Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've been to a professional gym you've seen 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 utilized at home.
No matter what type of equipment you are using, be sure to "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 when it is used regularly.
All-in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one systems incorporate multiple pieces of equipment in one unit. They usually include an squat rack, a bench and other attachments for a variety exercises that target muscles in the arms, shoulders, back, abdomen and legs. exercise bikes might also include an electric pulley and cable system which provides resistance to help you train weights. Certain all-in-one fitness equipment, such as the Life Fitness G7 home gym come with a selectorized method of resistance, which enables users to adjust the weight they use by pulling a pin. Some of these machines are portable or stowable to help make 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. The Bowflex and Total Gym systems are examples of all-in-one exercise systems that make use of this technology. These systems let you train your whole body without using weights. However, they still require you to perform strength training exercises with your bodyweight.
Other all-in one exercise systems incorporate both weights and an incline pulley system and cable such as the BodyCraft X3 System. This machine has two 200-pound weight stacks that allows you to perform many different strength-training exercises. It also has a wide selection of attachments, such as bars of both length and short length as well as double and single D-handles, ankle straps stirrup handles, rope handles and two arm cuffs.
Other all-in-one fitness systems, like the Tonal and Tempo Studio, incorporate technology that assists in ensuring that you are in good shape during your workouts. Both of them utilize 3D sensors to monitor the position of 25 joints, and compare them with references, like a mirror, to help you identify when your form is off. They also provide real-time feedback to guide you to regain your form. This feature will reduce your risk of injury as well as make sure you are targeting the correct muscles in the best possible way. This is especially crucial when training athletes for sports. For instance, if you're doing upper-body exercises that corresponds to run blocking, you must be sure you are working on the muscles required by the sport.
Weights
Weight training builds muscles, strengthens bones, and improves balance, as well as burning calories. Athletes can train with free weights (dumbbells or barbells) and machines that offer guided movements or bars and cables for different pull exercises. Resistance bands provide 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.
Coaches should be cautious about putting young athletes in low rep ranges while using weights. This could cause injuries and muscle pain. High school and middle school age athletes should generally utilize weights that they can lift six or more times with proper form.
Resistance Bands or Tubing
Tubing and resistance bands provide a versatile alternative to training with weights. They're used by professional athletes from all sports - football players, UFC fighters, bodybuilders and more - to enhance performance as well as increase strength and power and increase muscle mass without the need for large free weights.
Elastic resistance training has been around for more than 100 years. All athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and genders utilize elastic resistance training to improve muscle strength, speed and agility. Tubes and bands of resistance can be used to create a complete workout. They are portable and inexpensive.
Flat resistance bands are made up of strips of latex, or stretchy fabrics. They have handles at both ends. They can be rolled up and put in a suitcase or backpack when not being used. They're lighter than tube resistance bands and can be used for a greater variety of exercises.
Tube resistance bands consist of hollow, cylindrical tubes coated with rubber or plastic. They're usually designed to be attached to a bar, door or pole, or some other stationary object. These bands are great for pushing and pulling exercises. They offer different levels of resistance based upon their thickness and tension. They're also more resilient than flat resistance bands and often feature a built-in snap guard that safeguards against over-stretching and injury.
The primary advantage of training with elastic resistance is the ability to change the direction of pull during an exercise. For instance, a research performed at Brigham Young University showed that changing the direction of force on the squat exercise or step by directing the tubing band towards the front of your leg could alter the focus of quad and hamstring muscles.
Tubing or a band of resistance is also an excellent option for athletes who prefer working on their own rather than with a trainer or a group. They're also great for traveling as you can pack them in a suitcase or backpack and still have access to your preferred workout routines.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises boost endurance and strength in the cardiovascular system. They also burn calories and release a feeling-good chemical called endorphins. Some of the most common kinds of cardiovascular exercises include walking and jogging on an elliptical machine as well as riding a stationary bicycle and climbing on a stair climber. While these exercises can be performed outdoors however, indoor gym equipment is usually preferred for a variety of reasons. Cardio equipment has the main benefit of offering the control of an environment that allows for a custom-designed exercise. Many machines come with built-in monitors to track heart rate, time and distance for an improved workout experience.
Treadmills provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout and can be used to simulate walking, running or climbing stairs. Users can also control their speed, incline and resistance level. These features make treadmills a great option for those with knee issues or who want to get in shape without putting too much pressure on their joints.
Stair climbers have become popular exercise equipment since they work both the lower and upper bodies simultaneously while burning a lot of calories. Stair climbers are built to mimic an endless set of stairs. They strengthen the legs and core as well as arms while targeting the muscles in the back, shoulders and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder provides a challenging, total-body workout. This unique piece of equipment shaped as a ladder with separate rungs which serve as foot platforms. The rungs are attached to a chain that is constantly moving as the user climbs. The ladder moves at a pace determined by the user's climbing speed and allows them to select their own intensity.
Stationary bikes and ellipticals are also popular type of cardio machine because they provide a low-impact, full-body cardio workout. They allow users to alter their resistance levels to target specific muscles. Some ellipticals have the "Rolling Hills' program that alters the resistance of the machine to simulate biking or running up hills. Other ellipticals and stationary bikes come with interval training programs to improve endurance.