In-Tune News You’ll Want To Use

We all want to save money and buy at a discount. When it comes to treadmills getting the best value is particularly important when you consider the price. A treadmill can cost a small fortune. And if you are not sure it won’t end up as an expensive clothes hanger, you want to be cautious on how much you spend.

Whether you buy online or in a retail store, you’ll find just about any treadmill is marked down significantly from its list price. List prices have no basis in reality of the true value of the treadmill. It is no different than other products like cars, jewelry, furniture, etc. The problem becomes, what is the real value, and how does that compare to the discount price.

Having worked in the treadmill business for a number of years I know how companies manipulate the prices to give the illusion of value. You’ll find some retailers suggesting their prices are reduced as much as 60%. That is absurd.

So how do you determine the true value of a treadmill, regardless of the discount price? By comparison shopping. There are three important factors to consider when buying a treadmill:

Features and Components

Treadmills have a number of features and components that are found on models. Examples are the motor, deck, running service, incline, programs, console and rollers. By comparing the various components and features you can determine how one model compares to another.

For example, you may find a treadmill selling for $1,000 that has a 18″x 52″ running surface, ” deck, 1.5 hp motor, 4 programs, 1 3/4″ rollers, LCD console and weighs 150 lbs. You could find a treadmill at the same price with a 20″x 54″ running surface, 1″ deck, 2.5 hp motor, 7 programs, 2.5″ rollers, LED console and weighs 200lbs. The numbers reveal that the second model is a much better buy.

Warranty

It should be noted that not all treadmill components are equal in quality. And the unfortunate truth about the treadmill industry is they tend to exaggerate on the specifications of the parts. One factor that reveals the true quality of the treadmill is the warranty. An extensive warranty suggests the treadmill is built to last. If it wasn’t the company would go out of business with excessive repairs. When purchasing a treadmill look for a minimum 5 year motor, 2 year parts and 1 year service warranty.

Company Reputation

Another important factor in determining the value of a treadmill is the company reputation for quality and customer service. There is a good chance that once you purchase a treadmill you will either have some questions or you may need service. You want to purchase from a company that stands behind their machines, and is there when you need assistance. Check out some of the more popular shopping comparison sites for information on customer satisfaction. There are also a number of sites that review treadmills, including www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com, www.treadmilldoctor.com and www.consumerreports.org.

So ignore the discount price, which is nothing more than marketing hype. Follow the recommendations above and you will determine the true value of a treadmill.

Fred Waters worked in the treadmill industry for a number of year and is author of the Treadmill Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 75 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying tips from the Treadmill Buyer’s Guide.

If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ll want to
research before you buy. Everyone wants to get the best deal for
a discount price. They also want to find the best treadmill to
suit their workout needs.

So you’ll probably be interested in looking at various treadmill
ratings or reviews. But why are there so many different ratings
and which one is the most accurate? Here’s a few things most
buyers don’t know about treadmill ratings.

There are 2 types of treadmill ratings:

1) Consumer Ratings

2) Expert Ratings

User Treadmill Ratings:

Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who has
bought and used the specific treadmill. Many websites allow
anyone to go online and post a review of their treadmill.

Customer reviews and ratings can be very valuable when searching
for a treadmill - however keep in mind several things:

#1) No treadmill has a 100% perfect track record. Even the BEST
treadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud.

And it’s usually the people that have BAD experiences that leave
negative reviews of their treadmills, not the many that have had
good experiences with the same treadmill.

They have every right to do this and hopefully the treadmill
manufacturers read these reviews and do something about them.
Just remember that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a low
quality brand.

#2) The treadmill industry is growing more competitive each
year. And marketing is a huge portion of the treadmill industry
since treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re going to research
treadmill ratings before you buy.

So while I’m not making any accusations, I have read ‘customer
reviews’ that are clearly NOT written by the average buyer. They
sound like they’re written by somebody working for the
competition - someone well versed in the art of sales psychology
and who knows more about treadmills than the average person.
Again, not making any accusations here - just keep this in mind
when reading user ratings online.

Rule of Thumb: Use common sense. If it sounds like it’s written
by a treadmill salesperson, take the treadmill review with a
grain of salt.

Expert Treadmill Ratings:

There are also expert treadmill ratings. These are the ratings
written by the experts in the fitness industry. People like
Consumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health,
Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These people rate
and review various treadmills at different times of the year.

While these ratings are much less likely to be tainted by biased
reviewers, here are a few cautions to keep in mind while reading
them:

#1) Each rater has a different rating system and may rate
treadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability,
quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs,
incline and quality of parts.

So while one reviewer may put more emphasis on cushioning the
other may put more emphasis on warranty. It’s nothing to get
confused over - just understand that different experts value
different features. If you look around you can usually find an
area where they list exactly how they rated the treadmills and
which features they valued highly in their review.

#2) Expert ratings also usually don’t have time to look at EVERY
treadmill brand on the market. Nobody does. We’ve been reviewing
treadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’t covered all the
brands.

So just because a certain brand isn’t in the ratings, doesn’t
make it a poor quality brand. Try to find other reviews on a
brand if you can’t find it in your favorite expert ratings list.

One last thing: Many treadmill ratings are also based on
comparison to other similarly priced treadmills on the market.

So if you have a $1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars - that
doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better than a $2000 treadmill
that gets 4 stars. It means that compared to other $1000
treadmills it is one of the best values.

By knowing these things when sifting through treadmill ratings,
you’re less likely to be confused. And it will be easier to
choose the best quality treadmill suitable for your needs.

There are many benefits to running, but even so, running is not
for everyone. Running is a high impact sport and can often cause
permanent injury to joints and muscles. You should carefully
consider whether running is the right sort of exercise for you.
Before you start a running program, visit your local doctor.

The benefits of running

1. Running keeps you fit and healthy 2. Running improves your
mood 3. Running helps reduce your blood pressure 4. Running
increases the elasticity of your muscles and arteries 5. Running
increases your lung capacity 6. Running strengthens your heart
and prevents heart attack 7. Running produces a feeling of
euphoria 8. Running helps you sleep better 9. Running controls
your appetite for food 10. Running decreases your stress levels.

A combination of running and dieting will bring you quick
results While running is one of the most exhausting and lonely
exercise routines, it really does produce some of the best
results. Combined with a reasonable diet a person who runs can
quickly see weight loss results. The more weight you carry, the
quicker you will lose weight. Running can make you burn around
100 calories per mile, depending on your initial weight. Other
types of exercises, such as walking and biking, don’t burn that
much.

But running is not for everyone. If you are not generally active
then running should not be the first sort of exercise you get
into. Start with something lower impact, such as walking or
biking. Your joints will thank you. If you are not a seasoned
fitness fan, then running would probably do you more harm than
good. Visit your doctor for a fitness assessment and advice on
how to begin an exercise program that will quickly gear you up
for running.

Obesity problem has reached epidemic proportions in the USA.
According to a data, in USA, number of overweight person is 58
million; 40 million are obese; and nearly 3 million are morbidly
obese.

Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for diabetes,
heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease,
osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints),
sleep apnea and other breathing problems, and also some forms of
cancer (uterine, breast, colorectal, kidney, and gallbladder).

Therefore, it is always difficult to find a common pill for
person with diabetes or hypertension or other obesity-related
risk factors. The physiological requirements of individuals are
diverse and that’s why their supplements vary too. People should
take care about using weight loss supplements as they are
different in their constitution.

Think about yourself. Are you similar to any human being in this
world? So why you are going to take the dose prescribed to your
known one. You must know the details of the organic consumption
and all the benefits and side-effects of the supplements. All
the weight loss supplements comprise of different ingredients
which are prescribed according to individual’s physical
attributes and medical conditions.

We provide you here with the information about the clinically
approved and tested drugs with their benefits and side-effects.
However, please consult your physician before finalizing the
pill that suits your need most.

A. Phentermine

Phentermine is the first drug that was approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959 for the treatment of obesity.
It is the most effective drug and has the maximum market
possession for weight loss.

Phentermine is basically an appetite suppressant and is meant
for short-term use only. It can be taken for 8 to 12 weeks. The
long-term use is not recommended as your body begins to resist
the effects of this medication after a few weeks of treatment.

The pill is used in combination with a diet plan to help you
achieve your weight loss goals. The appetite suppressant
controls your brain. The people, who had a history of dependency
on drugs, are not advised to use this supplement.

Blurred vision, dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, stomach
upset or constipation may occur, but it is not long lasting.
Your body takes time in adjusting with these Diet Pills.
However, if you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking phentermine and consult your doctor
immediately.

- An allergic reaction such as breathing problems, swelling of
face, tongue or lips or hives.

- An irregular heartbeat or extremely high blood pressure.

- Restlessness or tremors

- Nervousness or anxiety

- Headaches

- Insomnia

- Dry or unpleasant taste in the mouth

- Diarrhea or constipation

- Impotence or lack of sex drive.

Hence, along with Phentermine, good dietary, exercise, and
behavioral habits must be adopted to ensure maximum

To build big muscle is no mean feat. You need to know the right
approach and then build your foundation properly.

If you’re going to build muscle mass, then freestyle exercises
are not appropriate. Freestyle exercises have their place. They
build a solid foundation for beginners wishing to take up
bodybuilding. They can be used with your current bodybuilding
workout routine. But, they do not build big muscle.

Where you want to become big, or bigger at least, you need some
sort of resistance. It really depends on your goal. You need
weight resistance that focuses on each muscle area individually,
in order to build big muscle.

So you use weights for this purpose. Using this resistance
against each muscle area you want to develop, you’ll build big
muscle. To do this you’ll need different exercises, so that you
can focus that resistance on each muscle target.

1 — Choose Your Bodybuilding Workout Exercises: If you’re a
beginner, I suggest that you begin working on these particular
exercises, as they build the foundation for big muscle:

* Bench Press (works the chest, shoulders and triceps)

* Barbell Rows (back and biceps)

* Squats (legs and lower back)

* Overhead Press (shoulders and triceps)

* Curls (biceps)

* Dumbbell Press (triceps)

For the more advanced bodybuilder, just make sure that the
exercises you chose are focusing fully on each muscle group and
are working for you. Sometimes your body becomes amuned to
exercises after doing them for some time. Therefore they are not
as effective anymore.

All you need to do is to change that routine. Try different
exerises. This will be a shock to the body, causing these new
exercises to be more effective. Thus helping you build big
muscle more effectively.

As a matter of fact, you should change your bodybuilding workout
routine regularly so as not to allow your body to become
resistant to the effects of each exercise.

As for beginners, you must work on your chosen exercises before
moving onto an advanced training program. Your body must become
used to this workout first.

Before starting any sort of workout, what should you do?

2 — Warm up: I can’t stress this enough. One of the biggest
causes in muscle fatigue, and poor muscle response, is lack of a
good warm up. The amount of time spent on a warm up session
varies. If it’s cold, you should warm up for about ten minutes.
If the room temperature is warm, and your body is warm too,
maybe around five minutes will do. But…

For best results, you’ve gotta do a good warm up first!

If this is your first time training, my advice is to find a good
gym with professional coaches, to guide you properly as you
begin your journey into building big muscle. You’ll start off
with light weights and machines. Increasing the weight
resistance as you make suitable progress.

As your body becomes more conditioned to using weights, and the
amount of weight increases, so too will your ability to perform
heavier workouts. Thus, allowing you to build big muscle.

If you’re a little more seasoned, then you’ll know what I’m
talking about… don’t you? You do, don’t you?

3 — Build Big Muscle Mass: This is where you use heavy weights.
This means that the weight you lift is sufficient to challenge
you. I suggest that you don’t move beyond 12 reps. So, the
maximum you should be able to lift is up to 12 repetitions of
any one exercise. If you are going over that, then the
resistance is minimal. Therefore not effective enough in
building the big muscle you desire.

When I suggested that you do 12 reps, I mean that you should be
fatigued by that stage. So much so, that doing a thirteenth rep
would be near impossible. This is known as training to failure.

4 — Do Not CHEAT: Yep… you heard right. When performing an
exercise, a person’s natural tendency is to cheat a little.
Because the weight is so great, it’s easier to cheat a small bit
and use your own weight to nudge the heavy weight to where you
want it to go.

5 — Be Strict: For example, lets say that you’re curling a
barbell (for biceps). You start off well. The lift is pretty ok
and you are only using the muscles that are required for this
exercise. But, as you go through a few reps, the weight appears
to become heavier. It’s not. It’s just you’re becoming more
fatigued.

As you reach the higher reps, the natural tendency is to give it
a little hand, causing the effect of the exercise on that muscle
to greatly reduce as you are not restricting the exercise to
that muscle.

Be strict. Don’t give in to the urge to do this. It takes a
great deal of personal discipline to make sure you don’t cheat.
Take this advice and you won’t go wrong. In this case, when
faced with the option of taking the easy way out or working
through it the hard way –

Opt for the hard way. It has the most profound effect. It is the
way to achieve your goal of building big muscle!

6 — How To Get over This: It’s still not easy, but it helps –
I look at the number of reps I need to perform. When you really
look at it, “12″ is not a big number, is it? So, I look at it as
a small thing.

As the urge to cheat kicks in, I say to myself:

“12 is not a big number - I’ll be there is a few seconds”

Try it. See how it works for you. Cheating can lead to –

7 — Injuries: The other negative aspect of heavy weight
training is injuries. Usually caused by jerking heavy weights,
cheating, strain and overall poor performance of these exercises.

Reduce the likelihood of it by being more careful and training
in the proper manner. This is why that I suggest beginners seek
professional help, especially where they have never done any
sort of physical workout with weight resistance training before.

In summary, here are the 7 elements to build big muscle –

1. Choose your bodybuilding workout routine. 2. Warm up first.
3. Build big muscle mass. 4. Do Not CHEAT. 5. Be Strict. 6.
Prevent yourself from cheating. 7. Avoid injury.

Stick with these helpful hints and they will help you stick with
you your routine that will help you achieve your goal to build
big muscle.

I walked into the commercial gym yesterday after a long day of
work excited to begin my workout. After warming up I proceeded
to the squat rack to start my resistance training workout. I
unfortunately ran into a bit of a roadblock. I was planning on
starting with some Back Squats but there was a young man in the
power rack performing barbell biceps curls with horrible form (a
definite no-no!).

I decided to go to Plan B and rearrange my workout only to find
that the flat benches were all occupied as well. This trend
continued and everywhere I turned the equipment I desired was
being used. I was happy that so many people were working out but
at the same time I was frustrated that my well-laid plans were
spoiled. I learned a long time ago that it is wise to have a
back-up plan in place for situations like this so I decided to
head home and revert to Plan C, which was my home workout
routine.

I have found that having the option to workout at home is
essential for people with busy schedules, for others who do not
like going to crowded gyms, or for people who need a contingency
plan for just-in-case situations (that’s me!). Another reason to
have a home gym is that warmer weather has finally arrived and
you may be less likely to go to your commercial gym.

I have helped people design expensive, well-equipped home gyms
and I have helped others design very cost-effective,
space-saving workouts areas. My personal home gym consists of a
Stability Ball, 5lb to 95lb Dumbbells, some Kettlebells, an
adjustable Weighted Vest, Adjustable DB Handles, Elastic Bands,
2kg to 10kg Medicine Balls, Ankle Weights, an AB Roller, a
variety of Exercise Videos, and a minimal amount of space!

Anyone can have a Home Gym and there are many reasons to have
one. The following list of questions should help you design a
Home Gym that will suit your needs, your space, and your budget!

Questions To Ask When Building Your Home Gym:

The First Step: Ask Yourself Why?

Why do you want a home gym? What will it give you that you do
not already have? What is your empowering vision of your ideal
physique or athletic accomplishment? What are your short and
long term goals? Always begin with a vision of the end results
in mind, as this will guide you in your efforts. If you have not
developed a vision of what you want to accomplish at this point,
then that is the first thing you need to do. Develop a plan of
attack for building your body and building your home gym.

Without a plan you might end up disappointed with the lack of
results and frustrated that you bought the wrong equipment. Ask
yourself what kind of results you expect your home gym to
deliver? Is your home gym going to supplement your commercial
gym membership (as a contingency plan)? Will you be doing your
cardiovascular exercise outside or inside on a machine? Will you
be doing stretching, strength training, or both? Is your home
gym going to be the only place that you work out? Think about
these things when designing your home gym.

I. How much are you willing to spend ($$$$$$$)? How much do you
want to spend, plain and simple? If you are just starting out
with an exercise program, you might consider starting small with
a simple, yet very effective, pair of Dumbbells. You can perform
a full-body workout with a pair of dumbbells, some bodyweight
exercises, and with a little knowledgeable of proper exercise
technique. If you want to do it inexpensively, hire a
knowledgeable fitness professional to design an individualized
exercise program that you can do with a pair of Dumbbells in the
comfort of your home. I have listed a variety of items that you
might consider adding to your home gym.

Equipment Considerations:

A. Cardiovascular Machine

If you insist on performing your cardiovascular exercise routine
at home be prepared to spend some money! Be aware, a gym quality
treadmill, stationary bike, rowing ergometer, or elliptical
trainer is going to cost you. You can buy used or refurbished
gym quality equipment for a discounted price and if I wanted a
cardio machine for my home this is probably the route that I
would take. If you are thinking, “I’ll just save a few hundred
dollars and buy an inexpensive treadmill at the mall,” make sure
you do some research and ensure that you will buy something that
is going to last and that will fit y our needs. I know many
people who have purchased flimsy treadmills and regretted it
soon thereafter. There are quality treadmills out there you just
have to know where to look. I would recommend talking to my
friend Bob McKinnon at McKinnon Technical Services
(603-644-7539) who knows gym equipment like the back of his
hand. He can point you in the right direction if you want to!

B. A Multi-Purpose Home Gym Machine

There are numerous multi-purpose gyms on the market and some
are better than others. Chances are, if you turn on your
television late at night and flip through the channels, you will
be exposed to clever marketing using beautifully sculpted
fitness models promising results in six weeks or less if you
purchase their machine! Guess what. You can get results without
a two thousand dollar machine that will most likely be
collecting dust in a year anyway! Why not begin your quest for
improved fitness with a modest investment in a pair of
Dumbbells? Why not purchase a $20 book on how to get into shape?
How about meeting with someone who specializes in coaching
people through the process of positive physical change such as
fitness professional or Registered Dietician? Infomercials are
notorious for clever marketing and they can be very compelling.
Avoid impulsive buying and do some research first before
purchasing an expensive multi-gym. I recommend consulting a
qualified fitness professional about the usefulness of such a
machine, interviewing people who have that machine, and possibly
even test-driving one before you make this decision. I have to
mention that every Spring and Fall I see countless multi-gyms
sitting out on someone’s lawn as part of the annual yard sale. I
wonder why that is? C. Barbells

If I had the room in my apartment, I would go out and buy a
Barbell today! With a 45 lb. Olympic Barbell you can perform a
wide variety of exercises in a variety of different ways. If you
are an athlete, you have the space available, and you want to
improve your sports performance, learning how to correctly
perform the Olympic Weightlifting movements (Clean and Jerk,
Snatch, and all the variations) can take your performance to the
next level! To name a few, exercises such as Squats, Overhead
Squats, Deadlifts, Bent over Rows, Bench Presses, Overhead
Presses, and Upright Rows can be performed. I would recommend
having an adjustable Power Rack and adjustable bench to augment
the versatility of the barbell. Space and total cost are big
factors when considering purchasing a barbell.

D. Dumbbells

If you want to save money and space, dumbbells are the way to
go. You might consider two to three sets of dumbbells (they can
be purchased at a sporting goods store for any where between
$.35-$.75/pound (In Concord, NH, Check out Olympia Sports in the
Mall, Sears, Target, Walmart, Northeast Fitness, or check out
the newspapers for the least expensive way to go!). I prefer the
metal dumbbells but there are also rubber coated and adjustable
dumbbells available. “Power Blocks,” (perform a search on the
internet to learn more about these) are adjustable dumbbells and
are a great tool that take up a lot less space in your home gym,
offers great versatility, and offers adjustable resistance to
suit your needs. There are also other forms of adjustable
dumbbells that consist of two handles, collars, and series of
different size weight plates.

When selecting weights, it wise to start light and gradually
purchase heavier dumbbells as you need them. I am able to
perform wide variety of exercises with Dumbbells. If your goal
is fat-loss, then a properly designed resistance training
program that incorporates multi-joint Dumbbell exercises will
help you achieve your goals more efficiently than many gym
machines that “isolate” certain muscle groups. Remember, the
more muscle groups that you incorporate, the more energy your
body burns, and the better your results will be! Exercise
technique is a factor but I’ll happily let you know that I have
taught 90-year-old women and 11-year-old boys how to perform the
most “difficult” Dumbbell exercises with pristine form.

E. Medicine Balls

Medicine Balls are a great tool depending upon your fitness
goals and your current training level. For an athlete in search
of sports performance enhancement, Medicine Balls are a great
tool because they can be accelerated in a rapid fashion through
many planes of motion. If general fitness is your goal, you can
perform many traditional gym exercises with a Medicine Ball as
well. Medicine balls come in all shapes, sizes, weights, and
colors. Be sure that the ball you pick suits your needs. By the
way, these are also great for outdoor workouts on a sunny day!
F. Benches and Stability Balls:

A bench can be a great tool that will allow you to perform more
exercises during your home workout sessions. Some benches are
adjustable and offer great versatility while others are just
fixed benches. Space is a concern for many people and that makes
the Stability Ball (a.k.a. Swiss Ball) a great alternative to a
bench. With a Stability Ball you can perform inclined, seated,
prone, supine, floor, and a number of lower body exercises. A
knowledgeable fitness professional could teach you how to
perform a full-body workout with a Stability Ball and a pair of
dumbbells. There are a number of different ways to use it in
order to maximize your home workout routines. Not only can it
replace a more expensive exercise machine or bench, but it can
also double as a chair, take up less space, and challenge your
body’s balance in ways that a stable bench/machine cannot. G.
Resistance Bands/Tubes:

The cable pulley system at your local gym offers a number of
exercises that can increase the variety of your workouts
tremendously. An alternative to the cable pulley system for your
home gym could be resistance bands or tubing that you can tie to
a pillar in the basement of fix in a closed door. You can buy
tubing that comes with handles already attached in some fitness
catalogs or you could just tie a loop in one end to make your
own makeshift handle. It is important to mention that elastic
resistance training has many benefits and many inherent flaws.
If you understand how to properly combine elastic resistance
training with inertial (free weight training) you can maximize
your results! A knowledgeable exercise professional can help you
design your home gym to take advantage of these tools. H.
Exercise Videos:

There are many great exercise videos out there (and a lot more
bad ones!). There are videos for Yoga, Step Aerobics, Tae-Bo,
Pilates, Strength Training, Stability Ball Training, and every
other imaginable fitness topic out there. Check out your local
sporting goods store or Borders for a selection of exercise
videos. The key is to find a couple videos that you enjoy and
that give you the workout that you are looking for.

I. Other Fun Tools:

If you walk into a sporting goods store or open a fitness
equipment catalog you will see a variety of toys that can
supposedly enhance your workouts and deliver unbelievable
results. Buyer beware! No one piece of equipment can solve all
of your home gym needs and you must consider how this piece of
equipment will fit into your complete program. Watch out for
gimmicks and miracle exercise machines. Ask a fitness
professional their opinion before you buy and you may save
yourself some money! Do a little research before purchasing
equipment for your home or you may run the risk of buying an
expensive coat rack!

II. How much square footage do you have? Simply put, how much
space do you have available? Do you have enough room for an
adjustable bench or a mutli-purpose exercise machine? Is the
area well ventilated? How much ceiling height do you have? Are
your floors solid? Do you have neighbors that might not
appreciate you jumping up and down? Will you have room for all
of the equipment you want to get? Thinking about these issues in
advance will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. Finally,
determine what else your home gym is used for? Will your home
gym also be used for family gatherings, a playroom for the kids,
an office, a gathering area to watch the Final Four, or strictly
as a home gym? These are some other aspects to consider when
designing your home gym. III. Do you know your way around the
gym? Are you a beginner, an intermediate, an expert, or an
advanced exerciser? A beginner might start out with an exercise
tape, a Stability ball, and a couple of 5 pound dumbbells where
as a more advanced exerciser might have a Barbell, Olympic
Bench, a Stability Ball, an Adjustable Step, a Selectorized
Weight Machine, a Power Rack, and a variety of Dumbbells. Have
you been properly trained in the use of Free Weights or do you
feel more comfortable using a machine? What kind of equipment
does your plan of attack call for? The answers to these
questions will help you better choose a home gym that works for
you.

In closing, be sure to spend considerable time looking into the
process of designing and constructing your home gym as it can be
a very important addition to your life and to your home.
Consider consulting an exercise professional to make sure that
your gym will suit your individual needs, your budget, and your
home. There are many reasons to have a home gym and it can be
designed to help you achieve the results that you are looking
for!

ATTENTION: “To build a home gym that really delivers results or
to learn how to crank up progress from your current home gym go
to www.HomeGymSecrets.com and you’ll receive a FREE special
report valued at $15 just for stopping by!

Stay fit!

www.HomeGymSecrets.com

A Second Mortgage is a Property Lien placed behind a First
Mortgage

A second mortgage is a loan that you take against the equity
that you have already built into your home by paying off some of
the principal balance on your first mortgage loan.

Historically the total amount of debt from the first and second
mortgage combined could not be more than 80% of the total market
value of the home. However, record low interest rates and a
competitive lenders marketplace have created a lending
environment where some lenders are approving second mortgages
that, when combined with first mortgage balance, is totaling as
high as 130% of the home value.

However, financial advisors will tell you that carrying that
much debt on your home is never a good idea.

Because a second mortgage is a property lien that is placed
behind the first mortgage, this means that in the event of a
default, after the property is sold the first mortgage gets paid
in its entirety, including any legal costs and other costs of
the sale, before the second mortgage can be paid. If there is
not enough money from the sale of the home, the second mortgage
does not get paid.

A Higher Interest Rate

When determining the interest rate that a lender is willing to
loan money out for a home mortgage, he looks at the risk level
to him for loaning that money. This is the reason that a high
risk borrower with a poor credit history gets charged a higher
interest rate than a low risk borrower with a strong credit
history.

The same theory holds true with a second mortgage. Because the
lender of the second mortgage is second to be paid off in the
event of a default, and because there is a greater chance that
there might not be enough equity in the home to pay off the
second mortgage in full, second mortgages are usually given at a
higher interest rate than are first mortgages; irregardless of
who the borrower is.

Shorter Terms

Although you will have choices for terms when selecting your
second mortgage, in general the terms given for them are shorter
than those of a first mortgage. This is primarily because the
amount of the second mortgage is generally much lower than that
of the first mortgage.

Second mortgage repayment terms can vary considerably, so it is
important that you look around for the one that is best for you.
For the most part they range in length from 2 - 20 years, with
the majority of second mortgage loans being 5 - 10 years.

Just as the length of the second mortgage can vary, so can other
repayment terms. The majority of second mortgages are paid back
in equal monthly payments with a portion of the payment going to
interest and a portion to the principal balance, just like a
first mortgage. However, some are different such as those known
as interest only or balloon mortgages. In that case your monthly
payment will go only towards interest and the entire principal
will be due at the end of the second mortgage term.

When considering a second home mortgage, be sure to shop around
and then talk to lenders to ensure that you get the best deal
for you!