Stay Physically Fit in an Unfit Economy

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In these tough economic times when every penny counts, costly gym memberships are a common casualty. But that doesn't mean you should neglect your health.

"More than ever, it's important to make exercise part of your daily routine," says Don Brown, fitness expert and developer of the Ab Roller® and Ab Coaster®. "You can maintain health, lead an energetic lifestyle and reduce stress by getting regular exercise."

The longtime fitness guru notes that physical health should not be sacrificed to cost-cutting measures. Rather, Brown offers the following tips for those looking to stay, or get, physically fit during tough economic times.

* Get outdoors: Walking and jogging are great cardiovascular activities especially for those new to regular exercise and they are free. What's more, getting out in the sunlight encourages healthy circulation, strengthens the body's immune system by increasing white blood cell count and helps improve mood.

On days when the weather isn't cooperative, take your cardio workout indoors. Jumping rope and running on a treadmill are great traditional indoor exercises. Other fitness products, such as the Air ClimberTM, combine cardio with twist exercises that help tighten core muscles in the abdomen. "Focusing on core training can help ward off stress-induced belly fat," says Brown.

* Purchase at-home fitness equipment: Fitness fanatics are likely to want more from a workout than walking and jogging. At-home fitness equipment, such as the Ab Coaster®, provides core-strengthening benefits similar to those you'd get from a gym plus the convenience of home.

Easily assembled and taking up less space than a typical treadmill, the Ab Coaster is essentially a hybrid of two popular abdominal exercises: the hanging leg raise and crunches. The machine's curved track guides you through a perfect lower abdominal lift while eliminating strain to your neck, back and shoulders. By engaging the abs from start-to-finish, the Ab Coaster strengthens the core with a constant contraction on every repetition, while the multi-angle seat adjusts to target oblique muscles for a complete abdominal workout. Users have even found the unique design to strengthen additional core-affected areas, most notably the lower back.

"I got this whole new midsection with the Ab Coaster," says Melissa V. "You feel it working everything -- the middle, the obliques. It burns, but it feels good because you know you're working on that waist!"

* Maintain a healthy diet: Brown emphasized the importance of a healthy diet for everyone, from ardent fitness buffs to those with a more casual approach to exercise. Those who like to dine out or frequently order in can save substantial amounts of money in the current economy simply by eating healthier and often far less expensive foods at home and by eating less. In conjunction with daily exercise, a balanced diet that includes multiple servings of fruits and vegetables is a great way to achieve or maintain optimal health, whether or not you ever enter a gym again.

For more information about at-home fitness and exercise products, please visit www.tristarproductsinc.com.