Gizmos and Gadgets | Cool Gadgets - Health Fitness » Fitness Gadgets

Body Blade Vs Shake Weight

jack — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:44 +0000

Two new pieces of exercise equipment are making headlines in the fitness industry these days — the Body Blade and the Shake Weight. These two revolutionary new exercise tools both use dynamic inertia instead of gravity to provide added resistance to even the simplest exercises. But how well do they really work, and which one is better than the other?

A Close-Up Of The Two

Let’s start with the Body Blade. This device has two long, flat, flexible blades extending from either side of a central handle. When shaken, the blades wobble back and forth, providing a to-and-fro kind of resistance that sustains itself for long periods of time. This resistance is what helps even simple exercises seem more challenging.

The Shake Weight, on the other hand, is a dumbbell-shaped device. It has weighted ends that are supported by powerful springs from the central handle. When shaken, the weights shake up and down repeatedly, providing a resistance that reportedly fatigue the muscles 5 times faster than free weights.

For Cardio Exercises

Both devices have their places in cardio (aerobic) exercises, since simply holding either one in your hands during an exercise gives you extra dynamic resistance to work against. That means even simple aerobic exercises (and even Yoga) will feel more intense.

For Muscle Building

When it comes to building muscle, the Body Blade has a slight edge over the Shake Weight. The Body Blade can make your muscles contract up to 270 times a minute, with resistance forces reaching up to a whopping 64 pounds. A few seconds with a good Body Blade and you’ll fatigue your muscles to failure.

The Shake Weight is also useful for muscle-building, as it does have an edge over free weights. But its usefulness can’t quite match up to the flexibility of the Body Blade, so it’s best for individuals who are just starting out.

For Cost

If you’re on a tight budget, we’d suggest you go with the Shake Weight for the meantime. The Shake Weight costs only around $20 to $30, while the Body Blade can cost anywhere between $50 and $160, depending on the type of blade you choose (there are 5 types available).

For Portability

The Shake Weight also wins in the portability category. It’s considerably smaller than the Body Blade, and it weighs a tolerable 2.5kg — around the weight of a large laptop. The Shake Weight is easy to carry around, but it’s best to use it indoors and in private — unless, of course, you don’t mind the naughty stares you might get.

For Rehabilitation

If you’re looking for a lightweight, low-impact exercise tool to help you recover from an injury, then the Body Blade is your best bet. Much has been said about the Body Blade being a useful tool for physical therapy, with relatively few, if any, raves going for the Shake Weight.

Choose Your Weapon

In the end, everything will depend on your specific needs. The Body Blade and the Shake Weight both have their advantages over each other, and they do add a new dimension to your usual workout regimen. So choose carefully!

Body Blade — Workout Made Easy

jack — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:22 +0000

If you could only choose to use one piece of exercise equipment for the rest of your life, what would it be? Here’s a suggestion: Consider choosing the Body Blade. This new exercise tool is quickly winning over exercise enthusiasts all over the world, and here’s why.

What’s The Body Blade?

The Body Blade is a relatively-new exercise tool that’s meant to replace traditional free weights and exercise machines. It’s basically two (very) flexible “blades” extending from a central handle. These blades undulate back-and-forth very quickly, up to hundreds of times per minute, to provide two-directional resistance.

Traditional resistance training utilizes gravity, where the individual resists the pull of gravity by lifting weights or doing exercises that involve one’s own body weight. This resistance helps build muscle and improve cardiovascular condition.

The Body Blade works differently. Instead of using gravity, the Body Blade uses dynamic inertia. Instead of resisting gravity (which only pulls the weight down), the individual will need to resist the dynamic inertia produced by the Body Blade’s two flexible ends.

That means resisting not just one direction (down), but two (back and forth) — and hundreds of times per minute! The motion fatigues muscles to failure very efficiently and with less time, allowing more sets and more muscle groups can be worked in a single workout session.

Exercises With The Body Blade

One of the simplest exercises you can do with the Body Blade is to hold it with both hands vertically in front of you. A few shakes, and the Body Blade will begin to flex back and forth on its own. As the resistance increases, you use your core muscles to hold the Body Blade in place — a workout that’s tougher than it sounds!

Muscle-building exercises, such as dumbbell curls, are easily replicated with the Body Blade, as well. Simply hold the Body Blade in the positive (bicep curled) position, and give it a few shakes. Hold the same position as the resistance increases. At hundreds of contractions per minute, you’ll likely work out your bicep in mere seconds.

There are too many exercises to list down in a single article, and more and more uses for the Body Blade are being invented every single day.

Who The Body Blade Is For

The Body Blade is for everyone! It’s a great tool for anyone who wants to lose weight, or build muscle, or grow stronger, or even simply improve their posture. There are thousands of ways to use the Body Blade, and you’ll only need to discover a few to create a complete workout regimen with it.

It’s also great for the elderly fitness enthusiasts out there, who need lower-impact exercises to stay in shape. Individuals undergoing physical rehabilitation also benefit from the easy, low-impact, adjustable resistance that the Body Blade offers.

Currently, there are 5 types of Body Blades to choose from. From the one that provides the least resistance to the most, they are: Body Blade Lite (for rehab), Body Blade CXT and Body Blade Cardio (for aerobics), Body Blade Classic, and Body Blade Pro (for serious workouts). Be sure to choose one that’s right for your body type and fitness level!

Balance Board — Rehab And Strengthening

jack — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:00:25 +0000

Ever heard of balance boards? These nifty new exercise tools are great for physical rehabilitation, strengthening, and extreme “boarding” sports like surfing. If you think a balance board isn’t an exercise tool you can use, think again.

What Balance Boards Are

Balance boards are basically boards or small platforms with a cylindrical or half-spherical fulcrum at its middle. Most boards are used by standing with the feet on both ends of the board, balancing on the fulcrum, and making sure none of the edges of the board touch the floor.

Some balance boards even have fulcrums that move around — cylinders that move from one end to the other, or spheres that act like ball bearings. These are obviously for more advanced exercises, particularly those that only extreme athletes need to master.

A popular variety of the balance board happens to be the “wobble board.” These boards are disc-shaped and have a half-spherical fulcrum at their middles. Wobble boards are more difficult to use because you don’t only have to focus on keeping two opposite sides off the ground, but ALL sides.

How Balance Boards Work

Balance boards are meant to train the body to stay in balance no matter what position it’s in. The act of balancing also strengthens the core, improves flexibility, and boosts your motor skills. It also helps individuals coming off ankle injuries to build strength in their ankles without any risk of sudden impacts.

As mentioned before, extreme athletes such as skateboarders, surfers, and snowboarders also use balance boards extensively — after all, their lives DO depend on their ability to keep their balance. Gymnasts also use balance boards extensively, for practice and exercise outside the gym.

Balance Board Exercises

Simple bodyweight exercises get a new dimension to them when done with a balance board. For instance, try doing pushups with your hands on a balance board — aside from resisting your own body weight, you also need to compensate for the wobbling, which means the secondary muscle groups in your back and core also gets a workout.

The same thing goes with squats. When your regular squats get too easy, try doing them on a balance board — now you have to work much harder to keep your balance.

If you’re a practitioner of Yoga, then a balance board might also make your routines more interesting. Many Yoga positions can be done on a balance board — now, aside from improving your flexibility and cleansing your soul, you also build your core strength all at the same time.

Is The Balance Board For You?

The balance board is definitely a versatile exercise tool, and it complements any exercise regimen, no matter how simple or complicated. It’s compact and lightweight enough to take anywhere you go, and it can be used for a growing number of exercises.

But if you’re just coming off an injury, ask your doctor and fitness trainer for their opinion on the tool. Just, you know, to keep things in the balance.

BMI – Numbers Don’t Lie

fitgizmos — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:00:37 +0000

Is there an accurate way to tell whether you’re at your ideal weight level? The answer is yes — and that method is what we call the BMI. It’s a general measure to see whether a person is overweight, underweight, obese, or at a healthy weight. Here’s how to find out your own BMI.

What BMI Stands For

BMI actually stands for Body Mass Index. It’s not a measurement of how much body fat you have on — it just tells you whether your weight is at a healthy range for a person of your height. When you know your BMI value, you’ll have an idea of what you need to do to stay healthy.

Your BMI value comes in the form of a number. The higher the value, the more weight you have for your height. The lower the value, the less weight you have — which, by the way, isn’t healthy either! The idea is to adjust your weight slowly to achieve a BMI you’re comfortable with.

How To Calculate Your BMI

To calculate your BMI, you’ll first need to get your weight in kilograms. If you’re not sure how much you weigh in the metric system, simply take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2046. The resulting figure is your weight in kilograms.

Next, get your height in meters. Again, if you’re not sure about your height in meters, simply take your height in inches, and then divide it by 40. Once you get your height in meters, multiply it by itself. (In geek-speak, square it.) And take note of the resulting number.

To get your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms with the square of your height in meters. When you get a value between 15 and 50, then you’re likely on the right track.

What Your BMI Means

If your BMI value is between 18.5 and 25, then congratulations — you’re in what many experts claim to be the ideal range. It’s likely you’re in good health. Your goal should be to stay in the healthy BMI range.

If your BMI value is less than 18.5, then you’re underweight. You’re likely a bit skinny for your height, and that can put your health at some risk. Underweight individuals are somewhat more prone to sickness, so it’s your job to steadily gain weight and raise your BMI value above 18.5.

If your BMI value is between 25-30, it means you’re overweight — and you may want to lose a bit of the flab for your own good. If your BMI value is between 30 and 40, then you’re classified as obese — and if over 40, you’re morbidly obese! It’s time to seriously find a way to lose all that extra weight — you’re putting your life in danger of many lethal diseases.

What’s your BMI? What do you need to do to stay healthy? Calculate it now!

Metabolism Fitness Gadget

Kettle-bell Exercise ~ Can You Handle This Fitness Gadget?

Jack — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:38:15 +0000

How Kettle Bell Exercise started?

Are you tired of maintaining a ridiculously expensive gym membership? Or finding in your garage all those useless gym equipment meant for sissies?

The Russians have always been known for their toughness: think AK-47’s and Vodka. Now there is a new Russian definition for real workout is.

It’s called The Russian Kettle-bell workout.

Kettle-bells have been around for a while (perhaps a few hundred years). Kettle bells have been used by the Spetznaz, a Russian equivalent of the CIA plus Special Forces combined…not exactly people you want to mess up with.

Is Kettle Bell the new trend in fitness workout?

Apparently, according to the main proponent of this new trend in exercising, Pavel Tsatsouline (who himself was a former Spetznaz trainer) the kettle-bell workout is superious to tradition workout routines.

You simply have to check out Pavel’s physique. The guy looks like a greek statue carved out of rock. For somebody who avoids traditional workouts or doubt about his workout routines, he has the body to back it up. And unlike most Ken look-alike fitness freaks, Pavel is a funny Russian guy.

For example, he comes up with the following name for his fitness guide: “Power to the People”. You can’t get any more hard-core communist than that. What’s next? Love for the Motherland Routine?

Japanese Fitness Machine: Coin-Operated

Fit Gizmos — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:14:33 +0000

It seems like a wacky way to lose weight, but it works.

Fitness Exercise Machine with Coins

The konbini coin-operated fitness exercise machine consists of two pedals that the aspiring fitness purchaser stands on. (In case you did not know, a “konbini” is a mom and pop convenience store. Some Konbini exercise models are switched on by the owner of the convenience store, instead of accepting coins.) The pedals move back and forth for 10 minutes, imitating the motion of an elliptical trainer or a Nordic track, only the machine provides the power, the buyer just has to stand on the machine and keep feeding it money.

The cost? Just $4 for 10 minutes. Convenient for people who have little time for a gym, or who do not want to invest in home equipment they know they’ll barely use. A worthwhile workout on this fitness vending machine in those ten minutes. You get a maximum workout when you combine tension overload and metabolic fatigue.

Getting Fit With Coin Operated Exercise Machine, Does It Work?

How do you get tension overload? This refers to working out a muscle until it gets really tired. You may not need to make every muscle in your body tired, but you need to have at least one muscle really needing a rest.

When you first start exercising, whether it’s on a coin-operated exercise machine or something a little more ordinary, this is not hard at all. Just step on the machine. The more out of shape you are, or the more you weigh, the harder you are going to work out to do even a little exercise. As you get more and more fit, you have to work out harder and harder, but when you first start, it is not hard to achieve tension overload.

Good Shape In 10 Minutes with this Wacky Exercise Machine?

Let’s be honest. This next part of getting into good shape—in just 10 minutes twice a week—isn’t the fun part.

To achieve metabolic fatigue, you need to work out so hard you feel a “burn” in your muscle. That isn’t because your muscle is literally on fire. It just feels like it is!

Metabolic fatigue is achieve by working a muscle so hard that it can’t get oxygen from the bloodstream fast enough to burn glucose for fuel. The muscle has to start making energy from the glucose stored inside its cells without oxygen.

This process generates lactic acid, which causes the “burning” feeling in our muscles. Eventually, the muscles clear the lactic acid away so they are ready to reshape and enlarge themselves.

Workout and Replenish Energy

Most people who do short and intense exercise routines forget the one thing that makes sure your muscles get bigger. After your workout, you have to eat!

Everybody knows that muscles need protein. You need some kind of complete balanced protein right after you work out, even for 10 minutes. This can come from a quick serving of meat, or a protein bar made from whey. If you are vegan or vegetarian, a soy bar also works just fine. But protein is not all your muscles need.

As hard as it may be to believe, right after you work out is the one time that a little bit of sugar is good for you. To get the energy to absorb the amino acids they use to build up their own proteins, every muscle needs a little glucose from the bloodstream. Right after a workout, muscles are 50 times more sensitive to sugar. They soak it right up.

However, the key word about sugar here is “little.” A single piece of fruit, a cup of yogurt or an energy bar containing no more than 10 grams of net carbohydrates (50 calories from sugar) is enough.

Try the Konbini Fitness Exercise Machine

Konbini exercise is something you need to try out if you ever go to Japan. In the meantime, just be sure to work out hard for at least 10 minutes, to the point of just a little muscle “burn.” (You don’t need to see literal flames.) Then follow up your exercise with a balanced snack containing carbohydrate and complete protein.

Give your muscles 48 hours to grow before you work them out again—and watch your fitness levels soar!

Have you tried this machine before? Leave your comment here….

Japanese Fitness Machine: Coin-Operated

Ab Lounge Exerciser

fitgizmos — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:43:09 +0000

Here you go! Another Ab machine, but this product seems to be working.
This machine was launched more than 2 years ago, but it’s still popular. You won’t see it on TV anymore.

The Ab Lounge Abdominal Exerciser is a Ab machine that suppose to tighten and tone the upper and lower abs & obliques. The machine works your abdominal muscles with a fuller range of motion than crunches or sit-ups. The good thing about this ab lounger is the back and neck support. When I tried the machine, it doesn’t hurt my back and neck.

Yes, and I do feel my abs working. Am I getting a sexy six pack? Who knows.

As with all ab machines, the Ab lounge comes with instructional DVD / VCD, owners manual, step by step assembly instructions and workout guide / tracker. The ab lounger comes almost ready to use, simply add the resistance cords, hand grips…but it’s very heavy. You won’t be able to take this away from the store with one hand. Not to mention that you need big car to carry this machine.

The abs lounge folds away into a flat pack configuration for easy storage.

8 Different Ab lounge exercises

1. Basic Jackknife exercise
2. Leg extension jackknife
3. Oblique abs jackknife
4. Torso and hip flexor
5. Leg raise jackknife
6. Advanced jackknife
7. Extended arms jackknife
8. Lateral exercise

The Ab Lounger uses the jack knife abdominal crunch to work and lengthen the abdominal muscles with a fuller range of motion than traditional crunch methods. It comes with solid frame can support and you can adjuest the foot pedals adjust to your height.

When I was trying the the abs lounger my back and neck doesn’t hurt as much as normal crunches. It does reduces risk of injury to lower back, shoulders and legs. The design of the ab lounger extends the range of movement more than the range of a normal situp or crunch exercise. So it feel like you are getting a more thorough workout.

But don’t think you can get your dream six pack within 1 month by using this machine only. You need a complete workout, not just an ab workout.

Ab Lounge

Exercise Machines for Women: Tone at Home

Fit Gizmos — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:00:02 +0000

Lately I’ve been trying to research if there are any exercise machines or gadgets that were either marketed or designed specifically for women. It was just a curiosity thing. Needless to say, I was not able to find much. I have no doubt that it would be a hard kill from a sales point of view if you eliminate half of the market.

One that I thought this was interesting as I was researching exercise machines; I came across the “Tone at Home” by Slender You. Looks like an exercise machine table bed, which provides support as you conduct repetitious exercises. It does not really specify that it is just for women, but it did pop up as I was searching.

Exercise Machine: Tone at Home

Tone at Home is meant to offer you an effortless exercise solution, which is comfortable and enjoyable. While supporting your weight, this toning table powers you through a series of repetitious exercise movements. During the movements you are required to resist the force of the table bed, thus working your muscles. The more resistance you provide, the more you will increase your energy level, the greater your results.

Tone at Home states that you can increase your flexibility and endurance, while reducing the risk of any lower body injury (I.e. ankles, knees & hips). This may be beneficial for people who have difficulty moving, and conducting their own exercises and stretches. It looks comfortable, considering it’s in a table bed format; however, this exercise machine would not be recommended if you are looking to get that toned look, fast.

Exercise Machines for Women: Tone at Home

Why it’s hard for women to lose weight

Fit Gizmos — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:00:48 +0000

A gal goes to the gym with a guy friend. She ends up doing the same sets of exercise and workout routines, but why is he losing weight and firming up better than her? It is a common bewilderment among women as to why men can gain weight – and then shed it off quickly. It is one of the main issues that make us women look at men with envy.

Compared to men, women are not as fortunate to lose weight as quickly and easily. Why is that? Well, here are a few reasons why:

Biological. The male body has more muscles, compared to females. And muscles are what burn the calories, which makes you lose weight. By having less muscle, women end up having more fat cells – and we ultimately have to work the muscles we do have, harder to lose fat.

Hormones. A major contribution to the difference between man and woman, as hormones control our metabolism rate, and the storing of fat cells. It is natural for bodies to store fat as a survival feature, women are just programmed to store and hold more – especially during pregnancy. Reason being because a woman’s body was meant to bear children, and to provide them with food. Men, on the other hand were meant for hunting and gathering, and so, needed the muscle to endure the physical labor.

Did you know…though women have more fat and store more, we end up burning 300 more calories per day during pregnancy, and 500 more calories during breast-feeding.

Bad eating habits & poor lifestyle. These days our food is riddled with chemicals and preservatives – which end up being stored in our bodies and are harder to burn. Eating healthier foods with routine exercise is essential to a better lifestyle and losing weight successfully. Dieting is not an effective option. Improve your lifestyle and see positive result…

Why it’s harder for women to lose weight

Exercise for Busy Lifestyle

Fit Gizmos — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:10:36 +0000

The era of technology has its pros and cons. Pro, we have technology that can make our lives and jobs easier. Con, technology constantly makes us available and assessable at all times, and therefore we are still busy, if not, busier.

As we prioritize ourselves with tasks, assignments, and deadlines, our attention to health ends up taking a backseat. We all know that our health is important, but somehow we just can’t seem to incorporate it into our busy lifestyle.

Exercises for busy people

Creating an exercise workout plan is often daunting, and anticipated to be most unpleasant if you see it as forcing yourself to do it just because. This is what deters most people from starting or even committing to their workout plan. Whether you are a busy man or busy woman, if you think positively, and take it step-by-step it’s really not all that bad.

Assess your level of physical capability, and consider your options for exercise activities. What could you fit, or easily accommodate into your lifestyle? Are you able to visit the gym on your way from point “A” to point “B”? Can you squeeze in time with any home workout equipment?

Choose activities that are easy and you would enjoy. Individuals are more likely to follow through with activities they consider fun, compared to something that seems like hard work and painful.
Tip: Exercise doesn’t always have to come from the gym, or a workout machine. Try casual activities like walking, which you can incorporate into a daily lifestyle. Attaching Velcro lightweights to your limbs as you do work, or doing on spot exercises like lunges, jumping jacks, push ups, etc.

Set a goal and a plan of action to achieve them. Be sure to take into account your capabilities and limitations by being realistic when choosing the intensity, frequency, and duration. This will help prevent injuries, burnouts and disappointments.

Did you know…It is best not to burnout from an exercise. Instead, exercise to the point you feel energized as this gets your metabolism going and you will still have energy for the day. You’ll also feel better after exercising too.

Stick with it. Consider your exercise program as a long-term goal, which will get you into the habit of continuing your exercise regime. Also, if you create your workout plan to give you results, you will feel more positive about continuing your workout when you feel and notice improvements.

Exercises for Busy Lifestyle