| DR. KESTNER: Try before buying exercise equipment |
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By: DR. MARK KESTNER, Post Columnist
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Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2011 9:52 am
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It’s tempting, isn’t it?
You are flipping through the channels and are captivated by the pitch.
Someone young, attractive and possibly famous is demonstrating a new exercise invention.
There are devices targeting the people that want to recapture their elite level of fitness as well as ones intended to help those of us with extra adipose tissue rediscover our slimmer selves.
The infomercials never show anyone that might be a realistic buyer.
The actors or models demonstrating the items are already trim, fit and apparently able to work out continuously for a half hour without breaking a sweat.
Well, that last statement isn’t quite inclusive of all of the inventions.
Some items are intended to influence people that are looking for an intense workout, so the guy using it is sweating profusely.
The rivulets of perspiration are highlighted as they drip onto that chiseled, freshly waxed and tan chest. Although there are some genuinely handy exercise tools available on TV as well as the Internet, there are plenty of gimmicks promoted as well.
Before you pick up your phone to order, this column has a couple of suggestions for you.
Here is this week’s healthy habit: Before making a purchase of some wonder gear that you may regret a year from now, consider options that are already available first.
For example, instead of buying the new treadmill that simulates stairs, you might want to try using the actual stairs in your home of workplace as a workout.
Actually climbing real stairs slowly and intentionally is great way to add strength and flexibility to your legs, hips and buttocks.
If you want to add difficulty, carry the laundry up and down a few times.
OK, I realize that won’t feel as glamorous as the new machine.
It is hard to visualize yourself looking like the supermodel that demonstrated the machine on TV while toting dirty clothes.
If you still want the cool gear, consider buying a used one.
I assure you that the used models will not be heavily worn. Chances are that the buyers were just as highly motivated last year as you are today.
After two months the shiny wonder gym became a clothes rack in the corner of their bedroom.
That’s what happens to most treadmills, climbers, ellipticals and other exercise devices.
We all have the best intentions but for various reasons our plans fall short of reality.
If that has happened to you previously, don’t despair.
That just means you are like all the rest of us that have bought the machines that were so appealing.
Here’s a suggestion if you are thinking the time might be right for you to actually follow through with a new exercise plan.
Make your schedule of when you would do the workout and begin using the options that are available without purchasing new equipment.
Maybe you can begin by walking outdoors.
Even in bad weather, you can get outside if you really are motivated.
Outdoor workout clothing costs less than the fancy gym machines on TV and is much easier to store.
Or you might begin with simple in-home resistance training using available items.
An empty milk jug filled with water makes a handy dumbbell substitute.
There are tons of exercises you can do by using your own body weight as the resistance.
Once you have stuck with your made-up routine for a couple of months and are confident that you will follow through if you do buy you preferred home gym, then you may be ready to shop around.
Start with the simple and inexpensive, and then expand to the expensive if you need to. |
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