Today’s guest post is courtesy of Renee, a mother and wife who has learned how important it is to stay fit and healthy in order to keep up with her family and life. She has learned a great deal in her journey to ‘whole health’ including the importance of finding a fitness plan that fits her life! She also works for the Christmas Tree Market, where they sell an array of classic and unique artificial Christmas trees.
As depicted in many movies, the age of technology is fast approaching, if not already here, and we have become fully immersed in its various aspects. From Blackberry phones to GPS tracking devices, our daily lives have some aspect of the latest in technological advancement. Of course, our fitness regimens aren’t exempt from this transition into automated living.
The latest in work out routines is definitely not far behind when it comes to incorporating technology, from the best in digital DVDs to the newest exercise contraption. As much as these newfangled aids help us maintain our trim figures to their best advantage, they also serve up some disadvantages that hinder our journey to complete and total fitness. By relying too much on automated forms of fitness we miss the point that being healthy and fit goes beyond having an attractive body shape. Sometimes the simplest methods are those that will benefit us the most in years to come.
Although technology has its benefits, we can do much for ourselves by minimizing the use of technology in our daily fitness routines. By slowly eliminating electronic products from our exercise regimens, we also take away the dependence that cripples us and serves as a barricade to our continued fitness performance. Here are a couple of things we can do:
- Run/Jog Without Your MP3 player
- Go to the Gym Instead of Using Home Videos
- Minimize the Use of Automated Fitness Machines
- Use Handheld Weights Instead of Weight Machines
As entertaining as musical accompaniment can be to the rigors of running and jogging, it also serves as a convenient excuse for not being able to continue when the battery on your music machine runs out. In addition to this, the dangers the distractions of having the latest pop ditty blaring in your ears are tantamount and costly. Firstly it can minimize your concentration which is dangerous, especially when running along busy, car-filled streets. Secondly, it can take away from your attention to physical details concerning your running. It’s harder to remember an injury or to maintain your running technique when you are distracted by music. Learn to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, the sights, sounds and people. Love your exercise routine for its own sake rather than for what you get to do while you exercise.
By hiring an actual trainer to help you pump up your routine, you get one-on-one guidance that is valuable in helping you perform an exercise at optimal capacity, and minimizes the risk of serious injury. The added social interaction with your trainer and fellow gym goers also fosters social interaction, which promotes great mental stimulation. You will also be able to build a great contact base and relationships that may last you years.
Though a treadmill plus scenic video simulates the experience of running in the wilderness, there is no definite substitute for the real thing. By running indoors you deprive yourself of the fresh air and normal rigors of natural running. Built to mimic the natural inclines of all-terrain and cross country running, today’s treadmills still fall woefully short of providing a challenging fitness experience. Repeated use of a Stair Master, for instance, encourages repetitive movements that train the body to accept a routine and minimize flexibility. An added benefit of natural exercise is the money you save on not having to purchase expensive exercise machines.
Gym weight machines are great for building muscle mass, but don’t provide the control needed for fine muscle toning. Using handheld weights allows you more flexibility while building your exercise routine by giving you a more gradual build on the exercise load. Unlike weight machines that only offer one type of movement pattern, necessitating a constant switch from one machine to another, handheld weights offer a wide variety of exercise routines in one simple package. Also, unlike more complicated contraptions, these weights are convenient enough to travel with you wherever you go and cost much, much less.
What all of these methods have in common, aside from being cheap and effective, is the benefit they provide for all aspects of individual growth. Not only do they promote physical fitness but social and mental strength as well. Be brave enough to step out and forego distraction and dependence on newfangled equipment. In light of this, we should learn to focus less on getting fast results by indulging in the latest technological advancements in fitness, and learn to enjoy the entire process.
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While I agree with you on the first point of running without music, saying that the treadmill does not give a challenging experience is misguided. I am unable to run outside most days as I need the gyms’ childcare to watch my little ones. I did a speed workout that I would definitely say was very challenging on the treadmill. I actually think it is harder to run on the treadmill than to run outside. I push myself on the treadmill and have a pretty accurate distance and pace record. I do love to run outside, but I know that I push myself more running inside on the treadmill.
Free weights do allow for more potential flexibility if they are used in combination moves, and something else you forgot to mention is that they also don’t allow one side of the body to “pick up the slack” when the other side of the body can’t keep up. Weight machines are useful for those just starting out and that are unsure about form. It automatically puts your body in the correct position to help prevent injury.
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Some good advice, but not always feasible. When my kids were younger I belonged to a gym that had very young, very inexperienced childcare employees. They would come get me anytime my kids started to cry, and couldn’t deal with the fact that my kids are special needs. Eventually I quit the gym and worked out at home. I got into great shape, and was able to keep an eye on my kids at the same time. Eventually they decided to join me, and would jump around and run in circles while Mommy did her workout, and that was pretty cute! (And I ended up working out harder by finding increasingly challenging workout DVDs. I must admit that I would sometimes slack off at the gym, lol!)
interesting points. The only one I disagree with is about the trainer, not everyone can afford them (even if they are more effective)! Thanks for the post!
I agree that using free weights is a good way to charge up your workouts without breaking your bank. Just a few exercises with dumbbells will do wonders for your muscle tone (as you mention), and you really can’t beat the convenience or the low cost.
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Normally set 1 or 2 incline to simulate same effectiveness with running outside. Running outside is one of the best and easiest way to achieve fitness goal. However when outside is not suitable for running, treadmill would be the option.
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