The Best Fitness Gear

The Five Axis Mechanical Core Muscle Trainer.

This is the low-impact mechanical exerciser that methodically tilts across five axes to effectively strengthen core muscles in your thighs, buttocks, back, and deep abdomen, helping improve your balance and posture, relieve back pain, and enhance torso stability. Ideal for the physically limited or experienced exercisers, the device allows you to conduct a 15-minute exercise routine while seated without creating excessive pressure and stress on joints.

The saddle tilts back and forth, left to right, up and down, and twists in preprogrammed sequences, building core muscle groups that are neglected by traditional training regimens. The gentle swaying of the saddle changes your center of balance and, as you attempt to regain your equilibrium, your core muscles expand and contract.

How to choose fitness equipment
Choosing the right fitness equipment is the first step many people take toward better health and fitness routines they can live with. If you make your choice wisely, your exercise equipment will provide years of healthy workouts. From simple hand held free weights to an elaborate home gym, the range of available fitness equipment is staggering and can often be confusing and complex. In this article, we'll look at some of the most popular types of powered fitness machines and manual (non-powered) exercise gear. We'll also give you some general guidelines for selecting home exercise equipment.
What type of exercise is best for you?
This is often the hardest part of the selection process - thinking about the how you want to work out. To make an informed decision, you need to know that there are two basic types of exercise: aerobic and weight bearing. Aerobic exercise (also known as cardiovascular training) raises your heart rate, boosts metabolism and puts your body into "fat burning" mode while you do it. Aerobic exercisers include:

• Treadmills
• Elliptical trainers
• Exercise bikes
• Recumbent bikes
• Pedal exercisers
• Rowing machines
• Ski machines like the NordicTrack
• Stair steppers

Weight-bearing exercise, (also know as strength training) develops the large muscle groups of the body and actually increases the muscle mass in your body. Types of strength training machines are:

• Home gym
• Workout bench
• Incline bench
• Barbells
• Hand weights (dumbbells)
• Weight sets
• Weight benches.
• Abdominal exercisers

Since muscle burns more calories than fat, building lean muscle plays an important role in weight loss. The more muscle you have, the more fat you'll burn during a cardio workout. Your workout program should include both types of exercise to build endurance, burn fat and develop muscle mass. Next, you'll need to select equipment that suits your lifestyle and available time.
excerpted from an article by Rita Liotta

Sharper Image Foldaway Elliptical Strider with Heart-Rate Monitor (SR409)

Tone calves, thighs, hips, buttocks, stomach, chest and arms as you glide on our upgraded Foldaway Elliptical Strider - now with a convenient built-in heart-rate monitor. Metal contact plates on the handlebars instantly measure your heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) as you exercise. The generous contoured footplates allow you to achieve a comfortable, stable stance as you take full-range strides while pumping the cushioned handlebars. Rest against the padded body cushion for optimal posture and balance. The LCD shows elapsed time, steps taken, estimated calories burned, steps per minute and heart rate.