Keeping fit and active in the winter months

As beautiful as our Greater Geelong community is, it does suffer somewhat when it comes to climate. Over the course of the year, the temperature in this region typically ranges between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius.  The issue with this is that it often means most people are less tempted to go outside and exercise in the cooler months when the weather outside is uncomfortable and cold, many of us simply want to stay indoors where our heaters and fireplaces can keep us warm. This is why hiring fitness equipment, may be an ideal solution for anyone looking to lose or manage their weight and improve their health, all the while staying cosy in the comfort of their own home. But where do you start when it comes to fitness equipment?

The right equipment for you

Deciding to make that all-important effort in getting fit and improving your quality of life is a wonderful and essential step forward for many people. However, problems arise when they realise that they really don’t know which machine to hire in order to achieve the best results. With that in mind, here is some information regarding the most common machines that people often choose to use and hire when losing weight and improving their physical health.

Treadmills

Usually the one machine that even the most inexperienced individual can pick out from a line-up with little trouble. Capable of burning the most calories out of any other cardiovascular machines available, walking briskly on a treadmill can burn up to 100 calories per Km. However, this machine may not be the ideal choice for someone who is excessively overweight or suffers from joint pain. They can also pose a challenge for individuals who are new to exercise or haven’t worked out in a while, as it takes some time to perfect your own balance.

Elliptical machines

These machines can be a little less harsh on the joints, and can be a good alternative to treadmills for this reason. Because they are used while standing, a lot of muscle mass is used, meaning that the burn rate for calories remains relatively high.

Rowing machines

Much of the time, beginners allow themselves to be fooled into thinking that rowing machines are only useful for working out the top portion of their body. This is actually not the case. Rowing machines are advanced cardiovascular tools, and because you often push with your legs whilst pulling with your arms, they require coordination from various parts of the body. Rowing machines use various muscle groups, leading to a massive calorie burn, however this machine can raise some red flags for a beginner.

Work out smarter, not harder

Experts suggest that the first step in a successful workout is choosing a machine that feels right. If impact on your joints is a significant problem, for example, then a treadmill may not be the ideal choice for you, and if you have limitations with your lower back, then a rowing machine may cause you some additional pain that prevents you from making the most out of your exercise routine. Usually, the best option is to select the machine that you believe is right for you and try it out for a while. When you hire a piece of gym equipment, you can give that machine a test-run for a period of time and see how it works out allowing you the flexibility to try various products to find the right fit for you without the expense of purchasing and being left with a piece of equipment you may end up not being happy with.

Working out is an important part of living a healthy life, and more people are starting to recognise the impact that good physical health can have on their quality of life in general. Training from your own home can be the ideal way to take advantage of all the benefits that good physical fitness can offer you, without having to worry about the excess costs and concerns of visiting the gym on a daily basis. Hiring your own fitness equipment means that it’s there and on hand whenever you need it, and often reduces your initial costs in comparison to buying the machines straight out. With hiring, you can avoid:

• Costly gym membership
• The costs of extra fuel, driving to and from health centres
• The excuse of bad weather preventing your workout
• The extra fatigue of working a gym-visit into your daily routine
• The discomfort of dealing with other people at the gym when you’re starting out

One of the great things about hiring instead of purchasing is that it gives you the ability to mix your exercise routine up a little. Even if you truly love one particular machine, adapting, changing, and avoiding boredom can be a great way to make sure that you continue to stay in shape. With hiring, you can have one machine one month, and a completely different one the next, without the hassle or extreme costs. This means that you can challenge your body in new ways as you grow stronger, and more comfortable with different forms of exercise, allowing yourself the variety that leads to a healthier, fitter body.

* Note – Before any new exercise regime is started a visit to a GP or Allied Health professional is advised. Geelong Medical & Health Group have 2 great locations (Myers Street Family Medical Practice, 148 Myers Street Geelong & The Cottage Medical Centre, 222 Torquay Road Grovedale) and a fantastic team of healthcare professionals that are able to assist you start your journey to health and wellness.