Equipment used for weight lifting comes in a wide array of shapes, sizes and functions. You can find a weight lifting machine or accessory for virtually every body part at most gyms and health clubs. Lifting weights is an effective way to build muscle and keep your body healthy. Check with your physician before you start a weight lifting program.
Benches
Different types of benches are common fixtures in health clubs and home gyms. Incline, decline and flat benches are used to work your chest and for a variety of different seated exercises. A preacher curl bench is designed for you to hang your arms over a pad and isolate your biceps muscles. You can also find a few different types of abdominal benches and slant boards to work your midsection from various angles.
Free Weights
Free weights refers to weights that are not attached to anything and move freely. This includes barbells and the weight plates that fit onto them and dumbbells. Weight plates and dumbbells may be made of metal, or different types of rubber or plastic. Weight plates generally range from a couple of lb. to about 45 lb., and you can find dumbbells from 1 lb. to more than 100 lb. each.
Leg Press Machine
The leg press machine is a good quadriceps builder and can help prevent injuries. You sit in a seat at a 45-degree angle, facing up. Your feet press against a platform that holds the weight. You raise and lower the platform with your legs to exercise your quads. Your back is supported throughout the movement, and injury is unlikely.
Leg Extension Machine
The leg extension machine creates definition in your quadriceps just above the knees. You sit in a seat and hook your ankles under rollers that attach to cables, which attach to the weights. You lift your legs straight out in front, flexing your thighs at the top, before lowering your legs and repeating.
Lat Pulldown Machine
A lat pulldown machine creates a movement similar to chin-ups, only you pull the weight to you rather than pulling your body up. You sit on a seat and place your thighs under a bar to prevent you from rising up as you exercise. Holding the overhead bar with a wide grip, you pull it down to your collarbone area, then extend your arms back up. You can use a palms-up or palms-down grip to work different areas of your back and arms.
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