No Resistance on the Stairmaster Stepmill 916
About This Video
This video covers the electronic troubleshooting for a complaint of No Resistance on the Stairmaster Stepmill 916.
Tools Needed: Multi Meter, Assistant for Testing Purposes
For more information about this video,a step by step guide, and parts click here.
Torch Your Abs with Stability Balls
Every time I go into my gym, the treadmills and elliptical machines are being occupied, and there seems to be a never-ending line at the weight benches. While these pieces of equipment are all fantastic and should be included in your workout, I must bring attention to a simple piece of equipment that always appears to be forgotten, the stability ball. Stability balls are a wonderful way to shape and strengthen your core. They force all of your abdominal muscles to work to perform the exercise, thereby giving you a complete core workout. Too often, sit ups or crunches only touch on some of the abdominal muscles, which only cheats you of the fitness and health goals you want. Benefits of a strong core include better balance, more energy, better posture, and less risk of injury. Here are four stability ball exercises to fire up your core now:
1) Leg Tuck: With this exercise, you work your lower abs. Put your hands on the floor and toes on ball like you’re in an elevated push-up stance. Roll the ball to your chest by bending your knees and then roll it back. Feel free to roll diagonally to work the obliques.
2) Around the World: Sit on the stability ball with your feet to the floor. Circle your torso to the left and then back to the starting stance. Repeat on the right side. This will work your obliques as well.
3) Ball Sit: Lean against the wall with the stability ball separating you. The stability ball should be against your lower back. Go down so that your legs make a right angle. Hold for a minute. This will work your glutes and core.
4) Ball Sit-Up: This is a sit-up on the stability ball. Sit on the ball and put your feet out so that your knees make a ninety degree angle. Place your hands behind your elbow and lie all of the way back. Squeeze your abs and come all the way up. Fall back and repeat.
WRIGHT OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING BARS
Established in 1979, the Wright Weight Equipment Co. has been supplying the Southern states with quality, extremely durable weightlifting equipment for over 30 years now. SPORTSMITH is proud to feature their high-quality products in our lineup.
Olympic barbells differ slightly from traditional barbells used in weightlifting. Instead of being just a solid straight piece of metal, they have rotating sleeves. This allows the lifter to do certain kinds of lifts easier due to less rotational inertia being exerted on the weights, and thus, less risk of injury or releasing the bar at an inopportune time.
Wright barbells are made of the highest quality materials available. They feature brass-insert bushings in the rotating sleeves to allow the smoothest spin possible for the weight plates, and many are zinc coated to ensure a bright, corrosion resistant finish that will last a lifetime.
SPORTSMITH currently carries several different varieties of the Wright Bar. The HD bar is their standard bar. Made of high tensile steel, and coated with shiny zinc, they are rated at 1200lbs., are 7’ long, and weigh 45lbs. They feature knurling on the grip areas for superior a superior hold on the bar. Next is the Wright Women’s HD Bar. This one is specifically designed for women to use. It’s the same length as the HD Bar, but slightly lighter, at 33lbs. All of the other features are exactly the same. Lastly, we carry the Wright Aluminum Technique Bar. This is a much lighter (11lbs.), and somewhat shorter (6ft.) bar designed for practicing lifting techniques. It is rated for 150lbs. of weight, and is made of sturdy aluminum. It’s perfect for someone who’s just getting into weightlifting and wants to practice techniques before moving on to the seriously heavy stuff.
Weightlifting is a time-honored sport, and an excellent exercise for strength building, and SPORTSMITH carries a full line of equipment. When it comes to the Olympic style of lifting, the Wright bars are some of the best around!
Kettlebells Can Maximize Your Gains
You may have heard the term kettlebells in your gym or read the word in Men’s Health, but many people who exercise don’t incorporate them into their training routine, which is quite the disservice. The best way to describe kettlebells is that they are cannonballs with handles. Unlike dumbbells, the majority of the weight of kettlebells is beyond the reach of the hand. Yet just like dumbbells and resistance bands, kettlebells are an effective way to build strength and gain a complete cardiovascular workout.
The reason for their effectiveness is in their shape. Since the weight is beyond the reach of the hand, it is tougher to control kettlebells. The hands, arms, back, legs, and core must work harder to maintain form. This increase in muscle activity means an increase in metabolic output, which means more fat lost.
Kettlebells put a new spin on old exercises. A key component of building mass and strength is tricking the muscles. If you do the same routine each time you work out, you and your muscles will get bored. You will not put in the same effort, and your gains will plateau. Doing a chest fly with kettlebells, rather than dumbbells, changes the exercise completely resulting in mass and strength increases. Plus, kettlebells are versatile and can be used to work out many different parts of the body. It is possible to do a total body circuit workout with just two kettlebells and push your body to the limit. Kettlebells are a necessity in any home gym and should make an appearance in your fitness regimen if you are looking for something different that will make you leaner and stronger.
A Popular Exercise Routine
There are many people, all over the world, who participate in yoga as one of their daily exercise routines. Yoga has been around for many years and is a traditional physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, which many people may not be aware of, is to attain a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. Yoga is also associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and is something that many people enjoy doing as a group. Many gym facilities incorporate yoga into the workouts they offer to their customers, and it has proven to be one of the most popular forms of exercise today.
Yoga has many different accessories that you are able to use to assist you in this workout. Whether it is a yoga mat, yoga straps, yoga blocks, or a yoga stretch board, these materials will drastically improve your workout and help you to achieve the results you wish. The goals of yoga vary depending on the person and the range of how much they want to improve their health. The main goal of yoga is actually to liberate oneself from all worldly suffering, and is described as entering the world again. Yoga is a routine that is easy to enjoy and is something that anyone can do. Unlike other activities such as basketball, soccer or general jogging, anyone at any age can participate in yoga and get something out of it.
If you are interested in yoga and all that it has to offer the mind and body, look into what your local gym facilities are offering and get enrolled in a yoga routine today. Despite what some people may think, yoga can be just as much of a workout as any of your typical sports would be, so don’t hesitate any longer in experiencing what this exercise is all about.
Gymnastic Rings
When one envisions the classic Olympic sport of gymnastics, they generally think of the traditional equipment. The pommel horse, the uneven bars, and of course, the rings. The rings when used in Olympic events are some of the most physically challenging routines in the whole of gymnastics, but the rings aren't just for performing mind-boggling feats of strength on. They're also great for getting in a challenging, unique workout, and can be used by anybody, not just perfectly honed Olympians.
When used as an exercise device, the rings allow for "bodyweight training", which has become immensely popular as of late, as it requires little floor space to use, and requires little in the way of equipment. Just the rings and straps and a place to hang them is all you need. The military has especially taken interest in these types of exercises for it's troops, as the equipment is extremely portable, and they can exercise and stay fit even when deployed to remote locations, where they wouldn't have access to traditional weights and other equipment.
To use the rings, you simply need to hang them from a sturdy surface. Then, you can do a variety of exercises, including push-ups and pull-ups. The "wobbly" nature of the rings forces you to constantly try and maintain your balance, not unlike a balance board, but instead of maintaining full-body balance, the rings force you to keep balance with specific parts of your body, which isolate certain muscles and give you a workout literally like no other available. Imagine doing a push-up, but the surface your hands are on is continually shifting and moving. You're going to have to keep in constant motion yourself to keep your balance, and this will exercise muscles that rarely get used, giving your body a stronger core and building incredible muscle tone and mass quickly and effeciently. Ring exercises are also a known way to overcome "plateaus", which is when your body reaches a level of fitness where it's difficult to achieve any higher progress. The rings force you to make movements that you've never had to before, and will overcome these plateaus.
SPORTSMITH currently carries two different types of exercise rings. The first is the EFX Gymnastic Rings. These are sold in pairs, and come with everything you need to begin exercising right away. They're light, portable, and have 3 different grip surfaces for different types of exercise. You can hang them just about anywhere, making them ideal for an apartment, or for places not suited for lots of exercise equipment. The second type we sell are the Wright Gymnastic Rings. These rings come with an extra long attachment strap (18 feet long, to be exact), and are made of a high-impact polycarbonate material that is super strong, yet lightweight. SPORTSMITH is proud to carry these exercise rings, and provide our customers with yet another option in their never-ending quest for fitness and strength!
How to install Gymnastic Rings, click here.
5 Must Have Workout Products for the Home
Working out at home is becoming one of the most common ways people go about getting into shape and loosing weight. The are many advantages to working out at home, for instance, its comfortable, private, and everything is yours. One of the keys to having a good, successful workout is the type of products you are using to work out. Also, depending on what area of your body you are targeting, you want to make sure that you have exactly what you need in order to get the job done.
Listed below are five MUST have home workout tools. How you use them and when you use them are completely up to you, but in order to get a successful and rewarding workout you will need these items, at least.
Exercise balls, also known as stability balls, are used for many different workouts and exercises. Those include aerobics, balance, flexibility, strength rehab, stability, and toning. All of these exercising come down to core training and with the many different types of exercise balls, such as medicine balls and weighted balls, you will be sure to get in a good core workout.
Resistance bands can be used as a substitute for all kinds of expensive home gym machines. These bands come in all shapes and sizes and go by many different names including stretch bands and resistance cords. You can work on all different muscles groups from your upper body to your lower body. Another object that these resistance bands substitute for are pull up bars. All though you cannot actually lift yourself off of the ground with these bands, you can simulate the exact same back and chest workout that you would get from a pull up bar.
Weights are a must have. Whether you have them in the form of kettle bells or dumbbells, they are a requirement for upper and lower body success. Although the kettle balls allow for swinging moves that you cannot easily do with regular dumbbells, they both come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Find a set that fits you, because having your own set will allow you to make progress weekly or daily depending on how often you work out.
Plyometric boxes are key for the success of an awesome leg or lower body workout. Simple routines that are performed by using these boxes or steps prove amazing results. Plyometrics steps and boxes come in different heights for different people. It is about challenging yourself to the burning repetition of a leg workout and looking forward to the end reward.
Finally, everyone needs a little cardio love. Whether you prefer a treadmill or an elliptical, you need to get your cardio workout in no matter what. Both machines are commonly used and it is more a personal preference. Regardless, they can be used for a therapeutic workout, a warm up, or a cool down.
Remember, these are only five of many different workout products. These are simple and will get the job done especially for being at home. They also won’t cost you an arm and a leg like many of the big home gym machines out there.
By possessing these must have products, you can significantly get into shape and loosing weight and bettering your health is what it is all about. Bettering your health not only includes medical conditions, such as blood pressure and metabolism, but also personal conditions such as getting rid of acne and improving your physical appearance. Whatever the reason may be, having these five workout products can improve you health tremendously.
Dehydration The Sign and Symptoms
Considering the human body is made up roughly of 70% water, drinking fluids on an ongoing basis is necessary for maintaining bodily functions and preventing dehydration symptoms. Reality is, most people do not drink enough water throughout the day. Although the amount needed is dependent on body weight, general rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
Dehydration occurs when more water is lost from the body than is taken in. Water is lost routinely each day through the processes of breathing, sweating, urination, and elimination. While water is found mostly in body cells, the rest is distributed in blood vessels and in spaces between the cells.
Water balance in the body is so critical and so well-regulated that if water is lost from blood vessels, this loss is automatically replaced by moving water from cells into blood vessels. Signs and symptoms of dehydration occur quickly if this loss of water is not replenished. The first recognizable sign is thirst; the body is getting dry and needs a drink of water.
Causes of Dehydration:
Sweat - People lose water through sweating; exercising intensely; or fever due to an infection. A person can lose a pound of water just by taking a brisk walk on a hot day. It is important this loss be replaced as quickly as possible.
The Elderly - Older people are quite vulnerable during heat waves, as they tend to thirst more slowly and are less likely to recognize signs of dehydration. In the Chicago Heat Wave of 1995, approximately 600 people died in their homes from heat exposure.
Illness - When illness strikes and people are dealing with vomiting or diarrhea, a great deal of water is lost from the body. It is difficult to hold down fluids with bouts of vomiting. As for diarrhea, 4 million children die each year, worldwide, from effects of dehydration.
Diabetes - For people who are diabetic, when blood sugar levels are high, sugar tends to draw water, making its exit through the process of urination. Therefore, having diabetes often involves frequent thirst and frequent urination, making it easier to become dehydrated.
Extreme Fluid Loss - This can come about through conditions of cholera (from contaminated water/food), resulting in vomiting/diarrhea and consequent dehydration. Bulimia (purging) can cause dehydration, as well as the excessive use of diuretics (water pills), along with a low-salt diet. Stomach flu lasting 36 hours can also cause extreme water loss.
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:
Initial signs of dehydration are thirst and a decreased output of urine. At this stage, urine becomes more concentrated and is yellow in color. In addition, a person can experience dry mouth; weakness or fatigue; dry skin or flushing; head rushes or chills.
A 5% fluid loss can result in symptoms of:
*Increased heart rate/respiration/body temperature
*Decreased sweating/urination
*Extreme fatigue/headache
*Nausea
*Muscle cramps or tingling in the limbs
A 10% fluid loss constitutes severe dehydration and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms associated with severe dehydration are:
*Pale, cool, clammy skin or shriveled skin
*Difficulty breathing, racing pulse
*Chest and abdominal pain, muscle spasms
*Low blood pressure, loss of valuable electrolytes
*Seizure, unconsciousness, organ failure, even death (the brain is most vulnerable to dehydration)
Prevention:
The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink consistently throughout the day (eight glasses minimum). An infant is considered well-hydrated if the diaper is wet at every change.
Avoid doing outdoor activities in high temperatures; hold events under shaded areas. If you must work in a hot environment, hydrate frequently to replenish water loss.
When suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, change one's diet or use medications to control the degree of fluid loss. When recovering from such symptoms, clear fluids are usually recommended for the first 24 hours. Then one should progress to what is called a BRAT diet, starting with bananas, then rice, apples and toast, in that order. Add more foods when tolerated.
Imodium can be taken to control diarrhea; acetaminophen or ibuprofen to address fever.
Symptoms of dehydration can differ from person to person, as well as from differing ages. Children lose more fluids through vomiting and diarrhea than adults, while the elderly are more prone to fluid loss than younger adults.
Benefits Of Water Aerobics
Many people automatically think that to get proper exercise, they must participate in activities like tennis, running, weightlifting, basketball, or even yoga. However, there is one element of exercise that is ideal for getting in shape – aquatic fitness. Aquatic fitness, such as water aerobics, usually takes place in a shallow swimming pool and can be considered a type of resistance training. There are many benefits to doing aquatic fitness exercises such as the fact that the use of water supports the body and therefore reduces the chance of muscle or joint injury. Also, the alleviation of gravity due to flotation places less stress on the joints when stretching, and can also allow a greater range of motion.
Some other benefits of water aerobics is that because it is done in a shallow pool, and the ability to float is possible, even the elderly can participate without feeling unsafe. Exercising in water is also great if you are prone to overheating, as the water is constantly cooling the body, leaving it impossible to overheat and potentially pass out. Despite what people may think, you do not have to be a strong swimmer in order to join in on aquatic fitness exercises. As long as you can keep yourself afloat and hold your breath underwater, anyone can do these aerobics.
If you are interested in getting involved in different types of water aerobics, check into any local gym facility or swim club. Many people enjoy working out in groups, which is why aquatic fitness has become so popular. You can now get the exercise you always desired, in a way that won’t put unwanted stress on your body, and will keep you in shape for the rest of your life. Check out what water aerobics can do for you and get enrolled in them today!
Sportsmith Digital Catalog 62
Sportsmith is proud to announce that our Catalog 62 is now available in digital format. Interactive Catalog 62 is one of many in the new online digital format to better serve our customers and take advantage of the growing trend towards digital and online service. Features include:
- Shop the catalog anywhere, anytime.
- View instructional videos.
- One click access to parts and products.
- Share easily
- Eco-friendly
Our digital catalog comes in high-quality Flash format, and you will need Adobe Flash Player 10, which is available for free here. It is incredibly easy to navigate pages and zoom into areas that interest you. It also features a handy search function, so you can go directly to the pages you want with a simple click of the mouse.
Sportsmith is proud to bring our customers the easiest and most convenient ways to place orders with us. One more way to better communicate with the industry we serve. We’re preparing all sorts of new and exciting ways to make your shopping and ordering easier in the near future as well!
To view the digital version of Catalog 62, click here.