Inspired by the popular Life Fitness health club model, the G7 dual adjustable pulley home gym offers you the ultimate in exercise options and customization. The G7 offers exclusive features that allow you to build your own training workouts, track your progress and follow-along with our own certified personal trainer while she guides you through 2 training routines. With these personalized features, it’s easy for any level of user to get started and stay motivated. Bring the health club experience home with the smartly designed G7.

Summer is just around the corner, and soon it will be time to take off all of that heavy winter clothing. Whether you are a woman putting on your new two piece bathing suit, or a guy going bare chested, everyone wants to tighten up those abs and look good with a bare midriff!

This core workout from ACE (American Council on Exercise) is a great way to get started toning those abdominal muscles. (more…)

For many of us, stress is a way of life. We have stress in our jobs, stress related to parenting, stress with the care of aging parents, and stress in our interpersonal relations ships. With the economic downturn, many people have experienced an even higher level of stress than in the past. For those of you who are already committed to a regular schedule of exercise, the good news is that exercise can assist in reducing stress, and there are studies to prove it! For those of you who are having trouble staying in an exercise regime, here is yet another reason to get and keep the body moving! (more…)

Are all calories created equal? The basic premise is you need to balance calories consumed with calories burned to maintain a healthy weight, but the type of calorie you choose does indeed make a difference when it comes to fueling your body before, during, and after a workout. Here are some quick tips from the exercise experts at Life Fitness about how to choose your calories wisely. (more…)

With summer coming on, we at HealthStyles would like to make you aware that we carry several items that would not be considered to fit into the “exercise equipment” category.

The Sunset Swings (made by the same company that manufactures our Inspire strength equipment) have been a great addition to our line-up and could be a great addition to your back yard or patio! (more…)

by Jessica Mathews, American Council on Exercise

Let’s be honest, in a fast paced-world we all want the most “bang for our buck.” And when it comes to cardio workouts this same mentality applies as we search for the most time-efficient way to burn the most calories. So what piece of cardio equipment will elicit the best results? The answer is there isn’t one in particular. Essentially it is the intensity that you work at and the duration of your session that will be the primary factors in dictating the overall effectiveness of your cardio session.

Interval training

To maximize your cardio sessions, consider interval training. Interval training is defined as short, high-intensity exercise periods alternated with periods of rest. So instead of hopping on a piece of cardio equipment for 30 minutes and performing your workout at the same speed for the entire session, try mixing it up one day with periods of sustained higher intensity exercise followed by a return to lower aerobic intensities used as a recovery period. There are a variety of approaches to interval training, for example you may opt to utilize, including a 1:1 exercise to recovery ratio (e.g. run for 2 minutes then walk for minutes) or a 1:2 ratio (e.g., cycling for 2 minutes at a higher intensity followed by a 4 minute recovery period of cycling at a lower intensity). Interval training can be used by novice exercises and elite athletes alike by simply adjusting the intensity and/or the rest-to-recovery ratio accordingly to meet the needs and current ability level of the exerciser. Research continues to emerge regarding the benefits of interval training, and more recently the researched benefits of high-intensity interval training.

Equipment

When it comes to equipment, the best suggestion is to choose a mode of activity that you enjoy, as you’ll be more inclined to stick with your regular workouts long-term. To combat boredom and also to reap the benefits that cross-training provides, try completing your cardio workouts on several different pieces of equipment, either within one workout session or from one session to the next.

Below are some popular cardio equipment options you may consider incorporating into your cardio program: (more…)

by Marion Webb

It wasn’t that long ago when Americans paralleled professional success with getting as little sleep as possible.

Today, many have come to realize that chronic sleep deprivation isn’t just bad for business, it’s detrimental to your health.

Suddenly the same doctors who have long warned that a chronic lack of sleep and sedentary living can lead to serious health consequences, including weight gain, obesity and associated chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are getting air time and media attention.

Why? (more…)

If your treadmill workout involves exercising at a certain speed, set duration of time or one of the preset programs you’re likely not making the most of your time on the treadmill. ACE’s Jessica Matthews explains an easy to implement alternative with proven results that burns more calories and fat.

Contact your local HealthStyles Exercise Equipment fitness consultant for the best treadmill or folding treadmill recommendation to meet your personal goals, abilities, and budget.

It’s finally here! SPRING that is. And if you are anything like the folks at HealthStyles, you are ready! After a long winter of being indoors there is nothing better for the body and soul than getting out in the elements and enjoying the sunshine.

Everyone has different activities that we pursue during the spring and summer months.

For some of us, it’s time to start training for that 5k race, sprint triathlon, or even a marathon.

For others, a sport such as golf, tennis, baseball, or soccer is the passion and you can’t wait for the snow to melt to get on the course or field again.

For still others, mountain biking, hiking or road biking are favorite activities to pursue, and maybe you are one of the many getting ready for one of the Colorado biking events such as Ride the Rockies, or the Courage Classic.

No matter if you are an athlete competing at the highest level, or just a weekend warrior, who likes to enjoy an occasional hike or bike ride in the fresh air and sunshine, now is the time to start getting toned up and in shape, so that you can enjoy the great Colorado outdoors.

Here are some pointers for avoiding the weekend warrior syndrome and the injuries that go along with it. (more…)