An increasing number of people are becoming aware and seeking to improve their fitness and overall health. In view of this, it is important to properly equip our gyms or professional training service with the best gym material, without breaking the bank. We’re talking about materials, not machinery!
The space we have available and our objectives as professionals, along with the budget, are important as they will pave the way for the future of our gym or personal training service. But what are the must-haves? We’ll discuss this in this article, but first of all let’s look at the advantages of training with or without materials.
Advantages of training with materials
One of the greatest advantages of training with materials is how versatile and dynamic they are. What’s more, they allow you to perform certain movements with the intensity and resistance you need at any given moment by varying the weight or the accessory you use.
On the other hand, they let you perform a wide range of exercises in a short time and to exercise different muscles that would be more difficult to strengthen without equipment. This is a complete training that you can adapt to your starting fitness level and, later, modify it as you progress.
What’s more, it’ll help burn fat, tone the entire body and improve overall well-being while strengthening the immune system.
Advantages of training without materials
Training without materials means training with our own body weight. This has different benefits, but what are they?
- It can prevent injuries, by performing varied exercises, but less repetitive and mechanical than those we perform with the usual fitness training machines.
- Get out of the usual comfort zone, because it takes us out of our usual workout routine and allows us to keep our body guessing.
- You’ll develop muscle strength and burn calories, but the important thing is that we’ll feel active.
- You’ll improve your level of concentration, get to know your body better and develop greater agility and mobility.
- You’ll have more control over your body, as your limits will be set during training.
Types of gym equipment
These are the basic essentials that every gym or personal training service should have, without having to break the bank. A reasonable and very useful reference for your clients to develop their training, achieve their goals, and be motivated and happy with the results.
These are the 10 that you can include with little effort:
1. Dumbbells and barbells
Dumbbells may be a very traditional, but they are so because they can be used in a wide range of ways when it comes to personal training. They are available in different weights and most have a standard shape so that they can be held with one or two hands at the same time.
They can be used as a load or as a support surface, so the number of exercises that can be performed is very high.
In the case of the barbells, they are the second most popular in gyms. Once again, they are versatile because they can be used as a load or as a support surface.
What’s more, different plates can be added to obtain the weight you need for each exercise. They also let you work the lower body, the chest as well as perform movements that will work other parts of the body.
2. Weights
Kettlebells are more recent than dumbbells and offer numerous advantages over them. They are also just as versatile.
They allow us to work on toning and strength, burn calories and get a functional workout with exercises for the whole body. They can be bought in specialized stores in different sizes and colors, but they all have the same shape, which is what makes them so beneficial.
3. Resistance bands
Another personal training classic. Resistance bands are used in rehabilitation centers, gyms, at home… They are small in size, adapt to different objectives and are extremely versatile.
As a result, they offer endless workout possibilities. They can be used alone or with other materials or equipment to perform variations of the same exercises.
4. TRX
The TRX is a harness system that can be used for suspension work. The main difficulty is that we use our own weight as a load.
Our hands or feet are rested on the handles and the rest of our body on the floor. Another way to use it is to remain completely suspended to work on different exercises at a higher intensity.
5. Fitball
It is also known as Swiss ball and is the giant ball commonly used in Pilates and Yoga. It can be used as a support or rolled and moved. All muscle groups will be worked intensively: arms, legs, middle zone, back and other parts of the body.
It comes in different sizes and is perfect for improving coordination, balance, flexibility and strength.
6. Ropes
One of the most popular pieces of equipment in the world of CrossFit. They can be used for climbing, jumping rope or rope training, which entails moving the ropes up and down in the shape of waves.
Not all ropes are the same. Use a thinner and shorter one to jump and perform different routines. On the other hand, to tone the abdomen and burn calories, opt for the battle rope.
7. Weighted vest
This vest has a series of weights that you can be added or removed to perform different movements without the need to use barbells or dumbbells. In other words, your limbs will be completely free.
Before buying it, you should take into account the characteristics to make sure it is suitable for your body and needs. Remember that it must be washable, breathable and resistant. You’ll be able to run, jump, do pull-ups, or muscle-ups among other activities.
8. Jump box
Jump boxes are common in CrossFit and in some gyms. Its height can be changed depending on needs.
The most popular exercise with this element is jumping onto the box. However, far from being something boring and monotonous, different exercises and variations can be performed.
The jump box helps you gain power, strength, muscle tone, aerobic capacity and, of course, burn calories.
9. Step
It is an adjustable step, but, unlike the former, it is used to go up and down as stairs, not as a jump. Step-ups are a classic way to work on strength. It can also be used to work different muscle groups and burn calories while raising your heart rate.
They are quite common in group classes and as part of a strength routine in gyms. We can use it as a way to work on several muscles.
10. Electrical stimulation suit
The electrical stimulation suit is one of the greatest tools in modern sports training. This device produces contractions to stimulate your muscles and work them in a simple, direct and effective way. What’s more, electrical stimulation training leads to changes in body composition. Some of the advantages of electrical stimulation are:
- Improves your body posture.
- Reduces fat.
- Increases flexibility and elasticity.
- Relieves stress.
- Develops muscle, but also strength and endurance. Helps you to perform better in training.
- Strengthens abs.
- Tones the buttocks, gets rid of cellulite and strengthens the pelvic floor muscles.
- Another benefit of EMS is its effectiveness in preventing and recovering from injuries.
For all these reasons, an increasing number of gyms are incorporating electrical stimulation workouts to their portfolio of services. We have a customized plan for you and your gym, if you are interested, leave us your details here and we’ll get in touch with you.
The electrical stimulation suit for toning and weight loss
One of the advantages of training with an electrical stimulation suit is that you can adapt the training mode and intensity. With this suit, you can increase the effectiveness of training three-fold. It works the entire body and is a great ally as a complement to regular physical activity.
EMS acts on connective tissue and fat cells. So, it can reduce cellulite, improve blood flow, eliminate toxins, stimulate the production of collagen, and tone muscles.
The electrodes are arranged in such a way that they do a very effective job without compromising comfort. This system provides moves the muscles and helps them grow. It also builds resistance and burns fat to turn it into new muscle fibers, which tones the muscle, helping us to slim down quickly by kick starting our metabolism.
“As a result, electrical stimulation is a great ally for toning the body and losing weight.”
As we can see, there are systems such as the electrical stimulation suit and different types of gym materials we can use. Remember that all of the above will only be truly effective if the movements are performed well, are consistent and we follow a healthy diet. What’s more, if you want to stay up to date with all the latest news and uses of electrical stimulation as a sports aid, subscribe to our blog to be the first to know everything.
