1) Mind over Matter

Consistent exercise, and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, are all fundamental necessities, if one wishes to optimize their health and level of physical fitness. However, people often forget that the everyday battle we fight versus obesity and lethargy, is won upstairs with our brain. Our research, done through interviewing physical fitness trainers and psychologists, is that although the human brain does so many great things, it can also play tricks on our bodies and deter us from exercising at times. For example, you may think that you feel tired or sore, and that your body is better off resting for a couple of days, but in reality, your body is willing and able to exercise, free of overwhelming fatigue and muscle cramping.  You may try and rationalize not working out by convincing yourself that you don’t have the time, energy, or that you will go the next day, so on and so forth. Do not let these sorts of thoughts invade your head; they will get in your way of becoming and staying healthy. Instead, remain confident in yourself and know that you have the ability to look and feel great.

Turn on some loud music if you have to, drink a sports beverage and get your game face on! As long as you frequently remind your body and mind how important exercise is to your daily life, typical thoughts of fatigue and helplessness tend to fade away. Throw caution in the wind. Adrenaline and mental toughness will take over when you let them do their job.  They can take you a long way as long as you remain focused, active and optimistic.

2) Stay Positive

Don’t let a bad workout session keep your spirits down. In terms of cardio training, sometimes while exercising, we just don’t run as fast, or for as long as we normally do. From a strength perspective, we may not be able to lift as many reps as we are used to, or as much weight as we once could, and ultimately we get too furious with ourselves over not performing our best around the clock. One thing that will help you “stay in the groove”, or “in the zone” as they say, will be making sure you do not miss workout sessions. Maintaining a strict fitness routine is essential towards exercise plans.  Having gym equipment at home will make working out on a regular basis a whole lot easier. Keep health club quality home fitness equipment at home, if you don’t have to leave your home to exercise, you will have one less excuse for not making time for the treadmill, elliptical or whatever your favorite piece, or pieces, of fitness equipment are. Make using fitness equipment a part of your everyday life. Push yourself and make it happen. Work out your legs. Press your arms and shoulders. Have a deep desire to look and feel healthy and fit.

Having home gym equipment is essential for most athletes, however when we buy home gym equipment, it becomes the most expensive clothing hanging we have ever bought. Sometimes we  get down on ourselves for not looking like our favorite entertainer and expect to much from the treadmill, or stair stepper that we just bought from an online fitness equipment store. Once again, do not let negative thoughts enter your head, and remember the importance  of staying positive. Not seeing immediate results is a catalyst for frustration, although it shouldn’t be, and we will tell you how to deal with not seeing instantaneous muscle growth. One must always keep in mind that success is a journey and not a destination. You will not become an overnight celebrity and wake up looking like Jennifer Lopez no matter what you do, so stay the course and do not deviate from your game plan. There will be bumps in the road, kick them to the side and keep trekking. The way to deal with what you perceive to be disappointing results, is to go grab some health club quality fitness equipment, and get to work. Find the nearest Precor treadmill and get some miles in. Find a BodyCraft X4 – Four weight stack gym and hit some sets. Do not let sluggishness keep you off of your game and go tear up some home gym gear.

When you do get angry, due to having “One of those Days,” you should take it out at home, on your fitness equipment. Nothing takes stress away like running on a treadmill until you legs are weary, or maxing out on strength exercises, and breaking down your muscles. The point is that staying positive and not letting innocuous things get you down, is essential to staying fit and maintaining a solid exercise routine.

3) Set Realistic Goals

One of the main ingredients in the recipe for success is creating goals for yourself. Setting realistic goals allows you to stay focused on what you are trying to accomplish and tracking your progress becomes fun and exiting. There are several reason for why people love keeping a close eye on their results (physical and statistical) and people can become highly motivated through their stats. For instance, the amount of time spent on a treadmill, or the amount of strides completed on an elliptical, or the amount of stairs climber on a stair climber, are all relevant stats that users can track their progress with. As people surpass their previous marks, they become thrilled with their progress and actually become excited for their next exercise session on their treadmill, home gym, or whatever home fitness equipment they use.

For example, take Steve, who doesn’t set goals. Steve goes to the Gym, bounces around from station to station, talks to everyone he can and actually spends more time changing the songs and volume on his iPod, than he does exercising on fitness equipment. Steve’s attitude towards lifting weights and running miles represents an aimless game plan with no structure. At the end of the day, Steve is not getting better, and that is the key objective. Every day you either get better or you get worse, there is no in-between. When you do not set goals, there is no direction to your workout, making it very un-likely for you to stay fit and trim. By not setting goals for himself, Steve has no clue what he is actually trying to accomplish at the gym and his results, or lack there of, reflect his undisciplined approach to exercise and using gym equipment.

Then we have Zack. Zack has set realistic goals for himself and knows exactly what he is going to do from the moment he walks in the gym, until the moment he leaves. Zack’s gym experience will not be filled with social interaction unless the Icarian strength trainer he lifts weights on comes to life and starts yapping. Zack does not stop working out until he finishes every exercise he has written down for that day in his fitness notebook, and takes great pride in every set and every rep of weight lifting along the way. To simplify things for you, Zack bases every exercise in his workout session off of his plan for that day, which is part of an even bigger plan that he has for his health and physique.

For example, Zach will do five sets of five reps on his bench press, or he will do eight sets of three. When he can complete both bench press exercises, clean, without needing his spotter to assist, then Zack will be increasing the weight during his next workout. Having a plan for the amount of reps (5×5 or 8×3) for each and every exercise that you  do (bench press in this case) is the way a winner approaches going to the gym. Winners set goals, stay focused on them, reach them, and set new ones. Winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win.

4) Eat Healthy

“You are what you eat!” Growing up, all of our parents told us this, but we probably didn’t realize they were right until the first time the Dr. told us our blood pressure was 152/95, or that our cholesterol levels were too high. Eating bad food, laced with tons of sugar, fat, sodium, and cholesterol not only messes up our insides as well as our appearance, but they also can make our brain function slower and have direct correlations to sluggishness and indolence. Obesity is a major problem that is bogging down the people and health care system in the United States at unprecedented levels.Since 1960, the levels of obesity in America have progressively increased (Alabama, West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina are the fattest) and the way to curb obesity is simple, exercise. People do not understand that there never has been and that there never will be a quick fix when it comes to weight loss. For those who value diet pills more than gym and home fitness equipment, shame on you and get your priorities straight. There is too much over-thinking and debate over how to get in shape and not be fat, when the formula is not complex…eat right and exercise. There is an abundance of home fitness equipment, exercise gear and grocery stores out there. Make it happen.

We need to eat healthy, nutritious foods that will give us that get-up-and-go attitude, that is so essential towards becoming fit. Our diet determines so much of whom we are. What we eat has an impact on determining how we feel, look and act. Maintaining a healthy diet is a fundamental necessity for mental alertness, strength, endurance, agility and having enough energy to perform at your best, no matter what you are doing.

Improve your heart and health by eating right. For quick and healthy recipes, diet and nutrition tips, and new regarding food and health, please contact us toll-free at 800-900-1108 for a free one-on-one conversation with one of our fitness experts who are versed in health and fitness and can guide you towards success. Optimizing your approach towards fitness and health can only be a good thing.

5) Get a Workout Partner

According to our research, people who regularly exercise with a friend or trainer are 27% more likely to work out on a consistent basis (at least 30 minutes a day / 5 times per week) than people who train without a partner. The main benefit of having a partner is that people tend to perform at a higher level when they perceive they are in a competiton. If you workout with a close friend of yours, and you have always been around the same level of athleticism and strength as he or she, chances are you will do your absolute best to stay on par with, or if you’re on your game, one up your friend! Having a workout partner that you know is going to be on time and ready to exercise will keep you motivated at times when you are making excuses and wanting to take a day off.

Your routine will also feel like it goes by much faster when you have a partner to talk to and discuss different exercises and bounce ways to stay slim off of each other. A fun, upbeat atmosphere is created when you have someone to train with and that makes time go by much faster. When picking a partner, try and chose one that encourages you and is motivated by you. He or she should also have an open mind to try new exercises to keep your routines fresh and positive. Last but not least, your training partner should be GOAL ORIENTED, and determined to get better every day. Always remember, everyday you either get better or you get worse and there is no in-between.

6) Stretch Regularly

The importance of being flexible is overlooked by many runners and weight lifters. Countless injuries are prevented every second due to people who take the time to stretch out their arms, legs and other muscles, in order to properly warm up before exercising. One of the great things about stretching is that anybody can do it and you don’t need any exercise equipment to do so. You can stretch anytime, anywhere! We recommend that you try and stretch your body and its muscles for at least 5 minutes when you wake up in the morning and 10 minutes before you go to bed for the night. Stretching allows your body to heal quicker after running and lifting. It is silly to spend so much time running and lifting but neglect stretching to the point that you can’t squeeze in 10 minutes a day to stretch. For remaining loose and warm, along with preventing muscle cramps, stretching is the number one thing you can do. If you do not stretch properly, you are leaving yourself more vulnerable to soreness, muscle cramping and will your body will not heal as fast as it would if you stretched properly.

Stretching is of significant importance when it comes to preventing injuries too. An athlete who does what he or she is supposed to in regards to making sure they get their stretches and calisthenics in regularly, is less likely to pull muscles and have spasms than those who do not take the amount of time necessary to stretch out their bodies. Eliminate muscle tears, back spasms and cramping through proper stretching and calisthenics.

7.) Make Protein and Water Your Friends

Constantly refueling yourself with water and protein will drastically improve how fast your body recovers after working out. Try not to drink so sugar filled sodas, juices and even “sports beverages” that add weight; these same drinks that give you an instant boost, will make you tired later in the day and feeling more lethargic than you did when you consumed the drink. People commonly think since there is no fat in these great tasting beverages that they are not that bad for you. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is sugar filled drinks will interfere and get in the way of achieving your goals pertaining to health and fitness. When looking at the ingredients on

Protein is crucial for repairing and rebuilding broken down muscles after they have been stressed through physical activity. Your body uses protein to build muscle. When you lift weights, you break down your muscles and protein is needed to rebuild. The immediate implementation of increased water and protein intakes will do wonders for your health and ability to remain fresh and energized during prolonged physical activity

Specialized fitness equipment is designed for people with disabilities, who are unable to exercise on normal gym equipment.  For those who can not use standard fitness equipment for exercise, the  fitness equipment industry has focused more on specialized fitness equipment in the past several years, which is evidenced by several new fitness machines, including the ST Fitness 8310 Stridewell.

The St Fitness 8310 Stridewell recumbent elliptical, is the latest addition to the 8000 line of commercial fitness trainers, designed by ST fitness. Users can complete a total-body workout, while seated, on this ST Fitness 8310 Recumbent Elliptical trainer. This seated elliptical machine will help you burn calories, lose fat, increase endurance and much more, after just 30 minutes a day of usage. With over 20 different seat and arm adjustments, this recumbent elliptical is specially designed to fit the needs of virtually every user.
ST Fitness 8000 Cardio Series Model# 8310
17 Seat Adjustments & 5 Arm Adjustments
Multi-Color LCD Display Panel
User Weight Limit: 350 lbs
Resistance: 20 Levels
Heart Rate Monitor: Wireless Chest Strap
Statistical Readouts: Watts, Heart Rate, Distance, Calories, Time, RPM, Speed
Power Source: A/C Adapter (included)
Assembled Dimensions: 80″L x 32″W x 50″H

Early in the morning is one of the best times to get sets of weight lifting done. People often forget how crucial weight lifting is towards maintaining a healthy physique. Weight lifting increases muscle mass, metabolism and reduces body fat. Yet somehow, fitness experts and gym goers alike tend to neglect the overall importance on strength training and it shows. It is very simple, try and spend as much time working out on your home gym as you do on your cardiovascular home fitness equipment. Nine out of ten people that call and speak to our fitness experts are inquiring about treadmills and ellipticals and that is great, but there needs to be an equilibrium that incorporates weight lifting too.

With arms that sway back and forth with its user, along with an adjustable incline ramp, this gym grade Precor crosstrainer is the only commercial Precor elliptical trainer that has both an adjustable incline ramp, as well as moving arms. The commercial Precor 576i is similar to the Precor EFX EFX5.25, Precor EFX 5.31, Precor EFX 5.35 and Precor EFX5.37, however, all of those precor ellipticals are designed for home usage and they do not have the structural integrity or mechanical capacities of a health club quality precor fitness machine. Not only is there a difference between the user weight capacities of commercial vs. non-commercial ellipticals made by Precor, but also, the smooth,  natural glide that you get with all health club quality Precor’s, is not  the same as their residential grade elliptical trainers, which most certainly are not as smooth.

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.

When the phrase “The Best Life Has to Offer” was first used, it spawned during a converaation between fitness experts sitting around a campfire, trying to come up with ways to describe this Precor AMT 100i, or otherwise known as the Adaptive Motion Trainer. With unique capabilities such as an adjustable stride and an unlimited range of motion, Precor gave the fitness industry a gift and exactly what it needed, when they created this health club quality, Adaptive Motion Trainer. Although Precor has an outstanding reputation for designing and developing commercial and home fitness equipment, until they created the AMT 100i, Precor had not yet developed a cardiovascular machine that adapted to the walking, jogging and running motions of its user, stride for stride and step for step, with as much precision as the AMT. Being able to naturally conform to its users bio-mechanical movements and running motions, is a revolutionary feature, and just recently mastered.

The greatest and most important feature of the Precor AMT 100i is the fact that the stride length and running motions are determined by the user on the machine, and nothing else. While the majority of elliptical trainers have a set stride stride length that can not be adjusted, others have an adjustable stride that can be adjusted manually, or adjusted on the fly with the push of a button. What sets this extraordinary Precor trainer so far apart from the rest is that the Precor AMT 100i has an adjustable stride length, that the user adjusts, based on their own preferences and comfort level. Changing the stride length anywhere from 0″ to 27″ is very simple, and it can be done without pressing any buttons, turning any knobs, or screwing in and out nuts and bolts. The stride conforms to the user and his or her own natural running motion and the stride length and motion can be changed from one stride to the next. In other words, feel free to extend your legs throughout your workout as far as you can, just as if you were running outdoors. Being able to adjust the stride and tension at your own discretion allows you to stay fresh and not get bored.

Through being able to adjust their stride, the AMT allows users of all shapes and sizes to naturally duplicate their stride length without having to getting on and off different ellipticals until they find one that conforms to their running motion. Another solid benefit of having an adjustable stride are that it enables the user to develop and tone different muscle groups. People can work on different muscle groups in their legs and buttocks through smooth and natural rhythmic motions, enabled through stride adjustments, designed to mimic the customary stride of the user.

Adjustable strides also allows users to change their pace and bio-mechanics at their convenience. Also, people of different shapes and sizes are all able to use this extraordinary Precor trainer, and adjust the stride, based on his or her needs. For example, take Amy and Joe, husband and wife for over 15 years. Amy is 5’3 and Joe is 6’2. Clearly, their stride lengths will not be identical, meaning that the same elliptical that works well for Joe, is not going to work as well for Amy. The only way that they can both be comfortable using the same elliptical, is if they buy a unit that allows them to adjust the stride length. Having an elliptical with an adjustable stride such as this eliminates the need for various ellipticals to accommodate different user characteristics.

For example, if you are purchasing this unit for your home or a health club, you will have people with a wide variety of stride lengths due to variations in height, leg length and so on. But, with this innovative model, each user can find his or her own comfort level (perfect stride length) with the simple push of a button. The stride is adjusted electronically rather than the user having to stop their workout and manually adjust the stride. Automatic adjustment is key to an uninterrupted workout, which is why it is awesome that you can adjust this stride on the fly, during the course of your exercising, without having to stop.

An adjustable stride length also allows users to develop different muscle groups and target different areas of their butt and thighs. It is key to work out muscle groups that are unaccustomed to physical activity, that way, you burn fat in places you would never imagine! Being able to focus on different muscle groups is an extremely important factor to keeping your workout routines creative and cutting-edge.

Your mind and body work together and your entire body performs it best when both are intricately involved and on the same page. When you get on the AMT you realize within minutes that it is the best elliptical cross-trainer of all time. It is made with thick steel framework and the unit weighs close to 600 pounds, which highlights and underlines its durability. Not only is its structural base and framework as solid as a tank, but its ability to perfectly mimic the walking, jogging and running motions of users that come in all shapes and sizes, is what truly illustrates its most impotant feature.

The Experience SeriesTM display console is another factor that eliminates fatigue and workout indifference. It allows users to choose from a wide range of challenging exercise programs and motivational workout options. Please remember to use the various programming options due to their proven ability to maximize results.

Maximizing results through user-interactive programming will help you save time and remain healthy. In order for one to truly get the most out of their home fitness equipment, first and foremost, they must like the equipment itself. It is hard enough to get a solid workout in after a long day at work that the last thing any over us want is some sub-par elliptical trainer that takes up space and breaks down 1 out of every 4 times we use it. With top quality fitness gear, one is able to reach his or her full potential and really get the most out of their physical training. To reiterate what was mentioned earlier, an awesome trainer such as the Precor AMT 100i feels so great because not only is it sturdy as a mountain, but more importantly, its bio-mechanics do a phenomenal job in duplicating the natural stride length of its user. No limits. No boundaries. Just a free flowing, natural, user-defined, running and walking motion.

It has been a long time since I was on an exercise plan that I followed routinely. I really wish I had done more swimming and aerobics in the past couple of years becasue I love to do those things. Yoga has been one of my favorite exercises to do as well. But for some reason I just really do not feel like exercising when I get home from work and I have so many other things on my mind. I want to somehow change my lifestyle so that it incorporates more working out aerobiacally and with WEIGHTS. I have been a victim in the past of falling into the belief that lifting weights does not do as much for your health as other cardio activities such as running, climbing stairs, using an elliptical and other non-weight lifting exercise routines. Let me tell you something, those people are lazy. The reason that I am saying this is because lifting weights helps build muscle and stamina so much that it is shocking to hear any argument to the contrary. The reason I am so pro-weight lifting is because I have seen first hand what happens to your health when you stop lifting weights. Unless you are like Herschell Walker and just do push-ups and sit-ups all day, nothing beats a long, intense workout with some free weight equipment. After a long day at the gym, using machines such as the bench press and squat machine, you will understand why freeweights are so important to any and all exercise plans.

We love Fluid Rowers because their products don’t come with noisy magnetic braking systems, messy cords, motors, or cables. A rowing machine with water controlled resistance is not prone to service issues like other traditional and old fashioned rowing machines, that use a chain or flywheel as a momentum base.

In addition to not coming with all of the hassles your ordinary rower comes with, this unique form of water resistance creates a natural, smooth and quiet sound. Since its sounds mimic those of a rower that one would use outdoors, this Neptune Rowing Machine will be far more pleasing to the ears, than your standard rowing machine, driven by a chain or belt.

Along with the soothing sound provided by a real-water rower, its bio-mechanics are ergonomically correct and this ground-breaking design, was produced with the intention of creating a rower machine compatible for people of all shapes and sizes. When you add all of these great features together the result is a one of a kind rowing machine that has the power to help you lose weight and build muscle.

Shedding those extra pounds and defining your muscles is easy with this Fluid Neptune Rower because when you exercise on a rowing machine you are hitting all of your different muscles and body parts. For example, when train on a rowing machine, you use your arms in conjunction with you back, abdomen, shoulders, chest, thigh, calf and any other body part of muscle that we are failing to mention. The point is that nothing is better for you than an intense workout on a rowing machine, that targets your entire body, rather than a stair climber or a treadmill that focus entirely on your the strength legs and cardiovascular health.

Our Neptune Rower was designed by professional rowers in an effort to mimic real on-water rowing through smooth natural motions, and the genuine sound of water splashing. So what are you waiting for? Call one of our friendly fitness experts right now and get a Fluid Neptune Rower for yourself, family member, or friend.

Frame: Tough Polycarbonate Tank with Marine Grade, Stainless Steel Internals
Resistance Levels: Variable Water Volume 9- 17 Litres
Storage: Folds Up
Portability: Built in Transport Wheels
Electronic Readouts: Number of Strokes, Strokes per Minute, Calories per Hour, Time Distance
Ergonomically Correct: Eliminates Stresses on Hands, Arms, and Lower Back
This is a Total Body Trainer and Can Be Used for More Than 25 Exercises
User Weight Capacity: 300 Lbs.
Fluid Neptune Rower Assembled Dimensions: 77.8″L x 20.9″W x 20.1″H

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The Precor EFX 556 elliptical does a phenomenal job assimilating to the natural walking and running motion of its user. Built by one of the worlds most renowned fitness companies, this one of a kind elliptical was designed to give your entire body a head to toe workout, while protecting knees, hips and your body as a whole, from the pains typically associated with running.

These days there are so many different pieces of gym and home fitness equipment, that when talking to a friend or a fitness expert, they most likely are unfamiliar with the exact unit you yourself use at the gym. In other words, when John says to Pete, “I used the CZ 400 Strider at my gym”, Pete will more often than not, have no clue what piece of fitness equipment John is referring to.

That is not the case when one discusses the Precor EFX series 556 cross-trainer. Talk about a hallmark! Can you even think of the elliptical cross-trainer that successfully provided an upper and lower body workout, before the invention of the EFX 556? Of course you can’t…Precor was the first company to ever develop the “Cross-Trainer” and the EFX 556 is its pride and joy. In the literal sense, without exaggerating, Precor created the first gym quality cross-trainers. The Precor EFX 556 model has been so popular with gym members and other fitness experts, that Precor has continued to improve and upgrade the EFX 556 into the EFX 556 V.2, or EFX 556i, or the EEFX 556i Experience series. But, all of the updates and modifications have all been upgrades and changes to the display, user feedback, workout programs and heart rate controls. Precor has not, and they most likely will not, change the original bio-mechanical design that laid the foundation for their elliptical cross-trainers as a whole.

The original “bio-mechanical design” in other words means the way the leg stride feels to the user and the reason it has remained unchanged after all of these years, is because this EFX 556 has done such a fantastic job in replicating the natural smooth, and ergonomically-correct stride of its user.

With its upper body arms, along with multiple workout options and various intensity levels, the Precor EFX 556 makes each workout session new and creative.

In regard to its impermeable steel frame, its structural integrity is comparable to that of a battle ship! That means this cross trainer can be used at top speeds for up to 15 hours per day. Good luck breaking it down.

Through their development of this groundbreaking elliptical, Precor has made themselves one of the most recognized names in the fitness industry today, and that recognition spans across the globe. If you are really serious about losing weight and reducing body fat, then let a Precor elliptical be your weapon against obesity and lethargy.

•Low Joint Impact – Smooth Precor Bio-Mechanics
•20″ Stride
•Moving Arms and Set Ramp
•Smooth and Quiet Electro-Magnetic Resistance
•Rear Drive – One of America’s Favorite Cross-Trainers
•Forward and Reverse Motion: Yes!
•Resistance: 20 Levels
•Ramp: 20 Degrees Set
•Heavy Gauge Steel Frame