discounthomegyms.com

Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still A Top Choice For Overall Fitness

In all the craze over new fangled fitness equipment, the exercise bike often gets overlooked. Stationary exercise bikes have been around for many years, which can lead some people to think they are outdated or not as effective as newer types of equipment. But for many people, exercise bikes provide a fun, consistent, reasonable means of exercising, improving cardio functions, and losing weight.

Stationary exercise bikes provide all the benefits of riding a bicycle. They provide good cardio workouts, have much less impact on knees, hips and other joints than walking or running, and can be used at any time its convenient. Most stationary bikes have manual or computerized controls to allow you to adjust resistance and speed. Many also come with heart monitors and cardio workouts already programmed in. There is a huge selection of price and style, and stationary bikes tend to be the most affordable cardio exercise machine. Plus, with a stationary bike, you dont have to worry about traffic, dogs, or bad weather. You can exercise in the convenience of your own home and even watch television or read a book while you bike. Try doing that on the bike path at the park!

Types of Stationary Bikes

Standard, upright stationary bikes come in single or dual action models. Dual action bikes have handles or levers to work the upper body and have been shown to provide more effective cardio workouts, burn more calories, and also improve overall body tone more efficiently than single action bikes. Dual action bikes work well for those with hip or leg injuries who need to exercise but also need to go easy on their legs. The dual action allows the arms to work harder to operate the machine, thus requiring less work from the legs.

A recumbent bicycle, sometimes called a bent, is a type of stationary bike that is more laid backliterally. It places the body in a semi or fully reclining position, taking pressure off the back area. Some people feel the position is difficult to adapt to at first, but many who choose recumbent bikes say they are very easy and comfortable to ride. They usually come with a larger seat, which often means you will stay on the machine longer or not have discomfort later.

Because of the reclining position, a recumbent bike works the abdominal muscles more and also creates more hamstring action. The lower center of gravity makes for better balance as well. Doctors feel they are better for those with back problems or with cerebral palsy and related diseases. The recumbent bikes also bring your feet more closely in line with your heart, keeping blood pressure low and providing for a safer overall workout.

Popular Models & Prices

Most stationary bikes come with ways to assess your speed and distance. Economy models have a tachometer/odometer combination and a design that utilizes a flywheel to provide resistance. These models are not programmable and provide the least effective workout, but are at under $200 can be an inexpensive way for a beginner or someone on a tight budget to get some exercise. They can be purchased at many department stores.

Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable consul that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels, fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality. Magnetic resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly and is quieter. These models can range from $200 up to $1500 and provide the broadest range of selection for the average person. Some popular models include Tunturi F520 (recumbent), Vision Fitness R2000, and several models from Schwinn, the popular bike manufacturer.

More expensive stationary bikes often use magnetic resistance and typically need to be plugged in to an outlet. They come with all the bells and whistles, including extended warranties, more varied programming features, and comfort options such as built in fans. They typically cost over $1500. Lifecycle 5500HR and 5500RHR (recumbent) are popular choices among those who are serious about their workout or have a healthy budget. Other popular manufacturers of exercise bikes include Nordic Track, Reebok, Weslo, keys, Fitness Quest, and Edge.

Compared To Other equipment

All types of stationary bikes provide a low impact workout that many feel is an advantage over treadmill exercise. The force on the knees, ankles, feet and other body parts that occurs with walking or running can cause swelling or discomfort in the joints. It can irritate old injuries or sometimes even produce new problems. A stationary bike provides non-weight bearing exercise that reduces impact on these areas.

In the health and fitness industries, and among customers, there is an extensive debate over which machines burn more calories and give a better cardio workout. There is evidence on both sides of the issue, but many people agree that a stationary bike should have dual action to optimize weight loss and heart health. The pumping of the arms has a significant impact of the effectiveness of any workout, and a treadmill is less effective as well if you hold onto the hand supports rather than letting your arms swing or pumping them in rhythm to your motion.

Elliptical trainers are another exercise option that provides a low impact workout, but many feel they do not provide the same cardio benefits. Rowing machines are boring, more difficult to use, and can be hard on the back. Other equipment has disadvantages as well, making stationary bikes a good choice for overall effectiveness and satisfaction. Consumer buying shows that exercise bikes continue to rank as a top choice for exercise and fitness training.

In the ever expanding world of health and fitness equipment, there have been some true advances as well as a bunch of gimmicks. A stationary bike is an old standard that has been a proven exercise tool for years, and that continues to improve and adapt through new technology. The overall effectiveness, ease of use and variety of designs and prices makes a stationary exercise bike an excellent choice for beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike.

About the Author:
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Best-Home-Gyms.com, providing consumer information on the best discount home gyms. Read our elliptical trainer reviews, exercise bike and treadmill reviews for great ideas on equipping your gym.

Copyright 2005 Best-Home-Gyms.com

Having exercise machines at home can be a great incentive to getting in regular workouts. The nice thing is that today the cost for home gym machinery is nowhere near as prohibitive as it once was. Here are some tips to finding exercising machines that will not break your budget.

One of the best places to check for discount machines for exercise is with your local sporting goods stores. Often, they will have floor models that may have sustained a scratch or two. Other than a little cosmetic flow or two, there will absolutely nothing wrong with the machine. With some luck, you can cajole the manager into letting you have the floor model for a nice discount, may even up to half of the retail price. It is a nice way to get a quality piece of equipment for yourself and also a good way for the store to make a profit on something that they could never sell at full price.

You will also want to check out ebay where you can pick up some great bargains. Don’t forget that nowadays ebay isn’t just people selling things they no longer have a use for! It’s become a whole shopping experience in itself!

Another great place to look for home gym machines is at local second hand store and thrift shops. You would be surprised how often exercise bikes and weight benches find their way to those venues. There will be nothing wrong with them, other than the fact that someone ended up using them for shirt racks and finally decided to get them out of the house. Chances are you can pick up these items at anywhere from twenty-five to fifty percent of what a new model would cost you.

Yard sales are another good place to look for exercise equipment for the home. Once again, items that have rarely been used will be found for a low price. Often, the homeowner just wants to dispose of the equipment and is not looking to make a killing. Dicker with the owner a little over the price and you can usually shave a few more dollars off the purchase price.

Working out at home is a great way to ensure that there are no excuses to get at least some exercise every day. With exercise machines just waiting for you to bring them home, get out there this weekend and find some equipment that will help you to be healthy and happy.

Weider home gyms are very popular pieces of home fitness equipment. Weider offers a wide range of products for home gym enthusiasts. It is known for producing functional gyms that are priced attractively compared to its competitors.

Weider’s parent company is one of the largest producers of fitness related machines and equipment. Another subsidiary of the same company is Reebok.

Weider gyms usually make use of crossbows or crossbars in order to provide resistance. As against weight stack gyms that come with pulleys, these end up being more affordable and take up a considerably lower amount of space - something home users really appreciate.

You should keep in mind though that the small size and low prices of Weider gyms doesn’t mean that they are not good enough. In fact, most Weider home gyms allow you to perform a number of different exercises. You can use them to work all parts of your body such as your abs, back, legs or arms.

Several Weider home gyms models are available in the market and each one has its own unique features. The Weider Max, for example, provides maximum resistance of 240 lbs. Similarly, the Weider Advantage provides the resistance of 240 lbs. Both these models make it possible to perform 65 different exercises.

The Weider Platinum home gym provides for 75 exercises and 340 lbs. of resistance. It also features a Digital Resistance Control which helps you control the resistance by simply touching a button and no manual adjustment.

All the above models are crossbow based and many are perfect for baseball players.

For the price at which Weider home gyms are available, they are a good deal, especially for the beginner. They may not be built as sturdily as their expensive counterparts from other brands but they help you start exercising and keeping fit for a small investment.

As part of a project to provide resources to fitness enthusiasts and their customers who are building home gyms, HomeGymEssentials.com has assembled a collection of classic fitness and weight training books that have been digitized and are now available via free download from their website at http://homegymessentials.com.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) January 18, 2008 — Before Ronnie Coleman, before Lee Haney, before Arnold, and even before Charles Atlas, there was a breed of ironmen who systematically perfected their bodies through methods that for the time, meant no less than a fitness revolution — methods that were unknown during the era, but that have become the foundation for modern fitness training and home gym exercise.

But these now-familiar methods were not the only ones they used. There were also others- unusual methods which have long since slipped into obscurity. Methods which the strong men considered muscle and strength building secrets.

Strength and Muscle Building Secrets?
Possibly. With nothing like the health club and home gym equipment that we know today, without modern sports nutrition, and without any artificial boost from performance enhancing drugs, these strongmen built bodies that few men have ever been capable of achieving. And what were their secrets? Among them, a restricted lifting program, complementary muscle movements and an emphasis on breathing techniques that made it possible to strengthen the body and build muscle with minimal effort.

The Father of Modern Bodybuilding
Would these methods be considered scientific today? Probably not. But these strongmen offer proof of their success in letters and photographs. The most famous of them, Eugen Sandow, a bodybuilder of the early 1900’s, was a mentor to Charles Atlas. Considered by many to be “The Father of Modern Bodybuilding,” Sandow was also a shrewd businessman and showman - and grew rich building the first health clubs and inventing the first commercial fitness equipment. Another was Edwin Checkley who advocated a completely “natural” approach to bodybuilding that required no weight equipment or other special apparatus.

Now Digitized
As part of a project to provide resources to fitness enthusiasts and their customers who are building home gyms, HomeGymEssentials.com has assembled a collection of digitized classic fitness and weight training books-some that they’ve produced themselves, others that are found in existing archives, including the Library of Congress repository and Google Books. Among them are Eugen Sandow’s “Sandow on Physical Training,” Sandow’s “Strength and How To Obtain It,” and Edwin Checkley’s “A Natural Method of Physical Training,” The original editions are considered collectible and have sold for up to hundred of dollars.

Fitness trainers, health educators, bodybuilders and home gym enthusiasts are encouraged to share in this exciting special collection. The e-books are available as free downloads through the company’s website through February 2008.

About The Company: HomeGymEssentials.com is an expert-informed web resource for designing and equipping the best possible home gym. Through professional reviews of home gym equipment, insights into popular products such as elliptical fitness equipment, and helpful tips and guides, Homegymessentials.com brings fitness consumers a set of helpful resources for getting the most satisfaction and value from their home gyms.

Everybody loves discounts. And with the growing hardships of the world’s economies, it seems that everybody is starting to need discounts as well. The need to economize, however, affects our plans on creating our very own fitness center at home. Could there be a way out of this?

Yes, of course, and we can easily sum it up in three words: discount home gyms!

Discount home gyms are the ideal solution for people who have a great need to exercise their bodies without overtaxing their pockets at the same time. Discount home gyms are a breeze to create if you follow the tips that follow.

Tip #1 Discover Your Greatest Physical Needs

It’s important to keep your home gym compact if you wish to keep the costs to a minimum. For that to happen, you need to know what your greatest physical needs are. Do your abs need the most workouts or is it your flabby arms that concern you most. These needs shall be what your home gym should concentrate on addressing.

Tip #2 Choosing the Best Room at Home

Locating your home gym in your backyard is a very bad choice even if it comes with a great view, as nature is never kind to machines and the winter would naturally make exercising outdoors a very bad idea. Placing it in the basement would certainly give you much space, but not enough ventilation. You need to choose a room that contains enough space for you to move around with adequate ventilation to negate the need for an air-conditioner.

Tip #3 Making Smart Purchases

Always buy the equipment that you need the most first. Usually, this would be a couple of free weights and a treadmill. Look for products on sale or purchase secondhand equipment.

Tip #4 Always Ask for Advice

Never forget to ask for a second opinion because there’s always a chance that you?ll learn something which could help you save hundreds of dollars.

Furnishing home gyms can add resale value to your home in much the same way as adding any other additions or finishing a part of the basement as a home office or making the attic over the garage into a sewing room. It just makes good sense to add warm lighting, noise proofing, rubber mats, mirrored walls and a good sound system to any unused part of your home. If the exercise equipment is bolted down it becomes part of the home and would be included in any sale unless removed before the home is offered for sale or is specifically exempted from the sales agreement.

Even if home gyms are less involved and only amount to fresh paint and a little extra ventilation in the basement the effort can still go a long way toward making the home show better to prospective buyers. Instead of a dank basement the effort made in the fitness area will show the room to be usable space with more prospective value to the future home purchaser.

If home gyms are designed in the original architectural plan of a new home their will be much more room for well thought out features. There are probably good financial arguments for building home gyms rather than adding them later. For one thing the costs are incorporated into the original home financing and spread out over the length of the mortgage. Also the builder will get a discount on materials which the individual won’t get on later home improvements. And of course the exercise equipment itself can be added into the mortgage just as the kitchen appliances are part of the financed amount.

Getting things set up right ensures that long term health benefits can be garnered from the careful planning of home gyms. Well maintained home gyms will add resale value. In the long run good health is a good investment. Perhaps a home gyms review should be one of the steps in planning any new home.