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GUIDELINES
4. Develop a constructive attitude. Do not focus on what you are giving up to exercise on a regular
basis, but on what new options you'll have after you become fit.
5. Engage your body and mind. Connect on a deeper level, you'll be more likely to stay with your
routine. If your exercise time on a stationary bike
is your 30-minutes away from work or a time for reflection, you're much more likely to stick with it.
Individuals claim to experience an increased sense of creativity and an enhanced thought process due to
a regular exercise program.
6. Consider many of the physiological benefits. If a strong and fit body isn't enough to keep you
motivated, consider some of the hidden benefits of exercise: lower blood pressure, stronger heart, more
efficient pulmonary system, lower risk of osteoporosis and stress reduction.
> It's Never Too Late . . . for Fitness
Most of us have very busy schedules and to keep our fitness level intact we have to be extremely
efficient. These three words, efficiency of effort, form the core of creating your own home fitness
center. Efficiency of effort means producing maximum gains with minimal time spent; this is the goal
of most of us when designing our home fitness program.
The bottom line is you must be creative and innovative to get the best results. With this book and
your own creativity a great workout is only a few moments away; a different grip on the multi-gym, a
varied stepping rhythm on the stepper, a new intensity on the stationary wind-load simulator or a more
rapid stroke rate on the rower. By varying your workouts you'll create maximum gains in the shortest
time frames.
As you will see, your home fitness equipment will allow you to reach your fitness goals and
prepare properly for a healthier lifestyle. Anyone who is serious about fitness – or for that matter just
improving their overall fitness – should have a few basic pieces of home fitness equipment. It makes no
difference if you are a competitive cyclist or triathlete, an executive or someone trying to tone their
muscles, the home fitness center is the most efficient way to help you reach your physical potential.
Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D., is author of the Complete Home Fitness Handbook, published by Human Kinetics
Publishers. It can be found at major book stores or you can order it by calling 1-800-747-4457. He also
serves as Director of the Exercise Science Program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
> Suggested Readings
Burke, Edmund. Complete Home Fitness Handbook, Champaign, IL., Human Kinetics Publishers, 1996.
Book illustrates how to set up a home gym, purchase equipment and gives workout programs for various
pieces of home fitness equipment.
Anderson, Bob; Pearl Bill; and Burke Ed. Getting in Shape: Workout Programs for Men & Women.
Bolinas, CA., Shelter Publications, 1994. Offers information on how to set-up a balanced fitness program
of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.
Burke, Edmund. Precision Heart Rate Training. Champaign, IL., Human Kinetics Publishers, 1998. Fine-
tune your workout intensity. This book fully explains why and how to train with a heart rate monitor.