Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've been to a professional gym you will have seen exercise equipment that lets you work out your entire body. It can range from expensive professional, heavy-duty systems to more compact, do-it-all equipment that you can use at home.
No matter what type of equipment you use, always "bake-in" progression and regression to help your students or clients improve their fitness. Keep in mind that even the finest equipment can only yield results if it is utilized regularly.
All-in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one systems integrate several pieces of equipment into one unit. They usually include the squat rack and bench for strength training and various attachments to perform a variety of exercises designed to target muscles in the arms, shoulders back, abdomen, and legs. They may also have a pulley and cable system which provides resistance for weight training. Certain all-in-one fitness equipment, such as the Life Fitness G7 home gym come with a selectorized method of resistance that allows users to alter the weight they use by simply pulling a pin. Some of these machines are easily foldable or stowable, which helps to reduce space.
Certain all-in-one exercise equipment 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 models like the Total Gym and Bowflex systems utilize this kind of technology. These systems allow you to train your whole body without using weights. However, they still require you to perform exercise routines for strength using your bodyweight.
Other all-in-one exercise systems incorporate both weights and a pulley and cable system like the BodyCraft X3 System. The machine includes a dual-weight stack of 200 pounds, which allows you to perform a variety of exercises for strength training. It also has a wide variety of attachments, including short and long bars with double and single D-handles, ankle straps stirrup handles, rope handles and two arm cuffs.
Other all-in-one exercise equipment, like the Tonal and Tempo Studio, feature technology that aids in ensuring proper form during your workouts. Both systems make use of 3D sensor technology to monitor 25 joints, compare them with mirrors or other reference points and determine when your form has changed. They also provide real-time feedback that helps guide you to regain your form. This feature can 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 participate in sports. If you're doing an upper-body workout that corresponds with running blocking, for instance, you should make sure that you're targeting muscles required by the sport.
Weights
Weight training can increase the strength of bones, muscle mass, and balance. It also burns calories. Athletes can train with free weights (dumbbells and barbells), machines that provide guided movement patterns or cables with handles and bars to perform various pull exercises. Resistance bands can be used to add resistance to bodyweight exercises and are a great way to incorporate into the workouts of young athletes or those who do not have access to weights.
Coaches should not place young athletes into low rep ranges when using weights. This could cause injuries and muscle pain. Middle and high school athletes should generally use weights that they can lift at least six times per week with proper form.
Tubing or Resistance Bands
Tubing and resistance bands are a versatile alternative for weight training. They're utilized by professional athletes from all sports - footballers, UFC fighters, bodybuilders and many more - to boost performance, increase strength and power and increase muscle mass without the need for large free weights.
The practice of elastic resistance training has been in use for more than a century. Athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and genders use elastic resistance training to build the strength of their muscles, speed and agility. Resistance bands and tubes can be used to create an entire workout. They are lightweight and cost-effective.
Flat resistance bands are typically comprised of strips of stretchy or latex fabric. They are adorned with handles that are that are attached to both ends. They can be rolled up and stored in a backpack or suitcase when not in use. They are lighter than a tube resistance bands and can be used for longer exercises.
Tube resistance bands are hollow, cylindrical tubes with a rubber or plastic compound. They are typically designed to be attached to a door, bar or pole, or some other stationary object. exercise bikes for pushing and pulling exercises. They offer different levels of resistance based upon their thickness and tension. They are also more resilient than standard flat resistance bands and a lot of them have a built-in snap-guard that stops overstretching.
The most significant benefit of elastic resistance training is the ability to change the direction of pull during an exercise. A study conducted at Brigham Young University, for instance, found that the tubing was redirected to the front leg of the leg during a step or squat exercise altered the focus of the hamstring and quad muscle groups.
A resistance band or tubing can also be a great option for athletes who prefer working on their own rather than working with a coach or a group. You can also bring the tubing with you on trips because they are small enough to fit in the bag of a backpack or suitcase.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises improve cardiovascular strength and endurance, burn calories and stimulate the release of the feel-good chemicals referred to as endorphins. Walking, jogging and using an elliptical machine are some of the most well-known cardiovascular exercises. While these exercises can be performed outdoors however, indoor gym equipment is typically used for a variety reasons. Cardio equipment has the main benefit of providing an environment that is controlled and allows for a customized exercise. Many machines have built-in monitors to track heart rate as well as distance and time to provide an improved experience.
Treadmills provide a low-impact cardiovascular exercise that can be used for running, walking or stair-climbing. They also let users control their pace and incline as well as their resistance level. These features make treadmills an excellent option for those with knee problems or wish to get fit.
Stair climbers are a popular piece of equipment for cardio because they work both upper and lower body at the same time while burning off a lot of calories. Created to resemble a never-ending staircase, stair climbers build strength in the legs and core while targeting muscles in the arms, back and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a challenging total-body workout. This unique piece of equipment shaped as a ladder with rungs that serve as foot platforms. The rungs are attached to a chain that moves continuously as the user climbs. The ladder moves at a pace determined by the user's climbing speed.
Stationary bikes and ellipticals are also popular types of cardio machines due to their low-impact, full-body cardio workout. They allow users to alter the level of resistance in order to target specific muscles. Some ellipticals have an "Rolling Hills" program that alters the resistance of the machine to simulate riding or running up hills. Other stationary bikes or ellipticals come with interval training programs that increase endurance.