Punching bags are a versatile piece of equipment that has seen a re-birth in the past decade. They come in so many different sizes, shapes, weights and styles that choosing one will entirely depend on what you are hoping to accomplish.

People looking to lose weight and/or improve hand speed and hand to eye coordination will love what the speed bag can do for them. Speed bags can hang from almost anywhere due to their light weight.
The results you see from a speed bag are quantifiable because for one it gets your heart rate to a point where you will start to lose weight. It will also make your hand to eye coordination grow by leaps and bounds. Starting young children out with a speed bag could do wonders for their ability to grow in other sports.

A power punching bag can add strength while helping you lose weight as well. Power bags should be used with caution. Always wrap your hands and wrist when using one, and never throw half-hearted punches at one. You could damage your wrist this way.

Inflatable punching bags are great for both kids and adults. Their main advantage is portability and storage. You do not have to affix an inflatable bag to a wall or ceiling, they can be set up anywhere you like. Then once you are done using it, the bag is at your whim to where it will be stored and kept, not the other way around.

Big time boxers and MMA athletes use punching bags to train, but today, everyone from NBA and NFL to personal trainers are using them as a way to sprinkle in new wrinkles into their workout routines. The main advantage to using punching bags is the ability to lose weight and gain strength at the same time.

So remember, speed bags are great for hand to eye coordination as well as losing weight. They can be hung from many different areas in a home, and are relatively cheap to buy. Power bags add strength and power to any workout, but must be done with the right motion. Inflatable bags have superior portability and storage features to their counterparts.



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Heart rate monitor watches have been around since 1984. Athletes add this tool to their training so they can compare the distance covered to the level of exertion they feel after running, swimming, cycling or walking. If you are considering adding a Polar, Suunto, or Timex heart monitor watch you need to keep top of mind how you want to use it so you can match features to function.

Here's 5 basic ways to use your Timex Ironman heart rate monitor(HRM).

#1) Once you have your HRM watch and chest belt strapped on it takes just a few moments for them to sync up. Now take a reading of your resting heart rate and then start your training routine. Glance at your HRM every 5 or 10 minutes.

You should not have to stop to see the display and if you're using the Timex Ironman you can easily read the large numbers in the display. No stopping or slowing to squint at tiny numbers on your heart rate monitor watch.

#2) The next step is to observe your average heart rate for the distance you have covered.

#3) Compare your average heart rate to your level of exertion. How hard did your body work. Was your pulse up for the number of miles your covered?

#4) Next compare your pulse to your speed or elapsed time.

#5) Lastly, check out your recovery time. This is a true indicator of your fitness. When you have finished your work out session check your heart rate monitor watch after 30 seconds and then after a minute. You will get a quick read on how quickly your heart responds your workout.

These are your basic uses of your heart monitor system When comparing the various brands and models make sure they will support these functions. Some HRMs are primarily designed for weight loss programs and others for aerobic fitness routines. The Timex Ironman series is designed with the triathlete in mind and you can easily follow the steps outlined above.

When comparing models, check out often overlooked features like measuring the number of calories burned, the ability to read the watch in low light, and size of the watch. Don't overlook the merchant's warranty and maintenance on the product.

Its been 25 years since the heart rate monitor watch was first strapped onto a runner's arm. The technology has made huge advances and you'll find that an HRM transforms your training and pushes you to be the best that you can be. Whether your just starting out or a professional athlete you'll benefit from understanding the relationship between workout and heart rate.



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In the year 1999, the trampoline and its performers became an integral part of the Olympics. Since than the trampoline became a part of households throughout the world. The origins of the trampoline are not known but one theory is that it was based on an Eskimo game where people would throw a person in the air on a taut walrus skin. Another such theory is that the game originated in England when people would throw a person into the air on a taut blanket. Whatever the theory the truth is that the trampoline was invented in 1934 by two gymnasts who introduced people to their trampoline by opening a business they called Trampolines & Tumblers. Since then many have become rebounders jumping on their outdoor or indoor trampolines.

Indoor trampolines as well as their outdoor cousins come in different shapes such as round, square, rectangular and octagonal. The indoor version tends to be smaller and the square shapes appear to be preferable. One of the main uses for a trampoline indoors is that you can continue your exercise routines even in the dead of winter when it is too cold or too wet to do them outside. In fact, in some areas there are trampoline exercise courts. These courts have trampolines joined in squares and each person has a trampoline to do their aerobics on. This form of aerobic trampoline exercise is allegedly beneficial for cardiovascular health. Those people that have used such a court recommend them highly.

Whether you have an indoor trampoline or an outdoor trampoline the safety features should all be available for use. You need such accessories as handles, ladders, foam pads, mats, and an enclosure. Because this trampoline is indoors it may be smaller but it still needs the proper safety features to keep you and your family from suffering internal and bone injuries. Most probably, since the trampoline is indoors and smaller, a child may be using it. Therefore, the need for safety features and accessories is more than just a must-have it is a dire necessity for its safety.



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In the quest to get six pack abs people are prepared to try a number of different products and it seems the more exotic the better. However, the fact is that in order to get the best quality abs, one needs to do more than just abdominal exercises.

Abdominal exercises of any kind including the movements one performs on the Ab Circle Pro; which is a side to side motion exercising the oblique abdominal muscles while keeping the front or rectus abdominal muscles tense, can strengthen the targeted muscles all round. However, did you know that performing the barbell squat exercises the core muscles, the muscles around the stomach and lower back much more effectively as they prevent the spine from collapsing during this very intense movement?

Another aspect of the quest for six pack abs is that one also needs to burn up the actual body fat covering said abs. The best way to do this is to always start your workout with at least 15 to 30 minutes of intense cardiovascular training to warm up before you do any weight room or other resistance work. When you do your strength training including abdominal exercises, do them intensely and with as little rest in between sets as possible. This way you keep your heart rate up and your body will divide its energy sources between 50% fat and 50% sugars. Remember to avoid overtraining and do not train at this intensity for more than 90 minutes, cardiovascular training included. Off course, one needs to consider proper diet as well.

Thus, one can conclude that the Ab Circle Pro can be part of your arsenal of abdominal exercises in your quest for six pack abs and will have its uses. However, so would regular sit ups or leg raises and nothing can beat the core strengthening benefits of the barbell squat. This does add variety to your abs program and thus prevents boredom and if you think this is worth the $200 price tag for the Ab Circle Pro then by all means acquire it. However, do not think of it as the end all and be all in the acquisition of six pack abs, because you might be somewhat disappointed.


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No matter what sport you play, jump ropes will help you improve at least one aspect of that sport. If you can jump rope at least a few times a week you will start to see improvement in things like your speed, agility, leg strength, coordination, and jumping ability. Jumping rope is also an incredibly great way to lose weight. It does not matter what sport you play or whatever part of your body you want to improve, jump roping will help you do it.

Basketball players probably benefit the most from jump roping because you need things like speed, strength, and coordination in basketball. If you jump rope for football, you can be better at avoiding tackles on offense or achieving more tackles on defense. You will also have better coordination, which is great for quarterbacks. If you play tennis or baseball you will have better footwork and be able to reach a tennis ball or a baseball that would have otherwise flown past you. You will also improve your coordination so you can hit the ball with your tennis racket or baseball bat.

All you have to do to get started is get one or more of your own jump ropes. You can use your sister or daughter's rope to start, but as you get better that jump rope should be rotating too slowly for you. Once you have reached that point you want to get a speed rope. Speed jump rope handles are designed to help the rope move as fast as you can possibly rotate it. The rope is also designed to slice through the air fast enough to fit your rotation speed.

There are so many more sports that would benefit in so many different ways that it would take forever to explain all of them. Do not worry if you are not skilled with jumping rope when you first start. With a little time and practice you should be able to quickly improve and start making up jumping exercises of your own.



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