Working Out in Winter
I come from cold country. Like really cold country, 34 degrees below 0 type cold. I have always been a multi-sports enthusiast, both as a fan and as a participant. I grew up playing organized team sports like football, basketball, baseball and hockey, while enjoying swimming, fishing, golf, racquetball, snow and water skiing, recreationally with friends and family. I was not exceptionally good at any one sport but I just loved to compete.
Staying “in shape” was not a problem until after graduating from college and having to earn a living. Participation in recreational sports was relegated to weekends and vacations, which was fine for activities like swimming, fishing and golf that don’t require a high degree of strength, flexibility and stamina, or so I thought! (I learned different trying to land a marlin down in Cabo.) Snow and water skiing are another thing, entirely. My first run down the slopes in Brianhead, Utah during a skiing weekend, after six months of relative inactivity, was a real eye opener. By the time I reached the lift station, my legs were like jelly! I learned then and there that I was going to have to be physically prepared if I wanted to enjoy skiing as I had in the past.
The waters of Lake Ontario put a bite into winter storms moving down from Canada that can numb you to the bone in a matter of seconds. Going out to a fitness center or spa does not delight me under the best of conditions, so the decision to take a look at “in home” exercise systems was an easy one. I said “systems” because I knew that skiing put a demand on my entire body and I was afraid that a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, Nordic Track or stair stepper style machine would not condition my whole body.
I was able to gain access to a variety of apparatus that were advertised as providing “full body cardio and resistance” workouts. Among the ones I tried were a “stair-climber”, that had hand grips as well as foot pedals that provided resistance as you pulled and stepped your way “up” the center rail. I failed to see how it did anything to improve or maintain flexibility, and it was huge! Then there was a rowing machine, also with a sliding seat and both hand and foot resistance, with the addition of exercise for the core body muscles due to the rowing motion.
There were several adjustable, full body workout machines that performed as advertised except for the time required to get results. It took more time to make the necessary adjustments to the machine than it took to workout. They were effective,though, and I particularly liked the Bowflex. I also liked the Chuck Norris endorsed, Complete Home Gym, mostly because of its size and flexibility.
About the time that I was ready to make a commitment to purchase one of these systems, my employer promoted me to a position of Senior Representative, which translates to, “keep your bags packed at all times!” Portability had not been one of my criteria, so I had to start my evaluation over again from scratch.
Three out of the five “portable” systems I thought would be suitable, did considerable damage to the door to which they had to be attached. (Most of the hotels that I stay in when traveling for business only have two doors, entry and bathroom, that are suitable for this use by their design. As a practical matter, however, neither is really suitable.) One was so difficult to set up and use that you practically had to be a gymnast in order to us it, i.e., if you could use it, you did not need to! Then there was Bodylastics!
This system is no bigger than a pair of shoes, even fits in a briefcase, is inexpensive and provides many levels of workouts. Whether you just want to release a little stress and get a tone up or really work hard and build muscle, is strictly up to you, but the Bodylastics system is up to the task! The system comes with enough illustrated exercises to rebuild your body from the toes up to the top of your head. There are exercises to work every muscle group in your body and keep you fit and ready for any activity. All I have to do come ski season is get to the slopes, stretch out my muscles to warm up and I am good to go! I no longer worry that the normal demands skiing puts on my body will lead to injury or fatigue on that first run of the season. I highly recommend Bodylastics to everyone.
Tags: build muscle, compact home exercise equipment, exercise at home, home exercise systems, portable home gym, stay fit
