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US $24.95 End Date: Saturday Feb-13-2010 6:36:29 PST Buy It Now for only: US $24.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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How to choose one that’s right for you
Although I’ve worked in fitness centers for over 30 years, in reality, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive health club or fitness center memberships, or the latest fitness center memberships, or the latest fitness equipment, to increase your level of physical fitness.
On the other hand, many people find it difficult to concentrate; say at home, when there are many other distractions. Also, people sometimes find that making a financial commitment increases their chances of following thru long-term.
Fitness centers are designed, built, and equipped to appeal to a broad range of individuals. After all, member ship sales pay the bills.
However, not all centers operate in the same manner. Many require contracts that are legally binding, and require monthly payments, for the length of the contract. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that scenario, in fact it’s very common. The point is, if you’re going to sign on the dotted line, it’s important, that the health club you’ve chosen is right for you.
Location
People make all kinds of excuses not to work out, with proximity to home or work very high on the list. Research has shown that most people won’t travel more than eight miles or eight minutes to work out. Since an exercise an exercise program requires consistency, a convenient location is a must.
Hours of Operation
If you prefer to exercise at a particular time of day, remember to look closely at the day and hours of operation. Also, visit the club prior to joining at the time of day you’re most likely to attend. Is it crowded then?
Equipment and Amenities
With your personal fitness goals in mind, shop around and compare equipment, locker rooms, classes, etc. How about a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam or sauna? Are these in good working order? Have you any interests there?
There should be a wide array of both cardiovascular and strength equipment, as you’ll want to have the opportunity to change your routine periodically, and use different pieces of equipment. That will help keep you interested and motivated.
Cost
Shopping around allows you to compare what you’re getting, to what you’re paying. Newer clubs with newer equipment, a wide variety of amenities, will probably cost more per month, but you never know, so look around. I like clubs that charge an all-inclusive monthly fee, that allows you use of the entire facility. Usually the only additional charge would be for the personal training or massages, which is true everywhere.
Personnel
How were you treated as you looked around? Did the employees seem attentive to members, helpful and friendly? If you want to learn a new machine or piece of equipment, is someone available to demonstrate? You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking for assistance in your own club.
While we’re on the topic of fitness center’s employees, pay special attention to the exercise specialists education, experience, and professional certification. Knowing why to do a particular exercise is just as important as how to perform it. Also, are they C.P.R. certified, and is an Automatic Defibrillator available, in case of emergency?
Membership
Certain fitness centers attract a specific kind of member. Bodybuilders are attracted by lots of free weights, as their main purpose in building large muscles. On the other hand, senior citizens are much more comfortable with selectorized machines, and a good choice of cardiovascular equipment. These clubs will have a totally different feel, as the business adapts to the majority of its members, and the fitness center takes on a personality of its own. Make sure which center you’re most comfortable in, before joining.
Cleanliness
There is a wide variation among fitness centers, as far as cleanliness is concerned. My experience has shown that hospital-based fitness facilities are generally the cleanest, which makes sense. Again, you want to be somewhere, that you’re comfortable and safe, and where the owners take pride in their fitness center.
Again, all health/fitness centers are not created equal. Find the one that fits your wants and needs, attend consistently and look and feel better, as you build on your personal fitness program.
For more information visit my site <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://fitnessishealth.com title= “Are All Fitness Centers Created Equal?”> Are All Fitness Centers Created Equal? </a>
There are over 100 forms of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. These diseases may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints and other supporting structures of the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Some forms can also affect other parts of the body, including various internal organs.
Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness, and endurance. It also helps with weight reduction and contributes to an improved sense of well-being.
An exercise program can include anything from walking around the block, taking a yoga class, or playing a round of golf. In this section we’ve attempted to give you all the information you will need on how to start exercising and the proper way to incorporate exercise into the management of your arthritis.
As their names indicate, range-of-motion and stretching exercises have different purposes and thus target different parts of a joint. Range of Motion exercises help maintain or restore normal joint movement and relieve stiffness. Whereas, stretching exercises help maintain or restore normal flexibility to the joint’s muscles and tendons.
Aerobic or endurance exercises (e.g., bicycle riding) improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function. Weight control can be important to people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on many joints. Some studies show that aerobic exercise can reduce inflammation in some joints.
Side bends: Put hands on hips. Bend from the waist on one side, then come back up. Repeat on the other side.
Shoulder shrugs: Raise one or both shoulders up toward the ears. Lower and repeat.
Strengthening exercises can help to improve joint stability and decrease pain. Examples of exercises that build strength include the use of free weights, weight machines, or body weight (eg, modified squats to build knee strength).
Strength-building moves. Extra muscle helps support your joints, which may help reduce pain. The key to building muscle is resistance exercises, which involve pushing, pulling or bending your joints against a force. Even walking (pushing against gravity) builds muscles. As you get stronger, increase the resistance by adding hand weights or resistance bands. Unlike your daily flexibility exercises, try to do resistance exercises two or three times a week. Leave a day in between each session to give your body a chance to recover.
Aerobic arthritis exercises aren’t just good for your heart, but also aid in your treatment of arthritis pain and inflammation. Plus, aerobic arthritis exercises help you burn calories. (Weight does add to arthritis pain, because it puts added stress on joints like the knee joints.)
Yoga has long been an ultimate exercise for arthritis patients. Yoga can help bring relief to joints, decrease pain and relax muscles. It is also a good range-of-motion exercise as it includes controlled movements, maintaining pressures, and deep breathing relaxation. However this exercise must be carefully used if the condition is getting worse rapidly and try not to put pressure on the inflamed joints.
Talk to your doctor and/or health professional before starting an exercise program. A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can suggest safe exercises and make sure you are doing your exercises correctly to prevent an injury.
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