Fitness Equipment

These days there’s such a huge array of fitness equipment available that anyone starting their exercise programme is spoilt for choice. How do you begin choosing which fitness equipment to use for the most effective workout? Luckily, there is also a vast array of advice and information available to guide you through the range of machines and devices on the market.

Fitness equipment can apply to everything from multigyms to skipping ropes, but the largest scale machines are generally those designed for cardiovascular exercise. The majority of gyms and health clubs have a considerable range of cardiovascular machines available, and the standard of equipment has never been higher. The days when a gym consisted of a couple of fixed wheel bikes and one set of sand-filled dumbbells are long gone. Some of the most popular cardiovascular machines include:

• cross-trainers
• Elliptical trainers
• Exercise bikes
• Recumbent bikes
• Rowing machines
• Treadmills

The advantage of a range of machines is that they are suitable for a range of different purposes. For example, rowing machines and elliptical trainers are ideal for warming up before resistance training, because they engage the muscles in the upper body as well as the legs. And for those with back problems, the recumbent back offers a more safe and comfortable option for a cardiovascular workout.

Using a range of cardiovascular machines can lead to a varied and satisfying workout. One 40 minute workout, when divided between treadmill, recumbent bike, cross-trainer and rowing machine for 10 minutes apiece, adds up to a demanding and stimulating cardiovascular session. And what’s more, you’ll use a far larger variety of muscles than you would sticking to one single piece of equipment for the entire workout.