Consumer spending may be at all-time low, but there are plenty of things people can’t seem to live without.  Consumer confidence is at its lowest point in history and, according to a Jan. 14 report released by the Commerce Department, retail sales were down 2.7% in December 2008 from November 2008 and 9.8% from December 2007.  However, December 2008 retail sales were $343.2 billion, meaning consumers still deem many items worthy of the original price tag, and there are certain things people value even more when times are tough.  For example, consumers are spending on self health related items, such natural remedies.  Sales of Rescue® Pastilles have doubled, according to Nelson Bach company president Cynthia Batterman.  She believes that in a tough economy, when 7.2% unemployment means an increase in those lacking health insurance, many turn to alternative therapies. “When people put off going to the doctor, they’re more likely to try self-treatment.”  When you translate this “self-treatment” to the world of physical activity, consumers may see the benefits of not only feeling better but also in their wallets by saving on healthcare.

Keeping Fit
Gyms, considered by some to be an affordable luxury, aren’t completely in the red, as people seem to want to stay healthy in both good and bad times.  In fact, market researchers at St. Louis, Missouri-based firm Stifel Nicolaus say overall gym memberships will increase by 4% in 2009. And a nationwide survey conducted by Princeton, N.J.-based Opinion Research Corporation, found that over 60% of the 1,090 (gym-going) participants planned on keeping their current membership plan, while another 23% planned on downgrading to a less expensive option.

Whether a member of a gym or not, many people are exercising in the comfort and convenience of their own homes.  LifeSpan exercise equipment is designed specifically for home use, with special attention given to safety, size, noise level and other home usage factors.  If you think you can’t afford fitness equipment right now, we challenge you to change your thinking and focus on your health.  Consider the healthcare savings benefits you can achieve as a result of using exercise equipment to stay healthy.  In this down economy, there is no better time to place a greater emphasis on your health.  If you value your personal health and fitness, we encourage you to increase your physical activity.  LifeSpan fitness equipment, including a full line of treadmills, elliptical trainers and exercise bikes, can help you stay motivated to enhance your health while you enjoy the benefits of feeling better and living healthier.

Knowing your heart rate is crucial to maximizing your fitness program and achieving your health and fitness goals, and makes heart healthy exercise more effective and time efficient, safer, and equally as important, much more fun. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that for heart health, you should monitor your heart rate during all exercise to ensure the appropriate amount of exertion for each individual. The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) says, “Heart rate is the primary guide for aerobic exercise intensity.”

People with various exercise motivations, from those with medical conditions to those seeking to lose weight or improve sports performance, benefit by effectively utilizing their heart during exercise. Research has proven that it is important to do more than just “move” or slightly raise your heart rate above a resting rate when you exercise. Many individuals today are exercising with one or more cardiac risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, making it challenging to exercise safely. Finally, a “beating heart” is a crucial indicator for many heart patients who have been instructed by their physician to monitor heart rhythm changes, and to other individuals who may be unaware that they have a heart rhythm abnormality. Individuals benefit tremendously by monitoring their heart rate continuously during exercise and staying within the ranges recommended by their physician or the ACSM.

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