Gym equipment
Cardio gym equipment
Cardio exercise is defined as exercise that increases heart rate and sweat production by working large muscle groups repetitively. Cardio is also known as aerobic exercise, as it makes your lungs take in more oxygen to fuel your muscles. A lot of popular exercises, such as running, HIIT, boxing, hiking, and spinning are prime examples of cardio. The NHS recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity a week, spread over a number of days. The benefits of cardio are numerous - weight loss, lowers blood pressure and risk of certain diseases, improved sleep, better mental health and immune system, stronger bones and muscles. The fact that cardio can be free to do, can be done anywhere and can require little equipment are added benefits. However, for a full-body workout, using some form of cardio equipment can be more beneficial and rewarding. Having cardio equipment in the home can also encourage individuals to work out more, as it negates travelling to the gym and regular gym membership costs. Because the home is a private space, home cardio equipment can be beneficial for those who have social anxiety or don't enjoy working out outdoors. What's the best cardio equipment for home? When looking to buy cardio equipment for your home, there are many things to consider, such as cost per use, if you have adequate space for it, and if the equipment is the right fit for your fitness wants and needs. The most popular pieces of cardio equipment include: treadmills cross-trainers/ellipticals upright bikes Before buying any home cardio equipment, it's important to do research into which brands and models best suit you and talk to a health professional for guidance on what exercises you should be doing. How do I take care of my cardio equipment? To avoid breaking them and expensive repair costs, it's important to take good care of your cardio equipment. Cleaning after use, regular maintenance checks, ensuring you're using the equipment correctly and following product guidelines are the best ways to ensure the performance of your cardio equipment. Can I do too much cardio? Overdoing any form of exercise will have negative consequences. It's a good idea to incorporate some form of moderate cardio every day, such as a lunchtime dance break or evening run, but too much cardio every day can actually do more harm than good. Those who do too much cardio can begin to lose muscle and slow down their metabolism (making weight loss or maintenance difficult), be more at risk of physical injury, experience heart problems, and see a decrease in the quality of their sleep. It's important to give the body enough time to rest and recover between workouts in order to gain more benefits.
Pilates & yoga
Getting the most out of your workouts isn't just about consistency and wearing the correct clothing - it's also about having the right equipment. There are various forms of Pilates and yoga depending on what type of workout you want to do and what your body needs, from hatha yoga to mat Pilates (the two most popular forms). Each form requires different equipment, clothing and accessories in order for you to gain the maximum benefits and to have a safe, comfortable workout. Both Pilates and yoga are popular forms of exercise to do at home as they don't necessarily require large pieces of equipment or 1-to-1 instruction. They are both low impact workouts that centre on bodyweight resistance, however including certain pieces of equipment can be beneficial in a number of ways. They can provide additional support for your body, make poses more challenging to hold, and increase your strength and balance. Many pieces of equipment, such as foam rollers, ankle weights, yoga wheels, resistance bands and workout mats can be used for both yoga and Pilates, making them cost-effective and multi-functional workout purchases. What is the best thickness for a yoga and pilates mat? The best thickness for a yoga mat is an eighth of an inch (around 3mm). At this thickness, the mat allows for even contact with the floor, helping you keep your balance and form. For a pilates mat, you want something much thicker - between 8 and 15mm. This is because your body requires more support for Pilates. However, if you're in the market for a mat to use for both yoga and Pilates, a mat around 6mm thick is ideal. How often should you do Pilates? In order to gain the full benefits of Pilates, it is recommended that you do a 20-minute Pilates workout at least three times a week. But if you want to improve your strength, flexibility and endurance, the maximum number of sessions recommended in a week is five. However, before starting any new type of exercise, please talk to a medical professional to make sure it's the right exercise for your body. How do muscle rollers work? Muscle rollers work by applying pressure to your muscles as you move over them. By doing this, they help relieve muscle tension, soreness and inflammation, and also increase blood flow and joint range. Muscles rollers can be used all over the body, with the most beneficial areas being the legs, back and upper arms.