The Cybex 620A Arc Trainer – A Slimmer Version of a Legend

A few years back, I wrote about one of my favorite workout machines – The Cybex 600A Arc Trainer.  It was the first machine I had ever used that combined the movements of a stepper, elliptical, even a treadmill in one machine.  The rare combination of a wide range of resistance levels coupled with the ability to change the incline level made the Arc Trainer a legend in my mind.  And, it was one of the best calorie burning workout machines I had ever used.  It was truly a legendary product that put Cybex products in thousands of fitness centers, … Continue reading The Cybex 620A Arc Trainer – A Slimmer Version of a Legend

The FreeMotion Cable Cross – A Thousand Exercises In One Machine

Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a bit.  However, I am not that far off.  The FreeMotion Cable Cross is a functional training style machine designed for strength training and conditioning exercises.  It is a commercially built machine that can stand up to demands of a health club, personal training studio, or athletic training center.  In all of my years as a fitness professional, I have found that functional training machines are the most useful and space efficient machines a health club or multiple use facility can have.  And the FreeMotion Cable Cross is one of the best. The FreeMotion Cable … Continue reading The FreeMotion Cable Cross – A Thousand Exercises In One Machine

The Indoor Cycling Bike – An Excellent Workout Option For New England Winters

New England weather is, to put it mildly, very unpredictable.  Let’s take the past week – we had temperatures in the 50’s, 30’s, and close to zero degrees.  If you are an avid cyclist who loves riding year round, winter can reek havoc on your cycling plans.  This is why indoor cycling bikes have become of one of the most popular forms of exercise.  I have owned an indoor cycling bike for about 15 years and have used it for cardio, rehabilitation, and overall fitness. An indoor cycling bike has several body size adjustments to help fit anyone from roughly 4 feet … Continue reading The Indoor Cycling Bike – An Excellent Workout Option For New England Winters

Designing Your Home Gym With Commercial Fitness Equipment

I have worked in the health and fitness industry, specifically the fitness equipment industry, for over 20 years.  I have worked with health clubs, hospitals, universities, and physical therapy studios on solutions for their fitness equipment needs.  And, I have worked with homeowners on their unique fitness equipment wish lists.  Fitness equipment comes in many shapes and sizes.  Some are commercially built for heavy usage (15 to 20 hours a day) in a health club, personal training studio, or fitness center. While other pieces of fitness equipment are made for residential use, with the user exercising more like a few times per … Continue reading Designing Your Home Gym With Commercial Fitness Equipment

Used Nautilus Strength Circuit On NK Marketing Ebay Store

After graduating from Springfield College in 1994, I took a job at a YMCA in Woburn, MA. This YMCA job was my first experience in the health and fitness industry.  Part of my daily responsibilities included instruction on the Nautilus strength training machines.  The circuit included exercises for legs, chest, back, arms, abdominals, and lower back strength and conditioning.  The pieces were commercially built, easy to use and operate, and very effective for strength and conditioning the members. Fast forward to today.  I am a resource in the health and fitness industry for used or pre-owned commercial fitness equipment.  I … Continue reading Used Nautilus Strength Circuit On NK Marketing Ebay Store

The Case For The Space Saving Single Cable Column

In my experience working with first time personal trainers, budget and space are two of the biggest issues.  On one hand, a personal trainer has the knowledge, drive, and enthusiasm to get their business up and running.  Maybe they are fresh out of college or have recently obtained a fitness certification.  However, quality fitness equipment costs money as does renting or leasing a space. Often times, personal trainers need to think outside the box in terms of space and equipment if start up money is not available. One solution I have advised personal trainers as well as physical therapists is … Continue reading The Case For The Space Saving Single Cable Column

Vinnie Pazienza Sports Memorabilia on NK Marketing Ebay Store

In previous blogs, I have written about a local sports collector named Greg Henderson.  On my ebay store, I have helped Greg sell some of his collection of sports memorabilia from legends such as Muhammad Ali and Arnold Palmer.  In the past few days, Greg has dropped off a number of sports collectibles related to local Rhode Island boxing legend, Vinnie “The Paz” Pazienza.  Pazienza is the subject of a national film release called “Bleed For This” which comes out in movies theaters this week.  From the massive press coverage locally and on national TV shows, this film looks to … Continue reading Vinnie Pazienza Sports Memorabilia on NK Marketing Ebay Store

Signed Arnold Palmer Memorabilia on Ebay

Growing up in the pre-internet, pre-Sportscenter era, I learned about sports figures of the past through books, newspapers, and more importantly word of mouth.  My grandfather was an ardent sports fan – tennis, football, and most of all, golf.  And his favorite golfer, Arnold Palmer.  To my grandfather, Arnold Palmer represented the caddie, the scratch golfer, the local public course champion, the novice golfer.  Arnold Palmer was a golf legend for the people.  His legion of fans became known as “Arnie’s Army” and would follow Palmer from course to course in record numbers.  When I would visit my grandparents in … Continue reading Signed Arnold Palmer Memorabilia on Ebay

The Weight Assisted Chin Dip Machine – What It Is and How It Works

I remember a time back in middle school when I couldn’t do a single pull-up.  I could hop up and grab the bar, no problem.  I could even use the momentum of hopping up and grabbing the bar to perform my first pull-up.  But then, gravity took over and as I lowered my body down from the bar, I would go down to the ground as if I had rocks in my shoes.  I always blamed my long arms but in reality, I just didn’t have a lot of strength in the muscles needed to perform a pull-up.  Muscles like … Continue reading The Weight Assisted Chin Dip Machine – What It Is and How It Works

How To Handle A Return With A Smile For Your Ebay Item

“Your ebay item sold!”  If you receive messages like this, congratulations.  You have successfully sold your antique lamp or treadmill or guitar on one of the most popular e-commerce marketplaces in the world.  You found someone, near to you or across the world, who has looked at your item, done his/her research on the value and price, and has decided to select your item to be a part of his/her life in a few short days (depending on the shipping times).  If this is your first sale or your millionth sale, it is a great accomplishment and it makes you … Continue reading How To Handle A Return With A Smile For Your Ebay Item