Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

P 90 X: A Great Workout To Get Firm

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Many people have seen the infomercial for the P90X workout videos. Tony Horton, the P90x trainer, promises to get people in the best shape of your life. From sweat- inducing, muscle pumping workouts in a matter of ninety days your body is going to be transformed from usual to ripped. The program is not targeted to the couch potato, but for the person who’s already in average shape and wants to press it to the next level. Tony has build a program that includes high- intensity cross training/circuit training. Different muscle groups are worked every day in a mixture that will not permit your body development to plateau. The program is separated into three phases. Every thirty days the exercises timetable is adjusted additionally, the intensity is raised.

Having described this, you might be asking but does it work? I’ve found P90X to be an excellent way to lose weight and tone up. I was once highly active. When I was in my best weight I liked step aerobics, kickboxing and circuit training, but I wanted to find a workout program that will tone my muscles too. I was not ready to go to the gym and hire a trainer. It was about this time a acquaintance of mine presented me to P90X. I did a workout video with her and the next day I felt the results. My body was in really good cardio shape, nevertheless I rapidly noticed that P90X is targeted toward toning and improving all parts of the body. My personal favorite workout is Cardio X. I did this forty-six minute workout and I can really believe my legs are on it’s to getting firm. Tony has you go over 300 abdominal exercises in under 15 minutes. He precisely explains the motions and motivates you to keep exercising to accomplish maximum results.

This ninety- day program includes twelve workouts. The workouts are 1. Chest& Back, 2. Plyometrics, 3. Shoulders and Arms, 4. Yoga, 5. Legs& Back, 6. Kenpo, 7. X Stretch, 8. Core Synergistics, 9. Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps, 10. Back& Biceps, 11. CardioX, 12. Ab RipperX. This at home workout also consists of tools to keep you eager including a 3- Phase Nutrition Plan, a P90X Fitness Guide, a “How to Bring It” video, a P90x Calendar and free online support tools. With all of this support an individual can be successful with weight loss and getting into the best fit of their life.

Click here to read our full P 90 X Reviews.

Massage Chair Gives Many Benefits

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Some of the oldest known natural therapies include massage therapy. The massaging of the muscles has been used throughout the ages to reduce stiffness and restore vitality. It is quite interesting, that many distinct techniques have come from different parts of the world. Massage therapy has been traced back as far as being used by the Egyptians. Today, many of these unique massage therapies have been replicated in massage chairs. Certainly, the Egyptians would be impressed with the massage therapy delivered from a massage chair and they are resulting benefits.

Boosting performance: Top amateur and professional athletes routinely use massage therapy. Massages are given as part of the warm up and preparation before game time. Massage helps to keep the muscles flexible and the blood flowing. Also, the body becomes more aware enabling the athlete to have better concentration. After the game, warm down massages are great to soothe aches and pains of the body.

Tension and stress relief: Tension and stress caused the muscles to become stiff. When the body is under tension, it is prepared for action. The body requires a physical release of the energy it is using because of the stress. Massage therapy helps to relax the body and mind. The mind needs to relax to let go of the tension is holding over the body. As the mind relaxes, a massage can soothe and relieve the stiffness in the body. A few massage chair treatments a week can make a huge difference.

Injury prevention: Preventing injuries is a tricky business. Sometimes, things just. However, the body can be better prepared to minimize the occurrence of injuries. Many injuries occur because the joint or soft tissues are not sufficiently flexible. If the muscles are overly stiff then they become more brittle and susceptible to tears. Massage helps to restore the elasticity of the muscles and soft tissues. It also helps to flush toxins out of the body. Keeping your body in the best shape is your best bet to minimize injuries.

Health of the Body: Massage treatments help to relieve muscle tension in the body. It benefits the circulatory system by increasing blood flow while lowering blood pressure. It activates the endocrine system which releases endorphins. The muscular system benefits through greater flexibility and durability of the muscles and less muscle stiffness. The respiratory system is benefited by the break up of mucus. It is also thought that the slower breathing rate during treatment helps to initiate the healing process. Also, there is also better digestion by relieving colic and gas as well as constipation.

Psychological: The psychological benefits are the relief of tension, anxiety, stress and pain. The mind is free to relax which allows the body to also relax. Massage has been known to increase confidence levels by improving the overall well-being of the individual. The reduction of stress helps get the mind and body back in harmony. A positive outlook is usually the result of a good therapy and relaxation session.

Many of the unique methods of treatment from around the world are available with massage chairs. They contain a variety of massage techniques which can be targeted for specific relief. These recliners also contain other treatments such as the application of heat to reduce swelling and traction systems to provide stretching of the joints. Massage recliners are available for in-home use. Massage chair therapy in your own home is tremendously convenient to receive the ongoing benefits of these time tested treatments.

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Review Of The Panasonic EP30003 TU Massage Chair

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

We evaluate the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra in 5 categories including Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. Each individual category is given equal weight of 20 potential points. This systematic approach helps to present massage chairs from the same vantage point to help make comparison easier. If you are looking for a massage chair, then check out the Real Pro Ultra. The model EP 30003 is a mid range model.

Warranty & Customer Service: It is important that the manufacturer stand behind its product and provides good customer service. Panasonic has 1 year labor and 3 year parts. Panasonic uses a counter to monitor the machine hours. The warranty will expire after 1,000 hours of use. Panasonic has average warranty coverage. Customer service is through your retailer or national service centers. Service time and quality is variable and dependent on where service is obtained. Our Rating in this category is 16.

Comfort & Ergonomics: Ergonomics is the practical element of design for comfort and fit of the body. The massage chair is built for relaxation, so the design must assist in getting the user comfortable and within reach. Panasonic takes ergonomics serious and does a solid job with the Real Pro Ultra. The back pad is plush, with an adjustable head pillow. The armrests are padded. The remote is fairly simple and intuitive for a massage chair. One area that is lacking is a footrest extension. This chair was not originally designed for the American market, so taller users may not fit as well. We rate this chair as a 17 for ergonomics. The head pillow can be adjusted to fit different heights of users. The arm rests are padded and are fairly wide. The footrest does not extend, so this can be problematic for taller users. Taller users would have to bend their knees to get a foot massage or extend the footrest horizontal to and put their legs through. Our rating in this category is 17.

Ease of Use: With more and more features, options and choices being offered in massage chairs, ease of use is important. Some remote controls are clustered with a mind boggling array of controls. The problem is to learn all these options. The top manufacturers design controls and adjustments to be intuitive and easy to understand and use. Panasonic has vast experience with electronics and uses that to keep its controls simple and intuitive. The control is well designed and the descriptions accurate to keep learning fast. We rate it an 18 for this category.

Key Features: The Real Pro Ultra by Panasonic has an pressure point sensor and the exclusive Junetsu massage therapy. The human body has around 350 pressure points. There are almost 100 for the back, neck and shoulders. The EP 30003 has a body scan to sense these pressure points. It then tailors the shiatsu style massage to the individual user. Panasonic also developed the Junetsu massage therapy into this model. The Junetsu uses firm pressure with a penetrating circular motion for the back. This is a unique massage offered only by Panasonic. We give the EP 30003 an 18 in this category.

Massage Therapy: The lower body air massage has 14 strategically placed air bags. These air bags cover the calves and feet. It also includes the foot reflexology massage. The really fine kneading is a new feature by Panasonic called Junetsu. This massage penetrates deeply providing effective relief. At the top of the control there are 5 automatic programs which include: Refresh, Shiatsu, Deep, Swedish and Stretch. You can also select from 4 manual massage techniques and choose 4 manual massage courses. Manual controls include tapping, kneading, rolling and combination. This midrange model scores a 19 rating.

Ok, the moment of truth. The overall rating for the Panasonic EP 30003 is an 88/100. This is a solid rating for a solid chair. The Real Pro Ultra is a good performer in the mid range massage chair market. The reflexology foot massage and the addition of Junetsu massage is great value at this price point. The warranty is OK. You would hope for better protection from Panasonic, so check out an extended warranty. This is a long term investment for your health. If you are tall, then you may want to try this chair to see how well you fit. If you are looking for a mid range shiatsu massage chair recliner then this could be a good choice for you.

Discover out how a Panasonic Massage Chair is a fantastic asset for your massage therapy needs. We carry an excellent selection at http://www.massagechairwarehouse.com where you will Discover the top brands. Discover out more about the Panasonic Massage Chair line.

Fantastic Starting Level Massage Chair

Monday, September 7th, 2009

If you are interested in a massage chair, then do yourself a favor and start by looking at the best. We will take a look at the best entry level massage chair. These massage chairs provide full body massage capabilities. A massage chair with full body capabilities usually starts at $1,500. We are going to show you the best entry level massage chair that you can get and it runs about $1,000.

Let us take a minute and define a full body massage chair. There are many chairs and back pads that provide some limited massage capabilities. However, a full body massage chair is a one-piece chair that has the capability to massage the legs, buttocks and back. Some chairs, like the ijoy or Homedics would not qualify as a full body massage chair.

There are many massage type chairs that are under $1,000, but they are missing massage capability in the seat and many of these are very low to the floor as opposed to a traditional chair. What we are interested in is a full body massage chair that can provide effective massage to your back, buttocks, thighs, calves and feet.

The M-2 Orion massage chair is the best entry level massage chair. The M2 Orion is made by Omega Massage. The Orion has full body massage capabilities including the back, shoulders, buttocks, thighs, and legs. You can find the M-2 for just under $1,000, making this chair one of the best values on the market today. This massage recliner has some very stimulating and invigorating massage therapies.

Omega M-2 Orion: The M-2 is a contemporary and sleekly designed executive massage chair. The M-2 Orion comes with a unique Sway style massage. The Sway massage is excellent for loosening tight back muscles. The gentle side to side motion helps to stretch the muscles and breakdown the stiffness. The M-2 has a negative ion bar to remove stale oxygen away from the body. This helps to have a healthier massage as air is more properly circulated during the massage.

There are three timed pre-programs with the M2 Orion massage recliner. Just push one button and the automatic program runs you through a full body massage. You can also target specific areas and utilize a specific massage technique with the manual massages of the Orion. There are three manual massage techniques including kneading, swaying and finger press. Use these manual massages to relieve certain areas of tension in your back and shoulders.

One of the first things you notice when getting a massage from the Orion is that it has an exhilarating massage for the buttocks and thighs. The seat actually has eight massage heads that provide a thorough massage treatment. You can add vibration for stimulation of the capillary vessels which promotes greater blood circulation. An extra seat cushion is provided for extra comfort.

The M-2 Orion is simply the best entry level massage chair available today. If you are thinking of massage chairs under just under $1,000, then you should really check out the difference a few hundred dollars can make. The M-2 Orion massage chair is really a chair compared to an i-joy. The i-joy sits very low to the ground and some people may have trouble getting in and out of them. Many of the low end chairs sit on the floor and people find them hard to get out of after a massage. Also, you can pick up full body massage capabilities with the M-2 Orion, for instance. If you are seriously looking at a massage chair, then you really should see how the M-2 Orion by Omega Massage may be the perfect massage chair solution for you.

Check out the best entry level massage chair. We have M-2 Orion Massage Chairs to help relieve those aches and pains. Omega builds the M-2 Orion Massage Chair and has incorporated many exhilirating and comprehensive massage therapy treatments for all your requirements. See why a full body massage chair is the way to go.

Review For The Best Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner

Friday, August 7th, 2009

There are many terms to describe massage chairs. Commonly, you can find robotic massage chairs or shiatsu massage chairs. There are many different terms which can cause confusion for those looking for a massage chair. Shiatsu massage chairs provide a shiatsu massage therapy. This is a massage therapy that origins are in Japan. Let us first explore shiatsu massage then we can make sure that any shiatsu labeled chair actually qualifies for this designation.

Shiatsu massage is a branch of ancient Chinese medicine which was developed in Japan over many centuries. Acupuncture has been used since ancient times, but the use of pressure instead of needles is acupressure. The Japanese healers have practiced many ways to heal the body and to reduce aches, pains and general discomfort. This particular massage therapy developed by using pressure applied to different areas to unblock and enhance energy flow. Through much trial and error, the Japanese healers found specific areas now called acupressure points which were found to help to heal the body.

As the pressure points were being discovered and correlated to different body parts, massage therapies were used in conjunction. Massage techniques such as chopping and kneading were used. Chopping helps stimulate the muscles to increase blood and lymph circulation. Kneading was found to elongate the muscles to help increase flexibility and healing after physical exertion. The use of pressure points where firm pressure is used with either chopping and kneading started the foundation to traditional shiatsu massage.

Shiatsu massage therapy has 3 main parts which include acu-pressure, kneading and tapping massages. Usually the acu-pressure points are detected by performing a body scan. The massage chair then customizes the massage to the user. The back rollers have the kneading and tapping movements. The best massage chairs have these minimum requirements to qualify as a shiatsu style massage chair. Some brands that offer them are Human Touch, Sanyo, Panasonic and Omega Massage.

One of the original lineages of shiatsu massage chairs are by Panasonic. The EP 30003 massage recliner provides two different styles of shiatsu style massage. It has the traditional shiatsu massage and also the Junetsu style. The Junetsu style differs from traditional shiatsu with the use of small circular and penetratng motions. The Junetsu style is good deep tissue relief. The combinations in the auto programs are well thought out for a therapeutic and relaxing massage.

Sanyo has their high end chair that comes with a multi-point shiatsu leg and foot massage. The Sanyo HEC DR7700K uses specialized airbags with built in acupressure nodes to provide penetrating relief to the feet, calves, ankles and legs. The airbags will energize applying firm pressure to the part of the lower body. Other airbags energize with the acupressure nodes to stimulate the pressure points to provide whole body relaxation.

The Montage Premier Massage chair by Omega delivers a penetrating and invigorating shiatsu massage. The Montage Premier has the best foot massage of the high end chairs. This chair has acupressure nodes that penetrate both the arch and the heel of the foot. It performs an alternating sequence which stimulates the major organs and induces full body tranquility and relaxation. Omega also incorporates an MP3 player to play your favorite music to keep your mind occupied on relaxing.

Of course, there are more massage chairs that provide shiatsu massage therapy, but these are the best of the best. Find out if shiatsu massage is right for you. If so, then you will do very well with any of these chairs. Many companies advertise that they perform certain functions, but they may not actually deliver it. If you stick with the top brands like Sanyo, Omega and Panasonic then you will get years of shiatsu massage therapy from your massage chair.

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What Is Acupressure?

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique which it is thought to be derived from acupuncture. However, in the case of acupressure, physical pressure is used to acupoints by various movements. Acupressure is one of the most effective methods for tension related ailments. It stimulates various acupoints which is believed to promote blood flow and healing.

Acupressure is normally performed by using the hands, thumbs, elbows or mechanized equipment. These instruments are used to target the body’s acupoints. It is not that when this pressure is applied to the acupoints, that it will unleash the body’s natural pain relievers.

Acupoints are given places that are especially sensitive to impulses in the body. They also conduct these impulses readily. When these points are stimulated they release endorphins. Endorphins are the neurochemicals which help to suppress pain. This helps to relieve the pain of injury or discomfort from physical activity.

When the acupoints is pressed, this elongates the soft tissue fibers. This helps the muscle to relax, the blood to flow more readily and toxins to be flushed. Enhanced blood circulation brings more nutrients and more oxygen. This helps keep the area functioning smoothly.

Keeping your body and harmony is important. Acupressure massage helps to restore the emotional and physical balance. The impact of stress on the body can accumulate tension resulting in muscle fatigue. This can get the body and mind out of balance. Relaxation is essential to help restore the emotional side. Relieving the tension from the body helps the physical side.

Traditional Chinese medicine works off of a holistic understanding of the body. It is believed that there are pathways connecting acupoints to internal organs. When an acupoints is stimulated, a signal is sent through the meridian to its corresponding organ. This has provided a framework for connecting acupoints to ager organs.

There can be just harmony in the body when the pathways are blocked. Energy may not effectively flow through the body. The stimulation of acupoints target the release of these blockages in the body. This helps to restore the energy flow and harmony in the body.

Oftentimes acupressure massage is used in conjunction with sports therapy. Athletes routinely use acupressure to improve muscle tone and to relieve stiffness and tension. It can be applied prior to an event or as part of the warm down after physical exertion. Is used to relieve pain, improve flexibility and help prevent injury.

We have all experienced muscle stiffness or aching in the joints. This may occur when we exert this muscle more than usual. It becomes stiff and begins to hurt. Acupressure massage is great to relieve this build up of tension. By elongating the soft tissue areas, it restores flexibility and relaxes the muscle.

Realize that when your muscles are stiff, it will take some on doing to restore their flexibility. There is an initial threshold to cross where discomfort and pain is stemming from overcoming the stiffness. However, once you regain some flexibility, then the pain. And the muscle and joint will feel well again.

Acupressure is by no means a substitute for medical care. Although overcoming initial muscle stiffness can cause discomfort, he acupressure massage should never cause pain. Always seek your physician’s advice before pursuing any type of alternative treatment.

Where do you get in acupressure massage? There are many massage therapists which specialize in acupressure massage. You can check your local listings to find one nearby. Another way to go is with a massage chair. Massage chairs are programmed with many of the popular massage techniques. They provide you with acupressure massage on demand.

The beauty of acupressure is it is a natural treatment to benefit both the body and mind. It helps the mind to relax which releases the tension in the body. As the massage penetrates through the muscle and soft tissue areas, stiffness is melted away. This promotes a healthy balance which is positive for healing and maintaining your immune system. Restoring this balance requires periodic massage treatments.

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