Sportsmith Blog
29Dec/090

How to Setup Gymnastic Rings

EXF Rings Setup Guide from Tyler Hass on Vimeo.

Setting up Gymnastic Rings can be done in various ways. No matter where you decide to set up your rings, be sure the area for use is free of all obstructions.

Indoor use:
The straps can be thrown over a bar, beam or ran through an eye screw installed into the framework of the ceiling. Rings can even be set up in a doorway with the use of a pull up bar. This would be good for most abdominal work, pushups and dips; however, it is not good for high ring work.

Outdoor use:
The straps can be thrown over a tree limb, swing set, monkey bars and wherever else one may find at the local park or playground.
Performing workouts outdoors allows for the addition of sprints or jogging during sets. Bring along a medicine ball or kettlebell for more variety to your workout.

Once the strap is in the desired place, you then run the strap through the buckle and the ring is now ready for use.

EXF Rings at SPORTMITH.

12Nov/090

Fitness Business Pro – SPORTSMITH Profile

SPORTSMITH Fitness Parts and Products Superstore catalogs provide a uniquely convenient one-call resource for busy fitness facilities. The catalogs feature the industry’s largest selection of OEM and OEM-quality cardio equipment parts plus a “best of the best” selection of the most innovative strength and personal training products at savings of up to 30%.

Parts for major cardio equipment and indoor cycling manufacturers include Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac, StairMaster, Schwinn, Cybex, Sports Art and True. All parts are backed by the SPORTSMITH warranty and best price guarantee.

SPORTSMITH Certified Quality Cardio provides substantial savings on the most popular equipment models including Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Schwinn. Each piece of SPORTSMITH “remanufactured” cardio equipment is rebuilt with new parts and many feature freshly powder-coated frames so the equipment looks and performs like new.

SPORTSMITH strength and personal training products include cable attachment and international bars, hardware, dumbbells, racks, SportStep, core/balance and aquatic equipment, resistance bands, medicine and stability balls, yoga and exercise mats. All are available with the convenience of 24/7 online ordering.

  • Cardio Equipment Parts and Electronics
  • Certified Quality Cardio Equipment Sales
  • Strength Training Equipment and Accessories
  • Personal Training, Group X and Yoga Products
  • Experienced Service and Technical Support

5925 S.118th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74146

Toll Free: 800-713-2880
Phone: 918-307-2446
Fax: 918-307-0216

www.sportsmith.net/fbp, e-mail: [email protected]

12Nov/090

Yoga Practices and Tools

For thousands of years, practitioners have used mind-body exercise such as yoga as a great stress reliever while strengthening, toning and increasing flexibility. Today, yoga is more popular than ever—even outside of the studio. Increasingly, personal trainers, fitness professionals, and fitness-minded exercisers are incorporating yoga moves and equipment into their routines.

Try adding the following to your fitness routines and yoga practices:

Warrior II:

This is a great yoga move to strengthen legs and glutes, improve postural alignment and core strength and to stretch adductors.

Standing with feet a leg length apart on a sticky mat (to improve traction and provide some cushioning), turn your right foot out 90-degreesand the left foot 45 degrees. Keeping the pelvis level, bend the right knee so that it is directly over the ankle, with center of kneecap aiming toward the 2nd and 3rd toes. Keep your weight even on both legs and your torso vertical, contracting the abs and pressing the shoulder blades down and back to work the core. Keeping your base solid and pulling your abs in and up, extend the arms out to the sides and focus your gaze over your right hand. Breathe evenly through the nose and start out holding the pose for 10 breaths, increasing the amount of time with experience. Repeat on the other side and evenly train your body.

Downward Dog:

Perhaps one of the most recognized yoga postures, downward dog is a great way to strengthen the whole body, build functional strength, and stretch the hamstrings and calves. Begin by getting on your hands and knees, with your hands six-inches from the front of your yoga sticky mat. Place your hands under shoulders and knees under hips, spread fingers wide and press every knuckle into floor. With your inner-elbow creases facing forward, draw the shoulder blades down the back. In one smooth motion flatten the spine, tuck the toes under and lift the hips up and back while straightening the legs—forming an upside down “V” over the sticky mat. In this position reach the heels toward the floor, pull the inner thighs up and back as you lengthen through the waist. Try to bring the weight into the legs, keep the palms pressing into the mat and let the head hang to relax the neck.

Yoga Block:

If your hands can’t reach the floor during standing forward bends or any yoga pose, a yoga block is an invaluable tool. By bringing the floor closer, users can maintain proper form and reduce the risk of injury.  Yoga blocks can also be used to help keep knee and feet alignment during bridges, leg presses, stability ball squats and more by placing the block between the legs (just above knees) while performing the exercises.

Yoga Straps:

Yoga straps are crucial for beginners and are a very helpful tool for more advanced yoga practitioners and fitness participants. By increasing one’s reach they help to advance strength and flexibility and while performing static stretches, such as a supine straight-legged hamstring stretch. Yoga belts can also be looped with the buckle to support upper-arm placement in poses such as planks, downward dog, scorpion, back bends and more.

This Article is for information purposes only. Exercisers should seek the advice of a qualified personal trainer before attempting any exercise.