Looking For a Good Cardio Workout at Home

Let’s talk about the inversion table

For hundreds of years, people have believed that gravity helps to help reduce pain. With gravity boots becoming popular back in the 1980′s, gravity treatment in general saw a surge in popularity in the 1960′s. Aiding in reducing pain that they experience and in making their general well being better, numerous individuals who struggle constantly with pain in their backs have learned what an inversion table can do for them.


inversion table





Inversion Tables Do They Work?

Spinal traction of any sort is a technique utilizing a pulling force to elongate the ligaments and stretch the muscles of the spine and increase the separation of the vertebrae. The procedure is employed by chiropractors and physical therapists, in addition to other treatments, to alleviate lower back pain in general and to address sciatica specifically.

The use of this manner of traction goes back through the ages and involves the relief of pressure on the spine of the patient by having him hang upside down.  Presently, a common item of equipment, the inversion table, is utilized to accomplish this, using the patient’s weight to achieve the spinal stretching during the inversion procedure. Some patients are uneasy with more than a partial inversion, and the inversion table may be tilted at various angles, to even as little as 20 to 30 degrees.

As the patient becomes used to the treatment, the angle may be increased to 60 degrees, automatically adding to the stretching force. In addition, there is a psychological aspect to this procedure and should the patient be uncomfortable at the most useful inverted position, there will be an involuntary contraction of the muscles which will negate the intended outcome of the treatment.

So…inversion tables do they work?…..The duration of the procedure is dependent upon the specific angle which is being used at the time. Normally, patients begin by inverting for just a little while and then increase the time up to ten minutes as they acclimate to the procedure and become comfortable with it. (It is not unusual for a patient to use the inversion table several times a day in order to alleviate the pain in their lower back.)

Stretching the back eases pressure in the nerve ends and in the inter-vertebral disks, which in turn alleviates the pain. Using the inversion table is also advantageous for people with bad posture since it stretches the muscles and doctors will at times use the inversion process to enhance blood delivery to the brain to increase a patient’s mental awareness.

One must never forget to first obtain the advice of a physician prior to using this technique and please be aware that it is not recommended for anyone with coronary or other circulatory issues, osteoporosis, elevated blood pressure and like conditions. Further, there is no scientific proof that the utilization of traction procedures has any long term benefit for the patient, but it does have general acceptance as a method of giving short term relief for those having chronic lower back pain.

Elliptical vs Treadmill – Know the Facts

Both of these exercise machines will deliver a great cardio workout. Whether for weight loss or general fitness, most everyone recognizes the need to get regular exercise in order to stay healthy.  Either one of these two excellent exercise machines can make it very convenient for you to stay in great shape without ever leaving home. Walking, jogging, and running are the most natural and popular exercises for people of all ages. That’s why elliptical trainers and treadmills are the two most popular pieces of equipment in any health club or home, despite their considerable cost. If you’re not aware of all of the differences between the two, please do yourself a favor and read through our elliptical vs treadmill articles. They will provide you with the facts you need to make an informed decision. After all, you are purchasing exercise equipment that is going to be in your home for many years. It’s worth spending a little time to get the facts.

Elliptical vs Treadmill – Why purchase either one?

Elliptical vs Treadmill

Either one of these exercise machines is a great investment. One of the greatest advantages of owing one of these pieces of equipment is that you get to exercise in the comfort of your own home. While a really decent treadmill or elliptical will certainly cost you well in excess of $500.00, it is an investment that pays dividends in several ways. First, you don’t have to leave home to exercise. Bad weather – who cares? You won’t need to pay monthly fees to belong to a smelly, overcrowded gym and you won’t waste time and money making the trip back and forth every day. If your equipment lasts even for just a couple of years, you have more than recouped the money it would have cost you to belong to a gym. Your home is safe, the streets are not. You’re also going to stay healthy because that piece of equipment in your home will bring on tremendous feelings of guilt if left unused. So,let’s find out what’s best for you.

Treadmills – An Overview

Treadmills remain the best selling and most popular piece of exercise equipment in the country. While it’s still possible to purchase a fairly simple, inexpensive treadmill, most treadmills are sophisticated, complex and somewhat expensive machines. Now that’s good news and bad news. Today, a homeowner can have a really great, gym quality treadmill that’s going to be incredibly reliable. The bad news is that this pro quality machine will put a nice dent in your wallet (or purse). So what do you get for your money? You get a machine that is specifically designed for walking and running. But instead of running on asphalt or concrete, you are running on a soft rubber mat or belt with a relatively forgiving platform underneath. If you are older (like me) or just can’t take the daily pounding of running outdoors, a treadmill can extend your running career for many years. While not as low impact as an elliptical, it is still a vast improvement over running on concrete or asphalt. Likewise, it’s just plain easier to run on a treadmill than it is to run on the street. Some of best treadmills provides a smooth, predictable running experience and you are never fighting the wind. Running on a treadmill can be hypnotic. That’s because you don’t have to concentrate on the terrain, the traffic, your pace, or anything else for that matter. All of this adds up to a much  You will run further on a treadmill.

Elliptical Overview

An elliptical machine provides an extremely low-impact, total body workout and it offers a greater variety of workouts when compared to a treadmill. This is usually the biggest plus for the elliptical for most people. By its very design, an best elliptical machine provides a smooth, impact free workout because your feet remain affixed to their respective platforms during the entire workout. In addition, your arms are also actively engaged in the workout. Furthermore, an elliptical machine allows you to go forward or backwards. I’ve yet to see that feature in a treadmill.

Elliptical or Treadmill – Ease of Use and Maintenance

When you look at the two machines, a treadmill appears simpler. Conversely, an elliptical trainer looks a far more complex with stuff sticking out all over. But don’t be deceived by appearances. Although an elliptical looks a bit more complicated, it’s not any harder to use than a treadmill (for most people). I must be particularly uncoordinated because I find the motion of an elliptical to be entirely unnatural. Likewise, of the two, a treadmill is more susceptible to breakdown.  This is the second major plus for the elliptical in the elliptical vs treadmill decision making process. A treadmill has motors, switches, belts, and a durable rubber mat that makes tens or hundreds of thousands of revolutions during it’s lifetime.

So What’s your Decision going to be?

So now you have a handle on the basic differences between ellipticals and treadmills. Both machines have advantages and disadvantages. Likewise, you probably have a predisposition towards one type of exercise over the other. My choice has been the treadmill because I truly enjoy running. In fact, running almost becomes a hypnotic experience for me on a treadmill. My girlfriend suffers from arthritis and can’t run anymore so we have an elliptical in the office. You have your own set of needs, desires, and concerns. I hope the information on this website helps you to make a more informed decision so you will resolve your personal elliptical vs treadmill debate.