Welcome to the new site!

We are working out the kinks and extracting the air from the hose.  We will be ready to serve the masses pronto.

So it's official now! Make your toasts and cut your ribbons. The doors are open and we are ready to impart the resistance bands. We are easing into full-tilt to make sure we have our footing and can safely accommodate demand. Stay tuned for updates as we continue forward in our early phases.

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DURHAM — Ari Zandman-Zeman has always known he wanted to be an entrepreneur. He just didn’t know what kind of business he wanted to build.

Zandman-Zeman has played Division I college basketball for the University of Northern Colorado, where he majored in business with a focus on entrepreneurship. He has also worked on grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, and he has been a field coordinator for a senatorial race in Alaska.

But it was in the eastern Caribbean and the fields of an indigenous coffee cooperative in Guatemala that he found his calling.

After college, Zandman-Zeman had set off for the Caribbean nation St. Vincent and the Grenadines to teach English for the Peace Corps.

Far away from home and without the heavy weight training equipment he had been using for years, Zandman-Zeman had packed a simple set of exercise bands he ordered online and slowly began developing his personal fitness routine with the bands.

“The idea was borne out of necessity,” he said. “I had to work out with whatever was available.”

Later, when he was working on an indigenous coffee cooperative in Guatemala, his Italian cohorts encouraged him to further develop the enterprise.

That was the start of Rubberbanditz, a line of exercise bands and accessories that Zandman-Zeman launched this past week and which he hopes will one day revolutionize the exercise industry.

The core concept behind the bands is one of do-it-yourself efficiency and flexibility that fosters creativity. Users aren’t boxed into any one routine and can mix the bands and accessories for different motions.

Zandman-Zeman hopes that as more people become acquainted with the bands, they can form groups and get together to build their own exercise regimens.

The basic package of Rubberbanditz includes two small bands, one longer band, a door jam, two carabiners, two soft hand grips, a travel bag, an exercise DVD and manual.

At his apartment on West Trinity Avenue, which also doubles as his office for now, Zandman-Zeman demonstrated how the equipment could be used in confined spaces by looping a band through a door jam. The bands can also be wrapped around chairs, table legs and even palm trees — as Zandman-Zeman showed in an online video filmed in Guatemala.

The advantage the bands have over weights is not only their lightness and portability, Zandman-Zeman said. Weights rely on gravity and users have less control of their movements, which could lead to injuries.

To get more strength from weight-training, users also have to add more weights, whereas with bands, the strength could be adjusted by increasing the band’s length and tension via simply looping the band around your foot or any other anchor point.

The bands can be used for strength training, toning, core stabilization and stretching, Zandman-Zeman said.

“I want people to divorce the idea of exercising in a studio, of following a trainer — The ‘one, two, three, follow me,’ kind of thing,” he said.

Zandman-Zeman’s environmentalism background and work in rural communities in Third World countries are also being continued through his new business. Rubberbanditz will have a “triple bottom line,” according to Zandman-Zeman.

He has set up an agreement with the Scrap Exchange for customers to recycle all bands there, and the business will also put a portion of proceeds toward developing exercise band gyms in rural areas in Third World countries, where Zandman-Zeman said there is a need for nutrition and exercise education. And finally, the business is financially independent. Zandman-Zeman started it with no loan and put $6,000 of his own money into it.

While living in his home state in Alaska last year, Zandman-Zeman and fiancée Shiran Zohan saved every penny they earned for the big launch. Zohan, who is studying law at Duke University, has also chipped in by shooting and editing videos and writing for the Web site.

In two to four years, Zandman-Zeman hopes to open retail locations for Rubberbanditz. For now, he is selling the packages through a Web site and demonstrating their uses at various locations around town.

“It’s just me and my keyboard against the world,” he said.

“I like the feel of having personal relationships with your customers and being able to change course based on your gut,” Zandman-Zeman said. “I’m not one that’s motivated by money. I like the flexibility and the ability to focus on my heart.”

December 8, 2009 by Angela Shupe  / www.business-opportunities.biz

Link to Actual Article:  http://bit.ly/64s3BB

As nice as it would be to visit the gym daily, that is one routine that doesn’t always fit into the average day. For some it is simply a lack of time, for others it is a lack of money. Either way, it is still important to make time for some exercise.

Ari Zandman-Zeman had a slightly different problem. When he joined the Peace Corps there was no gym to visit for his exercise needs. Rather than give up, he bought some resistance bands and created his own exercise routine that helped him stay in shape away from all the gym equipment he was originally used to.

No longer in the Peace Corps, Ari has ventured into a new chapter in his life: entrepreneur. He has fine tuned his exercise routine and now he’s helping others find the same freedom to exercise anywhere, office or home, through Rubberbanditz. He currently offers his own exercise routine, resistance bands, and accessories.

Tell us a little about Rubberbanditz.

Rubberbanditz is an alternative fitness company that markets ‘mobile gym’ packages aiming to eliminate any limitations one may have from exercising.

The unique circular design of our bands allow for a broad range of different exercises and lend themselves to workouts rooted in strength training, toning, cardio, balance and flexibility.

What inspired your business?

After playing Division 1 basketball, I followed my lifelong desire and joined the Peace Corps. While volunteering in the Eastern Caribbean I had no access to any gym or training facilities on my island so I began experimenting with resistance bands. Restless energy and the necessity of finding a dynamic strength-training program were the driving forces behind the creation of Rubberbanditz.

What was your first exercise band like? How has it evolved from idea to now?

We used traditional tube-style bands in for agilities and plyometric drills in the athletic department at the University of Northern Colorado. After three years of trial and error I discovered the unique qualities of circular bands and quickly realized the added benefits the design provides.

What are some of the benefits that come with using an exercise band?

- Lighter than free-weights; if you drop a band on yourself, you’ll barely feel a thing.

- Easy to use for youth, seniors and people with disabilities.

- Economical, costing less than monthly gym membership fees.

- Maneuverable, so you can easily control the resistance.

- Portable, allowing you to workout anytime and anywhere.

- Effective, increase muscle strength and decrease body fat.

What separates you from the competition?

The superior design of our bands set them apart from conventional tubed-bands or Therabands. Our circular bands are manufactured as a continuous layered elastic strip which means there are no starting or stopping points where the band has been fused together. This provides both unparalleled durability and a broad range of exercise options that can’t be duplicated by the other bands.

By employing a triple bottom line approach, we use a portion of the proceeds to construct exercise band gyms in underprivileged communities as a way to promote personal health and hygiene on a global scale. We also donate all returned and excess supplies to a local non-profit, The Scrap Exchange, for reuse and arts and crafts projects.

As a new business I know you haven’t had much time to reach many milestones. What goals do you hope to accomplish before you reach 1 year? What are some of your long term goals?

After the first year of operation, I hope to hire two more employees and reach our break-even point.

Within three-four years, I hope to delegate all managerial tasks to employees and dedicate myself to building free exercise band gyms in Latin American communities.

Have you always seen yourself as an entrepreneur?

As a youngster growing up in Alaska, I would go around and shovel driveways in the winter and mow lawns in the summer for spending money. From then on I knew I was destined to be an entrepreneur.

What is the hardest part of running a business?

It’s difficult to wake up in the morning and know that everything rests on my shoulders. If I don’t pound the pavement that day then the business stagnates. Seeing my depleting bank account while being hit with unforeseen costs is also hard to swallow.

Do you have any tips or tricks that you think would help fellow entrepreneurs that are just getting started?

• Don’t fall prey to the ‘normal’ way to live your life if you know deep inside that you want something different.
• Trust your judgment above all else but seek insight from those who have paved the way.
• Don’t ever think you know everything. Complacency is the kiss of death.

Perhaps, people don't understand twisting. Could be because all we get hear from the medical field is how we should avoid "twisting" movements.

As Mr. Schmitz put it, "Twisting is rotating without using your hips." While excess strain on your lower back is never an ingredient for pleasure pie, training your body to perform proper 'functional' movements with correct form can do wonders.

In short... rotation with hips=good and twisting w/o hips=not good.

What is that behind you??? Don't forget to rotate those hips.

Bored with your old recipes? Maybe it's time to spice up your cooking. Here are five great healthy suggestions to turn old duds into gourmet delights.

Fennel Seeds: Fennel a plant native of the Mediterranean has a deep aromatic anise flavor. Albeit native to the Mediterranean, the herb has found its way into Middle Eastern, Indian, and North European cooking. This herb is the source of the distinctive taste in Italian sausages. While highly flavorful, the seed is rich in vitamin C, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. As well, it has been found to have a host of medicinal benefits from relieving flatulence, acting as a natural decongestant, and an appetite suppressant. This multifaceted herb would be great in picking up soups, tomatoes sauces, rice, or your classic meatloaf.

Turmeric, a herbaceous plant of the ginger family, has an authentic earthy, mustardy, peppery aroma. The yellow spice is common in Indian cuisine, curries, as well, it's the substance that gives mustard it's yellow hue. Turmeric is rich in managenese and iron as well vitamin B6, dietary fiber, and potassium. The combinatory rich blend of vitamins, minerals, and the compound curcumin have a powerful affects as an anti-inflammatory, on treating irritable bowel syndrome, and on protecting cell damage. As well, studies have shown that it prevents cancer cell growth and lowers cholesterol levels. Turmeric would be a lovely spice to add to eggs, soups, sauces, chicken, fish, beans. Simply, anything you want to add yellow color to, a smidgen of turmeric would suffice. Again I have another soup story. A roommate of mine made some chicken rice soup that simply was not up to par. And the soup was becoming a decorative item in the fridge. Luckily, the soup wasn't beyond ressurrection, a can of chicken broth, curry, turmeric, sauteed onions and celery gave the soup life again. It now had a deep yellow broth and bold rich flavor. The soup was history after that.

Cinnamon I'm sure you've used this spice before. But you may have not known that cinnamon in your kitchen may not be real cinnamon. Most likely it is made from the bark of the cassia tree which has similar properties as the real cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum. True cinnamon grows in Sri Lanka along the Malabar coast while cassia is grown in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. All this time you thought your were eating cinnamon - that's good marketing on part of the agricultural industry. Cassia tends to have slightly bitter and hot overtones compared to the warm, sweet, aromatic true cinnamon. Regardless of which cinnamon you use, they both have a host of health benefits. Studies have shown that cinnamon helps to prevent clotting, maintains blood sugar and improves brain function. Cinnamon is great choice in desserts, on top of breakfast foods such as waffles or yogurt, on non-citrus fruits, and to give your cooking middle-eastern zing a bit goes well with chicken or lamb.

Dill, a green slightly bitter aromatic herb native to Southern Russia, West Africa, and Mediterranean region. Dill is great source vitamins (B12, B11, B6, C, A) and minerals (iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium and cooper). This rich source of vitamins and minerals have been found to maintain healthy bones and protect against free radicals and carcinogens. Dill would be a wonderful addition to potatoes or any other vegetables, or it can be used as a garnish on fish, chicken, salads, vegetables, or eggs. A few months ago, I used dill in some smoked salmon frittatas which gave it a classic light gourmet finish.

Chili peppers, common in Latin, Indian, Thai cuisine, are rich in vitamin A, fiber, and vitamin C. The active ingredient in Chili Pepper's capsaicin gives its pungent taste and intense heat. Chili Peppers have been shown to reduce inflammation, to boost immunity, to prevent ulcers, and burn calories. Chili peppers rather diced or dried would be great in salsas, sauteed vegetables, meat or anything you want to give an extra kick.

Nothing goes better with Rubberbanditz than food.  Spice up your meal- spice up the way your feel.

Milton Gilder

Powered with the help of Milton Gilder

The tradition of New Year's resolutions is as old as Babylon yet how many of us actually follow through. According to research by Professor Richard Wiseman of University of Hertfordshire, only 12% of participants in a resolution study achieved their goals. So my guess is you probably haven't made good faith on your New Year's resolution. Yet the year isn't finish so you have time to make progress. So here are five quick start tips to help reach those resolutions.

1) Set Reasonable Goals:

A few months ago a friend approached me to train with him for a triathlon. I thought he was out his mind but he seemed gung-ho - never mind he's never ran or bike competitively. Well, that was December and now it's March - still no wheels are churning. Like my friend and many, we set lofty goals yet fail to commence. While lofty goals can serve as long-term aspirations, short term goals are necessary to keep you motivated and keep moving.

2) Enjoyment is a factor:

I'm sure you've heard of the old saying 'no pain no gain.' Yes, straining the body is necessary to build muscle and endurance yet who ever said you have to die miserably to shed a few extra pounds. In lieu of monotonous old workouts, spice up your fitness goals with activities you enjoy. Some great aerobic activities are dancing, bicycling, rock climbing and rollerblading. For a 155 lbs person an hour of dance can burn 300 plus calories while a moderate bike ride can burn 550 plus calories. Unsure where to begin next? Checkout your local municipal governments. Many municipalities offer different classes and services at reasonable rates.

3) Accountability:

Yes, the buddy system is in - what you learned in Kindergarten still applies. In all seriousness, beginning new fitness goals can be challenging and stressful. Share the burden with a friend. It's those blue days where an accountability partner will come in handy to give you the extra push to endure to beyond the finish line.

4) Convenience:

If you are slightly unmotivated about meeting your goals, why make it hard on yourself? Make your workout schedule convenient to your life and general behaviors. Hit up gyms within a five mile radius of your house. If you don't want to leave to comfort of your home explore at-home work options, like Rubberbanditz Resistant Bands or Pilates. Rubberbanditz offers a complete in-home gym solution for toning, stretching and strengthening using exercise bands, while Pilates offer a great core-centric workout to enhance your ergonomics. You can also try double dipping by using Pilates workout bands to get the best of both worlds. If you are at a loss when you can fit exercise into a already busy schedule, sit down and evaluate your agenda and priorities with a red marker.

5) Rest Go. Go. Go Inspector Gadget Go:

Yes even from the Saturday morning cartons, we have been conditioned to be constantly moving. Rest is necessary to allow for memory processing, restoration, and preservation.

So stop stalling and start taking healthier steps forward.

European budget travel ideas that give you (not your wallet) a workout and a roof over your head for less than $45 dollars/night.  Thanks to Milton Gilder, we now know where to direct the taxi.

Sunglasses. Check. Swim Suit. Check. Map of France. Check. Passport. Check. Don't you wish you can check off a list to bring you gym membership? Most likely you won't be able to transport your gym or capitalize on your gym's members-only card across the pond, but you do have your bands and there are additional options for the health conscious traveler as well. In face, there are a few European hostels and hotels that actually provide more than the free linens and soap. This list of six healthy hostels and hotels provide gym access for free or for a nominal fee. Remember, you can always tote your Rubberbanditz exercise resistance bands around with you anywhere and fill in the fitness holes where needed at the in-hostel gym.

1. Barcelona Urbany: Spain The Barcelona Urbany is a brand new hip trendy hostel that offers many of the conveniences of a hotel yet half the cost. Barcelona Urbany is fully equipped with card key accessed lockers and rooms, free Wi-Fi, common rooms, buffet style continental breakfast and much more. Barcelona Urbany has an impressive 25m indoor swimming pool, fitness center and jacuzzi all free with your sojourn. Free Wi-Fi, Food, Gym Access, comfy bed for less than 17 dollars a night...not bad not bad. Address: Avenida Meridiana, 97, 08026 Barcelona, Spain Metro Stop: Two Minute Walk From the Clot Subway Station Website: http://www.barcelonaurbany.com/

2. Ulisse Deluxe Hostel & Hotel: Italy Centrally located, the Ulisse Deluxe Hostel is moments from the main square of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso, and Marina Grande, the fishing village. Ulisse Deluxe Hostel has classy modern interiors that begin in the lobby and extend into the rooms. The hostel has a bar area and a well equipped wellness center where you will find a heated indoor pool, spa center and complete gym. The center allows you to practice yoga, aerobics, spinning and as well, it offers a number of professionally instructed gymnastics classes. Ulisse Deluxe Hostel would be lovely a stay if you are ever in southern Italy. Address:Via del Mare, 22 - 80067 Sorrento (Naples) Metro Stop: 1 Km from the Sorrento Train Station Website: http://www.ulissedeluxe.com/

3. The Circus Hostel & Hotel: Germany Smack dab in the middle of Berlin's cultural and night life, is the famous Circus Hostel & Hotel. This centrally located hostel has a number of perks in addition to the Berlin life. At the Circus Hostel you can find free WiFi, free Skype-Phone access as well, the hostel has a discount card which allows you access to a number of restaurants, clubs and laundry access at a reduced price. Although the hostel doesn't have a gym on it's grounds yet with the discount card you can access the gym across the street for 8 euros for a day pass - which amounts to less than 11 dollars. Beds at the Circus begin at less than 27 dollars a night. Address: Weinbergsweg 1a, 10119 , Berlin , Germany Metro Stop: Rosenthaler Platz - Only few minutes walk - Literally on the same block Website: http://www.circus-berlin.de/

4. Globetrotter Inn: United Kingdom Conveniently steps from the Tube, the Globetrotter Inn - nursing home turned hostel, grants access to trot across the whole of London. While lodging at the Globetrotter Inn, enjoy the fully licensed bar with its nightly specials, the green courtyard for playing a round of soccer and if you practice gastronomy this inn has a well prepared kitchen to make all the delights you fancy. In the dorm rooms you will find backpack-sized lockers, bunks with privacy curtains, and personalized reading lights. And to complete the Globetrotter experience you find a have well-equipped gym in which to complete get a weight and cardiovascular set. The Globetrotter Inn experience begins at less than 29 dollars a night. Address: Ashlar Court Ravenscourt Gardens W6 0TU London, UK Metro Stop: Stamford Brook - A few minutes around the corner Website: http://www.globetrotterinns.com/english/

6. Mad Hostel: Spain If you are mad for Madrid check out the Mad Hostel. This mad hostel is in the center of Madrid near a number of musuems, restaurants, bars, clubs as well it's convenient to the metro to zip around the city. At the hostel you will find an affably chill environment at the bar, live flamenco performances in first-floor courtyard or check out the roof-top terraces. When you are ready to workout hit up the state-of-the-art gym. Each room houses four to six people and include individual lockers. Breakfast and free WiFi are included in your stay for as low as $18.24. Address: Calle de la cabeza 24, 28012 Madrid Spain Metro Stop: Tirso de Molina Website: http://www.madhostel.com

When you find you are in dire need of a workout, buckle down and get er' done. Bust out your resistance bands or gym it up and keep the wheels spinning, the bar pumping, and legs kicking. Watch out world, here you come.

The shoulder muscles are made up of three muscle groups which are the anterior deltoid, medial deltoid, and posterior deltoid. Of all the three muscle groups, the posterior deltoid the most neglected part in fitness routines because it is the most difficult one to target. Even so, that does not mean you cannot train your posterior deltoids while at home. Here are several exercises using Rubberbanditz' circular functional fitness bands that can help you target each muscle group so that you can concentrate on which muscle needs to be trained more. As a precaution with these exercises, make sure that you only use band(s) and resistance levels that allow for a full range of motion, yet heavy enough to offer a challenging workout.

Bent lateral raises: This exercise will help you target your posterior deltoid effectively. Stand up with your feet planted slightly wider than your shoulder, hold a exercise band in each hand with the other end stabilized under each foot. Now for your starting position, bend your knees slightly and fold at the waist until your torso is at a 45-degree angle. Your arms are placed between your knees, extended and at shoulderís breadth apart with the bands at the level of your ankles. Rotate your wrists so that your hands are facing each other. Exhale as you raise your arms straight out to the sides, concentrating the movement on your shoulder muscles. You have to squeeze your shoulder blades together to raise your arms and do not drive the motion with the use of momentum. Once your arms are now parallel to the floor, hold the position and contraction for a second and slowly return to starting position without relaxing any muscle group. Be sure to maintain the tension between your shoulder blades throughout the entire exercise.

Front bandbell raise: This exercise helps target your anterior deltoid muscles. Stand up straight with your feet planted slightly apart.  Stabilize a resistance band under each foot and hold the opposite ends in each hand.  Hands should face down and at shoulderís breadth apart. Keep this as your starting position. Exhale as you raise your arms, keeping your arms straight and not letting your arms do the work. Continue rising until your arms are parallel to the floor. Hold the position for a second, then inhale as you slowly go back down to starting position while maintaining the contraction.

Lateral raise: this exercise is best for developing the middle deltoid. Stand up straight with knees slightly flexed and your feet planted slightly apart. Hold a band in each hand with your palms facing each other and opposite ends of the bands stabilized under each foot. This will be your starting position. Exhale as you raise your arms straight to your sides until they are parallel to the floor. Do not lock your elbows and maintain a slight bend. You should feel your shoulder muscles contracting while you are doing this exercise. Hold this position for a second, making sure that you keep the tension in your shoulders and your palms facing down. Inhale as you go back to starting position.

Repeat each exercise for 3 sets of 15-20 reps. Written by Steven Jackson of Ultimate Fitness Gear, your best source for the Shaun T Insanity Workout on the web.