Weight Training Equipment Choices - How To
Decide Between Free Weights And Weight Training
Machines
by Julie-Ann
Amos
zone3
Once you have made the decision to invest in weight training equipment
for your home gym, the next step is to determine which kind of equipment
to buy. Most fitness enthusiasts who want to include a weight training
routine as part of their overall fitness efforts will opt for either free
weights or a weight training machine.
Free Weights
Free weights include several separate components that you can combine
in a number of ways to vary your weight training routine. A complete set
of free weights will typically include:
• One barbell (sometimes two)
• Weight plates and safety collars
• Weight bench and rack
• Dumbbells
With these basic pieces of weight training equipment, you can easily
adjust the type, intensity and frequency of exercises performed. Because
the components are separate and not attached to each other, many fitness
enthusiasts find free weights to be the easiest type of weight training
equipment to fit into various sized spaces in their home.
If you are into very heavy lifting, you will want to invest in a power
rack. This is a heavy duty rack that adjusts to fit your height, allowing
you to squat and put the barbell across your back. Then you simply stand
up, do your specific exercise, and return the barbell to the power rack.
This is the safest way for you to do heavy lifting with your weight
training equipment.
Weight Training Machines
Some fitness enthusiasts opt for a weight training machine that
provides several workout stations and options, all attached to a single
steel frame. A typical weight training machine will allow you to do the
following:
• Bench press
• Lat pull down
• Leg extension
• Leg curl
• Bicep curl
• Low row
The type of weight training resistance will differ from machine to
machine. Some use adjustable weight plates while others use flexible rods
of various stiffness to modify resistance. There is also some training
equipment on the market that uses the weight of your own body combined
with gravity to create resistance, but be cautious about selecting this
type of home gym. They are not always of the highest quality, and many are
limited in terms of the types of exercises they can handle.
Which one is right for you?
Choosing which type of weight training equipment is right for you –
free weights or a weight training machine – will depend on a number of
factors. Before making your choice, think about the following:
Space – How much space do you have to accommodate the equipment?
Remember that you need enough room for the equipment itself, and also
enough room to walk around it and safely perform exercises.
Experience – If you are a seasoned weight training enthusiast
then you can be equally well-served by either type of weight training
equipment. If you are a novice, though, make sure that you understand and
use proper techniques for whichever type you buy.
Budget – Good quality weight training machines typically cost
more than good quality free weights, but either type can fall in a range
from inexpensive to top of the line. Be especially cautious of machines
that are extremely inexpensive, as they are likely make of inferior
quality materials.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie-Ann Amos is a freelance writer for
Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com, your complete guide to the best home
fitness and exercise equipment . She has contributed numerous articles on ab machines and weight training equipment .
Copyright 2006
Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com. Permission is granted to
publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included
and all links are hyperlinked.
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