Flywheel

If you’re thinking of buying an exercise bike, here are a few things to look out for to ensure you get a machine best suited to your needs and budget.

You can spend anything from £75 right up to £6,000 when buying a bike so you can imagine there’s quite a difference in specification and features. But even if spending under £100 it’s still a waste if you buy the wrong machine. If you’re not comfortable with it, if it fails to excite, or you get bored on a basic bike, you’re not going to use it! Your bike then becomes a bulky clothes hanger gathering dust in the corner.

And if you want to sell it on eBay don’t be surprised if you get only a fraction of what you paid for it because you’ll be up against many others who bought the wrong bike and never used it.

You then need to decide your main objective for buying a bike and consider whether it’s the right machine for the current shape you’re in.

Types of Exercise Bike

You have a choice between three types of bike:-

1. Upright bike – standard bike with conventional cycling position, takes up little space and delivers a good cardiovascular workout

2. Recumbent bike- sit in a horizontal position, more comfortable, better than upright for unfit, overweight or those recovering from illness or injury. Takes up more room than upright.

3. Spinning bike – for faster fat-burning, higher intensity workouts and interval training, also used by outdoor cyclists for out of season training.

The upright bike takes up the least amount of room and is generally less expensive as there’s less complex machinery involved. Many consider the recumbent bike to be more comfortable as you can lean back in the seat and the horizontal position may be suitable for those recovering from injury or are over-weight. A recumbent bike is quite a easy way to do some light exercise at lower levels of resistance, it’s also easy on your back.

The more recent spinning bikes (or racers) are designed for high intensity work-outs and tend to cost more, although there are now more affordable spinners coming onto the market. These machines can be great for increasing fitness whilst burning fat.

Types of Resistance (braking systems)

To provide a varied and challenging workout, a bike needs to have the ability to change the resistance on the pedals. This can simulate going up hills or coasting along in 5th gear. There are three main ways to do this.

1. Air – a fan builds up a flow of air and as you pedal faster it increases the resistance. The one disadvantage of this system is that you can only alter it by changing speed and therefore if you slow down so does the level of resistance.

2. Mechanical – friction is increased usually with a band around the flywheel which can offer high resistance and a tough workout. However, this needs to be altered by manually turning a dial and the system can suffer from wear and tear with regular use.

3. Magnetic – the most versatile braking system operated by pressing a button that alters the position of magnets to increase resistance. The main advantages are ease of use plus pre-set programmes can control the level and be used by heart rate control programmes to keep you in the fat-burning zone.

Pre-set Programmes

Most exercise bikes now come with pre-set programmes. These can take you through different types of sessions and will vary the resistance for set intervals to simulate hill climbing and interval training. More recently heart rate controlled programmes have become popular as they’re an effective way to increase fitness and ‘burn fat’. They work by varying the resistance level according to your heart rate (measured by polar chip or hand grips). If your rate drops below a certain level (based upon your age, weight and sex) the resistance increases, if it gets too high it lowers it.

Motivation is key to your success and the inclusion of a good selection of pre-sets on a bike help to vary your workouts and keep you coming back. So as a general rule the more programmes the better. Don’t forget to check the bike’s dimensions to see if it will fit through your doors and in the space you have set aside for it.

Conclusion:

If you do a bit of research and have a clear objective for using an exercise bike then you’ll get the most suitable machine to achieve your goals.

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2006 he published a book called ‘Zone Mind, Zone Body’ about how to achieve a peak performance more often. He’s also a bit of an ‘anorak’ when it comes to exercise bikes and gadgets. To read his views on many more models please visit Exercise Bike Reviews.

The most common notion of everybody about a good workout is to lift some really good weights or jog a few miles to let the sweat out. These kinds of exercises have specific drawbacks over time. And the time you will consume would be gravely long enough to lose just a pound. But this kind of notion was changed abruptly after the introduction of BowFlex TreadClimber in the market.

With BowFlex TreadClimber you can definitely get three kinds of workouts which will sweat you out much without lifting a pound of weight or jogging a mile. With this machine, all you have to do is walk at a normal pace and its mechanism will take care of the rest.

Amazingly, after you’ve done your exercise on the TreadClimber, you can see your sweat flowing down all over your body. And the best part is, in just one week you may be able to lose 2-4 pounds depending on the intensity of the workout you do on the machine. You won’t see such benefit from other forms of workout.

Imagine getting exercises like walking, stair climbing and elliptical training in just one piece of machine at the same time and inside the comforts of you home. The effectiveness that this machine offers is associated with the convenience that you could never find in other machines. So if your main concern is to lose some of the unwanted fats in your body, then BowFlex TreadClimber is the ultimate answer.

The machine does not just burn fats efficiently, but will also tone your muscles as well as increase the mass. Over time, you will notice that your thighs become tighter as well as your backside. You will probably lose some of your belly fats giving some good abs.

Therefore, it is clearer that BowFlex TreadClimber really offers a well-rounded workout in a short span of time and in a most convenient way. Do you see these results from other workout machines? Of course not!

Dave is an avid exerciser and fitness buff who has used the Bowflex Treadclimber to help him reach his personal fitness goals. Learn more about the Bowflex Treadclimber at BowflexTreadclimbersite.com.

Treadmills can be easy to buy if you have a budget of hundreds of dollars. But if you decide to buy a cheap used treadmill, what things you should consider? Firstly you need to consider what you want from a treadmill. Of course we use treadmills for exercising but how often are you going to be using it? Certain models of treadmill are only supposed to be used occasionally and so shouldn’t be bought if you are intending to use it every day.

The second thing to think about is how large a treadmill you want. Most people will have limited space in their houses to put a treadmill so it may be an idea to buy a streamlined one. Treadmills vary in width so be sure to check the dimensions before you buy it. A foldable cheap treadmill is also an option as these will create a lot more space and only need to be folded out when in use.

The Advantages of Buying a Cheap Used Treadmill

Buying a cheap used treadmill will give you so much more for your money. Buying a brand new treadmill is likely to cost hundreds of dollars, so buying second hand will reduce the price dramatically. Because they will have been pre-used these treadmills will be cheaper but that doesn’t mean that they are basic. They will have all the gadgets, gizmo’s and functions of a very expensive treadmill for half the price. So even if your budget is really low you could still pick up a decent model if it was second hand.

The Disadvantages of Buying a Cheap Used Treadmill

With any second hand goods you need to be very careful. You need to think about who has used it before you and how good a condition they have kept it in. You also need to think about why they are selling their treadmill. If it is merely due to under use or not enough space then you will be sure to have a good product on your hands. If it is for another, more vague reason that they try to palm off onto you then don’t buy it!

It is your money you will be spending so make sure that you are buying the treadmill that is right for you. Check the cables and working parts for wear and tear, ask if there is a guarantee that comes with it and always ask for a demonstration to make sure it works before you hand the money over!

If you want to buy cheap used treadmill there are 5 things you must know. For more information, please visit my cheap treadmills site. At my site, you will find additional articles about top tips on choosing cheap treadmill, how to choose excellent but cheap treadmills and much more!

There are different types of bike trainers and each has it’s own distinct benefits and drawbacks. But which version is the best? We will explore the differences here and the answer may surprise you.

The purpose of a bike trainer is to allow cyclists the opportunity to ride their bicycle indoors. This can be very helpful for a number of reasons.

If the weather is bad a cyclist can still continue training without interruption. For other people just seeking the great aerobic workout cycling provides, the bike trainer can allow this indoors.

Some people may be rehabbing from an illness or surgery and cycling indoors with a bike trainer device can help them get great exercise.

An indoor bike trainer also referred to as a stationary bike stand or a resistance trainer is a much more affordable way to cycle indoors as compared to having to buy a fully dedicated stationary bicycle. It can also be an easier, more comfortable form of exercise because riders get to use their own bike, which they are familiar with.

Most all indoor trainers are built the similar, with one exception. They all have a frame, a device for securing the bike in place and something that presses around the rear tire providing resistance as the cyclist pedals. Where they differ is in the mechanics used to provide resistance.

There are basically three types of indoor trainers. One uses air to provide resistance, another uses magnets for the resistance and the third uses fluid for resistance.

Each has its one unique characteristic.

Which is the best? A lot will depend on what the indoor cyclist is looking for and how much they can afford.

The air resistance bike trainers utilize a fan and the air creates the resistance. These are very reliable and considered to be more affordable than the other versions. The big drawback is that they are the nosiest version in the group. Also, their resistance is fairly limited. For many people that cycle indoors only occasionally, this can be the way to go.

The second type of stationary bike stand utilizes magnets for resistance. They use a roller powered magnetic flywheel. It is much quieter than the air version and generally costs a little more. These provide a higher level of resistance than the air systems. The big downside here is that in order to change the level of resistance, the pedaling must be stopped.

The fluid type trainers combine a magnetic flywheel and fluid chambers for their resistance. They are quiet and most closely resemble the feel of riding a bike outdoors. This system also allows for changing the level of resistance while pedaling, similar to changing gears. As you might have guessed, these are also the most expensive.

So which is best? If a person plans on using the trainer a lot the fluid system will be the winner because it offers the most versatility for the money and the cost seems to be justified. If however, the use will be minimal and the little bit of extra noise is not a bother, the air system is a good value for the money.

Here’s another way to look at it. Consider how many months of winter you have. In the West there will probably be only minimal days that cycling has to take place indoors. But in the northern states and in the East, where winter lasts longer, more days of indoor cycling may justify better the more expensive choice.

In any event a bike trainer is a great investment and you will surely enjoy many hours of indoor cycling with whichever one you choose.

Mark writes on a variety of topics including cycling. If you are looking for more ideas on how to train with your bike indoors when the weather is bad take a look here at Exercise Bike Stand. Also, here is where you can go for a great selection in the Stationary Bike Stand.

The electric car is more than a vehicle that runs on batteries. It differs from the conventional car in many ways. One essential difference is the absence of the internal combustion engine. Another is the lack of a fuel tank and an exhaust pipe. There is another big difference – the way power is transmitted to the wheel to move the car.

The electric car moves by transfer of power from the batteries to the controller then to the motor. The motor is the internal combustion equivalent of the electric car. It is the main component that causes movement. The electric car does not use a flywheel so there is a challenge for the designers as to how power can be transmitted to the wheel at varying speeds. The transmission needs to get a special device that will enable it to adapt to changing speeds.

The device that enables the transmission to reduce or increase acceleration is called the adapter plate. It is situated between the clutch and the transmission so that energy loss is not incurred in the course of shifts. Again, the adapter plate ensures that transmission is done in a very smooth manner.

The adapter plate needs to be manufactured to very high engineering standards. The reason is, they should fit the clutch like tongue and groove. There should be no spaces to cause unintended shifts. Again, it should be able to resist heat to a large extent, making aluminum one of the best metals to use.

Precision is very important of the adapter plate is going to work properly. For this reason, you would want to buy your components and parts from reputable shops only so you are guaranteed a well aligned part.

I hope you found the article informative. Are you interested in converting your car to electric? For more information about how to convert a gas car to electric, visit gas2electric.net for an easy to follow electric car conversion guide. Finally rid yourself of polluting gasoline and drive a clean efficient electric car!

In Jim Collins’ excellent and enlightening book, “Good to Great,” he uses the metaphor of a flywheel. It is heavy and massive – weighing 5,000 pounds. He asks us to, “Imagine that your task is to get the flywheel rotating on the axle as fast and long as possible.”

You almost feel the effort of pushing and pushing, just to get it started a bit. Then you keep on until “at some point – breakthrough! The momentum of the thing kicks in in your favor, hurling the flywheel forward, turn after turn … whoosh!’

Collins goes on to point out that if someone asked you what was the one push that caused it to go so fast, we wouldn’t be able to answer. “No! It was all of them added together in an overall accumulation of effort applied in a consistent direction.”

One of my fitness students just shared that she was having problems losing weight until she started taking my weight lifting class. She has been working hard in the step, the stability ball and the toning classes, but hadn’t stayed for the weight lifting. In three weeks – with no other changes – she has lost 6 pounds.

What a great example of the flywheel. Yes, she has added the weight lifting, but I seriously feel that it was the consistent working out and then adding that extra hard “push” that caused her “breakthrough.” So often we give up on a goal because the initial pushing is hard – and can be discouraging.

I know from experience that it takes time, effort, discipline, persistence and heavy pushing to get the flywheel in motion.

It may be in the field of fitness – so many quit because it isn’t easy and can even hurt. I still remember the first weekend back in 1983 when I started my new membership at a fitness facility. By Sunday I told my children not to even make me smile – my abdominal muscles hurt so much.

As an independent professional, free agent and freelancer, I have times that are slower than others. During the slower months I remind myself to keep plugging away and pushing the flywheel. Right now it has lots of momentum, but as Collins reminds us, “Good to great comes about by a cumulative process – step by step, action by action, decision by decision, turn by turn of the flywheel – that adds up to sustained and spectacular results.” The operative words here are “cumulative” and “sustained.”

As always, I was curious about others approach to momentum, so here are a few of the quotations I found:

• I wonder if Virgil was referring to a flywheel back in B.C. when he wrote, “She acquires momentum as she advances.”
• Annie Lennox was right on when she said, “When you’re that successful, things have a momentum, and at a certain point you can’t really tell whether you have created the momentum or it’s creating you.”
• My mentor and favorite motivator, Tony Robbins, expressed it perfectly, “Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?”
• And Michael Korda sums it all up, “One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.”

And, do keep pushing that flywheel! A breakthrough may be close!

Chris King is an entrepreneur, professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator/designer, free agent, and fitness instructor. Sign up for her eclectic E-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, at http://www.freelanceliving.com You will find her information-packed E-book How to Leave Your Audiences Begging for MORE! at http://www.OutrageouslyPowerfulPresenter.com and her business website at http://www.CreativeKeys.biz