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 Top 6 things people look for when joining a gym

 1) Quality Equipment with great variety

When looking for a gym, one thing you should make sure you do is go inside and take a good walk around. There are so many different types of commercial gym equipment out there today and you will want to be sure that the gym has the ones you most often use.

 Dumbbells

If you mostly use dumbbells for your workout, you will want to check and see that they have multiple sets so that you can easily continue your workout if someone is utilizing the weight you normally use.

 Weight Machines

When looking at weight machines, some of the higher end machines have options that you can change so that you are putting the emphasis of your lift on a certain phase of the exercise (for example the concentric (shorting of the muscle) phase). This may help you to vary your workout routine more and bust out of plateaus.

Other factors to look for in free weight machines are that they have been maintained and don't look as though they will fall apart anytime soon. Many of the older gyms you go into have machines that look like they're from the dinosaur era and might not be the safest thing to be using.

 Stretching Areas

Another good factor to look for is the stretching area. Many gyms surprisingly don't even have one, or only allow a small space for stretching.

Stretching is an important part of your workout and should not be left out.

If the area only accommodates one or two people however, you likely won't be spending much time on this aspect of your fitness routine.

 Cardio Machines

If you are heavy into the cardio exercise, check that the machines are in good condition and offer the latest features. The treadmills should have inclines and many also have heart rate readers so you can track how hard you are working.

Ensure that the bikes all have straps on the pedals as this seems to also be a popular problem in some gyms (people taking the straps off and them mysteriously going missing). If you really enjoy mixing up your workouts, you may also want to see if they have alternate cardio machines such as ellipticals, rowers, and recumbent bikes.

Check On the Crowds

Finally, when walking around the gym, be sure that everything is not too crowded. Once it gets busy and people are all off doing their own thing, you don't want to be distracted during your workout and feel like you have a limited space to work in. This may distract you and cause you to be less focused during your workout, thus setting yourself up for reduced progress and possibly even injury.

 2) Friendly Staff

The staff members of the gym should be supportive and courteous, ready to answer questions or spot you on a machine if needed. They are there to help you make the most of your workouts. Before selecting a gym, ask about the certifications of the staff members. Are they qualified to guide you through your fitness routine? If you need a trainer, what are their rates?

3) Location

Think about the location. Is it closer to your home or workplace and when would you plan to visit? Would you normally go at the weekend from home or on the way home from work? Will the traffic be an issue at these times? Also check to see if there's enough parking available especially at a "center of town" gym.

If it's classes you're after, see if there's a good range. Make sure they have some scheduled for the times you'd normally go. See how popular they are, you'd want the class to have more people there than just you and the instructor.

 4) Cleanliness

This may not seem like that much of an important consideration to begin with, but once you are there and working out, if the gym has not been maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, you will find yourself uncomfortable using much of the equipment.

Check for things like fresh towels for people to use while they are working out, numerous spray bottles located around the gym to wipe equipment down after use, as well as ask about how often the gym brings in maintenance people.

5) Hours of operation (open late / early/ 24 hours)

This is almost as important as location. You know when the most likely time is that you'll go and you need to make sure your gym is open at that time.

 6) Amenities

The beauty of a gym is that everything you need is there. You can run, cycle, row, cross country ski, swim or take an exercise class. If you want to tone or build your body there are weight machines and free weights.

When the workout is done, relax in the spa and Jacuzzi. Then have a massage and beauty treatment or a luxury body shower. Both men and women can be pampered to their hearts content and it's all under one roof. When joining a gym the range of facilities is the important factor but there are other things to consider.

Why Great Abs Are Really Made in the Kitchen Not the Gym

The only way to truly get washboard abs is by losing enough belly fat to actually see them. When people see a great set of abs they often wonder how many exercises and what types is that person doing to get that six pack stomach. The truth of the matter is that to get a really lean stomach you will be spending most of your time in the kitchen planning your meals and a little bit of cardio to speed the fat loss up.

Washboard abs are easy to get with a little planning and self discipline. It's not as hard as you think. The planning part takes place in your kitchen by making sure you have meals prepared or healthy snacks. The most important key with fat loss is keeping your blood sugar stabilized without the up and down spikes. Foods high in sugar cause the body to release higher levels of insulin. High levels of insulin cause fat loss mechanisms to shut down and fat gaining processes to start up. High insulin also reduces natural levels of growth hormone in the body which is another powerful fat burning hormone that occurs naturally.

One of the very first things that you should implement in your kitchen is to stop cooking and eating high caloric foods. The only way that you can tone those muscles and get those six pack abs is when you burn more calories than the amount that you take in. Making your meals out from scratch instead of ordering out will give you the freedom to adjust your ingredients and take away those that may add up to the calorie count.

The amount of sodium (or salt) that you put into your cooked meals also plays an essential part in your dieting regimen. Sodium has a very important role in the process of muscle formation. If you are subjecting your abdominal muscles to heavy workouts, it's very important that you get ample amounts of these substances in your body. However, do make sure that you do not use overly large amounts of salt in your cooking as this can also mess up with your water-electrolyte balance and make you feel bloated and extra heavy.

Many dieting and exercise experts recommend that you take smaller but more frequent meals in a day. This change in eating habit can greatly help you get those six pack abs in no time at all. Eating four to six meals in a day can help promote constant metabolic rate and put your body at a state where it is continuously burning fats all throughout the day. This will help you build more lean muscle mass.

A good diet for washboard abs is going to consist of foods high in fiber, protein, and low in simple sugars. Simply shopping in the outer aisles of the grocery store where the meats, poultry, dairy, vegetables, and fruit are will keep you on target. Keep your shopping in the inner aisles to a minimum as this is where the highly processed foods with sugars and additives reside and they are belly fat magnets.

Eating the right foods all day for washboard abs will have you spending more time in the kitchen and less time in the gym. You cannot simply train more to make up for a bad diet to lose belly fat. That is the most stubborn area of the body and requires manipulation of what you eat.

Buy & Sell Fitness is the Global Leader in used gym equipment and we have all of the tools to compliment a balance diet to help you reach your goals

7 Things to Look For in a Personal Trainer

You decided to get off the couch and head to the gym to lose some weight or get back in shape. Great! Now that you're there, you're finding that you don't know what to do or how to stay motivated to keep working out or pushing yourself harder.

You might need a personal trainer. Personal Trainers work at fitness centers or privately, visiting you at home or work to help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

About 37 percent of the people looking for a personal trainer are beginners who are out of shape, according to IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a San Diego-based organization for fitness professionals. Even if you're an old pro at working out, you may not know what to look for in a personal trainer. Here are some tips that well help you find someone who is a good fit and will help you achieve your fitness goals.

Certifiable

Once you find someone who can potentially be your personal trainer, ask if they have certification from a legitimate certification body. This is one of the most important aspects to know when learning what to look for in a personal trainer. While there are more than 70 organizations certifying trainers, look for certifications from The American College of Sports Medicine, National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise some of the most recognized and sought after certifications for personal trainers.

You can visit all three Web sites to check whether your personal trainer does indeed have those certifications. Personal trainers can also be certified athletic trainers (National Athletic Trainer's Association), strength and conditioning coaches (CSCS) or exercise physiologists.

You also want to make sure your personal trainer is keeping his certification current. Personal trainers also continue to take classes, seminars and other continuing education courses to keep their certification updated. Your personal trainer should also be currently certified in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator.

A History Lesson

Before you do one pushup, your personal trainer should take your medical history. Your trainer should want to know if you have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, fibromyalgia and scoliosis or any musculoskeletal or orthopedic injuries. He should also ask for your fitness goals and assess your starting weight and body composition. Don't forget to sign the informed consent form.

Goal-Driven

Your fitness regimen should take into consideration not only your goals but your needs too. Make sure you're getting a good mix of cardio and strength training. Men often neglect their lower body so they need to make sure their trainer works out their quads and hamstrings as much as their upper body. Office workers tend to need work on the rhomboids and hamstrings.

Your routine should change every four to six weeks so you avoid a plateau that prevents you from meeting your fitness goals.

Money, Money, Money

If your personal trainer works for a gym, the facility usually offers different training packages determined by the number of sessions you buy. Packages are always cheaper than single sessions. Even when you join a gym you can get up to three free personal fitness training sessions.

Independent trainers generally charge more, depending on the services they offer. If they provide used gym equipment or visit you in your home, they probably charge more.

More than 70 percent of trainers offer group sessions at a discount, according to a recent survey by IDEA. And if you work out with friends, you can get a discount between 30 percent and 50 percent off.

Are You For Real?

Despite all of your research, you should still find out how other clients feel about your potential trainer. How does he handle fitness concerns, cancellations or rescheduling? Have his other clients made any progress toward their goals? What types of clients does he have? You want to make sure that he can handle a variety of physical conditions, or at least someone in the same physical condition as you are in.

Look in the Mirror

This should go without saying, but your personal trainer shouldn't look like he needs to go to a personal trainer. Make sure he can demonstrate the exercises he wants you to do, too.

Give it a Try

If you're still not sure, you can always ask for a free trial session to see if the trainer is right for you. You can also ask for a consultation where the trainer talks about your personality and goals. Ask if he has trained someone like you and been successful. Even if he says he has, check with references to verify.

What is an Upper Body Ergometer (UBE)? This is and upper body cardio machine. Designed to strength and condition the upper body by using your hands. Highly used for physical therapy and athletes. They aren’t as popular like other cardio machines but there are many benefits of utilizing an UBE as an alternative for your cardio.

One of the main uses of the machine is to acquire a cardio workout without the need of using your lower body, is great when you are rehabilitation from an injury and aren’t able to use the lower body. Also helps to strengthen for many injury made to the upper extremities. It also give athletes like runners and cyclist rest their lower body while supplementing a cardio workout.

The UBE rotary motion increases shoulder flexibility, increases stability and strength to the core since such motion works your abdominal and back muscles as well, and it’s a great warm up of your upper body before starting your upper strength training. There are different types of UBEs since it was introduced in the fitness industry, some of them come with adjustable seats and even no seats to meet the needs of the user. As well as different types of resistances such as pressure resistance, adjusted with a knob and some even have hydraulic resistance.

The commercial grade models may provide different features like a timer, digital resistance and heart rate monitors. So if you would like to have an alternative for your cardio or had an injury and can’t do your usual cardio routine, you can consider using an Upper Body Ergometer (UBE).

 Buy & Sell Fitness is the Global Leader in Used Fitness Equipment and we would be happy to assist you in and of your commercial or residential fitness equipment needs.

Easy Ways to Combat Weight Gain as You Age

As we grow older, we may realize it is harder than ever to keep a trim waistline. Most of us chalk it up to just another part of growing older. However, there is legitimate reasoning behind this weight gain. Below, we will discuss four of the main reasons for weight gain after the age of 40, and what you can do to prevent it.

You are losing muscle mass

You may have heard that muscle weighs more than fat not only is this true, muscle also burns more calories than fat with the body is at rest. This is a result of a drop in testosterone levels, along with underuse. As we age we are definitely ones were causing existing muscles to atrophy. This slows down the metabolism significantly, meaning the body does not burn as many calories as it should.

To correct this, start a strength training routine. For each pound of muscle you gain, you will increase your metabolism, burning more calories throughout the day. This helps the body burn stored fat, making it easier to lose those unwanted pounds.

Your hunger has increased

After the age of 40, estrogen levels begin to fall, causing significant changes in the thyroid and blood sugar, which increases appetite. Combine this with the natural loss of muscle mass and you have the perfect combination to stimulate weight gain.

Although there is little that you can do to change your natural hormone levels, you can combat the effects by paying careful attention to your diet. Remove all processed foods and instead incorporate high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans into your daily diet to promote fullness and stifle overeating.

Your metabolism is slower

Researchers have determined that the metabolism slows by roughly 5% every decade after the age of 40. This causes a significant reduction in the amount calories the body burns. Experts state that reducing your daily caloric intake by only 100 calories a day is enough to counteract this effect. Only 100 calories per day may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a year, this can prevent a 10-pound weight gain.

This can easily be done by making small changes in your diet. Avoiding sandwich toppings such as mayonnaise and cheese, switching to fat-free milk in your coffee and choosing vinaigrette over creamy salad dressings is enough to prevent weight gain.

You are not getting enough quality sleep

Today’s lifestyles are more hectic than ever and can really take a toll on your sleeping habits. When most individuals run low on energy, they grab a sugary treat or large cup of coffee. These stimulants will give you a quick burst of energy that will cause fatigue later on in the day. This fatigue combined with an overall lack of energy only creates a vicious cycle of feeling run down, and then consuming sugar or caffeine.

Although researchers have stated that sleep alone is not enough to keep the numbers on the scale low, they do know that lack of sleep is a surefire way to gain weight. Several studies have shown strong links between sleep deprivation and weight gain, proving that eight quality hours of sleep per night is pertinent for a trim waistline.

Instead of reaching for caffeine or sugary snacks to get you through the afternoon, try a piece of fresh fruit and drinking several glasses of water. The natural sugars in the fruit should be enough to give you that extra boost of energy you need, while the water keeps you well hydrated.

Losing weight as you grow older can be difficult. However, following the above tips can help you keep your weight in check.

Buy & Sell Fitness is the Global Leader In Used Gym Equipment and we would be happy to offer you advice and tips on which equipment can help you meet your goals

When talking about lifting weights, many women are scared of only one thing: gaining weight. Although it’s true that muscle does weigh more than fat, a woman lifting heavy weights and following a personalized nutrition plan will not look big and bulky. This myth that women shouldn’t lift heavy started in the early 1900s, when society’s standards were different.

Now that women are fighting more for their right to be beautiful without conforming to society’s rules, myths, especially fitness myths, are being debunked left and right with scientific facts as proof.

That being said, here are 21st century-approved facts on women lifting weights:

• Metabolism Booster 

  Muscles need more energy than fat to exist, which means that your blood will need to pump more oxygen and nutrients (i.e. blood) into your muscle tissues in order for them to stay lean. As your heart pumps blood faster, your metabolism automatically gets boosted by processing foods faster so your muscles can receive their nutrients on time. Therefore, your body will burn your food more quickly throughout the day, in turn needing even more energy (calories) to help you maintain a lean body. By turning to resistance training instead of hours of cardio, you will be able to eat more food all the while looking lean, strong and beautiful

• - Improved Heart HealthAs you’re lifting weights, your muscles will need more blood to perform eccentric and concentric movements, for energy. As your heart rate is increasing, to pump more oxygen into your muscles, your cardiovascular strength improves as well. This in turn aids in boosting your metabolism, which creates a wonderful fat burning cycle in your body. Over time, your body will also open up your arteries to help more blood flow through your veins to your muscles, thus reducing your resting heart rate and decreasing your chances of heart disease.

So go ahead ladies, LIFT! Lift heavy, lift often! If you need quality used gym equipment to help you reach your goals reach out to Buy & Sell Fitness - The Global Leader in Used Fitness Equipment.

Hydration is the key to success when it comes to a workout of any kind. Whether you are training for a marathon, a bodybuilding show or just to feel better about yourself, you must pay close attention to your fluid intake. Dehydration is most commonly thought of in reference to the topic of hydration, but overhydration is just as common.

Are you Dehydrated? - How to tell?
According to American College of Sports Medicine, dehydration occurs when weight loss greater than 2% of baseline body weight occurs during/after exercise.  ACSM recommends consuming beverages with sodium and/or salted snacks to encourage fluid intake. Should dehydration occur, the recommended fluid intake is approximately 25oz per lb of bodyweight lost. A quick way to test your fluid intake is to taste your sweat. If it is extremely salty and dry, you may be dehydrated.

 

Alright guys- it is time to get real! Have you ever wanted to approach a woman at the gym, but just had absolutely no idea how to go about it without looking a little ridiculous? Well, here is a list of well-researched and empirically backed tips to help you get the girl without the blunders.

• Make Sure Your Timing is on Point!

Timing is a key issue when approaching women at the gym. Pick the wrong moment and the opportunity will be missed!

Do Not: Don’t approach her while she is in the middle of her second rep or on her way to a spin class. Chances are she is too focused or pumped up to notice the guy making puppy dog eyes at her.

Do: Snag that moment after she wraps up the yoga mat or as she’s making her way to the exit. Chances are she is feeling pretty confident and happy with herself after a successful workout, so this might help your chances out as well. According to Maria Elena Martinez in Men’s Magazine, this will also give you a chance to compliment her on her workout- a great conversation starter!

• Avoid Becoming Stranger Danger!

Don’t be that guy she only sees at the gym after the holidays. Your move might look creepy if it is too out of the blue.

Do Not: Don’t try to pick her up if she hasn’t seen too much of you. Keep this in mind: according to an article written by Anna Davies on picking up women at the gym in Men’s Fitness, “she’ll be more likely to want to have a conversation with you if she recognizes you than if you are a total stranger.”

Do: Take time to notice her, and let her notice you too. Patience is key, and this will also increase your chances of scoring a conversation or- even better- a phone number.

• Think Before and After You Speak!

Think about what you are about to blurt out. Then, think again. Rather than trying to start a conversation based on her gym shorts, try taking a new approach.

Do Not: Fight the temptation to comment on her appearance, as hard as that may be. I’m sure she is well aware of what she looked like when she walked into the gym. Per Anna Davies, also avoid critiquing her workout. Unless she asks for your help, she doesn’t care what you think of her form.

Do: Try complimenting her on her workout. Take the time to notice what she is doing well, and let her know how awesome you think she is for it. If you happen to be in a class together, try asking her to be your partner. Also remember: if she is not into the conversation, just let it go!

The last thing to keep in mind is that this is supposed to be a brief encounter! Your objective is to get the number and move along!

Impress her by telling her that you not only work out at the gym, but also at home because you recently purchased a home gym at Buy and Sell Fitness, LLC! Check out some great used gym equipment by visiting Buyandsellfitness.com or calling us today toll free at 800 900 0526.

Sources:

http://www.mensfitness.com/women/dating-advice/picking-up-girls-at-the-gym

http://www.mensfitness.com/women/dating-advice/the-right-way-to-pick-her-up-at-the-gym

http://theartofcharm.com/approaching-a-woman/pick-girl-gym/

A Gallup poll in 2015 found that exercise habits in Americans were at their highest in seven years. While data from fitness tracker apps like MyFitnessPal and MapMyFitness, let us know that residents of California, Colorado and Washington were among the most active. More exercising Americans means a better overall population health and an increased need for more gyms and fitness centers.

In this blog post we'll be discussing how to calculate operating costs associated with opening a gym or fitness center and how Buy and Sell Fitness can help you save up to 70% on fitness equipment purchases.

To calculate the operating costs associated with opening a gym, create a business plan. This will help you think about the future of your business with a consistent vision, clearly defining what your business goals are and how you will achieve them. Remember, it is important to make sure your business fits your budget.

Here are a few common expenses you should think about: location, business insurance, tenant improvements, employee salaries, electricity, permits and miscellaneous office supplies. You should also ask yourself, what kind of services will my gym or fitness center provide?

Determining a location is important. After you find an area that meets your budget needs, whether you buy or lease, consider that there is a good chance you will have to make improvements to that space. Whether its rubber flooring, installing showers or a steam room make sure to factor these expenses into your business plan. This gym owner suggests you make sure that you have enough capital to cover your first six months in business

Will you offer classes like yoga, Zumba or spinning? Will you focus on strength training and conditioning? Knowing what kind of services you will provide will determine what kind of fitness equipment you will need.

Here's how BUY AND SELL FITNESS can help: A set of new fitness equipment can cost, on average, about $175,000 or more. At Buy and Sell Fitness we help our customers save up to 70% on all fitness equipment purchases. We ship anywhere in the United States AND worldwide. Don't worry, we assist each customer with all freight, customs and logistics needs. Have a color scheme and design in mind? We customize color. We also offer complimentary 3D gym layouts via ECDesign. All of our equipment is of high quality, used and refurbished. It is also fully tested before it reaches, you, the customer. Can't make it out to our warehouse to see it in person? We'll send you high definition photographs and video of your purchase before it ships out. At Buy and Sell Fitness we strive to be the BEST provider of refurbished fitness equipment in the world. View testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers and recent job projects here.

Gym packages currently for sale can be seen here.

If you are opening a gym or fitness center, remember to keep Buy and Sell Fitness in mind for all of your fitness equipment needs. The money you save on fitness equipment can be used for other expenses. We will work with any budget and we will help you every step of the way.

Sources:

https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/write-your-business-plan

http://www.gallup.com/poll/184403/far-2015-americans-exercising-frequently.aspx

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-fitness-apps-idUSKCN0PG14820150706

http://www.elitefts.com/education/coaching-education/success-business/brian-schwabs-top-10-tips-on-how-to-open-your-own-gym/