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| Looking for a way to
keep fit, stay limber or lose weight? A diet of regular
exercise can help. |
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Which exercise is best?
The one you're really going to do. For some
people, that means working out at home on
exercise equipment.
If you're considering buying exercise
equipment, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
offers this advice: Evaluate advertising claims
for fitness products carefully. The FTC has sued
marketers of electronic abdominal exercise belts
for claiming that users could get
"six-pack abs"
and lose inches in a short time. |
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The Food and Drug Administration
has never cleared any kind of electronic abdominal
muscle stimulator for weight loss or obtaining "rock-hard"
abs.
While some electronic muscle stimulators may
temporarily strengthen, tone or firm muscles, they
will not lead to major muscle-toning or a major
change in appearance. |
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| The FTC
advises consumers to: |
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Ignore claims that an exercise
machine or device can provide long-lasting,
easy, "no-sweat" results in a short
time. These claims are false: You can't get the
benefits of exercise unless you exercise. |
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Don't fall for claims that a
product can burn fat off a particular part of
the body - for example, the buttocks, hips or
stomach. Achieving a major change in your
appearance requires sensible eating and regular
exercise that works the whole body. |
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Read the ad's fine print. The
advertised results may be based on more than
just using a machine; they also may be based on
restricting calories. |
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Be skeptical of testimonials
and before-and-after pictures from "satisfied" customers. Their experiences may not be typical.
Just because one person had success with the
equipment doesn't mean you will, too. |
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Do the calculations when you
read statements like "three
easy payments of ..." or "only $49.95
a month." The advertised cost may
not include shipping and handling fees, sales
tax, and delivery and set-up fees. Find out the
details before you order. |
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Get details on warranties,
guarantees and return policies. A "30-day money-back
guarantee" may not sound as good if
you have to pay shipping on a bulky piece of
equipment you want to "return
to sender." |
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Check out the company's
customer and support services. Call the
advertised toll-free numbers to get an idea of
how easy it is to reach a company representative
and how helpful he or she is. |
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| Stretching
exercises are thought to give you more freedom
of movement to do the things you need to do and
the things you like to do. Stretching exercises
alone will not improve your endurance or
strength. |
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How Much, How Often?
Stretch after you do your regularly scheduled
strength and endurance exercises. If you can't do
endurance or strength exercises for some reason,
and stretching exercises are the only kind you are
able to do, do them at least 3 times a week, for
at least 20 minutes each session. Note that
stretching exercises, by themselves, don't improve
endurance or strength. Do each stretching exercise
3 to 5 times at each session. Slowly stretch into
the desired position, as far as possible without
pain, and hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds.
Relax, then repeat, trying to stretch farther. |
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