Yes, it’s that time of year again. After way too many mince pies, epic roast dinners and mountains of chocolate, it’s time to make the New Year’s resolutions: to lose that Christmas bulge and get back in shape for the New Year. It’s one of the most popular resolutions to make, but it’s one that most people fail to stick with for more than a couple of weeks; in fact, most people will give up on the healthy eating and dedicated workouts after just 6 days!
Overcrowded gyms of other seasonal do-gooders and lack of time after work are huge factors that cause people to hang up the not-so sweat-soaked towel. We sympathise here at The Fitness Store, which is why we have got a few suggestions to try and keep you on track in the New Year - we know you can do it.
January is a hectic time of year for most businesses, so you’d be forgiven for your lack of enthusiasm when it comes to motivating yourself for those pre or post-work gym sessions. Invest in some dumbbells of your own and avoid the busy, peak gym times. Our online fitness store stocks a huge range of dumbbells from 1kg to 35kg – we love our brightly coloured Neoprene Dumbbells, which are safer to use and less likely damage you or surrounding objects if dropped. Opt for 1kg or 3kg dumbbells and perform bicep curls whilst watching your favourite television programme - the time will pass quickly and before you know it you've completed a light, 30 minute workout. Dumbbells are arguably the best home fitness investment due to their unbeatable versatility, relatively small size and comparatively cheap cost in relation to a gym membership – perfect for bank accounts that have been exhausted by Christmas frivolity.
If you’re willing to invest a little more money into your fitness this year, rather than signing up for a years gym membership that you’re unlikely to get the full worth of, we’d highly recommend investing in a rowing machine, such as the Concept 2 “D” Rower. As far as fitness equipment goes, rowing machines are pretty compact and take up much less room than a treadmill, cross trainer or exercise bike. The Concept 2 “D” Rower with PM4 Console, for example, folds neatly away for easy storage, perfect for a spare room, office or garage. Not only are they compact and versatile, but the cost of one rowing machine will usually work out cheaper than a gym membership for 1 year and will last for years.
In terms of fitness, rowing machine workouts are arguably one of the best, all round workouts you can do. An average 60 minute workout can burn up to 800 calories, twice as much as any other cardiovascular routine, utilising 70% of the body’s muscles: calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes, abdominals, obliques, pectorals, biceps, triceps, deltoids, upper back and lats. With the majority of your body being worked dynamically, you may be slightly intimidated by this anatomical list and think that this level of cardio will leave you broken, however rowing machines have the lowest impact on ankles, hips and knee joints than any other cardiovascular machine. This ingenious piece of equipment provides you with immensely high calorie burn and full body workout with the lowest impact on joints.
As always we’d love to hear from you guys on Facebook and Twitter. What resolution is everyone determined to stick with this year? And do you have any tips or advice you’d like to share with your fellow fitness fiends?
