Exercise Equipment:
Brand/Manufacturer is not important but the top commercial manufacturers are Cybex (like seen here), Nautilus, Life Fitness, Hammer Strength & Precor. Machines with belts or solid connections are better than cables.
Training on the desired muslces is the most important. If you wish to focus on improving your legs then make sure the health club has the leg machines to work the muscles you want.
If your shoulders need work then look for the equipment that works the deltoids. The list below is designed to help you identify which equipment will work the muscles you need.
If a desired piece of equipment is not found, you might want to ask if the same exercise can be produced with free weights as often is the case. Using machines is much more controlled and
is considered when used properly much safer than free weights. Still, there is a lot of benefits and exercises accomplished with free weights that can be done safely but not found with machines.
Chest Press: Works the chest muscles
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Chest Press: Another one for the chest but each arm is independant so each side is worked identically.
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Arm or Bicep Curl: For Biceps. Uses cables
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Bicep Curl: For Biceps again but uses belts which is better.
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Arm Extension: Works Triceps
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Back Extension: Works Lower-back muscles
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Dip & Chip-up Assist: The Dip Works the triceps as well anterior deltoid and the pectoralis muscles. Chin-ups work latissimus dorsi (large back muscles)
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Fly/Rear Delt: Fly works chest & Upper body. Rear Delt works Shoulders, Posterior Deltoid, Isolation, Machine, Upper Body
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Lateral Raise: Works the medial deltoid (shoulder)
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Lat Pulldown: Works Latissimus Dorsi, Rhomboids, Biceps & Upper Body
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Overhead Press: Works posterior deltoids (shoulders) and triceps
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Pulldown: Works the Latissimus dorsi (Lat) of the back. Similar to Lat Pulldown
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Seated Row: Seated Row exercises can be low (seen here) or high. Works the mid & upper back & shoulders.
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Tricep Press: Works triceps
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Glute: Works the gluteal muscles also known as the butt
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Hip Abduction: Works gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. Moving legs outward
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Hip Adduction: Works inner thighs. Moving legs inward
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Leg Curl: Works the hamstrings
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Leg Extension: Works the quadriceps (front of thighs)
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Leg Press: Works the quadriceps (front of thighs)
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Prone Leg Curl: Works the hamstrings. Some people prefer this over regular leg curl.
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Treadmills, cycles plus other similar machines are strictly for cardio (fat burning) but very popular. Most people look for adjustments or programs that fit their workout regimen. many have built-in tv’s.
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