Health buff

"What is the best kind of exercise equipment for cardio and strength training?"

Dear Chinggay,

What is the best kind of exercise equipment for cardio and strength training? I'm willing to invest in expensive equipment but I'm also open to any cheaper alternatives.

Janna, 21



I congratulate you on your willingness to invest in exercise equipment. But before you do, if I may ask you a couple of questions. What is your main fitness goal? What is your daily work/ school schedule? What is your daily food plan and work/school environment? Are you more into team-oriented activities or do you prefer to do workouts that can be done alone? I ask you such questions because many times I encounter people who commit to buying exercise equipment. In the beginning, the excitement is there to work out and to use it on a regular basis. But then something triggers them to lose interest in using the exercise equipment, whether it's a change in their daily schedule or lack of energy and motivation. A friend of mine did just that. She bought a treadmill and for a month was quite the little runner. But then her motivation faded and the treadmill turned into a clothes holder. She found out that she is more of a team-oriented person. I can recommend cardio equipment like the treadmill or the elliptical trainer. For strength training, you can invest in a set of dumbbells or even perform a set of exercises using your body weight, such as pushups and tricep pushups. With such exercises in mind, if you feel you still want to be challenged in your strength training, then equipment with multiple stations would make-for a good investment. Do let me know of your progress.



Dear Chinggay,

My boyfriend takes steroids and all kinds of weird protein powders, and I'm getting really worried about him. Are the weight training "helpers" sold at drugstores harmful? I need some facts so I can do an intervention.

Precious, 20



I can understand your concern as this involves someone you love and most of all, someone's health. First, have you asked your boyfriend what made him decide to take steroids and protein powders? Does he feel pressured to gain muscle mass or reach a fitness goal in a short amount of time? I can provide you information on my experiences in the gym, with stories I have been told by bodybuilders, friends who have tried steroids as well as protein powders. But I will never be one to tell you or your boyfriend what is right. It is your body. The only body you have. With that in mind, that should already be enough of a reason to treat your body with respect and utmost care. In the end, consider a natural fit lifestyle as something you plan to do for a long time.



Dear Chinggay,

I love wall climbing but my body aches so much after each session! I know it means my muscles are getting stronger but I also suspect that I'm not stretching correctly before and after. Can you give me some tips about the best way to stretch?

Vern, 19



The sport of rock climbing is a full body workout that involves the back, shoulders, forearms, and leg muscles. The soreness of your muscles following each session is normal; the key is knowing the difference between soreness and pain. Rock climbing is a great exercise, as you have a goal in mind: to climb the wall. Therefore, you tend to be more concerned with reaching that goal instead of deciding which muscles you are currently using with each movement. Remember to stretch the arms, legs, neck, and hips. Before climbing, do consult with a trainer at the rock climbing gym to show you stretching exercises to target the body parts previously mentioned. If you have neck or back problems, do consult a doctor before trying the sport of rock climbing.