Hippocrates once said, “that which is used develops, and that which is not used wastes away.” That statement perfectly describes the human body and its need for continual exercise and movement. One must exercise and challenge themselves through intense physical conditioning and regularly working out, if they want to be in top form. Exercises that increase ones pulse, such as lifting weights on strength training equipment and using cardiovascular equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills, are quintessential exercises for people seeking optimal health. Cardiovascular exercise on treadmills and elliptical machines, as well as physical strength training with weight equipment, are also requirements for those who wish to be fit. Laying down in bed, day dreaming of what you wished you looked like, will only make you more upset. Do not waste time, procrastinate and day dream. Get on the exercise grind and make it happen!

Many of you reading this are probably saying to yourselves, “Why does this blog keep reiterating how important cardio and strength training are, when it is obvious that in order to reach your full potential, such measures must be taken. Is there a reason we have been told 50 times in this article that one must use both cardiovascular and strength equipment in order to maintain a successful exercise program?” Well, if we are preaching to the choir, then more power to you and we are more than pleased that our readers are doing their homework. However, although it is obvious that a total-body workout is necessary for a fitness training session to be complete, many people only focus on one aspect of exercise, while neglecting the other. In other words, many people will just lift weights and not run, or vice versa, so even though the majority of us perfectly understand the theory behind the necessity to incorporate strength and cardio training into the same workout, the majority of that majority, does not put their theory into practice.

When it comes to practicing with exercise equipment, weight machines are really fun and effective. Weight training is essential for increasing strength and muscle mass. There is a large variety of weight training machines in today’s fitness equipment industry, each having its own purpose, specializing in different functions. Therefore, there should be a machine suitable for any and all strength conditioning needs. The variety of home gym options, including but not limited to, single, double, triple or quadruple weight-stack home gyms, make it virtually impossible that someone can’t find a home gym that can help serve their needs. For example, Nautilus, Life Fitness, Body-Solid, Bowflex, Precor, Cybex and Kettler are some excellent brands of commercial and home fitness equipment, that all manufacture a wide variety of strength training machines suitable for ones home, or commercial health club facility.

Home gyms are used for strength training and are built to help people tone, build and define their muscles, however they are not all the same and there are many features of a home gym one must consider when shopping for one. Structural integrity and mechanical capacity are key terms that need to be completely understood by those seeking out a top of the line home gym. The mechanical capacity of the home gym refers to the amount of weight that can be lifted on the machine. Typically, home gyms, strength trainers and circuit weight machines, all have solid warranty coverage. Whereas treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals and other kinds of commercial and home fitness equipment, all have electronic boards prone to breaking down, strength equipment such as home gyms, weight plates, circuit weight machines and selector strength pieces, are all electronic free and primarily made of steel.

Popular home gym models include, but are not limited to, the Body Solid 1500s, the BodyCraft Family Express, BodyCraft X2 Family Xpress, Life Fitness G7, Precor S3.23 Functional Trainer. Extensive research has proven that the health club caliber gyms previously mentioned are mechanically advanced and structurally superior pieces of gym grade equipment. One of the best parts about having commercial gym equipment at home is that it is rated to last for decades. Imagine how long pieces of gym equipment last in commercial environments over time. At the end of the day, you are only using it for a small percentage of time, compared to its usage in the gym, therefore the fitness equipment is rated to last much longer in your home, than it would in the gym.

If you want to take your life from hell to heaven, from a health standpoint that is, buy three pieces of home fitness equipment. The first piece of exercise gear you should buy should be a multi-station home gym. Make sure the home gym has more than one or two stations and also make sure that it has the ability to work out the lower half of your body. A leg press, leg extension, or leg curl machine will do. Additionally, you should also make sure that the weight stack for your home gym is broken down into 10 pound increments to make it easier for you to change the intensity level of your workout. Equally as important, is the ability of this multi-station home gym, to replicate the natural lifting motions of the top quality exercise machines that you would use at a commercial fitness center or gym.

Happy New Year’s Eve to all of you from The King of Cardio! Here’s to a great new year, with good health and good friends. Please remember good health is, in part, is up to you. Exercise, eat well, and you will have more energy, and better spirits, to spend with those you love. Attitude is a choice. Look forward to spreading great joy and love, and you’ll get it back. Karma. And staying in good health is certainly one way to be positive–no more complaining, moaning, wishing you were stronger or could lose a few pounds. Make yourself happy. Get into a workout routine. Use that stairmaster, that elliptical, that treadmill, every day if you can. And if you don’t have one yet, but are thinking about buying one, well, there is no better time than New Years to finally get in shape.

Peace and all good things,