Pilates instructor needs to attend continuing education classes to maintain certification status throughout his or her career.

Some of the more recognized Pilates training institutions are the Physical Mind Institute, The Pilates Studio, Polestar Education and Stott Pilates. Most offer courses around the world through their network of affiliated clubs or studios.

The Pilates Studio, with 11 course locations throughout the world, teaches what they call Authentic Pilates, true to the original forms, techniques and sequences devised by Joseph Pilates. It is affiliated to the Pilates Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Joseph Pilates’ original work.

Phase I of the curriculum includes a series of seminars on beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises on the mat and equipment. Phase II is a 600-hour Apprenticeship program working with a Pilates Guild certified instructor. Exams are required after each phase and must be completed within one year. The program costs about $4000, awarding successful students with a Certificate in Authentic Pilates.

A Guide to Buying a Trampoline

Trampolines come in three basic shapes – square, rectangular and round — and many different sizes. While choosing a trampoline, you should consider its durability and safety as well as its guarantee. Pay close attention to the frame pads, jumping mats, springs and frames.

The frame pad is the most important part of the trampoline. Good frame pads provide better protection. Look at the thickness, width and the quality of material used in making the frame pad while choosing a trampoline.

The next component to closely inspect is the jumping mat. Make sure it is properly stitched and capable of withstanding an adult’s weight. There are several grades of jumping mats sold on the market today. The better the mat, the longer it will last.

Look at the quality of the springs as the longer the spring, the better the bounce. See if they are likely to weaken or stretch out of shape after use.

The frame should also be sturdy enough to withstand weight of more than one person, because often more than one child uses the trampoline simultaneously. A good trampoline frame should never bend or bow when set up, nor flex when in use.

Best way to find an authentic manufacturer and supplier of a trampoline that meets international safety standards is to visit the International Trampoline Industry Association (ITIA), a non-profit trade association of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of trampolines, trampoline parts and related equipment.

Here are some of the leading trampoline manufacturers and suppliers listed by the ITIA: Eurotramp, Trampoline Authority, 1800Trampoline.com, Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport Inc., Soft-Bounce Needak Rebounders, JumpSport, and Super-Fun Trampolines.

A Guide to Batting Cages

Batting cages are enclosed or partially enclosed pieces of sporting equipment that act as a “catcher,” in effect, for batters practicing hitting baseballs or softballs. Batting cages help to keep balls in a contained space so that the batter can continue hitting without having to continually retrieve them. Different types of batting cages can be located outdoors or in a gym or activity center.

Batting cages are both in professional, school-sponsored, and recreational baseball and softball. They can be used to help improve a batter’s speed or to improve his or her accuracy in hitting a ball. A batter’s agility and stance, as well as his overall performance, can be enhanced by using a batting cage. While aiding a batter in improving his or her skill, batting cages also keep the ball in an enclosed area to prevent the injury of bystanders and onlookers.

Batting cages consist of a configuration of netting over a frame. They can differ in material, size, and cost, as well as structure and workmanship. Whether batting cages are used indoors or outdoors can be a deciding factor in what the best choice of material should be. Cages that are used outside will need to be tougher than those used indoors.

The netting in batting cages can be constructed of various materials and degrees of sturdiness. Framing in a batting cage should be constructed with a pipe that will withstand temperatures and weather in the area in which it is used. For that reason, a batting cage used by the Boston Red Sox will probably be made differently than one used by the Los Angeles Angels.

With less time spent retrieving baseballs, batters can spend more time advancing their technique. For decades, batting cages have played a central role in improving the swings of professional and amateur batters.