Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've been to an establishment that is a professional, you've likely seen exercise equipment that lets you give your body an exercise. The equipment ranges from powerful professional systems to compact equipment that can be utilized at home.
Whatever equipment you use, always "bake-in" progression and regression to help your students or clients improve their fitness. Remember that even the best equipment will only deliver results if it is used regularly.
All-in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one systems integrate multiple pieces of equipment in one unit. They typically include an squat rack and bench to help with strength training, as well as an array of attachments that perform a variety of exercises that target muscles in the shoulders, arms, back, abdomen and legs. They might also include an electric pulley and cable system which provides resistance to help you train weights. Some all-in-one exercise systems such as the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym come with an adjustable resistance system which lets you change the amount of weight you're using by simply getting up from your seat. Some of these machines can fold up or stowed to save space.
Certain all-in-one exercise systems employ a polymer-based rod called Power Rods that generate tension to replace traditional iron weights. The Bowflex and Total Gym systems are examples of all-in-one exercise equipment that make use of this technology. These systems allow you to work out your entire body without the requirement for weights, but they require you to complete some strength-training exercises with your own body weight.
Other all-in-one fitness systems include weights as well as a pulley and cable system such as the BodyCraft X3 System. The machine comes with two 200-pound weight stacks that allows you to perform numerous different exercises for strengthening. It also has a wide range of attachments, including short and long bars with double and single D-handles, ankle straps, stirrup handles, rope handles and dual arm cuffs.
Other all-in-one exercise systems, like the Tonal and Tempo Studios, incorporate technology to help ensure proper posture while working out. Both systems use 3D sensors to track the location of 25 joints and compare them to reference points, such as a mirror, to assist you in determining the areas where your form is off. The products provide real-time feedback that will help you get back into proper form. This feature can reduce the risk of injury, and ensure that you are focusing on the correct muscles in the most effective method possible. This is especially crucial when training athletes to take part in sports. For instance, if doing upper-body exercises that is related to running blocking, you should be sure you are training the muscles needed by the sport.
Weights
Weight training improves the strength of bones, muscle mass, and balance. It also helps to burn calories. Athletes can train with weights that are free (dumbbells, barbells) or machines that offer controlled movement patterns or cables with handles and bars for a variety of pull exercises. Resistance bands offer resistance to exercises using body weight and are a great way to incorporate them into workouts for younger athletes or those with no access to weights.
Coaches should not place young athletes into low rep ranges while using weights. This could lead to injuries and muscle pain. Middle and high school age athletes should generally lift weights that they can lift at least six times per week with proper form.
Resistance Bands and Tubing
Tubing and resistance bands offer an alternative to exercise with weights. They're used by professional athletes across all sports - football players, UFC fighters, bodybuilders, and more - to enhance performance as well as increase strength and power, and build muscle size without the need for heavy free weights.
Since nearly a century elastic resistance training has been used. It's now used by athletes of all ages and fitness levels to train and improve the strength of muscles, speed and agility. Tubes and bands of resistance can be used to give you a a complete workout. They are lightweight and cost-effective.
Flat resistance bands are made up of strips of latex, or stretchy fabrics. They have handles on both ends. They can be rolled up and put in a backpack or suitcase when not being used. They're lighter than tube-style resistance bands and can be used for a greater variety of exercises.
Tube resistance bands are hollow, cylindrical tubes made of a rubber or plastic compound. They are typically designed to be attached to a door, bar or pole, or some other stationary object. These bands can be utilized for pulling or pushing exercises, and offer different levels of resistance based on their thickness and tension. They are also more durable than regular flat resistance bands and a lot of them have a built-in snap-guard which prevents overstretching.
The primary benefit of elastic resistance training is the ability to change the direction of the pull during an exercise. A study conducted by Brigham Young University, for example, showed that the tubing was redirected to the front leg of the leg during a squat or step exercise altered the focus of the quad and hamstring muscle groups.
Tubing or a band of resistance is also an excellent option for athletes who prefer working on their own instead of working with a trainer or group. You can also take them along when you travel, as they are small enough to fit in the bag of a backpack or suitcase.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises boost endurance and cardiovascular strength, burn calories and stimulate the release of the feel-good chemicals referred to as endorphins. Walking, jogging and using an elliptical are some of the most popular cardiovascular exercises. The indoor gym equipment is favored over outdoor workouts due to a variety of reasons. The primary benefit of cardio equipment is that it offers an environment that is controlled and allows for a custom workout. A lot of machines have built-in monitors to track heart rate, time and distance for more precise workouts.
Treadmills are an exercise that is low-impact and can be used to simulate running, walking or stair climbing. Users can also adjust their speed, incline and resistance level. These features make treadmills a great option for those with knee issues or want to improve their fitness.
Stair climbers are popular pieces of equipment for cardio because they work both upper and lower body simultaneously while burning off a lot of calories. They are designed to mimic a continuous flight of stairs, stair climbers strengthen the legs and core while targeting muscles in the arms, back and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a challenging total-body exercise. This unique piece of equipment designed as a ladder, with rungs that serve as foot platforms. The rungs of this unique equipment are linked to a chain that moves as the user climbs. This causes the ladder to move at a pace determined by the user's speed of climbing and allowing them to select their own level of intensity.
Stationary treadmills and stationary bikes are also popular cardio machines. They offer a full body, low-impact cardiovascular exercise. They allow users to adjust the resistance level in order to focus on specific muscle groups. For instance, some ellipticals come with the "Rolling Hills" program that adjusts the resistance of the machine to simulate running or biking up hills. Other ellipticals or stationary bikes come with interval training programs that increase endurance.