Gym Equipment You Should Know How to Use

Article by Blythe Flake

The world of health and fitness is brimming over with guides that guarantee weight loss or muscle gain. The problem is that each person has specific needs, and very often these guides take a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address people’s specific challenges. Luckily, you will find that certain common pieces of gym equipment appear in nearly every fitness routine.

No matter your needs, here is a list of gym equipment that will help you reach your goals faster:

1. Treadmill

Over the past ten years, there has been a lot of debate over which cardio machines are the most effective. While the stair machine and elliptical are strong choices, there is simply nothing that outshines the old-fashioned treadmill. If you’re looking to shed pounds quickly, you’ll want to test your endurance and run long distances. If building muscle is your primary concern, use the treadmill for high intensity interval training.

2. Dumbbells and Barbell (Free Weights)

Learning to properly utilize your gym’s free weights will make a world of difference for your strength training. Dumbbells and barbells may be associated with curls and bench presses, but the list of exercises you can use them for is endless. A good training routine will target every muscle in your body, and free weights can be used to do just that. Plus, these are a great option for anyone wanting to exercise at home.

3. Seated Leg Press Machine

Free weights can certainly be used for lower body exercises, but doing so requires using some advanced techniques. The best machine for targeting your primary leg muscles is the seated leg press. Sitting with your legs extended horizontally, you place your feet on a platform and extend your legs while pushing the rest of your body backwards. There is no machine that targets a wider range of the important muscles in your legs. For a beginner, a few sets on this machine can count as a complete lower body workout.