| Fitness equipment is a large group of tools that are | | | | include devices such as the stationary bicycles, the |
| used in exercise and are referred to also as exercise | | | | treadmills, the elliptical trainers, aerobic riders, the stair |
| equipment. These can include simple items such as | | | | climbers, the ski and rowing machines. The stationary |
| balls, track shoes and skipping ropes as well as more | | | | bicycle focuses the exercise on the legs by the |
| complex pieces of equipment such as treadmills, | | | | action of pedaling. The treadmills are an all body |
| weights, bicycles and many others. Today a wide | | | | exercise as you may walk or run at various speeds. |
| range of fitness equipment is available for sale with | | | | There are also some models that can simulate slopes |
| new designs constantly being produced due to the | | | | for a more intense workout. |
| high demand for equipment that is effective in | | | | The stair climbers replicate the action of climbing a |
| building muscles and strength as well as for losing | | | | stairway. This device now also has modifications that |
| weight. | | | | replicate the pulling up action off the hands for a |
| Some of the types of fitness equipment available for | | | | more through workout. The skiing and rowing |
| use can be classified according the type of exercise | | | | machines work both the arms and legs simultaneously |
| for which they are built. The first class to be | | | | with the rowing machine also working the back |
| discussed is the strength training equipment. These | | | | muscles. The elliptical trainers are a cross between |
| include free weights and machines referred to as the | | | | the stair climbers and the ski machines. The aerobic |
| resistance machines. | | | | riders also exercise the arms and legs at the same |
| The most common type of resistance machine is one | | | | time by the use of a simultaneous pull and push |
| that uses gravity as a resistance source. This design | | | | motion. |
| is used mainly in weight machines. Gravity in | | | | There is also a miscellaneous group of fitness |
| combination with a simple design of pulleys, wheels | | | | equipment. These include items such as heart rate |
| and inclines, uses a percentage of the weight of the | | | | monitors and exercise balls as well as many others. |
| user as the resistance transferred. Other types of | | | | The heart rate monitors are used as a motivational |
| resistance machines can use other forces other than | | | | tool in exercise as they monitor the heart rate and |
| gravity to provide resistance. These include friction, | | | | provide feedback to the individual exercising. The use |
| spring-loaded, fan-loaded or fluid-loaded machines. | | | | of exercise balls has become very important in |
| Another type of equipment belonging to the strength | | | | training such as flexibility training and for balance as |
| training equipment is the bands and tubing, which are | | | | well. |
| lightweight options for training at home and in the | | | | When using any type of fitness equipment it is |
| office. | | | | always important to seek professional advice as the |
| The other class is the aerobic fitness equipment | | | | improper use of this equipment can cause severe |
| which is mainly the endless-path machines. These | | | | damage. |