Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

Posted on September 20th, 2008
by John Bear

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Equipment

If you’re a fitness buff, you will read a Bowflex Revolution review and start sweating with excitement. And if you’re not sweating now, you will be when you hear about the new, more versatile and simpler to use Bowflex Revolution Home Gym.

Bowflex fitness equipment offers numerous types of exercise equipment and several models of home gyms with various levels of versatility. The Bowflex Ultimate 2 has 95 exercise possibilities, the Ultimate XTLU has more than 90 possibilities, Xtreme 2 has more than 70 possibilities, Xtreme has more than 65 possibilities and Bowflex Sport has more than 60 different items.

All these machines have been tested and proven to be effective home gyms and are praised by many owners. The Bowflex website even lists hundreds of testimonial letters from satisfied customers. However, the newly released Revolution may surpass all the older models just with customer satisfaction.

The Revolution Home Gym was originally developed for astronauts, and offers hundreds of workouts and exercise varieties. Realizing how wonderful it worked for astronauts, Bowflex modified it for in-home use so that everyone could benefit from it. Its closest cousin, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 model, has a total of 95 exercise variations.

Like as with any other Bowflex home gym, owning a Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is like having your own exercise center right in your home. It replaces many other different pieces of fitness equipment because you can basically work out every single part of your body. If you’re persistent, you can lose weight fast. And it’s just one piece of fitness equipment, which offers a huge amount of resistance with the miraculous SpiraFlex Technology.

The new Revolution is also the quietest and most easy to use fitness equipment ever manufactured by Nautilus.

Like other Bowflex machines, the Revolution can be folded and easily stored away. And, when they designed it, they kept in their minds that many homes have low ceilings, especially in the basement. So, this amazing equipment will surely fit in just about any room.

Before the Revolution, the company referred to the Bowflex Ultimate 2 as “top-of-the-line” with the best design among other fitness equipment available. Now the company believes that the “cutting edge” in terms of home gyms belongs to the Bowflex Revolution.

Nautilus, the makers of Bowflex, has been in business since 1986, selling and improving its products for over 20 years. They have the experience and the satisfaction guaranteed to back up their quality products. Once you’ve read a Bowflex Revolution overview, you’ll realize that this Home Gym is the one you need to make working out a necessary part of your lifestyle.

Home Gym Fitness Equipment Buyers Guide

Posted on September 20th, 2008
by Lindelwa Maseko

The sales of home fitness equipment just keep increasing every year as people realize they need to do something about their fitness. If you are thinking about buying something you can use at home, hold off until you know a little more as the last thing you want to do is return it because it isn’t really what you wanted, you do not want to have had to return it within days of buying it.

Be careful when you see commercials advertising fitness apparatus as it will always be shown in the best possible light. It is never a good idea to rush into buying anything, especially not fitness products so before you do, sit down and think carefully about what your preferences are.

As every piece of home fitness equipment has a different function and is designed to exercise or train different parts of the body,you will need to assess what it is you want to get out of the equipment. If it is your first time buying a piece of equipment like this it would be best if you found somewhere local, at your gym perhaps, where it would be possible to try it out first hand,always start by buying small pieces of equipment that match your interests. Make sure you can afford it and don’t be fooled into the thought that you will definitely use something because you spent a great deal of money on it,purchasing expensive equipment is not a guarantee that you will use it or that it will be effective for you. Whatever budget you set yourself to spend on it, just make sure it will be up to the job you want it to do because although cost may be an issue, quality is also important.

Price however, is no guarantee of quality, Massive savings can be made buying nearly new sports equipment from the classifieds so take a look at these first. Another good place to look is in the sports shops themselves for any home fitness equipment that is being sold off cheaply as some great deals can be had plus you get the guarantee as well. Take some measurements inside your home before you do buy as if it doesn’t fit after you have bought it, it may be too late for a refund if it was a sale item, and you will be surprised how many people forget this tiny detail.

It is great if you have a ready made room to place it in but if not, it is worth considering the garage which has become a favorite for many home gym installations. Think about whether the training equipment is safe for you to use and if you have existing medical conditions, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure you will be able to use it.

Joining a gym and using their apparatus can often actually work out to be a less expensive option,Don’t dismiss the idea of joining a gym as often it can be cheaper to use their facilities,this should give you a good idea if it will be more cost effective to buy your own home fitness equipment. Fitness equipment should never be bought on a whim so if you are unsure about your plans, then ask a professional fitness instructor what he thinks.

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Product Review: Panasonic EP 30004 shiatsu massage chair

Posted on September 19th, 2008
by Steve Esquire

Panasonic has its newest line of massage chairs. The Real Pro Ultra series incorporates some of Panasonic’s newest technologies in massage therapy. The subject of this review is the EP-30004 shiatsu massage recliner. This model is a high end luxury massage chair model. We will take a look at some of the new features and warranty coverage for this shiatsu massage recliner.

Panasonic is a household name in electronics, so you do not have to be concerned about having your warranty honored down the road. We like to caution potential massage recliner buyers to also go with a reputable brand. There are many small importers that offer cheap massage loungers with great warranties that are never honored down the road. With that said, Panasonic will be there down the road.

What type of warranty coverage is provided with the EP 30004? You get 3 years parts coverage and 1 year labor coverage. Panasonic now provides in-home technician service with the Real Pro Ultra series and covers that for 1 year. They also cover shipping expenses during the first year. We like the 1 year in home technician service which is great coverage. We see the labor of 1 year is fairly short compared to other manufacturers. If possible, try to get an extended warranty to get greater coverage. This is especially important on big ticket items like massage chairs with many moving parts.

There are some outstanding new features incorporated into the Real Pro Ultra massage chair series. The EP 30004 has both a lower body stretch and a shoulder stretch. There is also a new massage technique called Junetsu. The Junetsu massage technique literally means ultra fine kneading in Japanese. The Junetsu massage technique uses small circular motions and a one second of thumb-like firm pressure. The effect of this massage is to reverberate through the muscle and penetrating to the surface of the bone.

The Real Pro Ultra Series is known for its variety of massage therapies. The EP 30004 is no exception with 4 automatic massage therapy programs and 8 manual massage therapy programs. The 8 manual include junetsu, shiatsu, kneading, Swedish, stretch, tapping, rolling and grip. You can also select from 5 manual back courses. These cover different regions of your back for excellent coverage and relief.

Besides the voice guidance, Panasonic includes the self programming feature. The self programming button will remember the last 5 minutes of massage performed. It then stores it in memory for instant recall. This is particularly effective for regions you want to target for repeated massage therapy. After all, massage therapy is most effective when done on a recurring, frequent basis. You can use the self program for up to four users.

The lower body is covered with an air compression massage system. This system uses strategically place airbags throughout the massage recliner to target the hands, arms, feet, calves, thighs and buttocks. The massage technique is a squeeze, hold and release compression style. This is very soothing and relieving for the extremities of the body. Additionally, there are stretching capabilities for both the legs and the shoulders. These are great to help increase flexibility by elongating the muscles.

The chair design is fairly industrial looking, which is probably the most disappointing aspect of the massage recliner. The leg rest is extendable out another 5 inches, which is an important feature. The air massage for the hands and arm is concealed underneath the arm rest covers. These arm rest covers open to the side and the hands or arm can be placed inside. This is nice to conceal this apparatus within the armrest and not make it visible.

Overall, the Real Pro Ultra series has some excellent features over its prior series the Real Pro Elite. We like the direction that Panasonic is going with their massage chairs. We would like to see better warranty protection and better design aesthetics. However, the massage therapy is very effective and the chair is fairly well designed. This is definitely a shiatsu massage chair that is worth considering at the high end of the market.

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Shiatsu Massage Chairs: The Best Available

Posted on September 16th, 2008
by James Knolan

Shiatsu massage originates in Japan and so does the massage chair. However, this technology has spread throughout the world and is no longer just a Japanese phenomenon. There are a handful of companies that make the best shiatsu massage chairs today. These companies have studied the techniques and have developed extraordinary technology to replicate these subtle techniques. We present the best shiatsu massage chairs on the market.

First, if you are looking for a great shiatsu massage chair, they do not come cheap. Be prepared to spend $3,000 to $5,000 on one of the massage recliners. This should be viewed as a long term investment in your health and well being. These massage chairs are designed to last between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of service. This means you could get massage therapy for as little as $3.00 per hour!

Shiatsu massage is based on some of the ancient Chinese acupuncture techniques. Shiatsu stimulates what are known as trigger points that help the major organs to relax. There are a variety of subtle hand motions using the palm, hand and thumbs to soothe and relieve muscles. The best shiatsu massage chairs have mechanically replicated these techniques and drive them with sophisticated software programs.

The best massage chair brands make the best shiatsu recliners. These are made by companies such as Panasonic, Sanyo and Omega. You will find many that claim to be shiatsu recliners, but the best technology has been developed by these firms. The other important aspect is warranty coverage, which you can be assured with these top companies. Here are some of the best shiatsu massage recliners being offered.

The Sanyo HEC DR7700 is the top of the line for Sanyo. This massage chair has a specialized roller mechanism called the GK roller system. The GK roller system can come over the top of the shoulders and thus provides an excellent neck and shoulder massage. This massage lounger is also zero gravity which takes the pressure off your spinal column. The DR 7700 can detect trouble areas and zero in on those areas automatically.

The Omega Montage Premier is the best massage chair from Omega Massage. The Omega Montage Premier performs a scan of your back and can detect the almost 100 acupressure points. The massage will then be customized based on your readings. This massage chair comes with many features including full body heat, lower body stretching, and even an MP3 music player. This is certainly the closest massage recliner to having an in home spa.

The Real Pro Ultra series of massage recliners is Panasonic’s newest line. In particular, the EP 30004 model has some wonderfully effective shiatsu massage treatments. They have a new massage style called Junetsu. The Junetsu is an ultra find kneading type massage that provides deep penetration all the way to the bone. It uses thumb-like pressure by making small circles in pressure point areas of the back. This is a very therapeutic and effective massage technique.

Shiatsu massage chairs are evolving at an incredible rate, with these top companies pushing the technological limits. These massage chairs are simply amazing in the range of capabilities and the effectiveness of the massage therapies. They perform full body massages from your head to your toes. They can provide so many different types of massages. There is virtually no muscle that they cannot effectively soothe or relieve. These are not your father’s massage chairs!

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Whole Body Massage with a Massage Chair Recliner

Posted on September 16th, 2008
by James Knolan

Nothing beats getting a full body massage when you are tired and your muscles are aching. The initial tension and muscle stiffness makes you sensitive to the massage therapy. As you relax both your body and mind, the massage starts to relieve those aches, pains and anxieties. The relief from the soreness is very positive. Most people view a massage as a treat and something they have to go to a spa to receive. The advanced massage chair recliners of today are starting to change all that.

If you get a massage treatment, you expect the massage therapist to work your neck, back, legs, feet, arms and hands. This would be a full body massage. The more advanced massage chair brands have this same capability. Various technologies are used to deliver effective massage therapy to all of these regions. Additionally, some massage chairs have heat, music, traction and can accurately identify areas to target. These whole body massage recliners can provide the full treatment.

An advanced massage recliner made by Panasonic performs whole body massage. The EP 30004 comes equipped with specialized rollers for the back, neck and shoulders. For the lower body the Real Pro Ultra has an air compression system. The air compression system powers 22 airbags throughout the seat, leg rest and armrests. This system provides gentle or firm compression massage to soothe and relieve aching muscles.

Create the spa environment in your own home. Omega introduces its Montage Premier massage chair that comes with an MP3 Player. Put on the headphones and hit the music synchronization button and the massage movements are orchestrated to the rhythm of your music. This fascinating technology provides for a total immersion environment as your mind clears out and your body soon follows. You will certainly drift off to higher levels of comfort and relaxation.

Massage chairs advance with technology. They are integrating sophisticated software, hardware, mechanical systems, comfort and luxury. Technology is enabling finer and finer movements, therapies and precision to improve the effectiveness of the massage. Companies routinely study hand movements of master therapists and replicate it mechanically. Some massage recliners have mechanical thumbs to perform gripping massages which are great in the neck and shoulder areas. There will be a continuing stream of innovations improving these recliners rapidly.

The gap between massage therapist and massage chair is decreasing at a faster rate. Technology is driving the sophistication of the massage therapies that can be delivered. These technologies are literally enveloping the whole body with effective massage therapy. These massage recliner companies keep applying more and more knowledge to their software. Many massage techniques can be integrated into massage recliners with software programs. They can control the movements, durations, sensations and many other factors all simultaneously. There are some amazing sensations which provide effect relief from tightness or soreness. Imagine having a tireless mechanical masseuse at your disposal 24/7. Having a full body massage can work wonders on your perspective of the world. Come home and plop in the recliner. Slip on the headphones and let the massage chair recliner ease your aches and pains.

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Massage Chair Review: Sanyo SA 5000 Massage Recliner

Posted on September 16th, 2008
by James Knolan

The focus of this product review is the mid range Sanyo SA5000 massage chair. We will evaluate this massage recliner in 5 separate categories ranging from warranty coverage to massage therapy. Each category can earn up to 20 points. An overall rating is given by adding up the scores for each category for a total of 100 possible points. This structured review helps to balance the review and provide a consistent basis for comparison. Let us take an in depth look at the Sanyo SA5000.

Warranty & Customer Service: Let us start at the company level and rate the warranty and customer service for Sanyo. Warranty coverage is a good benchmark of the manufacturer’s confidence is its product. Sanyo gives a 1 year labor, 1 year parts and 1 year in-home service. It does cover the roller mechanism for 3 years. For a company as large as Sanyo, the warranty is a little weaker than we would expect. Sanyo did start offering in-home service, which is an important service upgrade to match others in the industry. At least with in-home service they provide 1 year. Overall, customer service is competent. They have a national hot line with 24/7 service. Turnaround time on service is ok. Our Rating in this category is 15.

Comfort & Ergonomics: This section looks at the ergonomics of the design for comfort and relaxation. This chair comes with padded armrests which are soft and comfortable. The head support pillow is adjustable and contoured to support the head. The back pad is plush and well padded. The leg ottoman is in a fixed position and cannot be adjusted. This can be a drawback to taller users. The layout of the remote control is good and within easy arms reach. There is a wired sub remote that has minimal adjustments included. The SA5000 earns a 15 in this category.

Ease of Use: We are always concerned with how easy a massage chair is to use. There are an ever increasing number of features and options, but the manufacturers need to make it easy to use. Everyone wants the best technology has to offer, but not at the expense of a steep learning curve. We like the Sanyo remote for the SA 5000. This is a clean and simple design. There are 4 automatic programs with one-touch buttons. If you like the massage you are getting and the area, then hit the Program Memory button and the chair will remember. This is like having additional automatic programs at your disposal. The side panel controls the lower body air system with individual controls for the lower body, calf, foot and thigh. Our rating in this category is 18.

Key Features: The SA-5000 comes with some unique technology from Sanyo. They include their GK roller systems for neck and shoulder massage. They also have a stiffness detection system integrated into the massage recliner. The GK roller system can reach out over the shoulders. It performs a grip massage that is effective to relieve tension and soreness in the shoulder and neck regions. The stiffness sensor is based on lie detector technology. It monitors your pulse and perspiration to determine areas of stiffness in the body. This is then fed into the computer which then directs the massage for those specific areas. The SA 5000 earns an 18 in this category.

Massage Therapy: This massage chair comes equipped with 4 full body automatic courses including Stiffness, Relax, Recovery and Fine. There are also 4 programs stored in Memory, 4 manual massage techniques and 4 massage courses. Select from 5 roller width setting and 5 massage speed settings. This model also comes with an air system for the lower body. This system has 24 airbags and covers the feet, calves and thighs. There is also a multi-point shiatsu massage for targeting the lower body for a soothing and relaxing lower body massage. The massage therapy is very effective in the SA 5000 and it scores an 18 in massage therapy.

The overall rating earned by the SA 5000 is an 84/100. We like some of the new technology integrated into this massage recliner, especially the GK rollers. This provides an outstanding massage for the shoulders and neck areas. The stiffness detection sensor is interesting but requires the user to hold it during the massage. We would like to see better warranty coverage from Sanyo without having to purchase an extended warranty. This is a good quality chair and has some excellent features for a mid range massage chair.

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Product Review: HT-7120 Massage Chair by Human Touch

Posted on September 12th, 2008
by James Knolan

This product review is of the HT 7120 massage chair recliner by Human Touch. We will review this massage recliner in 5 separate categories including the following: warranty coverage and customer service, comfort and ergonomics, ease of use, key features and massage therapy. Each category can earn up to 20 points for a total possible rating of 100 points. The HT 7120 is a mid range massage chair in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.

Warranty Coverage and Customer Service: Warranty is at the company level, but nonetheless, warranties vary significantly with massage chairs. You want to make sure you have sufficient long term protection for this key investment. The HT 7120 warranty coverage is as follows: structure is covered 3 years, parts are covered 1 year and labor is covered 90 days. Human Touch also covers shipping expenses for parts for the first 90 days. The warranty coverage is on the low end for the industry and this price level. Customer service is provided by Human Touch and is effective. The HT 7120 earns a 12 in warranty and customer service.

Comfort and Ergonomics: With any massage chair design, ergonomics is an important aspect of design for comfort and relaxation. We like the ergonomics of the HT 7120. It has a very contemporary design, yet it fits the body well and is very comfortable to sit in. The controls are laid out well and positioned in good locations. The leg ottoman can be adjusted in the width of the wells, but you are unable to extend the leg ottoman. This recliner earns an 18 in this category.

Ease of Use: The massage chair industry is always adding features into chairs which is outstanding. The counterbalance to many features is ease of use. With so many new features, figuring out how to take advantage of them can be frustrating. The HT 7120 comes with a very well designed remote control. It is slim remote and has controls located on 2 sides of the remote. The remote is descriptive and fairly easy to use. There is no remote stand, so the remote tucks away in a pocket. The only cumbersome operation is flipping the leg ottoman, but other than that we give the HT 7120 a 19 in ease of use.

Key Features: The interesting features in the HT-7120 are the compression massage and the channel width adjustment in the leg ottoman. The compression massage is based on sports massage therapy. It is a combination of stroking massage and a rocking motion. The stroking massage helps to elongate muscles and also applies firm pressure for deep tissue relief. The rocking motion helps to loosen the spinal joints and relieve pressure. The channel width is adjustable in the leg ottoman. This is a nice feature allowing for the pressure to be adjusted to better accommodate your calves and feet. We give this recliner an 18 for key features.

Massage Therapy: You get a virtual arsenal of massage therapies with the HT-7120 recliner. Select from 3 pre-set programs, 5 manual massage techniques and 3 height adjustments for the back. The 3 pre-set programs include sore muscle relief, energy rejuvenate and auto-demo. The 5 manual massage techniques include rolling, kneading, compression, percussion and vibration. The height adjustment enables you to set where you want the massage on your back. Additionally, you can stretch your lower body, or add heat to your lumbar area as well as massage your feet and calves. This recliner gets a 19 in this category.

So how does the HT 7120 rate overall? We give this recliner an 86/100. The main area of concern is the short warranty per the industry average. This is a well designed and constructed massage chair and we don’t necessarily understand the short warranty. The massage chair boasts some excellent massage therapies with the compression massage. You get lower lumbar heat controls and a stretching function. If a mid range model is something you are considering, then the Human Touch HT 7120 may be a good massage chair recliner option.

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Simple Tips For Getting the Best Results From a Sauna

Posted on September 12th, 2008
by Benjamin Wise

To my way of thinking, the best thing about an infrared sauna as opposed to the traditional type is that I can sit there for half an hour or more without having the breathing problems

Saunas definitely have health benefits as well as helping you to relax. Some people just really like the heat; in sweat lodges and other situations the heat can even help people reach a meditative state but me, I just can’t stand that.

There are health benefits to saunas besides their obvious effect of producing a relaxed state. There are those who just love extreme heat - while in some situations (sweat lodges and the like) this can be an aid to meditation but as for myself, I can’t take it.

Additionally you get to sweat out toxins which are bad for you. Just as you take care of the outer body you also need to take care of the inner body.

While you sweat out all of the poisons, you’ll be cleansing yourself from the inside out. An infrared sauna works in a different way than does a traditional sauna. Instead of steam, they use infrared rays which can penetrate into your body, which produces more sweating and a more efficient cleansing process.

The first time I tried an infrared sauna, I didn’t think anything was happening - until fifteen minutes into it when I was suddenly drenched in sweat; it was nothing less than amazing!

I felt great after I got out of the sauna and took a quick shower. Saunas are great for your health and which type you choose really depends on your personal preferences. Whatever style you are the most comfortable with is the one you will use the most, so you’ll get better results from it.

That is exactly what you want to achieve when using your sauna, that is after all its purpose, which is to provide you with the maximum health benefits that you can get when using it.

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Massage Chair Review: Omega M-5000 DLX Massage Recliner

Posted on September 9th, 2008
by Steve Esquire

The Omega M-5000 DLX is the subject of this product review and evaluation. Omega makes massage chairs that have advanced technology, therapeutic massage therapy and aesthetically pleasing designs. This review will cover the important features, functions and the warranty coverage for this high end massage chair recliner.

When buying a big ticket item, you want to make sure that you are getting adequate warranty coverage for the item. You are putting out your hard earned cash for a multi year investment. You want to make sure you have protection to cover you investment for many years of enjoyment ahead.

The DLX has one of the most comprehensive manufacturers warranties on the market today. Omega gives you 5 years on the frame, both 3 years for parts and labor, 1 year of parts shipping and 90 days in home technician service. Omega provides you with strong warranty coverage to ensure many years of relaxation and enjoyment.

There are some fantastic massage therapies with the M5000. Select one of the 5 automatic programs. Choose the neck and shoulders for a wonderful massage to loosen those tight areas and invigorate your senses. There are 4 manual massage techniques to choose from with finger press, kneading, tapping and combination kneading/tapping. You can also change the strength or intensity of the massage to 3 increasing levels.

We really like the shoulder and neck massage in the DLX. It is hands above the rest. There some techniques that are just used in this massage. Omega will not reveal the programming that went into these massages, but they are tremendous. We enjoy the changes in the motions and how they naturally cohere into a very invigorating and penetrating massage. This is an excellent massage if you have tightness in the neck and shoulders.

For your full body pleasure, the DLX comes fully equipped to massage your buttocks, thighs, calves and feet. The M5000 has an air massage system to cover the lower body with soothing compression massages. The airbags are specifically designed to target each region of the body. The gentle or firm squeeze, hold and release helps release those aches and pains. The footwells contain reflexology nodes to penetrate into the feet relieving tension throughout the body and inducing total relaxation and balance.

The M 5000 comes with many designer touches to enhance the appeal of this massage recliner. Omega uses top grain ox hide leather for all the upholstery. The armrests come with highly varnished real wood. The remote control has advanced features like the back lit LCD. There are 5 auto programs that start with the touch of one button. The manual controls are tucked away in a concealed side panel.

One very relaxing feature of the M-5000 is it has a built in MP3 player. A USB stick is included with the chair where you can download MP3 files and then plug it into the back of the chair. The DLX comes with headphones as well. The music controls are located on the main controller. Slip the headphones on and let the music take your mind off your troubles as the massage therapy relieves tension throughout your body.

If you are looking for a massage chair that has it all, then the M-5000 DLX certainly may fit the bill. It provides soothing, penetrating massage therapy. It has full body massage capabilities. It comes with music to help induce total body relaxation. The materials and workmanship of this massage recliner are all first class. You get the most comprehensive warranty available. This is one of the best massage chair recliners on the market today.

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