Exercise is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy body. Basic exercise equipment can be used to protect your body from injury, enhance the efficiency of your exercises and add greater resistance to develop muscle. The specific types of equipment you use can vary depending upon your fitness level, physical limitations and personal preference.
Essentials
You can create an effective home gym with nothing more than a yoga mat, set of resistance bands and a mirror. A yoga-style mat can provide you with greater traction during cardio movements as well as cushion your body during floor exercises. Resistance bands are long, elastic straps that can be used a variety of ways to enhance your flexibility and increase muscle tone. A mirror allows you to spot yourself during a workout, ensuring that you maintain good form throughout each movement to avoid an injury.
Attire
Workout clothes and shoes are necessary pieces of exercise equipment. Exercise clothes are designed to be fitted, flexible and cool. Tight, fitted clothing will not get caught in the moving components of exercise machines. Tight, elastic clothing is supportive and breathable and will not cause chafing. Some fabrics are designed to wick moisture away from your body as you sweat, keeping you dry and comfortable. Your exercise shoes should be considered an investment in your health. The wrong shoes can injure your feet, knees and back.
Free Weights
Free weights are used to improve the overall tone of your muscles, not necessarily to build bulk. According to KidsHealth, barbells, dumbbells, hand weights and weight machines are popular types of free weights. Most gyms are equipped with a variety of weight machines that allow you to move efficiently from one exercise to the next without having to make a lot of changes to your equipment. Working out with any type of weights requires correct technique to avoid injury. Enlist the help of a gym staff member or personal trainer so that you can develop good form.
Stability Ball
Using a stability ball is a great way to improve your balance, encourage greater flexibility and increase your muscle tone, states the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). A stability ball is a large, inflatable ball that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of an adult. A stability ball will challenge your balance and falling off is a danger. At first, you may want to place your ball up against a wall to keep it from rolling out or provide lateral support by placing chairs on either side, recommends the ACSM.
Cardio Machines
There are four basic types of cardio machines that you will find in most commercial gyms. Home models are also available. The treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike and stair climber are all versatile and convenient ways to perform an aerobic workout. You can adjust the settings of these machines to increase or decrease the intensity of your workouts, according to your personal fitness needs.
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