If you’re thinking about joining a gym, or even if you’ve already joined one, you probably have some idea of what kind of exercise equipment there will be available to you in your new local fitness establishment. You probably have heard of things like treadmills, elliptical machines, and free weights and barbells, but as it turns out, there are many more kinds of gym equipment than this that can help get your body into the shape you want it to be in. Here are just some of the most common pieces of gym equipment and what they’re used for!
1) Treadmill
Treadmills can be use to walk, jog, run, or sprint. If you want to walk faster without increasing the treadmill’s speed, press the button up on the side with your right hand and then push it forward with your right foot. To increase your speed gradually while walking on a treadmill, use small touches of your feet to gradually make the speed higher. When running on a treadmill that’s set at a 3% incline. It will feel as if you’re running uphill because each step is slightly taller than normal.
Cross trainers, also known as elliptical trainers, are one of my favorite pieces of equipment to use. Cross trainers are much like treadmills but they allow you to move forwards and backward as well as side-to-side. If you want to change your movement on a cross trainer, simply press in front with your right hand and then push forward with your right foot to go forwards. To go backward, press behind and pull back with your left hand and left foot. To turn left or right while on a cross trainer, hold onto either end bar (one in each hand) at a comfortable distance away from your body. Pressing against both bars will cause your legs to move in that direction without leaning too far in any one direction.
2) Elliptical Machine
The elliptical machine is often overlook by those who aren’t focusing on their fitness. The elliptical machine can help to improve your heart and lung health and increase your lower body strength while providing a low-impact workout. What’s more, it is generally easier on the joints than running or cycling, which means that they’re an excellent option for those who suffer from arthritis or other joint conditions.
Exercising with weights will help develop muscle mass in your upper and lower body. Research shows that weightlifting increases metabolic rate by as much as 15% for hours after exercise ends because muscles require extra energy to recover.
The elliptical machine is a good choice for those who want to lose weight but do not enjoy high-impact activities. Running, cycling and aerobic classes can cause your knees and joints to take a beating over time, especially if your form isn’t perfect. Overdoing it on these types of workouts can cause injuries that may sideline you from working out for weeks or months at a time.
3) Exercise Bike
An exercise bike is a piece of fitness equipment that has many physical benefits for those who use it. Most commonly, people use it to simulate the cycling motion on roads, which helps strengthen their legs and burn calories. It’s also great for those with joint issues as it’s much less jarring on their joints than running or other impact exercises such as jogging or sprinting. Exercise bikes come in a variety of different styles – from old-school stationary ones to recumbent ones that allow the rider to lay back into an almost laying position. All have their pros and cons depending on what level the person is at when it comes to physical fitness and their own personal needs.
Exercise bikes are typically found in gyms and can also be use at home. If you have a regular
bike, it can be modify to be an exercise bike as well – it’s just a matter of buying an attachment that allows your legs to pedal as if they were still cycling outside. The only downside is that some people prefer exercising on their own (especially when they’ve already built up endurance) rather than in a group setting, which isn’t possible on a stationary bike. It’s also important to remember that while these bikes are great for those looking to lose weight and get into shape, they’re not very effective for weight lifting exercises due to how little weight can actually be lift by using them.
4) Stair Climber
Stair Climbers may not be the most exciting piece of fitness equipment, but they are one of the most effective cardiovascular machines on the market. They allow your thighs to maintain a constant level of contraction while your legs power your stride up and down. All this vertical movement takes more calories than an incline because it is harder to use momentum. These machines can be found in gyms all over the world. But have yet to make their way into private homes as a part-time treadmill replacement.
Many gyms have other cardio machines that work to increase your heart rate, but for a full-body workout, nothing beats a good set on a stair climber. It doesn’t really matter whether you want to lose weight or gain muscle, they’re a must-have machine in any home gym. The only caveat is that if you do use them regularly, be careful with your knees as they can cause strain and pain if used incorrectly or in bad form. They are not recommend for anyone who has knee issues already.
Finally, one piece of advice: remember it’s all about going at your own pace and remembering that different machines require different amounts of effort from both legs.
5) Weight Machines
Weight machines are very specific in what they do, such as increasing muscle size and definition or cutting down body fat. These machines also provide a safer option than free weights, with all the weight being perfectly adjust to fit the user’s body weight. An add bonus for those who use them is that there are usually a lot of exercises done on weight machines and not just one. Weight machines can also be use to build resistance and this process is called progressive overload. There are so many different things people can do on these machines and if an individual needs to lose weight, muscle definition, or overall strength then it is definitely worth trying out weight training with machine equipment.
6) Dumbbells (free weights, kettlebells, dumbbells)
Dumbbells come in many shapes and sizes, so no matter your fitness level or specific needs, there’s a dumbbell for you. In general, any weight that is heavy enough to provide some resistance to work against (whether by gravity or with momentum) can be classified as a dumbbell. Dumbbells may be refer to by the following names: free weights, kettlebells, or hand weights.
Dumbbells have a lot of variations, but they all serve one key purpose: to allow individuals to use both arms and legs simultaneously in a workout. Generally, dumbbells are use for isometric exercises, but they can also be use with compound movements to increase muscle mass. Dumbbells can be found in most gyms and fitness centers, which typically have different weight ranges base on their clientele and location. For example, if you’re using dumbbells at a public gym that caters more to beginner athletes and casual exercisers, there will likely be fewer heavy weights.
7) Medicine Ball
Medicine balls are a piece of equipment that many people don’t think about, but they can be an essential part of your training. This is because the weighted ball is a versatile tool that can help with numerous aspects of fitness, from balance to power to stability. What most people don’t realize is that the ball also has a large amount of variety in how it can be use. Most notably, when used for abdominal work and high-intensity interval training exercises (HIIT). By alternating throwing and catching with the ball, it takes all the effort out of you which provides a much more intense workout than doing just plan crunches or sit-ups.
8) Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are often use in strength training for functional exercises and for rehabilitating injuries. Resistance bands can be attach to almost anything- a door, a bedpost, the corner of a room, or even the legs of furniture. Slowly but surely, by pulling on the handles or stretching them with your body weight, you create tension which activates muscle engagement. Attaching various resistance levels to more challenging tasks is also an effective way to increase the intensity and make exercise more varied. It’s a highly portable option as well- perfect for when you’re away from home and want to do some quick workouts while traveling or if your living space doesn’t have adequate workout equipment!
Conclusion
Now that you know how the 8 common pieces of gym equipment work, it’s time to get start! Walk into your local fitness store with a game plan and new goals in mind. Ask a personal trainer for help if you need to start small, or buy an all-inclusive home workout kit for the ultimate convenience. With a little education on your next purchase, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding that perfect piece for you!
