Fitness & the NHS

“Unhealthy lifestyles are costing the Health Service more than £1billion a year say researchers” according to an article in The Mail (Tuesday 20^th March 2007).

“The Oxford University team found that lack of exercise was directly responsible for 3 per cent of all deaths and illness.

A study shows 287,206 people died from diseases associated with lack of exercise in 2003/4, with more than 35,000 directly linked to physical inactivity”.

Another study by Bristol University has found that just 15 minutes of brisk activity a day could halve the risk of becoming obese.

So the message is go for a jog or buy a crosstrainer such as the Tunturi C40 – see http://www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk/ which you can use anytime - even on a wet and windy night.

However, if the dangers of not exercising are clear, the benefits of regular exercise are even clearer. Exercising triggers the release of those “feel good” endorphins which can wash away the day’s stresses leaving you feeling energised and ready to enjoy life.

Rowing is another excellent cardio vascular work out. The Water Rower (http://www.WaterRower.com) is a superb example of an easy to use and highly beneficial exercise machine. With its smooth action and rhythmic swish of water it feels just like rowing on a lake! Space is not an issue either as the Water Rower pivots upwards to stand close to a wall with only a modest space footprint.

A healthy lifestyle however is more than just exercising. You need to eat sensibly too! So next time you’re peeling the vegetables, see if you can do it whilst running on the spot. You’ll also get some stretching when you bend down to pick up the dropped peelings!

On a more serious note - for prices and information (including advice and comparative notes on what exercise equipment to buy you should refer to:

http://www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk/

Did you know that rowing can workout 84% of your muscles?

Using a rowing machine can provide one of the best aerobic workouts as well as using up to 84% of your muscles. Using a rowing machine will help increase your fitness levels burn fat and tone your body. Look at any of the oxford rowing team and you’ll see that they all have very toned bodies. One of my favourite rowing machines is the WaterRower which provides an excellent seating position and encourages you to row with your back straight which is important.

For a full range of rowing machines please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk

A little weight training tip for you

Most people who weight train will still want to benefit from an aerobic workout whilst lifting weights. This can be achieved, try supersets. Basically this involves two exercises (not for the same muscle group) and performing one straight after the other with very little rest in between. Ideally do not pause for more than 45 seconds between sets. The continuous effort will help you achieve an aerobic state.

For a full range of exercise equipment please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk

Our opinion of the Bremshey Control C Crosstrainer

Bremshey elliptical trainers also known as crosstrainers have always had a reputation for feeling more expensive than what they are. Maybe it’s due to the German engineering or the high build quality. The Bremshey Control C follows suit by providing a smooth workout and feel of quality considering its RRP of under £500. The Control C crosstrainer is easy to assemble and has a heavier flywheel than it’s lesser models making the action smoother and more enjoyable. The console is backlit and there enough programs to keep you entertained for a long time. Resistance can be easily adjusted via the buttons mounted on top of the fixed handlebars as well as using the buttons on the console. The Bremshey Control C crosstrainer will not disappoint and is sure to be an excellent seller this year.

If you would like to purchase or find more specific details of the Bremshey Control C crosstrainer then please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk/ where you will find a full range of crosstrainers with free UK mainland delivery.

Treadmill or Elliptical Trainer?

Treadmill or Elliptical Trainer?

Should I buy a treadmill or an elliptical trainer? I am asked this question frequently and every time I respond with a similar answer. It depends on your situation and personal preferences. Treadmills are an excellent way to burn calories and get your heart working. They help improve coordination and increase bone density as your feet are leaving the ground and impacting on the running deck. However not everyone enjoys running and often people have knee or hip problems which prohibit them from using a treadmill.

For these people an elliptical trainer, also know as a crosstrainer, is ideal. Elliptical trainers, such as the Tunturi C60, provide a low impact workout whilst still burning calories. Your feet are always in contact with the elliptical foot plates and so there is very low impact to your joints.

With regards to size and costs, most treadmills fold nowadays and so they actually take up no more room than a large book shelf when folded. Reebok actually make a treadmill, the Reebok i-run which is so slim that once folded that it can actually fit under a bed! Treadmills range in price anywhere from £199 for a non motorised treadmill up to £10,000 for a full commercial treadmill. £750 to a £1000 will buy you a good quality folding treadmill like the Tunturi T30.

Elliptical trainers are fairly slim and long and most like, the Bremshey Trail C crosstrainer can be wheeled allowing easy movement. Elliptical trainers can be purchased from as little as £99 but ideally you should look at spending £350 upwards if you want something with a good warranty and that will last. As they say you get what you pay for and with exercise equipment that saying is defiantly true.

Please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk for a full range of Treadmills and Elliptical Trainers.

Why purchase a WaterRower

Rowing machines have different types of resistance including magnetic resistance, air resistance and water resistance. Magnetic resistance rowers, such as the folding Tunturi R60, often offer programs like you would have on your elliptical trainer and it is often easy to adjust the resistance with the press of a button. Air resistance rowers such as the Concept rower use air and a fan assembly to provide resistance. The concept rower is very popular but personally I prefer the feel of the WaterRower. The WaterRower un-surprisingly uses water as a means of resistance. This means that the resistance is very smooth and non jarring. The WaterRower has a tank at the front which you fill with water and inside the tank are two paddles. When you pull the handle the paddles turn inside the tank and the water provides the resistance. The noise of the water inside the tank is very therapeutic and the action of the WaterRower feels excellent.

Using a siphon you can increase or decrease the amount of water to alter the resistance but to be honest the harder you row the harder your workout so there is no real need to increase or decrease the resistance once it’s filled. I personally use a WaterRower and I have never changed the water level.

There are a number of rowers in the WaterRower model range, the home versions are made from wood and look like a high class piece of furniture when not in use. The commercial versions are made from steel and are designed to withstand the vigour of a commercial environment. Another advantage of the WaterRowers is that they can be stood on end when finished meaning that they take up very little room.

Please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk for more details of the WaterRower range.

Turn an everyday activity into an exercise opportunity

There are numerous times during our daily activities where we can be physically active and move around, in order to increase our fitness levels and burn more calories. Below is a list of just some of the opportunities you can utilise:

• Always take the stairs rather than the lift
• Walk or cycle to the shops rather than drive
• If you do have to drive to work or the shops park as far away as possible and walk.
• During the summer try and do some gardening everyday.

Combine these daily activities with a weekly fitness regime and you will achieve a healthier and fitter lifestyle.

Looking for fitness equipment for the home? Please visit www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk for a full range of fitness equipment.

Tunturi introduces the B60 Body Shaper multi-gym

In the late 1960’s Tunturi introduced its legendary W1 exercise bike and practically started the whole fitness business. Since then Tunturi, based in Finland, has gone from strength to strength designing and selling exercise equipment including treadmills, exercise bikes, crosstrainers, rowers and now multi-gyms. Tunturi has an enviable reputation as being one of the leading and best known manufacturers of high class fitness equipment, all backed up with its excellent service and warranty scheme.

New for 2007 is the Tunturi B60 Body Shaper multi-gym, which if Tunturi have there way will be a great success. The Tunturi B60 multi-gym provides 80kg of resistance and can be adjusted in 2kg increments. There is an illustrated instruction card provided which shows 18 different exercises providing exercises for all the major muscle groups. The B60 has been designed for home use and the attention to detail is great with the usual Tunturi build quality and top class ergonomics. The Tunturi B60 folds and only weighs 77kg, as it uses a resistance system instead of a heavy weight stack and so it is suitable for upstairs. When folded the Tunturi B60 can be wheeled which allows for easy storage. In use the Tunturi B60 is smooth and quiet and the high density foam upholstery feels comfortable and durable.

The Tunturi B60 Body Shaper comes fully assembled and is immediately ready for use.

Please visit www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk for a large selection of Tunturi fitness equipment, including the Tunturi B60 Body Shaper multi-gym, all with free UK delivery.

WaterRower introduce www.we-row.com

I’ve long been a big fan of the WaterRower, and now they’ve started a competitive forum/user resource website www.we-row.com. The idea is that using the PC cable which is available as an option you download your times form your WaterRower to your computer and then from your computer onto the forum. You register with the site and then you can compete with other registered users. It is still in it’s development stages at the moment but I am sure it will become a excellent resource for all WaterRower owners.

If you’re looking for a WaterRower then please visit www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk