In India trains are not only a mode to transport goods they are also incredibly beautiful way of exploring the unexplored lands on individual levelsAfter the British rule, the Indian trains were given luxurious look for those who enjoy travelling in majestic deportment. The luxury trains are the asset of India as they contribute about 20% in the total revenue of the Indian Railways.

India has five luxury trains that are famous for elegant and alluring interior, traditional Indian hospitality and exquisite dinning services. The trains were designed for providing elegant ride to the passengers coming from all over the world to explore India and its scenic beauty.

• Palace on Wheels: It is the oldest luxury train in India. It was first introduced in 1982 after having temporarily shut in 1947. The train is one of its kinds in the world. It offers 14 deluxe saloons that are equipped with 4 cabins providing facilities of bath and shower, attached toilet and leisure facilities like games for children, intercom and more. The interior of the saloons is decorated with cozy furniture, handicrafts and paintings. Beside 14 saloons, the Palace on Wheels also has two restaurants cum kitchen cars that offer traditional Indian, Rajasthani, Continental and Chinese cuisine. The Palace on Wheels covers nine destinations during its eight days trip. The famous destinations that are covered by the train include Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore National Park, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra.
• Deccan Odyssey: The train is the newbie in the list of luxury trains of India. It was launched in 2002 and is famous as Palace on Wheels of Maharashtra. The train has 13 fully air conditioned deluxe saloons, each with a combination of 4 twin bedded chamber. The salons are fully equipped with intercom, music channel and other leisure facilities. It offers special facilities to physically challenged people. Wheel chairs, creches and a special attendant are some of the facilities that are offered to them. Special attention has also been paid to the security of the passengers and their luggage. During the eight days trip on the Deccan Odyssey, the passengers are mesmerized by the beauty of the Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Jaigadh, Ganapatipule, Bhatye Beach, Goa, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Sawantwadi, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta to Nasik respectively as train moves ahead in its journey.
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels: The train was launched in 2009. It offers Super Deluxe Saloon- the Bravura Suite and Deluxe Saloon – the Extraordinary Suite to its passengers. The Bravura Suite has been crafted with fine silk and velvet bedspreads and draperies and the Extraordinary Suite has been thematically designed with matched color textures and schemes to augment their splendor. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels travel for eight days covering hot destinations of Jaipur, Khajuraho, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Varanasi, Chittorgarh and Agra. During the journey, the passengers are served lip-smacking meal at two famous restaurants on the train Sheesh Mahal and Swarn Mahal. The Sheesh Mahal has been adorned with resplendent crystal pelmets and floor lamps, while the Swarn Mahal is themed around gold and brass. It has Spa and bar and lounge as well.
• Golden Chariot: The train was launched in 2008 for the tourists interested in exploring the Southern regions of India. The train is also famous as Pride of the South. The stay of the passengers is made comfortable at Golden Chariot by the eleven luxuriously furnished air-conditioned saloons with 4 sleeping chambers or cabins. The facilities like dining cars, one bar lounge, business centre, mini gymnasium & ayurvedic spa are also offered to the passengers. Small wardrobe, vanity desk, LCD Televisions and private washroom with high class facility are other features of the train that makes the stay of the passenger comfortable. It travels for eight days starting its journey from Bangalore to Mysore, Jain Monolith & Hosalya Temple Architecture, Hampi Temples & Vijayanagara Palace, Badami Caves & Pattadakal Temples, Goa and then back to Bangalore.
• Fairy Queen: The train holds a Guinness World Record for having single locomotive. Built in 1855 it offer just one AC chair car coach, which can accommodate a maximum of 50 tourists. For the privileged passengers it has also attached pantry car. Fairy Queen takes its passengers to a mesmerizing ride for two days trip. The journey begins from the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and takes one to the majestic land of Rajasthan.

Travelling could be both good and a bad experience. But, having a ticket of any of the luxury trains of India could add enjoyment to your travelling. After all, travelling in luxury trains is all about safe and healthy travelling.

Source by Sachdeva Geetika

Leather is broadly utilized as a part of a variety of various items. Book covers, a wide range of handbag, wallet, garments, upholstery material, shoes, belts, and even wallpapers are famous items in which leather is utilized all around the globe. The strength and adaptability of leather makes it a superb contrasting option to other covering materials. The nature of leather to keep cool in summer and warm as winter makes it the best upholstery material.

Leather originates from a wide range of sources. Some are self-evident, for example, steers, sheep and pigs, and some not all that self-evident, for example, stingrays and ostriches. Contingent upon the sort of use and wear and tear demand of the furniture, the kind of leather is picked. Seats, couch sets, chairs, stools, bean sack, auto seats, and pads are items that utilization leather upholstery. Be that as it may, the accompanying are regularly utilized sorts of leather items in furniture upholstery. Nonetheless, it is the means by which cowhide is handled that figures out which of three principle classifications it falls into: aniline, semi-aniline, and protected or pigmented leather.

Aniline Leather:

Aniline leather is very prized for the way it looks. It is the most common looking kind of leather and holds special surface attributes like pores scars. Aniline cowhide is colored by inundating the cover up in a straightforward color shower, yet the look of the surface is held on the grounds that it isn’t covered with any extra polymers or shades. Just the absolute best covers up, around 5 percent or somewhere in the vicinity, are utilized for aniline cowhide since every single surface stamp stay unmistakable. This is likewise the reason it is usually introduced to as “exposed leather.”

Advantage: Aniline leather is agreeable and delicate to the touch. Since it holds all the special markings and qualities of the shroud, each piece is not quite the same as some other one.

Disadvantage: Since it isn’t ensured, aniline calfskin can be recolored effortlessly. It isn’t suggested for use in furniture for youthful families or in high rush hour gridlock regions thus.

Semi-aniline Leather:

Semi-aniline leather is only somewhat harder than aniline leather since its surface has been treated with a light coat that contains some color, which makes it more soil-and stain-safe. That makes the impact of coloring somewhat unique on the grounds that even the scarcest piece of progress in the process makes an alternate result.

Advantage: While it holds the uniqueness of aniline leather, semi-aniline leather has more predictable shading and is more impervious to stains. It can confront harder conditions and isn’t harmed as effectively. Pieces upholstered in semi-aniline calfskin may likewise be somewhat more affordable.

Disadvantage: The markings are not as clear and thusly the piece does not have the one of a kind interest that aniline cowhide does. In the event that you are a fanatic of the more regular looking aniline leather, at that point this isn’t for you.

Protected or Pigmented Leather:

Pigmented leather is the most stable type of leather, and hence, it is the most generally utilized leather in assembling furniture and auto upholstery. Protected leather has a polymer surface covering containing shades, making this the hardest of these three sorts.

Preserved leather has varieties in the surface covering, yet by including it as a major aspect of the procedure the producer has more control over the properties of the calfskin. The covering likewise adds more protection from scraping or blurring.

Advantage: Protected or pigmented leather is anything but difficult to keep up and faces diverse conditions and employments. There are diverse levels of assurance, and you ought to have the capacity to discover a sort that fits your requirements best.

Disadvantage: This kind of leather does not have the uniqueness of aniline leather and looks less common. It can be difficult to disclose to one sort of grain separated from the other in light of the fact that the surface is covered and embellished.

Source by Jay Malviya

What is an outdoor living area? The easy answer is simple and very broad: it can be whatever the owner wants it to be, providing of course that it is outside and that a good deal of time is spent living in it. What are your wants and needs? How do you like to spend your time out-of-doors? These are the questions that will help develop your definition of an outdoor living area. For these reasons, my definition of an outdoor living area includes the following features:

• a furnished patio, dining area and kitchen.
• an activity area including a swimming pool and lounge area.
• a well designed landscape and garden area to add ambiance.

First and foremost, the key elements of an outdoor living area, like the inside of the home, include a kitchen, a dining area and a patio sitting area. When weather permits our family likes to cook, eat, relax and entertain outside; my wife and I like to have our friends over; our three teenage children like to have their friends over. Cooking, then, is important and takes place at all hours from morning until midnight. A good barbecue forms the center piece of any outdoor kitchen but an extra burner or two in some form also make life easier for the cook. An ample work surface with a chopping block or cutting board can further increase the cook’s pleasure time outside. Access to water, whether it be full outdoor plumbing or simply a hose hook-up or water dispenser, is yet another necessity. One more important feature is a means of keeping food and beverages cool and handy, either in a fridge or cooler on ice. An added bonus for me is a sit up counter area where friends can watch and keep me company while I cook. All of these features should be arranged to form an efficient working triangle just as they are indoors. Next, the kitchen should have easy access to the dining area. A dining table with seating to accommodate groups larger than just immediate family is a wise move if space permits. Once again, a bonus here would be outdoor storage space to hold patio dishes, flatware and linen. A chest or garden hutch could easily be adapted to fit this purpose. Finally an area to sit, relax, read, converse and even watch TV if possible is a lovely addition to any outdoor living area. Comfortable chairs, couches, side tables, a glider or porch swing and even a daybed can make this area cozy and inviting. Patio furniture can be purchased in a wide range of styles and materials to meet anyone’s taste and preference; my bias leans to cedar patio furniture.The goal here, ultimately, is to make the outdoor living area mirror the comfort and design of the indoors.

In addition to eating, relaxing and entertaining outside, we also like to be active; thus my outdoor living area also includes a swimming pool and space for other activities. Pools come in three basic styles: in ground, on ground and above ground. In ground pools are by far the most expensive option but they also offer the greatest range of use and the best aesthetics. The pool is best placed where it can receive maximum sun, an aspect not so necessary in hotter climes perhaps but certainly so further north where summers are a bit shorter and less intense. Ample decking all around the pool is necessary for good traffic flow and for ease of cleaning and maintaining. I recommend two distinct patio areas be included in the pool deck design. One is an open area where lounge chairs or adirondacks can be placed for sun worshipers. The other should offer an escape from the sun in the form of a covered bar/sitting area or some form of pagoda or tiki hut. As a rule, people will stay by the pool longer if they can get out of the sun for a bit without deserting the entire area. A hot-tub spa or a sauna would be a pleasant addition as well, if for no other reason because they add a year-round drawing card to the patio. Additionally, if space allows I would set aside a relatively long but not needfully wide area for playing catch with a baseball or football, for shooting pucks or practising soccer kicks, or for pitching horseshoes, bocce, lawn bowling, whatever. Most yards can accommodate all, or at least some of these features to some degree; downsizing is preferable to omitting. The more options available, the more enjoyment can be taken.

Finally, atmosphere and ambiance are vital to any outdoor living area; these elements can be created with a well designed garden and complimentary landscaping. The goal here is to set the mood for whatever activities occur, be they pool parties, dinner parties, afternoon barbecues or quiet family time. The greatest compliment is to have guests comment that they feel as if they are visiting a resort. Having a clear theme in mind when designing the landscape and garden is well advised. Some common themes include tropical paradise, desert oasis, north woods retreat, English country garden, Symmetrical Zen inspiration or an eclectic mix of garden features drawn from several themes. I prefer the tropical theme but with a few elements drawn from the others for effect. Medium sized trees and shrubs such as Japanese maples, tiger eye sumacs, magnolias, dogwoods and smoke bushes provide a very lush, multi-coloured backdrop for any setting; tall ornamental grasses can create an effective privacy screen and mimic a kind of bamboo forest look. The odd succulent adds a desert quality; yuccas, for example will grow anywhere. Honey suckle, trumpet vine, climbing roses, bougainvillea (in hotter climates) or simple ivy can be grown on a fence, or other garden feature such as a trellis, arbor or pagoda. If space permits, add a garden bench or swing along a pathway. Next, I am also a big fan of natural stone and rock. River rock makes an excellent border around the pool deck and patio and can be laid out to suggest a rock beach or dry river bed. A grotto appeal can be added by stacking quarry stone slabs to establish a variety of raised garden beds around the pool or patio. Larger rocks and boulders are always eye-catching additions. Whatever style is chosen, there are a few factors to keep in mind: the amount of space available (do not overcrowd the space – remember: less is more), the position and movement of the sun, average rainfall and ease of irrigation if necessary, and of course, the cost.

In conclusion, my definition of an outdoor living area is simply that – my definition. It reflects my personality and my taste. It fulfills the wants and needs of my family and how we want to spend our time out of doors. You may wish to set aside space to accommodate a fire pit area or an ice rink in the winter. Make your outdoor living area what you want it to be. I only hope my views have provided a starting point.

Source by Kenneth J Watson

The arrangement of the furniture in home will influence the nature of décor. It also determines accessibility and functionality of furniture piece. Planning ahead can escape from untidy arrangements. Though the arrangement varies from room to room, but there are a few points which are common to all rooms. I am using this space to share my ideas on furniture arrangement which might be helpful for everyone.

Living Room furniture

The living room is considered as the face of the home as it greets guests. Most of the households spend their time in the living room. So there has to be lively environment. Before making a move, identify the focal point and purpose of the room which is generally a directing point towards a TV (or) a gathering table. Living Room furniture includes Sofas, Recliners, TV Stands, Coffee tables, Sectionals, Ottomans, Side chairs, and so on. To arrange them in a user-friendly manner is not a big issue if you have a blue print of the Living room where the furniture has to be arranged.

• Generally, the sofa or chair is placed pointing towards a TV. The reference height and the profile of the household should be taken into consideration. Make sure that the seating spot should be accessible from any part of the room.
• If the room has an uneven contour, then use Sectionals which serve a great purpose. They can be placed beside the sofa to add some guest space.
• Contemporary TV stands come with multiple shelves. To use them effectively, calculate the clearance space and arrange the furniture. If you are running out of space, then choose a corner TV stand.
• Ottomans are generally placed in front of chairs and recliners. There should be space coordination between Recliner and Ottoman. For space constrained environments, choose an Ottoman which can also be used as a Coffee table.
• Console Tables are generally placed against the wall and are versatile. Placing a Console table near the sofa will help occupants to reach out easily.
• Side chairs should complement and supplement the existing décor. Over and above, furniture should not become a hindrance to the room’s passage.

Bedroom furniture

The bedroom is the place where one tends to relax and quench their stress. The room should be welcoming and dweller-friendly. Before starting the bedroom arrangement, calculate the dimensions of the room to avoid post purchase hiccups.

• Generally, bedrooms are connected with bathrooms. To avoid shower sounds and water splashes, place the bed perpendicular to the bathroom’s entrance.
• Armoires have been part of the bedroom furniture for centuries. They are used to store precious things and jewelry. Place the Armoire in such a way that it should be approachable.
• Nightstands are versatile furniture which can hold bed lamps and drinks. Nightstands are generally placed beside the bed.The height of the stand and the bed should go hand in hand.

Leave enough space on all sides such that the bed should form the center part of the room.

To conclude, arrange the furniture in such a way that the residents should feel happy and comfortable. Shop Living room furniture after considering the dimensions of the Living room and the same applies to Bedroom furniture.

Source by John Smith

Reinventing the chair is a good idea if the purpose is to improve posture and well being. A well thought-out concept for seating will not be confined to securing our backs and bottoms, it will be designed to rejuvenate the entire body and mind. This is where the Varier Gravity Chair delivers while many others fall short. The science of ergonomics has taught us that the things we use on a day to day basis can work to our detriment. The regular upright chair for instance can indeed be harmful to our health.

Defying Gravity

Varier Gravity Chair allows your body to defy gravity and remove all the pressure that you would otherwise experience with a regular home or office chair. This chair is designed to take care of the entire body, from the head, shoulders, back, arms and legs. It is so much more than a recliner. It is highly adjustable and allows you to sit upright, lounge back and even raise your legs above your chest to promote proper blood circulation. It is contoured in such a way as to provide maximum support for the neck and spine, and the extremities.

Help for Home-Based Workers

The growth of home-offices has added to the growing demand for ergonomically-correct chairs. When you work from home you are not bound by the regimented hours in a formal office environment. Sometimes people who work from home get caught up in the project they are doing that they sometimes forget to rest and recharge. With the Varier Gravity Chair, the worker can work in various comfortable positions without putting a strain on their bodies. They can also unwind without getting up by simply repositioning themselves for a power nap.

The Varier Gravity Chair has also been making waves in the office environment. Business owners have now gained awareness about the importance of securing the comfort and safety of their people in their own work spaces while improving their work output. The quality of the power nap afforded by the Varier Gravity Chair not only boosts energy, it stretches the productive hours of employees by pumping up their work juices.

Personal or Business Use

If you care for your health and that of your loved ones then you cannot go wrong with the Varier Gravity Chair. If you are a business owner who wants to retain energetic and productive employees, you would do well to invest in this piece of office furniture.

Source by Sebastian Felton

When guests visit your house, the first thing they notice is the patio, or the porch, the open and welcoming nature of a patio to the guests, is a good indication of how the owner of the house receives or welcomes his guests. The following ways are easy and inexpensive to spruce up your Patio.

Decide on the Color Scheme

Before you start a patio project, ensure to decide on your best and inspirational color scheme that will suit the project. You can select a color based on the item you already own, or you can purchase a color scheme based on your choice for the patio. It is more rewarding to select your color ahead of time before creating a plan for the patio. If you are unsure of what color scheme to pick, you can draw your inspiration from items like planters, rugs, patio furniture, or you can ask a friend to choose for you.

Define the Seating area

When designing a new look for your Patio, an area of concern you should consider is the seating area. The seating area has to be well planned, and you must ensure you introduce some unique and exciting things visitor or guest can sit and relax on. They don’t have to be costly and extravagant things. Things like benches, stools; old kitchen chairs crates, barrels, rocking chair, and Porch swing. Include some tables whether it is a coffee table, Patio table, or a repurposed stool. A table where your guests can seat and enjoy a drink or coffee is a welcome gesture.

Consider Flooring

Flooring is another great way to spruce up your patio. It helps keep the floor of the patio neat and clean. It makes a big difference if you decide to add an outdoor rug to give it an additional color and texture to keep it from looking too plain. You can also choose to use outdoor carpeting on the concrete floors to add color and texture to the floor of the patio.

Add Some Plant Life

Once you are done with the seating, color scheme, and flooring, start adding plants and other natural essentials. Nature and Plant life make a patio inviting and welcoming. Use Your Planters to add plants to a patio. You can purchase planters to match the color scheme of the patio if you do not already have planters of matching colors that you can repurpose. Then, select plants that can add something extraordinary and exceptional to the overall appearance of the patio.

Adding waterworks and other special touches

Adding even a simple fountain to your patio can add more beauty to your patio. It makes the whole environment serene, peaceful; it can be relaxing when listening to the sound of the running water. Some items like Throw Pillows, Candles, Garden décor and Door wreath can be ideal for decorating your patio.

Repurposing items are the easiest way to spruce up your patio. Some people may be lucky to own everything they need for their patio, but others have to purchase most of the items they require. Many stores sell patio and outdoor items where you can buy your items.

Source by Tatum Parker

With a new generation of church goers comes new needs. Determining the appropriate church chairs to be used for sanctuary seating arrangement can be difficult, especially with multiple congregations who may prefer traditional settings over contemporary settings or vice versa. In this environment innovation is key, and thus flexibility in sanctuary design, with an vision for comfortable and accommodating seating arrangements, is paramount. Churches should be able to make the absolute most of their sanctuary space and in turn maximize their budgets, while still accommodating its church goers. By making use of modern technology and the newest trends in fabrication, today’s churches can enjoy a variety of exceptional choices in modular, padded church chairs and church furniture.

Buyer education is key in a marketplace presenting myriad choices of church chairs and sanctuary seating – prices ranging from high to low, with variation in quality and quantity depending on make, model, and methods of manufacturing. There is much more to a simple church chair than meets the eye. When making plans to purchase seating arrangements for one’s church, one should consider everything from a chair’s internal construction (the seat and back padding materials and construction), the fabric and external frame, to its exact fit and finished appearance in order to insure that one is making a sound investment.

Quality sanctuary seating should always include heavy-duty 1″ square tube and 16 gauge steel frame construction. Seats and backs should be affixed to the frame with “T-Nuts” in ensure that these chairs will remain sturdy and solid for years to come. In addition, in order to provide for smooth movement across sanctuary carpeting and other surfaces, the end of each chair leg should come equipped with “rocker glides”.

Modern sanctuary seating has replaced traditional church pews. Today’s sanctuary chairs “gang” together easily by way of smooth, out of the way ganging devices built onto the sides of the seats. Before purchasing new sanctuary seats it is important to verify that the fabrics meet flame retardant specification CA117 and also pass a fabric durability test of 250,000 double rubs (this is called the Wyzenbeek test). In order for congregations to seat themselves comfortably, quickly, and orderly, the backs of church chairs need to be cleanly finished, with no loose ends or protruding hooks which might snag clothing or pocketbooks.

Choosing a company to provide your church with sanctuary seating and other church furnishings should be undertaken with prudence and careful planning, possibly requiring consideration by a budget committee. It is important to choose a church furniture company that focuses on customer service and attentiveness. The company should deliver the chairs fully-assembled and ready for service. Be sure that the chairs include a Lifetime Warranty on the frame welds. Choose a church furniture company where communication is easy – they should be available to answer all your questions every step of the way. They should be able to come up with a competitive quote to discuss with a church finance committee and to be able to package and ship your church furniture with the utmost of care.

When making a purchase for church and sanctuary seating, price is simply not the only determinative factor. Purchasers should be aware that there are many companies that may offer what seems to be a good price but lack in the ability to understand the exact needs and specifications of the church. Purchasers should be careful to choose a church furniture company that has a good track record, reputation, and who stands by their work. They should insist on a company that can have a knowledgeable consultant with a clear understanding of church management and congregation movements. Choose a company that offers delivery and setup of church chairs and church furniture.

Source by Jacob Hoffmeister

Temporary residences like serviced apartments and furnished suites are specifically designed to cater to short term and even long term accommodations complete with amenities and features that you need when you travel away from home. This kind of accommodation is very popular among business owners and companies. The good news is that leisure travellers and vacationers are starting to know and appreciate this kind of living arrangement. There are reasons why more and more people are renting furnished apartments and other types of alternative hotels and accommodation, these are:

1. It is definitely cheaper compared with regular hotels. If you are going to average it based on the number of occupants and days, you get better bargain. In addition, the price of rent is fixed and you do not need to bother about service charges and other taxes. Vacationers find the home atmosphere convenient and the kitchen feature is a blessing as they will not worry about spending more money for tips and other service charges once they use the kitchen to cook their own food.
2. Travelling in groups is never more fun. The downside of using hotel rooms is the fact that there are limited number of occupants allowed per room. With serviced apartments, your group can stay in one place; thus, there is no need to knock on many doors just to meet and talk with them. Serviced apartments or furnished suites also have living rooms where you can stay and spend time away with your group.
3. It offers an ambiance as if you never left home and went on vacation. Hotels are too impersonal and very often makes guest go outside to look for enjoyment in order to avoid the cold atmosphere hotel rooms in general have; thus, it is an additional expense for leisure travellers and vacationers. The absence of a reception or lobby area is not a detriment as most apartments of this kind offer amenities and features regular hotels provide like meeting rooms, housekeeping, laundry, restaurants, and even parking spaces. So, one can have a residence and an office at the same time when you rent furnished apartments and other types of alternative residences in places that you travel.
4. It is a home away from home since it has amenities that hotel rooms do not have like kitchen and dining area, furniture like a sofa bed, an office desk, and features which usual hotels offer like strong Wi-Fi connection, working area, and direct telephone lines.
5. You can choose your desired location; you can choose one near your office or you can book one that is near famous landmarks and interesting places if you are a vacationer. You can have a single bedroom apartment for rent or a three bedroom apartment if you travel by groups.

Based on these reasons, it is not surprising that in days to come, serviced apartments will be the preferred choice when it comes to accommodations.

Source by Maria Marilyn Madrid

The Captain’s Chair workout is rated as one of the most effective and best ab exercises by a study conducted at the Biomechanics Lab at the San Diego State University. Even though it is a relatively easy exercise to learn and do, not everyone has access to a Captain’s Chair or Power Tower device. However, there is an alternative to these exercise equipment.

With a grip-lock exercise bar and two ab straps, you can perform a similar abdominal exercise. This alternative equipment uses a door frame to allow you to perform exercises such as Knee Raises and Pull-Ups. Two brands that sell the combination of a grip-lock bar and ab straps are:

• The Gold’s Gym Home Circuit
• And the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar.

The advantages of using the grip-lock bar and ab straps for this exercise are:

• The equipment is less expensive
• Allows you to do this workout at home
• Can be easily stored in a closet
• And it is easy to install on the appropriate door frame.

The disadvantages of this alternative are:

• There is no back support. You must pay special attention to keeping your spine straight and aligned with your neck.
• You may experience soreness in your shoulders, since your shoulder muscles will be holding up your body weight. This soreness usually disappears after your shoulder muscles become stronger.

With this type of exercise bar, you need a door frame that is 27.5 to 30 inches in width, and 4.5 to 6 inches in depth. The bar easily and quickly locks onto the door frame, and will support a body weight up to 250 lbs.

The grip-lock bar comes with an upper crossbar and a lower exercise bar. Use the following procedure to properly install the grip-lock bar onto an appropriate door frame:

1. First put the ab straps on each side of the lower exercise bar.
2. Pass the upper crossbar through an open doorway leaving the lower exercise bar on the opposite side of the door frame.
3. Set the crossbar on the top edge of the door frame and push the crossbar as far as possible onto the edge of the door frame.
4. Then brace the ends of the exercise bar against the opposite side of the door frame.
5. If there is a door attached to the door frame, make sure that the crossbar and the door hinges are on the same side of the door frame.

After the exercise bar is properly installed on the appropriate door frame, use the following procedure for the Knee Raise exercise:

1. Slide your arms through the ab straps as far as they will go.
2. Grab onto the handles for support and to keep your body stable.
3. Allow your body to hang while keeping your back straight and well aligned with your neck.
4. Keep your legs together.
5. Keep your abdominal muscles engaged, and concentrate on using your abdominal muscles to lift your knees toward your chest.
6. As you breathe in, lift your knees toward your chest.
7. As you breathe out, lower your legs back to the starting position.
8. Do 10 reps at a time at first. Increase the number of reps as you become stronger.

This alternative to the Captain’s Chair ab workout will help you develop a muscular and flat stomach. And you can now do this exercise at home, and with little exercise equipment expense.

Source by Charles Pennison

Standing while working is a new revolution slowly taking over many work environments as Americans recognize the harsh effects that sitting for extended periods of time can take on the body. Many companies are switching their standard office desks out for higher work stations or adjustable desks that allow their employees to stand while they are working or sit back down in their office chair when they begin to feel fatigued. Getting a new desk is the first step in the process to creating a more healthy environment, however, standing on a hard surface for extended periods of time can lead to just as many health issues that are experienced when sitting in an unergonomic office chair. The best solution for this? Purchasing an anti-fatigue mat.

What is an anti-fatigue mat?

Anti-fatigue mats provide relief from standing on hard floors or surfaces for long periods of time. Working on hard floors on a daily basis can be extremely taxing on your employees leading to back and leg pain and can lead to an increase in physical stress. This inadvertently leads to a decrease in worker productivity and overall output. Standing is extremely fatiguing and elicits major physical exhaustion because your body’s heart muscles have to work extra hard against gravity to maintain blood flow. Lack of movement in the legs causes the muscles to constrict as they work harder to keep the body upright.

The benefits of anti-fatigue matting

Anti-fatigue mats are beneficial in a number of ways including reducing back pain, increasing circulation, reducing leg pain, reducing spinal compression, reducing absenteeism, and increasing productivity. Their soft surface provides a more supportive surface to walk on and reduces pressure on specific points in the joints, connective tissue and muscles. A well made anti-fatigue mat will cause the body’s muscles to slowly contract and expand as they conform to the mat’s flexibility.

Anti-fatigue mat applications

Anti-fatigue mat collections have been diversified to be versatile enough to be used in just about any application including medical offices, environments that require ESD ratings, switchboard environments, wet applications, theme parks, grocery stores, restaurants, hair salons, banks, labs, or just about anywhere where employees are required to stand. They have even reaching a new demographic, stay at home moms. Stay at home moms are finding these mats to be beneficial when performing regular house hold chores such as washing dishes, cooking, cleaning, ironing, hanging clothes, and other tasks that require standing.

Help improve your overall costs by investing in quality anti-fatigue mats for your employees. You will be helping to reduce the physical pain that comes with working on hard surfaces for long hours at a time, avoid worker compensation claims, avoid accidents due to slipping, and employees taking time off work. Your employees will thank you, your productivity and output will increase, and you will be saving money and therefore improving your bottom line.

Source by Chelsea Alves