The correct walking sneaker / walking shoe can absolutely make or break your 20 minute workout. If you are wearing walking sneakers or shoes that makes your feet ache or gives you blisters, you will not take pleasure in your walk and you can run the risk of injury. Walks should be pleasurable and productive, so when searching for the perfect walking sneaker keep this criteria in mind:

1. Walking sneakers must have a firm heel. Your heel gets the most impact, so you should pick a sneaker that has some sort of shock guard to protect it.
2. Make sure you have enough to room to move your toes comfortably without pinching.
3. Look for a cushioned collar and cushioned tongue to protect more sensitive areas of the foot and to fasten the fit.
4. Velcro walking shoes aid in securing the fit and are easy to put on.
5. If you want walking shoes, buy walking shoes, if you want running, buy running and so on. There really is a difference between the fit and efficiency.

Click on our link and save on top brand walking shoes / walking sneakers for men and women

The best part of doing Jazzercise is that you will have so much fun you will completely forget it is exercise. Don’t let the fun fool you though because in one-60 minute class you can burn up to 500 calories. That’s not too bad for having fun. The videos are like no other exercise workout. Check out the link below to see the current music and workouts being used for the routines.

Jazzercise DVD’s

They found that over a 12-year period, all individuals who increased their exercise by about 180 metabolic units per week (equivalent to an additional hour of mild or 30 minutes of moderate activity per week) displayed decreased levels of triglycerides and increased levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol.

However, statistically significant decreases in the “bad” LDL cholesterol were only observed in women, with particularly strong effects in menopausal women and African-American women. And total cholesterol levels were only significantly decreased in African-American women, said an NCU release.

The authors speculate that these differences may arise from hormonal differences between the sexes, especially considering the extra effects seen post-menopause. The racial differences observed may stem from genetic variations that require further exploration.

These findings appear in the August issue of Journal of Lipid Research.

Ladies, If you are looking to get started with a fitness routine, visit the links below

Womens Fitness Workouts

Womens Fitness Gear

Phoenix Fitness Equipment

Save up to 20% on Select Phoenix Fitness Equipment

For a limited time, find great deals on:

Treadmills – Phoenix 98834 Easy-Up Motorized Treadmill with Motion Control, Phoenix 98516 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill, and the Phoenix 98007 Easy-Up Motorized Treadmill.

Benches – Phoenix 99250 Multipurpose Decline Bench, Phoenix 98220 Power Bench, Phoenix 99225 Power Bench Mid Width, and the Phoenix 99255 Adjustable Slant Board.

Steppers – Phoenix Denise Austin 99120 Mini Stepper Plus and the Phoenix Denise Austin 98107 Dual Action Mini Stepper

Exercise Bikes – Phoenix 98665 Bio Cycle II Upright Exercise Bike, Phoenix 99605 Upright Magnetic Exercise Bike, Phoenix 98623 Revolution Cycle Pro II Exercise Bike, and the Phoenix 99608 Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike.

Phoenix Fitness Equipment Sale Ends July 30, 2009

A treadmill offers a great alternative to running outside. We all know that purchasing a treadmill will cost you money up front, but you have too keep in mind, a treadmill is far less expensive than a gym membership. If it is price you are concerned about, you can buy a good-quality treadmill for around $499.00 – $999.00. The two most important factors that should concern you about buying a treadmill is that the treadmill will suit your fitness and health needs and that the treadmill will not break down on you. Take a look at our treadmill buying guide for some helpful tips.

Our first suggestion to consider before buying a treadmill is where you want to place your treadmill. This information will determine how small or how big the treadmill you want too buy should be and whether you need a folding treadmill for easy storage. If you have a smaller apartment, you will likely want to purchase a compact treadmill or folding treadmill that you can fold and place in a closet or underneath a bed. Of course, if you have a larger apartment you may want to choose a larger treadmill. And of course if money is really an issue, you can always buy a manual treadmill. Manual treadmills do not have motors, you have to manually get on it and walk to move the deck. Manual treadmills are not suggested for running on.

If you are a larger individual who may worry about falling off the side of the treadmill, you may want to buy a treadmill with a wider running deck and side handles. If so, consider purchasing a treadmill with a running deck longer than 50 inches. If you are a taller individual, also consider a treadmill with a 50″ running deck because taller people take longer strides. Taller individuals need more running space to work with.

Learning about the treadmill motor before purchasing is another important factor. You should know the peak rate and continuous rate of the treadmill motor. The peak rate is the highest percent of power the treadmill motor can generate and the continuous rate describes how hard the treadmill motor will work on average during your exercise. You most likely will not need a motor with anything more than a 5 horsepower peak rate. If other people will be using your treadmill as well, the motor you will need should have over a 2 hp continuous rate. For home use (a non commercial treadmill), a motor with 1.5 hp continuous rate should be fine.

Also consider your health goals before purchasing a treadmill. If your goal is too burn calories or lose some weight, a standard treadmill should be fine. However, those looking for a more intense workout should consider purchasing a treadmill with some extra features. Treadmills with extra features will allow you to adjust the incline of the running deck, which will make your workout more intense. Other treadmill features will allow you to set goals for your workout, such as how many calories you hope to burn or how far you want to run. There are many other bells and whistles on treadmills like fans and fancy gadgets. Decide how much you want too spend and what if any extras you may want

Treadmill Buying Guide

This weeks fitness sales are:

1. Save 60% on the Smooth Fitness CE 2.0 Elliptical Trainer. Sale Ends Feb. 19

2. Save up to $300 on Horizon Fitness Treadmills and Elliptical Trainers. Sale Ends Feb. 20

3. $100 Additional Savings on Select Treadmills and Elliptical Trainers. Sale Ends Feb. 17

4. $200 Additional Savings on Select Smooth Fitness Equipment. Sale Ends Feb. 17

5. Save up to 25% on Inversion Equipment. Sale Ends Feb. 15

6. Save 20% on the Gaiam Balance Ball Chair. Sale Ends Feb. 10

7. Save up to 50% on Fitness Equipment Closeouts. Sale Ends Feb. 15

8. Save up to 20% on Bally Fitness Accessories. Sale Ends Feb. 15

9. Save up to 30% on Bosu Balance Trainers and DVDs. Sale Ends Feb. 15

10. Save up to 25% on Rowing Machines. Sale Ends Feb. 15

11. Save up to 25% on Select Equipment from Phoenix Fitness. Sale Ends Feb. 15

Fitness Sale and Clearance

A new product by Savage fitness is the Cardio Caddy with Water Bottle. The Cardio Caddy was designed to hold items such as a walkman, water bottle, and TV remote control and much more. The Caddy attaches to virtually any fitness machine including treadmills, bikes, steppers, and elliptical machines by using a screw system and universal clamp. The Caddy attaches to any round or square pole, whether it be in a vertical or horizontal position. The dimensions are: 4″L x 4″W x 5″H. The Cardio Caddy also holds: ipods, mp3 players, keys, your phone, pagers, the list goes on and on. Never leave your valuables on the ground again, The Caddy HOLDS EVERYTHING!

Cardio Caddy

Price: $27.49

If you are on a budget or you just want a smaller treadmill because you lack the space in your house or apartment, then a manual treadmill may be a good option for you.

Manual treadmills are treadmills that you power with your walking speed, so you can set your own pace. Did you notice we said walking and not running. This is because manual treadmills are really made for walking and not running. That being said, manual treadmills can still give you a good workout.

Manual treadmills are also smaller than motorized treadmills because they do not have a motor. This may be good news for some because they are usually lighter and therefore easier to move.

There are some drawbacks with these treadmills though. They can be difficult to get a good or faster speed on. With some models the only way to get to a fast speed is to increase the incline, but after you increase the incline you can’t lower it back down unless you get off the treadmill. On the other hand, manual treadmills are the cheapest option for many home exercisers, and you still burn a great number of calories.

When considering purchasing a manual treadmill or any piece of fitness equipment, you should really weigh the pros and cons and decide if this piece of equipment is the best option for you.

If you are considering a cheap manual treadmill, please check out these models with owner reviews.