Between workouts geared toward gaining muscle, losing fat and improving overall fitness level, you may perform a virtually limitless array of exercises. Although you can perform many exercises without the aid of equipment, using exercise equipment may help you gain muscle or lose fat more effectively because of the added resistance. Consult a medical professional before beginning a workout plan.
Barbells
As the name suggests, barbells consist of long bars that hold weight plates on each end. Barbells allow you to lift heavy weights with a standard grip, as opposed to attempting to lift a large, heavy object that might be awkward to carry. Many workout exercises can be performed with barbells, such as the squat -- which fitness expert Jeff Anderson calls the "king of compound exercises," because it works so many muscles in your body. Other barbell exercises include the deadlift, bench press, barbell row and barbell shoulder press.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells resemble miniature versions of barbells and can be held with just one hand. Dumbbells are more manageable than barbells and can allow you to work on your coordination and muscle balance. You can perform many exercises with dumbbells, including dumbbell squats, chest presses and dumbbell lunges. The diet website, 3 Fat Chicks, states that dumbbell lunges are "one of your best weapons" in a lower-body workout.
Smith Machine
The Smith machine is a simple machine that can be used for a wide array of exercises. The machine consists of a barbell, suspended between two support pillars, which can be moved up and down as you perform exercises. You can use the Smith machine to perform squats and rows, and, if you have a bench, you can perform shoulder presses and bench presses as well.
Exercise-specific Machines
Many pieces of exercise equipment are designed for one specific exercise. Typically, these machines are not cost-effective for home use, but they can be found in health clubs and commercial gyms. Exercises with specific machines include the leg press, leg curl, shoulder press, chest press, leg extension, seated row, high row, triceps dips and arm curl.
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