Vibration training has been getting a lot of buzz over the last couple of years -- Madonna is said to use it, and a number of gyms and health clubs are shaking things up for their clients with it too. But really, it's nothing new. Olympic athletes have actually been incorporating vibration training into their workouts for more than 40 years!

But, what if your gym doesn't have a whole-body vibration training machine? Or what if you just prefer working out at home? What can you do? Because, unless you're Samantha from "Sex and the City," I'm going to bet you don't have the tools at home to create enough vibration.

Fortunately, Gaiam has the ChiVibe, a whole-body vibration machine for your home. It has a wide, long base and offers optional resistance cords to help you intensify the results. The high-frequency vibration impulses are supposed to contract your muscles, which will help you achieve greater muscle strength and bone density in addition to better circulation and speedier weight loss.

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So you know which fork is for salad and which is for your main meal. Guys, you know to open doors for women. And you never let a thank you card sit unwritten. But do you know proper gym etiquette?

Even if you're a gym etiquette dummy, never fear. Dummies.com has tips for mastering gym etiquette. For example:

• Don't rest on weight equipment between sets. The equipment is for everyone, and your little break could be holding someone else up.
  
• Manage your own sweat. Bring a towel with you and wipe off equipment when you're done. It's just plain nasty to go to a machine and find someone's sweat waiting for you.
  
• Use the lockers. So great, you have a gym bag. But please don't tote it around from machine to machine. Stow it in a locker ... that's what they're for.
  

For more tips on gym etiquette, see the full article on Dummies.com.

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I don't know what it's like where you live, but outside my window there's very little green to be seen. Everything is covered in a thick and frosty layer of white. But just because you don't see much green, doesn't mean you can't go green when it comes to winter sports. As an added perk ... you'll end up with more green in your wallet.

• Rent. If you hit the ski hill only once or twice a year, you really don't need to own your equipment.
  
• Buy used. Ebay, used sporting goods stores, and sites likes Craig's List and Freecycle are great places to search for sports equipment. Keep your eye out for skis, snowboards, skates, hockey gear, and other winter treasures.
• Equipment swap. Many ski clubs hold equipment swaps where you can bring in your unused gear and look for something new (to you, anyway). If you have a child on a hockey league or other winter sport, consider setting up an equipment swap with other parents.

If you've got old equipment that's really not fit for use anymore, try to find a new purpose for it and keep it out of a landfill. I unloaded a ridiculously old set of skis on Freecycle last fall; the person who picked them up is going to attach them to the bottom of a large crate so he can easily tow his gear across the ice on his way to his ice-fishing shanty. You just never know what use people can get out of old items.

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"I'd cook more if I had a better kitchen." Does this sound like the kind of excuse that might come out of your mouth? It would mine, but I can't ignore the fact that two years ago, when I was slumming it in a tiny one-bedroom rental place with a stove older than me, I cooked a lot more than I do now that I have quality appliances.

Thing is, the quality of your kitchen has nothing to do with your ability to cook. And, if you ask food guru Mark Bittman, blaming a small kitchen is no excuse. "When it comes to kitchens, size and equipment don't count nearly as much as devotion, passion, common sense and, of course, experience," he says. "To spend tens of thousands of dollars or more on a kitchen before learning how to cook ... is to fall into the same kind of silly consumerism that leads people to believe that an expensive gym membership will get them into shape."

If you want to get healthier, it's time to start taking an interest in what you're putting into your body by preparing your own meals -- small kitchen be darned. To find out what you can do with your limited cooking space, check out some of Bittman's advice here.

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Are you an outdoor exercise enthusiast? Do you reject the idea of running anywhere without trees and scenery? It must drive you crazy that the chilly temperatures and shorter days are sending you into the gym. Good news: Active.com has several suggestions to help you out.

In addition to listing the Cardio Top Five, Active has pointers on how to get a better indoor cardio workout on whatever equipment you choose to use. Remember, if you keep it interesting, you'll work harder. Check out the gallery for a few of the pointers I'll be taking to heart!

Funky machines at the gym are cool and all, but what I really love is a super simple device that allows me to do complex exercises and get a complete workout. And, with the STOTT Pilates Mini Flex Ball, that's just what I get.

To look at the Mini Flex Ball, you might not think there are all that many moves you can do with it. My first thought was to use it as a tool for crunches and honestly, even if that's all it could do, that would be enough. But, it comes with a DVD and mini poster to help you really enhance your workout.

The DVD leads you through 26 exercises over the course of about 40 minutes, moving you from abs to glutes, to back, arms, and thighs. It's easy to follow because the instructor talks you through the exercises in addition to showing you. I don't know about you, but I find that really handy because I don't want to have to stare at the screen the whole time I'm working out and with this video, I was able to get a great workout on the first try.

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There have been machines at the gym that I felt a little silly using for the first time. I actually had to get help on the kayak machine, and I'm pretty sure nobody has ever gone slower on the stepmill than I did my first time -- I was certain I would fall and die. Certain.

However, neither of those compare to the humiliation I imagine would accompany the use of the iGallop. Which is probably why it's something for home use, and not available in gyms.

I'm not going to lie -- I think it actually looks pretty fun. Then again, I also prefer a stability ball to an office chair. But, aside from the possible fun factor, what does it do for you?

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Have you ever watched those late-night infomercials touting the newest piece of exercise equipment? Personally, I'm not a big fan of home workout equipment. Most of them limit what they can do for your body and they just take up so much space! But sometimes you have to wonder ... is the latest, greatest machine really what you need to get a toned, firm body? Or is it just bound to become a dusty, expensive, clothing rack in your bedroom?

Some fitness experts rated six fitness fads to see if they're really as great as they say they are:

• Skorcher. This claims to be the world's best butt exercise, but it garnered mixed reviews from the experts. One said that all of the exercises the Skorcher offers can be done effectively without the machine. Another, however, thought it could really rev up your workout.
• Slanted Riser. These risers that angle your step aerobic bench got a decent review, because they add a new dimension to your step aerobic workout.
• The Brain Muscle Workout. This fitness DVD didn't strike the experts as anything new. But the mind/body connection the workout promotes is beneficial.
• Yoga fusion. Many DVDs and fitness classes have tried to add to the popularity of yoga. But one fitness expert doesn't like the trend. She feels that yoga is for meditation, and the new trend is trying to turn it into a weight loss or fitness activity.
• RealRyder. This indoor cycling bike that tilts and turns got rave reviews from one fitness expert, but another felt that the bike offered only slight advantages.
• Gravity. This machine is supposed to provide a full-body workout. One fitness expert says that the machine can provide what it claims, however, it's big and bulky (not to mention expensive) and adjusting the resistance is tricky.

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Recently, my son's two favorite activities have been going to the skate park and going to the BMX track. They're both favorite activities in my book as well. They're free, my son is being active and meeting friends, and I get time to walk around the parks or just relax and read a book.

I'm constantly surprised at how few children wear helmets or other safety gear. My son hates his wrist guards, but he doesn't complain otherwise. And, thankfully, none of the non-helmet wearing crowd has poked fun at my son. My son knows that he only has one choice in the matter -- wear the safety gear or don't skateboard/bike. It's just not a risk worth taking.

According to the CDC, about 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year in the US. There are some basic pieces of safety gear kids should wear when playing sports.

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Fitness gear certainly has its place and its purpose. From exercise balls to hand weights to resistance bands to pretty much anything else you can imagine, the right gear can enhance and improve your workout. But sometimes pulling out all the equipment is more of a hindrance than a help.

When you're on the road or you just don't feel like pulling the exercise clutter back into your living room, try these no-equipment-required exercises from Women's Health.

I gave the workout a try and loved it. I felt a bit silly doing moves like the Rock 'n Roll and the Grand Plie Jump, but after taking a moment to appreciate the privacy of my living room, I knew the moves were well worth it. The Pushup Crawl is even harder than it looks ... I think I'm still feeling that one!

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When it comes to fitness opportunities China is doing something right. I recently read a blog post that discusses the public fitness centers that are available there and how many of the people that frequent the sites are older. In some cases -- like for one 82-year-old woman -- they spend hours each day taking advantage of the free community fitness equipment.

When I think of the public parks in my community, they're very kid-oriented. Which isn't a bad thing, of course, but what about the adults that live in this community? There are basketball hoops which are obviously appropriate for any age, and there is a sidewalk running around the perimeter of the park for running or walking. Other than that, the equipment is of the playground variety.

This makes me wonder, if fitness equipment geared toward adults was provided in local parks, would you take advantage of the opportunity? I know I would. When my son and I visit our favorite park in the area, I often circle around the park to try to squeeze in a little fitness while he's playing.

[via SmarterFitter]

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Want a new way to get around that keeps your feel off the ground while keeping your core, legs, and arms engaged? You might want to consider a Trikke (pronounced trike), which is a three-wheeled cambering vehicle that's human powered. So, like a bike, but also, not at all. Understand?

Basic physics are involved in making it go -- the rider moves his center of gravity toward the center of a turn he's making. By making these turns, you increase your speed, so you can work really hard and go as fast as 18 mph, or take it easy and creep along at a much slower pace. If that's not making much sense, check out the Trikke website, where they have pictures and video to explain it better.

There are several models available, with kids' versions running $79.99 and the most elaborate version, the T12 Roadster, coming in at $599.99. The T78, which looks like the basic adult version, sells on Trikke's website for $249.99. There's also a Skki version for snow, ringing up at $899.99. Refurbished versions of some of the models are also available at a reduced price.

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A few weeks ago, I received one of my favorite fitness tools to date. I'm a massive proponent of training with our own body weight. For most of us, it's the heaviest weight we will ever lift. From my eyes as a fitness trainer, we are all just a bunch of massive dumbbells. Isn't that nice of me to say? So my little dumbbells ... I have a cool new tool for you! The Lebert Equalizer will add some fun and give you a bunch of neat things to do with that delightfully heavy body of yours.

The Lebert Equalizer is perfect for pull-ups, push-ups, dips, decline rows, scull crushers, planks and tons of other fantastic strength and cardiovascular training exercises as well. It's light-weight, portable, versatile and not too pricey. For $99.99 you'll get a set of Equalizers along with a free training DVD and a poster to guide you while you train.

Much to their delight (or disgust), many of my personal training clients ages 16 to 62 have been subjected (tortured) with the Equalizers. I kid! The typical exercises one would do with these tools are hard though -- in a good way. My intermediate/advanced fitness level clients have loved the challenges put forth to them each session. I would not allow someone with very little strength to use them though, because without great balance, the Equalizers wobble a bit. Having said that, people wobble on the BOSU, stability ball, and lots of other fitness tools. Balance is an integral part of functional fitness training. I don't reference the wobble to deter you. I just want you to be extra aware not to allow Great Aunt Sue to use them.

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Home gyms are great to have, but there are a couple of drawbacks. For one thing, they tend to be a bit costly. Plus, it takes up a lot of room, so unless you have a whole extra room dedicated to fitness equipment, it can be an eyesore. But, if you need to have a home gym, what other option do you have?

The HealthCare Chin-Up Exercise Bar seems like a good choice if you don't want to spend a ton of money and don't have a lot of space. It's only about $50 ($54.99, on sale right now for $44.99 here), and it can easily be folded up and put away in a closet when not in use.

And, as far as use goes, it's easy to use it in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it's a chin-up/pull-up bar. As you can see in the picture above, it goes up in your doorway (no drilling or holes or anything like that required), holds up to 300 pounds, and can be taken back down in seconds.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz, I am 15 and I weigh 225 pounds. I'd like to lose a lot of weight. For exercise, I fast walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes a day. I try to eat the right foods, but I keep having a temptation to go back to my old habits. I keep trying, but because of my brother's metabolism... he can eat anything. That is not helping me at all. I need help, but I'm afraid that no one will help me because of my weight, so I hope you guys can. Shelby

A. I'm really glad you reached out for help here, Shelby. Being overweight is no fun, especially as a child.....which you are. I struggled with my weight as a teenager too, but thankfully I eventually figured things out. I remember way back then thinking a good weight loss technique was to simply eat fewer Cheetos. My parents never spoke about weight management to me and I simply didn't have much guidance on the subject. I felt bad about myself and desperately wanted to change. Sounds like you're in the same boat.

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