There are all sorts of things to think about when trying to select the right exercise equipment to use. With the multitude of arguments claiming one workout plan is more effective than the next, individuals such as myself need to
determine what specific areas we have to focus on the most. Personally, I have to consider my foot. I have a Morton’s Neuroma in my left foot. It’s a swelling, tumor-like, of a nerve between my second-to-last toe and my middle toe, and when I bend my foot back and forth, it irritates the Neuroma, and causes great pain. If you have one, you know what I mean. It’s like my toes are broken. I have special shoes with special lifts to separate my toes. My shoes don’t bend as easily as other people’s workout shoes, but they still do bend and it’s best to keep my foot flat. I’m finding this is going to make a difference in my choice of fitness equipment.

As much as I like the elliptical machines at the gym, cross-trainers force my foot to bend at the toes when peddling, and after fifteen minutes, my foot is on fire. So now I’m testing the machines to see which one keeps my foot in place. And I think the Stationary Bike is the best bet. Once I place my foot in the strap, my foot doesn’t move, only my calf and legs. I exercised twenty minutes without a problem. And that’s about when I realized that twenty minutes on the stationary bike seemed to give me a solid workout that left me feeling like I accomplished something. After all, our physical condition is dependent on what me accomplish, not what we dream of accomplishing. Maybe because I went faster—could go faster, because my foot was more comfortable. Maybe because I’m sitting so upright that I’m working harder. Whatever, I burned more calories and felt the burn in my legs—the good burn, much quicker, so I had time to go over to the weights and exercise my arms for ten minutes. Seemed a fair trade-off.

So what I’m wondering now is about my butt. Do they make comfortable seat covers for stationary bikes? Someone said I needed padded biker’s pants, that they will do the trick. So, I’m going to ask them here at Kings of Cardio for some advice, and either they, or I, will get back to you on that.

The best way to get healthy and stay in shape these days is to use an elliptical fitness machine to work your legs, arms, stomach, back and buttocks. Not only are elliptical fitness training machines great tools for staying fit and thin, but equally as important, elliptical crosstrainer fitness equipments are very gentle and easy on your joints too. One of the best parts about working out is the nice, calm and serene feeling that you get when you are done. If you do not want that feeling to be overcome by body aches and pains in your joints, muscles and bones, then make sure you train on an elliptcial trainer instead of a treadmill.

There is a ton of literature out there on why ellipticals/crosstrainers are better tools for cardiovascular exercise than treadmills. However, the only thing that should count is whether or not the stride on the elliptical fitness trainer is as comfortable, or more comfortable, than the treadmills you are used to running on. One should always remember that the true test of how well a piece of fitness equipment will work for you, is always solved by actually trying the different gym machines and then determining their value to your workout program.

Get your home gyms and treadmills tuned up and ready for the change of weather! Soon it will be cold in most parts of the country and nobody likes exercising outside in cold weather. At least most people that work for the Kings of Cardio, but then again, we get the nice and sunny weather of beautiful Los Angeles, CA.
For those of you who are not as weatherly blessed as we are here in Los Angeles, you must not stop running and walking just because it is starting to get dark earlier and colder by the day. The great thing about purchasing home gym equipment is that once you have it, your options remain open, and you can always go back outside once in a while to exercise during winter, but make life easier for yourself and get some home fitness equipment.

The most common excuse for not neing able to work out and exercise on a daily basis is “Well I just don’t have enough time in my day.” While for most of us this excuse holds merit, we fail to realize how important daily exercise really is towards our health and overall well being. With that said, you need to carve out that 30 minute time frame each and every day in order to maintain a fit amd healthy body. Home fitness equipment is so essential to those who do not have the luxury of taking 2 hours out of there day to go to the gym.  Having a treadmill or an elliptical, or any other piece of exercise equipment at home will make fitting the time to exercise in your daily routine that much easier.

Trying to stay motivated to work out this summer? Consider exercising for a cause! Look into your local newspaper and online for ad’s about marathons, triathalons, and walks that benefit a charity or cause you support. Whether it’s a walk for breast cancer, a race for AIDS, or even a march for Diabetes, think of forms of exercise that not only you main gain from, but others as well. If your struggling for inspiration, I guarantee nothing will feel more inspiring than helping a group in need. Not only will you be building killer calf muscles, you’ll me drawing awareness to a good cause!