Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've ever visited an establishment that is a professional, you've likely seen exercise equipment that allows you to give your whole body an exercise. The equipment ranges from heavy-duty professional equipment to small machines that are able to be employed at home.
Whatever the type of equipment, you must "bake in" progression and regression so your clients or students can improve their fitness. Be aware that even the most powerful equipment will only deliver results if it is utilized regularly.
All-in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one fitness systems combine the functions of multiple pieces of equipment into a single unit. They usually include the squat rack, bench and other attachments for a variety of exercises that target muscles in the arms, the back, shoulders and legs. They could also have a pulley and cable system that provides resistance to help you train weights. Certain all-in-one exercise equipment, such as the Life Fitness G7 home gym include a selectorized system of resistance, which allows users to alter the weight they use by pulling a pin. Some of these equipments are easily foldable or stowable, which helps to make space.
Some all-in one exercise systems employ the power of a polymer rod known as Power Rods to create tension instead of traditional iron weights. The Bowflex and Total Gym systems are examples of all-in-one exercise equipment which make use of this technology. These systems let you exercise your entire body without using weights. However, they require you to perform strength training exercises with your own body weight.
Other all-in-one fitness systems combine both weights and an incline pulley system and cable such as the BodyCraft X3 System. It comes with a dual weight stack of 200 pounds that allows you to perform a variety of exercises for strength training. It has a variety of attachments including short and longer bars, single and dual D-handles and stirrup handles.
Other all-in-one exercise systems, like the Tonal and Tempo Studios, incorporate technology to help ensure proper form while working out. Both systems use 3D sensors to monitor the position of 25 joints, and compare them to reference points, such as mirrors, to aid you in identifying the areas where your form is off. The products then provide real-time feedback that will aid you in getting back into proper form. This feature will reduce your risk of injury as well as ensure that you are targeting the correct muscles in the best possible way. This is especially important when training athletes to participate in sports. If you're performing an upper-body exercise that is correlated with running blocking, for instance you must ensure you're targeting the muscles needed by the sport.
Weights
Weight training improves muscle mass, bone strength, and balance. It also helps to burn calories. Athletes can train using free weights (dumbbells or barbells) or machines that provide guided movements or bars and cables for a variety of pull exercises. Resistance bands offer resistance to exercises using body weight and can be a great option to incorporate them into training for younger athletes or those who do not have access to weights.
When using weights, coaches should not place young athletes in low rep ranges, which could lead to muscle soreness and injuries. Athletes in middle and high school should use weights that they can lift six times or more with proper technique.
Tubing and Resistance Bands
Resistance bands and tubing are a versatile alternative for weight training. Professional athletes from all sports utilize them to increase performance, increase power and strength and build muscles without the need to use weights that are heavy.
The practice of elastic resistance training has been in use for over 100 years. It's now used by athletes of all levels of fitness and age to build and strengthen muscle strength, speed, and agility. Tubes and resistance bands can be used to create an entire workout. They are easy to carry and cost-effective.
Flat resistance bands are typically made of strips of stretchy or latex fabric. They have handles that are attached to both ends. They can be folded up and put in a suitcase or backpack when not in use. stationary bicycle exercise than tube-style resistance bands and can be used for a greater range of exercises.
Tube resistance bands are hollow, cylindrical tubes coated with plastic or rubber. They're typically designed to attach to a bar, door or pole, or any other stationary object. These bands are great for pulling and pushing exercises. They offer different levels of resistance based upon their thickness and tension. They are also more resilient than regular flat resistance bands and a lot of them come with a snap-guard built-in that prevents overstretching.
The most significant advantage of training with elastic resistance is the ability to change the direction of pull during an exercise. A study conducted by Brigham Young University, for example, showed that redirecting the tubing to the front part of the leg during a step or squat exercise altered the focus of the quad and hamstring muscles.
Tubing or a band of resistance can be an excellent option for athletes who prefer working on their own rather than with a trainer or group. They're also great for travel since you can fit them into a suitcase, or backpack and still have access to your favorite exercise routines.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises improve endurance and cardiovascular strength burn calories and trigger the release of feel-good chemicals known as endorphins. Jogging, walking and using an elliptical machine are some of the most well-known cardiovascular exercises. Indoor gym equipment is preferred over outdoor workouts for many reasons. The primary benefit of cardio equipment is that it creates an environment that is controlled and allows for a custom workout. Many machines come with built-in monitors to track heart rate, time and distance for a more accurate workout experience.
Treadmills provide an exercise that is low-impact and can be used to simulate running, walking or climbing stairs. They also allow users to manage their speed, incline and resistance level. These features make treadmills an excellent choice for those suffering from knee problems or those looking to improve their fitness without putting too much pressure on their joints.
Stair climbers are well-known pieces of equipment for cardio because they work the upper and lower body at the same time while burning a lot of calories. Designed to mimic a never-ending flight of stairs, stair climbers strengthen the legs and core, while targeting muscles in the back, arms and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a truly unique piece of fitness equipment, offering a demanding, total-body workout. This rare equipment is shaped like a ladder and features separate rungs which function as foot platforms. The rungs are attached to a chain, which moves continuously as the user climbs. The ladder moves at a pace determined by the user’s climbing speed.
Stationary bikes and treadmills are also popular cardio machines. They provide a full-body low-impact cardiovascular workout. They allow users to adjust the resistance level in order to focus on specific muscle groups. For example certain ellipticals feature an "Rolling Hills" program that adjusts the resistance of the machine to simulate biking or running up hills. Other ellipticals or stationary bikes come with interval training programs to increase endurance.