Posts Tagged ‘equipment’

Weightlifting Equipment - Should I Get It?

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

As the result of skyrocketing popularity of weightlifting so the higher and higher need and demand for weightlifting equipments. Weightlifting equipment is complex and varied; the machines and the weights are meant to help the athlete train for personal purposes or for competitions. When considering investments for gyms, business owners usually inquire about the quality and warranties of the weightlifting equipment, also considering the features of the space when shopping. As for first time users, it often happens that the weightlifting equipment seems a bit intimidating when entering the gym. It is pretty difficult to start using the machines if you know nothing about them, and learning from observation is not always the best idea. Here are some of the machines and items that you’ll certainly use.

Free weights and machines are the two main types of weightlifting equipment categories. The free weights get their name from their use together with pulleys, pins, weight stacks and cables. Weight plates, barbells and dumbbells are the basic items here. You attach the plates to the barbells and lift them with both hands. Olympic barbells are 7 feet in length and weigh 45 pounds. Smaller versions are also available, and you should find less demanding weightlifting equipment in gyms. The dumbbells are the short barbell variant, as these items are designed for training with a single hand.

Weight plates are made of iron, but there are gyms that use plastic plates too. No weightlifting equipment will ever be complete without free weights. The gym bench is next on our inventory list. Designs include flat, inclined and declined benches. The benches without racks are used for practicing with dumbbells while those with racks are necessary for barbells. Besides free weights, machines occupy a special place in any weightlifting equipment category because they are easier to use and commonly popular.

Both advantages and disadvantages come with the use of machines. In comparison with free weights, the usage is simpler and the safety higher. Preference goes for multi-functional machines that enable for more complex training, although there are items designed just for the training of specific groups of muscles. The main downside of such weightlifting equipment is the risk of making mistakes while performing exercises. A correct posture and body inclination are sometimes difficult to achieve, which could create the premises for injuries. For beginners, professional assistance is required for the workout with machines.

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Review: Panasonic EP3222 Massage Chair Recliner

Sunday, June 21st, 2009
by James Knolan

If you are looking for a massage chair, then it is important to find unbiased information regarding potential shiatsu massage chair options. Reviews and evaluations can point out the relevant aspects of each product. To assist apotential purchaser researching massage chairs, we evaluate 5 key categories which include Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. Each category is worth up to 20 points. All points are added up to give a total score based on the 5 categories. A disciplined, systematic approach takes out bias and presents facts. We review the Luxury range of $4,000 to $5,000 and feature the Panasonic Real Pro Elite EP-3222 massage chair.

Warranty & Customer Service: A warranty protects the customer and customer service must rectify issues one may have. Warranty and customer service come from the company that makes the massage chair. The Panasonic EP-3222 has the following warranty coverage: 1 year labor, 1 year parts, 1 year in-home service and 1 year shipping. The Panasonic warranty expires after 1,000 hours of usage. Panasonic is started to provide warranty coverage like found with automobiles either time or total usage. Panasonic warranty coverage is OK. Panasonic service and turnaround are variable, depending the service center used. The EP-3222 is a 15 in Warranty & Customer.

Comfort & Ergonomics: The comfort and fit of a shiatsu massage chair is important. Otherwise, the chair will only be used for massage. The chair back and armrests of the Panasonic Real Pro Elite are comfortable and the upholstery is well padded. The head pillow is soft and the thickness is appropriate. The footrest is comfortable, but cannot be adjusted. If you are 5′ 10″ or more, then your knees must be bent when the footrest is raised. This is the least ergonomic part of the chair. The average person in the US is taller than in Asia, so the footrest can be an issue. Our rating in this category is 17.

Ease of Use: Massage Chair manufacturers are adding more technology and features into their chairs every year. Users need to be able to quickly, easily and intuitively understand how to use the product. The Panasonic Real Pro Elite has many advanced features as well as manual options. The main remote control has the auto programs in an easy to use location. The manual controls are located inside the side panel of the remote control. Overall, this remote is fairly intuitive. The Panasonic Real Pro Elite comes with Voice Guidance which can be helpful, but usually only in the beginning or for new users. Another good feature is Focus, which enables the user to repeat the massage that just occurred. It is a repeat function, which is great if you have an area that you want to concentrate on. The Panasonic Real Pro Elite is a 17 in Ease of Use.

Key Features: The most prominent features of the Panasonic Real Pro Elite are the 33 airbags in the lower body air system and the Swede-Atsu massage system. The lower body airsytem has a total of 33 airbags and provides great coverage for the hips, thighs, buttocks, calves and feet. The compression air massage gently, but firmly squeezes the lower body to release tension and soreness. The Swede-Atsu uses rubber massage heads. These rubber massage heads coupled with the software replicate the stoking of the palms of the hand, pressing by the heal of the hand, or the kneading with the thumbs. The massage is solid and does a thorough job of relieving tension and stress. Our rating of the Panasonic EP-3222 in this category is 19.

Massage Therapy: The Panasonic Real Pro Elite EP-3222 has both automatic and manual massage settings. Panasonic incorporates 4 full body automatic courses, four 14-minute Pre-Programs, and 5 massage speed settings for a total combination of 14 manual massage courses. This massage chair is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association recognizing the many health benefits that this massage chair can provide. Endorsements aside, the massage therapy in this chair is fairly comprehensive and will not disappoint. The Panasonic Real Pro Elite is a 19 in Massage Therapy.

The Panasonic Real Pro Elite was just reviewed in 5 categories ranging from warranty to features to ergonomics. How does the Panasonic Real Pro Elite Score? Based on the 5 categories the total score for the Panasonic Real Pro Elite is an 87/100. The Real Pro Elite massage recliner provides a comprehensive and thorough full body massage. Just be wary of the warranty coverage and consider purchasing an extended warranty for further protection. Also, taller users have to compromise with the footrest which does not extend. Other than that, Panasonic integrates some solid technology with therapeutic massage benefits into this luxury shiatsu massage chair.

About the Author:
Searching for a fabulous shiatsu massage chair? Browse through the Panasonic Massage Chair line. Feel free to view our articles, reviews and more on the best Massage Chairs currently on the market today. Massage Chair Warehouse where you will find the perfect massage chair recliner.

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