Thursday, January 20, 2011

Get in Shape with Ballroom Dancing

Nearly everyone got caught up in the dance craze by watching "Dancing with the Stars" this past season. There's just something about the music, the dances, the level of competition, and the sarcastic responses from the judges. But there is also something else to be noticed with the professional dancers - their bodies. Not one single professional dancer had an ounce of fat anywhere on their body. What you saw was lean, toned, and muscular abs, arms, and legs. You probably would never think that ballroom dancing can produce such a workout, but it's actually one of the best physical fitness programs available.

Ballroom dancing is much more than a slow dance around a moonlit dance floor. There are several types of dances involved with ballroom dancing, ones that involve twirls, kicks, twists, and bends. In fact, ballroom dancing gives you the opportunity to move your body in a way that you would otherwise never experience - not even in an aerobics class.

It's no secret that most people looking to get fit or lose weight are intimidated by the gym. Not only are you surrounded by people with a better body than you, but often you find yourself having to wait for a machine or struggling to keep up in a class. Ballroom dancing is a great way of making exercise fun, and it's an activity you can do together with your partner or spouse. Unfortunately, some people continue to live inactive lifestyles because they just can't find a physical activity they like to do.

You may be surprised to learn that ballroom dancing can burn just as much fat and calories (if not more) than a session at the gym. Depending upon the style of dance, you can easily burn between 200 and 400 calories. For example, the foxtrot or the waltz provide an easy and gentle workout and will burn around 200 calories. This is comparable to a brisk walk in the park or thirty minutes on the elliptical. On the other hand, dances like the jive or paso doble can burn over 400 calories, which is comparable to an intense step aerobics class.

While walking on a treadmill or doing crunches are well-known exercises, they only work certain parts of your body - which leave you to workout longer in order to cover the rest. Ballroom dancing literally works every part of your body and every major muscle group. You are more likely to see results faster due to the challenge your body endures with dancing.

And if you don't have a partner to take with you to dance class, don't let that stop you from experiencing the glide around the dance floor. Many classes will pair you up once you arrive, and you may meet some great friends or something more! Most people who get into ballroom dancing have lots of fun, and are more likely to dance longer which extends the duration of their workout. So trade in your walking shoes for some dance shoes, and dance your way into better shape!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Renting Camping Cars

If you are looking for comfort on your camping trip, you need to have a camping car. The cars are going to have everything that you need like storage space and comfort too.

The camping cars and the recreational vehicles can be bought. The prices of them however are going to vary and they will be from ten to one hundred thousand dollars. The larger class a caravan is going to be a very expensive investment.

There are camping vehicles that are going to be of no good use after the camping season is done. Instead of purchasing a new one you can always rent one. This is going to be a good option for anyone that is looking for a more affordable option to camping.

RV living is something that you can use for a lifetime. Many people love to go and this is the reason why they will get an RV. It will be a cheaper type of transportation and give you what you need.

The camping trip that you go on needs to be affordable. You can rent a camping car to have a good experience on your trip.

One thing that you need to do is rent a camping car. You will then need to look out for a travel company that will give you the option of renting an RV. You can find many links and help online.

Most of the people that choose to use a motor home are going to spend time on a vacation. Some of the companies will offer a partial sale of the great RV’s.

With this deal, the owner will not pay the entire amount. They will have to maintain the car for a certain amount of time and sign an agreement of ownership. When this agreement is over you will find that the RV is sold to the next customer.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

How To Test A Boat

If you think you've found the boat of your dreams,
it's time to test it. Testing your boat is more
than just taking it for a test drive around the
harbor. You should look at everything closely, as
a professional boat tester would.

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell a top quality boat
from one that may have problems later on. To an
untrained eye, both can look good on the surface.
When you start to break everything down and give it
a careful inspection, you'll be able to tell a great
boat from a not-so-great boat.

By opening up all doors and access plates, you can
get great insight on the the construction of the
boat. You should also stick your head into the
anchor locker of any boat you are considering to
buy, as if they've cut any corners you'll normally
be able to see it here.

Looking into the anchor locker also lets you look
at the hull to deck joint. If there is light
coming from through, or if the fiberglass around
the joint can be seen through, it normally means
the boat has poor construction.

When you buy a boat, you should put it through a
rigorous visual inspection. It's also equally
important to conduct a vigorous test on the water
as well. A private seller or dealer will
normally want to stack the deck, ensuring that
the boat will perform well.

Normally, this involves a near empty gas tank,
no gear or extra passengers, and keeping the
boat in sheltered water. Therefore, it's up to
you to insist on a more realistic test. Think
of the test as an actual day out on the water,
and you'll find out if the boat is indeed something
you should spend your money on.

During your water testing, you should determine
if the boat performs well and meets all of your
expectations. You should determine if the boat
travels at the right speeds, and whether or not it
is capable of doing everything that you plan to
do with it after you buy it.

When test driving the boat, you should put it
through all paces in open water, cutting waves at
all angles. If you plan to test a saltwater boat,
you should bring along a 5 gallon bucket and try
throwing some water onboard. Any boat you plan
to use offshore should quickly shed water through
the scuppers. Some boats will pool water in the
bow and drain slowly - which can be very dangerous
in rough waters.

If a seller or dealer balks at the mention of any
requests you have, simply find yourself another
dealer or another boat. There are plenty of great
quality boats available, ranging in prices. Make
sure to check everything very carefully before
you make any decisions.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Packing Tips for an Adventure Vacation

An adventure vacation is one sure way of freeing your self from the stress brought by modern living. However, for most people, vacations are not as totally hassle-free because they have to go through one thing: packing.

Many people are having hard time packing for a vacation because they spend so much time thinking what are the things to bring only to find out that these exact items would not be used during the trip at all! So, to lessen the stress that is brought upon by the thought of leaving impending work and schedule for a vacation, here are some useful packing tips for you. To make packing for an adventure vacation a hassle free task, gather all the things that plan to bring and segregate them from “what to bring” side and “what not to bring” side. By doing this, you can have your elimination process easier and more efficient.

WHAT TO PACK

- Pieces of clothing. This is considered as the most crucial part of packing that is why many people are having hard time in it. When packing clothes for an adventure vacation, always bear in mind that you need to bring only those that you can use. To do this, finalize the type of adventure vacation that you are going to.

Consider the destination and the climate of the place in order to determine what are the clothes that you need during you stay. If you are going to a place that includes visit to beaches and other nature trips, bring clothes that are light and made of cotton because the weather can be hot and humid. If you are going to a vacation destination that has a cold weather, make sure that you bring jacket or other pieces of clothing that can protect your body.

In choosing what clothes to bring, always come up with one specific color theme so you won’t have to bring lots of items just to match your clothes. Also, choose clothes that have fabrics that don’t easily get crumpled or wrinkled. (TIP: For vacation destinations, it is best to use thermal underwear so you can save space instead of bringing heavy jackets and coats. For places that have tropical climate, opt for clothes that can be layered and can serve double purpose such as a sarong.)

When it comes to footwear, it is advisable to bring just two pairs—one pair of closed shoes and a pair of flip flops. If you are going to a vacation cruise, always bring pieces of clothing for formal and casual occasion.

- An alarm. This is very important especially if you are heading for a destination that have time difference. It is also best to bring a travel alarm so you won’t have to miss out on something just because you run late. (TIP: Bring a gadget that can double as an alarm clock such as cellular phones, PSPs, and other handheld devices.)

- Medication. Medication, especially if prescribed, should be given proper attention. If you are using prescription medicines, make sure that you bring enough amounts to ensure your well being during the trip. If you are travelling abroad, copy of the prescription is required to ensure that you are not bringing in illegal drugs. If you are not taking any prescription medicines, always bring a first aid kit.

- Toiletries. Shampoos, lotions, liquid soaps, and other toiletries are usually available at the hotel but if you prefer your own brand, make sure that you place them in small bottles and keep them into a minimum. (TIP: Always put toiletries in zip locks so they won’t affect other items in case they leak due to air pressure.)

- Cash and credit cards. If you prefer to bring cash, keep them to a minimum to avoid hassle in safety. During an adventure vacation, it is always best to bring international credit cards for your paying needs.

(TIP: Bring two just in case the ATM eats one, gets broken or lost.)