Trusted Health Products
Written By Sheerin Jafri / Reviewed By Ray Spotts
With all the hustle and bustle of daily life, attention to our physical fitness takes a backseat. But one day, something in you just snaps and suddenly you have a gym membership, and now you’ve opened up a slot in your day for the gym. You’re motivated to get back into shape and be an example for all your peers.
Entering the gym, you see a plethora of equipment, and now you have no idea where to start. It becomes quite confusing. If you’re one of those people, fret not, for we bring for you a complete guide on common gym equipment and which muscles are targeted with their use. Without further ado, let’s see what you’re up against.
Treadmill
A treadmill is a machine upon which you can run and walk indoors. On this machine, you can adjust the speed according to your comfort, going from a casual walk to a complete sprint. It’s a great way to warm up your body and get your cardiovascular system going. It’s also a great way to stimulate those core and leg muscles before moving on to other gym equipment.
Weights
The most common equipment associated with a gym is weights. Weight equipment comes in many shapes, each targeting a different set of muscles. Let’s explore the different weights and the aimed muscle development with their use.
- Kettlebells: It is a cast iron ball with a handle on top. There are different kettlebell sizes and weights to choose from, depending on your level of fitness. Kettlebells are used for a range of exercises, including cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training.
- Dumbbells: This is another free weight equipment that comes in different weights. Depending on what you can manage, it can either be a fixed weight or can be adjusted. It is lifted using only one hand, and reps with the dumbbell aim to stimulate bicep and forearm muscle development.
- Barbells: A barbell is a long rod with weights attached at the ends of it. This makes the overall weight of the barbell adjustable. This piece of equipment has many uses, like bench presses, bicep curls, weightlifting, deadlifts, squats, and other compound movements.
Rowing Machine
A rowing machine is another piece of equipment commonly seen at the gym. It aims to recreate the rowing experience, where you overcome the resistance of water with your oars to move the boat forward.
If we look at the movements involved, this machine makes for a great workout for your arms, legs, and your back somewhat. It is also a great workout for your lungs and a good source of cardiovascular stimulation.
Elliptical Machine
This machine integrates running and arms exercise and is also a great way to get your daily cardio. You imitate a running motion, and for those with knee issues, it is the perfect machine to work out on as it places no pressure on the knees. You can vary the resistance depending on your level of training and fitness and get in more activity from your muscles.
Stair Mill
This piece of equipment works like a treadmill, except the movement, imitates walking up the stairs. It is a great form of low-impact cardio, and with variable incline and speed settings, you can get in a great workout for your legs, specially your calf muscles.
Leg Press Machine
If you’ve ever talked to a regular gym-goer and have heard them share their horror stories about “leg day,” then this is the machine that is the stuff of nightmares for them, but for good reasons.
Leg press machines aim to effectively target the hamstring, calf muscles, and thighs without strain to the joints. There is bound to be some soreness post-workout with so much muscle involvement.
Leg Curl Machine
This piece of equipment uses a set of pulleys to combine weight training for hamstring muscles. The weight is adjustable on this one. Just like we use barbells for bicep curls, leg curls are done with the purpose of toning and strengthening the hamstring muscles. You have the option of adjusting the range of your leg movement to fit in a better workout for your muscles.
Cycling Machine
A cycling machine is sort of like the elliptical machine, but without the arm movements involved. It aims to stimulate muscular development without too much strain on the joints. With the option of variable movement resistance, you can fit in a more strenuous cardio workout and stimulate better leg muscle development.
With an understanding of the basic equipment you see at the gym, you are now ready to start your journey to fitness. However, you must remember that you must factor in an expert’s advice on the use of this equipment.
There are certain techniques that go with the use of each piece of equipment, and any movement in the wrong position can have devastating effects on your body in the long run. Make sure you learn the proper technique before going hardcore with your workouts.
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Written By:
Sheerin Jafri is a creative and passionate blogger who loves to write on various trending topics. She looks forward to pursuing a career as a financial analyst and is keen to learn about business and lifestyle.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
