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FAQs All
of us here at Body Works Fitness Equipment are committed
to providing you with the information you need to make
informed purchase decisions. We have developed the following
list of FAQs to help you get quick and easy answers
to your most commonly asked questions.
We've
grouped the FAQs into 2 categories:
If
you can't find the answer you're looking for here, please
call us toll-free at 888-285-0700 or email us at
info@bodyworksfitness.net.
We will be happy to answer any additional questions
or concerns you may have.
General
Questions
-
Why
should I start an exercise program?
-
I
only have a limited amount of time per day to exercise.
What is the best machine?
-
How
does using my Heart Rate help my workout?
-
How
do I use Heart Rate to aid my workout?
-
How
do I know where my heart rate should be, considering
my goals?
-
Does
Body Works provide equipment for me to use at home?
-
If
I want to buy Body Works equipment, how is it installed?
Do I have to assemble it myself?
-
Where
does Body Works provide its product & services geographically?
-
How
do I get service if I live out of town?
Why
should I start an exercise program?
Most
important, if you are just beginning a workout program,
or have any existing medical issues, ALWAYS consult
your physician for recommended exertion levels. An inactive
lifestyle has been shown to contribute to increased
incidence of heart disease, high cholesterol levels,
and increased blood pressure. An investment in a workout
program is an investment in you. Recent studies show
that as little as 20 minutes of exercise per day decreases
many potential health problems.
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I
only have a limited amount of time per day to exercise.
What is the best machine?
While
any aerobic workout has benefit, most studies have shown
that, besides swimming, load-bearing exercises like
walking or running cause the body to burn the most calories
and utilize the most oxygen. Therefore, the treadmill
is still the most commonly used machine in both the
American home and in the typical club setting. Over
the past few years the elliptical machine, sometimes
called a cross-trainer, has become popular because the
perceived workout is like that of the treadmill but
with less impact on the body. In addition, using interactive
Heart Rate Control capabilities, which are available
on any type of exercise machine, will maximize the workout
intensity desired in the shortest workout time.
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How
does using my Heart Rate help my workout?
During
exercise your heart rate is an accurate measure of your
exertion level, like a tachometer showing rpm's in a
car. Regardless of how you "feel", accurate heart rate
feedback tells the true level of your workout. It is
simply a measure of what your body's engine, your heart,
is doing at any moment within your workout. This can
be used either to keep you at a moderate, effective
pace, or can be used to push you to a more maximizing
exertion level. Remember that this technology is not
just for the serious athlete but is an excellent tool
for the rest of us.
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How
do I use Heart Rate to aid my workout?
First, you must define your goals and intent in your
exercise program:
- I
am motivated and changing from an inactive lifestyle
- I
want to burn maximum calories
- I
want to increase my cardiovascular endurance
Although
you can "take your pulse" at the wrist or neck, this
is a highly inaccurate method and you will usually slow
down to take this reading. When you slow down your heart
rate typically begins to drop immediately, therefore
giving a false representation of how you are working
out. Therefore, for accuracy and safety, you will want
to use the capability of an electrical heart rate device.
There are two type of accurate heart rate capabilities
found in machines today:
- Using
Heart Rate Feedback, your heart rate is simply displayed
on the machine's screen along with other things like
speed, time, distance, etc. If you know what target
zone you want to work out within, then you can manually
vary the intensity level of the workout accordingly.
- With
Heart Rate Control, the machine actually monitors
your heart rate and automatically adjusts the intensity
level. There is both Contact Heart Rate pick up, where
your hands are placed on a particular area of the
handrail to detect your current heart rate, and Wireless
Heart Rate Control, often generically called Polar(tm)
technology, that is accurate to above 99%. Here the
user wears a chest strap containing a wireless transmitter
that acts like a personal electrocardiogram and sends
your heart rate to the machine, which will automatically
adjust itself accordingly.
How
do I know where my heart rate should be, considering
my goals?
First, you must calculate your theoretical maximum heart
rate, typically taken as the number 220 minus your age.
For example, the maximum heart rate to be used for a
30 year old female would be figured as 220 - 30 = 190.
So 190 would be the typical 30 year old female's maximum
heart rate if she pushed herself as workout effort as
hard as possible.
Then
there are four heart rate workout zones, calculated
as percentages of your maximum heart rate:
- Sub-Aerobic:
below 50% of maximum heart rate, a good starting level
for the deconditioned or person new to working out.
- Fat-Burning
Zone: 50 - 65% of maximum heart rate, where the body
is primarily using fat stores for energy. This is
the zone to burn calories with the least fatigue.
- Aerobic
Zone: 65 - 85% of maximum heart rate, where the body
shifts to using stored glycogen and less fat, and
the workout of the lungs and heart muscle are pushed
to their beneficial limits. This is the zone to increase
your aerobic fitness.
- Anaerobic
Zone: above 85% of maximum, where the body's oxygen
requirements exceed the lung's abilities to supply
it. While the average person can only maintain up
to a 5 minute burst at this level, this is where lactic
acid tolerance is built up, important for the athlete's
conditioning.
Therefore,
in our example 30 year old:
Max
Heart Rate: 220 - 30 = 190 bpm (beats per minute)
Sub-Aerobic:
190 x .50 = 85 bpm or less
Fat-
Burning: 190 x .70 = 106 bpm
Anaerobic:
190 x .90 = 171 bpm
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Does
Body Works provide equipment for me to use at home?
We provide Club-quality equipment to the home consumer
as well as serving our commercial clients. You can easily
by one piece of equipment to put in your game room,
family room, or bedroom. Or we can help you design a
dedicated Workout Room in your home, aid in the appropriate
equipment selection (including flooring options) for
your needs and goals, and provide the installation and
service of that same equipment.
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If
I want to buy Body Works equipment, how is it installed?
Do I have to assemble it myself?
For our Commercial Clients, Body Works provides all
the equipment logistics and services necessary to open
your facility. We assemble, install, and final check
your equipment prior to "turning over the keys". We
also provide in-service equipment usage and maintenance
training to your staff members.
For
our Residential Clients there are two options:
One, we can drop ship your equipment curbside and you
can install/assemble it yourself, as most of our cardiovascular
products are 95% assembled. The remaining work is typically
accomplished by turning a number of screws and/or bolts
with tools often included, plugging a cable or two together,
and turning your new machine on. Note: Treadmills require
centering the walking belt, but this is a 5-minute operation
and the owner's manual will easily walk you through
the process. And at any time, you can call our corporate
office toll-free at 888-285-0700 and we will be happy
to assist you over the telephone as well. By selecting
the second option, we will coordinate the installation
of your new equipment for you, through our national
service network. This puts a fully assembled and tested
product fully installed in your home.
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Where
does Body Works provide its product & services geographically?
With our corporate office based in Austin, Texas, Body
Works not only provides its equipment, design services,
and maintenance services throughout the United States
but as well to international clients, limited only by
the distribution guidelines of certain manufacturers.
We maintain national sales and services accounts throughout
various industries and are able to provide on-site installations
and extended services through both our in-house staff
and through our national network of regional, factory-trained
fitness service providers.
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How
do I get service if I live out of town?
Body Works Fitness Equipment represents only the most
reputable manufacturers in the fitness industry. These
manufacturers endeavor to provide the best warranties
on their respective equipment in comparison with competitive
products in the industry. Through this deep relationship
with our manufacturers, we can usually provide local
of international service from an independent fitness
service provider, with the exception being if you are
located in a distant rural area.
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Specific
Questions about Equipment
TREADMILLS
EXERCISE
BIKES:
ELLIPTICALS:
STAIR
CLIMBERS:
ROWING
MACHINES:
STRENGTH:
TREADMILLS:
Why
do I want a treadmill?
The
motorized treadmill has been and continues to be the
major piece of cardiovascular equipment used and/or
purchased by the club and home user. In 1996, The Journal
of the American Medical Association reported that, based
on a study from the Medical College of Wisconsin and
Veterans
Affairs
Medical Center in Milwaukee, treadmills provide the
most efficient way to burn calories when compared to
other popular exercise machines. Because walking and
running are natural activities in our daily lives, the
treadmill is a most natural machine to use. As a load-bearing
exercise (meaning your body weight is being borne by
your skeleton ) the treadmill offers maximum calorie
burn for the exertion.
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Do
I need programs built into my treadmill?
Programs
aren’t necessary but add a new dimension to exercise.
You can just turn the treadmill on, set the speed and
incline, and walk or run for whatever time you want.
With added programming capability, you can vary your
daily workout routine, avoiding burnout and typically
pushing you more than you might on your own. With the
addition of Heart Rate Control Programming you
create a personal trainer that will motivate you in
your workout, moderate or push you as necessary, and
maximize your time on the machine without the guesswork.
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Does
motor horsepower matter?
Yes
and no. Obviously you want and adequate motor for your
intended use, but horsepower is not the only determining
factor of what a particular treadmill's capacity may
be. Walking belt quality, bearing size and quality,
roller size, and method of belt lubrication can all
create limitations on treadmill use. All manufacturers
will specify the particular horsepower of their treadmills.
As horsepower is actually a measurement of speed, it’s
hard to say how it necessarily applies to treadmills.
It is important to consider its "continuous-duty
rating" ( meaning the motors output ability
over a 24-hour period) as opposed to "peak-duty
rating" ( what the motor can achieve through
a short power burst in a short period of time). As a
general rule of thumb, you should start your consideration
for most conditions with a minimum of 2.0 continuous-duty
horsepower.
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How
do I maintain my treadmill?
Once
installed there is little maintenance required. You
should wipe the machine down with a damp cloth after
daily use to remove sweat, as well as periodically wiping
under the walking belt with a dry cloth. Under normal
use, you may need to adjust the side-to-side orientation
of the walking belt every month or so. This is a simple,
5-minute process that can prolong the lifespan of your
machine.
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EXERCISE
BIKES:
Do
I want an upright or recumbent bike?
While
the upright bike has been a mainstay of both club and
home use for many years the recumbent bike has gained
incredible popularity in the past 5 years. And while
the difficulty of the workout one each type is determined
by the user, the recumbent bike has several advantages
over the upright:
- As
opposed to peddling almost directly below the seat
and in a downward motion, the recumbent’s peddles
are located downward yet out in front of the user,
kind of like your leg position when driving a car.
This peddling "out in front" actually
uses more lower-body muscles than the upright, because
it brings the hamstrings in the rear of the leg
into use.
- Instead
of the old-style bicycle seat, the recumbent has
a chair-style seat with a wide bottom and a back.
The groin and pelvic pain experienced by many people
on the old bicycle seat is eliminated, the back
and spine are supported, and the laid-back seating
position eliminates fatigue of the shoulders and
hands from leaning onto a handlebar.
-
Because more lower-body muscles are involved, more
calories are burned for the same perceived exertion
effort, the user’s point of fatigue is extended
so the workout time can be longer, and the effect
is to tone the lower body more effectively.
Do
I need programs?
Programs
aren’t necessary but add a new dimension to exercise.
You can just begin peddling and set the resistance manually
to what ever feels comfortable. However, with added
programming capability, you can vary your daily workout
routine, avoiding burnout and typically pushing you
more than you might on your own. With the addition of
Heart Rate Control Programming you create
a personal trainer that will motivate you in your workout,
moderate or push you as necessary, and maximize your
time on the machine without the guesswork.
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How
do I maintain my bike?
Once
installed there is little maintenance required. You
should wipe the bike frame, seat, and display down with
a damp cloth after daily use to remove sweat. The internal
bearing are typically sealed against moisture and never
need lubricating. Most drive belts or chains are internal
and rarely need lubricating either.
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ELLIPTICAL
TRAINERS:
Why
would I want an elliptical- motion trainer?
Elliptical
trainers came on the fitness scene about 5 years ago.
Once written off as another "fad machine",
they have gradually gained widespread popularity and
acceptance, have become a primary purchase consideration,
and therefore account for a large percentage of commercial
and personal equipment use.
The
elliptical trainer has several advantages over other
types of machines:
- Most
provide a virtually impact-free exercise motion
like a bicycle.
- Provide
a load-bearing exercise like a treadmill, working
the skeleton as well as the muscles.
- Provides
an increased knee-bending motion like a stairclimber
to provide a thoroughly well rounded lower body
exercise.
- Has
the smooth, fluid motion of a ski machine but is
significantly easier to learn to use. Most new users
feel comfortable after 5 or 10 minutes of first
use.
- Since
the user is "the motor", the workout is
set by the user’s effort level, not by the
machine, and can be quickly varied throughout the
workout.
- Unlike
bikes, most ellipticals provide a workout in both
forward and rear rotation of motion, providing
equal resistance in the both directions.
Changing the direction is as easy as slowing oneself
down and reversing the effort.
Why
would I want to reverse my direction of motion?
While
you are working the same lower-body muscle groups in
both forward and backward directions of rotation, the
change of direction works these muscles out in a slightly
different manner. This provides for increased workout
effectiveness as well as can decrease the workout fatigue
factor and allow for a longer exercise period.
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Do
I need programs?
Programs
aren’t necessary but add a new dimension to exercise.
You can just begin peddling and set the resistance manually
to what ever feels comfortable. However, with added
programming capability, you can vary your daily workout
routine, avoiding burnout and typically pushing you
more than you might on your own. With the addition of
Heart Rate Control Programming you create
a personal trainer that will motivate you in your workout,
moderate or push you as necessary, and maximize your
time on the machine without the guesswork.
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STAIR
CLIMBERS:
Why
buy a stair climber?
Along
with treadmills and upright bikes, stair climbers have
been another mainstay of club and personal use for over
a decade. Although not for everyone and with more options
in machine existing today, the climber is still a great
workout. If you are looking for a moderate to intense
cardiovascular workout this is still the machine for
you, especially if you don’t like to run on a treadmill.
Because this is a weight-bearing exercise, the skeletal
structure and the muscles both get a workout. Working
both against the effect of gravity and the resistance
of the machine, the user gets an intense workout and
can burn a maximum of calories for the workout time.
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Do
I need programs?
Programs
aren’t necessary but add a new dimension to exercise.
You can just begin peddling and set the resistance manually
to what ever feels comfortable. However, with added
programming capability, you can vary your daily workout
routine, avoiding burnout and typically pushing you
more than you might on your own. The "Random"
program is particularly popular because it will push
the average user to workout harder than they might under
their own resistance control. With the addition of Heart
Rate Control Programming you create a personal
trainer that will motivate you in your workout, moderate
or push you as necessary, and maximize your time on
the machine without the guesswork.
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ROWING
MACHINES:
Why
Row?
Rowing
exercises all of your major muscle groups: legs, arms,
back, abdomen, and buttocks. Rowing exercises muscles
through a wider range of motion than most other exercises.
This means that your muscles stretch and joints rotate
to a greater extent, thereby promoting mobility and
flexibility. Rowing provides aerobic conditioning as
well as strength conditioning and is a great calorie
burner. Recent research showed that rowing burns calories
faster than biking at the same perceived level of exertion.
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STRENGTH:
What
type of strength machines should I consider?
There
are three basic categories of strength equipment to
consider:
Free
Weights:
- Allows
the traditional use of weight plates or dumbbells
for strength training. Today there are a wide variety
of machines accomplishing many exercises that were
once done with the old 7-foot bar, some weight plates
and an Olympic bench. Although these still exist,
the modern gym, corporate, or personal training
room has machines on which weight plates are loaded
to execute the exercise safely and effectively.
Multi-Station
Gyms:
- The
modern multi-gym has come along way from the add-on
accessories to the old weight bench. Today’s
most basic multi-gym can have 5 to 20 exercises
executed from one seated position by adjusting parts
of the machine. Although this is compact and usually
the lowest in cost, the exercises are always compromised
in their fluidness, are limited in motion, and sometimes
compromised in safety.
- The
best multi-gyms have 2, 3, or 4 stations,
sometimes sharing the same one or two built in weight
stacks, sometimes each station having its own independent
stack. The more stacks, the more users can be accommodated
at one time, and typically the more comfortable
the exercise motion and effectiveness.
- The
multiple weight stack multi-station is becoming
the standard for home use.
- Club-quality
versions are also found in corporate and other light
commercial facilities alike due to their value while
maintaining exercise quality and durability. These
are also the most solidly constructed and give the
longest performance due to better-quality components
such as pulleys, cables, and upholstery.
Single
Station Pin-Select Machines:
- A
series of single station machines, having either
a single- or dual-exercise capability, are the mainstay
of the corporate or commercial facility.
- With
an appreciation for club-quality construction and
movement, many of our discerning home users
also equip their personal or home fitness rooms
with single stations.
- Single
station machines allow for multiple users in the
facility at one time.
- Single
station machine have the most biomechanically correct
movement, meaning the machines motion matches the
natural movement of the human body and that the
user does not have to compromise their natural exercise
motion to fit the machine.
- Single
station machines can be adjusted to accommodate
the wide variety of users found in any commercial
facilities
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