Fitness Programs

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In a world of endless distractions, anything that gets you active while entertaining you is golden. We’re more likely to do the things that are good for us when it’s an engaging, enjoyable experience.

You may have heard that VR can give you a pretty good cardio workout. This is great news for gamers that want to get off the couch, and explore new ways to interact with virtual environments.

In truth only certain VR games are sure to get your heart pumping. Thus, it’s not as simple as picking up the latest headset from Sony or Oculus and playing any VR game that appeals to you. The right approach is necessary to meet your fitness goals. You’ll need to find the games that require a high level of physical activity, and balance that with the ones that hold your interest as well.

Continue Reading VR Gives You a Real Cardio Workout (Plus it’s a Blast)
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You may have heard of Chalene Johnson’s PiYo and wonder if it’s an effective way to keep fit and burn fat. Well, PiYo is one of the best low-impact yet high-intensity exercise video programs you can follow as a woman. It was developed by the founder of Turbo Kick system, Chalene Johnson and it combines the muscle-sculpting benefits of Pilates with the flexibility and strength advantages of yoga.

PiYo introduces you to a dynamic, flowing sequence of exercises that can help you burn serious calories and help you tone and lengthen your muscles which leads to increased flexibility. This is not like standard yoga or Pilates classes that lead you through dozens of repetitive movements or poses.

Continue Reading Chalene Johnson’s PiYo Base Kit Review
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It can be hard exercising every day as a woman, especially when you’ve not developed a workout routine for yourself. This is why you need daily motivation to keep going. There are many exercise video programs designed for women, but it can be a daunting task when you want to make the right choice. Don’t worry about that; I am here to help you out.

So, let’s get right to the list of the best exercise video programs that you can pick up and follow to stay fit and improve your mind. They include:

1. Chalene Johnson’s PiYo Base Kit

This exercise program was created by Chalene Johnson, the founder of the Turbo Kick system and it is one of the best exercise video programs for women. It combines the practices of Yoga and Pilates and it can help you lose weight, increase flexibility, and build strength.

This exercise program also adds in components of dance and martial art for a more intense, kick booty workout. It also allows you to use upbeat, mainstream music to keep you excited and in the zone during the workout.

When you follow this exercise program, it engages the small and large muscles of your body through poses like side plank, plank, core lunges, and squats, which helps you build strength through resistance. It leaves your body looking long, lean and incredibly defined.

PiYo classes are aerobic and they can help you burn calories, increase your heart rate and give out some tough sweat  Besides that, they also help to add flexibility to your muscles, increase the range of motion in your joints, and improve your balance.

Continue Reading 5 Best Exercise Video Programs for Women
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1. Wii Fit Plus and Wii Fit U

(Wii, Wii U)

They say that numbers don’t lie, and Wii Fit takes the top spot due to its incredible popularity during the seventh generation console era.

It’s the only fitness title for a home console (Nintendo Wii) to become a top-ten bestseller. 22.67 million and 21.13 million copies of Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus have sold respectively as of Oct. 2017.

Wii Fit tracks your center of balance, weight and movement via the Balance Board peripheral, so naturally it excels at balance games and yoga. A variety of strength training and aerobic activities are also included.

Even over a decade after its launch, there is nothing out there anything like Wii Fit. And over the years, people have found new ways to better lives by using it for physiotherapy rehabilitation and gaming rehabilitation.

Continue Reading Best Fitness Video Games of All Time
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Since P90X and P90X3 empowers its users to bypass gym membership fees, as well as eliminating the need for an extensive home gym, accessibility is a prime reason it has become astonishingly popular.

One of the best aspects of the P90X system is that it challenges you without the need for heavy, expensive equipment. Only a pull-up bar and either resistance bands or dumbbells are required.

Why Dumbbells Over Resistance Bands?

Gym rats claiming that dumbbells are objectively the best choice have it wrong. Studies have concluded that a dumbbell or resistance band with the same weight/resistance rating has the same ability to build and tone muscle.

Unlike workout machines, either offers a free range of motion as well. So your movements won’t be restricted in an unnatural manner.

The key difference here in terms of function is that with dumbbells you’re lifting against gravity while with resistance bands you’re lifting against tension.

Although resistance bands are great for travel, dumbbells are incredibly robust and a quality product can last a lifetime. Although manufacturers such as Bodylastics are beefing up their resistance bands so snapping is less likely, their offerings are made from materials that degrade over time (latex, rubber, etc.). If you’re working out at home why not choose what’s best in the long-term?

Range of Weights Recommended

For best results and to adapt to your current fitness capabilities, you’ll want a wide range of dumbbells at your disposal or adjustable dumbbells. Exercises such as triceps kickbacks require light weights, while others like heavy pants are intended to be executed with heavy resistance.

The P90X Fitness Guide suggests using a range of dumbbells starting at 5 pounds and going as high as 70 pounds.

Fixed vs. Adjustable Dumbbells

You’d need a rack filled with fixed dumbbells (ranging from 5 to 60 lbs.) to replace most adjustable dumbbells. So by going with an adjustable model, you’ll save space and if you need a comprehensive set, money too.

Adjustable dumbbell brands like Bowflex have gone high-tech. SelectTech 560 includes Bluetooth connectivity which syncs and records sets, reps and the weight used. Results are viewed via the Bowflex SelectTech App.

People with plenty of space looking to build a more professional gym at home may prefer the convenience of traditional dumbbells. Rather than pausing the P90X video to change the weight of your adjustable dumbbells, you’ve got the ability to quickly grab what is needed from a rack.

Most people however, will be better off going with adjustable dumbbells as they offer a greater value.

For more analysis on the characteristics of both fixed and adjustable dumbbells, read the full article here.

Which Adjustable Dumbbells to Choose?

Bowflex and PowerBlock are the most popular makers of adjustable dumbbells, and within these two camps the choices are simple.

There is essentially an option for average fitness needs and an amped up version for fitness enthusiasts, power lifters and athletes. Specifically, the Bowflex SelectTech 552/560 or PowerBlock Personal Trainer Set is for most people, and the SelectTech 1090 or PowerBlock Elite for the highest achievers.

On the Bowflex side the SelectTech 560 is the latest model replacing the 552.

Which Fixed Dumbbells to Get?

Dumbbell sets for light lifting are commonly encased in vinyl or neoprene. These are commonly intended for women with average fitness goals.

Sets with weights above 20 lbs. are fundamentally made of cast iron.

Brands are much less significant in this space compared to adjustable dumbbells, as these are comparably simple products to make. That being said, XMARK and CAP offer quality products and are among the best sellers on Amazon.com.

Don’t be fooled by starter fixed dumbbell sets with low price tags, as you’ll easily outgrow these, and the included weights won’t cover what is need to get the most out of P90X or P90X3.

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Photo: Jim