jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

I’m a bit of a junkie for tracking workouts, and have read several blogs put out by big companies reviewing their capabilities.  The funny thing is, most of them are simply glorified pedometers with an app that displays some information.  Here is how they differ and why we sell the Polar Loop!

FitBit – at the time of writing this, there are 3 models available.  FitBit Flex (wrist) $99.95, FitBit One (flash drive size for in pocket) $99.95 and FitBit Zip (belt clip on) $59.95. Here is a handy comparison page on their website: http://www.fitbit.com/comparison/trackers  FitBit does a fine job of tracking steps and sending that info on to their website or app.  The problem is it doesn’t do much for in-depth analysis of specific workouts, and is at best a guesstimate on actual calories burned.  You can use their website to track other things like diet, but many features you need to pay an annual subscription for of $49.95/year.  http://www.fitbit.com/premium/about  FitBit is water resistant, not waterproof.  If you plan on swimming, you should probably look for another product. https://help.fitbit.com/customer/portal/articles/1083828-i-washed-my-tracker Overall, the FitBit is one of the leaders in the category, but is somewhat limited if you want more detail such as heart rate! The best thing about FitBit is the ability to sync to most mobile devices, connect and compete with friends, and it plays well with other fitness apps.

Polar Loop

Nike FuelBand – $169.95 or $149.95 depending on color – the best thing about this unit is it looks cool.  These are unfortunately overpriced, need frequent charging, and talk in “Fuel Points” which is Nike’s own calculation – not a well known means of work like calories.  It also is only water resistant, not waterproof – so swimming is not an option. http://support-en-us.nikeplus.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20771/p/3169,3180  It also does not pair with a heart rate monitor for detailed workout tracking.  If you want more from your workout tracker, there are better options out there.

Polar Loop – $109.95 – this is the one we carry in our store.  Why?  1. It pairs with a bluetooth heart rate monitor (we sell the Polar H-7 strap).  This gives you much more detail on the app and website so you can do a much better job getting accurate information into the database.  2. It is waterproof – so swim, shower, and wakeboard while wearing it. 3. Polar Flow app offers detailed information and links to your polar account for viewing online as well as social and friend competition options. https://flow.polar.com/#home  If you just want the step tracking, $109.95 gets you started, and if you want to take it to the next level, add the H-7 strap for the ultimate package at just under $200.

Want to see it live before you buy?  Drop by the store.  I will show you my app, detailed info and help you get started!

-Jeff
jeff@nwfitnessportland.com
503-231-1330

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

Sales Director

I talk to a lot of customers about how they can BEST set themselves up to succeed in an at home fitness program. There are 5 essential things to consider. Take these factors into consideration, and you increase your chances of sticking with your program incrementally!

1. Product Selection

People ask “What is the ‘best’ piece of equipment to get?” Unfortunately there is no single answer that fits all situations. To get a fully rounded fitness program going, you want to have the ability to work both cardio and strength. Cardio options include treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and the like. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. In short, get what you like using. It really doesn’t matter if you burn a few more calories on one piece or the other if you don’t use it, so get what you will use! For strength, you can go as simple as a few dumbbells or kettlebells, or as elaborate as a full multi-station home gym. Again, determine the way you like to strength train and get the equipment that you are most likely to enjoy using.

2. In Home Placement

Many people think, “I’ll put it in the garage!” Nothing could be more detrimental to your success. In the winter time, the garage is almost as cold as going outside, in the summer it can be too hot! Since most people workout in the morning or evening due to schedules, the temperature of the garage tends to keep people from going out there to get their workout in. For best results, create a space inside the home that is climate controlled and inviting.

3. Entertainment

Get a television in your workout room! Whether you like watching sports center, the batchelor, or biggest loser, combining your tv time with workout time will give you the best chance of creating a habit. For me – it’s morning sports center while sprint training on the treadmill, followed by strength training on my functional trainer. If you are not a tv person, set yourself up to read or listen to music that motivates you to get moving!

4. Motivation

Track your workouts. There are many ways to do this from keeping your statistics in a journal to great apps that offer tremendous feedback. Monitor your heart rate and push yourself by making improvement a priority. Some of the new cardio equipment consoles have this technology embedded and automatically track your progress for you. If you need this technology to keep track of your progress, spend the extra money to get the features you need to motivate you. Another great thing to do is set up a contest or weekly check in with a friend or family member to review the last week’s workouts. Having someone to answer to will help motivate you to stick with it.

5. Buy Quality Equipment

Many people want to “just get something cheap on craigslist.” Nothing will kill your workout program faster than poor quality equipment. Unfortunately craigslist is full of junk! I study craigslist everyday to find QUALITY used products to sell at our store – 99% of the listings are the low-end products from sears or costco that people bought before reading this article. Low end machines are typically unstable, not smooth, and break down frequently with limited local support to repair them. If you are on a tight budget, it is better to buy a QUALITY used piece from a store like us – who will back it up with a service and labor warranty than guessing about whether something on craigslist is worthwhile.

Hopefully this will help you get set up for success in your at home fitness program. If you are in need of QUALITY equipment, contact us to work with our experienced sales consultants and determine the best products for your specific needs, space constraints, and budget. We will help educate you, allow you to try a wide variety of products, and help you put together a program for at home fitness success with no pressure!

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

Looking for the ultimate workout motivation? Look no further – the new “Touch” console on the 2013 Vision Fitness ellipticals, treadmills and exercise bikes has it all! The new “Touch” screen is packed with features and motivation to get you results. It offers workout tracking for up to 4 users. Once your profile is setup, just log in before each workout and the calendar automatically updates your workout statistics.

There are tons of programs available – highlighted by the “Virtual Active” trails that actually interact with your machine. With these programs your treadmill will change elevation to match the HD trail as it is passing by. As you adjust the speed, the feed of the trail adjusts to match your pace. If you are on an elliptical or bike, the resistance kicks up with the elevation of the trail, and the speed adjusts to match your pedaling speed. To take it one step further, you can display the “Virtual Active” trails onto your HD television using the “Passport” player.

There are tons of other great features that you will find in the “Touch” console. It connects with Nike+, has integrated on-screen controls for your iPod, and tons more. The best part – it is so intuitive to use, I was able to figure it out without even cracking the owner’s manual. To see this live for yourself, come on down to the store and we will give you a live demo! Check out the full line of Vision Fitness products here.

Vision Fitness Touch Console

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By: Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

Bodyguard "imagine" iPad app

One of the biggest hurdles to sticking with any workout program is boredom.  Keeping the user entertained and maximizing results are the two biggest factors in sustaining a solid workout plan.  Once you have made the decision to buy equipment for your home, you are on your way to success!  New technology in one brand of treadmills is making workouts fun again – and their iPad integration makes it impossible to run out of fun things to do while working out.

Bodyguard fitness has just launched the “imagine” iPad app for their treadmills.  This is not simply a docking station that will charge your iPod and play music, but a fully integrated treadmill control panel app that utilizes the many great features we already use on the iPad everyday and allows for maximum multitasking and fantastic reporting on workout results too!

Studies have shown that we are now spending more time than ever on the internet.  Just recently the statistics have changed to be more on mobile devices and more time using apps than using web browsers.  The iPad dominates the tablet computer market and has more apps than any other competitive product.  The ease of use and great features give iPad users unlimited options when it comes to entertainment.  You have true entertainment options like movies, YouTube, and streaming live sports; you have social media like facebook, twitter, and pinterest; you have email, internet, games, and even interactive exercising apps that give you that “on the trail” outdoors experience like Virtual Active.

So now that you know that the entertainment options are are unlimited, let’s talk about the “imagine” app and how it can help you reach your fitness goals!  The first thing you notice about the app is the ease of setting up your user profile.  You enter your name, weight, age, etc and even snap a quick pic of yourself and you are ready to go.  Now each time you use the treadmill, just select your profile and you are logged in for history, data, and custom settings.  Setting up programs is a snap.  Each program has a brief description of what the intended use is.  Find the one you want and follow the prompts to customize the speed, elevation, heart rate and you are on your way!  Upon completing your workout, the data is saved so you can easily replicate the program you just did the next time you want to do it.  A data export allows for easy charting and graphing of performance to make sure you are reaching your fitness goals.  For more details, check out this quick video, then head on into the store for a live demo!

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

Looking for the latest equipment that you can pack up and take to the park this summer?  Then you’ve got to check out the Human Trainer Versatility Kit by Astone Fitness.

The Human Trainer utilizes your bodyweight as resistance to perform nearly any exercise you can imagine.  You can easily adjust the intensity of the exercise by changing your body position to make the movement more or less aggressive.  Check out this video for a glimpse at some of exercises that you can perform using the Human Trainer:

Best of all, the Human Trainer Versatility Kit is in stock now.

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

Kettlebells

Looking for Cross-Fit type products for use at your home?  We have them!  We are now carrying bumper plates, squat stands, olympic bars, kettlebells, pullup bars, pullup assist bands, medicine balls, plyo-boxes, and more!  Come to the store and check out the best local selection of these items!  Don’t forget to “like” us on facebook for a money saving coupon on these items!

Huge selections of products in stock and ready for you to take home.  No need to wait or pay shipping!

Bumper Plates

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

The Bodyguard T460XC has won the Fitness Professor “Head of Class” any price range for the last 2 years in a row.  Let’s take a look at what makes this treadmill a superior choice to some of the other big names in the industry:

The first things you notice when you walk up to the Bodyguard T460XC are the ergonomics and attention to detail.  This treadmill just sets up a little better than most, and was well thought out for runners especially.  The contact heartrate sensors are put in an ergonomically correct position.  The navigation keys you use the most are right there for you to use – and they are made of more costly and durable silicone keys. The hand rails are set wide so you don’t have to worry about banging the back of your hand when you are running.

The console is easy to read and well lit.  The information is all displayed, and it is intuitive to get to the program you want.  There are several “hot keys” for instant elevation and speed changes and even an “a”/”b” for two customized speeds allowing simple one touch intervals (no more trying to depress the speed down arrow while sprinting at 9 mph!)  My favorite program is the “Turbo Training” which offers an extreme sprint interval.  With this program, it only takes a couple seconds to go from 3.5-9mph.  With most treadmills that takes 20-30 seconds to get up to speed.  “Turbo Training” allows for true intervals with an outdoor running accelleration.

T460XC

The nuts and bolts begin with a solid X-Frame design that reduces torsion and flex coupled with the BDS+ cushioning system.  You will find the most stable, solid feel of any treadmill with this system.  The T460XC is equipped with a premium orthopedic belt and 4 way deck for optimum feel and durablilty.  The oversized 22″x60″ running area allows ample room for even taller runners.  If you are training for outdoor running, the elevation system allows for a -3% to 15% grade for the ultimate range of training more closely mimicking your 5K or 10K course.

The 3.4HP palladrine motor and drive electronics perform great, even for heavy users up to 400lbs.  The ESC (electronic stride control) system keeps the belt moving at exactly the right speed, even when in use at extreme elevations with heavy users.  The best part about the T460XC is their smart AFDS (advanced friction detection system) which monitors the amp draw and lets you know when it is time for maintenance.  That way you won’t burn up your components and it is based on a real monitoring system, not just a time or mileage estimate.  Because of this system, Bodyguard offers the best warranty in the industry – Lifetime Parts, 3 Years Labor!

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

We all have good intentions when it comes to being healthy and fit.  We watch what we eat, and try to get to the gym.  The problem is, we have lives!  Work, family, taking the kids to soccer practice…with all of the responsibility that most of us have, it is nearly impossible to make the time needed to really succeed in taking care of ourselves.

Have you ever done the math?  If you live 15 minutes from your gym, and it takes you 15 minutes to change clothes and get ready to workout, then another 15 to shower and get dressed after you workout, and 15 more to get back home, that’s an hour per day spent on “getting to the gym”.  Once you are at the gym, you have to find your rythm and sometimes wait to get on the right cardio piece, or run through your circuit of weights.  Maybe you take a Zumba class or Spin class.  The average person spends one hour actually working out.  So now we have 2 hours invested.

The average person who works out, does so 3-4 times per week – so we will average that at 3.5 days times 2 hours per day times 52 weeks per year.  Is your calculator working?  That is 364 hours per year devoted to working out.  Equvalent to 45.5 full 8 hour work days!  In other words, 2.25 work months of your time spent trying to take care of you.  No wonder it is hard to do that with all the distractions and life getting in the way!

Octane Q37ci in Cross Circuit mode

So how do you cut down the time and increase your chances of successfully making time and sticking with a fitness program?  The ONLY way for most of us is to do it at home.  Think about it…eliminate the 30 minutes there and back – eliminate the 15 minutes changing clothes, and shower on your own time in your own shower when you are done.  We have just cut the time investment in half. 

Now for the best part: MAKE YOUR WORKOUT PART OF SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE DOING ANYWAY!!!  If you wake up to SportsCenter, jump on your Landice Treadmill at your house then use your Vectra 1450 machine for a quick full body weight routine!  If you get home in the afternoon and watch Ellen, do that while using the Cross Circuit program on your Octane Elliptical.

Making fitness part of your day instead of trying to make your day have a “fitness part” is the key.  Whatever your crazy life brings, get the piece of equipment or two that you need, and invest in your time and health.  When you pay yourself back the time saved by having equipment at home, you will agree it’s an investment you have to make.

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

If you are like me, you get bored quite quickly with the typical programs available on most elliptical trainers.  Hills, Fat Burn, etc. They are all variations of resistance change.  X-Mode is something different, something better.  X-Mode offers a variation of body positions, resistance levels, directions, and focuses that make it exciting and get rid of the typical elliptical boredom.

Octane Q37ci

I am impatient.  I’ll admit that.  Looking at a countdown timer that started at 30:00 and slowly makes it’s way to 25:00 and then to 20:00 is hard for me to keep mentally involved in my workout.  That is what I love about X-Mode.  It gives me a short 1:00 countdown for the particular segment that I am in.  The next minute is something different, and the next.  With the constant change in workout, the time flies by and I am able to remain focused and push myself to really get the most from my workout.

If you have never had a chance to do an X-Mode workout, come down to the store and we will set you up to try it on a great Octane elliptical.  See you soon!

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

One of the most commonly asked questions by customers in our stores is, “Do you have a machine that will do both strength training and cardio but not take up my entire living room?”  With the introduction of the Octane Fitness x-Ride, I can proudly answer “YES”!!!

Octane Fitness x-R6

I start off at level 5 on manual using legs and arms.  Not that tough, but it gets the blood pumping.  After a couple minutes of warmup, I hit the “leg press” booster and this is when the magic happens!  The resistance increases by 10 levels (now at 15) and I move my hands from the multi-grip handles to the seat handles in order to isolate the legs and maximize my leverage.  The console counts down my reps from 15-1 and when the set is complete, the resistance goes back to 5 and I resume total body at the recovery rate for 1 minute until the next set comes up.

http://www.nwfitnessportland.com/fitness-exercise-equipment/ellipticals/octane-elliptical-xR6-X-Ride.asp

Octane Fitness xRide Series Ellipticals from Octane Fitness on Vimeo.