Saturday, October 11, 2008

Good Financial Sense with Discount Fitness Equipment

By Gary Pearson

It is a good idea to spend money on assets which add value to you like property, educating yourself or other assets which increase in value with time. You do not gain any money when you buy things like car or fitness equipment, you start losing money the moment you sign the cheque.

Therefore discount fitness equipment makes good sense and good use of your cents.

Exercise for cardiovascular system- The rate at which you take in oxygen as well as the heart rate increases when you do cardiovascular exercise. Stair climbers, cross trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes, and climbers are some of the equipments which help in this form of workout. It is possible to burn calories for long after doing the cardio exercise.

Improving Resistance with exercise - This is very helpful in slowing the degeneration of the bones and increases your bone mass. These exercises also help you get rid of stiff necks and back pain, prevent osteoporosis, improves posture, reduce fat on the stomach etc. Back pain is one of the most common problems suffered by several people.

It is important that you don't become an average American.

Final heads up - don't be an "average" American. According to a recent Gallup survey the average Americans is getting fatter and more diseased. Gallup defined "frequent" exercise as working out five or more days per week. Nearly two-thirds of participants didn't meet that standard.

It is essential for adults to do moderate exercise 30 minutes in a day in a week according to CDC or Center Disease Control.

Examples of moderate-intensity physical activity include Walking at a moderate or brisk pace of 3 to 4.5 miles per hour on a level surface (treadmill); Hiking (climber); Biking 5-9 miles per hour on level terrain or with few hills (exercise bike); Yoga; Using a stair-climber machine at a light-to-moderate pace; Golfing (wheeling or carrying clubs)

It may be true that you have maintained a good weight or maybe a person who want a little more. You can find out more about discount equipment alternative by searching for Discount Fitness Equipment on the internet.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Home Security Alarm Systems For You

By Ray Lam

There are several things you can do to increase the security of your home. A home security alarm is a great option, since they can alert you to anybody trying to get into your home or just entering your property. There are several home security alarms available that vary in function, price and quality. There are door alarms, driveway alarms, wireless alarm kits and hardwire alarms and kits available. The type of alarm that you get depends on your budget and your security needs.

Bell only alarms produce a high pitch siren when your home security has been breached. The purpose of this alarm is two fold. Firstly the loud siren is designed to act as a significant deterrent to the continuation of the criminal activity by informing the intruder that their breach of your home security has been detected. Usually the alarm is pitched to a high frequency making it uncomfortable for the intruder to remain on your premises.

All home security alarm systems consist of three fundamental parts: the alarm, the sensor that keeps track of the illegal intrusion, and the control that triggers the alarm to sound in the event of a disturbance caused by an intruder. Home security alarm systems can run on power supplied by a battery or can function with the help of electricity as a power source. Alarm systems that run on batteries can be installed without much trouble but are considered less effective than their electrical counterparts.

Wireless alarm kits and hardwire alarm kits are more expensive but they come with several features and components that can help increase your home security. You can usually buy the components in a wireless or hardwire alarm kit individually, but buying the kit can save you money in the long run. You can find home security alarms and alarm kits and systems on several websites and at different stores that sell home security equipment.

These units are reasonably priced and can be installed without much difficulty. In alarm systems with separate components the units divide the sensor from the control and alarm. They function effectively in larger homes with multiple rooms needing simultaneous protection.

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Obtain a Physical and Psychological Workout with Martial Arts

By John Read

There are many different reasons that people get interested in martial arts. One of the motives is for the health aspect of Martial arts training. Improved endurance, strength, dexterity and flexibility are a few things that Martial arts schools helps to advance. Martial arts also helps diminish stress levels. Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Capoira are a few types of martial arts that give you great overall fitness benefits.

Another reason that many people are interested in Martial Arts training is for self defense. Women's self defense or law enforcement has specific classes that deal strictly with as self defense. A lot of martial arts schools also present self defense as an element of their programs.

When choosing a martial arts schools, you need to figure out what sort of technique of martial arts you would like to focus on. Some of the styles are stand up, weaponry based, low impact and fighting. The stand up style concentrates on kicking, punching and blocking. For the duration of one of these classes you would study foot work and stance positions. A weapons based class would focus more on the use of particular types of weaponry. Low impact martial arts can also be called Meditative. This technique deals more with breathing techniques, force, stress relief and work outs.

A several tips to discovering a martial arts school that is just right for you would be to first locate one that teaches the type of martial arts training you are attracted in. You can look in the phone book or request friends. Then you want to go check out a group. Watching a class will give you great insight into the tone and what is expected.

The next thing you want to do is call the schools that you are interested in and schedule a free or reduced rate session. Many schools will be more than glad to do this for you.

After you take your first class from several schools, you should know which martial arts training that you are interested with. Before you signing up for any group, make sure and ask if there are any amount that must be paid, such as association fees or organizational fees. You also should to ask about the clothing code. Will you be obligated to purchase a uniform, special shoes or gloves. All of this adds to the charge of the group.

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Thursday, October 9, 2008

Essential Business Coaching

By Dane Masters

Have you ever seriously pondered if business coaching is essential for business owners and entrepreneurs? You might vaguely assume that this is some sort of crisis-help for businesses that are not doing well. That's not the case though. Business coaching is very important today to provide you with additional advantage to succeed.

A professional trained in business coaching can help an entrepreneur become savvy in advertising techniques; can teach entrepreneurs innovative website design methods; and can even give the business owner business management tips and advice.

Entrepreneurs do not have to become overly frustrated if their business is not very successful. If an entrepreneur takes advantage of the assistance that a business coaching professional offers, they will find that their business will begin to flourish in no time whatsoever. A business coaching professional will help the business owner establish and meet their immediate and long term goals; will teach a business owner how to set realistic goals; will teach the entrepreneur how to think outside of the box and will help the entrepreneur strive for the success they previously dreamed about.

A business coaching professional will teach an entrepreneur how to get more clients fast; how to expand their sales potential to reach a broader audience and how to make the Internet work for them as a business tool. Plus, when an entrepreneur relies on a business coaching professional for their expertise and advice, they will find that they always have a support system within their reach while they operate their business.

To conclude, do not assume that business coaching experts are meant for failing businesses only; they work to make better business models, striving for success and perfection.

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Martial Arts: A Enjoyable Way to Get In Shape

By Steven Jones

There are numerous different reasons that people get involved in martial arts. One of the motives is for the health aspect of Martial arts training. Enhanced endurance, strength, dexterity and flexibility are a a small amount that Martial arts schools helps to advance. Martial arts also helps decrease stress levels. Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Capoira are a only some types of martial arts that offer you great overall fitness benefits.

one more reason that several people are interested in Martial Arts training is for self defense. Women's self defense or law enforcement has specific classes that deal rigorously with as self defense. A lot of martial arts schools also offer self defense as an element of their programs.

When search for a martial arts schools, you need to figure out what kind of style of martial arts you would like to focus on. A few of the styles are stand up, weapons based, low impact and fighting. The stand up style concentrates on kicking, punching and blocking. For the duration of one of these classes you would learn foot work and stance positions. A weapons based class would focus more on the exercise of particular types of weapons. Low contact martial arts can also be called Meditative. This style deals more with breathing techniques, force, stress relief and exercise.

A several tips to discovering a martial arts school that is just right for you would be to first find one that teaches the type of martial arts training you are attracted in. You can come across in the phone book or inquire friends. Then you want to set out to check out a class. Studying a class will allow you enormous insight into the mood and what is anticipated.

The next thing you want to do is call the schools that you are fascinated in and schedule a complimentary or reduced rate session. Many schools will be more than glad to do this for you.

After you get your introductory class from several schools, you should know which martial arts training that you are fascinated with. Prior to you signing up for any class, make sure and ask if there are any amount that must be paid, such as membership fees or organizational fees. You also need to ask about the clothing code. Will you be required to purchase a uniform, particular shoes or gloves. All of this adds to the cost of the class.

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Cameras For Home Video Surveillance Systems

By Jeffrey Parker

Medium to large size businesses were the first to use video surveillance systems when they were pioneered. As technology improved, camera size and price tag got smaller and more and more systems made their way into homes. Vulnerable areas can be monitored from practically anywhere with closed circuit TV (CCTV), protecting your home from theft and other threats that go bump in the night.

The viewing monitor is a key element of the home video surveillance system. The monitor will display video images from the cameras. The images are usually black and white and of a higher resolution than that of an analog television set - typically between 500 and 1000 lines.

The surveillance camera is another vital element. When a home surveillance system is set up, cameras are generally installed around the exterior of a home in the locations that are the most vulnerable. They must be placed where they can be hidden or at least very hard to see. These cameras run constantly, sending video to monitors on a regular basis. To work properly at night, you'll need either lighting or infrared security cameras that will monitor even in total darkness.

Unless you incorporate a wireless security system, the coaxial cables will also be needed for any video surveillance system. These cables will send video signals from a camera to a monitor. The cables are obtainable in many sizes which may be found at a home security supplier or electronics store. Your own home security systemwill have coaxial cables, though you might need more of them, depending upon where it is that you intend to set up the cameras.

Switchers are also required for home video surveillance system. Switchers let you send more than one camera feed to a single monitor. Usually, a switcher will cycle through the feeds until there is any movement detected at a specific motion sensor security camera. As soon as the switcher detects any motion, the camera is locked on to the target and it will automatically observe the movement.

Many home video surveillance setups use video recorders so that their live video feeds can be recorded and kept for future reference. If you travel or go on vacation, the recorder will see any break in that happens. If the burglar is arrested and goes to trial, the video recording makes excellent evidence against him or her. A video recorder in an inconspicuous spot, difficult to access, can ensure that burglars won't get away clean.

By combining video surveillance cameras and a monitor, a home video surveillance system will catch break-in's and burglars easily. They're very affordable now, and they are used in literally thousands of homes all over the U.S. If you want the best way to protect a home, the home video surveillance system is definitely something which you will want to examine more closely.

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Using The Right Boxing Techniques Will Improve Your Boxing

By Joe

If you want to know how to box or improve your boxing techniques - and get good at boxing - then this article will help explain what's involved.

But first, are you wondering how to throw harder hitting punches? Punches which can knock out opponents? Punches which sap opponent's strength? Allowing you to wade in and send them crashing to the floor.

Or perhaps you feel threatened or bullied and want to give the other person a good threshing. Well with the right boxing techniques you can do this. And it's important you take the time to know how to throw the correct punches.

Once you know how to box effectively then you can fight anyone.

There are many different boxing blows which you need to know how to throw so you become a more feared fighter. As well as learning other aspects of boxing as well.

You need to learn to use different blows in different fight situations. When you combine your hard hitting blows then you're able to 'damage' opponents making them easier for you to knock them out.

Once your boxing techniques are of a good enough standard then you can feel confident about boxing anyone.

You need to consider other factors as well. Such as ring craft and how to move around the ring when fighting.

So if you're ready to improve your boxing techniques then here are 7 tips for you:

1. Judges score a fight by the quality of the punches you throw. So when you develop a good boxing technique you can impress those judges scoring your bout. The more points you score the more chances of winning - that is, unless you land a Big Punch and stop your opponent.

2. Choose your boxing style very carefully. Do you want to lead with your left or your right? Which feels more natural to you? Or perhaps you may want to adopt both the boxing technique styles to make yourself a more dangerous opponent for others to fight.

3. Consider your present fitness levels. Is your fitness of a good enough standard for you to be able to keep throwing punches and at the same time receive energy sapping blows. If not start adopting a boxer's training program.

4. There are certain boxing techniques you need to use against different boxers. You wouldn't use the same boxing technique when you're facing a taller opponent compared to when you're facing a shorter opponent.

5. Obviously you need to know how to avoid the different types of blows thrown at you.

6. Learn to feint. If you can do this you can deceive your opponents and create openings for yourself. You can draw your opponent out and find out his preferred methods of boxing.

7. You need to think about how far you throw your punches. And also how to improve your timing. By judging your distance better you'll land more powerful punches. One good way is to use a punch bag to measure distance. When your opponent is throwing a punch at you that is the best time to hit him. Because his weight is coming towards you.

If you do all of the above then you can't fail to improve your boxing technique.

Think about getting hold of a boxing program. Either in the form of a boxing trainer, join a boxing club or follow a boxing program.

You have many choices or options to learn boxing - either via a private trainer, a boxing gym or a boxing program from the comfort of your home.

It doesn't matter how you learn boxing as long as it's enjoyable -good luck.

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Indoor Cycling And Spinning Classes: Build Your Aerobic Base

By Jim Hofman

Now that I've reached my mid 40's, it's become more important than ever to find aerobic exercise that's low in impact. Years ago, 4 mile runs and high intensity step aerobic classes were the norm, but those days are long gone. Recently, I've come to appreciate the benefits of indoor cycling and spinning classes.

One major benefit I've noticed after adding indoor cycling to my workout regimen has been an increased energy level. If you've ever gotten drowsy at your desk mid afternoon, you know exactly what I mean. Another significant benefit has been decreased tension and much more restful sleep. And yet, it wasn't easy to consistently commit to these classes. In fact, I almost quit just after I started.

One consideration I hadn't factored in was a reacclimation period to aerobic activity. Many of my classmates had been doing spinning classes for quite a while, and their proficiency level left me discouraged. I didn't consider that I needed to embrace a concept called aerobic base building, which basically means establishing a base level of aerobic fitness. Just as it's important to build a solid foundation for your house, it's equally important for your fitness level.

Building Your Aerobic Base In Three Steps

There are considerations you'll need to accept as you build your aerobic base. With indoor cycling, you'll typically have display monitors telling you how hard and how long you're working, which is quite helpful. The same is true with spinning classes, as most instructors provide specific instructions during the class to monitor exertion level. Here are the three factors explained:

Step One: Know Your Target Heart Rate

First, you'll need to know your target heart rate. Your target heart rate is a range that's 65% to 80% of your maximum heart rate. Determining your maximum heart rate is easy -- just subtract your age from 220. Then, multiply that rate by 65% to get the lower end of your target rate, and by 80% to get the upper end. As an example, I'm 46, so my maximum heart rate is 174. 65% of 174 is 113, and 80% of 174 is 139. That means I should strive to pedal at an exertion level that makes my heart beat between 113 and 139 times per minute.

Step Two: It'll Take Some Time

Expect to build your aerobic base over a 6 to 8 week time frame, possibly longer if you've been inactive for a while. Plan to gradually challenge yourself so you can maintain your target heart rate for a longer period of time. Remember, the longer you work out at your target zone, the more fat you'll burn.

Step Three: Increase Your Endurance And Intensity

Once you've built your aerobic base and know your target heart rate, it's time to challenge yourself. Add to the length of time you work out, and push yourself a bit harder. You'll find as you become more fit, you'll need to challenge yourself to reach your target heart rate. That's good, because it means your heart is healthier, you've attained increased cardiac output, and you're more fit overall.

After a few weeks at most, you'll begin to notice the positive effects of indoor cycling. You'll have more energy, you'll sleep better, and if you watch your diet you'll lose weight as well. If high impact exercises cause your joints to ache, you'll find spinning classes and indoor cycling to be a very viable and challenging alternative.

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Preventing Coronary Artery Disease

By Scott Williams

Coronary Artery Disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. It is a disease that involves a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle of the heart. It may seem strange if you haven't studied anatomy and physiology, but even though the heart has blood flowing through it constantly, this blood does not supply oxygen and nutrients to the muscle of the heart.

Within the vascular system there are three main arteries. Each of these branch off into smaller arteries and blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Those suffering from coronary artery disease can experience a restriction of blood flow through any of these arteries or blood vessels.

There are many risk factors that can affect your likelihood of contracting this disease. Common risk factors for coronary artery disease include being overweight, not exercising and suffering from hypertension or high cholesterol. Diabetes, family history and age can also affect your chances of contracting this disease, which usually presents itself as atherosclerosis, which are deposits that build up in your vessels restricting the volume of blood that can flow through.

One of the nice things about our blood vessels is that they can usually expand or contract depending on the amount of blood that needs to get through. But when a person has coronary artery disease the blood vessels around their heart lose that ability to stretch. Now, add to this some plaque build-up and the need for more blood to get through (i.e. exercise, stress) and it can result in an obstruction of blood flow.

As blood flow is restricted in the smaller vessels to the heart you may become aware of some off and on chest pain, which is called angina. Resting and de-stressing will usually relieve the pain, as can medication. However, the more often this happens the more likely that these attacks will leave behind damage heart muscle, which can never be repaired. If one of your arteries becomes blocked then this could result in a heart attack, or heart failure.

Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease includes medications prescribed by your doctor, lifestyle changes, minimally invasive medical procedures, and possible open heart surgery.

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Indoor Cycling Classes: Knowing Your Target Heart Rate

By Jim Hofman

Have you ever taken a spin class, or do you prefer to do your cycling outdoors? Either way, you're not alone. Popularity of indoor cycling, also known as spin classes, is surging as more and more people recognize its cardiovascular and muscle toning benefits. Let's talk about a few ways to derive maximum benefit from cycling, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're exercising to lose weight, you'll want your workout to be as efficient and optimal as possible. You may have heard the term "fat burning zone" from your instructor or personal trainer. For best results, your body needs to work at an optimal level, meaning not too light or not too difficult. Since everyone's fat burning zone can be dramatically different, you should understand the nuances of target heart rate and fat burning zone.

In cycling, particularly in spin classes, you'll go through five levels, or zones, of intensity. In order, these intensity zones are warm up, endurance, strength, interval, and race. Most classes will have you move in between the zones at various times in the class to help improve your cardiovascular fitness.

You'll also want to know, and monitor, your target heart rate. The first step is to understand your maximum heart rate, or the highest heart rate you should reach during exercise. It's simple to calculate. Just subtract your age from 220, and that's your maximum heart rate. As an example, I'm 46 years of age so my maximum workout heart rate is 174.

Going back to the five zones, each zone has a heart rate range assigned to it, including upper and lower percentages. We'll explain in a minute. Basically, each of the five zones has a heart rate maximum and minimum, give or take a few percentage points. Each of these heart rate ranges are calculated by taking a percentage of your maximum heart rate (the rate we just calculated by subtracting your age from 220).

The first range is the warm up range, which is also the cool down range. During this range (at the beginning and end of class), your heart rate should be 50% to 65% of maximum. Using my maximum heart rate of 174, that means during warm up or cool down my heart rate should be between 87 and 113. I've written these numbers down and know them from memory, which I find helpful. Now, let's look at the other four zones.

Endurance Range: 65% to 75% of maximum heart range (MHR)

Strength Range: 75% to 85% of MHR

Interval Range: 65% to 92% of MHR

Race (also known as Sprint) Range: 80% to 92%

Interval and race ranges are the two ranges where you'll work the hardest. The endurance range is actually where you'll spend most of your time during the class. Not so coincidentally, that's the range where you'll burn the most fat!

Lastly, the easiest way to check your heart rate while exercising is with a heart rate monitor. Barring that, you can place your index and/or middle finger on your neck artery where you can feel your pulse. Most spin instructors will do a six second heart rate check. Multiply your count by 10, and that's your heart rate. Compare your heart rate to the range you're at during the class, and increase or decrease your intensity accordingly. Enjoy your workout!

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Five Critical Home Security Tips - Make Your Home More Secure!

By Tony Bueler

You will find that there are plenty of things that you can do to make sure that you home stays secure. The truth of the matter is that very few people think about home security until it is far too late, and if you are looking to make sure that you and your possessions are going to be okay, you'll find that there are several ways to do it.

- Firstly, make it look as though someone is always home. For the most part, thieves will strike when they know that no one is at home, so make sure that you don't present them with a good target by letting your home look like you are away. Keep your lawn trimmed and your shrubbery tidy and to make sure that it seems that there are people in the home at all times, use an automatic timer to light up your rooms even when you are on vacation. You may also find that using radios on automatic timers can go a long way towards getting you an occupied look. You may also want to make sure that your phone ringers and your answering machines are softened so that they can't be heard from outside.

- Remember that one thing that people look for when they are considering breaking into a home is a sign that the home is unoccupied; make sure that you make arrangements for your mail to be stopped or to have a neighbor stop by. To further the confusion about whether you are in or not, park your car in the garage with the door closed at all times. You will find that if a car is gone that many thieves take this as a great opportunity to strike.

- When looking at the landscaping itself, remember that thieves have to get into your house somehow, and the harder that you can make it for them, the better off you will be. Be careful of letting bushes grow right up to the windows as this can give prospective thieves cover, and do your best not to leave things lying around that they can use to climb to higher windows or that they can use to force windows or doors open.

- And if you happen to be home, make sure that you don't open your home to people that you don't know. This is an important thing to think about. Even someone who is looking to use your phone for a moment might be checking the place ou!. Bring the phone to them, and don't let them in your home.

- Remember that we're not usually dealing with people who are professional thieves. Even a cheap fake security camera may be enough to thwart someone with criminal intent. For the most part, there are plenty of home burglaries that are undertaken by amateurs or people who are looking to make some fast money.

Take these simple steps and make sure that you are not making it easier for these people to rip you off!

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