Equipment for Strength and Muscle Gain

Treadmills

Exercise Bikes

Cross Trainers

Treadmills

One of the most popular machines used by gym goers, the treadmill is becoming a fixture in an increasing number of homes. Treadmill running is continuing to gain popularity for numerous reasons:

Running on a treadmill burns calories faster than most other types of exercise machines
It’s an easy and intuitive piece of exercise equipment to use
Kinder to joints than running on the pavement or roads
Shielded from having training programme being disrupted by unreliable outdoor weather

Exercise Bikes

The exercise bike has long been a popular CV option in home and gyms but since the advent of studio-based indoor bike classes it’s now more prevalent than ever.

Generally speaking exercise bikes are great to get the heart rate going and tone the lower body, although certain exercises can produce an all-over body workout on a bike.

Don’t forget exercise bikes are a no-impact option so the stress on the ankles, knees and back that you’d experience from an impact activity such as running is completely avoided. Also the movement is continuous and smooth, affording greater control and endurance alongside promoting knee stability

Cross Trainers

An elliptical trainer AKA ‘cross trainer’ is a cardio vascular machine designed to simulate the upper and lower body motions of walking, jogging and running while keeping the pressure off the joints.

Because it involves arms and legs a cross trainer is a big calorie burner - up to 12 calories a minute if you’re really exerting yourself plus it builds strength and endurance from a greater number of muscles than an exercise bike or a treadmill.

Cross trainers keep the impact low and the movement is guided by the handles and footplates minimising injury from impact or poor technique. And as well as being a big calorie burner a cross trainer can improve flexibility and tone the whole body.