The LifeSpan PRO3 treadmill is an excellent performance treadmill for users. It is recognized favorably by treadmill review groups and continues to be a top seller. In 2010, Treadmill Doctor awarded the PRO3 the Best Buy Winner for treadmills priced $2000-$2499.

The LifeSpan PRO3 treadmill is also solid in its reputation with a low defect rate, few service calls, and positive feedback from customers.

After looking extensively on the internet at different treadmills, I purchased the PRO3. It is a great treadmill with plenty of room to run. It has a lifetime motor and frame warranty. 5 year parts warranty and 2 year labor warranty if used in the home. Look at other treadmills with this type of warranty and you will be paying 3,000 or better for them. The machine is very solid and is excellent for runners. The PRO3, in my opinion, is the best option out there for the price.

-  D. Baker, Nashville, TN

LifeSpan continues to be a proud partner with The Heart Truth, a national campaign promoting awareness of heart disease among women. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Physical inactivity is an established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability among U.S. adults.” Physical inactivity doubles the risk of developing heart disease, and triples the risk of developing hypertension.

Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. According to the latest joint American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, all healthy adults ages 18-65 should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five days of the week. The more vigorous the activity, the greater the benefits. However, even moderate-intensity activities help if done regularly and long term. Physical activity can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people. Whether it’s included in a structured exercise program or part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.

Download the heart disease fact sheet and heart disease risk assessment provided by The Heart Truth, and share this valuable information with your customers.

LifeSpan Heart Healthy Product Features:
Physical activity can reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases, including heart disease. Here are some features in LifeSpan products that will encourage you to be physically active and use your heart wisely:

• Fitness Equipment — Use the contact heart rate sensors on LifeSpan fitness equipment to monitor your heart rate as you work out, and Heart Rate Control programs that will help you use your heart rate effectively as you exercise
• Heart Rate Ring — Conveniently monitor your heart rate throughout the day with this heart rate ring
• Blood Pressure Monitor — Take your blood pressure then upload your results to your own personal online health and fitness account
• LifeSpan Fitness Club — Track your heart rate and blood pressure over time using this comprehensive yet simple-to-use online health and fitness management program

If your resolutions involve being healthier and exercising more in 2010, here are 10 tips to help you get started exercising and stay motivated.

• Set realistic goals. Make sure your goals are attainable. Set small goals with target dates along the way will help you achieve success along the way toward your ultimate goal.
• Make sure your resolutions are simple and clear. A well-stated resolution such as “I will take 500 more steps per week” is much more specific than “I will lose 20 pounds in 2010.”
• Keep your resolutions in sight. Post them where you can see them several times a day to remind you of what you’re trying to accomplish.
• Adopt an exercise attitude. Instead of looking at exercise as painful, time consuming, an obligation or a punishment for bad eating, try a more positive perspective. View exercise as a break from a stressful workday, an energy and mood booster, time for yourself, or a mental and physical reward after a hard day of work.
• Change your lifestyle so you can be successful. Be honest with yourself and analyze your current eating and activity habits. Replace bad habits with good habits, one at a time. This sounds easy, but you have to change the way you think about exercise and eating, change the way you schedule your day and how you prioritize your tasks. Understand that exercise is a life-long habit necessary for maintaining good health. Small behavioral changes over a long period of time can make big differences.
• Make a plan for success. Now that you’ve stated your resolutions, how are you going to accomplish them? If you’re going to take more steps in a week, how will you do this? Outline the ways you will increase your physical activity, including times of day and duration of activity. Your exercise program should involve doing activities you enjoy, and include a variety of activities to keep you motivated and avoid plateaus.
• Find a friend. Sharing your resolutions, your progress, and your successes and failures with a friend will help you stay on track to accomplish your goals. Working out with a friend can also motivate you, especially on days you don’t feel like exercising.
• Journal your activity progress and track your stats How are you doing compared to your plans? Write down what you did that was good and what you could do better. Good resolutions have measurable outcomes, which you can measure over time. Record your statistics, such as blood pressure, weight, or body measurements on a regular basis. Use the LifeSpan Fitness Club to log your exercise and monitor the changes in your body.
• Celebrate your successes. Establish rewards so that you can celebrate your successes along the way. Make sure your rewards are not detrimental to your resolution. If your ultimate goal is to be healthier, don’t reward yourself with a milkshake. Taking the time for a bubble bath or a good book are much better rewards!
• Be willing to change rather than quit. Even if you have the best stated resolutions with good action plans, you may find some things work while others don’t. Revisit your goals every month and compare your progress to your original expectations. You may need to modify your goals as you progress, but don’t give up. If you are better off today than before you started you’re still successful!

If you’re serious about your New Year’s Resolutions, taking the time and effort to honestly evaluate your goals, plan them out well, and follow through accordingly will pay off. Making a serious change in your life is never easy and never quick. If you want it, you’ve got to work for it.

It’s great to have resolutions and vow to do better in 2010, but broad resolutions are usually unattainable and set people up for failure. To achieve success, resolutions should be specific and realistic, and force you to act. A better resolution for “Lose Weight” might be “Increase my daily steps by 100 each week” or for “Get in Better Shape” maybe it’s “Do 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least 3 days a week.” Specific resolutions such as these can be tracked and the results reviewed. Achieving little victories will lead to results and encourage you to set additional realistic and attainable goals!

The new year is a perfect time of year to make changes in your life to improve your health and fitness. Specific, action-oriented new year resolutions will help you reach your personal goals!

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The LifeSpan EL1000 elliptical was also highly rated in the elliptical reviews. “The EL1000 has become a reliable choice… one of the better choices this year,” says the treadmill and elliptical review group. LifeSpan ellipticals scored well for reliability, value and ergonomics. “The improvements that LifeSpan made two years ago really showed up well in the market last year. The EL1000 and EL3000i ellipticals are both solid values.”

LifeSpan ellipticals were also awarded the symbol of manufacturing excellence award earlier this year for combining high quality with innovative, compact design.

The compact LifeSpan EL1000 and EL3000i elliptical trainers are carefully designed with details important to consumers. LifeSpan ellipticals are compact to fit comfortably in your home, saving you floor space without sacrificing quality or durability. The low step up height makes these ellipticals ideal for low-ceiling rooms.

In addition to compact size, LifeSpan elliptical trainers are recognized for ergonomic Natural FIT features. Comfortable closely-spaced pedals, uniquely-designed handlebars that narrow the width as your arms extend forward, and a perfected elliptical stride pattern let your arms and legs flow naturally, simulating your body’s everyday movement. This natural fit makes your exercise more comfortable, as well as minimizes the risk for injury and decreases the stress to your spine, knees and hips.

LifeSpan elliptical consoles are highly functional, simultaneously displaying all information you need to stay motivated. Engaging workout programs, designed by an Exercise Physiologist, help you achieve your fitness goals whether you want to lose weight, train for a sporting event or simply live healthy.

The EL3000i elliptical trainer also includes a membership in the LifeSpan Fitness Club, a unique online health and fitness management program that keeps track of your exercise data that is automatically saved onto a USB device as you exercise on your EL3000i elliptical.

LifeSpan Stretch Partner, $599 – Stretching exercises on the LifeSpan Stretch Partner help maximize range of motion and improve flexibility. This unique stretching machine provides deep, full-body stretching, while ensuring proper body positioning and stretching technique. Highly praised by golf professionals, physical therapists, chiropractors, health clubs and senior fitness centers, the LifeSpan Stretch Partner improves sports performance, prevents injury, reduces back pain and improves posture. Customers repeatedly say the LifeSpan Stretch Partner has given them a better quality of life.

LifeSpan Heart Rate Ring, $29.99 – A heart rate monitor that you wear on your finger! LifeSpan’s MyBeat Heart Rate Ring is convenient and automatic, providing you with a continuous reading of your heart rate. No wires. No chest straps. No contact points to touch. Simply put it on your finger and press start.

Fitness Forever Senior Exercise Program, $19.99 – This nationally recognized, medically-based exercise program is designed specifically for seniors. If followed regularly, older adults can improve heart rate and blood pressure, increase mobility, reduce joint pain and enjoy overall improvement in functional fitness and health. Fitness Forever Exercise Program is appropriate for those with a physical condition such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. It will help you improve overall health, raise your level of fitness and reduce the risk of injury and illness.
LifeSpan TR200 Treadmill, $799 – Convenient, easy to use treadmill for casual walking. This ultra compact treadmill is surprisingly sturdy, yet small enough to use in any workout space. This lightweight and portable treadmill quickly folds and stores under a bed, behind a door, or in a closet. Fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box!

LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Trainer, $899 – Whole body vibration therapy is an excellent addition to your cardiovascular workout, and is also ideal if you’re just starting to exercise. Use the LifeSpan Vibration Trainer to help reach your goals for weight loss, healthy living, disease management and sports training! Vibration therapy also supports senior exercise needs as it has been proven to improve bone density and enhance hormone levels. The LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Trainer provides three-way vibration, as recommended by experts, including movement up and down, side to side, and front to back.

The TR800 features 15 levels of incline, large comfortable handlebars, and a cushioned deck for extra shock absorption. Check our website for more information about this new treadmill.

Quick Specs:
Product Dimensions: 66" L x 31″ W x 54" H
Belt Size: 18" x 52"
Incline: 15 Levels
Deck Suspension: 8 Compression Shock Absorbers

Water is essential to life, in fact, the human body is over 75% water. Most experts agree that people can survive for 30 days without food, but only three days without water!

Credible health and fitness professionals advise drinking water before, during and after cardio workouts on a treadmill, elliptical trainer or exercise bike.  Fitness equipment usually includes special holders that allow you to keep your water bottle handy so you can take a drink without interrupting your exercise.

Drinking fluids is important in your daily life, even between workout sessions.  Think about the fluids that you drink to quench your thirst.  Coffee, sports drinks, fizzy beverages, and alcohol are calorie-laden and either contain powerful stimulants or are loaded with sugar.  Some of these beverages can even leave you feeling more dehydrated in the long term.  A better idea is to drink plain water, either tap or bottled.

Nutritional experts recommend drinking between six and eight glasses of water daily to keep hydrated throughout the day.  Initially it may be challenging to focus on drinking this much water a day, but it will quickly become easy and part of your daily routine.

If you’re serious about living healthy, it is important to combine your exercise with a healthy lifestyle that includes drinking sufficient water to satisfy your body’s needs.

Today, most treadmills include a detachable safety key which must be in proper position before the treadmill can operate.  LifeSpan Fitness takes treadmill safety a step further to make treadmills safe for home use.  A pioneer in treadmill safety, LifeSpan introduced Intelli-Guard™ automatic safety pause nearly two years ago and now includes this unique feature on nearly every LifeSpan treadmill model.  Intelli-Guard™ forces the treadmill belt to come to a stop when there are no feet consistently striking the treadmill belt after a set amount of time.  So if for some reason your LifeSpan treadmill is running and no one is actually using it to exercise, your treadmill will automatically pause, reducing the risk of injury to you and your children.  If you get distracted and fall while using your treadmill or suddenly leave your treadmill while it is still running, the treadmill belt will stop.

Treadmill Safety Tips

No matter how safe a treadmill is designed, you must still exercise caution with such a large piece of exercise equipment in your home.  Here are safety tips for using your treadmill safely in your home.

• Never let a child play on or near your treadmill
• Always unplug your treadmill when not in use
• Always remove the safety key and keep it away from children
• Consider using your treadmill when children are not in your ‘direct’ care; for example, exercise when children are napping, at preschool, or being supervised by a resposible person in your home

If you must exercise when children are present,

• Keep young children in a playpen, or surround your treadmill to keep children away
• Leave plenty of empty space behind the treadmill, so you can’t get trapped between the treadmill belt and a wall should you fall
• Depending on the ages of your children, consider teaching them basic treadmill operations that will keep them safe, such as how to pull the safety key, and how to turn it off and unplug it
• Finally, follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines

By following these safety tips you will be more comfortable and confident using your treadmill in your home, and continue to enjoy the benefits of exercising in the convenience of your home.