bike rowing machine
Fitness Equipment Basics
Fitness equipment can be split into 2 basic areas, first there is aerobic or cardio fitness equipment which is designed to give you a fitness workout to burn off calories & loose weight. Secondly there is strength/muscular fitness equipment which is designed to tone, or increase in size, your bodies muscles.
Most fitness equipment that you would expect to find in your local gym or fitness centre can now be purchased for home use depending upon the space you have available & the type of fitness equipment you require.
For aerobic fitness equipment you should consider a treadmill, an exercise bike or a rowing machine.
Treadmills are popular because you can walk, jog or run on them making them an ideal piece of fitness equipment for the beginner right through to professional athletes, being suitable for all levels of fitness. Make sure you choose one with a wide belt that is long enough for your stride. If you jog or run a lot then you should consider a model with cushioning between the belt and treadmill bed to lesson the impact on your joints.
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Cardio Exercises – Which is Best?
When I first started cardio training, all I used to perform was running. I did not do much of it, probably about once a week, and did not do it for long, only ten to twenty minutes at a medium intensity. As time went by however, I started to learn about low intensity cardio, high intensity interval training and I started to use various cardio machines available at the gym. I have found each machine or cardio exercise to be different and below are my personal experiences of them.
Exercise Bike – A tough machine which produces great cardio benefits and strong legs. The only time it uses the upper body muscles is when you push down on the legs as they rotate. Probably not best to use the day before or on the same day of a leg workout with weights, or a strong martial art session which involves a lot of kicks. I have found it best to use a low intensity long duration approach with this machine as high intensity produces too much strain on the legs.
Cross Trainer – A great machine which works nearly all the muscles of the body and high intensity training will not place too much strain on a certain muscle group as opposed to the exercise bike. If you have a joint injury it is a good machine to use to get a cardio workout done without stressing the injury to much.
Rowing Machine – Although people swear that this machine gives them a great workout, for me, it has never done so. I don’t feel it produces many good cardiovascular benefits but does provide a good pump in the arms. I tend to stay away from it.
