Pilates equipment is a popular searched for item within this blog, so I guess people are looking for reviews and general information on the aero pilates machine. The aero pilates machine is certainly a "different" form of exercise.

One thing to take note is that no Aero Pilates Machine with Cardio Jump Board is "foldable for easy storage" as some claim to be. Even if it actually was, you'd not want to be using an item that may perhaps collapse under you!

The ones I've seen and used claim to be "foldable for easy storage" but are very heavy and not the type of thing you can simply get out, use and pack away quickly.

So... what can an aero pilates machine do for your home gym fitness workout?

A good Aero Pilates machine and trampoline will allow you to perform a variety of exercises without placing sever strain on the body or your joints, this allows anyone that uses it to exercise at their own levels to gain fitness and flexibility. Most aero pilates machines come with a DVD showing you various exercise routines you can complete when using the machine from beginner to advanced exercise routines.

There is more information on aero pilates machines and their training affects and benefits in the "free fitness resource" on the right side in this blog.

I've been able to stick to my summer fitness routine which includes running around my local park. The trouble with this is the weather has been so unpredictable, the rain has poured down when I've least expected it, but I guess that's the British summer for you.

I've been checking the weather on www.london-weatherstation.co.uk/ just to see if I'm going to get soaked or not and take necessary precautions before my run.

It's not a problem I can still do my running but it stops me from doing the pull ups and sit ups as the wooden structure I do them from gets too wet for me to grip and do a pull up set on, but fortunately I've got my dumbbells that arrived the other day and I can do some dumbbell workout routines from home, which really seem to be making a difference to my fitness levels.

I'd recommend anyone that wants to start fitness training gets some of these! They are not just for guys to get big women can use an adjustable set of dumbbells too. A structured good weights session is great for cardio development.

My 18kg dumbbell weights arrived this morning! This is great as it was a very quick delivery!

I had them posted to the office and one of the girls brought them over. I immediately guessed what they were as she didn't exactly skip over to my desk with the parcel.

Later this evening when I get home I'll open them up and put them to the test. Can't wait now! To implement my fitness weight training.

I think that the weights will be heavy enough to get some good strength training done and also help work on my general fitness.

Well so far this week I've managed to do my sit up and press up routine twice this week and also go for a 30 minute run so I'm on target to meet my 1st weeks goals and move into week two of my fitness programme.

I've found it much easier to meet my targets as I've written them out and know what I want to achieve, little and often is the key to getting back on track, and not try to achieve all I want to do in the first week.

For next weeks fitness plan I hope to include some pilates work. I'm looking forward to getting the option of joining a gym when gain some fitness and I get the company benefit after 3 months. I look forward to seeing if they have an Aero Pilates machine as I like the idea of working with pilates equipment as I feel it gives superb core fitness.

I don't use fitness equipment at the moment, but I do have a fitness mat which I would fully recommend as it will stop you from injuring your back and it also makes exercising much more comfortable for you to achieve a good solid sit up routine.

It's vital to get fit and get the exercise to give results technique and quality need to be done over quantity. Take it slowly, don't rush and make sure you can feel the correct muscles working out.

My sit up & press up fitness routine:

30 x Crunches (hands on head focusing on stomach as sitting up)

30 x Rowing crunches - Pulling legs towards body as the same time as sitting up

25 x incline press ups

30 x Sit ups each side

25 x incline press ups

30 x Rowing crunches - Pulling legs towards body as the same time as sitting up

30 x Crunches (hands on head focusing on stomach as sitting up)

50 x incline press ups

Ok so you wanna get fit this summer? Fitness is a goal for so many people over the summer months but few people actually stick to a routine to get into shape.

Over the next few days I'll write up my fitness plan to show that fitness can be achieved simply and easily with a routine that is adhered to. So make a promise to yourself and get into shape this summer!

My 1st instalment is base fitness.
This can be achieved anywhere, with or without the use of a gym and in any time frame, you need to set aside some time for yourself to take the plunge and actually set yourself targets to match.

This is VITAL to the process! Write down your targets and goals, make them a physical presents in your life, stick them to your wall, and put them on the back of your mobile phone wallpaper, on your PDA, on your computer wall paper. Just keep prompting yourself to get involved and get active.

The hardest part of this WHOLE process is the initial start, especially if you've been out of the habit of exercising or if you've not even bothered to exercise before. The 1st hurdle is the highest, after this it gets easier I promise! The first two weeks will be the hardest, after this once you are used to working out you’ll wonder how you ever managed without.

So... set yourself targets, do 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week, as I'm no longer a member of a gym and my gym membership doesn't kick in at work until I’ve been there for 3 months I’ve got to find an alternate means of working out.

This week I'm planning on going for a run, at least 3 times in the week around my local park followed by a set of pull-ups, press-ups and sit-ups in the park on the “monkey bars” in the park.

It’s very important to work up a good sweat when running or working out during your 30 minutes, to get into the right aerobic fitness zone. Any activity where the body has to work at a continuous steady pace for a long period of time will improve your aerobic fitness. Heart rate should be around 70% of your maximum for the whole session.
To work out your maximum heart rate the equation is:

Maximum Heart Rate = 220 - Age

So if you’re 30 your maximum heart rate is 190 and you should be working out at 70% of this heart rate which is “133”

Running, rowing, cycling are all good exercises for this, afterwards remember to warm down and stretch, for some strength gains, join me in doing so sit-ups, press-ups and pull ups.