Out at the Movies in Your backyard

By Paul Fitzgerald - Clinton Howell of H2 Systems Inc. offers tips on how you can enjoy the great outdoor home theatre experience

Sure, we all know the reality of high gasoline prices, hefty airfare rates and hotel rooms, and the costly fees of just getting into amusement parks.

Getting away for the summer with the family seems more difficult than ever these days.

However, curing the family disconnect can be done quite easily, according to Clinton Howell, founder and owner of H2 Systems Inc. in Burlington, ON.

You see, Howell indicates that you can create an adventure like no other right at home or at the cottage with an outdoor home theatre system.

At first thought the task may seem daunting and expensive. But, think again.

With a little ingenuity and for a much lower cost than sending your family away for a couple of weeks, you can combine your home-bound summer activities of backyard BBQs and pool parties with your own outdoor home theatre.

“More families now are enjoying the outdoor home theatre experience,” says Howell. “It’s a new trend and it’s a great way to bring families, friends and even your neighbours closer together. And having an outdoor home theatre is less costly than going on expensive trips or taking part in ongoing outings of sorts.”

First thing first, select the right spot for the screen as this defines the focal point for the true entertainment experience.

“Pick a spot that has room and will ensure quality for viewing,” says Howell. “In the backyard, this can be done in an area on your back deck, or against a back fence. Choose your space wisely and work from there.”

In terms of selecting screens, there are many affordable options in purchasing ready-made portable screens and inflatable screens that come in an array of sizes.

When it comes to watching movies outdoors, using a video projector is one option to consider and these are no longer as expensive in price as they used to be. Before show time, you will need to experiment with the projector’s distance in order to get a good quality picture and this doesn’t take long at all.

While the projector/screen combo is a popular method in offering the right outdoor home theatre experience, Howell explains that more people now are utilizing self-contained outdoor TVs. “There are many types and sizes to choose from. The LCD or LED/LCD TVs range from 32 inches to 80 inches in size. And believe it or not all are now quite affordable,” he says.

On the higher end side, there are also other options for outdoor TVs that are weather and temperature resistant, and some are also rain-resistant. Also, to compensate for temperature variations, some also incorporate both cooling fans and/or heaters, which means they can be used all-year round in many locations. In addition, some specially designed outdoor TVs also have anti-glare coatings so that, unlike video projectors, they can be viewed during daylight hours which is most practical with a covered patio, slightly overcast day, or away from direct sunlight.

When it comes to watching movies, the options are endless when in purchasing Blu-ray players, up-scaling DVD players, as well as converter boxes and network media players, and these can be easily purchased as well without breaking the bank.

The same holds true with choosing the right kind speakers and receivers in fashioning the right outdoor home theatre adventure.

Building stands, wall mounts and mobile racks for all your gear are also very affordable. And if you are feeling creative, you can build your own. There are also wireless options when it comes viewing your movies, shows or sports events on flat screen TVs and specially designed outdoor TVs.

And for those who desire the outdoor home theatre adventure but don’t have the time, hiring a professional home theatre and home integration company to get the job done is also a great investment.

“Having an outdoor home theatre is a great family bonding experience,” says Howell. “And this is now a new way to entertain at home. In all, having an outdoor home theatre is more than doable. All’s you need to do is define your space and work with what suits you budget and in no time it’s movie time.”

Sure it’s cold, but keep active and fit

Chris Boucher, a well-know fitness trainer here in Burlington, ON, offers the best tips to stay in shape during the winter months.

By Paul Fitzgerald

The weather – cold temps, snow, freezing rain and dreary skies – can take its toll on us.

Many of us now are longing for warmer days where we can spend more time outdoors and taking part in all sorts of activities we enjoy.

While spring is only four weeks away, Chris Boucher, a popular personal fitness trainer and founder and owner of Custom Fitness, in Burlington, ON, has tips you need to follow in order stay healthy and in shape during the cold winter we are enduring.

Even more important, Boucher indicates that people should never avoid exercising just because it’s cold outside. Regardless of the weather, having a workout plan means you will always be fit and healthy.

Here are Boucher’s quick tips on fitting more activity into your day—and for getting more out of your daily activities.

1. Choose activities you like. A lot of different things count as exercise: dancing, walking, gardening, yoga, cycling, playing basketball. To make it easier to get moving, choose whatever gets you moving. Also, choose an activity that fits your self-identity. Do you see yourself wearing attractive clothes and bicycling comfortably to work, or wearing workout gear at the gym?

2. Piece your workout together. You don’t need to get all your exercise at one time. Ten minutes morning, noon, and night can give much of the same benefit as 30 minutes all at once.

3. Exercise with a friend. Finding a workout partner can help keep you on track and motivate you to get out the door.

4. Keep it brisk. When you walk, make it brisk, since this may help control weight better than walking at a leisurely pace. What is brisk enough? Walk as though you are meeting someone for lunch and you are a little late. You can also time your steps for one minute: 120 to 135 steps per minute corresponds to a walking pace of 3 to 4 miles per hour, a good goal for many people. If your steps are not quite that quick, trying picking up the pace for short bursts during your usual walk, on different days of the week. Over time, you’ll stride your way to a faster walking pace.

5. Take lunch on the move. Don’t spend all of your lunch time sitting. Hit the gym or go for a 20-minute walk with coworkers, and then have a meal when you are done.

6. Try a pedometer. Step-counters (pedometers) are cheap and easy to use. Best of all, they help you keep track of how active you are. Build up to 7,000 steps a day—or more.

7. Take the stairs. Use the stairs instead of elevators and escalators whenever possible.

8. Turn off the TV, computer, and smart phone. Cutting back on screen time is a great way to curb your “sit time.” Trade screen time for active time—visit the gym, or even just straighten up around the house.

9. Walk an extra stop. During your bus or subway commute, get off a stop or two earlier and walk the rest of the way.

10. Hunt for the farthest parking space. If you drive to work or to run errands, purposefully park your car a little farther from your office or the store. It may not seem like much, but over weeks and months, these minutes of exercise add up.

11. Make it your own. Consider buying a piece of cardiovascular equipment for your home, such as a treadmill, stationary bicycle, or elliptical machine. Home models can be more reasonable than you think, and you can’t beat the convenience. Keep in mind, though, that cheaper models tend to be less sturdy.

12. Make it fun. Try a new sport like tennis or rollerblading. The more that you enjoy exercise, the more likely you are to stick to it.

13. Make it social. Walk with a friend, your spouse, or your family in the morning or evening.

14. Sign up for a class. Check out the fitness course schedule at your local gym or community center, or the dance or yoga class schedule at a nearby studio. You may find that having the structure of a class helps you learn a new activity and keeps you on track.

15. Turn sit time into fit time. When you get busy, try to combine your cardiovascular exercise with a sedentary activity that you do already. Hop on that piece of home equipment while watching TV, reading, or returning phone calls.

16. Keep an exercise log. Monitoring the amount of activity you get each day will help to make you more accountable.

17. Walk or bike for errands around town. Leave the car at home for trips that are less than a mile or two. Cross something off your to-do list while getting in your physical activity.

18. Ask the experts. Hire a personal trainer for a session or two to help you with your weight training and flexibility training. Then you’ll have the confidence to branch out on your own.

19. Plan exercise into your day. Set aside a specific time in your schedule to exercise and put it in your planner.

20. Reward yourself. Set short-term goals—and reward yourself for achieving them. Try targeting a specific event, such as a road race or a walk-for-charity, to participate in—this can help keep you motivated. Choose fitness-focused rewards for reaching your goals, such as new workout gear or a heart rate monitor.