So you’ve found the best yoga class, signed up, and purchased flexible yoga gear; all you need now is the perfect yoga mat. This is an important decision, whether you’re a novice or advanced yogi, because a good mat will really improve your yoga experience.

On the day that you go out on your treasure hunt, keep the following considerations in mind:

• Durability: You’ll be washing your yoga mat from time to time, and it’s important that you be able to wash it without fear of it disintegrating.
• Size: People are all different sizes and your yoga mat should reflect your dimensions. For instance, if you’re tall, your mat should be large enough that you can fully stretch out and achieve your positions without having to touch the floor.
• Texture: The ideal yoga mat is one that is thick and soft enough to provide comfort and stability without being so soft that it throws your poses off.
• Water Resistance: Chances are, you’ll break a sweat during your yoga sessions and you don’t want your mat to become the Slippery Surface of Death. When shopping, run the mat between your moist fingers to determine how slick it will get in sticky situations.
• Weight: You’ll be throwing your yoga mat in your bag and over your shoulder, so it’s important that it be lightweight.
• Friction: Since your yoga mat spends much of its life on the ground, it will get covered in lint, dust, and other floor dwellers. Though the mat should have enough friction to provide traction, dust should shake off easily.

If you follow these tips, you’ll find a yoga mat that does exactly what it’s meant to do: blend into your zen session so well that you don’t even notice it’s there.

Popularity: 19% [?]

When choosing a running shoe, before you get started you should figure out what type of feet you have. Some people have a high arch, while others are flat footed.

You can visit a podiatrist to determine what type of feet you have or do a simple test at home.

Wet the bottom of your feet and walk on the cement to make a foot print.

If you see a print that is empty in the middle between you heel and the ball of your foot, then you have a high arch. In contrast, if you see a foot print that is very thick in the middle, then you are flat footed. If you foot print appears completely “normal” then you are lucky enough to neither be flat footed or have an unusually high arch.

If you have a high arch, you will need to find running shoes that have flexible soles and very good cushioning. If you are flat footed, you need to find running shoes with greater arch support and a more sturdy upper.

Even if your foot print appears normal, you need to find out if your foot naturally rolls inward when you run or walk. This is called pronation. Look at the bottom of your shoes to see if you have any extra wear on the inner portion at the top of your arch, this is pronation.

People who pronate tend to get foot injuries and have foot pain. If you are a pronator, you need to buy running shoes with greater medial arch support.

If you are still unsure what type of feet you have, visit your athletic shoe store and they should have someone on hand who can tell you. Bring an old pair of shoes so they can check the wear on the bottom, as well as check your feet and gait.

If you are going to be racing, you will need to purchase a lightweight shoe with a thin sole and less cushioning. These type of shoes will wear out quicker but are the best for competitive runners who are trying to be as speedy as possible.

For the rest of us who aren’t racing competitively, choose a standard running or cross training shoe.

Try on shoes in the mid-afternoon, as your feet swell throughout the day. Women should not shop for shoes during times of the month when they are retaining water, as their feet will tend to be swollen as well.

Comfort is vital in a running shoe. When you are shopping for running shoe, walk (or jog in place) for a bit at the store. If you feel any tightness, particularly in your toes and heels, try another pair.

Ill-fitting shoes are one of the leading causes of foot problems, including blisters, bunions and joint pain.

Once you have found the particular shoe you are interested in buying, shop around at other local stores or online retailers for a better price before making your final purchase. Oftentimes you can find a lower price online. However, take into account any shipping costs when comparing prices.

Popularity: 22% [?]

When aerobics was booming in the early 1980s, Marika Group began selling fashionable, functional exercise wear. Throughout the years, they have established themselves by offering fitness clothing designed especially for women in style and fit.

Marika Group markets three collections. The original Marika Collection focuses on multi-sportwear, while their Balance Collection features activewear than can crossover from yoga to fitness and is also trendy and fashionaele.

Their Shiva Shakti Collection was designed world-renowned yoga instructor Shiva Rea. This brand features stylish yoga wear, including several eco-friendly pieces.

When visiting their website at Marika.com you will be able to view all three collections. On the site, you can shop by collection or activity. You can also choose from pieces that have been put together in outfits or from their sale section, which has tremendous discounts.

The prices at Marika are very reasonable. Sports bras are $16-$24. Jackets start at $39, while leggings are $20 and up.

Marika also sells tanks and camis, short and long sleeve shirts, pants, capris, shorts and skirts.

If you don’t want to purchase online, you can use their store locator to find a retailer near you.

Marika has a 30-day money back guarantee on unworn, unwashed merchandise.

Fitness instructors can get merchandise at discounted rate. Just call their customer service line at (800) 666-2127 or enroll in the Markita Instructor Program online.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Yoga is aimed to unite your mind, body and spirit. The concept of yoga is that if your mind and body are in harmony, it can heal itself. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, yet some people are just trying yoga for the first time.

If you are just starting out doing yoga, Gaiam.com offers their wonderful Yoga Beginner’s Kit to get you started.

Included in the kit is a 40-minute DVD, a yoga mat, strap and brick.

With the Yoga Strap you can do a variety of yoga stretches without straining your back. The Yoga Brick helps to align your back correctly.

Well respected yoga teacher Rodney Yee leads you through meditation exercises and poses on the DVD. This terrific yoga workout is 20 minutes long and will help you to strengthens your abs, arms, legs and spine, while learning the basics of yoga.

Plus the DVD also includes a how-to section that shows how to adapt poses to your level of experience and flexiblity.

You can order the Yoga for Beginner’s Kit online at Gaiam.com for just $30.

If you are beyond the basics of yoga and are looking for a yoga routine that will get you into shape fast, try Gaiam’s Yoga Burn Kit. It includes weighted gloves and a 45-minute workout DVD.

The gloves come with 12 different 1/4 pound weight inserts to adapt to the exercises. This kit is normally $30, but right now you can get it for only $12.99 on sale at Gaiam.com.

Popularity: 21% [?]

If you are stuck in the office all day with no time or access to exercise equipment, there’s a great way to burn calories and lose weight without leaving your seat.

The Flow software program allows you to add regular physical activity at intervals throughout your workday.

Flow virtual fitness software provides a set of seven different five-minute video exercises which you perform at your desk with the assistance of a virtual coach.

You pre-set how much time you want to spend exercising per day (between 15 minutes and two hours). And then throughout the day a pop-up screen on your computer invites you to do the 5-minute exercise sessions at different times throughout the day.

The workouts are performed from your desk in a sitting position and include exercises for all major muscle groups.

So, no more excuses – now you don’t even need to leave your desk to get your daily exercise.

The Flow software program retails at $29.95 and can be purchased at www.thewavecorporation.com.

Popularity: 18% [?]

A new trend combines travel with fitness – City Running Tours. If you are visiting a city for business or vacation, or perhaps want to explore more of your own city, look to these innovative running tours.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

If you are like many busy women today who find themselves unmotivated and lacking time to get fit, check out Choose To Move.

Choose To Move is the American Heart Association (AHA) free 12-week online program that encourages and inspires women to exercise and get healthy. The AHA selected seven “real women” from all different walks of life who are leading this program by telling their story through videos and blogs at ChooseToMove.

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 500,000 women each year! That’s nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer. For the most part, cardiovascular disease is preventable.

At Choose To Move, you can read about the risk factors, warning signs and what we can all do to lower our risk of heart disease.

It’s a really wonderful website and motivation tool for women looking to get into shape, lower their cholesterol levels, and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The seven women highlighted increased their activity level by an average of 5,000 steps per day. Combined, they have lost over 60 pounds and one woman in particular lowered her cholesterol by 86 points.

The website provides 12 weeks of exercise tips, advice and fitness resources.

Get started on your road to fitness and Choose To Move today.

Popularity: 15% [?]

If you’re having one of those days (or weeks) when your calendar is so full that you can barely schedule time for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then you’re all-too-familiar with the modern conundrum of how to find time to exercise. Sometimes, we just can’t make it to the gym or our regularly-schedule pick-up game, but that doesn’t mean we can’t squeeze a bit of exercise into our day. I’m the queen of exercising on-the-fly, as you can also be. It’s not hard, and it’s actually kind of fun sometimes. You’re probably already aware of some of the follow tips, but hopefully there’s a hint or two that will spark some of your own exercise creativity.

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Popularity: 15% [?]

When you are looking to join a gym, you may find that you have several choices of facilities in your area. Consider the following factors in order to make a wise decision about which gym to join.

Customer Service – Is the staff helpful and friendly? Everyone at your gym, including the front desk clerk, the trainers and the managers, should be courteous and willing to help. If the sales staff seems overly pushy and the front desk personnel seems disinterested, it’s a good sign that the whole gym staff lacks good customer service skills.

Equipment – If the gym’s equipment is old or unstable, then you don’t want to join this gym. Take a tour of the gym and ask for a free trial period of even just a couple sessions to test out the machines and insure their equipment is up to your standards.

Trainers and Instructors – If you are going to use one of the gym’s personal trainers or take group classes, it’s important that the trainers and instructors are qualified. Take time to talk to some of the training personnel before signing up for a long-term gym membership.

Cleanliness – If you see dirty towels on the floor of the locker room, or dirt and sweat all over the equipment, this is probably not the gym for you. Equipment should be cleaned daily, while the shower and locker area should be kept clean throughout the day. Also check the pool, sauna and shower floors for mold and mildew.

Crowds – Visit the gym at the time you will normally be working out. This way you can see what type of crowd will be there when you are doing your training. If you can only train at 4:00 p.m. and the gym is packed at that time, try to find another gym in your area that is less crowded.

Price – In the end, your choice between gyms may come down to price. Read the paperwork carefully and understand the pricing and terms. If possible, sign up for a month-to-month membership rather than a long-term contract. Check to see if classes or training sessions are provided for free or at an additional cost.

In the end, weigh all the above factors by their importance to you. Find a gym where you are comfortable, so that you will be apt to going more often. Soon, you will be on the road to fitness.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Did you start your golf season this year with very high scores or a sore back? Maybe a little bit of both in some cases? As a certified personal trainer I see a ton of clients that spend the summer on the golf course – but come winter they’re only exercise is walking from the refrigerator to the sofa. (more…)

Popularity: 16% [?]

My good friend Serena called me in complete and utter pain this past week! Why? Because after 8 years away from the gym (and working out all together) she decided to sign up with a personal trainer at her hometown YMCA. The problem was, the trainer was a bit over-eager. She had Serena doing plyometric (jump-style) workouts that put a lot of pressure on her joints and muscles – ones she hadn’t used like that in years. My poor friend ended up with pulled muscles all over her lower half. (more…)

Popularity: 18% [?]

If you find yourself out of shape, needing to lose weight or feeling generally unhealthy, it’s time to jumpstart your life and get fit.

Fitness doesn’t mean losing 30 pounds in a month or transforming your body overnight, but rather a long term plan for a healthier you.

Here are some great tips for beginners who are starting a fitness routine for the first time. (more…)

Popularity: 64% [?]

We all do eccentric movements every day. We walk down stairs, we sit down in chairs. These movements when done strategically can help build muscle mass. They can also add variety to your workout routine and help speed recovery from injuries.

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Popularity: 16% [?]

If you are trying to loose weight, tone muscles, improve strength or improve health, running may be your answer. Everyone can run. The intensity is controlled by how fast, far and what incline you run. Running is a great form of cardiovascular exercise.

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Popularity: 16% [?]

You may be working out for hours each week and be eating right without seeing any weight loss. It may be that you have not trained your body to burn fat efficiently. It may also be that your body has already adapted to your new program and therefore you are burning fewer calories than you did a few months ago. A stalled weight loss can be frustrating but you can loose those stubborn pounds.

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Popularity: 15% [?]