Fitness Equipment - The different types of fitness equipment
If your exercising to Lose Weight or to simply get in better shape physically, you will notice there are a number of machines and fitness equipment out their that have been specifically designed to help you reach your goals. We will now run through some of the most popular pieces of Fitness Equipment that are now used by the majority of gyms and athletes, outlining how to use them, the benefits of each one, and what muscle groups each one works. We will start with what is probably the most popular piece of fitness equipment used nowadays, the treadmill.
Fitness Equipment - The Treadmill
The treadmill is an exercise machine that allows users to either walk, jog or run on the spot whilst placed on a motorised or manual running belt. The speed or steepness of the running belt can be altered at anytime whilst on a motorised treadmill allowing the user the choice of working at a higher or lower intensity. If using a manual treadmill, unfortunately this isn’t possible. The difference between a motorised treadmill and a manual one is that the motorised treadmill possesses a motor which continually powers the running belt. The manual treadmill on the other hand will only function when you are moving on it as your body weight is used to turn and move the treadmills running belt over its rollers.
Certain treadmills have the ability to monitor Your Heart Rate , the time of your workout and how many calories you are burning. Walking, jogging or running on a treadmill will give your heart and lungs an effective workout depending on the Intensity You Choose to work at, whilst also working the hamstrings, buttocks and calve muscles.
Additional benefits of using a treadmill are:
Shock absorption. Running on a treadmill is much easier than running outside as treadmills are built to reduce impact whilst absorbing shock when your feet hit the running belt. This reduces strain on a number of body parts such as feet, ankles, knees and the lower back. Convenience. Using a treadmill can be far more convenient than running outside as you can do it in the comfort of your own home or even your gym. Some people may be embarrassed to go running outside, live in a dangerous neighbourhood or don’t enjoy running in certain weather conditions. All these factors can be avoided when using a treadmill. Using a treadmill also allows users to do other things while exercising such as watching television. This may help to raise enjoyment levels whilst passing the time quicker.
Drawbacks of using a treadmill are likely to include:
The cost. If your purchasing a treadmill for home use it is going to prove rather expensive.
Takes up space. A treadmill will take up quite a bit of space so you will need to make sure you accommodate for one in your household or gym.
Easier than outside running. Running on a treadmill is not as beneficial and as tuff as running outdoors. Wind and hills are all encountered when running outside making it far more intense.
Fitness Equipment - The Exercise Bike
The exercise bike is also quite a popular piece of gym equipment due to its low-impact, safe and effective mechanism. The exercise bike is designed just like a normal bicycle except that it has a flat base instead of wheels allowing users to sit comfortably on the bike and cycle.Due to the safety of the exercise bike, many overweight and obese people are encouraged to start off using an exercise bike as it requires a lot less effort than many other machines that are found in the gym. The exercise bike gives the heart and lungs a good workout and also hits the thigh and calf muscles. The bike can also be adjusted to increase the difficulty of cycling once the participant has become competent at cycling at a certain speed. The difficulty can also be altered at any time whilst on the exercise bike.
Fitness Equipment - The Elliptical Cross Trainer
An elliptical cross trainer is an exercise machine designed to simulate the actions of walking and running. They usually have two pedals for your feet and two handle bars. Once your feet are positioned correctly inside the pedals, grasp the two handles with your arms and push them forward and backwards whilst walking forward. This type of motion places less strain on a users joints helping to lower the risk of impact injuries.
The workload on the elliptical cross trainer can be changed by either increasing or decreasing the resistance level. Some cross trainers even allow the user to increase the steepness or to pedal backwards allowing Different Muscle Groups to be worked. The main muscle groups worked when using the elliptical cross trainer are the hamstring and calf muscles. Arms are also worked to a certain extent depending on the resistance set along with the thighs.
Fitness Equipment - Jump Rope
A jump rope is basically the athlete’s version of a skipping rope. It is a piece of rope/string that has handles either end. The user holds the jump rope at each end in their hands and swings the rope up and over their head and back under their feet. This is known as jumping rope. It is an effective form of aerobic exercise helping to develop an athletes reactions and foot co-ordination whilst strengthening arm and Shoulder Muscles. Jumping rope can help athletes avoid knee damage which often occurs in other forms of cardio, particularly running. During the landing phase of jump rope, athletes use both legs to land which means the impact of the jump is absorbed by both legs, limiting and preventing the risk of any injuries.
Jumping rope gives the heart, lungs, legs and arms a great workout and will fatigue you quite quickly if you are not use to it. When jumping rope, start out slowly and ensure you grasp the correct technique. Once you have the technique down you can then look to increase the duration of your workout overtime. It’s also good to note that many boxers and wrestlers use jump rope as a form of training as they look to improve footwork and flexibility when competing. Jump rope is very cheap and can be purchased from almost any leading sports shops or stores.
Fitness Equipment - The Rowing Machine
The rowing machine as you more than likely guessed, simulates the action of rowing. To operate the rowing machine firstly, sit down on the seat, place feet inside the pedals and grasp the rowing handle. Next, push yourself backwards using your feet whilst at the same time using your arms to pull the rowing handle towards your Chest. The seat will slide backwards with your body allowing you to return to the starting position and repeat.
The rowing machine is aimed at increasing strength endurance but is a great all round workout that helps tone and strengthen a Number Of Muscle Groups . When using the rowing machine, the primary muscles used are the arms and thighs, closely followed by the upper back, lower back and tricep muscles. The heart and lungs are also worked hard.
Fitness Equipment - The Punch Bag
The punch bag is also referred to as a heavy bag. If you think the punch bag is just for boxers then you are heavily mistaken. The punch bag is for anyone looking for an effective cardiovascular workout and can help burn a lot of calories. When punching the punch bag, your body uses up a great deal of energy and strength. Arms, Shoulders , Chest and Back can all be worked during a punch bag session. The punch bag will strengthen and tone your arms whilst at the same time giving your heart and lungs a great workout.
When using the punch bag, you will need to be wearing a good pair of boxing gloves to prevent injuries and discomfort to the hands. Boxing gloves will also help to protect your wrists. Athletes also have the option of purchasing a pair of boxing wraps. These can be placed around the wrists and hands to give additional comfort and support. To sum up, working out with a punch bag brings many benefits. It improves aerobic fitness, improves power, improves coordination and core stability, improves boxing technique, helps to develop self-defence skills, improves body shape and decreases stress.
Search for more great content below!
Other Articles You May Like:
The elliptical machine or the treadmill Health benefits of jumping rope What is the maximum heart rateOther Resources:
Powerhouse-fitness.co.uk - Fitness equipment, gym equipment and exercise equipment