This is it – At Home Fitness’ absolute best pricing of the year!
Our massive Memorial Day Sale runs from May 15-27, including Memorial Day store hours from 10-6.
While other stores may claim their best prices are after Christmas, on New Year’s Day, or any other holidays, the time stores really want to generate business is right before everyone goes on summer vacation.
At Home Fitness is no different – we want you to consider shopping us before you get into the summer season and we’re rolling out incredible savings of up to 30 percent on many items and same as cash financing for up to 36 months.
We are Arizona’s No. 1 specialty fitness dealers for a reason – we sell the most equipment, have the most qualified sales associates and can offer the best deals.
And our deals don’t get any better than this Memorial Day Sale.
Come and check out our extreme savings on great brands such as Torque Fitness, StairMaster, Life Fitness, Octane Fitness and 3G Cardio.
In many cases, we are willing and able to sell for lower than the MAP price listed on our website. For lower pricing, please call or visit your local At Home Fitness retail store in Scottsdale, Desert Ridge, Gilbert or Ahwatukee. Or call 888-940-1022 (Ext 1) and speak with a sales associate.

Technology gets more and more amazing every day and when it comes to fitness their an App for just about anything you can think of to be healthier.
There are countless Apps for fitness and nutrition available at minimal or no cost, such as the free iPhone App MyFitnessPal.
Whether you’re in search of a healthy restaurant for a quick lunch break, or you want to sit down and plan nutritious meals for the upcoming week, MyFitnessPal is your best friend when it comes to eating better.
Here are three more Fitness Apps I really like:
* 3G Cardio Accelerated Vibration Training AVT™ Exercise App – Vibration training is the fastest growing segment of the fitness industry and thanks to the designers at 3G Cardio there’s now an App for it.
Users of the award-winning 3G Cardio AVT™ 6.0, 5.0 and 3.0 Vibration Machines not only have the best in design and parts, but the best in user friendly controls.
And it doesn’t get any better, easier, fun or more beneficial than the 3G Cardio Accelerated Vibration Training AVT™ Exercise App that can be downloaded free to your I-pad from iTunes.
This App is broken into three workout options – strength training, stretching or massage.
Simply touch the program you want and it will pull up videos with audio that will take you through a complete program.
It’s almost like having a personal trainer right in your workout room to help show you the proper technique and provide added motivation.
People of all ages and physical backgrounds are benefiting from the 3G Cardio Accelerated Vibration Training AVT™ Exercise App.
Put away the workout poster or magazine and download the 3G Cardio Vibration Training App today.
* Fit Freeway – This retro arcade-style car-racing game by Active Theory is a lot of fun to play while exercising on an elliptical or stationary bike.
The faster your legs move, the faster the race car goes. It reads your speed by using your iPhone or iPad’s accelerometer to read the vibrations in the exercise bike or elliptical. These vibrations are analyzed and converted into your exercise cadence.
Here’s another super-fun feature: the front facing camera on your device reads your head position so you can steer with your head.
*Zombies, Run 5K – Zombies are all the rage lately, with shows such as “The Walking Dead” becoming super popular.
Running from Zombies on this App for Android and iOS is a fun way to motivate you into doing a bit more exercise.
This App delivers an audio adventure with you as the star who’s trying to outrun zombies over the course of several missions.
You’ll have so much fun trying to be a hero or heroine that you’ll forget how hard your running. Follow this program for eight weeks and you’ll be ready to run a 5K race.
There are also good Apps such as “Gorilla Workout,” “Navy Seals Fitness” and much more.
No matter what App(s) you choose there is still no quick fix for weight loss – it is still your responsibility to eat right and exercise.
But I certainly can help with the process of eating right and exercising to get some added information and motivation for the modern convenience of fitness Apps.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Don’t forget the treadmill this summer
The weather is getting warmer and warmer, which is a great time to use the treadmill.
Instead of overheating outside in the sun, get a great cardio workout indoors on a treadmill.
Here are five benefits of doing summer treadmill workouts:
1. You can get an effective, stimulating workout that mimics walking or jogging outdoors and will stimulate your mind as well as muscles.
2. There are lots of great phone and computer apps that will let you take even more control of your workout by simulating things such as you driving a race car, running a mountain course and even running from zombies. Pretty much whatever floats your boat as they say.
3. Many treadmills come with standard programs, which allow you to keep things interesting by adjusting the speed, incline and-or decline.
4. You control the entertainment. Play DVD movies while you’re on the treadmill to help pass the time. Or, play a good music CD mix to keep your body energized.
5. Treadmills are ready any time when you own your own. Work out when you want with total control of your environment.
Stop in at a specialty store such as At Home Fitness in Arizona, or check them out online for more information on the different types of treadmills that are available.
Good treadmills cost a decent amount of money up front, but they are a true investment that will pay off many times over in benefits over the long run.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

The sun is shining all over the country and Americans can’t get enough of their outdoor activities.
However, one activity we should all remember to take part in is protecting ourselves against skin cancer.
Malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, has been the fastest growing cancer in America for the past two decades. In a recent report, it was ranked eighth among occurrence of cancers in this country and accounts for nearly 2 percent of all cancer deaths, according to www.About.com, but is moving up the line.
Many people take skin cancer very lightly.
“Oh, it’s nothing, a doctor can just cut out the mole or little skin area affected,” people might think.
Often, that is the case and the person with the melanoma can go on about their merry way.
However, malignant melanoma is also one of the fastest moving cancers and if it’s not caught in time can spread quickly to other parts of the body where it can do grave damage.
Here are three ways to block skin cancer
1. If you have a lot of moles and-or freckles on your body, or are very fair-skinned, you are more at risk for skin cancer. Also, if a mole has a change in shape and-or color, it may need to be checked by a dermatologist.
2. To protect your skin, wear sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, and avoid any situation where you might get sunburned – be especially careful with children‘s skin in the sun as numerous studies show early childhood sunburn can lead to skin cancer as an adult.
3. Know your suncreens. The U.S government recently came out with new guidelines for how sunscreen labels are marked.
Only products that carry a “broad spectrum” label will be proven to offer some protection against UVA radiation as well as UVB radiation, according to a long-awaited new rule from the FDA.
“This is a very significant day for us. The FDA is announcing major changes in how sunscreens are regulated in the U.S.,” Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA center for drug evaluation, said at a news conference. “This will allow people to make better decisions and better protect themselves from sun-induced damage.”
Products currently labeled as “broad spectrum” may or may not protect against UVA. The new rule reserving the “broad spectrum” claim only for products that protect against UVA and UVB will not take effect until the summer of 2012.
To learn more about skin cancer on an excellent website, go to www.tiffanysmelanomafoundation..

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Sugary drinks such as soda pop get a bad rap for helping making Americans overweight and obese, and rightfully so.
It’s very important to limit how many sugary drinks you have, or cut them out altogether.
However, it may be surprising for some people to learn beverages are not the No. 1 culprit for loading Americans down with sugar and unwanted calories.
According to new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the added sugar in the American diet comes not from food, not beverages.
So simply dropping your Big Gulp Monster Coke to a regular size isn’t going to help you lose weight.
A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that sugary drinks contribute on average one-third of the calories Americans consume in a typical day.
Nearly 70 percent of the calories from added sugars that Americans consume each day are the result of eating from processed foods such as breads, cakes and ice cream. Other sources of added sugars include items such as tomato sauce, jellies, condiments, salad dressings and cereals.
Ingredients on food labels are usually listed in descending order by weight.
The easiest way to watch out for these super sugar sources and avoid them is to simply read the product labels while in the grocery store.
If sugar is listed as one of the first few ingredients, the you probably want to put it back on the shelf.
To really take control of your diet and cut out as much sugar as possible, schedule an appointment with a dietician.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Read more about the exciting changes to At Home Fitness at GoArticles.com

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a week-long series that will provide basic running tips.

All week I’ve tried to lay some groundwork to help people get started on a running program. Today, let’s wrap up our Running 101 class by filling in the gaps with some left over questions that often come up for beginning runners.
What are the best ways to measure the distance you’ve run outside?
One of the nicest things about running on a track is you can measure your distance and time with certainty. One lap around the oval is 400 meters, with four laps equaling a 1,600 meters (approximately 1 mile).
You can also use a pedometer, although it’s important to make sure you get a good one and set it correctly to get accurate measurements.
There are now GPS devices that will hook up with your computer to tell you just where you went and how far.
If you’re looking to save money, some people actually just drive their car along the route they want to run in order to know the mileage.
What are advantages to running on a track?
A track can allow you to get an accurate time for how fast you’re running for say 1 mile, or two miles, etc. It will also be the fastest time possible since a track is flat and fast. It can also be nice to run outside if the weather is nice and also know that the surface is consistent.
Is it better to run on the sidewalks than the road?
It’s even safer to run on sidewalks. Do that when possible. The biggest thing to watch out for on sidewalks is cars coming out of driveways onto the roadway.
Whether on the road or sidewalk, always be on the lookout for obstacles that could hinder your path. In addition to the big obvious one (cars), be especially careful of dogs, potholes and uneven roads or sidewalks.
Do runners have to use the crosswalks?
Yes, you’re under the same laws as a pedestrian and could be cited for jaywalking. More importantly, no matter how good a runner you are, it‘s safer to use a crosswalk. Use a crosswalk when crossing the street to avoid being hit by a car. More accidents happen with runners crossing a street when they’re not on a crosswalk.
How often should I get new running shoes?
Just like it’s important for a car to have good tires, so too should a runner have proper shoes. Make sure you have good running footwear and expect to need a new pair of shoes about every 400-500 miles.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Editor’s note: This is the third in a week-long series that will provide basic running tips.

Setting a goal to run in a 5K race (3.1 miles) is an excellent motivator for beginning runners. Even if you have to walk part of it, completing a 5K is a great start on the road to fitness.
More experienced runners might try to push themselves by progressing to a 10K, half-marathon or even running a full marathon (26.2 miles).
Many 5K and 10K races and even marathons can be found by checking newspaper or running magazine and website listings.
Here are some tips on how to train for and run a 5K road race:
1. Plan out a program of approximately eight weeks in which you gradually build up to being able to complete a 5K course. It’s OK to mix in walking with running. Ideally, work with a trainer or find articles on running that explain specific running workout programs.
2. Limit wear and tear on your body by mixing in cross training, such as swimming, biking and using cardio machines besides a treadmill to build up your muscles and endurance. You don’t want to put all the stress on your body through running.
3. Make sure you are stretching well and staying flexible.
4. In the final two to three weeks leading up the 5K, take most or all of your training outside instead of running in a climate-controlled gym.
Training outside will teach your body to adjust to hotter outside temperatures, so on race day your body will be better prepared to increase blood volume, keep electrolytes and start the cooling process sooner.
5. Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep the night before the race. Also, avoid caffeine or energy drinks as these can increase your metabolic rate, which will hurt your racing performance.
6. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Dark clothing absorbs the sun’s rays, so wear light racewear that will reflect the rays. This will help keep your skin cooler. Also, look to wear moisture-wicking clothing.
7. Stay hydrated, but don’t over do it. Drink liquids the night before the race and when you’re thirsty on race day. But new studies show you can overdo it – you don’t have to chug a bottle of water at every hydration station. It’s been reported that some people are over hydrating themselves, which can cause nausea.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Editor’s note: This is the second in a weeklong series that will provide basic running tips.
One of the most common questions newcomers to running will ask is this: “Is it better to run on a treadmill or outside?
Really it comes down to a matter of personal preference, but it’s actually good to do both. Here are some of the pros and cons of both.
Many marathoners put a lot of their mileage in on treadmills to save wear and tear on their legs. It may be a little boring to run for a half hour or more on a treadmill, but pop in a DVD on the TV or listen to some good music to help pass the time indoors.
Running on a treadmill is easier than running outside on your body because the landing is cushioned better and you don’t have to deal with the outside elements. However, it’s also good to mix in variety, so you shouldn’t limit all your running to one or the other.
You can also know that the treadmill surface will be consistent and you won’t have to worry about stepping in a hole or tripping on something you didn’t see.
If you are running (or walking) on a treadmill to basically be in good overall shape and lose weight, a treadmill is just as good for you as running outside. Calories burned running inside are the same as those burned on the street or on a track. Likewise, your cardio benefits are even. The treadmill is actually a better option in many instances because it is more likely to prevent injury, offers a safer place to run and more convenience.
Any time you walk or run outside there’s the chance of the unexpected happening. Outside runners and walkers sometimes have to deal with careless or rude drivers, people who want to talk when they just want to get a run in, dogs, weather and even uneven roads or trails when they’re outside. If you work out on a treadmill in the comfort of your own home all of those hazards and distractions are left outside your front door.
The treadmill benefits are similar to what they’d experience outside as well. The aforementioned safety and convenience factors are better on a treadmill. The ability to set a treadmill to pre-programmed workouts, which can give you inclines and declines and force you to stick to a pace, can actually be better than running outside.
One big difference is that the mechanics of running on a treadmill are ever-so slightly different than running outside. You don’t get the experience of dealing with running in different types of weather (especially dealing with wind), sometimes uneven surfaces and hill training is not quite the same.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

Editor’s note: This is the first in a weeklong series that will provide basic running tips.

If it’s been a long time since you’ve incorporated running into your workouts, or you really can’t remember running since you were a kid, here are some tips on how to ease back into it the right way.
The biggest key for getting back into running is actually walking. In other words, start slowly.
Mix in walking with running so that you gradually build up your endurance and muscles. It’s also better to not overdo it to help prevent injury.
Most trainers will recommend running about three times a week, for a 15-20 minute workout each time. Again, it’s OK to break up that time by walking some and running some. Ideally, as time goes by more and more of the workout will be running.
You can run on a treadmill inside, outside or both. Actually, it’s a good idea to mix up where you run.
When you are running out on the street, know the rules of the road. It’s better to see the traffic coming at you, rather than having vehicles approach from behind. Most experienced runners will always face the traffic – it’s just a lot safer.
Ideally, run on sidewalks when possible because that’s safer than the roads, but watch out on sidewalks for cars coming out of driveways onto the roadway.
Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes because they provide the base – and protection – for everything you’re going to do. Consult with a specialty fitness store to get tips on what’s the best shoe for you.
Another good investment is a heart-rate monitor so that you are finding the right pace to get into a good cardio zone. Consult with your doctor about what heart-rate is ideal for your age and fitness level and also for more tips on starting a running program.
Other ideas that will help you get started are to find a workout partner and keep a log of your running to measure your progress and also provide motivation.
Warm up for 10 minutes before starting your running program with a walk or very light jog and stretching. Give the same amount of time for a cool down.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com