If getting out of your house and to the gym is a major challenge, make it easier by having some fitness gear at home and a few go-to workouts that you can do with limited space and time. Today I am sharing a simple circuit that will help challenge your cardiovascular system, assist in improving your strength and leave you sweaty in 20 minutes or less! For this circuit you will need 2 sets of dumbbells.

Have you ever heard of Sprint 8? Well, let me tell you, it's an amazing, efficient, fat-burning HIIT cardio workout that will kick your butt and motivate you to keep going. And it only takes 20 minutes. It's featured exclusively on Matrix Fitness cardio products. Let me tell you a bit more about it and its benefits.

This blog is the first of a series of “How to use X” columns. In each I will outline how to use a different piece of equipment - this first post is about the treadmill. We'll look at the two basic types of cardiovascular workouts: “steady-state workouts” and “intervals.” Read more for workouts you can do at home with your treadmill.

I love using medicine balls. Well, really, I like playing with all fitness toys — variety is key when it comes to keeping a workout fun and challenging. Medicine balls are a particular favourite “toy” because they are extremely versatile — they can replace dumbbells, make traditional exercises more dynamic, allow for partner fun, and add a balance challenge.

Cycling is an excellent non-impact and often convenient way to improve cardiovascular health, leg strength, and balance. But, cycling can wreak havoc on your posture and mobility. Why? Cycling involves sitting, and usually a fair amount of bending forward, which can create stiffness in the hips and back and promote bad posture. To counteract the strain of sitting on the bike (since sitting is something most of us do way too much of already), prioritize flexibility exercises that mobilize the hips and chest, and strength exercises that strengthen the upper back and core. Read more tips here to cycle your way to improved health!

When you are looking for a treadmill, it is not always the prettiest, fastest and most expensive/cheapest that you should get. In this post we will look at a few treadmill reviews. But first, when you are looking at buying a treadmill, you need to consider a few things before you jump into purchasing one.

Before selecting a piece of cardio equipment you need to know what you like to do. What I mean by that is, if you hate running, don't buy a treadmill! Yes, it is that easy. If you love biking, buy a bike. I may be a little biased because I love cardio - I love biking, running and anything indoors. But as we all know living in Canada, winter happens fast and cold so we need to be creative. I will be giving the Top 10 Equipment for Cardio Training but in no way are they in any order. If you see something you like, go for it!

So you went ahead and got yourself some free weights, maybe a spin bike or treadmill for a home gym, and now you need a bench to use the free weights. Easier said than done. It would be nice if a bench was just a bench, but they come in many shapes and sizes. The first thing you need to do is ask yourself is what type of exercises you will be doing?

Are you tired of your regular workout routine or looking at a screen on a bike for hours on end to get results? Picking weights up and putting them down, over and over? Why not try boxing! This does NOT mean you have get in the ring and get your face and body punched in. Boxing is a whole body work out that can shed the pounds, leaving you looking and feeling great!

There are many advantages to having a treadmill desk rather than a chair or even a ball. Let me explain in a little more detail some of the benefits. When you are sitting at a desk, firstly, no matter how much you focus and think about proper positioning, you will always end in a slouched position.

Having a treadmill desk does NOT mean you have to walk 8 hours a day at your desk. It just means you will be proactive while you are working.