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The Sole F80 treadmill 2011 model is a folding home fitness machine that allows you to save space without compromising the effectiveness of a workout. It also packs in some feature upgrades to its 2009 edition. For instance, it now boasts of a larger LCD screen and longer running surface. But it still retains some features that make this unit popular among fitness enthusiasts.

Available are 6 pre-programmed workouts which provide your body varying challenges. There are 2 customizable programs that enable you to design your own challenges. What’s more, there are also 2 heart-rate control workouts. Such is done by means of either the wireless heart rate monitor or hand-pulse grips with sensors.

The Sole F80 now has a larger blue-backlit LCD display measuring 7.5 inches. Such makes it easier for you to operate the treadmill – from using various functions to going through the workout programs. A scrolling message board provides instructions and feedback before, during and after your workout sessions.

Within the machine is a high-torque 3.0 horsepower continuous duty motor. The flywheel used is heavier than most other similar fitness equipment within the same price range, for a safer and more stable workout. The entire machine measures 80 inches wide and 33 inches long. Thanks to the Easy Assist feature, folding it is a snap to save precious space.

Longer running surface means it can accommodate runners of varying heights and speeds. What was once only 55 inches long now is impressively 60 inches long. More importantly, it has a Cushion Flex Deck which provides low-impact workout. With such, your feet, ankles, knees, hips and spine can receive up to 36 percent lower impact.

Keeping boredom at bay is the integrated sound system where you can plug in your MP3 player and listen to audio tracks. Preventing you from overheating are the 2 built-in cooling fans and 2 water bottle holders. The Sole F80, for its price and size, makes for an effective home fitness machine with all the convenient features it possesses.

With the advent of the Nintendo Wii Fitness line of games, many couch potato gamers are finally becoming active without even realizing it.

But can someone who is seriously looking for a power packed, high cardio, and aerobics type workout really benefit from the Wii fit?

Well to be honest the first set of games the Nintendo Wii Fitness came out with will only give the serious workout freak a worm up routine, and that’s about it. For beginners its fine, for those who are just starting a exercise regiment its great, but for the advance fitness buff, it will be disappointing.

So the Nintendo Wii Fitness developer came up with the perfect solution and the answer to the advance fitness user. In recent months Wii Fit has evolved into a set of games offering the user a more intense cardio and strength training workout. Here is a brief over view of the top 5, starting with the least intense workout.

5) Wii Fit Bundle

The Wii Fit bundle package was the first set of games released in 2008, and as the name suggest was a group of games bundled together with the purchase of the Wii fitness gaming console. Depending on which bundle package you wanted, the system came with the controller, balance board and several games. The games ranged form Yoga, Pilates, Tennis, boxing, Balance games, skiing or ice boarding and other low impact, more gaming than workout activities.

These games are great for fun but would not do for a real calorie burn workout. SO I would give this 1 out of 5 for workout and 4 out of 5 for fun. A Total of 5 out of 10

4) Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009

Most people by now should know who Jillian Michaels is, you may not know her name but if you ever watched the Biggest Loser reality TV series, she is the drill sergeant /personal trainer/motivational coach and the star of the show (personal opinion).

Based on the intensity of the character on the Biggest Loser, this game was disappointing and somewhat boring, the only reason I but it higher than the Wii fit is because the workout is more intense and you could really burn some calories with this game.

This game utilizes the balance board, the controller and Nunchuck for a good workout it has 4 Workout types, strength training, cardio, weight loss, stretches. The game allows you to track your progress and save your stats.

I did notice that the controller response time was annoyingly delayed and some of the instructions were not very clear so it was difficult at times getting my on screen character to move or replicate my movements. I think there are a few bugs in the software coding for this game that were not worked out before release.

Some of the games did kinda look like the Wii Fit games repackaged, also the only motivation the game gave you would be Jillian saying “Give It All You Got” which after a while became more annoying that motivating.

I did like the back ground workout music which was motivating and you could select from a wide variety of music styles. The squat exercise workout was great and will make you sweat.

This game will defiantly burn some calories, but I think you will become bored with this game sooner than later.

I give the Wii Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 game 3 out of 5 for workout and 2 out of 5 for fun. A total of 5 out of 10

3) Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout

Ok, this is the first of the Wii Fitness games to focus more on Cardio workout that mimics the workout you will get in a gym, hence the name.

With this game you will get a real workout. The game utilizes the Wii’s motion controls, the Balance board.

The highlight of this game is the TaeBo like boxing workout routine. This game seems to get the principle of running in place more accurately than the previous game. The sit-ups and jumping rope will give you a great workout. The Cardi Gold’s Gym Workout game keeps great record of your calorie burn and fitness progress, and will automatically increase the difficulty and intensity of your workout to suit.

So overall this is more responsive and offer non stop action for a great workout, the points system is great for motivation so I will give the Wii Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout game 3

With the prices of treadmills falling all the time, it’s no wonder more and more people are buying treadmills and other fitness equipment for their homes. After all, it’s a one-time expense compared to ongoing gym fees.

If you’re in the market for a treadmill, Yowza Fitness is one treadmill vendor to check out.

This article reviews the Keewadin Folding Treadmill by Yowza Fitness.

How Much Running Space?

Run with a long gait on the 60 inch-long running surface. It’s has ample width at 20 inches wide.

Motor Power

The Keewadin Treadmill is outfitted with a 3.0 horsepower continuous duty motor designed for long workouts.

Low Impact Cushioning

Yowza incorporates some decent low-impact cushioning features in the Keewadin Treadmill. The running deck floats – sitting on elastomer rings cushioning your impact.

Speed Range

Walk from.5 mph to full-out sprinting at 11 miles per hour.

Incline Range

Intensify your workouts with the incline option from 0 to 12 percent.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Easily monitor your heart rate with top heart rate technology included in this treadmill. You can use the grip sensors or the wireless hear rate monitoring option (my preferred heart rate monitoring technology).

When you use grip sensors, your workout is not as intense, and in fact, is not replicating running outside. That’s why wireless heart rate monitors are so useful – you don’t have to bother with hanging on grip sensors throughout your workout.

How Much Weight Can the Keewadin Handle?

This is where the rubber meets the road… the Keewadin can accommodate 350 pound users. This is an impressive figure and is a testament to the quality and strength of the Keewadin frame, motor, and running deck.

Walking is an excellent way to take exercise. It’s something that most of use do, to some degree at least, each and every day. There is no special equipment or apparatus required – apart from a pair of comfortable shoes – and you can fit it into your daily routine whenever it suits you best. It’s also very cost effective – there are no gym membership fees to pay each month

There are so many health benefits associated with walking that it’s almost difficult to credit that these are available from a low impact, low injury risk exercise format. The important thing is consistency – low level exercise, performed on a regular basis is very much better for you than infrequent and periodic spells of intense physical activity.

Walking for thirty minutes, three or four times weekly, on a regular basis will soon generate results that you can feel and see. If you can build up to 10,000 steps daily – that’s between four and a half and five miles for the average stride length – then you will really start to reap the rewards.

There are plenty of opportunities to walk a little bit further each day. If your schedule allows you to fit in a half hour, or even an hour, of walking daily then that’s good. If that’s not practical for you then there’s no need to despair – there are many ways to ramp up your daily number of steps taken.

Leaving the car in the garage and walking to work or school is sound advice. However, if the distance involved is too great then take the car as usual – but park it in the far corner of the parking lot so that you have further to walk to get to the entrance. If you travel on the bus or the subway then you could get off one or two stops before your destination and complete your journey on foot.

During your lunch break, take a ten or fifteen minute walk around the block. It’ll be better for you than munching a sandwich in front of your computer (you’ll have more energy and be more mentally alert in the afternoon as well). Take full advantage of modern technology and pace about while you’re talking on your mobile or cordless phone. You can fit in an extra 1,000 paces during a single fifteen minute telephone conversation. That’s the type of multi-tasking that is genuinely beneficial to you!

If most of your walking activity is fitted into your daily schedule in a piecemeal manner, then you may want to think about getting yourself a pedometer – these are available starting at less than $10 these days. You can carry one of these in your pocket or attach it to your belt. It will allow you to monitor your progress in terms of the number of steps taken, the distance covered or the number of calories burned. Keeping track of your progress like this might help to keep you motivated and will encourage you to look for other ways to build walking into your daily routine.