Exercise Equipment Types

Exercising regularly is one of the most important things you can do to maintain and improve your health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exercise machines can help you control your weight, improve your balance and strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles. A variety of machines exist to help you develop the right exercise routine for your needs.

Aerobic Exercise Equipment

According to the Mayo Clinic, aerobic exercise benefits the heart, lungs and circulatory system. Aerobic equipment allows you to exercise indoors when the weather is bad and gives you access to exercises such as rowing and bicycling regardless of where you live. Several types of aerobic exercise machines are available. Treadmills let you walk, jog or run, and some allow you to change the incline for added challenge. Rowing machines provide both aerobic training and strength training for your legs and upper body. A stair stepper lets you change the force and speed required to climb stairs. Elliptical machines are a good choice for people who cannot perform high-impact exercises like running as its motions do not require your feet to leave the pedals. Stationary bicycles are also a good low-impact choice, and they allow you to change the incline and intensity of the ride.

Free Weights

According to The American Council on Exercise , free weights allow you to target certain muscle groups and allow for variety in the types of strength building exercises you can perform. Free weights or dumb bells range in weight from as little as half a pound up to 100 pounds. Weights can be fixed on the bar, or you can slide weights off and on the bar to add weight in increments. They can be metal, plastic coated or even an inflatable plastic that can be filled with water for use and emptied and flattened for easy storage.

Weight Machines

Weight machines allow easy adjustment of the weight used, the height and position of seats and the position of handles. Individual weights range in size from 2 to 10 pounds, and the weights are adjusted by moving a pin between the weights or entering a code on the machine. Some machines are configured for multiple exercises on the legs and upper body, while other machines permit only one exercise. The American Council on Exercise notes that because the path the weight travels is fixed, you are more likely to perform the exercise correctly. For this reason, weight machines can be a good start for new weight lifters.

Balance Equipment

Developing good balance helps prevent falls that can break bones. A balance or wobble board places a flat piece of wood on a ball that can be adjusted to provide more or less balancing challenge. You can improve your balance by performing exercises while standing on the board--exercises such as arm circles or squats. Vibration machines utilize a small platform that vibrates and tilts. Research published in the journal Gait & Posture demonstrated that exercises performed on a vibration machine improve the posture and balance of the elderly.