Things to Know Before You Buy a Pedometer

A pedometer is a device that can sense the motion of a human body and thus can be used to count footsteps of an individual. If the length of a person's stride is known, the distance covered by a person can be calculated with the help of his footstep counts. Thus, a pedometer can be a great motivating tool for a walker giving him a precise idea how much distance he covers during his daily walks.

A pedometer is a wearable device and one can wear it while going out for a walk. There are several types of pedometers available in the market but before buying one, a person needs to have some brief knowledge about pedometers and its uses.

Essential Feature of the Best Pedometer:

There are different types of pedometers and all can give you step counts but you need to choose one that can give you more accurate results. In fact, the accuracy of a pedometer depends upon their functioning mechanism. They use different methods such as coiled spring mechanism, hair spring mechanism and accelerometer. In general, an accelerometer is considered to give the most accurate results. On the other hand, hair spring models are often considered as notorious, giving inconsistent footstep counts.

Besides this, you need to select between a dedicated walking pedometer and an all-day tracking pedometer. A dedicated walking pedometer will track your daily workouts. An all-day tracking pedometer can keep running throughout the day and can measure your total daily steps. Depending upon your needs, you can choose between the two.

Your pedometer 's display is another important feature and you need to make sure that its display is easy to read and you need not to remove it from its waistband every time you wish to read the display. There must be a reset button allowing you to configure the display results when you wish to do so.

Wearing a Pedometer:

If you buy an old-style pedometer based on the spring mechanism, you need to be always conscious that you are wearing something to count your footsteps, because for getting the best results you need to keep it in an upright position. If it gets titled anyway, it might not be in a perfect position to measure your footsteps. On the other hand, if you get a pedometer with accelerometer mechanism, you will get accurate step counts even when it gets tilted. You can wear such a pedometer on your waist or can keep in your pocket, but it will keep counting your steps consistently. There are several wear-anywhere models available today that you can wear on various body parts such on your wrist, arms or on your waist.

The size of your pedometer is another crucial aspect that you need to give a due consideration. If you are planning to buy a pedometer to count your total daily steps, you will preferably choose a small one that can be perfect for your all-day wear. It needs to have clips and a safety strap to keep it in its place safely and restrict it from falling.

3 Tennis Elbow Exercises to Strengthen Your Arm

It is a widely acknowledged fact that tennis elbow exercises are absolutely necessary to strengthen the arm. Repetitive and sometimes forceful movements of the arm can result in a severe inflammation of the elbow and its surrounding areas. The term tennis elbow is quite a misnomer because this ailment affects office and factory workers and not just tennis players.

If you are prone to this problem then you will benefit greatly from practicing tennis elbow exercises regularly. They are surprisingly easy to do and will save you a great deal of discomfort and money. There are many tendons, ligaments and muscles in the elbow and forearm that can get injured because of repetitive use. All of them will gain a lot of strength and flexibility as a result of these exercises. This ensures that future injury is unlikely to happen.

The following tennis elbow exercises will be of immense help to you:

1. Repetitive squeezing with your palm. Grab hold of something that is very easy to squeeze. A tennis ball would have the perfect size and flexibility. Squeeze and release it repetitively for a few minutes at a time. Increase the duration of this exercise as you feel your muscles and tendons strengthening.

2. Twisting the wrist rhythmically. This is a great exercise to strengthen the pronator and supinator muscles of the wrist. Hold a light weight in your hand; a can of soda will suffice at the outset. Your thumbs should be aligned upwards. You have to exercise these muscles by turning the wrist inwards, holding the position for a couple of seconds, and then turning it outwards.

3. Extend your hand as if to shake someone's hand. Move your hand upwards and downwards in a repetitive manner.

Be very careful to practice these exercises only as long as you don't feel any pain. If you keep exercising thinking that the pain will go away you will just aggravate your condition. Monitor your progress very carefully and only increase the number of repetitions very gradually. You should also be very gentle with your movements. If you make sudden and rough movements then you might injure yourself further.

It is also a good idea to massage the elbow and surrounding areas very carefully so that the muscles feel some relief. The right tennis elbow exercises will save you plenty of trips to the doctor's office and you will be able to regain complete mobility of the arm.

Read about a few tennis elbow exercises that will help you reduce inflammation of your arm and elbow. These exercises will help reduce your dependence on medication or surgery for this problem.

Treadmill for Domestic Purposes

Treadmills used at fitness centers are often very robust and custom designed to endure constant drubbing from daily use. These treadmills used in fitness centers have essential requirement to be durable enough to be used by people with different weights. Moreover, these massive treadmills at fitness centers are designed as to be used straight for over 10 hours daily. Meanwhile, when talking about treadmills for home; these machines can only be used for limited hours in a week.

With the increasing consciousness for fitness and health, many people have started to purchase fitness equipment for home. Among all the fitness machines that you can buy for your health and fitness, Treadmill is the most commonly and widely used breed with amazing results. The treadmill allows you to walk, jog, sprint and run at single position; aiding in transportation of oxygenated blood via cardiovascular circulation all over the body. There are many vital features including heart rate, speed, calories burned and distance covered which you can calculate while exercising on treadmill. These all calculations can help you determine your physical condition giving you opportunity to modify your daily routine. Let us have a look into few most conducive treadmill categories for home usage:

Walking Belt Treadmill 

The walking belt is featured in every single treadmill, whether for home or fitness centers. The walking belt refers to the part of treadmill where you can place your feet for running or walking. The feature that put this apart from other treadmill is its compatibility with home environment. The Walking Belt treadmill can be folded and easily placed anywhere which gives it an advantage for home usage. There is a heart rate monitoring device, audio speakers for entertainment of music lovers, 1.5 horse power monitor to go with LCD screen displaying details of heart rate, speed, distance, calories burned and couple of different workout programs. Summarizing, these Walking belt treadmills are best for home usage owing to their small, compact size and compatibility.

Running Belt Treadmill 

Also referred to as heavy-duty treadmill, these machines are specifically designed to serve for running purpose. Running belt treadmills are heavier, larger and much sturdier than walking their walking belt counterparts. These durable machines are especially suited to people who are fond of running and marathons as they can bear daily pounding for several hours. Another great aspect of these machines is their certain degree of inclination and declination angles which serves great for people wanting to practice uphill or downhill running. There are six different programs offered by running belt treadmill.

Different treadmills are designed to serve different purpose. There is no treadmill that can serve all purposes simultaneously. No one can say that this treadmill is the best if it meets specific requirements suited to him. One must needs to have clear ideas about their needs and purpose of purchasing them. For instance compact and lighter treadmills are suited to people who just want to make regular exercise for few hours. Whereas, running belt treadmills better obliges the needs of people who want to have much tougher, rougher and sturdier exercise.

With the increasing consciousness for fitness and health, many people have started to purchase fitness equipment for home. Among all the fitness machines that you can buy for your health and fitness, Treadmill is the most commonly and widely used breed with amazing results. Treadmill allows you to walk, jog, sprint and run at single position; aiding in transportation of oxygenated blood via cardiovascular circulation all over the body.

How Can You Improve Your Health and Fitness With a Hearth Rate Monitor?

In today's hectic and busy world, we all follow a stressful lifestyle and so, our physical well-being is critically affected. Thus, it has become more important today to watch our health than ever before. With little time for exercising and daily workouts and healthy foods keep vanishing from our plates, we are more prone to become obese, and maintaining of our overall fitness is a crucial challenge in today's world. The whole scenario points out that for any person today, achieving a fitness goal seems to be a daunting task and today one needs a helpful device, called a Hearth Rate Monitor to help check the status of our health and accordingly choose an exercise regime to stay fit and healthy.

Health Benefits of Hearth Rate Monitor

A Hearth Rate Monitor or Hearth Monitor is often considered as a helpful device for someone who is acutely affected by an obesity crisis. The device is designed specifically to calculate your cardiac rate. This helps in strengthening of your muscles when you try to improve your cardio respiratory endurance after learning about your cardiac rate. Using the device, one can work out for improving his physical performance and can boost his cardio respiratory stamina. Thus, the device can significantly aid someone in raising his energy level, maintaining a healthy heart and keeping a tab on the body fat.

Whether you jog, walk or cycle every day, a pedometer can measure the distance covered by you in each case and a Hearth Rate Monitor will measure your cardiac rate and thus will give you an idea about the calories you burn following your workout. It will also check your endurance level. Many advanced levels of hearth rate monitors will also allow you to measure your gradual fitness progression, which can urge you to keep up your daily workout regime in the anticipation of bettering results over time.

Not only running and walking, it can also help monitor heart rates of people who carry out power workouts such as dumbbells and kettle bells. The Hearth Rate Monitor can help you measure the rest time between different sets of exercising and thus you can be able to maintain the level of intensity during such type of exercises. Knowing the exact resting time during your exercising can help you to improve your performance level and can be very useful in weight loss and achieving a high energy level.

How to Wear a Hearth Rate Monitor

A Hearth Rate Monitor is designed in a way that can be strapped around a person's waist or his chest area. Today, these devices are available in very compact sizes or may look like a mobile phone or a handheld gadget that many people love to carry along all the time. One can easily carry them along with mobile devices. Today, modern and advanced Hearth Rate Monitors are available with Bluetooth features that allow users to send results to several computing and mobile devices. This way you can share your heart rate easily with your fitness expert or your doctors, who in turn can guide you further.

How to Use a Folding Bicycle

There are many different ways that a folding bicycle can be used. Most models are standard size and look similar to a regular bike, but they can be folded down to about one-third of their regular size. Whether for recreation, commuting or shopping, riders can use these bikes as a primary source of transportation that is conveniently stowed away once they arrive at their destinations. People can also take them along in the trunk of a car and go for a ride at whim.

Portable 

The bicycle folds into a portable state in less than a minute. From a standing position with the kickstand down, the rider lowers the seat and folds down the handlebars. A lever unlocks and releases the frame, folding it into thirds. It can be stored in a car trunk as is, or covered with a custom nylon bike bag for easy portability. Typical folding size is about 31 inches by 12 inches by 31 inches.

Commuting 

Riding a bicycle is good exercise and is also environmentally-friendly. It also helps the rider to avoid traffic snarls, using it as a primary source of commuting or as a link to public transportation. A folding bicycle often has a luggage rack, which is helpful for bringing a briefcase or other supplies to the office. Some styles come with a bungee cord to attach bags and other items to the luggage rack.

Recreation 

When choosing a foldable bike, look for one that has several gears and a quick thumb shifter for gear adjustments on the fly. Fenders on the front and rear and a brush guard provide trail protection. Some models come with an ergonomic design and a gel saddle for comfort. When driving to a favorite park or bike path, the folding bicycle can be stowed in the car until it's time to ride. The bike unfolds quickly. On some models, dual levers lock into place without any tools and the bike is ready to use in seconds.

Shopping 

Rather than vying for a parking space in a vehicle, the folding bicycle is convenient for door-to-door service at the mall. Shoppers can lock it up at a bike rack or fold it up and take it inside. Most styles with an aluminum frame range from 30 to 35 pounds.

When choosing a folding bicycle, riders should select one that is lightweight and folds to a compact size without tools. A luggage rack with bungee cords and a nylon bike storage and carrying bag are accessories that offer convenience and portability for work, school, shopping or recreation.

The Adustable Kettlebell - Should You Buy One?

The popularity explosion of the kettlebell in recent years has led to many people wanting to include them into their home gyms. A great idea in principle as so much variety can be added to your training sessions using these.

Whatever the aim of your training routine the Kettlebell can provide. Whether you want to apply the overload principle to a mass building routine, create a Kettlebell circuit to perfom HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to burn fat or use a high repetition full body movement such as the Kettlebell Swing for your more traditional cardio - The Kettlebell can be used for all these purposes.

The main disadvantage to the Kettlebell as oppose to the Barbell is that additional weight cannot be added. This was originally a problem for home gyms using dumbbells until the adjustable dumbbell was created. The next logical step was the adjustable kettlebell.

The adjustable kettlebell appeals exactly like the adjustable dumbbell does, the two main reasons being cost and less storage required.

Think of the cost that would be involved in purchasing a set of dumbbells ranging from 2k to 50k. Now think of the significantly lower cost of purchasing to dumbbells and weight plates going up to 100k (meaning you can have a pair of 50k dumbbells).

Think of the cost that would be involved in purchasing a set of Kettlebells ranging from 2k to 50k. Now think of the significantly lower cost of purchasing a pair of adjustable Kettlebells with weights that can be added to continue overloading your body over time.

Both options provide a far more cost effective option and require far less storage - it is very likely a full weight rack would be needed to support a set of Kettlebells or Dumbells ranging from 2k - 50k, not to mention that the rack would need to support a grand total of 1300k! In comparison an adjustable Kettlebell with the capability to construct 2 x 50k Kettlebells is only 100k of weight and can simply be stored in a wardrobe or any other basic household feature.

So far you may be wondering why everyone has not went out and bought an adjustable kettlebell. As with everything in life there exists a downside. With the adjustable kettlebell the major downside it changing weight, the same issue you have with barbells down the gym will exist at home with adjustable kettlebell.

For example, one of the key training principles for building muscle is to keep the intensity of your workout high, the famous adage 'you can train hard or you can train long, you can't do both' springs to mind. If you are forever adjusting the weights the intensity of your training is severely hampered and so will your progress. This is the reason why any gym you walk into has fixed dumbbells and fixed kettlebells so people can get on and train with maximum intensity. People don't always do so and we have all witnessed people having 5 minute interludes between sets, but that discussion is for another day.

Ultimately the choice of buying a full kettlebell set or a couple of adjustable Kettlebells (technically speaking, as most kettlebell exercises can be done with one hand, only one adjustable kettlebell is required for a kettlebell workout) is up to you.

How Humidifiers Have Improved CPAP Machine and Mask Therapy

With a humidifier, the air coming through the tube into the CPAP mask is less drying for patients. Any time there is constant air flow, tissues will begin to dry out. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure, and the air from the machine is necessary to help keep users throats from closing while they sleep.

What can happen when patients use a CPAP machine without a humidifier? Several things.

• Over-production of mucus
• Sneezing
• Swelling of nasal, mouth and throat tissues
• Bleeding
• Congestion
• Scratchy voice
• Possible infections

Getting more moist airflow into a CPAP mask is accomplished by both built in humidifiers and stand alone models. A built in humidifier is part of the machine and is non-detachable, although users can take out the water reservoir to clean or replace it.

Machine models with these kinds of humidifiers are more compact and easier to transport because there's one less piece of equipment. Most patients who buy new CPAP machines choose ones with a built in humidifier.

Many older machine models and some newer ones don't have built in humidifiers, so users purchase a stand alone version. These humidifiers are designed to be compatible with the majority of CPAP masks and machines. A short hose attaches them to the machine, and there are a number of different model types available.

Another type of humidifier is called an integrated humidifier, which is designed to be used with a specific machine. It attaches to the machine and does not have a power cord or a second hose.

Regardless of the type of humidifier a sleep apnea patient uses, they will have far more comfortable therapy than were they not to use one. All the top manufactures offer both built in and stand alone units that are high quality and durable.

Humidifiers are very important to people in CPAP therapy, because these patients must continue therapy, and they want to do it as comfortably as possible. The condition sleep apnea causes patients to stop breathing periodically throughout the night. These breathing cessations are called "apneic events" and can happen as often as 30 times per hour. The result is the brain becomes oxygen deprived.

In summary, breathing dry air all night can cause dryness in the mouth, nose and throat along with other related symptoms. But when humid air is coming into the CPAP mask, the user has a much better experience. Humidifiers can be built in to the machine or attached to it, or they can be separate units.

The Unconventional Twist Workout

We all want to be toned, fit and healthy. Unfortunately, the world's hustle and bustle can interrupt our good intentions in more ways than one. For many of us, most of the hurdles lie in motivation and enjoyment. Getting down on the floor and doing the same old repetitive set of push-ups or crunches sounds more and more undesirable every day. Fortunately, modern technologies combined with intelligent engineering have been able to make great strides in providing exercises that absolutely trump traditional workouts. One of these developments has been shown in the modern twist workout routines available. They combine the heart-pumping exercise provided by cardio workouts with the fun of dance workout routines while tying them into the twist workout to keep you moving and tightening.

The twist workout is often conceived as a one trick pony. This proves to be an antiquated misconception spouted by old marketers and critics. Cardio workouts, when combined with twist workouts, can prove to be an excellent method of combining motion and core-strengthening exercise. The ability to constantly drive heart rate and utilize core muscle groups simultaneously allows users of these techniques to receive a complete, efficient workout in much less time. The ability to use these tactics to fit more exercise in less time is of great help to many people. Office workers with long hours can utilize a couple of short breaks a day to obtain a full body workout. Busy moms can squeeze in a quick workout in the few moments while food is in the oven or the kids are on the way home from school. The opportunity to receive quality exercise is no longer diminished by the long hours and confusing routines often offered by most fitness programs.

Dancing is a true human past time and it would only make sense to incorporate something so fun into something that benefits your health. Modern twist workout programs have utilized these dance workout options in a way that revolutionizes fitness. Why settle for just cardio or just core-strengthening exercises when you can have a well-rounded routine all in one package? Although regular dance workouts have been noted to be hard on the joints, twister dance workouts often provide a low impact exercise which is great for joint health and can be universally suitable for anyone from athletes to the elderly. These exercises combined with the twist workout motion create an overall fitness package that does not need to be overwhelming or convoluted; it just works!

When you're looking for an exercise solution make sure that these new options are part of your consideration. Many products offer instant success but few utilize honest techniques that truly help your entire body. The modern twist workout options provide an honest alternative to antiquated cardio workouts & dance workouts, and provide a low impact exercise for anyone trying to get fit or stay in shape! Combined with the astounding level of efficiency offered by these twist workouts, the amount of time you'll need to stay active, healthy and fit is reduced enough for you to spend more time enjoying life!

Elliptical Vs Treadmill Workout Comparison

The first thing to realize in the elliptical vs treadmill workout debate is that you should only choose an exercise equipment based upon your endurance and fitness goals. For instance, two people with similar body types may benefit from different exercise equipment-one may see better results with an elliptical machine whereas the other may benefit more from a treadmill.

In general, if you're just starting out or have low endurance, an elliptical machine offers several advantages over a treadmill. This is because working out on an elliptical machine is considerably less stressful on the back, hips and knees compared to jogging on a treadmill. If you use a treadmill to walk (and not jog) the stress on the back, hips and knees are about the same as an elliptical machine.

Other notable advantages in the elliptical vs treadmill workout debate include the ability to exercise both your upper body and lower body at the same time. Unlike a treadmill where the upper body is stationary, an elliptical machine has moveable handles that can be used to exercise the arms. In addition, an elliptical machine also allows you to exercise your calf and hamstring muscles more efficiently by pedaling in reverse.

When comparing an elliptical vs treadmill workout, there are many factors that make the former more suited to beginners and those with a passive lifestyle, and the latter more suited to fit and athletic people. In an elliptical workout, your feet never leave the pedal, meaning you automatically reduce the stress and strain on your ankles and knees. Treadmill manufacturers, however, have addressed this issue expertly, and are now designing and offering treadmills that have cushioning to minimize joint strain. This means, running on a treadmill is somewhat less intensive on your ankles, knees and back, compared to running outdoors.

Recognizing your endurance and physical condition is very important in deciding between an elliptical vs treadmill workout. Young, fit people will generally find it easier to run on a treadmill as opposed to older people who may have not lead an active lifestyle in a while. This is because working out on a treadmill involves walking, jogging or running, and if you're not in peak physical shape, these activities will tire you very easily. In addition, if you have joint problems, a treadmill may not be a viable option because it puts a great deal of stress on your ankles and knees.

While a treadmill workout is more intense and more stressful on the body compared to an elliptical machine, on the flipside, it also burns more calories and gives you a thorough workout in lesser time. That is why serious runners will probably find a treadmill more suited to their workout routine, compared to the low-impact routine of an elliptical machine.

The Power of Plateaus

Doesn't a plateau just sound like it should be a nice, quiet, soothing place to be?

It sounds peaceful almost- plateau. And yet, it's exactly where that little voice in your head starts yammering on about how, "I knew this couldn't continue, things were just going too well", or "I'll never get there- this thing doesn't work either", or "I guess I just don't have the talent/willpower/smarts to do this after all".

You were making such gooood progress, and then you hit the plateau and it feels like a brick wall as you come to a screeching halt.

Plateaus are most often associated with weight loss, but they happen in every single goal in life. They happen in relationships, finances, and business too. In a marathon the 20 mile point is called hitting the wall. In aviation, for many years, pilots were afraid of hitting the wall called the sound barrier. They encountered the violent buffeting as they approached the speed of sound and were afraid that their airplanes would break apart. Some actually did.

But eventually pilots broke through the sound barrier, and like the marathoner who runs through "the wall" they discovered something very interesting. Once past the shock wave of transiting into supersonic flow everything just smoothes out. After they passed the sound barrier it didn't get harder- it got easier!

Isn't that interesting? The barrier is actually the gateway to faster and easier. The person who allows herself to be discouraged and quit at a plateau never even realizes just how close she came to a total breakthrough. For the person who perseveres just a little longer though it looks like this.

Navy F/A-18 Hornet passing through the sound barrier

So what does it take to break through your "sound barrier"?

Four power points in a plateau.

1. Confront your complacency- sometimes we think we're doing everything we can, but if we're really observant we'll notice that we probably got a little complacent and maybe a tad sloppy. Go back to the basics- all of them- and continue on.


2. Relax - sometimes we are actually trying too hard and we need to relax in order to move forward. Rest. Be grateful for everything you have accomplished and everything you've become. Appreciate the view and gather your energy for the next stage


3. Integrate a new image- every big goal causes us to become someone new in the process, someone bigger and bolder. What I often see is that complications from this take people by surprise or silently sabotage them. As you grow you come to see a new person in the mirror and others see a different person facing them as well. That can be both exciting and scary for you. Not everyone else is thrilled about it either. Some are jealous, some afraid, some feel abandoned. Plateaus are a great place to take a breath and come to terms with that and claim all of your energy before you make the next big push.


4. Vision and Decision- if you're having trouble finding the energy to decide to push on, your Why isn't big enough. Why do you want this? How will your life be different as a result? How will you be different? Get really specific. Paint a picture that you can see, feel, taste, touch, and hear. When your Why is big enough the decision is easy.

Plateaus are not a bad thing. They're an invitation to something greater, to step into a bolder more powerful version of you. Plateaus require courage from you to stay on course and the vision to move beyond them.

Plateaus are Power Points

Whether you are facing a challenge around weight loss, business, or something else, my challenge for you is to find out, where is the power in your plateau?

That F/A 18 Hornet passing through the sound barrier is pretty cool, huh?

But the picture of you passing your "sound barrier"?

Even cooler!