Exercise Equipment to Give Your Whole Body a Workout
If you've ever been to a professional gym you've probably seen equipment which allows you to work out your entire body. The equipment ranges from heavy-duty professional systems to compact equipment that can be employed 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 exercise systems integrate the functions of multiple pieces of equipment into one unit. They typically have a bench and squat rack to help with strength training, as well as an array of attachments that perform a variety of exercises to target muscles in the arms, shoulders back, abdomen, and legs. They might also include cables and pulleys that provide resistance to help you train weights. Some all-in one exercise systems, like the Life Fitness G7 home gym include a selectorized system of resistance, which allows users to adjust the weight they're using by pulling a pin. Some of these machines can be folded or stored away to make space.
Some all-in-one exercise systems use 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 allow you to train your entire body without the requirement for weights, but they require you to do certain strength-training exercises using your own body weight.
Other all-in-one exercise systems have a combination of both weights and a pulley as well as a cable system, such as the BodyCraft X3 System. This machine comes with a dual weight stack of 200 pounds that allow you to perform dozens different exercises for strength training. It also comes with a broad range of attachments, including short and long bars, single and double D-handles, ankle straps, stirrup handles, a rope handle and dual arm cuffs.
Other all-in one exercise systems, such as the Tonal and Tempo Studios, use technology to ensure the correct posture while exercising. Both systems use 3D sensors to track the location of 25 joints and compare them with reference points, such as a mirror, to aid you in identifying when your posture is off. They then offer real-time feedback to help you get back into good form. This feature can help reduce your chance of injury and ensure that you are focusing on the correct muscles in the most effective way possible. This is particularly important when you train athletes for sports. For instance, if working on an upper-body exercise that is similar to running blocking, you want to ensure that you're targeting the muscle groups required by the sport.
Weights
Weight training increases bone strength, muscle mass and balance. It also helps to burn calories. Athletes can train using free weights (dumbbells or barbells) or machines that provide guided movements, or cables and bars for a variety of 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.
When using weights, coaches must avoid putting young athletes in low rep ranges which can lead to injuries and muscle soreness. High and middle school should use weights can be lifted at least six times in proper form.
Resistance Bands and Tubing
Resistance bands and tubing offer a versatile alternative to weight training. They are used by professional athletes across all sports - football players, UFC fighters, bodybuilders and many more - to improve performance as well as increase strength and power and increase muscle size without the need for large free weights.
Since almost stationary bicycle exercise , elastic resistance training has been practiced for a long time. Athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and genders use elastic resistance training to increase the strength of their muscles, speed and agility. Tubes and bands of resistance can be used to give you a a complete workout. They are lightweight and affordable.
Flat resistance bands are strips of latex, or stretchy fabrics. They are equipped with handles on both ends. When they're not being used they can be rolled and put in bags or backpacks. They are lighter than a tube resistance bands and can be used for a variety of exercises.
Tube resistance bands consist of hollow, cylindrical tubes coated with rubber or plastic. They are designed to be fixed to a door or bar, pole or other stationary object. They're great for pulling and pushing exercises. They offer different levels of resistance based on their thickness and tension. They're also more resilient than standard resistance bands, and often feature a built-in snap guard that protects against over-stretching and injury.
One of the primary advantages of using elastic resistance training is that it enables you to alter the amount of emphasis on certain muscles during an exercise by changing the direction of the pull. A study conducted by Brigham Young University, for example, showed that redirecting the tubing to the front of the leg during a step or squat exercise changed the focus of the quad and hamstring muscles.
Tubing or a resistance band is also an excellent option for athletes that prefer to work alone rather than working with a coach or a group. You can also carry the tubing with you on trips as they are compact enough to fit in the bag of a backpack or suitcase.
Aerobic Machines
Cardio exercises increase endurance and strength of the cardiovascular system, burn calories and stimulate the release of a variety of chemicals that are known as endorphins. Walking, jogging and using an elliptical machine are some of the most well-known cardiovascular exercises. Although these exercises are able to be done outdoors, indoor gym equipment is often preferred for a variety of reasons. The major benefit of cardio equipment is that it provides the security of 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 a more accurate experience.
Treadmills provide a low-impact cardiovascular exercise that can be utilized for walking, running or stair climbing. Users can also control their speed, incline, and resistance level. These features make treadmills a great option for those with knee problems or looking to get in shape without putting too much stress on their joints.
Stair climbers are now a popular fitness equipment because they work both the lower and upper body at the same time and burn a lot of calories. Created to resemble a never-ending flight of stairs, stair climbers work the legs and core while targeting muscles in the arms, back and shoulders.
The Jacob's Ladder is a more unique piece of fitness equipment that offers a demanding, total-body workout. This unique equipment is shaped like a ladder and features separate rungs that serve as foot platforms. The rungs are linked to a chain, which continues to move as the user climbs. This makes the ladder move according to the user's climbing speed, allowing them to choose their own level of intensity.
Stationary bikes and ellipticals can be another popular type of cardio machine because they provide a low-impact, full-body workout. They allow users to alter the level of resistance to focus on specific muscles. Certain ellipticals come with the "Rolling Hills' program that alters the resistance of the machine to simulate riding or running up hills. Other stationary bikes or ellipticals have interval training programs that improve endurance.