It seems like almost every time you turn on the TV these days, there is an advert for some kind of gym, health club membership or exercise equipment. The latest and greatest treadmill or best all in one machines are advertised frequently. And why not? The simple fact is that people ‘love’ being reminded about them!
We’re always looking for ways to shape up faster and without too much effort, it’s just human nature and that’s just what this equipment claims to do. Work out for just 20 minutes a day, three days a week and you’ll have the body of a supermodel in just a month. If only that were true! We wouldn’t have to put ourselves through the hassle of going to the gym everyday.
If you are looking for some quality exercise equipment though, it is available. You just need to do some research and if you can, talk to enough qualified, experienced people to learn what equipment will be best for your fitness goals and training routine.
A treadmill for example, works for a lot of people who like to work out in the privacy of their own home. There are a lot of benefits that can be gained from running on a treadmill everyday. This type of aerobic exercise is good for your heart and lungs. Just be sure to keep tabs on your heart rate so you don’t over do it and step into the danger zone. A general rule of thumb for running is that you should be able to talk semi-comfortably while you’re running. If you can talk without any trouble at all, you’re probably not running hard or fast enough. If you can’t talk because you’re busy huffing and puffing, you’re probably pushing yourself too hard. Slow down a bit, take it one step at a time and find out your comfortable level to start with.
There are several other types of exercise equipment available that are beneficial to our health as well.
Rowing machines are fantastic as they work 84% of the body’s muscle mass whereas running only uses about 50%. Moreover it achieves this without the stress or strain on the knee and ankle joints; something commonly associated with running. It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out that you’ll get faster overall results (in less time) rowing than you would running, cycling or cross training. Rowing is definitely going to become a more popular exercise for people indoors.
Another popular piece of equipment these days is the exercise ball. They come in different sizes, so it’s important to determine which one will work for the goals you have in mind. There are many muscles that you can work using the ball, from the abs to the back, thighs, neck, and so much more. Balls usually come with a set of instructions so you’ll know how to use it to work on and target different muscles. It’s also a great way to stretch your muscles -an important factor in every work out.
Some people prefer yoga or Pilates as their main workout. Each of these activities has their own set of exercise equipment. For example, if using an exercise ball, it makes sense to invest in a decent mat. Not only will it give you comfort while you’re lying on the floor, it’ll keep dust and dirt from getting tangled up in your hair or clothes. Have fun!
