Types of Fitness Equipment
The right equipment can make a big difference, whether you're looking for a home alternative or attempting to reach your fitness goals. Knowing the most popular models will help you determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
Treadmills
Treadmills are an exercise machine that is popular in gyms and fitness rooms. They provide a safer alternative to walking or running outdoors which can be beneficial for people recovering from injuries. They also provide a means to increase or reduce the intensity of workouts, as well as to monitor the progress and keep the right track with a fitness program.
Treadmills are powered by motors that move a platform under the user's foot in continuous loop. The treadmill will adjust to the user's preference of speed. Some models have an incline to simulate different terrains.
Many treadmills come with built-in heart rate monitors, and the machines can be programmed to walk or run at a set speed until the user has reached their desired heart rate. This allows users to avoid overworking their bodies and avoid injuries. Some treadmills also allow the user to rank their own sense of exertion using a scale from 1 to 10 that is known as the rate of perceived exertion.
Walking on a treadmill helps strengthen and strengthen hip flexors. Treadmills are commonly used for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which is a workout which is efficient for burning calories and improving cardiovascular health in a short period of time.
Treadmills have been used for centuries, and there are three main kinds of designs. The first were powered by animals or oxen walking around in circles, pushing a bar. Later, humans would climb onto a moving platform to power the treadmill. Many treadmills today come with digital displays that show the user's progression and provide a variety workout programs.
Certain treadmills have adjustable backrests and seating making them ideal for those with physical limitations. There are treadmills with extra-long platforms for people who find it difficult to step onto normal platforms.
Treadmills can be expensive however they can offer an amazing workout and aid people achieve their fitness goals. For those who are just beginning to exercise or run, they should start with a slow walk or jog on the treadmill, and then progress to a faster speed.
Ellipticals
When you enter the gym, you have numerous options to get your sweat on. While treadmills, stationary bikes and rowers all have their benefits, ellipticals hold a special place in many fitness enthusiasts' hearts. These machines simulate walking or jogging with pedals and handles that move upwards and downwards to provide a cardio exercise. Ellipticals also have handles that move which allow you to strengthen your chest and arms while working out, allowing you to target various muscles in addition to your legs.
Ellipticals are a great choice for those who suffer from hip or knee issues because they reduce the impact on joints. Ellipticals are also frequently recommended to ease back into exercising following an injury or surgery. The absence of impact could even be beneficial to those suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis or arthritis.
But despite their popularity the elliptical is not without its flaws. Jones warns that it could become boring as you're always in the same plane throughout the workout. Jones suggests varying the speed or using different programs to keep it exciting.
Some ellipticals have built-in workout apps or fitness communities where you can join virtual group workouts. These apps can also aid in tracking your progress and workouts over time, making it easy to keep up with your goals. Websites and apps can give you advice on the best exercises to do to reach specific goals or target specific muscles.
When using an elliptical, it's important to have proper form so you don't create an unnatural bobbing or bouncing motion while you exercise. You should concentrate on strengthening your connections between the mind and muscles, while engaging your abdominal muscles and keeping your back straight. Taking the elliptical with a friend or even an experienced trainer can help you build confidence and master the right techniques.
While you're moving your feet on the elliptical's pedals, use your arms to work them out also. This will increase the amount of calories you burn and focus on the muscles in your shoulders, chest and biceps. Adding resistance to your arm movements will increase your calorie burning even more and focus on various muscle groups.
Exercise Bikes
No matter if you're an experienced cyclist looking to add a bit of outdoor riding or a runner looking for an impact-free cross-training option or just need to sweat without leaving the comfort of your own home exercising on a bike is a great addition to your fitness equipment. These seated bikes provide an excellent cardio exercise and can help you achieve the American Heart Association's recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.
Typically, exercise bikes employ an array of friction-based and magnetic resistance with various levels of adjustability that can be adapted to different fitness goals and intensities. It is common to adjust the position of the handlebar, pedal tension and seat height to suit your personal preferences. Many bikes come with a heart-rate monitor that measures your heart rate via a grip sensor within the handlebars. This ensures you are keeping your heart rate within the zone you want it to be in.
There are a myriad of exercise bikes to pick from, but they are divided into five categories: recumbent bikes, upright bikes, indoor cycling bikes, air bikes and fan bikes, and folding bikes. Each type has its own unique characteristics and functions however, all provide a low-impact cardio exercise that targets the large muscles of your butt and legs and helps you burn calories and build muscle.
If you want to work out your upper body, an elliptical with moving handlebars is a great option. You can also opt for an exercise bike that is stationary. If you're short in space, a mini exercise bicycle or desk-top exerciser is perfect for sitting at the office computer, or under your couch at home.
Certain bikes, such as the ones made by Peloton include features that connect the fitness and exercise bike realms. They offer a full-body workout that syncs with live or prerecorded workouts that you can access on your smartphone or Apple Watch. The features differ, but may include large screens that show the instructor on a treadmill, the ability to connect with third-party apps such as JRNY or Bowflex's IFIT, and automatic resistance adjustments that are in line with your instructor's during the class.
Rowing Machines
The rowing machine is a great cardio workout for the whole body. It builds and tones your muscles while also increasing endurance. This type of exercise will also strengthen your shoulders and back and help avoid injury. It's an ideal option for those who prefer to stay clear of impact exercises like running, but still want a vigorous high-intensity cardio workout. It can also be utilized to increase the size of your muscles when you are doing the combination of strength and cardio workouts.
A rowing machine is a sliding seat that you pull using your arms and push with your legs. The handle mimics the experience of rowing on water, and allows you to create a lively motion that engages nearly every muscle in your body. You can choose to perform the rowing exercises with a guide on Hydrow which are guided by coaches who offer workout structure, instruction and motivation as well as technical reminders. You can also choose unguided rows, which allow you to work at your own pace.
You can select the level of resistance you would like to manage your workout as well as how many strokes per minute. A stroke is a complete cycle of the drive, finishing, and recovery phases of the row. Start with short workouts of 5 to 10 minutes to master the art of learning to row. This will help you become familiar with the movements and improve your form before moving on to longer, more intense exercises.
While rowing machines can be difficult to master at first however, they're extremely versatile. They can be used for a range of exercises, including interval training, high intensity workouts as well as endurance training. Depending on the length of time you train you can burn anywhere from 200 to 800 calories in a single session.
The main muscle groups worked by a rowing machine are the legs, core, arms and back. The pulling motion of a rowing exercise activates the muscles in your back, specifically the rhomboids and latissimus Dorsi. The rowing stroke also targets your biceps as well as triceps.