Inflatable boats and rafts are growing in their popularity. This is due to their relatively low costs and ease of transport. Another strong point of these vessels is the fact that they come in almost every imaginable shape and size. This means that there is an inflatable raft or boat for nearly every need, from recreation to military. However, where did these versatile vehicles come from?

The first known inflatable boat has been recorded as far back as 2,900 years ago in Assyria. These first vessels were created from animal skins that were sown together. Since there was no easy way to inflate them, such as with air compressors as we have today, these watercraft were inflated by hand. Not only that, but due to their construction, the men on board were constantly having to blow more air into them in order to keep them from sinking. This was inefficient in many ways, but at the same time, it set in motion a model to continually develop through the years. This is not to say that the first inflatable rafts were not useful. In fact, there are ancient carvings that depict men on rafts using their hands to paddle through the water. This is thought to have been used for both trade and war purposes.

From there, it wasn’t until about 1839 that the first Duke of Wellington decided to make his own versions of inflatable boats. During that time and shortly afterward, the use and manufacturing of rubber was becoming more pronounced. This created an entirely new material for which to create rafts from. The rubber was far more buoyant and solid than animal skins; however, there were still problems. With many of the early rubber rafts, they tended to tear at the seams since rubber was a fairly new material to work with.

The development of the inflatable raft and inflatable boat only continued on from there. France, Great Britain, and Germany were all eager to jump on that bandwagon. They all set forth in improving inflatable boats. The Germans were using “pneumatic” boats in their army by 1913. The British were developing one in about 1919 by RFD, and the French had their own prototype by 1934.

It was developments such as the ones made by these countries that spurred further interest in inflatable boats and rafts. As time went on, materials in addition to manufacturing processes improved. Today, many inflatable boats are made of substances such as neoprene and PVC in order to withstand various situations and last for a long time.

Billy Kite is a researcher writing on behalf of http://www.inflatableboat.net.

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Core strength training is the new catch phrase in athletic circles. Although the name is new, this core practice has been around for as long as there have been athletes. The core of the body consists of all the muscles surrounding the pelvis and spine. These muscles are designed to protect these sensitive areas as well as to assist in transferring energy to the smaller body parts during strenuous exertion.

Core strength training is especially critical in sports where there is a lot of stress placed on the mid section. Winter is upon us and multitudes are heading for the slopes or the snow covered parks to partake of skiing and snowboarding. However, these activities cause incredible stress on the lower back and pelvis as the athlete strives to keep balance on a blanket of slippery snow and ice.

Core training targets the workout of both the abdominals and lower back together. This is what differentiates it from traditional weight training. The same applies to the upper body as well as the lower body. When an athlete is in motion, the entire body is in movement and striving to maintain balance and equilibrium. All muscles are contracting or expanding in harmony together in order to protect the central communication system of the spine. Core strength training is designed to replicate that activity.

Lower back pain is due to over-stressing the core muscles and many lower back injuries can be avoided or reduced if more attention were given to strengthening those supporting muscles through core strength training. Each time an athlete twists, turns, leans too far forward or backward, or lands a jump, the pelvis and lower back absorb the shock. The core muscles constrict tightly to compensate for the extreme action and if the strength of those muscles isn’t sufficient then injury occurs.

A good core strengthening program will greatly benefit the athlete in numerous ways. It will help in maneuvering more efficiently and to improve control and balance during the sport. It will increase the body’s power output in the shoulders, arms and legs as well as the areas surrounding the core. It will certainly reduce the risk of injury as the muscles surrounding the critical areas of the pelvis and lower spine are built up to a point of protecting more efficiently.

If you’re looking to hit the slopes this winter season, be sure to take some preparation time to strengthen your core beforehand.

Darrin Tebbe of Bodytronics is passionate about personal fitness and offers a vast selection of personal fitness electronics at the company’s online e-commerce store. Check out our products today.

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When you want to build your own home gym , please look following.

I walked into the commercial gym yesterday after a long day of work excited to begin my workout. After warming up I proceeded to the squat rack to start my resistance training workout. I unfortunately ran into a bit of a roadblock. I was planning on starting with some Back Squats but there was a young man in the power rack performing barbell biceps curls with horrible form (a definite no-no!).

I decided to go to Plan B and rearrange my workout only to find that the flat benches were all occupied as well. This trend continued and everywhere I turned the equipment I desired was being used. I was happy that so many people were working out but at the same time I was frustrated that my well-laid plans were spoiled. I learned a long time ago that it is wise to have a back-up plan in place for situations like this so I decided to head home and revert to Plan C, which was my home workout routine.

I have found that having the option to workout at home is essential for people with busy schedules, for others who do not like going to crowded gyms, or for people who need a contingency plan for just-in-case situations (that’s me!). Another reason to have a home gym is that warmer weather has finally arrived and you may be less likely to go to your commercial gym.

I have helped people design expensive, well-equipped home gyms and I have helped others design very cost-effective, space-saving workouts areas. My personal home gym consists of a Stability Ball, 5lb to 95lb Dumbbells, some Kettlebells, an adjustable Weighted Vest, Adjustable DB Handles, Elastic Bands, 2kg to 10kg Medicine Balls, Ankle Weights, an AB Roller, a variety of Exercise Videos, and a minimal amount of space!

Anyone can have a Home Gym and there are many reasons to have one. The following list of questions should help you design a Home Gym that will suit your needs, your space, and your budget!

Questions To Ask When Building Your Home Gym:

The First Step: Ask Yourself Why?

Why do you want a home gym? What will it give you that you do not already have? What is your empowering vision of your ideal physique or athletic accomplishment? What are your short and long term goals? Always begin with a vision of the end results in mind, as this will guide you in your efforts. If you have not developed a vision of what you want to accomplish at this point, then that is the first thing you need to do. Develop a plan of attack for building your body and building your home gym.

Without a plan you might end up disappointed with the lack of results and frustrated that you bought the wrong equipment. Ask yourself what kind of results you expect your home gym to deliver? Is your home gym going to supplement your commercial gym membership (as a contingency plan)?

Will you be doing your cardiovascular exercise outside or inside on a machine? Will you be doing stretching, strength training, or both? Is your home gym going to be the only place that you work out? Think about these things when designing your home gym.

I. How much are you willing to spend ?

How much do you want to spend, plain and simple? If you are just starting out with an exercise program, you might consider starting small with a simple, yet very effective, pair of Dumbbells. You can perform a full-body workout with a pair of dumbbells, some bodyweight exercises, and with a little knowledgeable of proper exercise technique.

If you want to do it inexpensively, hire a knowledgeable fitness professional to design an individualized exercise program that you can do with a pair of Dumbbells in the comfort of your home. I have listed a variety of items that you might consider adding to your home gym.

Equipment Considerations:

A. Cardiovascular Machine

If you insist on performing your cardiovascular exercise routine at home be prepared to spend some money! Be aware, a gym quality treadmill, stationary bike, rowing ergometer, or elliptical trainer is going to cost you. You can buy used or refurbished gym quality equipment for a discounted price and if I wanted a cardio machine for my home this is probably the route that I would take.

If you are thinking, “I’ll just save a few hundred dollars and buy an inexpensive treadmill at the mall,” make sure you do some research and ensure that you will buy something that is going to last and that will fit y our needs. I know many people who have purchased flimsy treadmills and regretted it soon thereafter. There are quality treadmills out there you just have to know where to look. I would recommend talking to my friend Bob McKinnon at McKinnon Technical Services (603-644-7539) who knows gym equipment like the back of his hand. He can point you in the right direction if you want to!

B. A Multi-Purpose home gym machine

There are numerous multi-purpose gyms on the market and some are better than others. Chances are, if you turn on your television late at night and flip through the channels, you will be exposed to clever marketing using beautifully sculpted fitness models promising results in six weeks or less if you purchase their machine! Guess what.

You can get results without a two thousand dollar machine that will most likely be collecting dust in a year anyway! Why not begin your quest for improved fitness with a modest investment in a pair of Dumbbells? Why not purchase a $20 book on how to get into shape? How about meeting with someone who specializes in coaching people through the process of positive physical change such as fitness professional or Registered Dietician? Infomercials are notorious for clever marketing and they can be very compelling. Avoid impulsive buying and do some research first before purchasing an expensive multi-gym.

I recommend consulting a qualified fitness professional about the usefulness of such a machine, interviewing people who have that machine, and possibly even test-driving one before you make this decision. I have to mention that every Spring and Fall I see countless multi-gyms sitting out on someone’s lawn as part of the annual yard sale. I wonder why that is?

C. Barbells

If I had the room in my apartment, I would go out and buy a Barbell today! With a 45 lb. Olympic Barbell you can perform a wide variety of exercises in a variety of different ways. If you are an athlete, you have the space available, and you want to improve your sports performance, learning how to correctly perform the Olympic Weightlifting movements (Clean and Jerk, Snatch, and all the variations) can take your performance to the next level!

To name a few, exercises such as Squats, Overhead Squats, Deadlifts, Bent over Rows, Bench Presses, Overhead Presses, and Upright Rows can be performed. I would recommend having an adjustable Power Rack and adjustable bench to augment the versatility of the barbell. Space and total cost are big factors when considering purchasing a barbell.

D. Dumbbells

If you want to save money and space, dumbbells are the way to go. You might consider two to three sets of dumbbells (they can be purchased at a sporting goods store for any where between $.35-$.75/pound (In Concord, NH, Check out Olympia Sports in the Mall, Sears, Target, Walmart, Northeast Fitness, or check out the newspapers for the least expensive way to go!).

I prefer the metal dumbbells but there are also rubber coated and adjustable dumbbells available. “Power Blocks,” (perform a search on the internet to learn more about these) are adjustable dumbbells and are a great tool that take up a lot less space in your home gym, offers great versatility, and offers adjustable resistance to suit your needs. There are also other forms of adjustable dumbbells that consist of two handles, collars, and series of different size weight plates.

In closing, be sure to spend considerable time looking into the process of designing and constructing your home gym as it can be a very important addition to your life and to your home. Consider consulting an exercise professional to make sure that your gym will suit your individual needs, your budget, and your home. There are many reasons to have a home gym and it can be designed to help you achieve the results that you are looking for!

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Most people, when they were younger, were told to lift with their bended knees instead of putting stress on the back. For those who listened to this sage advice, they were able to save their backs. For those who didn’t, the years of accumulated stress has progressed to pain later on in life. However, there is hope that you can still go through life without back pain. All you have to do is do some simple exercises to strengthen your back, stomach and leg muscles.

Doing exercises for core muscles does not need to be complicated and can generally be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home without any expensive gym equipment. Here are a few examples:

Basic Floor Twist

Lie flat on your back with your arms outstretched to the sides.
Bring your knees together close to your chest.
Lower the knees to the right side by gently twisting
Bring back your knees to your chest.
Gently twist to the left side and lowering the knees.
Return knees to the chest position.
Repeat 5 times all the while inhaling when knees are at the chest position and exhaling when the knees are at the sides.

This is a great warm up stretch exercise.

Leg Lifts

Lying on the floor, bend one knee at a 90 degree angle with foot on the ground. With the other straight leg, slowly lift it to the height of the bended leg and hold for 3 seconds. Lower the straight leg and lift again. Do this for a total of 10 times before switching legs. This works your lower abdomen muscles.

Abdominal Crunches

Lying on the floor, bend both knees but do not anchor the feet. The small of your back should be touching the floor. Put your hands beside your ears with the elbows jutting out. With your chin tucked, gently lift your shoulders and head off the floor. To avoid straining back muscles, do not lift all the way up. For a beginner, doing 10 repetitions is enough and the number of crunches can be increased as the muscles strengthen.

Rotational Crunches

These types of crunches are the same as the basic abdominal crunch (see above) but the direction of the head lift is off diagonally to the side. You rotate your body so that the weight rests on one shoulder. Next, with your chin tucked in, you raise the other shoulder higher than the other one. While the basic crunch works on the upper abdominal muscles, this works the side oblique muscles.

These are just some examples of the exercise that you can do to strengthen your back. Remember, you don’t have to live with your back pain when you can do something about it!

Before following a back exercise program, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor. If required, he might prescribe a lumbar support belt or a back support girdle.

http://mensgirdleunderwear.com/ provides information on men’s girdles and back support aids.

If you have just qualified in massage therapy and are about to start your own business, you will need to have the correct massage therapy equipment. The most important item on your ‘to buy’ list is a massage table. You can get movable tables or stationary tables, but the space of your working area will need to be considered before deciding which is more suitable.

Good massage therapists are always in demand. People of all ages can get tremendous physical and emotional benefits from a massage. In this 21st century, most of us are stressed out and overworked, and a professional massage can relieve pain, stress and tension. So you shouldn’t be short of clients!

If you are planning to do therapy sessions at your workplace and at your clients’ homes, then obviously a portable table will be necessary. Portable tables have many benefits, the most important one being that they are cheaper. If you plan to conduct your business on your premises only, then a stationary table is preferable.

Whatever type of table you choose, there are some additional factors that you need to consider. The table should have good stability and able to take a lot of weight. It should be easy to clean and durable. The table should also have facilities that will allow you to install add-on devices.

You may want to purchase some accessories for your table. These include warmers, a carrying case, headsets, cushions, face holes, and adjustable rests for arms, feet and heads. Buy a table that comes with a warranty. You are going to spend a lot of money on this asset, and you will want to know that if it breaks, you will be compensated.

Next you will have to consider other massage therapy supplies and equipment. You will have to stock up on gels, lotions and oils. Essential oils are used for aromatherapy. Find a supplier that can guarantee that the oils are safe and suitable for massage therapy. Some oils are totally unsuitable, yet people try and sell them claiming they are genuine.

Other items that you will need to set up your business include sheets for your table, towels, a holder for your oils, a desk for your receptionist, and chairs for your waiting room. If you live in a hot climate, you will also need to consider installing air conditioning. And if you live in a cold climate, you will need to install heating. You might even want to consider buying a massage chair.

You can get all your supplies at an online store, from your table right through to your towels. The convenience of online shopping will give you time to compare prices, other services and the availability of stocks. Once you have all the information on hand you can sit down and calculate the costs according to your budget.

Once you have established a relationship with a reputable website, you will be able to easily place orders and have them delivered direct to your office. A quality massage therapy equipment website will be one that has a comprehensive list of all the necessary products. It will also respond to your queries quickly and gladly give you helpful advice.

Using the appropriate types of massage therapy supplies is important for giving effective massages. Hydrocollators, thermalators, and other forms of physical therapy equipment are great for treating injuries caused by sports and exercising. http://www.source1medical.com/

Phoenix has a large range of fitness equipment available to buy. Let’s admit it; sometimes there is nothing you want to avoid doing more than hauling yourself out of your nice cozy house to get to the gym. Maybe your favorite TV show is on; maybe it’s raining or cold. Whatever the reason, the result is the same – a wasted gym membership.

Buying your own fitness equipment can be a good investment. Phoenix has a large number of locations where fitness equipment can be purchased for very reasonable prices. Having a good look around to find your best option is likely to yield very positive results.

Phoenix fitness equipment has a number of advantages over a gym membership. Firstly, do you like to share? One advantage of owning your own gym equipment is that you are able to allow other people to use it. If you have a house guest, but still want to keep up your daily fitness regime, it is much less antisocial to offer them the use of your facilities than it is to disappear off to the gym. You could even jump on the stepper while they have a shower or a nap!

This brings me to another big advantage of buying your own Phoenix fitness equipment; there is nothing quite like flexibility for helping you maintain a fitness regime. The longer you pay for a gym membership, the more excuses you can invent for not going. I have heard excuses such as ‘I forgot’ or ‘I had to do a big shop’ used as reasons for regularly skipping the gym. All this does is waste your money.

Phoenix fitness equipment has no opening hours; it has no time restrictions on using popular machines and it definitely has no commute involved! Phoenix fitness equipment comes before you step out of the door. It can be in front of the TV or stereo, and even better, you can choose the channel. There is no need for anyone to watch the kids, and if the sauce needs stirring or the phone rings, you can stop for a moment and start again. Your day is never broken up with the inconvenience of a dedicated gym trip.

Better still, you can choose your equipment. You can stock your own gym with large purchases such as treadmills and steppers, or you can increase your repertoire with free standing weights or floor mats. If there are machines you habitually avoid using, then you don’t have to pay for them, unlike when you pay for a gym membership! With Phoenix fitness equipment you only get what you really want.

But possibly the biggest advantage of owning your own equipment is the one-off payment. It’s nice not to have the monthly drag on your bank account! Once you buy the equipment it is yours. If you go on holiday for two weeks you don’t carry on paying for a service that you’re not using. The equipment is waiting for you when you return home, and you are safe in the knowledge that you haven’t lost anything you have paid for by going away for a while.
If all this sounds appealing, then invest in Phoenix fitness equipment and start your new health regime today!

Bob Lachniet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! To find the best home fitness equipment in Phoenix visit http://www.fitness4homesuperstore.com