Exercise Equipment
Maximize Your Efforts with the Right Equipment
First of all, let me set you straight right off the bat. Regardless of what you see advertised on TV, there is no such thing as a magic "Ab Blaster" or "Butt Zapper" that will produce a firmly shaped body with little or no effort. Most of the fitness gizmos you see advertised on TV or in magazines do work, but only if you work them.
Same goes for any type of exercise equipment. If you're not going to use it consistently, then you might as well save your money. However, if you're serious about improving your physical health (and I hope you are), then using the right kind of exercise equipment can significantly speed your progress.
Equipment Types
Exercise equipment is usually divided into three general categories based on the type of exercise performed on it (or with it). These categories are:
- Cardio Equipment. This type of equipment is designed to elevate your heart and breathing rate and keep it there for a predetermined time in order to strengthen your cardio system. Examples of cardio exercise equipment include stationary bikes, tread-mills, and elliptical trainers, to name a few. Most modern versions of cardio equipment have display screens that provide a readout of a number of things such as your elapsed exercise time, effort level, calories burned, and heart rate.
- Strength Equipment. Designed to improve and increase muscle strength and tone, this type of equipment uses either weights or resistance bands to give your muscles a good workout. Examples include free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells, as well as the numerous types of weight machines that are designed to work specific muscle groups.
- Flexibility & Balance Equipment. This category includes most of the specialized equipment that is used by specific exercise systems to improve your body's flexibility and balance. Examples include the strap and block used by Yoga practitioners or the toning ring and balance ball used in Pilates.
What Type of Equipment is Best for Me?
Here's where many people go wrong. Assuming that one type of equipment is better than another is the wrong way to approach this subject. I know it's natural go walk into a gym, see all the guys at the weight machines and all the women on the cardio machines and assume that women shouldn't use weights and that no real man would be caught dead on an elliptical trainer. But this is flat wrong and if you fall victim to this assumption, you'll rob yourself of the numerous benefits that these different machines provide.
Here's the short answer: your exercise routine should incorporate equipment in all 3 categories. You want a balanced routine that is going to improve the physical health of your entire body. There's little point in having "6-pack abs" if you don't have the cardio capacity to climb a flight of stairs. Your goal should be balanced health and fitness and that means including cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises in your fitness routine.
Professional Gym Equipment
Although it's not necessary to join a commercial gym, for most people, this is probably the most convenient option. Most gyms have a wide variety of the latest and best quality exercise equipment along with the staff to show you how to use them - a big advantage. Many also offer other types of exercise programs such as dance classes or step aerobics which adds a little variety to your exercise routine.
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to join a commercial gym:
- Check with your employer as well as your health insurance provider to see if they have an employee health program that includes discounts on gym membership. Many companies, as well as the insurance companies that provide health insurance, have found that encouraging employees to stay healthy is a good investment.
- Make sure the gym location and operating hours are convenient for you. If it's not convenient, you're not going to go. It's that simple.
- Almost all gyms offer some kind of introductory membership. Make sure you try out all of their facilities before you commit to any long term contract.
- Although I hope you have decided to make exercise a life time commitment, your membership contract doesn't have to be a life sentence. Most gyms offer memberships with a wide variety of contract lengths. Make sure you select one with a length that you're comfortable with and that has termination and refund terms that you can live with.
- Some gyms are part of regional or national chains and will allow you to workout at any of their locations. This is a big advantage if you travel.
- Take a good look around and pay attention to what you see. Is the facility clean and well maintained? Are the staff pleasant and professional? Is the parking lot well lit? If there are child care facilities, is it well supervised? Are the shower and bathroom facilities well maintained? Is there plenty of room for everyone? Is the staff available for questions and equipment demos?
- In addition to the flashy, big name gyms, make sure you also check to see if there are any public or civic organizations in your area that have gym facilities. The local Y, a nearby college, church, or city facility may all be options. True, you won't get as much variety or convenience as with a larger commercial gym but the difference in cost may be more than worthwhile.
It's estimated that 40-50% of all gym memberships go unused within the first year. Make sure you make a solid commitment to yourself that you'll actually use the membership on a consistent basis before you sign on the dotted line.
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