Archive for the ‘Fitness Equipment’ category

Schwinn 220 Recumbent Bike – Should You Buy One Or Pay For The Gym?

July 28th, 2011

The Schwinn 220 recumbent bike is one of the most popular exercise bikes on the market today. If you are wondering whether to buy this bike or go to the gym, then read on.

If you are like me, then you may have set goals for yourself at some point. One of my main goals is to have a healthy diet and lose some weight. However, we all know that sometimes we falter in meeting our goals. In some cases it is due to unavoidable circumstances but many times we just make excuses.

Keeping fit and losing weight is not as easy as one would hope. You need determination and a consistent plan of action to help you achieve this goal. This led me to research on whether one should buy an exercise bike like the Schwinn 220 recumbent exercise bike or pay for gym membership instead.

1. Convenience

Having exercise equipment at your convenience is key to ensuring that you stick to your long-term exercise program.This exercise bike is great as it will allow you to exercise from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to travel or leave your house.

If you have young kids at home, it may be difficult to get someone to look after them as you go to the gym. However, with this recumbent exercise bike you can enjoy your workout as you look after them. Another great thing is that you can actually watch television or read a magazine while you work out. » Read more: Schwinn 220 Recumbent Bike – Should You Buy One Or Pay For The Gym?

Knee Pain and Its Causes

July 28th, 2011

As a person ages, he also experiences a lot of changes in his body systems. It includes all kinds of pain in the joints such as knee pain. The knee is a weight bearing joint that has three compartments which includes the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral. The knees have many functions. The knee allows movement of the leg for a person to walk. It is very important for the legs to bend during walking or even running. It flexes to a maximum of 135 degrees and extends to 0 degrees. Below are the causes why a person experiences pain in the knee area.

Knee pain is brought about by a lot of factors. It is mainly caused by overuse of the part and poor form during physical activity. After doing an exercise, an individual may also experience pain in the knees if he did not warm up or cool down before work out or if he did an inadequate stretching. Since the knee is a joint, a condition called arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout) can also cause the pain in the knees. Baker’s cyst, a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, may cause pain due to the accompanied inflammation. Bursitis is also one of the causes why a person experiences pain in the joints especially in the knees. This condition is the inflammation of a joint in the knee due to repeated pressure. An example is when a person kneels for a long period of time and when the knees are overused or acquired an injury such as anterior cruciate ligament injury or medial collateral ligament injury wherein the knees may bleed which makes the pain worse. Lupus is also one reason. It is a connective tissue disorder. One can also experience pain if the kneecap is dislocated. Joints may also have an infection and may cause pain in the knees. Tendinitis also causes severe pain especially when going up and down the stairs or in any inclined area. A torn cartilage and ligament may cause pain and even instability in the knees. One may also obtain pain in the knees from strain or sprain. Those are the most common causes of pain in the knee area. » Read more: Knee Pain and Its Causes