Tag Archives: Scam

How to spot a fitness scam

Posted on by

How to Spot a Fitness Fraud

“Turn your body into a super fat-burning furnace!”
“Washboard abs in just 5 minutes a day!”
“Exciting new development!”
“Research proven!”

If It Sounds To Good Too Be True, It Probably Is.

How many times have you heard this? Yet, ads and infomercials can be so seductive, you really want to believe the wild claims they promise, so you may be tempted to suspend good judgement and buy into the fantasy. Substandard and fraudulent products hurt more than just your wallet. When a product doesn’t do what it claims to do, you’ll feel let down. This can lower your self-confidence and can even lead you to believe that your fitness goals will never be achieved. This article will help you to identify fitness frauds and give you tips and resourses on so you’ll be able to make better decisions when buying fitness products.

Buyers Beware Checklist

Quackery is not easily detected. Use this checklist before purchasing a product advertised in a mail-order catalog or on TV.

  • Is the product supported entirely by testimonials
  • Is there any controlled, randomized scientific evidence supporting the sales claims?
  • Do the experts associated with the program have the proper credentials?
  • Is the person selling the product believable?
  • Does the promotion use any pseudomedical jargon?
  • Does the promotion boast a secret formula or answer?
  • Do the claims seem miraculous or far-fetched?
  • Is the product appealing to your vanity?
  • Does the suggested use of the product seem out of keeping with the desired outcome (e.g., “just three minutes a day toward slimmer thighs”)?
  • Does the fine print contain any disclaimers?
  • Does the offer include additional free prizes?

    (Buyers Beware Checklist from “Consumerism and Quackery”, IDEA Magazine, May 1998 by Len Kravitz,)

Online Buying Tips

You need to have confidence in the company and product you’re buying online. Does the company have your best interests at heart? If in doubt, search for clues as to their reliability. Do they have a phone number? You may want to call to check them out further. Ask a question by e-mail and see how long they take to respond. Ask the company for independent research that substantiates their claims and promises. You can check out the company on the Better Business Bureau’s Business Report page. Their page states “The Better Business Bureau collects and reports information to help prospective buyers make informed decisions in dealing with business and charitable organizations.”

If In Doubt, Ask An Expert

The media is quick to announce the latest health/fitness discovery, regardless of the source. Unfortunately, this new claim may later be retracted when proper studies are made. But quacks will use (and misuse) questionable data to convince you to buy their product. What should you believe? If you don’t have the time to sort through information dispensed from reputable sources, you should ask an expert. A certified fitness instructor should be able to separate fact from fiction.

Cardiovascular Exercise Safety Precautions

Posted on by

Cardiovascular exercise has received a lot of attention over the last 15 years as the centerpiece of physical fitness, weight management, and cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) health. The terms cardiovascular exercise, cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic exercise are all synonymous. This kind of exercise requires large muscle movement over a sustained period of time, elevating your heart rate to at least 50% of maximum level. Examples include walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and any other repetitious activity that can be performed over an extended period of time.

Cardiovascular exercise has numerous benefits. They include a decreased blood pressure, increased HDL (good) cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins responsible for removing LDL (bad) cholesterol from the cells in the arteries and transporting it back to the liver for removal from the body), decreased LDL cholesterol, decreased body fat, decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (this increases capillary density and blood flow to active muscles), increased heart and lung function and efficiency, and decreased anxiety, tension, and depression.

All of these benefits combine to help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing risk factors like obesity, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. In addition, cardiovascular exercise serves as a foundation for the activities of daily living, sports, and other outdoor activities. Activities such as tennis, golf, skiing, dancing, basketball, volleyball, boxing, hiking, and strength training programs all benefit from cardiovascular exercise. Your enjoyment of day-to-day and physical activities will also greatly benefit because you will have more stamina, less fatigue and less risk of injury. However, there are several precautions you should take to help maximize exercise safety.

Post-meal Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise soon after a full meal can compromise oxygen and nutrient delivery to the working muscles, and cause gastric discomfort. Thus, you should wait at least 60-90 minutes after a full meal before engaging in cardiovascular exercise. The level of exercise and the amount and type of food consumed affect the time required for digestion to be completed before beginning exercise. The higher the exercise intensity and/or the greater the amount food consumed, the longer the time should be between eating and exercising.

Exercising in Hot Weather
Another factor that increases the risk of injury and complications is exercising in hot weather. The following are guidelines to prevent heat stress:

1. Allow 1-2 weeks for acclimatization to a hot environment

2. Avoid training in the hottest part of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., during the summer.

3. Drink water before, during and after exercise. During prolonged cardiovascular exercise, drink 4-6 ounces of fluids (preferably water) every twenty minutes.

4. Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow for evaporation of sweat.

5. Decrease training intensity by monitoring heart rate in hot environments.

6. Take a 10-15 minute rest for every 45-60 minutes of physical activity.

7. Give special consideration to, and use caution if you are a heat-sensitive person (obese, unfit, history of heat stroke, etc.).

Pollutants
Pollutants can also have adverse effects on the body. This is of concern if you exercise outdoors in or near big cities. Some common ones include ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. The most problematic of these pollutants is ozone, or smog, which is caused by the combination of ultraviolet light and emissions from internal combustion engines. Ozone exposure may impair lung function during cardiovascular exercise. Carbon monoxide is another common air pollutant that can reduce exercise safety and effectiveness. This is caused by exposure to crowded freeways or smoke filled rooms. Sulfur dioxide is not a major irritant for most people, but those with asthma or bronchospasms tend to be adversely affected by it.

Cardiovascular exercise provides many important benefits that cannot be achieved by any other exercise or activity. Cardiovascular exercise is also very convenient; you can do it in the outdoors or inside while watching television or reading a book. However, when enjoying this great form of physical activity, be sure to adhere to these precautions so that your program is not only effective, but safe as well. Good luck: I hope you enjoy all the wonderful benefits of a safe and effective cardiovascular exercise program.

By Chad Tackett

Do’s and Don’ts about buying exercise equipment

Posted on by

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake. Gregory Florez, president of First Fitness, Inc., a personal training company, cautions against 10 common mistakes.

Don’t Overbuy Features

Like moths to a flame, people are drawn to cardiovascular equipment that has every conceivable readout and calculation. These gadgets often go unused, thorough, so they may not be the best place to spend your money.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Skimp on the Basic

Sturdy construction and smooth, quiet operation are what matter most. For example, with treadmills, good deck cushioning and stability are key factors to look for.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, afteryou’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake. mistakes.

Avoid Fast or Sight-Unseen Purchasing

Almost any treadmill feel fine during the first few minutes. Only when doing a longer workout will you notice things like excessive vibration and noise. For cardio machines, spend at least 20 minutes trying different programs; for strength equipment, do a set of 10 repetitions.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Ignore the Top of the Line.

If you don’t try the best equipment first, you won’t know what quality features to look for. Florez advises staying away from infomercial products or other low-price equipment. A store specializing in fitness equipment is probably the best place to start your search. It’s not a bad idea to stick to brands you’ve used at health clubs—a manufacturer’s quality often carries over into home models.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Overestimate Your Abilities

An exercise or movement that looks easy on TV may not work for you. For example, ski machines with independent upper- and lower-body motion may offer an outstanding cardio workout, but they also require a high level of concentration and coordination. People are less likely to use machine that have a high learning curve. When purchasing a strength training machine, look for one with simple procedures for changing weights. If adjusting the weight isn’t mind-numbingly simple, you’re likely not to do it!

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Limit Your Options

Although treadmills are extremely popular and reliable, elliptical trainers also provide functional movement with lots of variety. Stationary bikes—both upright and recumbent—are rebounding in popularity. Stair steppers, rowing machines, home gyms and equipment for exercise based on the work of Joseph Pilates are additional options.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Ignore Your Personal Comfort

Make sure the rowing machine you are thinking of buying doesn’t put too many demands on your back. If you are looking at treadmills and are overweight or have orthopedic concerns, check for sturdy handrails, gradual pace changes and structural integrity. Look for a home gym that will adjust to your body height and size.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear.

Some fitness products that sound great on infomercials have limited effectiveness. Abdominal exercise devices, for example, don’t really offer any results beyond those achieved without equipment. (However, the devices can provide some head and neck support, if they fit your body size properly.)

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Go It Alone.

Ask questions of other exercisers and fitness professionals, as well as equipment representatives. Before buying, find out about equipment delivery, setup, warranties and return policies.

The right home exercise equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you’ve purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you’ve made a mistake.

Don’t Overlook the Little Things.

Not all effective exercise equipment needs assembly and takes a lot of space. Heart rate monitors are highly recommended by many personal trainers. Fitness balls, bands, tubing and exercise videos can also add safety, creativity, comfort and variety to your activity program. The best investment of all may well be the least expensive—a water bottle!