October 6, 2024

Do you inspect your fitness equipment?

Fit Body:

Inspect your fitness equipment

Fitness equipment needs to be cleaned up, and replaced every so often. Working out on equipment and gear that is less than par not only leads to a less effective workout, but could also increase your risk of injury. Examine your workout gear every 4-6 months, or even more often if you’re exercising outdoors. Here are the pieces that need your regular attention:

Exercise band. Closely examine the tube, as well as the handles. Small tears or cracks increase risk for breaking. Replace it.

Jump Rope. Over time the plastic ropes can thin and even break depending on your jumping surface and style. If your rope has lost its shape, time or a new one.

Stability ball. Sit on the ball. If your hips are below your knees, time to add air.

Yoga or exercise mat. If they are looking worn and have lost their grip, you are at risk for a slip or fall. Replace it.

Free weights and Barbells. If your free weights have collars, inspect them regularly to insure they are secure and are not stripped of their locking device.

 

 

 

 

Spring Clean your Fitness by Nicole Bryan

Spring cleaning not only applies to your household, but to fitness as well. Purging outdated and worn out equipment will leave you refreshed and inspired to start anew. Look into selling slightly used equipment to second-hand shops, recycling materials or swapping equipment with a friend.

Exercise Bands and Elastic Tubing. If they have any cracks, tears or holes in the tubing, replace them. Don’t forget to check the handles as well for any frayed material or glue wearing thin.

Stability Ball. If there are any changes in color, replace it. Make sure the ball is inflated so your hips are level or slightly higher than your knees. Visually inspect the seams as well for any changes or wearing thin.

Bar Accessories. Make sure your collars for free-weights are intact and remain tight.

Cables. If you have a pulley system or in home exercise machine, inspect the cables and housing. If they’re not tracking smoothly, they’ll alter the movement. Time to schedule maintenance.

Balance Disks and Foam Pads. If you’re using balance challenging tools inspect them often for irregularities or small puncture, cracks or tears in the fabric or material.

Exercise Mats and Pads. Edges curl up, traction wears thin; both are hazards and increase your chance of your foot catching the edge and falling.

Foam Rollers. Check for wear and tear or losing their shape or edges.

Shoes. Most guidelines recommend exercisers replace shoes every three to four months depending on the amount of activity. When miles and minutes are equal, high impact exercise, such as running will require you to replace shoes more frequently than low impact exercise such as walking. It may also be time to replace shoes if you are participating in a new activity. For example, if find yourself hiking often in your tennis shoes. Ask for help finding appropriate shoes for your activity. Doing so will decrease your chance of injury.

 

 

Portable Fitness by Nicole Bryan

Make your fitness portable! Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

Jump Rope. Jumping Rope is high impact and is high intensity, and it also burns a ton of calories. Start with intervals and build from there. Begin with thirty-seconds to two minutes of moderately paced jumping, followed by walking for about a minute or two to allow your heart rate to stay in your aerobic zone. Be sure to warm up with walking for 10 minutes prior to your first interval, as well as cooling down with walking to return your heart rate to pre-exercise levels.

Exercise Band. Exercise bands provide resistance for our muscles. They’re portable and easy to adjust the intensity. If you’re new to exercising with the band and are focusing on building arm strength, try a standing bicep curl. Stand on the band with your feet hip-width apart, hold a handle in each hand along side of your body. Keep your torso straight, with your abdominals pulled in tight. Turn your palms to face forward. Bending from your elbows, pull your arms up so your palms are facing your shoulders. Slowly extend your arms again and return to your starting position. Repeat 10 times to start.

Balance Disk. Balance disks are similar to stability balls, just smaller. Their size allows them to provide an unstable surface to sit or stand on, while occupying much less room. If you’re new to exercising with the disk, as well as working on building core strength, try sitting on the disk. With your knees at 90-degrees, pull both feet up and off the floor. Hold for a count of 10 seconds to start and build from there. Place both arms across your chest, keeping your torso straight and abdominals pulled in tight.

Catch the Spirit of your Fitness

Catch the Spirit of your Fitness!

School is back is session and school spirit is at its peak! Can you say the same for your fitness?

Remember your high school pep rally to gear up for the big game? Put that volume of energy and enthusiasm into your workout! Find your fitness spirit, workout support and exercise community on Twitter with #HealthyWayMag Fitness Chat!

Join #HealthyWayMag Fitness Chat every Monday on Twitter at 5pm(Pacific)/8pm(Eastern)

Thank You to September Fitness Chat Sponsors:

RecoFit. Discover the RecoFit Compression Gear difference for yourself! Their technical-fit and uniquely designed gear helps you get more oxygen to your muscles, reduce swelling and delay fatigue. RecoFit is the only compression gear that cuts their fabric in a cross-grain process; this means effective compression and no-slip positioning! Founded by an athlete, tested on athletes, made in the USA and made for everyone! Contact your compression gear experts via Twitter at @Recofit.

Handana. Handana is an innovative sweatband worn on your hand. They offer a variety of colors and sizes to fit every athlete and every workout outfit! The high performance soft fabric wraps around like a fingerless glove to make wiping easy-you don’t even know it is there until you need it. Find Handana representing at the upcoming Rock N Roll St. Louis Half Marathon Oct. 18th and Rock N Roll Denver Half Marathon Oct. 18th. Follow them on Twitter at @myhandana.

ENERGYbits®. This high protein, low calorie snack gives unlimited energy as it is 100% organic spirulina algae. Spirulina contains as much gram for gram of calcium as milk, as well as containing 5 times more iron than spinach. Easy to carry and convenient to consume before or even during your workout. It’s stomach-friendly and it’s packed with nutrients which means awesome energy for you. Follow them via @ENERGYbits.

Quickpack First Aid. Do you consider first aid during outdoor workouts? You should! And now it’s easy than ever to be prepared and safe. Quickpack First Aid personal kids are ideal for all outdoor fitness enthusiasts as they are 4 inches by 6 inches and weigh only 1.5 ounces. The pack fits easily into your hydration pack or cycling jersey. With your safety covered, you can now focus on your getting an awesome workout. Follow them on Twitter via @Quickpack1.