Many studies will show that
the health of Americans is rapidly declining. According to the Centers for
Disease Control more than one-third (34.9% of 78.6 million) of U.S. Adults are
obese. With that obesity-related
conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of
cancer, which are some of the leading causes of preventable death. Being out of shape is also expensive. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity
in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people
who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
While these are sobering
statistics to say the least, fitness has experience a bit if a renaissance as
of late. More corporations and social
groups are initiating fitness challenges and establishing wellness programs and
personal fitness electrons such as the FitBit are become as popular as wrist
watches and bracelets.
There is no shortage of
fitness devices or programs on the market that are excellent means to help you
get in shape or improve your fitness. Most programs are on DVD’s and require
minimal equipment so they can be used for those that travel.
It has become trendy to
utilize these home workout programs and some of the personalities have become
rock stars as I learned on a recent trip to NYC when my cab mates saw Shaun T
from “Insanity” crossing the street and just about jumped out of a moving taxi
to get an autograph!
Here are some of the top
fitness programs on the market today that provide a great workout and are
affordable.
PiYO - Define Yourself
Lead by superstar trainer
Chalene Johnson, PiYO will help you define every inch of your body—without
bulking up or straining your joints. You'll perform low-impact, high-intensity
moves to get your strength training, flexibility, and cardio in each workout
with no weights and no jumps.
INSANITY
Featuring trainer Shaun T,
INSANITY utilizes plyometrics for legs and glutes, upper body resistance for
arms, shoulders and back, pure and intense cardio for accelerated fat burning,
focused ab work and a recovery segment to help your body soak up all the hard
work.
TurboFire
TurboFire will help you burn more
fat and calories than you would with traditional cardio. This 90-day program
includes 12 high-intensity classes that go from low impact to high impact, plus
a starter class that breaks down all the moves. You also get the Fuel the Fire
Nutrition Guide.
With LES MILLS PUMP you can
work out just 3 times a week to get results. You'll ignite calories, burn fat
and get stronger, without bulking up with this high intensity work out. This
90-day program includes 7 workouts, 1 barbell, 2 safety clips and 2 set of
weighted plates, 5 lbs. and 10 lbs., the Get Lean Nutrition Guide with 7 day
Jump Start plan, and the Lean, and the Strong & Unstoppable Fitness Guide.
TRX Suspension Trainer
The TRX Suspension Trainer is
the original workout system that leverages gravity and your bodyweight to
perform hundreds of exercises. You're in control of how much you want to
challenge yourself on each exercise - because you can simply adjust your body
position to add or decrease resistance.
TRX is also good for flexibility training.
HERE’S TO
BEING FIT FOR LIFE!
Chris is a Certified Personal Trainer, USA
Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Group Exercise Instructor, exercise and endurance
enthusiast. He competes yearly in
numerous running races, marathons, ultra marathons, triathlons and other
endurance events.