FITNESS EQUIPMENT
With the incidence of obesity in the U.S. skyrocketing it is no secret that exercise should become a part of our daily lives. But what fitness equipment will work best for you? It all depends on where you plan on working out and exactly what your fitness goals are. There is no perfect piece of fitness equipment only the one that is perfect for you. When asked which piece of cardiovascular equipment is best a common response from personal trainers across the country is, "the one you hate the least".
LOCATION :
We have plenty of places to choose from when deciding where we want to exercise. Large health clubs, boutique training centers and home gyms can be equipped with fitness equipment that will start you on a path towards increased energy and overall better health. Others choose to do their exercise outdoors rather than be confined to the crowded, night club like setting of most large fitness centers. We will help decipher all of the choices available and get you started on your fitness quest.
Large health clubs will contain the greatest quantity and variety of fitness equipment anywhere. They may have low to moderate monthly dues (depending on your geographic location) and a trained staff to help orient you with the proper use of the wide array of strength training and aerobic fitness equipment. The down side to these types of facilities are the large crowds during peak hours and the twenty-something bodybuilding/power lifting crowd that many find intimidating.
Boutique training centers cater to a more upscale clientele and are usually set in quiet, well maintained private facilities. These may include both personal training as well as Pilates studios and will provide the highest customer service as well as cost. They are usually equipped with the same quality fitness equipment you might find in a large health club but will be lacking in total number of pieces. The upside is that large crowds and sign-up sheets for machines are unheard of in these types of facilities.
Home gyms offer the most convenience but the least amount of quality and variety of fitness equipment. The most positive aspect of a home gym is the fact that you don't have to deal with rush hour traffic on the roads or in the health clubs, making your workouts extremely time efficient. Along with the convenience, however, comes the ability to get somewhat lazy with your workouts. It is all to easy to get distracted by your spouse, kids, phone, doorbell, etc. and skip your workout altogether. The sad truth is that most home fitness equipment ends up being a very expensive place to hang your clothes.
FUNCTION :
Each component of fitness will have several corresponding pieces of fitness equipment that are best suited to help you reach your goals. For example, a marathoner certainly will not want to spend hours performing bench presses just as a sumo wrestler would not want to spend the afternoon pedaling away on a bicycle.
If muscle strength and endurance are your goals then you most likely will be spending time, a lot of it, in the weight room. Dumbbells and barbells along with resistance machines will help you achieve stronger muscles, tendons and ligaments, increased lean body mass and HDL (good) cholesterol as well as functional ability in older adults.
If your goal is to increase aerobic fitness or decrease body fat than running, cycling or swimming will make up the bulk (no pun intended) of your training program. Most health clubs, large or small, will have "cardio areas" well equipped with the type of fitness equipment needed to get your heart rate up and make you break a sweat. The addition of FM transmitters or satellite TV will help with the boredom that quickly ensues with long indoor aerobic workouts. Benefits of aerobic exercise include improved weight control, increased function of heart and lungs, lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, decreased triglycerides and reduced body fat.
MANUFACTURERS :
When choosing equipment for your home gym, there are many reputable companies making high quality, affordable fitness equipment. This may be just a partial list but they are all companies that provide fitness equipment to some of the largest and most prestigious facilities around.
Treadmills -the gold standard has to be Woodway. Highest quality and durability but also the highest price. More commonly you will find equipment made by Star Trac, Quinton and Life Fitness.
Stationary Bikes -Life Fitness seems to be the overwhelming favorite but with the introduction of built in power meters to gauge intensity CycleOps puts out a great indoor spinning bike.
Elliptical Trainers -Life Fitness and Precor are the main suppliers of this newer type of fitness equipment with the latter being a more popular choice.
Resistance Machines/Free Weights -companies like Icarian, Polaris, Life Fitness and Hammer Strength provide durable and effective fitness equipment
Great fitness and diet help resources:
For Muscle Building And Fat Loss Program. Build muscle and shed fat with tips from trainer and bodybuilder Shawn LeBrun
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WeightLoss eBook :Negative Calorie Foods. Popular Weight loss Program. 3 Diet Plans, 150 recipes with negative calorie foods! Pictures of Negative Calorie Foods.
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