Training at home
How to Design Your Own Home Gym
Exercising at home is a good alternative for people who are short on time or enjoy the convenience of working out at home, can’t afford or don’t want to spend their disposable income on a club membership, or just can’t seem to make it across town to the local gym. Many people are interested in setting up home gyms, but are intimidated by the many available choices. Before you invest time and money in designing a gym of your own, take a minute to consider your fitness needs, available space, budget and other factors that will determine how much time and money you are able to devote to home fitness.
WHY FITNESS PROFESSIONALS MUST EMBRACE LAB TESTING
by Tom Nikkola, CSCS, CISSN, PN
Body fat tests. Movement screens. Max squat and bench press tests. VO2 Max assessments.
These assessments, and more, are the common starting points for the fitness programs of most clients.
Flooring
Flooring might not be top of mind when people think about fitness equipment. But it should be, says Jimmy Pedro, vice president of flooring at mat manufacturer Zebra™ Mats in Maple Grove, Minnesota. “Flooring is the most important piece of equipment you can have in a studio,” he says. “Quality flooring is about safety, performance, hygiene and durability. If you’re having clients or members get down on the floor to stretch, hold a pose or exercise, you need great flooring.” Here’s what Pedro looks for in flooring:
- antislip surface for improved grip
- vinyl for easy cleaning and improved hygiene
- temperature-proof material to avoid expansion, contraction, warping or bubbling
- durability
- insulation for heated training formats and reduced energy costs
- shock absorption to reduce sound and lessen impact should a member or client fall
How Can I Tell if I Have a Weight Problem?
If you’re wondering whether to blame tight, low-rise jeans for the overspill of flesh at your waistline, or if the culprit is a real sign of a more serious weight problem, we can help you determine the truth. Don’t be afraid—this knowledge could save your life.
Being severely overweight or obese significantly raises your risk for developing serious health problems, regardless of age. Numerous studies have shown that excess fat around the waist is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer. The more fat you carry around your waist, the greater your risk for developing disease.
So how do you know if you’re at risk or merely victimized by an unfortunate fashion trend? Keep reading.
In this article, we’ll dispel myths about the “muffin top” syndrome by helping you determine your personal risk for developing serious health problems. We’ll also look at origins of extreme overweight and obesity and what they mean for your health. Moreover, we’ll talk about the critical role physical activity plays in achieving a healthy body weight and lifelong well-being.
Are the calorie counts on exercise machines accurate?
Probably not, as the reality is each manufacturer uses their own patented algorithms that take into account the workload and duration of the exercise. Some equipment manufacturers do research to validate these formulas on a number of subjects. The higher-end the machine, the more likely it is to use a validated formula. A newer version of the same machine might even have a different formula in an attempt to improve its accuracy (if you have an older model and want to make sure you’re using the most updated formula, you can call the manufacturer who might be able to walk you through the upgrade over the phone).