Buying The Best Elliptical For Home Use

Elliptical trainers are gaining in popularity these days. Elliptical training is favored due to the low impact workouts it offers. The machines mostly come with moving handlebars, meaning that you also get a total body workout as well. Getting an elliptical trainer for home use is more convenient than going to the gym. Well, getting your daily dose of exercise is certainly easier when the workout machine is right at home.

So what is considered the best elliptical for home use? There is a wide range of models available. Depending on your budget and your needs, finding the right one is not difficult.

A good recommendation is to go and try it out at the local gym or even the store. How does the machine feel? Is it sturdy, smooth and quiet? Some come with extra features such as power incline, adjustable pedals and more choices of preset programs. Some have heart rate chest strap while others have pulse grips. Chest straps are said to give a more accurate reading.

Even the flywheel comes in different weight. The heavier the flywheel, the more stable the machine. Of course, everything comes with a price. The more features the elliptical trainer has, the higher the price tag.

Always check to ensure that there is no risk of you getting hurt when exercising on the machine. An unstable and shaky elliptical trainer might cause you to get hurt. If you tend to be on the heavy side, a machine with too light a flywheel might not be suitable for you.

Always buy from a reliable manufacturer. They will give a good warranty because they believe in their machines and their solid construction. The cheaper ones normally have a shorter warranty period.

So what do you need? Are you the serious fitness enthusiast or just the occasional exerciser? For someone who exercises very regularly, getting a better quality machine is recommended. The below $500 types might not withstand such strenuous elliptical training and might break down more often. This can be stressful.

Elliptical training is a good and reliable way to get in shape and lose weight. Since the workouts are low impact in nature, the senior citizen groups can benefit from such type of low impact exercise without worrying about painful joints and knees. An elliptical trainer for home use will be very convenient to them as this saves them the trouble of venturing outdoors on their own. Some of them might need someone to send them to the gym or elsewhere to exercise.

Exercising regularly is the key to good health. When there is too much hassle involved or you end up getting injured too easily, you will lack the motivation to carry on. Investing in an elliptical trainer might just solve your many problems. When you see the results and benefits you are getting, added to these the convenience of working out at home; chances of you pedaling on is certainly high.

So, get the best elliptical for home use that you can afford and enjoy the good health that comes with it.

Some Of The Tastiest Medifast Breakfasts Today

People often contact me and ask me my opinion on what I consider to be the best tasting Medifast meals. One of the categories that I'm most often asked about is breakfast. This makes sense to me because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I think a lot of people share this preference. There are times when I am perfectly content to have a bowl of oatmeal or cereal for a meal or snack that falls outside of the timeframe for breakfast.

I've written in the past about what I considered to be very tasty meals within this category, but the menu has updated and improved since then. So below, I will give you my updated version of what my favorite Medifast breakfast meals are right now.

The Chocolate Chip Pancakes: The pancakes are a relatively new addition to the breakfast menu. Although I really like the regular pancakes, my favorite is this variety that also have chocolate chips. What's not to like about chocolate? They aren't very skimpy on them either. And they are pretty filling. Like many of the Medifast meals, they are only 110 calories.

The Chocolate Chip Soft Bake: I think that you're going to start to see a theme here with the chocolate, but that's OK. This item really isn't on the breakfast menu, but I believe it makes a great quick breakfast. Imagine a chocolate chip cookie with the size and texture of a brownie and this is what you would have. This item is very decadent if you heat it up and eat it warm. And it's a good grab and go item.

The Southwest Eggs: I will admit that this is an item that I will choose when I've got a little more time to sit down and eat. This isn't something that I'd typically eat on the run. But it's quite good and it's very filling. I like it a little better than the regular eggs because of the addition of the onions and peppers.

The Blueberry Oatmeal: I actually like all of the Medifast oatmeals, but if I had to choose my favorite flavor, it would be the blueberry because it is different from the cinnamon flavor and the maple flavor, which are actually pretty similar to one another. This one sticks to your ribs. But again, this is something that I generally want to sit down for a couple of minutes and enjoy.

The Cappuccino And Hot Chocolate: I know that this might sound weird, but the mixture of these two makes a wonderful breakfast when you don't really have time to eat. You will have to use half a packet each in order to make up one meal instead of two. But mixing these two together makes a concoction that tastes like a very decadent mocha coffee shop drink.

The Oatmeal Raisin Bar: When you are really in a hurry, the bars are a great choice. They are filling and quite good. I have chosen this one for a couple of reasons. First, you'd expect to have oatmeal for breakfast so it's a good fit for most people. Second, this is a maintenance bar which means that it contains a little more fat and calories. That's why you are only supposed to have one maintenance bar per day. But morning is a great time to have one of these because you're typically more hungry and you have all day to burn it off.

The Dutch Chocolate Shake: Admittedly, this is an old stand by. But it's still on my list because it is still good. Many people choose the shakes at breakfast because they are fast, they are good, and they are filling. And this one is a very popular flavor choice.

Gymnastic Rings for Exercise

Few things inspire people like the Olympics. Something about all the countries competing against one another that brings people together in a way that few other things do. While the track and field events often garner the most press and excitement, gymnastics has always fascinated me, particularly the Rings. The ability to control your own body suspended above the ground and manipulate yourself demonstrates a strength that few have mastered and most wish they had. While all the gymnastic disciplines demonstrate amazing agility and strength, the rings have always seemed to draw me in.

Lets face it, most of us would also love to have the physical strength and physique of a world class gymnast. Few of us have the discipline, attitude, or time to commit to being able to getting that way, much less the facilities or coaches available to us. Using the tools a gymnast uses can help us and incorporating gymnastic rings into your workouts can bring a whole new level to your physical conditioning.

While professional gymnastic rings are designed for flipping and doing crazy stuff that makes normal people gasp and shake their head, simple gymnastic rings are available for home use. Think back to your childhood you may have even had the metal kind of rings at your playground, you can even still find these at some muscle beach locations or at playgrounds, though it is rare. The most common rings today are made from either a high density composite plastic or wood. There are still some made from metal available as well, however I will not really be addressing these. Exercise gymnastic rings attach utilizing fairly simple strapping systems that make the rings light, portable, and easy to use.

The big benefit to the composite style ring is price. It is inexpensive to make them and they are extremely durable. Composite rings are lightweight and because of the low cost, lead the way as the best way to get into ring training. You would be hard pressed to find any good fitness supplier that does not carry a good composite ring set for an affordable price. The biggest detractor to composite style rings is grip. Common sense dictates that as plastic gets wet it get slippery. Exercise leads to sweating (if it doesn't you are probably doing it wrong) which makes the rings slippery. This usually leads to people taping the rings with athletic tape or something like that to help increase grip.

Wood rings have been in use since the beginning. Wood eliminates the grip problems that plague composite rings. As wood gets wet the grain is raised which provides increased surface area and more grip. The grain in the wood rings also holds chalk infinitely better then composite allowing for better grip and less wear and tear on the hands. Wood also just feels better to most people. It seem to "break in" over time and generally just works well. The trade off for getting the wood rings is price. Wood rings are more difficult to manufacture and this in turn drives up the cost. Most people do not start with wood rings but if you are planning on getting serious with ring work then I highly recommend just getting the wood rings from the start. You will never regret having the wood rings.

The first time you use rings you will recognize right away that they are extremely fun but harder then you thought. The next day when muscles you didn't know existed all are screaming at you, you will suddenly realize how cruel they actually are. It always amazes me to watch very strong guys who can crank out weighted dips like nothing get on rings and fail miserably at doing a set of 10 dips on the rings. The reason for this is the amount of stabilization that is required to work on the rings. Ring work incorporates not only the primary muscle being worked but the myriad of tendons, ligaments, and stabilizer muscles in the body. Rings teach you to feel your body in an entirely new way.

Rings also help to prevent overuse injuries that are sometimes plague typical "weight lifting" workouts. Rings allow full range of motion in multiple planes and allow the user to move the way his or her body wants to move. In a pull up the hands will naturally turn in at the top of the movement eliminating undue stress in the shoulder joint. The amount of movement will vary person to person.

Pushups on the rings are a real eyeopener for many people as well. They rings feel like they want to just shoot out from under you. Keeping your core tight comes into focus in a whole new way. Pushups can also be varied almost infinitely, again helping prevent overuse injuries.

Basic movements on the rings are dips, pull/chin ups, rows, L-sits, and push ups. The muscle up is also a great exercise that combines the pull up to dip in one movement. For a gymnast the muscle up is not even a rated movement, for the rest of us, it isn't so simple. You can also get to some other great movements like skin the cats, inverted push ups (handstands on the rings), ice cream makers, and maybe even an iron cross. Some of the movements have funny names but they are anything but simple. A quick search on YouTube will show you many of these movements.

If you are looking for something to jump start your workouts or something simple you can take with you on the road to use then look no further then gymnastic rings. I have found them to be an indispensable part of my physical fitness and health and well being, and as one of my clients said, "I really like to swing ring to ring when no one is looking." Now get out there and move!

The Green Diet

Some foods can minimize the likelihood of inflammation and help the weight-controlling hormones to do what they do best: control our appetite and balance our blood sugar. These include fruits, vegetables, oily fish, nuts and seeds and their oils, whole grains and herbs and spices. All we can use for one green diet smoothie or start with the green diet.

- Herbs and spices are important because they are rich in antioxidants, substances that protect body cells from the damage created when the inflammatory process is in full swing. Antioxidants are like protective parents that form a shield around our body's cells and absorb free radicals, which lose their destructive energy and are safely excreted from the body.

- If you cut an apple in half and leave one half uncovered for 20 minutes you can see free radical damage occurring. The apple starts to go brown and dries up because it reacts with the oxygen in the air causing free radicals to be formed. If you soak the other half in lemon juice however, it retains its white color and texture. This is because it has been protected by the vitamin C in lemon juice. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant.

- The antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory properties of herbs and spices encourage fat burning while reducing fat storage. They also add flavor and excitement to food, which results in reduced salt consumption. Too much salt prompts fluid retention, another fat-loss adversary.

- It seems that every diet I have ever tried involved way too much shopping. All the nutrients that are important for fat loss appear to be richest in fresh foods, but after the first few days of struggling to find the time to shop fresh, I always returned to ready-made chilled foods. When I spotted a diet on the internet that promised weight loss by eating foods from the freezer, I learned that frozen fruits and vegetables are packed with almost as much nutritional punch as their fresh counterparts (sometimes more). If you have a few bags in the freezer you can create soups and smoothies, super-fast! I now always have at least six bags of frozen fruits and vegetables in the freezer and no longer have a weight problem.

- I drink chilled green tea mixed with fresh fruit juice and sparkling water when hunger strikes. Why it works: We often confuse hunger with thirst. A glass of water can take the edge off our hunger, but water can be unexciting. Caffeine-rich green tea mixed with deliciously sweet, vitamin-rich fresh fruit juice and topped up with fizzy water is a great idea. A filling, fat-burning and more exciting solution when water just isn't enough!

- I always have three apples and a bag of almonds in my handbag. Apples (and pears) are high in pectin, which helps reduce fat absorption; and they're rich in soluble fiber, which slows down the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. Almonds are a great protein/essential fat combination. The two together make for a balanced, fat-burning and filling snack; perfect on the go.

Treadmill Reviews - What Features To Look For When Buying a Treadmill

Many individuals purchase treadmills for their house instead of acquiring a gym membership. The treadmill in your home offers instant access and convenience. Since models vary, it is necessary to equip yourself with details before shopping in order to make the ideal selection for your needs. Before you purchase, make sure you follow these ideas to guarantee that you get the best treadmill for running matched for you.

Track cushioning assists to protect treadmill users' joints from the impact of workout. The better cushioning, the longer time you can enjoy your exercise without injuries. Some treadmills have uniform impact absorption throughout the track, but others have variable cushioning. The most effective design is variable cushioning, which has 3 essential areas: the front of the deck is the stride impact area where the softer rubber is positioned for optimum cushioning and absorption. More zones and thicker cushioning supply more support for each component of your step, and quicker recovery between workouts. Many treadmill reviews said that you have to stay away from treadmills that use springs for impact absorption. The reason is really straightforward, springs in fact do absorb the impact but it "spring" and release back the negative energy back to the user that will make the circumstance worst.

The motor is one of the most crucial parts of your treadmill. The motor steers the treadbelt, or track, forward. Treadmill motors are rated by their hp. These measurements could be either Continuous Power or Peak Power. Be careful of manufacturers that list Peak Power. Peak Power are actually higher numbers and sound outstanding, but all Peak Power indicates is a motor's maximum power before failure, not it's preserved output (Continuous Power). Continuous Duty Horsepower is a more accurate measure of the motor power. This is actually the power at which the treadmill could continually, steadily operate for 24 hours without slowing down. Treadmill reviews recommend at least 1.5 C.H.P (continuous horsepower) for a home treadmill. Preferably, a 2 C.H.P is matched to home joggers and runners.

The treadmill belt dimension is really a crucial component in your treadmill. Belts may be single ply or two ply. Try to find a 2 ply surface belt with a minimum width of 17 inches. You will discover belt and deck lengths from around 45 inches to over 60 inches. If you are a jogger, get a running or belt surface length of 60 inches as a minimum. If you just wish to walk on your treadmill look for a minimum belt surface length of 48 inches. The longer and wider a running belt is, the more comfortable and confident you will feel on the treadmill.

The treadmill deck is really an essential function of a treadmill that frequently ignored by purchasers. Deck construction, more than the belt, influences how smooth or hard your treadmill feels to run on and how well it absorbs shock. Most of the leading treadmill makers are using 3/4"-1" thick solid wood decks which are usually mounted on elastomer rubber grommets on top of the metal frame. The best of the best manufacturers are using triple laminated phenolic resin layers that are attached to the wood surface. Those resins have tiny pores that are created to keep the polish particles and also to help dissipate heat.

Treadmills are splendid devices designed for boosting your fitness levels. Those above ideas will surely help you get the best treadmill for running which meets your needs. If you have determined to purchase a treadmill, then keeping the mentioned pointers will aid you become an enlightened purchaser.

The Advantage of Pure Argan Oil to Hair and Skin

Argan oil becomes a trending topic in aesthetics and cosmetics world. A lot of people are curious about the nature of this particular oil and its health benefits. These are just some of the queries that individuals would want to ask about the wonder product.

The Foundation of Argan Oil

Pure argan oil is a natural-produced extract that comes from the produce of the cultivated Argan tree. Scientifically called to be Argania spinosa, its species is abundantly found in southwest Morocco. What's fascinating about it is that the tree ages a million years old. It is considered as one of the Morocco's most treasured natural jewels. In fact, the Argan trees have been assisting a lot of natives of Morocco in their daily activities. Currently, this natural oil has gained worldwide acclaim because of its plenty of benefits and advantages.

Argan Oil as Skin and Hair Benefit

Aside from the culinary advantages of this miracle extract, the Argan extract has been found to provide advantages in improving the skin and hair of every individual. It is often coined as 'liquid gold'; It contains a number of powerful nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

According to some studies, Argan oil has been proven to augment the health of the skin and preserve the youthful glow of the skin. Moreover, the oil can fight off inflammation and damage caused by free radicals. Other benefits of this miracle oil for the skin includes prevention of damage and wrinkles caused by UV rays, as well as protecting moisture evaporation to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. On the other hand, the nourishing and restorative properties of this virgin oil can be beneficial in hair care. Compared to other benefits, the oil from Morocco is popular in restoring the shine, maintaining scalp health and lessening the damage of the hair due to split ends. Thus, this oil works to enhance the state of hair and skin, which turns out be an impressive tool when speaking of aesthetic care.

Where to Purchase Argan Oil?

Products made from this Moroccan oil can be bought in various aesthetic stores online and offline. Aside from purchasing the oil extract, there are plenty of skin and hair care products that contains this kind of oil, which provides a lot of benefits to enjoy. When planning to purchase for Argan virgin oil, it is essential to take into account that the products to be purchased are chaste and approved by accredited health organization. It is obviously seen in their product packages.

Best Treadmill For Running - Treadmill Features To Consider

In case you wish to make the first step to becoming a healthier, fitter you, then getting a treadmill would certainly be the better option. The treadmill provides you a reduced impact, secure workout that burns a maximum amount of calories in the least quantity of time. You could really expect a terrific workout with this terrific machine. With all of the different brands and models of treadmills on the marketplace, it is no wonder one would certainly get very confused in determining what components are best for them. Most top-notch treadmills share a number of attributes that you can look for when shopping to find the best treadmill for running. Listed here are a couple of points to bear in mind as you shop around for the best treadmill for running.

There's not enough said about cushioning and it is so vital in a home treadmill. This not only shields the treadmill itself, but also helps prevent strain on your feet. The majority of treadmills have several type of cushioning, but a good model would possess a stronger cushion layer particularly made to minimize impact on your joints and ligaments. Ensure your treadmill offers a superb cushioning system - specifically if you'll be running! Most treadmills will certainly use rubber or springs for impact absorption. The most favored way is using rubber for cushioning that integrate into variable durometer elastomers with softer at front compare with back.

If you are planning on purchasing a motorized treadmill, then the motor will be among the most important features to compare. The more powerful the motor, the heavier an individual the treadmill can carry, and the quicker you may run! Commercial treadmills are available with motors which have hp ratings as low as 1.25 horse power for entry-level models to 4.0 hp for high-end, professional-grade treadmills. It is essential to think about both the peak duty rating and the continuous duty rating on the treadmill, specifically for larger users. Search for a motor with a continuous duty power rating. Some suppliers unfairly inflate scores by indicating peak horsepower-generally a greater number and not relevant for runners, who require continuous power for their treadmills. Look for at least a 2.0 HP continuous duty motor and this must be sufficient. If you're heavy and prepare to run for extended periods at higher speeds and inclines, think about higher (2 to 3) horsepower ratings.

The dimension of the treadbelt must be an important factor to consider for individuals on the market for a treadmill. For long wear - and comfortable cushioning - be certain to choose a belt that's at least two-ply. A belt's length is normally 50"-62". Longer belts are made to suit longer strides. If you are a jogger, get a running or belt surface length of 60 inches as a minimum. In case you only wish to walk on your treadmill look for a minimum belt surface length of 48 inches. The longer and wider a running belt is, the more comfortable and positive you will feel on the treadmill.

Incline is another crucial treadmill part to think about. Cheaper models generally only have two or three set slope levels and you will need to adjust it by hand. The better models are "automatic slope" (also named "electric slope"). This suggests they have an added small motor to raise it up and down while you jog. The capacity of a treadmill to incline is one of their most valuable attributes. It enables you to carry out hill training regardless of where you reside.

To find the best treadmill for running for your situation, make certain it is properly rated for the situations you will come across. Whereas price is clearly a concern, attempt not to purchase based on the price alone, and not all designs will fit your needs, so it is essential to take your needs into consideration. The above tips on buying for treadmills will certainly make it simpler for you to choose the correct one.

The Healthy Vegan Raw Food Lifestyle - Why You Should Adopt It

There are so many sick and unhealthy people in the world today. For the majority of these people, their diet is shockingly unhealthy and they really don't care what they put into their bodies. Sometimes it's not that they don't care, but it's that they have little knowledge on healthy eating. So, what happens to these people if they keep eating junk food over a long period of time?

These people eventually go from being merely unhealthy to very, very sick. Can their sick bodies ever become healthy again? I mean, so much damage has already been done by gorging themselves daily on fast foods, fatty foods, and not to mention, too much food. Well, guess what? They can become healthy again - it is possible. But how?

Become healthy again with a Raw Vegan Lifestyle

It's all about adopting a new lifestyle and healthy eating plan - a complete lifestyle overhaul. What I highly recommend to achieve this is venturing down the road of a healthy raw food vegan diet. Hear me out please, since this way of eating can seriously reverse all of your body damage and major health problems. I call the vegan raw food diet the "Mother of All Diets". All other diet plans do not even come close!

Amazing Health Benefits

You see, eating raw living foods gives the body ridiculous energy boosts, clears up skin problems, helps the body get rid of excess fat, makes a person feel more mentally stable and at inner peace, and gives a person an amazing newfound zest for life. How do I Know this? Well, I personally eat a high percentage of raw foods and super-juices in my diet on a regular basis, and I feel absolutely great by doing this! When I eat these amazing living foods, I seriously never want to eat anything that would harm my body again. I just want the feeling of pure health and natural bliss to continue. I truly feel like I'm on cloud nine when I eat large doses of these superfoods.

But hang on, raw foods taste disgusting, right?

Wrong.

Raw foods taste GREAT!

I kid you not; raw foods really have a superior taste and freshness than any cooked food ever will. Try making for yourself a Super-Salad with sprouts, mungbeans, avocado, corn, onion, carrots, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and grated beetroot. It is to die for! And you will have an energy boost that will last all day long! Or why not try eating just fruit for breakfast and morning tea? Maybe even treat yourself to some freshly squeezed orange juice. Your skin will start to clear up and weight will start to fall off - just because you decided to eat only fruit in the mornings. How cool is that!

What Causes Face Acne? What's The Solution?

Acne is a skin condition and skin problem that almost all teenagers experience to some extent. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty stimulate the hair-producing follicles beneath the skin, causing them to become larger. At the same time, the oil-producing glands within the follicle produce more oil.

A pimple starts when oil combines with dead skin cells within the follicles to form a clog. Bacteria are naturally present in the follicle, as well. The bacteria feed off of the dead skin cells and oil combination and multiply. The result is a minor infection that is accompanied by inflammation. Inflammation is what causes the puffiness, pain and redness that accompany a pimple.

After puberty, when hormonal levels become more stable, the severity of acne and the frequency of breakouts typically reduce. However, some people struggle with the problem throughout their lives.

Certain things are recognized as triggers for outbreak. The hormonal changes that accompany a woman's menstrual cycle may contribute to breakouts. Stress is known to increase the severity of breakouts, although it is not considered a "cause" of face acne.

In some cases, overgrowth of certain kinds of bacteria is involved. Bacteria are naturally present on the skin's surface and in the pores of the skin. That's why cuts and scrapes can easily become infected if they are not cleaned quickly and thoroughly.

Normally, the bacteria do not cause a problem, unless there is a cut or scrape. In the case of acne, some strains of bacteria multiply faster than normal. It is pretty much agreed upon in the scientific community that the P. acnes bacteria is a cause of acne, especially when the condition is severe.

Certain strains of staph bacteria may also be involved in severe or moderate cases of acne. Over the years, staph bacteria have become more resistant to common antibiotics that were originally effective against the strains. MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) infections have caused problems for many hospitals, even shutting down whole wings temporarily.

Another possible cause of face acne is genetics. Although no gene has been identified as the "cause" of the problem, there are several possibilities. Geneticists are not spending a lot of time on this type of research. But studies and surveys seem to indicate that the condition does run in families. Cystic acne, in particular, seems to have a genetic component.

Certain foods may trigger outbreaks in sensitive individuals. Not everyone will experience an outbreak after eating chocolate but many people will. The latest research indicates that the total glycemic load of a person's daily diet may be the issue. Diets with a high glycemic load trigger inflammation in the follicles, acting much like the hormones of puberty.

If you have face acne, you probably want to know how to get rid of it. There's not much you can do about hormonal changes and you can't change your family. You could keep a food diary to see if certain foods trigger outbreaks and try to eat more foods with a low glycemic index. That would probably be good for your health in the long-run anyway.

In many cases, a good skincare regimen helps a lot. No, it's not that you are not cleaning your face enough. You might actually be over-cleaning. If you read my next article, you can learn about skincare products that could help you get rid of face acne for good.

You can learn more about the solutions for getting rid of acne and other skin problems remedies by clicking the SKIN PROBLEMS REMEDIES in the resource box below.