Picking The Right Equipment For You
Whether you have set a New Year’s resolution to get fit this year or you are looking for a new piece of fitness equipment to maintain your healthy lifestyle, it is important for you to pick the right equipment for your needs to help you achieve your goals. For starters, what is most important when picking out a piece of equipment is choosing one that you enjoy using so that you remain consistent with exercising. Consistency and regular movement is key to helping you reach your fitness goal!
Here is an excerpt from Health Works Collective about “How to Choose Gym Equipment That’s Right for You” – https://www.healthworkscollective.com/how-to-choose-gym-equipment-thats-right-for-you/ :
CARDIO & STRENGTH EQUIPMENT FOR HOME:
Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers are a hybrid of stair steppers and ski machines in its functionality that provides a circular up and down motion. The equipment allows low-impact exercising that is quite easy on the joints. You can keep on adjusting the resistance and grades either manually or automatically depending on the model. By using the levers with handgrips, you can work the upper body too. Ensure that the handlebars are comfortable, and the pedals are non-slip with curved edges. Test the stability of the machine by operating it at various speeds and grades before firming up the selection.
Stair Steppers
It is another equipment meant for low-impact exercises that aid cardio functions and simulates the action of climbing up flights of stairs. Although the exercise aims at strengthening the leg muscles while improving the blood flow through the body, you can use it for arm exercises too by choosing a model with levers and handgrips. In the beginning, the exercise might appear strenuous and hard on knees. The ideal machine should allow independent foot action and have large stair platforms with handrails.
Rowing Machines
To work out the arms, legs, and backs together at the same time there is nothing better than the rowing machine. The overall effect of the exercise covers almost the entire body. Since most people are not used to rowing, there may be an initial hard feeling on the back, and the movements might appear strange. The machine is available in pulley models and piston models and for a more realistic experience, the rowing action that closely resembles that action of pulling a rope over a pulley, the pulley model is the right choice.
Cross Country Ski Machine
Skiing allows you to exercise the arms and legs simultaneously and the machine helps to simulate the action indoors. In some machines, the skis move independently whereas in some others you must move one ski forward so that you can make the other move back. The machines come with handgrips or ropes depending on the construction. A wide footbed for stability is must, and you must try out which machine you are comfortable with.
Treadmill
The treadmill is perhaps the most common cardio exercising machine that you will come across. A motorized treadmill with a smooth surface is the preferred choice, and the belt should be wide and long enough to match with your stride. The front rail and a sturdy frame ensure safety. For walking at a comfortable pace, you must adjust the speed and grade.
Stationary Bicycle
It is easy to use an exercise bike that does not need any special skills. Cycling is excellent for improving cardiovascular health even though it does not ensure the prevention of osteoporosis. Choose a model with comfortable handlebars, toe clips, non-slip pedals and adjustable seat so that you can fix it at the most comfortable level.
STRENGTH IMPROVING EQUIPMENT:
Hand Weights
Dumbbells are the most common type of weight training equipment. Weight training for hands can begin from various weight nomenclatures of 2 pounds, 5 pounds and 8 pounds depending on the kind of strength you currently have. You can keep increasing the weights gradually. Choose dumbbells with D-shaped weight bars and padded center bards that are easy to hold.
Ankle Weights
Hip extension and side leg raise are some strength exercises that make use of ankle weights. Weight bars are placed in the pockets of the ankle cuffs that should be padded for comfortable wear. You can start with half pound weight bar and gradually increase it in increments of half a pound depending on the progress. Using one or two cuffs depends on the type of exercise you do, and the weights are available up to 5 and 10 pounds.
Resistance Bands & Tubing
Resistance bands made from synthetic and stretchable materials are excellent for strength workout of the full-body. You can get a measure of the resistance that the body can cope with by monitoring the number of times you can repeat an exercise.