"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."
     - Doug Larson

It has been said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Combine that with 'sweets to the sweet' and you may have a lot of love going on, but also possible future heart disease problems.

Did you know:

• In 2006, 631,636 people died of heart disease. Heart disease caused 26% of deaths - more than one in every four in the United States.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2006 were women.
• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. In 2005, 445,687 people died from coronary heart disease.
• Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack.
• In 2010, heart disease will cost the United States $316.4 billion. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

Ways to help prevent heart disease is to eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, don't smoke, and limit alcohol use. For more detailed information on prevention and treatments for heart and health care, go to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website,http://www.cdc.gov/ .

"Hear your heart. Heart your health."
                                     ~Faith Seehill

Christmas is the time of year when people give gifts to their loved ones. Why not give the gift of health? The more healthy your loved one is, the more quality time you will have with them. Getting healthy does not necessarily mean buying expensive exercise equipment or joining a gym. There are many simple home gift ideas to get the heart pumping and Rehabmart  can assist you with some of these products.

The proof is in the Christmas pudding and to prove to yourself and others that you are exercising, the Aerobic HIP Pedometer will help show the daily improvement of your exercise routine. This simple and accurate digital pedometer is designed for aerobic activity as it measures steps, minutes, calories burned and distance. With it's seven day history memory, you can review your full week of exercise routines. The pedometer will reset at midnight automatically so it will be ready and waiting for you the next morning.

 

                                                                                                                   

Sometimes it is difficult to get good cardiovascular exercise when injured. In treating injuries where passive strength training is required, try the Heartflex Exerciser . The Heartflex uses light consistent resistance to tone and strengthen the upper body, stimulating the cardiovascular system while at the same time assisting in maintaining upper body strength, flexibility, and range of motion. This is a great type of exercise product that can be used while sitting, watching TV, or as you're waiting for your healthy dinner to cook.

 

                                                                                                              

Are you already doing Yoga or Pilates? Want to help your muscles become more in tone and strong? The Wood Exercise Blocks can make your workout even better! These two New Zealand Radiata Pine wooden exercise blocks can increase the flexibility of your Yoga poses, and add more dimension to your Pilates movements. In addition, the Foam Grip Dumbbells can increase your cardio weight training, as well as the traditional weight training and isometric movements for core muscle toning. The wooden blocks also have a slide panel with a magnetic closure for storage of the foam grip dumbbells which make it easier to transport and store when not in use.

 

       

 
"The scientific truth may be put quite briefly; eat moderately, having an ordinary mixed diet, and don't worry."
                    ~Robert Hutchison, 1932

Are you ready to kick start your exercise routine? Then you may want to use the MMA 4-Pad Kickboxing Station . Mixed martial arts cardio training is fast becoming the newest way to get into shape. You can exercise while learning defensive techniques to protect yourself if the occasion arises. The Kickboxing Station comes with four adjustable foam kicking and punching pads. The pad arms are covered with replaceable interwoven cotton canvas and can be placed into multiple positioning pad heights. The upright and base is made out of durable heavy gauge molded plastic and the stable base fills either with water or sand. This is a great product for a wonderful full body workout that will make you sweat out the toxins and strengthen your body.

                                                                

If you are not quite up to kickboxing but would like to get your heart pumping and your legs or arms churning, then the TherapyCycle  might be right for you. This is a professional-grade exerciser designed to optimize the speed and quality of your recovery. Many other stationary mini cycles use friction resistance to work the muscles, but this might lead to a jerky pedal motion that can be hard on your joints and tendons. The TherapyCycle uses magnetic resistance for an ultra-smooth pedal motion. While most mini cycles have a max pedal resistance of 100 Watts, the TherapyCycle pedal resistance can adjust from nearly nothing to 170 Watts. With this wide range of resistance, a person can slowly increase his strength and stamina from a very easy pedal resistance to a tough workout regime. Put this on the floor for a good leg workout or place it on a table to strengthen arms and shoulders.

 

                                        

If you like the idea of an exercise cycle but have knee problems, then you might be interested in the P44 Stepper Exercise Machine . This machine can be used almost anywhere and attaches to any standard chair or wheelchair. The P44 Stepper Exercise Machine provides cardio exercise for people who are limited to a recumbent, seated position that cannot use other types of equipment. The P44 Stepper provides non-weight bearing, isotonic rehabilitation and exercise of the legs through a simple leg extension. The major benefit of the P44 Stepper is that the legs are independent of one another, allowing for different stroke lengths, stroke rates, and individual resistive forces for each leg. The independent leg motion allows it to be used like a seated leg press, focusing particularly on the quadricep muscle. The advantage of using a stepper as opposed to a cycle is that a stepper can accommodate a decreased knee range of motion whereas a cycle demands at least 110 degrees to complete the circle. The P44 allows for independent strokes, allowing each leg to work to its own ability, whether that be alternating, together, or even one leg at a time. The resistance can be set up to 50 lbs per side and constant throughout the stroke instead of being speed-dependent with the other leg. This is a great device for either home or a care facility.

 

                                                   

Looking for a Christmas present for somebody? Don't sweat trying to figure out what something to get that somebody who has everything. Instead of buying some socks with Snoopy on them or a box of golf balls, get them something that will make them sweat and become more healthy. A healthy heart is a happy heart and what is better than to give a gift of health, happiness and a longer life?

                     Merry Christmas everyone and may you all have a healthy New Year!

"The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling."
       ~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, 'What the River Knows', 1990

If you are interested in viewing more Cardio Exercise Equipment, please go to Cardio Exercise Equipment.
 If you are interested in viewing more Exercise Equipment, please go to Exercise Equipment.
Bill Stock
Library Editor for Rehabmart
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO