Exercising your Options
Dec0
Industry sales figures and user-preference surveys indicate that three of the most popular indoor machine-based exercise options are exercise cycles, treadmills and stair climbers. Each type of machine tends to appeal to individuals looking for a particular exercise “experience.”
Exercise cycles. Statistics show that the stationary exercise cycle remains one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment in the United States. In general, exercise cycles can be categorized into two basic groups: standard stationary bikes and ergometers. The primary difference between the two is that ergometers have a feature that stationary bikes do not — a mechanism for calculating (and showing an exerciser) how much work is being done while the individual is exercising. This feedback enables individuals to better evaluate the effectiveness of their training efforts, and serves as a yardstick for monitoring progress and setting goals.
Learn New Skills
Nov0
Achieving new goals often requires learning new skills. You may need to learn some new skills and become proficient with them in order to reach your weight-loss goals. For example, you may need to improve the nutritional quality of your diet and eat fewer calories. This requires knowledge and skills in many areas: dietary balance, slowing eating, eating out, dealing with pressures from others to eat, etc. The casual weekend runner may set a new goal of participating in a local 10-kilometer run next summer. Many books and video tapes are available on this topic that will help the runner obtain the necessary skills to complete the run safely. A monthly running magazine could offer additional tips. Talking with runners who have competed in the past is another great way to develop the necessary skills for success.