Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've ever been to an elite gym you've probably seen equipment that allows you to give your entire body an exercise. The equipment ranges from high-end professional systems to compact machines that can be used at home.
No matter what type of equipment you are using, be sure to "bake-in" progression and regression to aid your clients or students improve their fitness. Remember that even the best exercise equipment only produces results when used regularly.
All-in-One Exercise Systems
All-in-one exercise systems combine the functions of multiple pieces of equipment into one unit. They typically include the squat rack and bench for strength training and various attachments to perform a range of exercises designed to target muscles in the arms, shoulders abdominal, back, and legs. Some might have an electric pulley and cable system to offer resistance to help with weight training. Some all-in one exercise equipment, such as the Life Fitness G7 home gym, have a selectorized system of resistance that allows users to adjust the weight they use by simply pulling a pin. Some of these equipments are easily foldable or stowable, which helps to save space.
Certain all-in-one exercise systems employ a polymer-based rod called Power Rods that create tension to replace traditional iron weights. All-in-one models like the Total Gym and Bowflex systems make use of this kind of technology. These systems let you train your entire body without the use of weights. However, they do require you to do some strength training exercises with your body weight.
Other all-in-one exercise systems have the option of combining both weights and a pulley as well as a cable system, such as the BodyCraft X3 System. The machine comes with a dual weight stack of 200 pounds that allow you to perform a variety of exercises for strength training. It also comes with a broad selection of attachments, such as bars that are long and short as well as 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 helps to ensure the correct posture during your exercises. Both of them utilize 3D sensors to monitor 25 joints, compare them to reference points such as mirrors and determine the moment when your posture has changed. The products give real-time feedback that can assist you in regaining proper form. This feature can help reduce your risk of injury as well as ensure that you are working the correct muscles in the best possible way. This is especially crucial when training athletes for sports. For instance, if you're doing an upper-body workout that corresponds to run blocking, you want to make sure that you're targeting the muscle groups required by the sport.
Weights
Training with weights builds muscle, strengthens bones and improves balance, and burns calories. Athletes can train using weights that are free (dumbbells and barbells), machines that provide instructions for movement or cables with handles and bars to perform various 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 with no access to weights.
Coaches should not place young athletes in low rep ranges while using weights. This can lead to injury and pain in the muscles. High school and middle school age athletes should generally lift weights that can be lifted six or more times with proper form.
Resistance Bands and Tubing
Resistance bands and tubing are a flexible option for weight training. Professional athletes from all sports use them to improve performance as well as increase strength and power, and build muscles without having to use heavy weights.
The practice of elastic resistance training has been practiced for almost a century. Athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and genders use elastic resistance training to improve muscle strength, speed and agility. Tubes and bands for resistance are inexpensive and portable, and they can be combined with easy home exercises to create a complete fitness routine.
Flat resistance bands are strips of latex, or stretchy fabrics. They have handles at both ends. When not in use they can be folded and put in a backpack or suitcase. They are lighter than tube resistance bands and can be used for longer exercises.
Tube resistance bands consist of hollow, cylindrical tubes coated with rubber or plastic. They are designed to be fixed to a door, bar or pole or any other stationary object. These bands can be used for pushing or pulling exercises, and offer varying levels of resistance depending on their thickness and tension. They're also more durable than standard resistance bands, and typically come with a snap guard that safeguards against over-stretching, which could cause injury.
One of the primary benefits of using elastic resistance training is that it allows you to alter the focus on certain muscles during an exercise by altering the direction of the pull. A study at Brigham Young University, for instance, found that redirecting the tubing to the front 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 to work on their own rather than with a trainer or group. You can also bring them with you when traveling, as they are small enough to fit into the bag of a backpack or suitcase.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises boost endurance and cardiovascular strength, burn calories and stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals known as endorphins. Some of the most common types of cardiovascular exercise include walking, jogging, using an elliptical machine as well as riding a stationary bicycle and climbing on a stair climber. Equipment for indoor gyms is preferred over outdoor workouts due to a variety of reasons. The primary benefit of cardio equipment is that it offers a controlled environment and allows for a custom workout. Many machines have built-in monitors that can track heart rate as well as distance and time to provide an improved experience.
Treadmills provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout and can be used to simulate walking, running or climbing stairs. Users can also adjust their speed, incline and resistance level. These features make treadmills an excellent option for those with knee problems or want to get in shape.
Stair climbers have become a popular exercise equipment since they exercise both upper and lower bodies simultaneously while burning a lot of calories. Stair climbers are built to mimic an endless flight of stairs. They are great for strengthening the legs, core, and arms while focusing on muscles in the back, shoulders and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a truly unique piece of fitness equipment that provides a demanding, total-body workout. This unique equipment is shaped like a ladder and features separate rungs that serve as foot platforms. The rungs of this unique equipment are connected to a chain that moves with the speed at which the user climbs. leg exerciser moves at a speed determined by the climber's speed.
Stationary bikes and ellipticals are another popular types of cardio machines since they offer a low-impact, full-body cardio exercise. These machines let users alter the level of resistance in order to target specific muscle groups. For example, some ellipticals come with the "Rolling Hills" program that adjusts the resistance of the machine to simulate running or biking up hills. Other ellipticals and stationary bikes feature interval training programs to increase endurance.