Exercise equipment serves to increase your strength, endurance and functionality. This doesn't include all the other under lying health benefits that come with exercise utilization. Exercise equipment can be divided into three main categories: resistance , aerobic and functional. All three equipment types give you a distinct caliber of conditioning.
Definition
Exercise equipment is identified as any device that is used for physical activity. Physical exercise can be defined through a few distinct avenues. Each of the these activity models has specific equipment to go with it. Resistance equipment helps you build a stronger musculoskeletal system.
There are two main resistance accessories, free weights and machines. Aerobic equipment intends to enhance your oxygen system. Aerobic or cardio equipment are either seated or standing in nature. Functional devices involve training the body for activities in daily life. Physio balls, medicine balls, a bosu balance trainer and dyna discs all work to better your muscular balance and joint stability.
Resistance Machines
Resistance machines strengthen your muscular system. in as safe a position as possible. Variable resistance equipment, such as Nautilus and Cybex, give you a pin loaded weight stack. These weight stacks are extremely simple to operate. They also allow small resistance progressions, about 2 to 5 percent at a clip. Variable resistance machines modify the amount of resistance based on your bio mechanics. Where your the strongest, the weight is the heaviest. Where your the weakest, the weight is the lightest. This way you can push your muscles to complete fatigue.
Free Weight Resistance
Free weights are the oldest form of resistance. Only experienced exercisers should use free weights, as they demand an abundance of motor control. Barbells and dumbbells are the two classifications of free weights. Barbells are long, straight bars that are resistance plate loaded. A barbell is held with both hands, making it a little easier to maneuver than dumbbells. Dumbbells are smaller weight devices that can be used individually or in pairs. The benefit of dumbbell utilization is that they force each of your limbs to work independently of one another. The resistance of dumbbells can range from one pound to 100 lbs.
Weight - Bearing Aerobic
Weight-bearing or standing aerobic machines maximize caloric expenditure and heart rate response. This is because supporting your own body mass takes a certain amount of energy. The popular versions of standing cardio are the treadmill, stair stepper and elliptical. Each of these cardio machines has their own positive effects. The treadmill is the weight-bearing machine that best simulates functional activities, such as walking or running.
The stair stepper can also translate to daily living, as in walking up a staircase. If you live in a two or three story house, training on a stair stepper can do wonders. Most elliptical trainers have upper body/lower body movement combinations, which provide you an opportunity to burn the most calories.
Non Weight - Bearing Aerobic
Non weight-bearing or seated aerobic machines are commonly used by special populations, such as the elderly or the obese. Bicycles create the most stabilized platform for one to do cardio. Exercisers who have lower extremity limitations find the bicycle a key tool. Recumbent bikes have a back support pad while upright bicycles do not. An upper body ergometer is the only aerobic machine that is strictly for the upper extremity. It can bring about a forward or backward circular motion, through the arms and shoulders.
References
- "Resistance Training Instruction" ; Everett Aaberg ; 2006
- "Functional Training for Sports" ; Micheal Boyle ; 2003
- "Fitness through Aerobics, Step Training and Walking" ; Karen Mazzeo ; 2006
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