Busy? How to Stay Fit When You’re Swamped by Fitness 4 Home Superstore

Are you super swamped? Does your day start really early in the morning and end late at night? Do you feel like there is too much to do and so little time for exercise and fitness?

How do busy people squeeze exercise into their packed schedules? For starters, both running and walking are excellent choices for extremely busy people. Both are great kinds of physical exercises that will allow you to burn more calories, shed unwanted pounds and control your weight. Walking is easier, but running makes you burn more calories for the same period of time. Fast walking may be the most preferable combination of both, as it makes you burn calories and does not require too much time.

For example, a 150 lb person walking at 3mph burns approximately 320 calories per hour. Brisk walking at 4.5 mph burns even more calories, about 440 calories per hour.

Both running and walking have many advantages! You can run or walk even if you have only half an hour of spare time. It doesn’t take much to get your heart rate going and that’s really all you need to do to exercise. You do not have to go to a gym to exercise. Go outside and run or walk along the street or in the park. You can even spend 30 minutes on your home treadmill and catch up on your favorite television show.

If you’re trying to choose between running and walking, consider your general physical state. If you have physical limitations, problems with your back, excess weight or high blood pressure, you may want to stick to walking. If you can run, you should! Running will burn more calories and help you get in shape must faster than walking. Plus, if you have very little time to spend on exercising, running will be more beneficial to you in short bursts.

Also keep in mind that the length and difficulty of your physical activity should be appropriate for your age. It is always a good idea to ask your doctor for advice before making any significant changes to your lifestyle.

So, if your life is super busy, make sure you make time to exercise! It’s a great way to relieve stress and can be very calming!



Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, strength training, fitness equipment, exercise equipment

Fitness Equipment – Product Spotlight: The True PS800 Treadmill-NEW!

Thinking of purchasing new home fitness equipment but not quite sure what you’re looking for? Check out a new for 2008 addition to the Fitness 4 Home Superstore exercise equipment lineup – The NEW True PS800 Treadmill.

The True PS800 treadmill features an expansive 21" x 60" striding surface with TRUE's patented SOFT system and fabled orthopedic belt for the most forgiving cushioning system available.

The TRUE PS800 treadmill also features a state-of-the-art cable and DVD-ready built-in TV and MP3-compatible entertainment system. Now you can stay motivated through every workout!

The TRUE PS800 features a larger motor, aluminum straddle covers and Soft Select™ which allows you to customize the softness/firmness of the deck surface. The TRUE PS800 combines excellent design, craftsmanship, durability and functionality to take your performance to the next level.

Want to know more? Stop by one of our three Arizona Fitness 4 Home Superstore locations today!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, fitness equipment, home fitness equipment, exercise equipment, home exercise equipment, elliptical

Diet – Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? Some of the hardest things to give up when you’re on a diet and trying to lose weight are your favorite foods. But with an ultra-healthy recipe for sun-dried tomato and basil pizza, you won’t have to give up this favorite!

1 12” whole-wheat pizza crust

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

1/2 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped

Fresh basil

First, the dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes must be re-hydrated before they can be used. Put them in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak until the tomatoes are soft and pliable, about 5 minutes, then drain.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Lightly coat a 12-inch round baking pan with cooking spray.

Roll out dough and press into the baking pan. Arrange garlic, cheese and tomatoes on top of the pizza crust. Tear fresh basil and arrange pieces evenly over pizza.

Bake on the lowest rack of the oven until the pizza crust turns brown and the toppings are hot, about 20 minutes.

Cut the pizza into 8 even slices and serve immediately.

Serving Size: 2 slices, Fat: 2g, Calories: 180

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy diet, healthy eating, healthy food, low calorie, low fat, low-fat

Look Great in ’08 with Fitness 4 Home Superstore

You’ve already made an intelligent decision and decided that your home is the best place for you to work out. The next step is to decide what equipment you need. If your resolution is to get fit in the New Year and work on your strength training, here are a few things you should consider before you start shopping at Fitness 4 Home Superstore.

A home gym can be whatever you want it to be. It may just be a place where you exercise and lift weights, or it could be a compact equipment station (also called multi-gyms) designed to fit into a spare room, basement or garage so that you can do weight training at home.

Home Gym Setup Options

There are endless options when it comes to choosing the right fitness equipment for your home gym. But the choices for weight training equipment basically fall into a few categories: portable, free weight, multi-gyms, and total gyms. Aerobic exercise equipment such as treadmills, rowers and stationary bikes are always options for a great cardio workout, but for now we are going to concentrate on strength training equipment.

Portable Equipment – Includes everything from dumbbells to workout benches, stability balls, steps, mats, ab machines and more. If you can pick it up and move it, it fits in this category. The main advantage of portable workout equipment is that you can fold it up (if necessary) and put it away when you’re through with it. Some equipment, like stability balls and mats, is even compact enough to be taken along on a trip which makes portable equipment a popular choice for home gym equipment.

Free Weight Accessories – This includes adjustable benches, power racks, barbells, dumbbells and plates (also called round weights). While some of these things may be portable, they are all categorized as heavy duty equipment that often times are part of a larger assembly. If the space you require for your home gym is small, free weight accessories are probably your best bet. You’ll be able to get a great strength training workout in with equipment that will test you to the max.

Multi-Gyms – There are several different types of multi-gyms available for home use. The first type is based on steel or composite bands and cords that create resistance. The second type is based on stacked weights, uses a cable and pulley mechanism and allows you to select the desired weight. The third type includes round weights that are manually fitted to barbell extensions. All of these are great options for a home gym. What you choose will depend upon the type of workout you’re trying to achieve and the amount of space you have in your home.

Total Gyms – A total gym uses an adjustable bench and a sliding seat platform that increases resistance based on your own body weight. While the total gym may require more space, it will allow you to incorporate more strength training exercises into your workout.

To help you decide which option to choose when it comes to home exercise equipment, you should consider what your goals and level of commitment are. If you’re still unsure about what’s best for you, stop by any of our 3 local Fitness 4 Home Superstore locations and talk to one of our fitness experts!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, strength training, fitness equipment, exercise equipment

Fitness Equipment – Product Spotlight: The Spirit XE300 Elliptical

Thinking of purchasing new home fitness equipment but not quite sure what you’re looking for? Check out a new for 2008 addition to the Fitness 4 Home Superstore exercise equipment lineup – The Spirit XE300 Elliptical.

The Spirit XE300 elliptical is the mainstay of the Spirit line-up. The XE300 has everything - advanced programming features, incredible value and a compact space efficient design.

The Spirit XE300 has an infinite position adjustable foot pedal angle, upper handle mounted resistance switches for ease of use and a comfortable 20" stride length.

The XE300 provides 20 levels of resistance, a 30lb flywheel, oversized structural tubing and padded foot pedals with a 2-degree inward slant to provide a natural and comfortable feel.

Additionally, the XE300 provides contact and telemetry heart rate monitoring, a fine pitch LED/ dot matrix with separate message window as well as cooling fans and a water bottle holder.

Want to know more? Stop by one of our three Arizona Fitness 4 Home Superstore locations today!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, fitness equipment, home fitness equipment, exercise equipment, home exercise equipment, elliptical

Diet – Turkey Mozzarella Burgers

Sometimes there’s nothing better than the taste of a good cheeseburger. But the guilt that accompanies the pleasure can be enough to make even the hungriest carnivores steer clear. Using ground turkey instead of ground beef in your burgers is the easiest (and tastiest) way to take the guilt out of an indulgence. Here is a recipe for our favorite cheeseburger – the turkey mozzarella burger.

1 ¼ lbs. Lean Ground Turkey

2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

¼ C. Roasted Red Peppers (chopped)

¼ C. Onions (chopped)

8 Slices Mozzarella Cheese, Part Skim

¼ tsp. Salt

¼ tsp. Ground Pepper

Combine ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, peppers and onions in a large mixing bowl, using your hands (be sure to wash before and after). Mix well. Divide the mixture into 8 equal parts and shape into patties. Dust patties with salt and ground pepper on each side. Grill or broil 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. In the last 2 minutes, put mozzarella cheese slices on burgers so that the cheese melts. Serve!

Serving Size: 1, Fat: 7g, Calories: 265

Note: For a healthier meal, forget the bun! You’ll save yourself about 90 calories and 2 grams of fat!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy diet, healthy eating, healthy food, low calorie, low fat, low-fat

Where Does Your New Year’s Resolution Measure Up? from Fitness 4 Home Superstore:

Choosing your New Year’s resolution is a great way to look forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we can make in our lives and resolve to follow through with them. Whether your goal is to lose weight, save money, quit smoking or volunteer, chances are you’re not alone! See where your New Year’s resolution measures up among the most popular choices and get tips on how to be successful.

1. Lose Weight. Recent studies suggest that over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered to be overweight or obese, so it isn’t surprising that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Obesity has been linked to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But middle-aged adults aren’t the only ones susceptible to obesity! The number of overweight adolescents has tripled in the past 28 years. In fact, 14 percent of kids aged 12 to 19 are considered to be overweight and 75 percent of them stay that way throughout adulthood.

Our Success Tip: Set reasonable goals and stay focused. These are the two most important factors when it comes to sticking to a new weight loss program. And get your family involved! The support of your loved ones will help you stay motivated and it will also combat obesity in both adults and children.

2. Get Fit. Our #1 resolution goes hand-in-hand with this one! Regular exercise can be associated with health benefits including weight loss, longevity in life, mood enhancement, decrease in blood pressure, improvement in arthritis pain and even reduction in the risk of some cancers.

Our Success Tip: Experts recommend at least three 20-minute sessions of exercise per week. With a treadmill or exercise bike at home, you can make exercise a part of your daily routine.

3. Eat Right. Exercise and healthy eating as a combination can be your key to successful weight loss. Nearly everyone puts off dieting until after the holidays and that can lead to disaster when you’re trying to change your eating habits. In fact, diets only work about 5 to 10 percent of the time, or they only work short term. Changing your eating habits and putting thought into what you’re eating will have a greater impact on your resolution in a long term setting.

Our Success Tip: If you find that you’re lapsing in your healthy eating program, try implementing a 90/10 rule. Eating healthy 90 percent of the time and taking a break the other 10 percent of the time will allow you to cut yourself some slack and reward yourself by eating what you want. This will help you stay motivated.

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, new years resolution tips

Fitness Equipment – Product Spotlight: The Ab Coaster

Thinking of purchasing new home fitness equipment but not quite sure what you’re looking for? Check out the newest addition to the Fitness 4 Home Superstore exercise equipment lineup – The Ab Coaster.

The Ab Coaster is your Fast Track to Great Abs. It combines the simplicity of the ab crunch with the effectiveness of the hanging leg raise. The curved track mimics natural spinal flexion, allowing anyone to perform an abdominal lift in perfect form, regardless of fitness level.

The Ab Coaster also promotes core stabilization while exercising the abdominals through a full range of motion. The ergonomic carriage places you in a comfortable kneeling position, isolating the abdominal region and virtually eliminating any hip flexor involvement.

Featuring all steel construction, the Ab Coaster is sturdy and allows you to achieve lean, sexy abs in the privacy of your own home. It also has free-style seat movement, vinyl covered molded foam pads and 3-position adjustable seat pad for comfort, a digital workout counter, easy-move casters, an attractive powder-coat finish and a 1-year warranty.

Want to know more? Stop by one of our three Arizona Fitness 4 Home Superstore locations today!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, fitness equipment, home fitness equipment, exercise equipment, home exercise equipment, ab machine

Diet – Comfort Food: Turkey Meatloaf

When it’s cold outside, most of us thing about the foods that make us feel warm inside and out: soups, meatloaf, mac n cheese, fried foods and sweet treats. Here is our favorite comfort food recipe made healthy for those who are watching their weight.

Turkey Meatloaf

1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 C. Bread Crumbs (unseasoned)

1 tsp. Salt

¼ tsp. Ground Pepper

1 C. Onions (chopped)

2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

3 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands (wash before and after!) to mix well. Place the mixture on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Shape into a loaf. Bake for 50-55 minutes.

Note: Using a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan will allow the excess fat to run off instead of pooling around the loaf and absorbing at the bottom.

Serving Size: 3 Slices, Fat: 6.5g, Calories: 270

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy diet, healthy eating, healthy food, low calorie, low fat, low-fat