Fitness equipment has taken giant leap forward with the Wii Fit which was reviewed on this site when it was released back in April. It proved instantly popular with the general public, so much so that even the recent slump in high street economy was helped out by large sales of Wii Fit along with the simultaneously released game GTA VI.

Surprisingly, according to the UK games market Wii Fit has dropped off the Top 40 sales chart due it proving so popular! "Stock problems" mean that the title is almost impossible to buy in the UK currently, with retailers Game, Gamestation, Play.com, and Amazon UK all sold out with no indication of when they will be expecting new stock. (1)

Is this just a "fad" or are people that are interested in health, fitness and exercise attracted to the Wii Fit? It can act as a personal trainer, giving you daily personalized fitness tips, improve coordination and balance, even work out your BMI, although this isn't entirely accurate if you're young, as recently Nintendo had to Apologize for some Wii Fit BMI "offences".

Perhaps the Wii Fit's best selling point that Is it keeps you coming back. Like a real personal trainer, it graphs your progress, giving lots of positive feedback along the way helping you to improve on previous results. But is this too gimmicky? Or do real gym goers and fitness freaks think the Wii Fit is a useful tool?

Please take part in the Poll on the right hand side and let me know your opinions, leave a comment to let me know if your Wii Fit experience has been bad or good. Perhaps you think it is just a gimmick or maybe you think it's a step forwards in fitness equipment.

(1) Source
UK Gamespot.com

Do you feel stick doing the same kind of workouts? Are your gym sessions not only getting boring but ineffective? It may be a time to try Peripheral Heart Rate Training (PHT). It only sounds scary! It's a simple and effective training principle: you work one part of your body for a specific period of time - this means you can push one part of your body, then rest it while you work on another.
You should use PHT to complement your weekly regime; just try adding one session to your cardio workout and you will be really pleased with results!

What is PHT about?
1. You need to move quickly between sets. As soon as you finish one set, quickly start another. But remember to alternate between the upper and lower body!
2.Each session should last at least 40 minutes; if you have time repeat the moves once you have gone through the circuit and make the second round a bit more difficult! Use weights, do more reps, etc.
3.Challenge your body in every session you do. If you find yourself doing 20 reps easily, do 20 extra!
4.Don't forget about abdominal workout! Alternate the sides of your body for optimal results.

Cardio fitness is best way to protect yourself against many medical problems, including one of the most cerious in modern society: heart disease.
This simple test will let you measure your cardio fitnessin quick and easy way and without any fancy equipment. All you need is a 12-inch step (or stair) and a stopwatch. Step up and down for three minutes, alternating your feet and trying to maintain a pace of 24 sets - that is one up and one down, on each foot - per minute. Once you're finished, sit down and take your pulse immediately: press your fingers lightly on the pulse point on your neck or wrist, count the number of heart beats for 15 seconds and multiply it by four what will give you the number of heart beats per minute.
You are aiming low. A low number implies that your body is better able to recover quickly after physical effort - the lower the number the better your cardio fitness. Once you have the number of beats per minute, it's easy to judge how fit you are.

Excellent results: Anything less than 97 beats per minute
Good results: 97-127 beats per minute
Fair results: 128-142 beats per minute
Poor results: 143-171 beats per minute
Very poor results: anything above 172 beats per minute
Don’t despair if your results are not what you hope for. Your level of cardio fitness can improve remarkably quickly, with as little as 20 minutes of cardio exercise four to five times a week.

Source: GMTV and the American College of Sports Medicine

So it's springtime again! With days getting longer and wormer we are yet again starting to think about summer ahead and...if we will fit in our summer clothing.
If you didn't take up any post winter exercise regime, nor started a diet right after Christmas I might have something for you! Cycling.
It's perfect if you're looking to loose weight or just tone up - you get the long term effect and you are less likely to suffer an injury (you don't carry your body weight).
According to the British Heart Foundation, cycling at least 20 miles per week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. It also makes you feel younger and reduces stress - responsible for that are endorphins, hormones responsible for that happy and blissful feeling. If you cycle in pleasant surrounding, there should be no problem to get them flowing!
As any aerobic exercise, cycling speeds up your metabolism and is a great calorie user. Cycling at a gentle 12 mph on a flat road uses 450 kcal per hour. Riding a bike raises the speed of your metabolism for hours afterwards, so your body continues to burn calories even after exercise.

Even if you cycle only a few miles per day, your muscles will gain the benefit, usually becoming trimmer and more toned. The main muscles you use when cycling are the upper thigh muscles, backside, and calf muscles.

If you worried about fumes, there is actually no need. Cyclist inhale less car fumes than people trapped in cars!

So, dust your bike, choose a route (to work, less followed...) grab a helmet and of you go! Remember, you don't have to join Tour the London straight away; it's consistency that counts!