Choosing the Right Handicap Stair Lifts

Stair lifts are really a blessing for the aged and the handicapped people. Handicap stair lifts help people with accessibility problems, to maintain an active lifestyle. Special care should be taken to purchase the right handicap stair lifts. Selecting a wrong stair lift can be uncomfortable and dangerous for the person using it.

Handicap stair lifts are available in different models - straight stair lifts and curved stair lifts - to suit straight, spiral and curved staircases. The stair lift uses a rail attached to the stairs to carry the person between floors. These lifts make use of ON and OFF buttons to move up and down the stairs. Curved stair lifts are more expensive than straight stair lifts. The handicap stair lifts come with a number of safety features such as safety sensors, seat belts with locking facility and safety breaking system.

There are some important points to be considered while buying a handicap stair lift. If you are buying a used stair lift, ensure that it has safety belt. When purchasing a handicap stair lift, the most important thing is to select a model, suiting the extent of the person’s disability. You should make sure that the persons using the lift can get themselves in or out of the seat on the lift easily. With these safety features, even aged persons can use the lift comfortably without much effort. From the different models of stair lifts available, you can choose a model fitting your budget and meeting your specific requirements.

Most models are equipped with battery backups to take on unexpected power breakdowns, thus providing reliability and safety for the person using the lift. Stair lifts come with seats that can be folded up when not in use. These lifts, if used properly following the instructions, can provide long years of safe and durable service. While buying a stair lift, take care to choose a model having a weight capacity 20 or 30 pounds more than the weight of the individual using the lift. These stair lifts are suitable only for handicapped people having some control over the upper body. Otherwise they cannot sit on the chair safely and there are greater chances of slipping or sliding from the lift as it moves.

While purchasing stair lifts, ensure that the dealer is an authorized one. One should check that the product received is fully functioning and has passed all factory tests. In order to install a stair lift, the correct measurements of the stair have to be taken. It would be better to get the service of a professional lift installer rather than installing it yourself.

Everything You Need to Know About Stair Railings

Are you thinking of decorating your home but you do not want to do a lot to it? Are you looking for something which will add a lot of character to your home without having to do a lot of work? If so then stair railings may just be for you.

Stair Railings and Their Many Uses

Stair railings come in extremely handy and they can be used both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors the railings can be used as a safety barrier between the stairs and the floor. It is easy to fall when going up and down stairs so by providing outdoors railings you are protecting both yourself and any visitor which comes to your home.

Indoors stair railings also add a safety feature but they can also look really decorative as well. The only real difference about indoor and outdoor railings is that with indoor ones you can use whichever material you like for them. When they are outside they are exposed to all weathers and that can wear them down or damage them if you have the wrong type of material. Usually the best choice of material for outdoor railings is iron and indoors wooden ones are the most popular.

Wooden indoor railings can create a modern, warm look which are inviting. They can also give the home a slight country feel and you can feel instantly relaxed because of that. Iron and other metal railings can be a little too imposing, especially inside so it is generally better to select wooden ones for in the home.

One of the main things which you need to remember is that no matter which type of railings you are fitting, they need to be measured and fitted properly. If they are measured incorrectly they may not hold a persons weight and they could be potentially dangerous. Obviously this is a big problem so it is vital that you measure the area where they are going and if you are unsure about fitting them yourself, hire a professional to do it for you.

Stair railings can look good both indoors and outdoors and you can purchase them in a number of different materials. Each material has a different look to it and that will affect the overall look of the home when they are used. Always ensure that you purchase ones which match the theme of the home for example do not get modern wooden railings if your home look old fashioned!

Overall choose carefully when looking for stair railings and remember that you can choose whichever material you like indoors but generally iron is better for outdoor use. All railings have the potential to improve the look of your home and though they can also stand out and look odd if you purchase the wrong ones.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on stair railings at his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Using Stair Railings Indoors

When thinking of improving the home many people consider indoor railings. There are many different styles to choose from and the one which you choose tends to say a lot about your personality.

You can find stair railings which give a modern and homely look or you can choose ones which look older and a little more sophisticated. It all depends upon your own personal taste as to which one you choose.

All about Stair Railings Indoors

When you use railings indoors you automatically give people something to focus on within the home. When you look at a railing without even realizing it, you look all the way along it. You take in every detail and appreciate how it is made. This means that if you want guests to really appreciate what you have done with your home, you need a stair railing which will look impressive.

There are various materials that you can choose from when looking at stair railings and obviously they will all add a different look within the home. Most people like to use wooden railings as they look modern, they are easy to maintain and they are not overly expensive either. There are different types of wooden railings also and some of the best to choose form include oak, maple, cherry and pine. Each will have different patterns so you will need to look at them individually and compare them to find the best one for you.

As well as wooden railings you can also purchase steel and iron stair railings though they are usually a little more expensive. Many people also do not like the way that they look as they can look a little old fashioned. However, due to their old look it can create an elegant setting; again it all depends upon your tastes.

Why Decorating Your Stair Railings is a Good Idea

If you are looking for the perfect look for your railings then you may want to consider decorating them. You can purchase stair railings which are already patterned, however sometimes it is better to decorate them yourself.

To do this all you need is a few tiny details. Perhaps transfers or flowers could brighten the railings up a bit? There are so many things which you can add on and you can make them as elegant or as simple as you want to.

Overall it is usually better to purchase pre-patterned stair railings but if you do have a creative side then you may prefer to decorate them yourself. Pay attention to detail and choose railings which fit in with your home, otherwise the railings will just look odd and out of place.

Andrew Caxton is the editor and journalist of many information websites like http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com , who has written more articles and newsletters on wood railings . Find more publications about stair railings at his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Buyer's Guide to Buying a Staircase

Despite being a major traffic thoroughfare, when it comes to design and decoration, staircases are one of the most frequently overlooked areas of a home,' says Hugo Tugman, architectural expert from Architect Your Home. 'As it's often the first thing people see when they walk through your front door, your staircase's visual impact can reflect upon the entire property.'

From spirals to spindles, glass to granite, there's plenty of scope for statement making, but homeowners looking to transform their space are often unaware of the possibilities. The key to sorting out the design of your home is to understand your options and the impact building regulations may have.

Replacing your stairs

'First and foremost, stairs need to fulfil their primary function of getting you from one level to the next,' says Mark Dyson of Enclosure Architects. Once this need is fulfilled, you can really go to town on the aesthetics and create something that gives a really great first impression.'
In terms of renovation, replacing a staircase is akin to knocking down a structural wall. But if your stairs are badly positioned, oppressive, or hinder light flow through the house, then it's worth considering, as a new flight can make all the difference.

Always consult an architect or a specialist company, as it's critical that a new staircase fits in both proportionally and stylistically. 'A staircase is always interfacing with another area of the house, so there are lots of elements to consider,' says Richard McLane, co-director of staircase specialist Bisca. 'The middle section of the staircase can be quite straightforward, but the connections to rest of the building should be seamless.'

Remember also that plans must comply with building regulations, specifically the Approved Document K or Protection, Falling and Impact, and in particular section K1, which deals with stairs, ladders and ramps. You can download it free from staircases.org/regulations.htm

Before you start

Prepare for dust and disruption and remember that, unless you have a second staircase, you won't be able to access the upper levels while work is going on.

A standard, straight staircase kit can cost as little as £250, but bespoke designs start at around £3,000. This could rise to £25,000 plus for a bespoke one with real wow factor. Issues such as access can up the final figure further (installing a staircase on the sixth floor will be more pricey than on lower levels, for example).

How much space you have will dictate what you can do, and unless you live in a modern building, it's difficult to go outside of these limits. If you are lucky enough to have more space, it may be possible to reorganise it to make better use of the available inches.

'Ideally, a staircase should be at least 80cm wide,' says Mark Dyson. The head room (the height between the level of a tread and the structure immediately above it) needs to be at least 2m, and the maximum pitch for a domestic flight is 42 degrees. Straight flights are limited to 36 consecutive steps. If there are more than 36, the flight should make a change of direction of at least 30 degrees.

Flights should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide, and on both sides if they are wider. The minimum height for a rail is 90cm, and there is no need for one beside the bottom two steps. Spindles should be no more than 10cm apart.

There is a huge scope for different building materials, from glass structures that appear to float and modern steel staircases in bright, matt or brushed finishes, through to oak or teak. Consider combining materials and think about what will work best in your interior. 'The trend now is heading towards a more timeless look and I would recommend quality materials and simple details,' says Richard McLane. 'You can't change a staircase even as often as a kitchen, and it's such a major part of the house that it should transcend fashion.'

Easy updates

If your budget won't stretch to a whole new staircase, there are some simple updates you can do that are quicker and cheaper.

Consider removing the understairs cupboard to give a more open-plan feel.

Replace solid risers with glass to allow light to filter through to the space below.

Swap solid balustrades or dated spindles for a more modern equivalent. Sheet glass creates a minimal look and allows light to flow more freely. Or choose a beautiful wooden balustrade for timeless style.

Carpeted stairs

If you prefer carpet to bare wood or glass, make sure you buy one that's suitable for stairs. 'It's imperative you choose a quality, hard-wearing carpet - 80 per cent wool to 20 per cent nylon,' says Rupert Anton, marketing director of The Carpet Foundation. 'Avoid loop-pile carpets as they "grin" (open up when bent) and are more slippery.' Use a good underlay over both tread and riser and fit the carpet so the pile runs down the stairs. It's also possible to use a strip of carpet as a runner. Look at Ryalux, which does carpet to your width. For runners, see Roger Oates or The Carpet Library's Hartley runners, which are reversible so last twice as long.

Cantilevered stairs

A cantilevered staircase can look stunning, but is also a feat of engineering, with most of the weight of the treads supported by one wall. You need a balustrade to comply with UK building regulations, but glass is unobtrusive and will still give that 'weightlessness' look. These staircases should always be designed and built by a specialist.

Straight stairs

Straight doesn't have to equal dull, and it's possible to modernise less than lovely stairs with cladding, such as timber, tile or stone. Many modern homes have stairs built in concrete, which is ideal for resurfacing. If you're updating a less sturdy staircase, make sure it's sound by cladding with marine plywood before affixing any sort of tiles, otherwise they might crack. 'You can re-clad a staircase in oak for about £500-£1,000, depending on the balustrade you choose,' says Vanessa Garrett, director of Broadleaf Timber. 'This is a much more accessible solution if you don't have a huge budget, would rather not embark on big structural changes or are limited by space.'

Alternate stairs

'Ninety per cent of new staircases are constructed to create access to a loft conversion,' says Mark Dyson. 'The pitch of the roof can make constructing a flight difficult and, if this is the case, alternate-tread stairs can be the answer. These have one tread for the left foot and another for the right, and mean the angle of the stairs can be tighter, increased from 42 to 65 degrees.' Consider who will need to use them, as they are trickier to negotiate than standard stairs. It can also be hard to move furniture up and down them.

Spiral and helical staircases

Spiral staircases wind around a central pole and have a handrail on the outer side only. Helical stairs do not have a central pole and there is a handrail on both sides. If a spiral staircase is being used to access a single room, it must be at least 1500mm in diameter. But if the spiral goes up to more than one room, it is classed as a main staircase and needs to be at least 1900mm. 'Bear in mind that the opening in which your spiral fits needs to be 100mm wider than the spiral itself,' says Sally Noseda, director of Oakleaf Industries. Many spiral staircases are available in kit form from about £800, but only go up to 1600mm wide. A bespoke spiral would start at £3,000. It can be difficult to get furniture up and down, so move large items in before you install the stairs.

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you'll love

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Day

The Bowflex Treadclimber May be the Best Workout Ever!

How would you like to enjoy the advantages of both a treadmill and a stair climber in one? Your aerobic activity and your resistance training are covered by one beautiful piece of exercise equipment, the Bowflex Treadclimber. You may have already heard something about this machine, but let's look at it in depth a bit and see if perhaps you won't agree that a tread climber is possibly the ultimate workout machine for you, regardless of your physical fitness level.

First off, keep in mind that unlike a regular treadmill, the Bowflex Treadclimber is low impact. The incline of the climber means that you're not jarring the joints of your ankles or banging your knees as you walk uphill, the way you do on a treadmill. Many who walk on a regular basis, especially those that are carrying a few extra pounds, often suffer from arthritis in their knees, ankles, hips, and elsewhere due to the jarring they experience when walking.

Most people will quit exercising when there is pain involved, especially in the knees and back areas. The term No Pain, No Gain, is a find mantra for the professional athlete but for those of us that just want to get into better shape, nothing will turn us off faster than persistent pain. Having the best home gym in the world will not do you any good if you do not use it.

A Bowflex Tread Climber means that you have virtually no impact, which means less pain and less chance of an injury, something worth considering for those that are a bit overweight. This extra weight means more pressure on those joints especially when physically active, even something as simple and natural as walking. It also means that you can exercise longer because of less pain involved when working out which translates to more calories burned.

Another great aspect of the Bowflex Treadclimber is that the incline provides resistance training, which means increased muscle tone. The more toned your muscles, the more calories you'll burn even when at rest. Your metabolism goes up and stays up when using the tread climber on a regular basis, as you're not only walking but you're going uphill as well. It provides more resistance than an elliptical but without the impact of a treadmill. This translates into a more efficient workout routine; you're burning more calories during this routine than when just walking or using an elliptical.

The Bowflex Treadclimber is perfect for anyone regardless of their fitness levels. If you're just starting out and need a lighter workout you can decrease your incline level so it's closer to the natural walking motion, which is easier for someone overweight. For those who are more advanced and more physically fit, you can increase the incline which also increases the resistance and this gives you a better workout. An additional benefit is its compact design which makes it a perfect addition to any home fitness equipment collection. Rather than have a treadmill in one corner of your bedroom and an elliptical machine in the other, the Bowflex Tread Climber does the work of both machines in a compact and upright design.

If you're serious about your health and your weight, it's time to step up your workout routine and get away from the treadmill which typically isn't challenging enough to make a difference in your fitness level, and which is tough on your knees, ankles, and other joints as well. The Bowflex Treadclimber is the ultimate piece of workout equipment for anyone.

Choosing an Electric Or Battery Powered Stair Lift

The advent of technology has made great impacts on human life. It has improved the way of doing things in various concerns related to health and disability issues. The Stair lift is an invention that has provided tremendous impact in alleviating the need to go up or down to people suffering from joint pain or back injuries. Many lives have improved and become more comfortable after installing an electric or battery stairway lift in their homes. It is important to note that the kind of ladder lift to choose if you decide to have one. There are advantages and disadvantages when it opted for an electric battery in an elevator.
Electric or stair lifts used to be the most popular option. It is directly connected to a main power supply through the flex. In general, runs on a 110 to 115 VAC takes to land. At the top of the ladder is a spring drum that stores the cord. Obviously, their main advantage is to be free of trouble to change the batteries and cargo. This is very important when you expect to use the stairs or elevators regularly when people are more likely to use it. Also, AC models are usually cheaper than the stair lifts battery. The main drawback is the dependence on to power. If your area often experience power outages, electric stair lifts then can not be the best option. AC models are also more prone to irregular stop and start motions. This, of course, can bring discomfort and even pain to users. The cables that can be used also a risk to anyone can trip him accidentally.
Also known as DC powered escalators, elevators, escalators, elevators battery appear to be operated by a battery that must be recharged after a certain period of use. There are models that provide DC stations charging anywhere on the track or at both ends of the railroad. The best battery lifts is that you can use it anytime you want without worrying about whether a power outage or a sudden blackout occurs. It offers a smooth maneuver to compare models and JI are also quieter - a big difference for people with delicate health conditions. The main disadvantage is the time and effort they have exercised in charging the batteries. This is a real problem when many people are using stair lifts. Moreover, although most of the batteries on the market now are cheap and last many years, has yet to be replaced over a period of time and you have to take note that this type of battery is not cheap.
The most important thing to consider when choosing what kind of ladder to reach elevators is the need and the needs of people expected to use it. The health status of the user must also be taken into account. The frequency of use should be considered as well. After that, it will be easier for you to decide whether an electric or battery stairway lift is for you. If you're looking escalators or elevators battery ameriglide.com elevations of the ladder is your number one resource.
I hope this article has helped you a bit on deciding which stairlifts will suit you best. For more info please visit http://www.stairlift2k.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wally_Pahong

Home Stair Lifts -perfect Solution to Home Accessibility

Home stair lifts are the perfect solution for home accessibility, and help your loved ones to move up and down the stairs safely and effortlessly. These devices add value and at the same time provide convenience to your lifestyle. Most of the elderly or physically challenged individuals find it problematic to participate in public events and other occasions where they might have to negotiate stairways. However, modern technology and innovative products such as home stair lifts have proved to be a real blessing for such individuals.

Home stair chair lifts are used to lift people from a lower plane up a flight of steps and vice-versa. The lowering, raising, folding, and unfolding are all done automatically with the help of a switch. Stair lifts come in both AC and DC models. The DC models come with battery back-up and are more expensive. AC models are comparatively less expensive, and don’t work in case of power failure. These equipments can be easily installed both inside and outside your home. Home stair lifts for straight stairways are easier to install, and also less expensive than those meant for curved stairways. Apart from the stair mounting models which occupy more space, home stair lift systems are also available in models that can be mounted on the wall.

Several models of home stair lifts are available; each having unique features and these can be easily customized to meet any particular challenge in your home. By installing stair lifts, the risk of accidents such as slipping and falling down from stairs can be avoided to a certain extent. Most of the stair lifts come with armrests and footrests that are positioned on the track and add to the comfort and safety of the person using the stair lifts.

Stair lifts offer many safety features such as seat belts, sensors that stop when any obstacle gets in the path, lock to prevent children from playing with the unit, low battery alarm and more. The lift stops by itself on finding an obstruction, thus preventing damages to the equipment and the user. Home stair chair lifts can be folded when not it use, allowing more space for others to walk by.

Considering the expense involved in shifting the house and hiring a nurse, buying a stair lift is a better option. Installing home stair lifts in your home is extremely beneficial since these are the perfect solution to home accessibility, especially in the case of disabled members of the family.

Romance and Rose Petals: 10 Creative Ways to Use Them

If you are looking to create a special ambiance, start the path to seduction or just bring a smile of delight to your sweetheart’s face? One sure-fire way is with deliciously scented, silky rose petals. You can pick up rose petals from your local florist shop or order prepackaged petals online. The prepackaged ones usually come with some other sensual items, like tea light candles, which can add nicely to the ambiance.Of course the rose petals should be lusciously scented. Most will be, but if they are not as pungent as you would like, pick up a rose scented mist from your local bath shop or pharmacy. Make sure you purchase at least a few dozen so your rose petal surprise doesn’t look skimpy. Of course, if you’re making a trail down a hallway or up stairs, buy a few dozen more. Most of the time, eight or nine dozen will not cost more than ten or fifteen dollars – a very inexpensive, romantic treat.Don’t feel that you always have to go with red petals, sometimes a pink, peach or even white can be a wonderful surprise. Take note of what you are putting them on and go with the color that will stand out the most, capturing your love’s immediate attention. • Fill a pretty basket full with the aromatic petals. You need to know when your sweetheart will be coming in, listening closely for that key in the lock. Be positioned so that when they open the door, you are in position to immediately begin dropping rose petals at their feet as they step inside. You will continue to step back as you shower their every step with petals, as the king or queen that they are (remember Eddie Murphy in Coming to America? As a prince, he couldn’t walk a single step without rose petals leading the way!) • Run a warm bath for your love, complete with romantic music and candles. Finish this glorious setting by sprinkling beautiful rose petals in the bathtub. They will be gently floating on top when your sweetie steps in to luxuriate.• Take your rose petals and sprinkle them from your entrance door, down the hallway (or up the stairs) to the foot of your bed. Now there’s a silent invitation that your love will relish when they come home.• A short while before you know that your sweetheart will climb into bed, take a few handfuls of silky petals, pull back the sheets and toss them lavishly into the bed. Put the covers back, making the bed up to look as usual. What a sweet surprise when your darling pulls the covers back to slide into bed!• Put a dozen rose petals on the pull shade in your sweetheart’s car. When they pull the shade down to protect themselves from the sun or pull out an item kept there, they will be showered with the soft, silky petals.• The next time you serve your sweetheart breakfast in bed, make sure you’ve decorated the tray, surrounding all the delectable edibles with some pretty rose petals.• The next time you go on a picnic, along with the wine, cheese & grapes, take along some beautifully scented petals to spread on your throw. There will be nothing better than laying in your bed of roses as an alluring end to your day in the park.• The next time you give your sweetheart a massage, add rose petals for a luxurious, aromatic ambiance. Depending on the surface, you can place bunches of petals in shallow bowls or baskets around the massage area, or simply spread them all over the surface.• When your sweetheart is in the shower, take an opportunity to toss petals all over them. Reach over the shower rod or stall to toss the petals, instead of pulling back the curtain or door.• Take the current book or magazine that your love is reading, open it up to the bookmark and place the rose petals inside. What a delightful surprise when they sit down to relax with their book and the petals tumble into their lap. Make sure your love will not be opening the book/magazine on public transportation.You can create many special moments, enticing, enchanting, seductive moments. Using rose petals can bring an element of surprise that will be appreciated by your loved one. Use these suggestions as your “expressions of love” to and create many joyous moments together.

Stair Climbing: Your Ticket to a Quick and Easy Cardio

Parks filled with rowdy kids? Gym too far from your home or office? Then perhaps it's time to look at stadiums and tall buildings.
You've got it right -- staircases. They're the cheap alternatives to steppers (in fact, they don't cost anything), and the best thing about them is you can do your cardio any time of the day.
Athletes have been performing stadium bleacher runs since time immemorial. It improves their cardiovascular stamina and promotes their muscular endurance -- two things that are necessary for competitive games that last for hours.
For your part, stair climbing gives nearly the same benefits, but on a scale that's just right for you.
The Benefits Of Stair Climbing
This activity is low-impact and safe for as long as you strictly observe the safety rules outlined below. It uses the muscles of the buttocks and the quadriceps (front of the thigh) muscles. It also gives your heart a super workout because you're literally carrying your weight as you work against gravity.
Stair climbing is time efficient as it burns an unbelievable 300 calories in 30 minutes, depending on your pace and body weight.
This could be just the answer to our many alibis to keep from doing routines, such as "dogs chase me at the park," or "the smog outside is just terrible"!
When Is The Best Time To Stair Climb?
If you're using your office stairs, it's better to do this activity after work as you'll be all sweaty and exhausted. However, if you're utilizing your apartment building staircase, early in the morning would be great!
Warming Up And Cooling Down
Walk around your apartment or office for about five minutes prior to tackling the stairs. You should also stretch your calves, quads, and hamstrings to avoid tearing.
On the first week, do the following for 10-15 minutes: Climb 2 flights and then march in place or walk around the entire floor for a couple of minutes to avoid "burning" thigh muscles or shortness of breath. Add five minutes every week to this routine until you're finally able to climb the entire flight without needing to march in place or walk around the floor to catch your breath.
Safety Precautions For Stair Climbing
Wear shoes with good support -- the best ones are aerobic or cross-training shoes. Running shoes are not recommended because they don't give enough lateral support.
Make sure that the stairwell is well-lit and well-ventilated.
Drink enough water before, during, and after the workout.
Discontinue the session as soon as you feel any of the following: nausea, dizziness, heart palpitation, and disorientation, among others.
Alternate this activity with other forms of cardio so as to prevent overuse injury (caused by impacting the same bones and muscles over and over again).
Contrary to popular belief, your knees are more stressed coming down than they are going up because of your reflex of "putting on the brakes," just as the downhill part of mountain climbing is more dangerous. You may want to take the elevator on the way back if you're just beginning.
Assume the proper stance: Lean forward a bit from the hips and keep your back straight. Never slouch while stair climbing.
Don't climb with heels hanging off the edge of the step as you'll risk injuring your Achilles tendon. Instead, place your entire foot on each step.
Never climb a totally desolate area of the building! In the unlikely event of an accident, make sure that you can be heard if you cry out for help. According to the New Zealand government website, www.nhc.govt.nz, stair climbing as an exercise can hold its own against the more established routines such as running and bicycling. A study has concluded that stair climbing is better than these two when considering "the most vigorous exercise in the shortest period possible".
Mohamed Jamal is founder of FunLadyFitness.com a simple take on women fitness, tips and downloadable special reports that could enhance your next workout.
Visit http://funladyfitness.com to see the latest special reports and tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Jamal

Go Vertical Chicago 2008 Sears Tower Stair Climb Registration Opens June 10

CHICAGO – Registration for Go Vertical Chicago 2008, the annual charitable stair climb to the top of the Sears Tower, opens at 9 a.m. CDT Tuesday, June 10 at the “Go Vertical Chicago” website. Entry for the Sears Tower stair climb, which takes place on the morning of November 9th, 2008, is limited to the first 2250 registrants, and will benefit the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.

Climbers will ascend 2,109 steps and 1,353 vertical feet to the famous Sears Tower Skydeck observatory for the best views in Chicago and the satisfaction of having climbed the tallest building in the western hemisphere, all in support of cancer research.

Go Vertical Chicago, in its seventh year, welcomes climbers of all ages and athletic levels. In past years, stair climbers as young as 6 years old and as old as 79 have made their way to the Skydeck, and have travelled from as far away as New Zealand to participate. Elite stair climbers will compete for the top spot and try to break the record of 13:26 minutes set in 2005.

Some climb the Sears Tower for the pure challenge, some are cancer survivors, and many climb in memory of those lost to cancer or who are fighting the disease today. Last year’s sold out event raised more than $340,000 for young cancer scientists whose innovative research is at risk due to funding cuts at the national level.

Lorraine Egan, Executive Director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation said, “Like participants of Go Vertical Chicago, young cancer researchers of today are audacious and determined, and this event is instrumental in enabling them to continue their discoveries of new ways to treat, prevent and diagnose cancer. We’ve expanded our participant count to cater for demand, and are already receiving widespread interest in this year’s event – from as far away as Vienna, and also from many Chicago locals.”

The entry fee for the Sears Tower stair climb is $35, plus a plus a guaranteed minimum of $55 in pledges. Climbers are encouraged to raise sponsorship through friends, family and colleagues. Participants can climb individually or as part of a team, and there are reduced entry fees for individuals working at the Sears Tower.

More information for Go Vertical Chicago will be available from the event website at the Go Vertical Chicago website..

About the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation:

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation invests exclusively in top young scientists, recruiting the best new minds into cancer research and seeding their bold ideas. The Foundation offers an alternative to programs supported by the NIH and large organizations, which typically favor senior scientists with established track records.

Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has invested over $200 million and funded more than 3,000 young scientists. Eleven scientists supported by the Foundation have received the Nobel Prize, and others are heads of cancer centers and leaders of renowned research programs. The Foundation currently is funding more than 120 scientists at leading medical centers and research institutions. This year, it will invest approximately $10 million in outstanding young minds.

100% of all direct donations are used to support scientific research.

About Sears Tower

Sears Tower is the premier corporate office building in Chicago, offering more than 3.8 million square feet of office and retail space. Located in Chicago's West Loop at 233 S. Wacker Drive, the skyscraper is easily accessible by the commuter rail stations, highways and all forms of public transportation.

Standing 1,450 feet and 110 stories tall, Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America and an integral part of Chicago’s culture. Originally opened in September 1973 as the corporate headquarters for Sears, Roebuck and Co., the building is now a multi-tenant office building, home to more than 100 different companies, including prominent financial services firms, law firms and insurance companies.

Many Sears Tower offices boast spectacular vistas of Chicago, with views that can reach nearly 50 miles on a clear day. Sears Tower also boasts tremendous infrastructure, which includes enormous telecommunications capacity and unsurpassed electrical capacity and reliability. The Sears Tower Skydeck on the 103rd floor attracts more than 1 million visitors per year.

Stair Lifts - a Practical and Economical Solution for Accessibility Problems

Stair lifts are a practical and economical solution for accessibility problems faced by physically handicapped and aged people. Physically disabled people often find it stressful to climb or descend the stairways in their houses or offices. While the services of a caretaker could be availed of in the earlier days, it is no longer an easy or practical option nowadays. The presence of a caretaker often disturbs the privacy of the individual. Moreover, caretakers have become quite expensive. Stair lifts are the only practical and economical options to solve this problem. In the case of a stair lift, you have to spend only an initial amount for purchasing the lift.

The stair lift is a mechanical device used for lifting people up and down the stairs. A seating, rail and motor for driving the lift are the main parts of a stair lift. Stair lifts are available for both residential and commercial purposes. There are buildings with straight stairways and curved stairways. Therefore straight rail stair chair lifts and curved rail stair chair lifts are available in the market. Electrically operated chair lifts and hydraulic chair lifts are available. Electric stairway lifts are commonly used and are less expensive than hydraulic stair lifts. Some of the unique features available in stairway lifts are

• Rechargeable battery provision for constant use during power failure
• Obstruction sensors
• Folding up facility
• Wireless controls for convenient use

Some stair lift models have obstruction sensors to detect obstructions in the path of the lift. This is a safety measure to avoid damages to the rider. Many of the stair lifts can be folded when not in use. This gives enough space for others to access the stairways.

Another type of stair lift is the vertical platform stair lift. This stair lift is very useful for physically challenged people to access different floor levels. There are stair chair lifts that are meant for outdoor use. These stair chair lifts are provided with the required weather proofing.

There are many branded companies that provide a variety of stair lift models. Bruno, Thyssenkrupp Access, Savaria Concord are reputable manufacturers of stair lifts. These branded stair lifts can be purchased from various dealers across the country. The dealers provide all assistance for the installation and maintenance of the lift. Always take care to purchase branded products for maximum durability.

Shin Splints: What to Do About Them!

One of the most common injuries associated with figure or endurance training is shin splints. The pain will stop your cardio program in its tracks. Even one simple step; produces a feeling of broken glass rubbing in your shins. Shin splints are simple to diagnose and even more simple to treat.

The most common cause of shin splints is a weakening and a drop in your foots' arch. Once the foot arch drops, the shin muscle, called the Tibalis Anterior and its' tendon will stretch and tear. This results in the loss of normal blood supply and the tendon will start to inflame and after a couple of weeks, results in painful degeneration. That is all it takes and you will have significant sharp bites in the front of your shin when you walk or run.

A simple test - You can do a simple test to determine if a weak arch is the cause of your shin splints.

Ask: Does it hurt more with or without shoes?
If The Answer Is: More pain without shoes, then you are likely a candidate

Step One : Picking out the right shoe

It sounds simple, but getting the right shoe is about as difficult as finding the right person to be your mate for life. Various shoe categories exist, since everyone's feet and gait are different. This helps provide you with the proper type of shoe. Most shoes if you are running about 30 miles a week, will last you about two months, however, there are some ways to stretch that time.

Step Two: Orthotics

Orthotics fit inside of your shoe to provide a platform for your foot to rest in, while in the shoe. Ha, you say, "My shoes have an arch support!" Most manufactures (99.9%) spend a whole .50 cents on their insoles.

Need I say more?!

Additional Suggestions :

* Try the Towel Lift!

Take a towel and sit on a chair with your feet on a smooth surface. Place the towel on the ground and use your toes to grip the towel and practice lifting it up. Repeat about 100 times. This will help develop the supportive muscles in the bottom of your foot and the front of your shin.

After performing this function, move to the stairs and place your heel on the stair, then allow your foot to point down, while maintaining pressure on your heel. This will allow your shins to stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 5 times.

* Try switching up your cardio. Make a cardio program that allows you to use lower impact equipment. An example is, 5 minutes of recumbent bike, 5 minutes of stair climber and 10 minutes of elliptical.

* Do not use NSAID's after two weeks, it just complicates the problem of healing.

(What Is A NSAID? A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen)

* Use topical pain killers like Icy Hot, Medic Ice, Bio Freeze on the shins prior to exercise.

* See a physician for help, if you don't get better in a couple of weeks, find a new physician.

Eat lots of sulfur content foods, Onion, Garlic, etc.

Shoe Information:

There are three groups of running shoes; cushioned, stability and motion control.

Cushioned: Obviously provides maximal shock absorption, not much support.
Stability: Very strong mid-sole material, best choice if you weigh over 200 pounds for a male or 150 for female.
Motion Control: Very firm shoe, best if you have wider feet or flat feet.

* Most shoes don't last longer than 1000km.

* To tell if your shoes are worn out, look at the mid-sole. If there are two or more creases over top of each other, then your shoe has likely lost over 50% of its ability to support your foot from running.

* Don't use your running shoes to train calves, since this breaks them down too quickly.

* If you weigh over 250 lbs, most shoes will last no longer than 60 days without breaking down.

Visit dieting site for more information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chrisitne_Breen

Excel Stair Lift - 3 Features That Are Lessor Known

Part of the process of finding a stair lift is determining which safety features and aesthetics best meets your needs. The Excel stair lift series is one of the top selling lifts in the market and it's no wonder. This home elevator has many features that stand out but there are three that sometimes get glossed over.

These three lessor known features will keep you and others safe, make transport easier for all kinds of disabilities, and truly make the lift a part of your home.

Excel stair-lifts are equipped with multiple safety features. One of these features are safety sensors. These sensors detect objects that are on the stairs and in the way and will stop the lift until the object is moved. So if you have objects dropped on the stairway, a loving pet that wants in your lap, or a toddler that's fascinated with the whole machine you won't have to worry about running into or over them.

Stair lifts are designed for people who are still somewhat mobile but unable to climb steps. What about if other parts of your body are immobile as sometimes happens after a stroke. The controls on the Excel are fairly versatile. Control choices range from a remote control that others can use, to a joystick that you nudge the direction you want to go to push button controls on the seat. You can have the controls on either side therefore utilizing your strongest side if need be.

Who wants some gawky looking piece of equipment lined up and down your steps? With choices in colors and materials and a design that is stylish you can have your lift looking as if it was designed as part of the home.

No one want to have to use a stairlift. But with safety features, versatile control and interior décor options offered from the Excel line it makes owning and using one more bearable.

Visit http://www.stairliftinfo.info to learn more about if a stair lift is for you. You'll find many other tips and advice on straight stair lifts, curved lifts, and new and used lifts, too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stone_Dupree

Tags: Lessor, Features, Stair, Lift

Angle Roll Bending Machine Information for Buyers

When it comes to metal fabrication equipment, you may have heard of an angle roll bending machine. Some may refer to it as a section bending machine, but its purpose is still the same - form raw pieces of metal into desired shapes and sizes.

If you have ever seen an angle roll bending machine, you would agree that most are constructed in a vertical steel frame. It is common that the bending portion of the machine is located on one side, with the power and drive of the machine on the opposite side.

This writing is intended to educate and help the purchaser of Angle Bending Machines to ask the right questions when considering a purchase.

Power source:

Small units are powered by an electric motor with a reducer. The power transmission is accomplished by gear trains and or chains / sprockets combinations. These are units used in small job shops and rod iron fabricating establishments. The new generation of the section bending machines is powered by hydraulic systems. These are used for bending from the smallest bars to very large wide flanged structural beams.

The large hydraulic units have a double pump hydraulic system, with one providing the flow for the rotation of the rolls and the other for the extension and retraction of hydraulic cylinders attached to arms carrying the bending rolls.

Some designs use one main hydraulic motor, usually mounted to an epicyclical in-line reduction gear, which imparts rotation to all three rolls. Another variation is each roll having its individual hydraulic motor/ reduction box combination directly driving it.

The Bending Process:

There are some terms used in the industry describing the capacities of Section Bending Machines and the process used, which the purchaser should become familiar with.

Square and rectangular rods, round rods, square and rectangular tubing, round tubing, standard pipe, equal leg and unequal leg angles, "C" and "MC" channel, "S" and "WF" beams, "T" bars …these are sections which can be rolled on section bending machines.

"Leg out" means the leg of a section, like in angles will stick outward from the ring formed in a radial direction. "Leg in" means the leg of a section, like in angles will stick inward from the ring formed in a radial direction toward the center of the ring. "Leg out" is also known as "Easy way" and "Leg in "Hard way" There are exceptions to this terminology when it comes to channels, whereby one can bend a channel leg in, leg out and the hard way when bent on its side.

Bending of round sections, pipes and round tubing require special tooling other than what is usually provided standard with section bending machines. In special cases with square and rectangular tubing where the wall thickness is low…the manufacturer should be consulted as to whether special all section enveloping tooling is required to avoid the section from collapsing under the bending forces.

Bending Channels, S beams and WF beams the hard way, present a special challenge because the force of bending would sometimes collapse the web connecting the flanges. Most manufacturers of heavy section bending machines offer what is called a "Traction Tool", which holds the section back and supports the web so as to avoid collapse.

Machine Capacity:

Each section has what is known as a "Section Modulus". This value is a measure of the resistance a section displays to bending. It is the quotient of the sections Moment of Inertia about the axis passing through its center of gravity, which coincides with the neutral axis of the section and the furthest distance on the section from that neutral axis. In symmetric sections bending about the neutral axis both ways will give the same section modulus, however in non symmetric sections, the section moduli are different for calculations of leg in and leg out bending.

Depending on the design of the machine, each machine will have a certain capacity of bending. Thus the pressure exerted on the machine members will dictate the limit, before rendering the deflections the members sustain unacceptable or the wear and tear caused on the machine would be excessive. This limit is what is specified as W or S (Section Modulus Capacity) in in3 or cm3.

In general catalogs and brochures describing section bending machines would give the maximum section sizes a machine can bend of each type of structural or bar section. With a minimum diameter the machine can bend them to. By rule of thumb and practice it has been established that the minimum diameter of bars, tubes and pipes is ten times the height of the leg or the dimension taken in the radial direction. For the rest of the sections it is approximately 11 to 12 times the height of the section or the leg.

When a section dimension and thickness is not mentioned on the capacity charts, the user either needs to calculate the section modulus of the section and if this is less than the Section modulus capacity of the machine, he/ she will be in the safe zone and no damage will come to the machine. If in doubt it would behoove the user to contact the manufacturer for professional advice.

Controls:

Section bending machines have become sophisticated and are using NC and CNC to bend complicated forms. These controls have canned programs for standard sections and they use teach mode where by the operator can produce the part manually and the machine keeps track of all the steps he/ she uses to accomplish the job. Then the program is memorized and archived for continuous use.

The new controls can even collect their own section characteristic data, by bending a piece of the section at different settings. The radius produced at a certain setting is input into the program and by taking three readings, the program surmises the reaction of the section to bending forces; then uses the information when the program parameters are entered and the part is run…at first trial the machine would produce a near perfect part. With small adjustments, what used to take hours of testing, experimenting and developing is cut down drastically.

Controllers have large memory capacity and many job programs are stored and recalled easily. Most units have RS232 communication capability and lately USB ports have been appearing on most of them. There are many operating systems used on these controllers…some are still using DOS, some use Windows and even Linux, while some have proprietary operating systems.

Observation:

With each passing day, technology is improving, and this is no different for angle roll bending machines. Computers and engineers are largely responsible for section bending machine construction, and this allows for more precise equipment. Some inexperienced shoppers may jump at a machine with greater horsepower or even one that weighs more. Do not be fooled; instead consider these things when buying: reliability and durability of materials used in the machine's construction, solid design, and of course ease of maintenance.

Robert E. Heller is the president of E.G. Heller’s Son, Inc. and has been involved with selling high quality angle roll bending machines and other metal fabrication equipment for 35 years. The company also sells press brakes, hydraulic shears, and plate rolls.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Heller

Tags: Bending, Buyers, Machine, Information

How To Measure A Straight Stair Lift

Installing a straight stair lift is easy and most people with a small amount of DIY experience can install one in only a few hours. However, many people are unsure about purchasing a straight stair lift because they don't know how to accurately measure their stairs so that they can feel confident when ordering one. However, measuring is not that difficult and can be done in about 5 minutes.

You can save a great deal of money is you buy and install a straight chair lift yourself. Even if you have the dealer install it for you, you can still sometimes save money if you give them the measurements beforehand; some agents make a charge for a pre-sales, on-site inspection.

Taking measurements is quite straight forward; there's not that much to it. The measurements are few and very easy to take. These machine are specifically designed to tolerate slight differences, meaning that things like carpet runners will not make a difference, so don't worry. Just follow the measurement instructions step by step and you'll be fine. You'll need a pen, paper and a measuring tape that can extends to the full run of your stairs.

Stand at the bottom of the stairs, look up, and decide which side of the stairs the lift will be mounted on. Most staircases run along a wall and most people prefer that the track also run on that side of the stairs: the track is actually fixed to the stair tread and never the wall. Small obstructions like handrails shouldn't be a problem as stair lifts are designed to clear these obstacles. This is the first and most important measurement.

For the next measurement, stand at the top of the stairs, and extend the measuring tape so that it lies on each of the stair treads - it should run parallel to the skirting board. You may find this easier to do if someone lends a hand. Take note of the measurement when the measuring tape touches the floor at the bottom of the stairs.

The next step is to measure from the edge of the top step to the edge of the first step - the tread. The next step is also simple enough. You just need to measure the width of the staircase. If there is a wall or door at the bottom of the stairs, measure the distance form the bottom step to the wall or door. This will tell the stair lift company how much clearance is needed.

The above measurements are the basic requirements that a stair lift company will need to supply you with the correct straight stair lift. Certain brands and models of may require more specific measurements to get a sense of space. If this is the case, the stair lift company will have instructions for any additional measurements needed. The company will usually supply you with graphs or easy to follow instructions, making measuring for your new straight stair lift an easy and simple process.

If you have any doubts you can request a survey from a reputable stair lift company. You can find these companies on the web and many will make no charge for an onsite survey regardless of whether you buy a straight stair lift or not.

Follow the links for straight stair lifts and get information on stair chair lifts on leading brands like the Ameriglide stair lift

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_O'Brien

Tags: Measure, Straight, Stair Lift

Fixings Squeaking Stairs in Older Homes

Oh yes the common problem of squeaking stairs in an older house. This could become very frustrating and annoying as you walk up and down the stairs. There seems to be one or two stair treads that are always squeaking. That annoying sound as you walk as softly as you can on your way down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to grab a quick snack.

The number one cause of squeaking stairs is when the nails used to fasten the stair tread to the stair strainers has worked its way loose. Over time as the lumber shrinks in the stair treads and the stairs stringers. You will start to develop a separation or a gap between the stair tread and the stair strainer.

The stair stringer can shrink as much as 3/8 of an inch in just a few years. I was building a home and went to measure the stair stringer that was 11 1/2 inches wide originally. Then I measured it after two months outside in the summer sun it now measured 11 1/16". I was amazed that the lumber could shrink that much in such a short period of time.

As the stair stringer shrinks it starts to pull away from the plywood or hardwood stair tread. As it starts to separate from the stair tread the nail will stay in its original position until the stair tread starts to put pressure on the nail eventually lifting it up a little bit higher than its original position.

As you step on the stair tread the squeaking sound you hear is the nail rubbing against the stair tread. There are a few ways to fix a squeaking stair tread. If you have access to under the stairway you can apply some adhesive along with a 10 inch 2 x 4 under the stair tread and attach it to the stair stringer.

First apply adhesive to two sides of the 2 x 4. The adhesive will be used to glue the stair tread to the stair stringer. You can use screws to screw the new 2 x 4 onto the side of the stair stringer.

If you cannot access the underside of the stairs and you have carpeting you can actually locate the stair stringer and drive a 2 inch screw through the carpeting in to the stair stringer. This will pull the stair tread down and will not allow it to rub up against the nail making that awful sound of a squeaking stair case.

If you have a finished wood stair tread you will not be able to screw through it into the stair stringer without damaging the finish on tread itself. It will be easier to access the stair stringer from below somehow and apply the 2 x 4 with the adhesive to stop the stair squeak.

You can apply these methods to as many stair treads that are squeaking without taking apart the entire staircase and rebuilding it.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Stair Building

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Vandenberge

Tags: Fixings, Squeaking, Stairs, Homes

Climbing the Stairs in a Stair Lift

It is often difficult, if not impossible, for those who afflicted by arthritis to use the stairs. There are many other health related issues that can make it difficult to climb the stairs, but among those over the age of sixty-five, arthritis is one of the leading prohibitory diseases that can affect stair use.

The reason that the sixty-five and older group is so important, is due to the fact that falling down the stairs is all too common and is the leading reason for hospitalization and unintentional death. To help prevent this risk, it is a good idea to install a stair lift.

Using a stair lift has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of injury or death as a result of a fall while on the stairs. Most people are able to operate a stairway lift independently and without relying on outside assistance. They are designed to safely move a person up and down the stairway, without subjecting them to the risk of falling.

A stair lift usually consists of a metal track, which is most frequently secured directly to the stairs, and some sort of car unit, which travels along the track. For safety reasons, a chair is usually used to transport the occupant, but a few models are available that use a small platform instead of a chair. The units that use a chair are called stair chairs and the kinds that use a platform are called perch lifts.

Stairway lifts that use a perch are a little riskier and can be dangerous. This is because the rider will have to remain in an upright standing position as the car moves up or down the track. They do serve a purpose though, because some people can not safely bend their knees enough to allow them to safely sit in a stair chair.

Overall, you will want to avoid perch lifts unless they are absolutely necessary. The stair chair is much safer and as an added safety feature many come with seat belts and optional chest restraints. As an added safety feature, the chair on most stair chairs is able to swivel. This ensures that when you enter or exit the lift you are not forced to touch the stairs at all.

These types of lifting aids are most often seen on the inside of a home, but they are also available for outdoor use. If you intend to use the device outdoors, it will be necessary to make certain that the lift is an outdoor lift. You can not just place any stair chair outdoors, because it is necessary for it to be one that is rated to be completely weather resistant. Outdoor stair chairs cost a little extra, but are completely sealed against moisture and covered with paint and materials that are resistant to rust.

Even though outdoor lifts are built to be weather resistant, you will want to take measures to protect it from the environment. If it is installed under an overhang, ensure that there are gutters installed to deflect rain away from the lift. This is important so that you do not slip when entering or exiting the lift. It is also advised to trim any branches that might hang over the lift.

People who use a stair lift are able to confidently climb the stairs without fear of falling. They allow independent stair usage and can easily be operated with either hand.

Sean Noughtly, a writer, is familiar with many types quality home lifting aids, like the ones you can find at AmeriGlide. To learn about stair lifts or other lifting aids visit AmeriGlide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Noughtly

Tags: Stair, Lift, Climbing

Home Remedies for Yeast Infections - Yeast Infection Cure Tips

Yeast infection can be very trouble some as it is a kind of very stub boned infection that take lots of time to fade away. Below are few home remedies that will help you in getting rid of yeast infections.

• Frequently smear apple cider vinegar in the areas prone to yeast infection. Your can also add some garlic to stop the itching sensation and water to dilute the vinegar concentration

• Curds or yogurt is look upon as one of the best home remedies for yeast infection. In fact, it is worthwhile to soak a tampon into curds and place it in the infected region for at least an hour. Essentially, the healthy required bacteria from the curds will replace the unhealthy yeast bacteria. This could be done two or three times daily.

• Drink at least 2 glasses of buttermilk daily, whether infected or not. In fact making curds a part of the daily diet in take decreases the probability of yeast infection.

• Mixture of olive leaf extract with grape-fruit seed extraction a glass of water is a good remedial tonic for this infection.

• For vaginal yeast, take a tampon and dip it in yogurt. Put in the vagina, two times daily. Carry on this remedy for an extra day after your symptoms go away.

• A few drops of tea tree oil put on a tampon and inserted in the vagina can provide some benefit.

• For non-vaginal yeast infections, you can apply garlic paste directly on the affected parts for the best result. This remedy is for other infected parts of the body and is not recommended for the vaginal yeast infection.

• Honey is the stickiest and un-comfortable way of curing vaginal yeast infection, but it is said to work wonders. Take 1/2 cup of honey into the bathroom. Pour honey on all affected portions, while sitting on the toilet seat. Be seated this way for about twenty minutes. After this you can have a bath with warm water. Dry the vaginal area with the help of absorbent paper. You will feel much better. Do these 2 times a day.

For more helpful information read about Home Remedies at Herbal Remedies website. Also read about Breast Enlargement Products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_John_Anne

Tags: Tips, Infection, Home, Remedies

What is the Best Cardio Machine for Your Workout

I think this is an age-old question, but today I want to address what I consider to be the pros and cons of some of the main cardio machines out there. Each one has their benefits of course, but I think that each can also be used for different situations. So let's get started:

Treadmills

Ah, the ever popular idea of running in place. I've read many articles that state that running on a treadmill is the best way to burn fat. And, in many cases I would have to agree with them. Some of the really nice things about treadmills is that they give you the same feeling as running in the country, but without the country smell. So the big pros to doing your cardio workout on a treadmill is that it is a great fat burner and cardio monster. Some of the down sides are that you experience the same impact that you would doing regular running, which depending on the condition of your knees might not necessarily be a really good idea.

Elliptical Trainer

One of my personal favorites, the elliptical trainer gives you a really good workout with out the impact that the treadmill does. That is probably the biggest benefit to the elliptical. One of the problems that sometimes comes with an elliptical is that it is fixed in the way that it moves. If you've ever sat back and watched people run, you'll notice that different people move differently when they run. I have yet to notice a standard when it comes to every-day joggers. But on an elliptical, you have to fit the machine and that can become somewhat uncomfortable. In the gym that I go to there are only 2 elliptical machines that I like to use because my knees always hit the joints on the other ones because of my height. Other than that, I love using elliptical trainers!

Stationary Bike (Upright)

Another classic, the stationary bike has been around for a long time. For those of us with somewhat bad knees, these are great for staying low impact and also getting a good workout for the quad and other legs muscles. My wife and I both have some knee problems, and the doctor always says that riding a stationary bike is a great way to help that out. Overall the stationary bike is a great alternative for your cardio workout.

Recumbent Stationary Bike

This seems to be a relatively newer version of the old bicycle, and at first I have to admit I really didn't like it. What I've found since then is that it is a very deceiving cardio machine. Let me explain: when I first used a recumbent bike I felt like I wasn't getting much of a workout. Since then, I've found that over time you can work up quite a sweat with a recumbent bike. In fact, that's what my cardio workout was this morning and after about 30 minutes I was sweating really good! The other great feature of the recumbent bike, is that it is the easiest cardio machine to get a workout and some good reading at the same time!

Stair Climber

One of the great things about the stair climber is that, just like the stationary bike, you can make it really hard if you want to. The stair climber can even be used as part of your leg routine if you make the resistance high enough! Stair climbers give you essentially the same effect of running up and down stairs, without having to actually go to a stadium to do it.

So, when it comes to doing a cardio workout, I've found that its very important to mix up what you do on a rather consistent basis. Cardio is one of those things that can become very boring, so have some fun with it!

About the Author:

Dan Patterson is an editor of BodyFitnessInfo.com, a website that provides free information about how to gain muscle and lose weight naturally.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Patterson

Tags: Best, Machine, Workout

Curved Stair Lifts - An Overview

Many people have already experience the benefits of having a stair installed in their home. If you are also thinking of buying one but are worried that you won't find one to fit your case, don't be. Curved stair lifts are custom made and can be fitted on just about any staircase whether it's curved, is oddly shaped or has multiple landings.

Unlike straight stair lifts that can be bought as is and installed by anyone with good DIY skills, a curved unit is tailor made to the size and shape of your staircase. It's designed and installed to easily cop with bends, straights and landings.

Not surprisingly a curved stair lift price is substantially higher than that of a straight model. The cost can't be worked out until an on site survey is performed. The actual cost of installation lift will depend on several factors: the number of bends, the angle of the bends, the length of the actual staircase, and - most importantly of all - the time taken to install. Installation time should not be underestimated; installing a curved unit takes anything between 3 weeks to 3 months.

Curved chair lifts are very flexible. You can decide on which side of the stairs you want to install the track - the track is always mounted on the stair treads and never on a wall. The actual profile of your staircase will be a determining factor as to which side to place the stair lift. Your supplier will discuss this with you when they carry out a site inspection.

There is a healthy market for used stair lifts. However, you should be aware that this is primarily for straight units. Curved units are custom made therefore the track that is fitted to the exact shape of your stair will be of no use to anyone else. So, if you want to sell your curved lift at a later date you can expect to sell only the chair, motor and controls.

Even if you don't sell your curved unit you may want to sell your home. Depending on who buys your home, you might be able to leave the stair lift in situ, otherwise you will have the expense of first removing it before your vacate your home.

Because curved units are individually made, be prepared to pay your supplier a substantial deposit when ordering it. This usually does not happen with a normal, straight model but the one you are ordering will only fit in your house and if you pull out of the deal the supplier will not be able to resell it.

Find a reputable supplier - these can be found quite easily on the internet - so that you can discuss which brand name is best for you, whether it be a Summit, Ameriglide or Stannah stair lift.

The above points are just a couple of minor considerations you should bear in mind when deciding to buy a curved stairlift. The advantages of being able to access all the floors in your existing home far out way these points - especially when compared to the stress and expense selling and moving to a single storey residence or getting home help.

Finally, if you do buy a curved stair lift, make sure the suppliers provides excellent after sales support. Look for references and a dealership that offers 24/7 phone support.

Follow the links for curved stair lifts and get stair lift prices on leading brands like the Stannah stair lift.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_O'Brien

Tags: Stair, Overview, considerations

Deck Stylish Stair Railings for Your Home

Why Deck stair railings?

It is important to judge Deck stair railings before implementing them to the use. These pieces of different metals look beautiful and have an ever-lasting impact on onlookers. Deck stair railings have provided a more stylish way to improve the overall look of the home. Nowadays there are lots of stair railings styles available in the market and you can actually choose the best one to roll the eyes of onlookers. Often, people think of deck railings after they decide on everything else. Railings should be a consideration in the initial deck design, and not an afterthought.

Deck Stair Railings Look Stylish

It is very natural that when you see a deck, one of the prominent things you’ll notice is its railings. A decking without its matching railings never goes unnoticed. Railing of a stairs reflects the efforts implemented in its designing and uncover the inner beauty and decor of any home. Also, you will be adding more safety and security to the stairs by implementing strong but beautiful railings.

Deck railings are available in different designs and size as per the requirements and needs. You can choose a very simple or an elaborative art piece design to add more shine and austerely beauty to the home furnishing. Also, the level of intricacy of railing design often attracts people and become a matter of praise everywhere. To make it more personalized, you can add your own preference, pattern, and style.

If you have small children at home, you can choose a design that is more protective. Choose the one that protects small heads or bodies from getting through or getting stuck.

Are you a material fetish? If yes then you have a lot of choices to take a decision. Often people use wrought iron or aluminum balusters, for strength and durability, whereas others opt for wood to maintain a consistent look and feel. Choose whichever you find will be matching with your interiors!

Call a stair parts specialist today for help with stair designing and developing the list of balusters, Stair Railings and stair hardware needed to make your home a beautiful stair creation. For further information visit at www.stairsupplies.com

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_511467_27.html

Tags: Stylish, Home, Railings, Stair

Evaluating PVC For Porch Stairs Railings

Learn the best way of selecting the colors, shapes, materials and varieties for your porch railings, material varies in cost and quality. However you must check the kind of front porch stair you need and you can create and when you start to feel fascinated by the number of deals in materials, shapes and colors. Take the decision of knowing which of these things are those that best suit their lifestyle and the potential for his home.

Your skills and time available for doing the work also play an important roll in planning the front porch stair making.

Let's talk about PVC:

1. An excellent choice is going for the PVC or vinyl porch railing. Advantages of PVC and vinyl porch railings:

2. Security is guaranteed by these facts

3. Protection against slipping.

4. This kind of material doesn't splinter there is not risk of cut by sharp points if is properly fastened

5. PVC offers ultraviolet light resistance, long lasting live and high resistance to climate. Color will be bright for more time, avoiding fading of the material, also PVC keeps cool for more time than other material and you can certainly handle the material without being burnt, so you can see PVC is very good for houses when sun strike very hard during long hour at summer and can facilitate the gardening works.

All In Wood

Another possibility is wood. Wood exceeds any other offer in the market, its classic appearance, its elegance and make it one of the favorite of consumers, designers and architects, among the types of wood, we can speak of cedar, noble, and scented with many advantages. It has a high resistance to insects that act as a natural pest control, still exposed to humidity it keeps its good look and long life.

More Ideas For Your Porch Stairs Railing Design

Composite woods also offer options for front porch stair railings, add the beauty of wood rest the maintenance problems and composite wood products are decay, insect, light, and water resistant and hardly splinter.

Iron is another possibility for creating your front porch railing. Traditional and elegant, iron is pursued as a railing material because of its durability, look and variety of styles, Iron offers some of the nicest decorative effects in the porch railing industry thanks to the advances in the manufacturing industry, malleable and strong, it will remain standing through the toughest weather and abuse.

Aluminum offers high impact resistance, lasting color, and weather-resistance, it can be customized to your preferences or purchased on standard aluminum designs, nowadays aluminum is used to create a touch of modernity and can be combined with glass to reinforce the effect

At last a word for glass, you can use it combined with wood, aluminum and iron. Pieces made of stainless steel, brass, bronze or even stone can match glass and highlight its beauty, glass is an ideal choice for ideal choice for clean lines styles home and to enjoy natural light.

Your house, your life style, your budget and many other details have to be in mind when creating your deck ideas and planning your deck, porch, railing and other important elements for embellishing as well as giving your house extra elements of comfort, security adding in this value to the property: a porch, small or large, can make your house stand out of the others, suggesting an special place according to the main style design.

Adam Peters is the editor of many articles on railing designs published at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com, a website with tips on deck ideas and deck materials.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Peters

Tags: Railings, Stairs, Evaluating

Measuring Your Room for a Carpet

Measuring a room is relatively easy but you should take time to ensure that your measurements are accurate and that you avoid some common pit falls. Carpets come in different widths so it is important to consider which carpet you are interested in order to calculate just how much you will need.

A rectangular room

Sketch out your room, marking the position of any doorways. Measure the length and width of the room remembering to take the size, including doorway recesses. If the room has alcoves measure the width and depth of them, in case joins are required. In many homes the walls do not run perfectly straight so it’s best to measure the walls on both sides of the room.

A landing

Sketch the area clearly showing doorways and mark where the stairs meet the landing with an x. Measure the length and width again remembering to measure in to the doorways. Also measure over and including the top stair so that the carpet can cover the top stair in one piece (a join on the nose of a stair would cause premature wear).

A hall

Sketch the area clearly showing doors and where if applicable, the stairs begin. Measure in to all doorways.

The stairs

There is no need to measure the length of the stairs, simply:

Count the number of stairs

Measure the length of the tread and riser of one stair

Measure the width of one stair

Calculating the amount of carpet required for a Hall stairs and landing can be more complicated than for other rooms and therefore we always recommend that you use a professional measuring service.

Laying Your Carpet

How to lay your carpet depends upon which carpet you choose, a good underlay not only prolongs the life of your carpet, but offers noise resistance and ads warmth to your to your rooms also.

However laying a carpet, no matter what size of room, or what carpet used is a skilled job, which takes a lot of preparation and precision.

Rami Nseir is a consultant for UK Carpets Direct, part of the Storey Carpets Group voted “Britain’s Best Carpet & Flooring Retailer” for the fourth consecutive year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rami_Nseir

Tags: Carpet, Room, Measuring

Common Stair Lift Parts and Components That You Should Know

Almost identical to a home wheelchair lift, a chair stair lift is similar in the function and the job it performs. Unlike an elevator it is not a very complex machine. Stair lifts are installed in your stairway and typically consists of five main components. These include the track, drive, chair, controls, and power systems. Each has an important role in delivering you or your loved one from floor to floor.

Track

The track is what the lift moves up and down on. The simplest and least expensive designs are straight. Tracks are available for a curved stairs and tend to be more expensive.

Drive

The drive is what transfers the movement of the motor to move the chair lifting or lowering you to your destination. The most popular today is rack and pinion drives. Cable or screw drives are older technology and may be available as well.

Chair

In order to make the trip you've got to have a place to sit. Chairs on a stair lift may swivel so you can safely get on at either landing. The two types that swivel will turn 90 or 180 degrees. On some models the track may be long enough that a swiveling chair may not be needed. All chairs will include a footrest but a powered folding footrest may also be an option.

Controls

You need some type of control to make your lift move. Many use a hand held wired remote. Wireless remotes are becoming more popular and depending on your situation may be more appropriate for your use.

Power

Your stair lift will require electricity to make the trip up or down the track. There are three types of power sources. The most popular and least complicated is a battery pack located in the chair/motor assembly. The batteries are charged from a charging station located at either end of the track which are plugged into the nearest AC outlet.

The other two types consist of a tethered cord that moves along with the chair/motor assembly. One type has batteries but is constantly charged. The other type relies solely on the AC power. The downfall to either of these is the tethered cable. It is constantly winding and unwinding and can eventually fail causing problems and requiring repair service.

Although each manufacturers stair-lift vary slightly you will find that they have these common features. Each will have their own design requirements for each style of staircase. Each will have literature or phone numbers available discussing what options are available to you and what dimensions are required in your stairway.

Stone Dupree has been active in repairing and maintaining medical devices in the hospital and clinical environment for nearly twenty years. He loves to share tips from his experiences with others through his websites. Visit http://www.stairliftinfo.info to learn more about straight stair lifts and other lifts for the home. You'll find many tips and advice on finding and purchasing a stair lift for your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stone_Dupree

Tags: Components, Stair, Components, Lift

Stairs, Stairwells, Carpet, Tiles and Timber Flooring

Flooring in areas surrounding staircases should be practical and hardwearing, be able to shrug off dirt brought into the house, and be safe. But at the same time, flooring also offers a chance to make a statement about the whole house.

A floor particularly in the stairwell positioned in a homes entrance area should be warm, welcoming and in keeping with the style and decoration of the surrounding rooms. Stairways can often have the best floors in the house. The trick is to appreciate them.

Carpeting your staircase and landings reduces the noise and controls the dust. If you have a narrow set of stairs, a carpet runner could be used as an alternative as it still reduces noise, but because it is narrower than the staircase, it helps increase the apparent width. A vertical strip down the carpet runner can also help.

Pale carpets are not always recommended for staircases as they get dirty very quickly and cleaning won’t bring out some stains. Carpet may not be a good option if you want to add to the light as carpet trends not to the reflective. If carpet is to be installed in a stairwell where you are required to add light, don’t be tempted to carpet a staircase in a shade that is already dirt coloured such as muds and coffees.

The fact that staircases are a high traffic area means to a carpeted staircase requires consideration. The edge of a tread of a carpeted staircase needs to be round to prevent premature wearing of the carpet on the nosing line. Wear and tare is the menace of a carpeted staircase.

Stairs can benefit from changes of pace, colour and texture. Simple or plain carpets are better because wild patterns can be deceptive and cause you to trip, although they can be as decorative and distinctive as a wooden or stone floors. For example, you can put a different coloured strip of carpet from the rest down the middle that follows the direction of the walls or stair. Neutral colours set off brighter colours on the walls.

Flooring and a staircase can be brought together. The floor can be divided into chunks that has width and depth similar to a stair tread. A handrail can divide the stair and similar flooring like an abstract painting. Like wise the gentle curve of a geometric stair and the simplicity of the construction makes it perfect contrast for a very busy, colourful floor - this can be done with tiles, timber or carpet finish.

With multi-patterned flooring such as with encaustic tiles, the simplicity of the stair can be increased by picking just one or two shades from the floor and repeating them on the stair. If the size of a tile in proportion to the floor space is carefully considered the ever popular black and white tile never fails to look elegant.

A floor covering that is a contrast to the staircase helps make to stair safe. Any contrast between the materials or in the case of timber, direction of the grain aids the eye in distinguishing between the steps of the staircase and the staircase entry and exit points.

When considering timber flooring the wealth of choice is endless. A stairwell’s floor can be individual design and styled to site a staircase. In the case of parquetry before you start selecting timbers, the possible styles you can consider are Lineal: "straight lines", Herringbone: "angled blocks", Double herringbone: "two blocks next to each other in same pattern as herringbone", Basket Weave or a Square on Square. All these designs can be altered by laying them in 45o angle or 90o angle having a stunning effect. Then you can consider Borders to add a decorative feature to the parquetry floor. The border could also use contrasting timber give greater effect.

Often it can be best to keep floor treatments as simple as possible particularly in smaller areas, if a floor gets over complicated, the space will be spoiled. Therefore, if you have natural, good looking floors, don’t bother to carpet them unless the noise is too much. If you must have carpet, go for a plain version in a strong wearing weave or in smaller houses a striped runner is good. If you leave the floors relatively plain, you can go crazy on the walls with colour and the stairwells lighting.

For more information regarding our range of products, staircase and balustrading options available, visit our celebrated web site – www.stairking.com.au

Slattery & Acquroff, for the best stairs, on time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Courtney_Beard

Tags: Stairwells, Tiles, Flooring, Stairs