Working Out in the Gym: Which Machines to Use?

When you visit your local gym, you could be overwhelmed if you look at the many available equipment and machines available, more so if it is your first time. So looking at all those equipment and machines, how do you decide which is the best? Or more importantly, which is the best for you? A great idea would be to get help. The gym would have employees who will be able to help you. Or you could even get one of the personal trainers to show you around as well as to show how each machine works and how it can help you. Why is it important to know this? Well, if you were to incorporate using the exercise machines at the gym into your regular workout schedule, you are bound to get fantastic results as mixing these two will challenge your muscles even more. Machines like the treadmills and the rowers are also excellent for you to combine with your aerobics exercise as they can help cut down the stress put on your joints.

As mentioned, there are so many machines available at the gym. However among all these machines are some which are better than others. These machines will help you to burn more fat and calories. Not only that, they will also tone, shape and strengthen your muscles, thus providing more advantages than other machines. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these machines. You can request for a trainer to demonstrate their usage when you’re at the gym. On the other hand, most of these machines are pretty straightforward, so you can more or less figure out how to use them. If you can utilise one or more of these machines in your regular workout sessions for maybe two to three times a week, you will be able to see the amazing results and changes in your body.

The Treadmill

The treadmill is probably the mother of all gym machines. More than just your average walking machine, treadmills now come equipped with various feature including arm tools for you to exercise your arms at the same time, and also incline adjustments which can provide a greater challenge for your muscles. On the front of the treadmill there is a digital panel that can provide you with important information like the calories that you’ve burned and the completed distance that you’ve walked. Most of the treadmills now also come with pre-planned computerised workouts, which you can choose from. A good workout should challenge your muscles by changing the speed and stride as well as the incline at different intervals throughout the workout. This could help you burn up to twice the amount of calories compared to a normal walking workout. To challenge your muscles even more and to add spice to your exercise session, you could incorporate arm movements while walking. Raise your arms up and down according to the pace of your walk. Try reaching out as far as you can with alternating arms. All this can get your heart to beat faster and will increase the amount of calories burned.

The Lateral Pulldown

In all the machines at the gym, there has to be a weight machine that provides tone and shaping of your core muscles, your arms and your back. The answer is the lateral pulldown machine. In one simple movement you can do all that. First stand at the front of the machine with your feet about shoulder width apart and holding a handle in each hand. Now bring your arms backward as the weight pulls your hands. Do this slowly, and make sure your arms do not go pass your shoulders or else you may get injured. Now pull the bands slowly down and forward and you can feel the effort from your core as well as your back muscles. Try to repeat this movement for 3 sets of 20 repetitions. One thing you need to make sure is that the weight is manageable. If it is not, do ask for help, as you do not want to injure yourself in the process. Lateral pulldowns can be great for shaping up your core and back muscles, all within three workout sessions a week. Although the calorie that you burn through this lateral pulldown is not a big amount, you get to replace all that fat with muscle, thus increasing your daily metabolic rate as muscles require more fuel compared to fat.

The Rowing Machine

Ok, first of all, don’t be alarmed if this looks like you’ll be training for the boat race. The rowing machine can build a strong back, arms, legs as well as core muscles in as little as four workout sessions a week. Yes, this humble equipment is a powerful tool. First sit up straight on the seat and make sure your abdominal muscles are tight. Now grab the handles and push off with your legs while at the same time pulling back your body. To burn the maximum amount of calories, make sure you keep a good posture throughout the workout. Now row for twenty minutes, or thirty depending on your fitness level. After the rowing workout make sure you stretch your body fully. If you can do this up to three to four times a week, you will be able to see the differences in your body in as soon as a few weeks.