Weightlifting equipment comes in all shapes and sizes and is able to suit the novice to the experienced body building competitors. Most gyms have a range of weightlifting equipment in a certain area, which may often be divided into men's and women's weight rooms, though mostly such equipment is placed in one room or area. Some weight equipment, such as barbells, racks and cable machines can be purchased for home use, though it's often more convenient just to purchase a gym membership in order to benefit from a wide range of equipment types, styles and purposes. In general, weightlifting equipment can be divided into categories, which make them easier to identify and define their purposes.
Free Weights
Free weights are generally defined as those that are not connected to cables, pulleys or stands bolted into the floor. Free weights include barbells, dumbbells and weight discs that come in weights that range from 2 pounds to 75 pounds, sometimes more. Dumbbells come in different materials and styles from galvanized metal to light weight rubber and range in poundage from 2 pounds to 120 pounds a pair.
Seated Calf
Weight lifting equipment that works the legs may include those that work all major muscle groups in the lower body, including Seated Calf machines, which work the calves, as well as Squat and Calf Raise machines, which offer lifting squat capabilities as well as calf work. Weights are added to the shoulders to enable exercisers to perform squats or lower leg work with up to 800 pounds of weights added to the shoulders.
Leg Presses
Vertical Leg Presses enable individuals to lie on their back and lift weights with the legs in an upward or vertical motion, while Leg Curl and Extension machines work the thighs and hamstrings.
Arms and Shoulders
Work on the upper body is achieved on equipment such as the Preacher Curl Bench, which offers seated preacher curl biceps workouts. A padded, slanted 'tray' placed in front of the seat enables a wide range of motion and meets needs of both tall or short individuals with an adjustable bench or seat.
Triceps
Triceps Pressdown machines enable individuals to work the triceps muscle group, found at the back of the arm. Seated, a person may grasp and push down on two handles on each side of the torso to work the entire back of the arm and upper rear shoulders, while the Biceps and Triceps machine offers capabilities to work both muscle groups by changing the position of the front weight bar.
Pecs
Machines that work the shoulders, deltoid and pectoral muscles offer a range of equipment, from the Shoulder machine to the Rear Delt Fly machine or Pec Dec machine, all of which offer a variety of positions and weight capabilities to work the front and rear of the shoulder, upper arms and upper back and chest muscles.
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