Chest expanders consist of a set of handles and either elastic strands or springs and have been around since the mid 19th century. Once a competitive sport, chest expanders are currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity and are available from sporting goods stores for as little as $20. Chest expanders offer a variety of benefits to users.
Portability
Chest expanders are light and take up very little space, making them ideal for home use and for people on the road. Requiring no set up time, chest expanders are ready to use at a moment's notice and can be put away equally quickly. Most modern chest expanders are constructed from plastic, nylon and rubber so they are even appropriate for air travel.
Versatility
Although called chest expanders, this piece of exercise equipment can be used to exercise virtually every muscle in your body. Many traditional strength training exercises can be replicated using a chest expander, albeit sometimes using one limb at a time. Combined with a door anchor, chest expanders offer dozens of exercises for you to choose from so that you can get an effective all-over workout. Many chest expanders are supplied with a door anchor, which turns them into portable gyms that you can work out with anywhere and anytime.
Safety
Unlike free weights such as dumbbells, barbells or kettlebells, you are less likely to suffer injury if you fail during a chest expander exercise. Providing you keep your chest expander strands or springs in good working order and replace them at the first sign of degeneration, working out with a chest expander should be very safe. In addition, unlike freeweight exercises, chest expanders have no "moment of inertia" where you have to get a static object moving from a dead stop. This reduces much of the stress on your joints and makes chest expander exercises suitable if you suffer from joint, tendon or ligament problems.
Value for Money
Chest expanders offer good value for money. No other type of workout equipment provides so many exercise variations for such a low price. One adjustable chest expander, in conjunction with a door mount, will cost between $20 to $50 and can be used for upwards of 50 different exercises. Because they are ideal for use in the home, you will can also save money on gym membership fees.
References
- "The Chest Expander for Abounding Heath & Building Better Bodies"; Alfred Danks; 1930
- "A New System of Calisthenic Exercises For The Patent Elastic Chest Expander"; Henry Cost; 1847
- "The Illustrated History of Physical Culture"; Alan Radley; 2001
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