http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/nordictrack-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/nordictrack-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.html Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The brand was bought by Icon Fitness after the bankruptcy of the original NordicTrack company in 1998 and they have since moved the lineup into more mainstream sales venues such as Sears. The name holds a certain level of cache and Icon has taken advantage of this to bump up into higher pricing brackets than most of their other brands could attain. Unfortunately, until a few years ago the price was the only thing about these machines that was high. If you had one of the original EXP1000 machines, our sympathies are with you. They had problems with everything from the plastic parts, to electronic grounding problems, to failed consoles. It wasn’t a pretty picture.

We believe the big driver of this changeover has been Johnson. The maker of the Horizon brand has given the large sales venues an alternative and while Johnson was producing higher end machines for the US market and moving down in price point, some of the quality carried over. Not to say Johnson hasn’t had their own missteps, but overall they have been a big reason why everyone has had to step up in quality, including Icon.

Over the past few years though the quality of the NordicTrack machines has increased drastically and has forced all reviewers to re-examine the brand. Icon has created a series that hits right at the sweet spot price points (below $1000, $1500-2000, and sub $3000). Brands that have previously dominated these ranges, especially the higher ones, need to watch out for these new products that could grow to dominate them in their own ballparks. Icon has the best distribution and most efficient manufacturing in the industry, these two facts alone mean that they can deliver far greater value than the competition, and now that they have turned their focus on to higher quality their brands-especially NordicTrack-could put the old guard in a world of hurt.

The consumers need look no further than the new NordicTrack S3000 treadmill to prove this point. The machine retails for roughly $2700 and delivers higher quality than brands like Landice and Lifefitness in this price point. In Ellipticals NordicTrack tends to shoot lower in the price categories and the prices most of its models are between $700 and $1500. These are really strong market prices and along with their quality improvements should put NordicTrack in a dominating position. The only Achilles heel of the brand remains in the area of service. Like many big companies, think of your local cable company, Icon does not have the responsiveness of many of the smaller companies. In the past, it has been a headache dealing with Icon if you had a problem and that fact was exacerbated by the fact that their machines were not made with the quality that they are today. Icon has made a big push to improve in this area so we’ll see if the changes have had the desired effect. Time will tell but if they get their act together in service, many companies will go the way of the dodo.

Check out some reviews of the NordicTrack Treadmills and Ellipticals before you take a trip to go buy a new piece of equipment and see what you think. The most important factor in your new treadmill or elliptical is what you think. If it feels good, you will be more likely to use it and that’s the most important thing. You can have the best quality machine in the world but it doesn’t do you any good if it isn’t used regularly.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Treadmill a site providing unbiased Nordictrack treadmill Reviews and Elliptical Reviews.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/louis-comfort-tiffany-and-his-lamps.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/louis-comfort-tiffany-and-his-lamps.html Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The late 1800s and early 1900s witnessed new inventions and techniques in lamp making such as the patented translucent "milky" glass known as opalescent glass – by John La Farge – and stained glass lamps or the Tiffany decorative lamps by Louis Tiffany. In a sense, his technology was not entirely novel. He just used a technology that was totally confined to window pane decoration for centuries to the making of lamp shades. But the credit is still bestowed upon Tiffany because trying to migrate window pane technology to lamp shades, with every work being hand done, was quite an effort in itself. Also, then he had to create a market for the new lamps, which none was aware of existing then.

Louis Tiffany used thin copper foils to tape individual glass pieces, which are then soldered together to form the glass pane. In the old window pane technology, but there lead was used as the substance to hold the glass pieces together. Tiffany showed that by substituting lead with copper not only makes the glass weighs less, but also copper’s malleability ensures that finer lines and hence complex designs can be weaved in more easily to the stained glass shades or big and complex window panes used in churches.

In the days of Tiffany, the lamp shades were entirely handmade. Now, with the advent of technology and automation, nearly every process that goes on behind the scene of Tiffany lamp making has become automatic, with minimal human interference. Also, copper foils and colored glass has given way to more costly and cheaper substances. In fact, the reality that there is Tiffany lamps that costs hundreds and thousands of dollars will itself give one an idea as to what all materials can go into the making of fancy Tiffany lamps, even though lamp makers prefer to keep such information one of their trade secrets.

But critics, who see Tiffany lamp making as an art, say that fusing, slumping, and bending of glass in modern electric home kilns has in fact made the job a lot easier, and it had taken away the element of expertise that was required in the early days, a reality that in fact reflects in the Tiffany lamp shades that are available today in the market. But, on the other side of the coin, this is also the reason why Tiffany glass lamp making, the vocation, has become so common these days. The availability of factory made cheap glass in abundance, and improved training techniques have also contributed to more people taking to Tiffany lamp making as a profitable vocation. It is profitable because, across the globe, in homes and offices, Tiffany lamps are still a sought after décor item.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Tiffany Lamps. A consumer based site that offers Tiffany wall sconces, and Water Features.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/proform-treadmills-bargain-fitness-equipment.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/proform-treadmills-bargain-fitness-equipment.html Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
One brand that fits in this lower category is Proform Fitness, a subsidiary of industry giant Icon Health & Fitness. Icon is, without a doubt, the largest company in the market and because of this can produce a better product at a lower price. Of course this does not mean that any piece of equipment from Proform or any other Icon brand is a good deal; in fact that is one of the biggest dangers with the brand. Almost every Proform Treadmill looks alike to the average consumer from the outside; unfortunately the insides do not always match up.

If a consumer walked into Sears, one of the largest Icon retailers, and looked at the lineup of Proform treadmills and ellipticals there it would be hard to see the difference between any of them except for price. Again price is not the best decider either because several that are at similar price points may be somewhat different. Some features that add money to the cost do not add value to the machine and may actually be detrimental to its lifespan.

It is important to remember that the salesperson is, most likely at a large store like Sears or Sports Authority, not very familiar with the machines and does not really care which machine is best for you. They have a line of customers to wait upon and you are just in their way to get to the end of the day. You can rest assured that most of the salespeople at stores like Sam's Club and Costco probably have little ability with the equipment and some don't even know how to start up the machine. So to know what you want, and what will be a good value, it would be wise to look up some Proform reviews before traveling to the store and putting down your hard earned cash.

One of the best examples of what we are stating here is a recent sale at Sears. Upon walking in the store, the proud Proform Crosswalk 405e was sitting on the floor with its' normal price tag of $499. A few spaces down sat the Proform XP615 with a big sale tag on, also for $499. The 405e has about as much in common with the XP615 as an elephant has in common with the International Space Station. Maybe that's a bit of a stretch but you would have to be about as bright as a burned out light bulb to buy the 405e over the XP615. The problem is that the average consumer looking at both models would have a hard time telling them apart in terms of quality.

Treadmills and Ellipticals are high ticket items. Make sure you do your research and are informed when you are shopping and you will certainly end up with a better piece of equipment at a better price.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Treadmills a site providing unbiased Proform Treadmill Reviews and reviews on Elliptical Trainers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/teak-patio-furniture-why-is-it-the-best-choice.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/teak-patio-furniture-why-is-it-the-best-choice.html Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
This is also the reason why teak furniture is the best choice for your patio. It is dense, sturdy, and durable, and hence is not easily damaged. Further, natural oils make the wood impermeable to elements such as heat, snow, hail, moisture, and even incessant rains. Finally, it is quite pleasing to the eyes, the basic benchmark for any patio furniture. Further, as opposed to many other wood types, teak does not lose its sheen or splendor with age. Instead, it gets better with every passing year. Brand new teak furniture will be golden brown in color, usually complementing any surrounding setting, and as it ages, the wood turns ash gray in color, making it even more refined and dignified in appearance.

With periodical wash with soap and water – once in a year preferably - the teak furniture could be preserved to look great forever. Those who prefer to retain the original golden brown color, some light sanding coupled with a light brush-on of teak oil would do. Some teak, however tough it is, may crack as it grows old. But this should not be an issue and selective application of teak oil would keep the wood moisturized and prevents it from cracking any further. Teak is resistant to termites, so no apprehension in that front.

If there is one aspect that could damage or spoil the beauty of teak furniture, it could be an inadvertent spill of juice or wine on it. Such things happen sometimes, but it is important that the spill be wiped off immediately before it creates any stain on the wood. Sand the part of the teak furniture lightly until the stain is no longer visible, and then using water and soap solution, clean up the part removing any loose dirt or sanding dust. Once this much is done, let it dry, and then apply a thin coat of teak oil – or a couple of coats - on the cleansed part so as to make it look as good as new. If this creates a contrast in color with the surround wood, extend the oiling to cover the surrounding parts as well.

To conclude, teak furniture is just the right furniture for your patio and a long term investment, given its durability and austere look and feel. And with due diligence, but with minimal effort, it can be maintained to look anew for many years to come.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Teak Patio Furniture. A consumer based site that offers Stained Glass, and Bar Stools.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/neon-signs-and-business.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/neon-signs-and-business.html Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Why neon signs became a hit in a very short span of time worldwide because of the fact that business wanted it badly to promote their purposes, mostly after dark hours, and it was quite cost effective as well unlike the electrically lit lights illuminating the boards. No wonder, businesses, selling fancy cars to beers to electronics goods these days uses neon signs, especially customized ones, to promote or advertise their products and shops.

But, despite the huge popularity and demand for neon signs all over the globe, the most interesting aspect relating to its making is that it is still a hand made vocation. In other words, neon signs are not made using any mechanical or automated means even today. Instead, it is still sort of handicraft, and the only mechanical device used in its making is a vacuum pump, that is used to suck out oxygen and fill it with the respective inert gases to give the desired color. Neon signs, these days, are available in over 150 colors.

There are many makers out there making and selling neon signs – customized and otherwise – at different rates. Customization involves making specific designs plus designing the electric circuitry as well that eventually lights it up. Neon signs are usually designed to flicker systematically or to go on and off in parts in order to catch the human eye. Detailed info on neon sign makers is available in the web. The same also could be fetched from yellow pages ad columns and news paper classifieds on weekends.

Regarding prices, it may vary from maker to maker and also according to the size and shape of the neon sign and the complexity of the electric circuitry design. But comparing the quotes from few players could help one to strike the best deal from the lot. Also, it is advisable to check if the maker offers warranty or extended warranty to the products. If there is any loose end in the electric connections or some issue with the circuit elements, a neon sign may well fail to turn on. So, service warranty is inevitable for neon signs.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Tiffany Lighting. A consumer based site that offers Neon Signs, and Water Features

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/is-a-treadmill-the-best-exercise-equipment-for-you.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/is-a-treadmill-the-best-exercise-equipment-for-you.html Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Now, if you were planning to read this article in order to find out an absolute answer to the question of whether a treadmill is best for you, then sorry but that is not going to happen. Like many of these types of questions, the answer is that it depends. It depends on the type of person you are, the amount of money you are willing to spend and the type of exercise that you primarily want to get. The rest of this article will cover exactly what treadmills are good for and if that sounds like what you want for your own exercise program, then you will be able to answer that question yourself.

The main purpose of treadmill equipment is to provide some sort of cardiovascular workout for people to pursue. Whether this happens to be walking, speed walking, jogging or sprinting, the main purpose of a treadmill is to allow people to exercise in a cardiovascular way while they are inside. Some people like this better because it beats walking around during the hot summer and cold winter months and ultimately it is an issue of convenience for them. However, if you are looking to strength train, for the most part a treadmill will not be an appropriate piece of equipment for you to use.

In addition to the type of exercise that you are looking for, something else that you need to keep in mind is the price. Treadmills and especially the older and manual kind of treadmills are perhaps the oldest piece of exercise equipment around and therefore the manufacturing companies for exercise machines have had a very long time to get their science of manufacturing down to perfection. People sell manual treadmills now for extremely cheap prices and ultimately the reason that many people start with a treadmill for their exercise area is specifically because of the fact that manual treadmills are extremely cheap to purchase.

To conclude, these are the ideas that you need to keep in mind when deciding whether or not a treadmill is right for you. If you want to make sure that you have excellent exercise equipment available for cardiovascular work then there is perhaps nothing better than the treadmill to fill that need for you. Likewise, if you are looking for something that is cheap then a manual treadmill is the best thing you can find. However, if you are looking for strength training then you will not be able to get that from a treadmill. You will need to invest more money into a weight system of some kind in order to help build up the muscles that you want.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Treadmill. A consumer based site that offers Treadmill Reviews, Elliptical Reviews, Repair Parts and Service.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/the-%231-way-to-prevent-needless-repairs-or-expenses-to-your-treadmill.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/the-%231-way-to-prevent-needless-repairs-or-expenses-to-your-treadmill.html Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The maintenance item that runs a close second to keeping your treadmill clean is to keep it well lubricated. You have never seen a maintenance-free treadmill. Oh, you see them advertised all the time. There are some commercial treadmills that have self-lubricating systems, but lubrication is always required.

You can damage your machine in many ways that you might not think of if you don’t keep the machine properly lubricated. The additional friction from the belt can wear down the treadmill deck. The decks are made of wood with a special coating applied to them. If the belt is not properly lubricated you can prematurely wear through the finish on the deck and it is that finish that provides the smooth operation of the belt. This problem causes belts to wear much faster and could damage the electronics on the machine from the additional and varying amp draw caused by the increase in friction. If you want to avoid these problems, you have an alternative. Lubricate your walking belt on a regular, systematic basis.

If your treadmill claims to be maintenance-free and you believe it, you should start saving to buy parts now. Do not try and use WD-40, silicone spray, grease, or anything else that is not specifically designed to work with treadmills. These will ruin the backing of the belt and possibly cause much more damage.

Find a good quality lube that is designed for use on treadmills and you will save a great deal of money and time in future repairs or replacement.

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Brady Freeman is a regular contributor at Treadmill Doctor. A consumer based site that offers Treadmill Reviews, Elliptical ReviewsRepair Parts and Service.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>