Exercise and Physical Activity: Are They Different?

They may seem to be one and the same thing, but there is a clear distinction between exercise and physical activity.

By definition, physical activity involves movement carried out by our muscles that require energy, which means that any movement we do is actually is in fact a physical activity. Research tells us that all normal physical activity contributes to physical health and well being.

Exercise on the other hand, is a focused, planned, structured, repetitive and intentional movement with the goal of maintaining health or improving physical fitness. It is a subcategory or a kind of physical activity. With exercise, you focus on cardiopulmonary fitness for your heart and lungs, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition (body muscle mass and fat).

Gym equipment suppliers are aware of these, and that is why they design equipment to cater to each specific facet of physical fitness. That is the reason why there are machines that focus on strength training, like dumbbells, bench presses, free weights, and lifting machines, as well as machines like treadmills and stationary bikes to help with cardio and endurance.

Physical activity is important. Studies have shown that increased physical activity has positive benefits and even reduces the risk of developing certain cancers. Focused activity and exercise also improves overall fitness, endurance and well being. Exercise machines from gym equipment suppliers have been specifically designed to maximize your movements for the positive benefits. And since exercise is a focused activity, you get more health benefits in a safe and efficient manner. A reputable equipment supplier with extensive experience and expertise can provide the best equipment and supply assistance and advice and help in designing a suitable gym environment. With the right set of tools and planning, help build up a fitness facility with the best equipment possible or even just put together a small home gym that would suit your needs and budget.

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A Guide on How to Buy Weight Lifting Equipment

There are a couple of things to consider before you go on to purchase your weight lifting equipment—and they are especially important if you are buying online and setting up a gym at home. Here are a few tips:

• Do your research -Take a look at product reviews and see what other customers have to say. Read the product description to find out what the equipment is made of. As with anything that you are about to try for the first time, you have to do a little searching and reading. 

• Buy from a reputable shop - Purchase your gym equipment from a shop that is not only authorised to sell genuine products, but is also manned by experts who know thing or two about what they are selling to their customers. Read up the shop’s history and testimonials. Check if they perform installation services and how fast they can deliver.

• Measure your space - Take note of the dimensions of where you plan on placing your gym equipment. Most of these machines need a minimum amount of room for maximum efficiency and safety reasons. Measure the height, width and length of your available space and compare them with the actual measurements of the products.

• Try before you buy - If you can, then test out the equipment before you buy it. If not, go by the reviews.Some online shops accept returns and exchanges, which is highly useful if you are having it delivered to you and can’t test it before buying.

• Go for adjustable - If your home weight lifting equipment will be used by multiple users, buy something adjustable and adaptive to various sizes and capabilities. Buy barbells that can be easily adjusted with a push or lifting a pin; same goes for presses. For kettle balls and dumbbells, purchase various weights to accommodate novice to expert lifters.

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Five Fitness Accessories to Enhance your Workout

Do you want to enjoy your workouts even more? Perhaps it’s time to treat yourself to fitness accessories to change up your routine. Consider buying the following:

Heart Rate Monitor

Exercising is no doubt good for you, but you don’t want to overdo it to the point of overworking your heart. This is why heart monitors are recommended. They can help you keep track of your heart vitals and tells you if you are pushing too hard.

Aerobic Step Deck

A step deck can take your aerobic exercises to the next level. Choose a multi-functional model that is useful for a variety of exercises and can be adjusted in a variety of ways. Some of the best ones can adjust in height, from 20 to 35 centimeters.

Foam Roller

You definitely need these to relax and stretch your tired leg muscles. A good foam roller gives you plenty of self-massage options. It can work on your IT bands, calves, or quads. Choose a three in one model—a massage stick inside a low-density foam roller stashed inside a high-density foam roller.

Exercise Mat

These fitness accessories can definitely make floor exercises a lot more comfortable. Choose a high-quality PVC vinyl covered exercise mat that is made with high density aerothene foams. Don’t fall for cheaper alternatives that are made of low density foam. They don’t offer the protection you need and tend to fall apart easily.

Resistance Bands

When you ask gym instructors what their favorite affordable fitness accessories are, they will likely say resistance bands. These rubber bands provide a cheap way to keep those muscles toned while helping you develop strength. The workout possibilities are endless. Go for a 1.5-meter resistance band—it’s the perfect length for hundreds of exercises.

Other accessories

A great music player can help ensure that you never get bored during your workouts. Listening to your favorite tunes can keep you focused on your exercise goals and even help you relax during cool down. You will also need a water bottle, to keep yourself hydrated during your workout session.

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Advantages of Home Exercise Equipment

If keeping fit and losing weight is your goal, then it makes sense to invest in home exercise equipment so you can work out conveniently, any time you wish. Regular workouts are essential to shedding those extra pounds and keeping them off. The right home exercise equipment can help you stick to a fitness routine because it makes exercising so much easier.

Having a home gym means you get to work out whenever you want—be it late at night or early in the morning. This is great if you have an extremely busy work schedule and don’t have time to go all the way to a gym to use a treadmill or attend fitness classes. With your own home exercise equipment, you never have to queue to use certain machines in the gym or wait your turn in the shower.

Having your own home exercise equipment also gives you much more privacy, which is important if you’re feeling self-conscious about your weight. Now you can work out in the privacy of your home. You don’t even have to wear ‘proper’ gym attire. Go ahead and work out in your pajamas if you wish. No one will see you.

Working out at home can even save you from various distractions you will probably encounter in a gym, such as other gym members trying to socialize. By eliminating distractions, you can maximize your workout time.

Investing in home equipment can even save you money in the long run as you no longer have to spend on monthly gym memberships that you don’t use fully, anyway. You don’t have to buy fancy gym clothes, either. And because you can work out at home, you no longer have to drive or take a cab or train to the gym. This can cut your transportation and parking costs.

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A Buying Guide to Choose the Right Treadmill for You

Various factors such as travelling to the gym, or bad weather for a walk outside can hamper your exercise.  With a treadmill, you can exercise without leaving the comfort of your home. This will help you to choose the perfect treadmill:

•      Assessing the size

While buying a treadmill, the size of the treadmill must be considered and mostly they are of similar footprint.  There needs to be ample space around the treadmill for safety. You must assess the space available in your home and choose the treadmill accordingly.  Some treadmills are foldable, if space is a constraint, this would be ideal.

•      Weight limit

When buying a treadmill, it is highly likely that all family members will use it. Therefore, the machine must accommodate the heaviest person in the family to reduce risk of injury. The heavier the treadmill, the sturdier it will be. This is more of a concern while using inclination to walk or run. If it is wobbly, there is a high risk of injury associated with it.

•      Ergonomics and noise

When walking or running you must assess how the cushioning and shock absorbers feel. The comfort of the deck while running must be checked. It should be long enough to accommodate your stride. The treadmill should not be too loud that it distracts you from your workout.

•      Motor control

A very important aspect of a treadmill is the motor. It has two motors - one to run the belt and one for inclination. It is important to choose an ideal horsepower specification for long life of the machine, preferably a 1.5 horsepower continuous duty motor.

1.    DC motor, designed for domestic use. A high quality home use treadmill will have a 2.5hp D.C. Continuous motor that will be long lasting and reliable

2.    AC motor, designed for industrial / commercial use. 3hp AC continuous motor ideal for smaller gyms, 4hp AC motor continuous ideal for larger gyms.

•      Programming options and features

A treadmill basically can help you walk or run at flat levels or at inclination. You can opt for treadmills that have pre-programmed settings targeted at fat burning, maintaining heart rate or HIIT training. Treadmills also come with heart rate monitors, some are even linked with specialized apps, pulse monitors etc.

•      Budget

Due to advances in technology, you can avail great equipment at lower costs. Manual treadmills are way less in cost than the motorized ones, but are not recommended due to numerous setbacks. You should also inquire about the delivery costs, warranty for the treadmill before buying.

The above will help you choose the perfect treadmill for yourself. You need to decide on what you need and look for the various options to make an informed decision.

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