When it comes to fitness, arguably the best investment you can make for your home is to own a treadmill.
Sixty million people can’t be wrong, can they? That’s how many people own treadmills according to several review sites and the number keeps growing each year.
Here are 10 of the top benefits to owning a treadmill
* Walking is the most natural form of exercise and can benefit people of all ages. Regular walking burns calories and tones muscles
* A treadmill allows for more variation on your workouts because you can vastly change the speeds, incline or decline and easily get intervals in.
* Treadmills offer great versatility for anyone from a rehab patient to elite athlete trying to push themselves in high-impact running.
* Treadmills are the top selling home exercise machine so that in itself demonstrates that lots and lots people believe in them.
* If you own a treadmill you can decide where, when and how you want to work out. Set up the treadmill in front of a TV and watch your favorite show, place a book or magazine on its rack or play the home stereo while you walk or run.
* By working out in the privacy of your own home, you don’t have to worry about walking outside and having people in the neighborhood staring as they drive by. Some people feel more comfortable at home than exercising in a health club gym, either.
* Treadmills are safer than outdoors because you don’t have to worry about stepping in a hole outside, inclement weather, etc.
* You can also get an outstanding workout on a treadmill. Walk, run or mix in both for as long or short a workout as you want. Walking is excellent for your circulation, and boosts metabolism. Running also boosts metabolism and suppresses your appetite as well. Combined with healthy eating, how much cardio activity you do and other factors like age and weight, you could lose 2-4 pounds a week after starting a treadmill walking program.
* Treadmills are easy to program and keep track of your workout. You can control the time, speed, incline of the walk or run and also log how many calories you’ve burned.
* For intermediate fitness programs you can start working in interval training – going harder for several minutes at a time, backing off the pace and then quickening the walk or run on a repeated cycle.

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

Buying a treadmill can be a lot more confusing than people think until they start researching and shopping around.
Treadmills can be all over the ballpark in terms of price, quality and warranties.
Before you even start the process, here are the top five things you need to consider when buying a treadmill:
1. Know the price points – If you plan to jog, stay away from the cheap department store treadmills. You can still buy a $1,000 treadmill at a high-end specialty fitness store. Here are some general price points for what to expect as you move up the scale:
* $1,000-$1,500 – Walking – light jogging
* $1,500 – $2,500 – intermediate use, average running
* $3,000 – $5,000 – unlimited home use/commercial use. Full running/training and marathons.
* $5000 and up – full-blown commercial use
2. Try before you buy – You should always try before you buy. Wear your sneakers into the fitness store and spend at least 5 minutes on the equipment you are thinking of buying.
If you plan to run on it in your home, then run on the ones in the store you’re interested in. Many of us have used a treadmill in a hotel or resort that doesn’t work right, is broken, or unstable and doesn’t seem to support very well.
Most treadmills look similar and it will be hard to tell them apart by simply walking on them. I’m told the biggest mistake people make in buying a treadmill is not taking it for a proper test “run.”
3. Don’t under-buy your treadmill – Not all treadmills are made for the same amount of use, or even size of runners.
Did you know some treadmills aren’t really designed to be used by someone who weighs over 200 pounds running on them on a regular basis?
Make sure you talk to a qualified sales associate, or thoroughly research online in order to get the treadmill that will fit your needs.
4. Check the warranty! – One of the biggest things to consider is the warranty. There can be a huge difference in this.
Basically, some companies undersell the competition, but they know full well that seven years or so down the line people will be coming back to them to buy replacement parts and/or service and often wind up spending another $500-700 on replacement belts or electronic boards. (There goes the initial “good deal” out the window.) There can be a huge difference.
5. Consider the review source – When reading treadmill reviews online be careful. Many of the online reviews are put up by people working for the specific companies.
I’d advise to only trust a review you can pick up off the table – in a magazine or newspaper.

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 treadmill is the most popular piece of home exercise equipment for a reason. Almost anyone can benefit from exercising on a treadmill.
Here are 10 reasons why a treadmill is a great investment:
1. Provides an easy to do, efficient aerobic workout. Treadmills are an excellent way for people to try to get back into shape, or begin a new exercise routine, because walking is something most individuals can do regardless of fitness level.
2. As you get stronger and gain more endurance, the treadmill can grow with you. Simply speed it up, raise the incline here or there and stay on it longer.
3. It’s a fairly easy piece of exercise equipment to use.
4. A treadmill has a predictable surface that is much easier to walk or run on than sidewalks, curbs or trails, so the risk of falling or tripping is greatly reduced.
5. You can do other things while on a treadmill, such as watch TV or read, which helps pass the time more quickly.
6. You control the workout. You can program the speed, incline, warm up period, cool down period, and energy exerted, etc.
7. Work out when you want, how you want and for what length you want because you’re in your own home.
8. Different users can use the same treadmill without adjusting any handles, seats or straps.
9. Track your progress with extras such as step counters and heart rate monitors.
10. It’s a great way to exercise and burn calories efficiently.

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

Continuing with our Best Workout Tips today, here are some more suggestions to maximize your fitness regimen.
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or even advanced fitness guru, you can always learn workout tips that can help you be even more efficient in your training.
* Power up your cardio – Maximize your time by using light weights during your cardio session. Hold a 3- or 5-pound dumbbell in each hand while on the treadmill for a 10-minute brisk walk workout. Alternate doing a one-minute set of shoulder presses, biceps curls, triceps extensions, side laterals, front laterals and standing triceps kickbacks one after another as you walk.
This is a tough challenge that will change things up for you and really get your heart pumping. Add more time to each set as you get in better shape.
* Stay loose during your work day – Sit on an exercise ball while at your desk to strengthen your core.
If your work and-or time allows it, keep dumbbells or exercise tubing at your desk, too, to work in some reps. Take walks on your breaks, take the stairs, park farther from the door and don’t sit too long.
* Plan meals ahead of time – The easiest way to fall off a diet is to not have a meal plan set in advance. I know for me, I’m most likely to go through a drive-thru for fast food if I’m in a hurry and know there’s nothing in the fridge at home. Have a meal plan in advance and it never hurts to freeze leftovers or meals ahead of time to have them accessible in an instant.
* Set yourself up for success – If you have existing workout equipment, get it tuned up. That could mean cleaning it and inspecting your treadmill or home gym or calling a service man or fitness company to make any needed repairs. Get your music in order that will help inspire you during workouts. You could also take stock in what equipment you have and make a decision to add a new piece or pieces to get you going.

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

Continuing with our Fall into Fitness ideas, here are five more suggestions to change up your fitness regimen with the weather cooling off and fall inching ever so closer.
1 Run in a road race – This is a great time of year to set a goal of training for and then running in a road race. There are lots of local 5K and 10K races held each weekend. This is a great way to stay in shape and stay motivated while training.
Run inside on your treadmill and when the weather is nice mix in outside training sessions as well.
2 Improve your diet – Take a good honest look at your diet and determine if there are areas you can improve in. It’s a lot easier to put weight on during the winter months if you’re not careful, so establish good habits now.
3 Get enough sleep – Make sure to get enough sleep as it will help you enjoy better overall health.
4 Go for a water ride – Go on a canoe, kayak or rafting trip as you soak up the fall atmosphere.
5 Make time of yourself – If people aren’t careful they can get burned out on the hectic pace of life. Take some time for yourself to unwind. Stop and smell the roses, or in this case, hear the leaves crackle under your feet on a nice, peaceful fall walk.
Make time to work out, whether it’s at a health club or in a home gym you custom design.
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

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and a time when many people stop to reflect on their summers. It’s also a time to start focusing on the days to follow in the fall and winter.
This week is also the perfect time to take stock of your personal fitness regimen.
The temperatures will soon be plummeting, changing what you can and can’t do outside.
Here are five tips to transition into Fall Fitness:
1 Go for a bike ride – Many falls days make for the perfect temperature to go for a 20 or 30 mile bike ride, or maybe even longer if you’re a seasoned rider.
2 Power walk – Plan ahead for what the weather might be and dress accordingly for a brisk hike on a trail in the woods, or even just a jaunt around the neighborhood.
3 Yard work – Get a good workout while doing your seasonal early fall chores at a brisk pace, such as cleaning flower beds, trimming trees or bushes and winterizing the house. Your place will look a lot better, you’ll burn calories and feel good overall about being productive.
4 Organize a pickup game – Whether it’s football, basketball or even a fall-ball softball game, get some people together for some friendly outside competition on some of the last good days of the year to do it in cold-weather states.
5 Get your inside workout room ready – Take some time to plan ahead for where you’ll work out once the weather does force you inside more – unless you’re a Nordic, winter games type athlete.
Do things such as cleaning your workout equipment, making sure your treadmill and/or elliptical are working correctly and maybe consider adding new fitness equipment to your home gym.

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

One of the newest crazes to hit the sports fitness and apparel market is the 3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelet.
In actuality, it’s not such a new phenomenon, though.
The idea that people can control the frequencies in their bodies has been around for centuries and is taken very seriously in some cultures.
The theory that introducing negative ions to the body to counteract the positive ones we are usually surrounded by goes back to the ancient Greeks, who used magnets due to their healing properties.
In many parts of Eastern culture they are still very serious about controlling body frequencies.
It’s better late than never for us in the U.S., where everyone from well-known professional athletes, to top collegians and high schoolers, to everyday working people are trumpeting the benefits of Ion Power Bracelets.
Every object on Earth has either a positive or negative electromagnetic field. Ions are subatomic particles that are known to affect both physical and mental health.
According to numerous studies, people today are surrounded by more positive ions than ever as they work and live surrounded by computers, cell phones, scanners, radio towers and the list of modern gadgets goes on and on
As we absorb these positive ions they can diminish our energy levels.
Conversely, negatively charged ions have a positive effect on human beings.
That’s why many people believe the 3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelet’s negatively charged emission counteracts the effect of positive ions in the environment and, in the process, improves physical strength and mental well-being.
3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelets are now available through a special offer from At Home Fitness. They are made of 100 percent surgical grade silicone that can go wherever you go, with ions encased under the hologram. Designed with a stretch feature that extends easily over a person’s hand, you’ll love the style and comfort it provides. Complete with a 3G Cardio hologram, this stylish and sporty bracelet goes with everything.
Many people report feeling stronger and more balanced after wearing the 3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelet.
They are not only popular with athletes, but people simply wearing them to the workplace.
Whether or nor you feel any big effects from the 3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelet, at the very least it will look great on your wrist.
What are you waiting for? See what the Power ion Bracelet craze is all about and order a 3G Cardio Ion Power Bracelet today!
The 3G Cardio Ion Power bracelet is available today through At Home Fitness (www.athomefitness.com).
The 3G Cardio Ion Power bracelet comes in a size that should fit just about everyone: XS (6.3 in or 16 cm) S (6.9 in or 17.5 cm) M (7.5 in or 19 cm) L (8.1 in or 20.5 cm) XL (8.7 in or 22 cm).

At Home Fitness wants to connect with you on Facebook.
Arizona’s biggest and best specialty fitness equipment chain will hold a drawing this Wednesday (Aug. 31) in which one lucky Facebook follower will win a $2,000 shopping spree.
3G Cardio, an industry leader in producing Accelerated Vibration Training and Treadmills, is a co-sponsor of this contest.
Just go to www.athomefitness.com and follow the contest link, or go to www.facebook/athomefitnessusa and click “Like.”
If you already “Like” At Home Fitness, you can still fill out an entry form to be entered for the contest by following the above links.
Although there will only be one winner, everyone will win in a sense because they’ll be able to follow via Facebook the many great deals offered by At Home Fitness.
People who “Like” At Home Fitness on Facebook will also be able to get regular tidbits and links to fitness blogs written by yours truly, which range from motivational tips, to equipment reviews and workout tips, to feature stories.
At Home Fitness is the best place to go to buy exercise equipment with the best reviews in Arizona.
At Home Fitness has five stores in Arizona: Scottsdale, 6969 E. Shea Blvd.; Ahwatukee, 14647 So. 50th St.; Chandler, 4320 W. Chandler Blvd.; Gilbert, 2810 S. Market St; and Desert Ridge, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 85050.
Anyone with questions about the $2,000 At Home Fitness shopping spree should call 1-888-940-1022.

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

Some people still sure aren’t sure where to buy the best specialty fitness equipment in Arizona.

If you are looking for quality fitness equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical machine, exercise bike, functional trainer or more, check out one of At Home Fitness’ five stores in Arizona.

The At Home Fitness Gilbert location at 2810 S. Market St. is a great place to buy fitness equipment if you live in Mesa, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Chandler or Gilbert, to name a few.

If you are wondering where to buy fitness equipment in Mesa, which has zip codes, 85201, 85202, 85203, 85204, 85205, 85206, 85207, 85208, 85209, 85210, 85211, 85211, 85213, 85214, 85215 and 85216, go to At Home Fitness Gilbert.

Fitness equipment for people in Apache Junction is available from At Home Fitness for Apache Junction zip codes of 85217, 85219 and 85220.

The Gilbert store is also a convenient location to buy fitness equipment for the Chandler zip codes 85224, 85225, 85226 and Chandler Heights 85227.

At Home Fitness is the place to go to buy exercise equipment with the best reviews and treadmills with the best reviews in Arizona.
Most people would rather buy a treadmill or other fitness equipment locally, where they get to try it out in person and talk with a qualified salesperson.

A commitment to quality, value and customer service have helped At Home Fitness continue to grow and take the lead for best specialty fitness equipment in Arizona.

At Home Fitness also has locations in Scottsdale, 6969 E. Shea Blvd.; Ahwatukee, 14647 So. 50th St.; Chandler, 4320 W. Chandler Blvd.; and Gilbert, 2810 S. Market St.

In addition, the specialty fitness giant is a leader in Internet sales, with shipping available to all over the country. To find some of the lowest fitness prices anywhere on the Internet, visit www.athomefitness.com

Anyone with questions about At Home Fitness’ Desert Ridge location or any of the equipment they carry should call the store at 480-513-1123 and speak with one of the trained fitness associates.

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

There were not many specialty fitness stores for people looking to buy a treadmill or other fitness equipment in the North Phoenix and Northwest Phoenix area until today.
That all changed when At Home Fitness opened its fifth specialty fitness store Aug. 23. The At Home Fitness Desert Ridge Marketplace location at 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, 85050 has a great location to serve people in the greater Phoenix area.
If you are looking to buy fitness equipment in Arizona communities or cities such as Anthem, 85086; Cave Creek, 85331; Sun City West 85375; Peoria, 85383; Carefree, 85317; Deer Valley, 85028 and Glendale, 85301 make sure to check out At Home Fitness’ new Desert Ridge store.
At Home Fitness Desert Ridge is located off the 101 loop to Tatum. It’s next to Target and Connelly Billiards on the first entrance into Desert Ridge Marketplace.
The best treadmill retailer in Arizona and the Phoenix area, At Home Fitness also has great deals on elliptical machines, home gyms, exercise bikes, functional trainers and more. At Home Fitness is the place to go to buy exercise equipment with the best reviews and treadmills with the best reviews in Arizona.
To get a good quality elliptical machine, treadmill or other exercise equipment, make sure to stop in and visit the At Home Fitness Desert Ridge Marketplace location at 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, 85050.
Most people would rather buy a treadmill or other fitness equipment locally, where they get to try it out in person and talk with a qualified salesperson.
A commitment to quality, value and customer service have helped At Home Fitness continue to grow and take the lead for best specialty fitness equipment in Arizona.
At Home Fitness also has locations in Scottsdale, 6969 E. Shea Blvd.; Ahwatukee, 14647 So. 50th St.; Chandler, 4320 W. Chandler Blvd.; and Gilbert, 2810 S. Market St.
In addition, the specialty fitness giant is a leader in Internet sales, with shipping available to all over the country. To find some of the lowest fitness prices anywhere on the Internet, visit www.athomefitness.com
Anyone with questions about At Home Fitness’ Desert Ridge location or any of the equipment they carry should call the store at 480-513-1123 and speak with one of the trained fitness associates.

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