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The more you want to use it, the more we would recommend that you go for high quality treadmills.

When you understand the basics of a quality treadmill, then it will be easy to find one that is perfect for your home and budget.

Long or short workouts determine the quality of motor you need for your treadmill.

I usually end my treadmill routine with about 15 minutes of quality stretching.

Researches have shown, that during exercising most people forget to breath deeply or they are unable to integrate their breathing pattern with the exercises causing them muscle pain and fatigue after the workout.

Weight Loss Backlash
When you lose weight, you probably expect, or at least want, people to be supportive and complimentary. It's nice to hear things like, "Wow, you look amazing!" or "You look so good, I kind of hate you!"

Unfortunately, not everyone will respond to your weight loss in a positive way. They may be jealous or they may be a little confused if your appearance has changed dramatically. They may not even realize they're not being supportive, but whatever the case, it's possible you'll get one or more of the following reactions to your weight loss:

• The backhanded compliment - "You look great! Wow, you must have lost a ton of weight." This person may not realize they've just suggested you once looked like a big fat cow.
• The behind-the-back gossip-fest - Some people may say nice things to your face, but then talk about you behind your back. This situation happened at a job I once had when a woman opted for gastric bypass surgery. Some people in the office decided this was 'cheating' and that this somehow meant the woman was less successful. The woman inevitably heard about the gossip and felt so bad, she ended up finding another job.
• The weight loss monitor - Then there's the person who watches every move you make and says things like, "Should you be eating that many carbs?" or "If you don't watch it, you'll put all that weight right back on." That person may be a busybody, or he or she may genuinely think that kind of advice is helpful but, either way, it can drive you crazy.
• The saboteur - "You're so skinny! You should put on more weight." Now, this type of comment isn't always meant in a negative way. To some people, you may look too thin - or, it could be that you are too thin and people are concerned. However, sometimes this reaction comes from jealousy and it can be frustrating when you feel like you have to defend yourself.

What about you? Have you experienced a weight loss backlash when you expected support? What reactions have other people had to your weight loss? Leave a comment and tell us about your experiences.

Weight Loss Backlash originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Friday, July 16th, 2010 at 05:00:19.

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What's The Most Embarrassing Thing on Your Workout Playlist?
Whenever I plug my iPhone into our music dock and hit shuffle, there are certain songs and artists that cause my husband to make fun of me. These are usually my 'exercise' songs - songs I would never listen to outside of my workouts. The Spice Girls, Air Supply, Kenny Loggins...and the list goes on. I'm not afraid to admit even this: I sometimes listen to the New Kids on the Block when I run.

There, I said it.

It's funny how physical exertion can make even the cheesiest songs suddenly meaningful. Try listening to "The Eye of the Tiger" in the middle of a tough set of squats or burpees and you may start to channel Rocky Balboa himself.

Now is your chance to confess. What's the most embarrassing artist or song on your workout playlist? You can leave a comment, or, even better, post your confessions here for our readers to enjoy for years to come.

Find more great workout music ideas.

What's The Most Embarrassing Thing on Your Workout Playlist? originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 05:00:27.

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Reader Success Story - Lunchtime Workouts
Lunchtime workouts aren't the easiest to squeeze in and the logistics can be maddening - What will you do in such a short period of time? Can you really make it back to the office without smelling like a sweaty mess?

One About.com member has found a way. As Occasional Lunchtime Exerciser says, "About once or twice a week, I exercise during my lunch hour. It's a great change from my morning workouts and gives me energy for the rest of the day."

So, how does she manage it? She has it down to a science, focusing on interval training or circuit training to get the most out of her limited time. She rinses off, fluffs her hair and gets back to the office within her allotted time. Impressive!

She also offers some great suggestions for how to make lunchtime workouts easier. Check out the rest of her story and share your own, if you've got one. Do you ever do lunchtime workouts? If so, how do you manage it?

Reader Success Story - Lunchtime Workouts originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 05:00:31.

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Exercises of the Week: Stretch Your Hamstrings
You may not give your hamstrings much thought but they're probably thinking about you, especially if you've been sitting for long periods of time (and, frankly, I wouldn't want to repeat what they might be saying to you).

Sitting tends to tighten the hamstrings and tight hamstrings are angry hamstrings. When your hamstrings are mad at you, they can cause problems like knee pain, back pain or even pulled muscles.

Today I'm highlighting three different stretches you can do for your hamstrings. These should look familiar to you and they different positioning depending on what feels best to your body. You can pick one or do all three, holding each one for about 15-30 seconds. You'll find the hamstrings are most receptive after a workout when they're nice and warm, although you can also gently stretch them throughout the day. Just keep the stretches gentle, especially if your muscles are cold.

Standing Hamstring Stretch

This is a great way to stretch your hamstrings while standing and you can use your own body weight (and a little gravity) to deepen the stretch to a point that feels comfortable. Make sure you tip from the hips and try to keep the back straight rather than rounding forward. You'll get more out of the stretch and you'll protect your back.

Seated Hamstring Stretch

This is a good choice if you want a more supported position. You can do this on a step or you can sit on a chair and prop your foot on another chair for an even more comfortable stretch.

Lying Hamstring Stretch

Lying down is my favorite part of my workout and this stretch is my next favorite part. When you bring the leg in, gently use your hands to deepen the stretch or use a strap or band to get a deeper stretch.

Do you have a favorite hamstring stretch? What advice do you have for keeping the hamstrings supple and strong? Leave a comment and give us all the details about your hamstrings.

Exercises of the Week: Stretch Your Hamstrings originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 05:00:26.

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Dealing with Stinky Gym Clothes
It is H-O-T here in Chicagoland and the natives are dropping like flies. I like it oven-hot, but even I had to turn around on my run the other day to finish up in the cool air-conditioned heaven of my basement.

Even sitting around can cause excessive sweating when it gets this hot and, if you're exercising, you're probably soaking through every tee shirt or sports bra in your wardrobe. To fight the stink:

• Clean Out Your Gym Bag - When a husband leaves his gym clothes in his bag for days on end, a fermentation process begins to occur in which stink molecules multiply more rapidly, thus requiring his wife to use a gas mask and rubber-tipped tongs to remove said stinky clothes. Removing stinky clothes immediately can prevent this fermentation process while also improving your marriage. Not that I'm talking about anyone in particular.
• Wash Your Clothes As Soon As Possible - There are a number of suggestions out there for un-stinkifying your clothes (see below) but, whatever method you choose, wash your clothes as soon as possible to avoid permanent funk.
• Try Other Methods of Washing - You may have clothes that seem permanently stinky, as may be the case with sweat-wicking fabrics since they seem to hold onto odor more than cotton fabrics. Some options:
  • Soak your clothes in vinegar before washing them
  • Mix baking soda with your detergent
  • Try a specialty detergent. Running Guide Christine recommends WIN Detergent for getting the stink out
• Get new clothes. You may find that some clothes get stinkier and stinkier, no matter what you do. Use that as an excuse for a new workout wardrobe.

How do you deal with stinky clothes? Leave a comment and tell us your home remedies for smelly exercise clothes.

Dealing with Stinky Gym Clothes originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 05:00:34.

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