Many people are looking for a magical solution for changing their health for the better. While this would make life easier for us all – there is no such thing.
However, today’s technology provides many solutions to take some of the barriers and work out of exercise, motivation to exercise and live healthy. Here are some of our favourites currently available now.
FitFlops
Who would have thought you could tone your legs simply by wearing shoes. With Fitflops, you can! Get a toning workout while you walk around the house and doing your day-to-day business. These jandals, called Fit Flops have been specially engineered to use muscles that will help tone and strengthen muscles in your legs, butt, stomach and back – all just from walking around the house. They also help absorb shock and help improve posture and balance. These are available for purchase at The Athletes Foot for $99.95.
The Powerplate
When you first look at the Powerplate, it might look like another fad exercise machine. But the powerplate does have science behind it. The Powerplate has a vibrating platform and when you step on it generates a continuous special stretch reflex in all involved muscles called the Tonic Vibration Reflex. Because the Power-Plate vibrates at 30 to 50 times per second, it causes involuntary muscle contractions that which gives your muscles a more vigorous workout in a shorter period of time. By standing various positions on the Power-Plate you can stimulate different muscles and muscle groups to get an all over body workout.
There are gyms that offer powerplate classes (sometimes called vibratraining), or if the funds allow, you can look at purchasing your own Powerplate. Check out www.powerplate.com for more information.
Nike + iPod Sports Kit
Cheaper than a personal trainer and super motivating, the Nike/iPod Sports Kit sends information to your ipod telling you your time, distance, pace and calories burned. The sensor is put in the Nike shoes in a special pocket under the insole and then connected to the receiver in your iPod. The sensor then tracks your run. You can also choose different workouts with different goals such as distance, time or calories burned and select playlists to go with your workout, or just have your music on random.
You can also select a “Power Song” to give you motivation. You do have to buy the special shoes as well as the sports kit, but still a great motivator to get fit for summer. Available at certain sports shops or through www.ferrit.co.nz for $72.10
FitFlops
The Powerplate
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