Weight-Lifting Equipment
Using Weight-Lifting Apparatus
Lifting weights is the main type of strength-training
exercise for bodybuilding and muscle development. If you are a beginner
at weight-lifting, you may not need anything more than a weight or gym
bench, plus a few hand-weights. On the other hand, if you are very experienced
in resistance training workouts using barbells, free weights and dumbells,
then buying extra weight-lifting equipment may be essential in order to
maximize your muscle-mass and fully develop your body frame and muscule
fitness.
Health Benefits of Strength-Training
Weight or strength-training has a wide range
of health benefits. It increases strength in muscles and bones, boosts
metabolic rate, improves heart-health, improves body flexibility, posture
and movement, and helps control weight.
Types of Weight Lifting Apparatus
There is a huge range of weight-lifting equipment,
including: Barbells, Bench Press, Body Bars, Curl Bar, Dumbells, Hand
Weights, Home Gyms (eg. BandFlex, BowFlex), Incline Press, Lat Pulldown,
Leg Curl Machine, Leg Extension Machine, Leg Press Machine, Preacher Curl
Bench, Pull-Up Bar, Shoulder Press Machine, Squat Machine, Toe Raise Machine,
Tricep Pulldown V-Bar, Weight Bars, Benches, Weight Collars, Gloves, Weight
Plates, Weight Racks.
Essential Weight Lifting Equipment
Two very useful items of weight-lifting equipment
are weight-benches, and hand-weights/dumbells.
Weight Bench
Buy one with at least a 2 inch steel frame
that supports an Olympic size bar. Price Guide: $120.00-$600.00
Dumbells/Hand-Weights
Dumbells are available in a wide range of
different weights. The least expensive option is to buy the classic cast
iron dumbells. Chrome dumbells are attractive and comfortable to use,
but typically cost several times more than the cast iron variety of weights.
Price Guide: (Cast-iron) About 50 cents per pound.
Barbell
Like a dumbell, only with a bar. Weights/plates
can be added at each end to increase or decrease the load being lifted.
Two dumbells can be substituted for a barbell, but some weight-lifters
prefer the more even distribution of weight the barbell offers, as well
as enhanced balance when lifting very heavy weights, but others will prefer
to stay with dumbells.
Body Bar
A body bar is like a barbell, only it has
no plates or end-weights and is generally padded. The weight of the bar
(usually 12-18 pounds) is evenly distributed across the length of the
bar. Many people like using a body bar to vary their strength training
program. Body bars are more expensive than a barbell of comparable weight,
and cannot be made heavier by adding plates.
Weight Lifting Equipment
and Weight Control
Weight Lifting Equipment machines improve
health and fitness, build muscle tissue, and develop a leaner body shape.
They also help to raise metabolism and may also help to develop a flat
stomach. To lose fat tissue, and reduce weight, workouts using Weight
Training machines need to be combined with a calorie-controlled diet.
Because unless you create a calorie deficit, you can't burn fat and therefore
lose weight.
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