Equipment workouts

Choosing equipment workouts can help you work towards your fitness goals, whether your aim is general fitness or specific sports-related training. You can use equipment workouts for both cardiovascular training and strength training, and they’re just as appropriate for a gym-based programme or a home workout.

 

Of course it is possible to exercise without using any machines or props at all – and you shouldn’t let a lack of access to these facilities put you off continuing your fitness programme. Running, swimming and yoga are all activities you can do without any props. But what you will find is that using extra kit can help bring more variety into your programme, and make your exercise regime more efficient and more fun.

Here are some of the types of equipment workouts available for you to choose from:

  • Exercise videos and DVDs
  • Resistance bands
  • Swiss ball
  • Free weights
  • Weights machines
  • Cardiovascular machines


Free weights, for example, are often avoided by many women, but they needn’t be the exclusive domain of bodybuilders. In fact, free weights offer one of the most efficient ways to develop your strength, and also burn more calories, so if your goal is weight loss they’re an ideal element to include in your programme.

There are also a whole range of machines available tailored towards cardiovascular exercise, including rowing machines, treadmills and cross-trainers. Treadmills offer an excellent weather-proof alternative to running outdoors, and also provide a more controlled environment, while cross-trainers also engage the upper body at the same time, resulting in a full-body workout.
 

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