Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've ever been to a professional gym you will have seen exercise equipment that allows you to work out your entire body. The equipment ranges from heavy-duty professional equipment to smaller machines that are able to be employed at home.
Whatever equipment you use, always "bake-in" progression and regression to aid your clients or students improve their fitness. Remember that even the best equipment will only deliver results if it is used regularly.
leg exerciser -in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one fitness systems combine the capabilities of several pieces of equipment into one unit. They typically include a bench and squat rack for strength training and a variety of attachments to perform a variety of exercises that target muscles in the shoulders, arms, back, abdomen and legs. Some may include the pulley system and cable to provide resistance to help with weight training. Some all-in-one exercise equipment like the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym come with a selectorized resistance system, which allows you to change the amount of weight you're using with a pin without getting up from your seat. Some of these machines can be folded down or put away to save space.
Some all-in one exercise systems make use of the power of a polymer rod known as Power Rods to create tension instead of traditional iron weights. All-in-one systems like the Total Gym and Bowflex systems utilize this kind of technology. These systems allow you to train your whole body without the use of weights. However, they still require that you perform some strength training exercises with your bodyweight.
Other all-in one exercise systems come with the option of combining both weights and a pulley as well as a cable system, for instance the BodyCraft X3 System. The machine has a dual weight stack of 200 pounds, which allows you to perform a variety of strength-training workouts. It comes with a variety of attachments including short and longer bars with dual D-handles, single and double and stirrup handles.
Other all-in-one exercise equipment, such as the Tonal and Tempo Studios, use technology that helps you maintain proper form while working out. Both systems use 3D sensors to track the position of 25 joints and compare them to reference points, such as mirrors, which aid you in identifying the areas where your form is off. They also provide real-time feedback to help you get back to your proper form. This feature can help lower the chance of injury and ensure that you are focusing on the correct muscles in the most effective way you can. This is particularly crucial when training athletes to compete in sports. For instance, if doing upper-body exercises that corresponds to run blocking, you should make sure that you're targeting the muscle groups required by the sport.
Weights
Weight training improves bone strength, muscle mass, and balance. It also helps burn calories. Athletes can train with free weights (dumbbells or barbells) or machines that provide guided movements, or cables and bars for a variety of pull exercises. Resistance bands can be used to add resistance to exercises using body weight, and are ideal for incorporating into the workouts of younger athletes or those who do not have access to weights.
Coaches should be cautious about putting young athletes in low rep ranges when using weights. This can lead to injuries and muscle pain. Athletes in middle and high school should use weights that they can lift six times or more with proper technique.
Resistance Bands and Tubing
Tubing and resistance bands offer an alternative to weight training. Professional athletes in all sports use them to improve performance, increase power and strength and build muscles without the need for heavy weights.
The practice of elastic resistance training has been practiced for more than a century. All athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and genders benefit from elastic resistance training to increase the strength of their muscles, speed and agility. Tubes and bands for resistance are affordable and easy to carry, and they can be combined with easy home exercises for a complete fitness routine.
Flat resistance bands are usually made of strips of stretchy or latex fabric and have handles attached to both ends. When they are not in use, they can be rolled and put into a backpack or suitcase. They are lighter than tube resistance band and can be used for longer exercises.
Tube resistance bands are hollow, cylindrical tubes that are coated with a rubber or plastic compound. They are designed to be attached to a bar or door or pole, or any other stationary object. They are ideal for pulling and pushing exercises. They offer different levels of resistance based on their thickness and tension. They are also more resilient than standard flat resistance bands and many come with a snap-guard built-in that prevents overstretching.
The main advantage of training with elastic resistance is the ability to change the direction of the pull during an exercise. For instance, a research performed at Brigham Young University showed that changing the direction of force on a squat or step exercise by directing the tubing band to the front of your leg could alter the focus of muscles like the hamstring and quad.
Another benefit of using resistance bands or tubing is that they are an ideal option for athletes who prefer working on their own rather than working with a group or trainer. You can also bring them along when you travel, as they are small enough to fit in luggage or backpacks.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises increase cardiovascular strength and endurance burn calories and trigger the release of the feel-good chemicals referred to as endorphins. The most popular types of cardiovascular exercise include walking, jogging, using an elliptical machine as well as riding a stationary bicycle and climbing on a stair climber. Although these workouts can be done outdoors however, indoor gym equipment is typically used for a variety reasons. The main advantage of cardio equipment is that it provides a controlled environment and allows for a customizable workout. Many machines come with built-in monitors to monitor heart rate, time and distance for an improved workout experience.
Treadmills provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout and can be used to simulate running, walking or climbing stairs. Users can also adjust their speed, incline and resistance level. These features make treadmills an excellent option for those with knee issues or want to improve their fitness.
Stair climbers are a popular piece of cardio equipment because they work both upper and lower body simultaneously while burning a lot of calories. Designed to mimic a never-ending staircase, stair climbers build strength in the core and legs while targeting muscles in the back, arms and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a more unique piece of fitness equipment that provides an intense, full-body workout. The unique piece of equipment is designed like a ladder and has separate rungs that serve as foot platforms. The rungs are connected to a chain that is constantly moving as the user climbs. The ladder moves at a speed determined by the user's climbing speed.
Stationary bikes and ellipticals are another popular kind of cardio equipment due to their low-impact, full-body cardiovascular workout. These machines allow users to alter the level of resistance in order to focus on specific muscles. For example, some ellipticals come with the "Rolling Hills" program which adjusts the machine's resistance to simulate biking or running up hills. Other ellipticals or stationary bikes come with interval training programs that improve endurance.