How To Choose Exercise Equipment

Exercise equipment is any device or apparatus utilized during physical activity to improve the conditioning or strength effects of exercise by giving either adjustable or fixed amounts of resistance.

Exercise equipment may also consist of accessories. It is important to use the right type of exercise equipment and accessories to avoid injury.

These are some common exercise equipment:

• Resistance bands
• Free weights like bar bells, dumb bells, kettle bells
• Weight machines
• Pull-up bars
• EZ curl bar
• Tricep bar
• Benches: hyper extension bench, preacher bench, abdominal bench
• Swiss ball: stability ball
• Dipping bars, chin-up bar
• Racks: Dumb bell rack, weight tree, barbell rack, squat rack, power rack and Smith machine
• Leg press machines
• Hack squat machine
• Leg extension machine
• Leg curl machine
• Calf machines
• Leg abduction/ adduction machine
• Lat pull down machine
• Pec deck machine
• Cables and pulleys

Exercise accessories include:

• Gloves
• Wraps
• Weight lifting belt
• Wrist straps
• Head harnesses

With so many choices, you may be confused as to which ones are suitable for you; whether you should choose an item that burns most calories or one which has least impact on your joints?

Experts recommend that you should figure out which machine suits you best, the one you must like to use most. Here are some exercise equipment and their utility:

• Treadmill: It burns most calories among cardio-vascular machines-about 100 calories per mile. But walking may not suit an overweight person with joint pain. Treadmills can also pose a great balance challenge.
• Stair steppers and elliptical machines: These pose less strain on the joints. But since you are using it in a standing position, you are still burning more calories.
• Stationery bikes: They offer the best workout with least pressure on joints. People with joint pain are directed to these machines. When using this, adjust the seat height to ensure that the ball of your foot is on the pedal with a slight bend in the knee. Most people sit too low which can harm the knee. But this machine burns fewer calories.
• Rowing machines: They are highly advanced cardio-vascular machine. Rowers need coordination as you must push with your legs and pull with arms. Your core abdominal muscles are also exercised. This equipment uses many muscle groups and hence burns many calories. But this is not good for persons with back issues.

Here are some tips for selecting exercise equipment:

• Choose a machine which feels right: If impact is an issue, choose a stationary bike instead of a treadmill.
• More muscle use burns more calories: The equipment that moves the most muscles burns the most calories. But too much workout may also cause fatigue.
• Choose a varied routine: You may like the elliptical machine but don’t get stuck with it lest you feel bored. It is best to mix all types of exercise routines. Try a workout design that varies in intensity and speed.
• Set a time frame for working out.
• Make exercise routine a daily habit.
• Set realistic goals
• Get medical clearance for your workout routine

These are some of the things you need to keep in mind while choosing exercise equipment. Once you have decided, you can order exercise equipments online. Go for the ones that suit you best, rather than what someone else says.