Gym at home for today’s hectic lifestyle
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The high disposable income and health awareness prompt people to set up gyms at home. BIJU GOVIND works up a sweat going through the array of fitness equipment now available.
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Take up the gauntlet: The treadmill is the most preferred fitness machine; or you can go for a home gym.
A healthy mind needs a healthy body. Physical fitness is not just a fad. It has become a necessity in today’s lifestyle.
Kozhikode city is no exception to the trend of people preferring to workout at home as in the big metros. Many even desire to have a gym in the house.
Perhaps, the trend is reflected in the mushrooming of showrooms selling fitness equipment. At least 15 shops now dot the cityscape. “Young and old, men and women visit our showroom seeking single equipment or requesting to set up a mini-gym in their house. One can establish a gym at a cost of Rs. 50,000,” says C.K. Pradeepan, manager, Fitness Forum, Wayanad Road.
Many people prefer treadmills. “Treadmills, both manual and automatic, are fast-moving products. Most of them have been imported from Taiwan,” Mr. Pradeepan says.
For the entire family
The treadmill can be used by all family members. Nowadays, even children become obese without any activity. Besides, women may not want to go for a walk or jog in unpleasant weather and on the dirty streets.
Each user can feed data such as height, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level into machine. Thus, all family members can utilise the treadmill in a modern fashion, he says.
Leading showrooms display the state-of-the-art series of cardiovascular workout products. Treadmills are available on the basis of user weight — 80 kg, 100 kg, 120 kg and so on.
The UK-designed Physique Momentum treadmills come equipped with AC motor drive systems. The running deck and frame is suspended on two swing-arm pivots, allowing for more cushioning of the running surface than the traditional cushion under deck construction.
A common complaint by treadmill users is the off-balance experience of adjusting the speed. It generally requires reaching forward while you are in motion and pressing a button on the console. Not only do you have to awkwardly lean forward as you run, but you can also have to keep your eyes on the board.
New models are available to sort out this problem. Physique Momentum has a new, patented motion control to adjust the speed of the treadmill without touching the machine. The right sensor is for increasing speed, left to slow down and both sensors to stop, Mr. Pradeepan says.
Another is the arm swing suspension technology. The computer controlled Intelitrac suspension system is an adjustable deck cushioning system that allows for changeable suspension within a single workout session. The system can be set to operate in either manual or automatic mode.
The motorised treadmills are priced between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 1.25 lakh. The more expensive models are for commercial use. Taiwanese products are much in demand. Manufacturing fitness equipment has become a small and medium enterprise in that country, says C.R. Sarath, manager of National Fitness Equipment, Kannur Road.
Most of his clients are patients who have been advised by doctors to use a treadmill at home. Earlier, treadmills, fitness equipment, such as cycles, cross trainer and rovers, and home gyms were confined to upper middle-class homes. “Now, professionals and middle-class women employees walk in to showrooms scouting for equipment,” he says.
Better lifestyle
The high disposable income has made the younger generation choose a better lifestyle that includes exercise. Most shops offers finance with zero interest on treadmills. The U.S.-based Health Stream brands command a price range between Rs. 80,000 and Rs. 1 lakh. These products having high torque motors come with a five-year guarantee, Mr. Sarath says.
Bio-cycles are other much sought-after products. Some of them have patented electromagnetic resistance system. An AC/DC adapter powers the computer and magnetic system.
The seats of the cycle are easy to adjust and are anatomically designed. The frame has been designed for extra large and heavy duty. The tubular steel frame is expected to have a long life. The handle has large comfortable neoprene-covered wraparound handlebars. It has an electronics console in addition to a storage compartment.
Some has programmable electronic fitness computers with large LED display that allows the user to electronically programme the desired workload according to ability. The computer features displays for target heart rate zone, start/stop, pause, speed, distance, interval, elapsed time, estimated calories burnt, programme plan and tension adjustment.
Additional features include programmers for weight loss, fitness training, endurance training, interval training and a 3-mile race against the computer. Models come with a heart rate and pulse monitor. The computer automatically adjusts resistance when user exceeds or falls below the targeted heart rate to keep the user in the optimum heart rate zone. The cost of these ranges from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 40,000.
Home gyms are other desired equipment at homes. A normal home gym consists of a 60-kg plastic weight stack and full-length stack cover. Users can do exercises such as seated bench press, leg extension, leg curl, lat pull down, bicep curl and triceps push down. Home gyms cost Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 25,000, Mr. Sarath says.
Some have a fancy to own a massage chair. There are five models in most shops. Prices range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh, Mr. Pradeepan says.
Other equipment available for exercises are fan bike, ab-king pro, handgrip, push-up stand and aerobic dumbbell set. The foot massager, body massager, massager to be used in cars and sofas, twister, gym ball, angle wrist weight, weight gloves and slider are also fast-moving goods, he says.
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