Fascicles are clumps of tissue that join together and form muscles in the body. This process starts with small proteins that form myofibrils. Myofibrils clump together and form fibers, which then clump together and form fascicles. If you are trying to build muscle, it is not important to memorize molecular anatomy, but it is a good idea to become familiar with strength-training exercise equipment. By knowing your equipment, you can spend your workout time more efficiently.
Function
For muscles to grow, they need to be stressed with a resistance that is greater than what they experience on a daily basis. This is called overloading a muscle. This main function of strength-training exercise equipment is to give the muscles this overload.
Types
Exercisers can use many types of strength-training equipment, including weight machines, cable pulley machines, barbells, dumbbells, stability balls, medicine balls and kettlebells.
The chest press, shoulder press, leg extension and leg curl are types of weight machines.
Dumbbells and barbells are used by themselves or with accessories, such as incline, decline and flat benches. Bench presses, shoulder presses, bent-over rows, triceps extensions, biceps curls and lunges are examples of exercises using these free weights.
Knee tucks, crunches, push-ups and hamstring curls are examples of exercises performed with exercise balls. Slams, overhead throws, Russian twists and chest passes are types of medicine ball exercises.
A kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a curved handle attached to the top. Kettlebells get swung, lifted, pressed and held for resistance with exercises like swings, cleans, snatches, floor presses, front squats and renegade rows.
Features
Weight machines have padded chairs, backrests, benches and lever arms with adjustable resistance. To adjust the resistance, pins are slid into selectorized positions in a rectangular stack of weights or weight plates are slid onto tube-shaped supports. These machines have handles that are pushed or pulled, and they have lever arms that are moved in arcing motions to work the muscles.
Dumbbells, barbells, weight plates and medicine balls are known as free weights. All of these tools are not bound to any chains, pulleys, levers or attachments.
Exercise balls range in size from 45 cm to 85 cm. They are made out of durable rubber and are inflated with air. Medicine balls are made out of hard rubber, nylon or leather, and they range in weight from 1 lb. to 30 lbs.
Benefits
Weight machines are beneficial for people who are new to exercise for their ease of use, for people recovering from an injury and for people who are in a hurry.
Dumbbells and barbells cause you to recruit multiple muscle fibers when doing exercises to balance the weights. According to MayoClinic.com, free weights also simulate real-life lifting situations and promote whole-body stabilization.
Exercise balls and kettlebells increases muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular strength all at the same time.
Expert Insight
All forms of strength-training equipment effectively build muscle. Utilize equipment that you enjoy and best fits your needs. For example, if you do not like free weights, use machines. If you are an athlete looking to improve core strength, use free weights, stability balls and medicine balls, all of which challenge your balance and build core strength that is needed for power output.
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