Memorizing gym equipment names and what they look like when starting your journey through fitness and putting together an exercise regiment can seem pretty daunting in the beginning.
One visit to your local public/private gym and it’s as if you’ve entered the Matrix, dozens of exercise machines roam the venue, and you’re not so sure if you’re the One prophesied to conquer them all.
We’ve put together this exercise equipment list to set you free from the unknown and expand your fitness horizons. This guide will help you put together an effective and informed workout regiment.
Gym Equipment Pictures & Explanations
We hope this helps you navigate your gym of choice with a little more confidence. Find out what each gym machine is called, what it looks like, and how to use them.
SQUAT RACK
Description: Where serious squatting takes place. In fitness and strength training, the squat exercise trains your full body. All serious strength training regiments should incorporate the squat station gym equipment.
Pro Tip: Be sure to squat down until your thighs are pretty much parallel with the floor. Going this low is essential in doing squats the right way and obtaining a strong core, legs, and back eventually.
Try to keep your knees from extending past your toes, your butt should be out and back straight when doing squats. Do not arch your back, keep your head up and your abs tight to help you with this.
Your feet positioning should be just slightly wider than hip-width, and both of your feet should be pointing slightly outward.
Muscles Used: Squatting focuses primarily on thighs, hips, and butt, quads, hamstrings; all while strengthening your bones and ligaments.
Average Price: An affordable, stripped-down one with just the rack is around $150. The average price for a full squat rack which should include a safety net and a pullup bar is in the $500-$1,500 range.
Where to Buy: Amazon for great deals on both the lower-mid and upper brands (browse squat rack deals on Amazon). Wal-Mart for the lower end ones, and Rogue Fitness for a quality piece.
Guide to Squat/Power Racks: Best Squat/Power Rack Reviews – Guide to Choosing a Power Rack
BARBELLS
Description: A complementary piece to the squat rack. A barbell is essential to strength training, it holds the free weights, or sometimes the weights are attached to the ends.
Pro Tip: A barbell is perhaps the most versatile out of all the gym equipment out there. You can literally do hundreds of different exercises with these iron bars.
A common technique to use when utilizing a barbell is good posture and keeping your body from swaying; in order to make sure that your body stays stabilized, as when doing exercises on a gym machine for example.
Because it is easy to cheat and swing your body whichever way to make the exercise easier, using a barbell comes with a word of caution: injuries.
It is critical to keep good form when doing barbell exercises, particularly when picking them up off the ground and placing them back down, as during that period the risk of injury is particularly high!
Muscles Used: Pretty much all muscles are affected when training with barbells, especially if doing deadlifts. To better understand which exercises to do and which muscles they have a direct effect on, browse through these hundreds of barbell exercises and be sure to try some out next time you’re at the gym.
Average Price: Anywhere from $150-$400. Depending on the amount of weight purchased.
Where to Buy: Amazon (browse barbell deals on Amazon) and/or Rogues Fitness.
Guide to Barbells: Olympic Barbell Guide – Buying the Best Olympic Barbells
BENCH PRESS
Description: Used for upper body strength training exercises, where you are pushing weight upwards as you’re laying on your back. Do you want the perfect chest? This is one of the tools you use to train for that chest.
Pro Tip: When doing a bench press, do not arch your back, this means that your feet are placed too low. Try not to bounce the bar off your chest either, even though you may think it makes you look super macho.
Also, do not lower the bar towards your neck or abdomen as it could seriously injure you is you have excessive weight and lose control, even momentarily.
Finally, try not to lock your elbows at the apex of the movement, keep your feet, back, and head still!
Muscles Used: Biceps, Triceps, Lats, Shoulders, Chest, and Upper Back. There are different techniques when doing a bench press, three main ones are: close grip, wide grip, and close grip with elbows in.
Average Price: Anywhere from $200 to $800 and up. Also dependent upon the number of weights you purchase along with it.
Where to Buy: Amazon (browse bench press deals on Amazon), Wal-Mart, and/or Rogue Fitness.
INCLINE BENCH PRESS
Description: Essentially an elevated bench press, but the elevation affects the muscle being targeted.
Pro Tip: Common mistakes people tend to make when exercising with an incline bench press are: setting the bench at a high incline (over 50 degrees), arching their backs, bouncing the bar off their chest, and locking of elbows.
Try to avoid making the above errors by keeping good form and keeping the incline of the bench at below 50 degrees.
Finally, the position of your thumb is important. Grip the bar with your thumbs in opposition to your fingers, this is a more natural grip and safer for lifting.
Muscles Used: The upper chest is targeted by the incline, as well as shoulders and triceps. It is not uncommon to use dumbbells in junction with or instead of a barbell on an incline bench.
Average Price: Between $200-$1000 depending on the number of weights and brand.
Where to Buy: Amazon (browse bench deals on Amazon), Wal-Mart, and Rogue Fitness are three good choices.
Guide to Bench Presses: Best Olympic Weight Bench For Your Home Gym – Top 5 Rated Weight Benches
HAMMER STRENGTH MACHINE
Description: A favorite among athletes, this mechanic focuses on explosiveness.
Pro Tip: Do not put too much demand on your triceps when exercising with the hammer strength machine. Also avoid locking your elbows at the top of the lift, and try your best to maintain an equal force in both arms as you’re lifting.
Muscles Used: Different types target different muscle groups. Primarily chest, then shoulders and triceps; to traps, and others.
Average Price: Can get pretty expensive with new ones ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. Used ones should be between $300-$1000.
Where to Buy: Amazon (browse hammer strength machines on Amazon), Fitness Superstore, Craigslist.
CABLES AND PULLEYS
Description: Very diverse workout machine in the amount and types of exercises that can be performed by attaching grips to the end of the cables.
Pro Tip: When doing cable and pulley machine exercises, it is important to use the right amount of weight. Too little weight and you will not be working out effectively, too much and you will put a strain on your muscles, perhaps even lead to injury.
There are many different types of exercises this machine is capable of providing you with. Such as the press, effecting your pecs, shoulders, and triceps; then there is the one-handed crossover which also effects the pecs and shoulders, but also biceps.
The different types of exercises you can do with cables make it one of the most powerful gym equipment wherever you go.
Muscles Used: The inherent design and versatility of this machine allow for it to essentially touch upon every muscle in the body. The example below demonstrates a cable crossover exercise targeting the chest and shoulder areas.
Average Price: A decent complete set of cables and pulley’s can cost north of $2,000.
Where to Buy: Amazon. Browse Cables and Pulleys on Amazon.
DUMBBELLS
Description: Pretty much the go-to gym equipment most people first think of when they think of bodybuilding. Varying in weight, but the same concept, a handlebar with weights on opposite ends. A must-have free weight for any fitness regiment. There are even adjustable dumbbells with differing weights all in one piece.
Pro Tip: Dumbbells have a lot going for them, mainly, they are inexpensive when compared to other equipment. But if used right, they can offer just as much, if not more, than some of their more lucrative gym mates.
When working out with dumbbells, try not to lock your elbows at the end of the movement, and do not force the last few repetitions if you do not have a friend or gym buddy to spot you.
Dumbbells cause you to work other muscles as you are targeting a primary few; due to your body keeping balance and all the stabilizing muscles coming into play.
Muscles Used: You can target a good amount of muscles with dumbbells. Below is an example of a seated dumbbell shoulder press and a bicep curl. These exercises work the biceps, shoulders, and triceps. Some of the muscles you can work with dumbbells are: chest, shoulders, triceps, traps, biceps, lats, glutes, quads, hammies, and calves.
Average Price: Anywhere from $10 to $300 or more. Depending on weight and brand.
Where to Buy: Anywhere. Their popularity makes them abundant. The top places to purchase online are Amazon (browse dumbbell deals on Amazon) and Rogue Fitness.
Guide to Dumbbells: Best Adjustable Dumbbells – Top 10 Choices for 2018
PULLUP BAR
Description: The best tool for upper body exercise and strengthening. You can pull yourself up with any grip, though palms facing froward is the most popular one seen in demonstrations. Different grips and hand positions can affect different muscles. You pull yourself up until your chin is over the bar.
Pro Tip: Pullups are VERY demanding, especially for beginners. It is because of this that you must learn to master them. They are truly an excellent, and yes very demanding, upper body workout.
Keep your movements vertical, aligned, and complete when doing pullups. After a while, if you become an expert at it, you can hang weight from your waist for additional resistance.
If you are a beginner, you should probably start with a lat pull-down machine, which will build your muscles and get them ready for pullups.
Mistakes include: doing the exercise rapidly, incomplete movement, swinging your body, bending of the torso forward to attain help from your chest muscles, bending knees to get momentum.
Finally, do not extend your arms fully at the end of a downward movement.
Muscles Used: Trunk, arms, shoulders, abs, pelvic floor muscles, hands, and forearms. Different types of pull-ups affect different muscles. Some of the more common types of pullup exercises are: behind the neck, underhand grip, pullup to the waist, wide/butterfly grip.
Average Price: From $20-$100 depending on type and quality.
Where to Buy: A lot of places, from Wal-Mart to Dicks. Online wise, Amazon (browse pullup bar deals on Amazon), and Rogue Fitness offer good deals.
Guide to Pull-up Bars: Doorway Pull-Up Bar Guide – Top 10 Home Pull-Up Bars
LAT PULLDOWN MACHINE
Description: Used for strengthening your latissimus dorsi muscle, or lats as they are known. Pull downwards toward you, keeping your elbows and back straight. Google a picture of Bruce Lee and you’ll see the lats you’re capable of attaining with this machine.
Pro Tip: As counter-intuitive as it may sound to some people, do not lower the bar to the belly; if you are doing this, it means you are not using enough weight.
Avoid bending your torso to get help from your chest and ab muscles, and complete all movements when exercising with a lat pull-down machine. Your grip shouldn’t be too wide and it should be even.
Muscles Used: Upper and lower back. Biceps, and lats in particular (as is evident by the name of this exercise machine).
Average Price: Around $250-$500. A good lat pulldown machine can cost more than this.
Where to Buy: Amazon and other retailers of fitness machines. Browse Lat Pulldown Machine Deals on Amazon.
LEG EXTENSION MACHINE
Description: Lifting the weights up with your quads, holding steady for a second or two once you fully extend at the top. Leg extension machines are the perfect gym equipment to use when you are rehabilitating from an injury or just trying to strength train your quads.
Pro Tip: Avoid twisting hips and knees as you move the weight, especially when lowering the weight to the machine’s limit. Avoid fast movements just to gain momentum, remember that form is superior to everything else in bodybuilding.
Flexing and/or extending the foot does not change the work done by the quadriceps
Muscles Used: Quadriceps, gluteal deltoid,
Average Price: About $350 or more for a decent one.
Where to Buy: Browse Leg Extension Machine Deals on Amazon.
LEG CURL MACHINE
Description: Laying on your stomach and facing the floor, lifting with your legs upwards towards your lower back. Squeezing at the top and holding for a second or two, feel it in your hamstrings. A good tool to use for either toning down or bulking up your legs.
Pro Tip: In addition to the lying leg curl, some of the more popular exercise types include: toes in, toes out, single-leg, standing single leg, and seated as well.
Extending your knees too far as you lower the weight, lifting the weight too fast to gain momentum, and also not placing the knees in line with the axis of the machine are all some of the most common mistakes made by people in the gym using this exercise machine.
Interestingly, the leg curl machine, both lying and/or standing, is more specific and safer but just as effective as the deadlift when it comes to working the hamstrings.
Even though the leg curl machine uses less weight. The deadlift on the other hand may seem as more effective, because of the extra weight involved, but this is due to the other muscles involved in performing a deadlift.
Muscles Used: Biceps femoris, hamstrings, gracilis, sartorius, gastrocnemius, popliteus
Average Price: Around $400-700. Varying in price, cheaper for used or lower quality, more expensive for a new and good brand.
Where to Buy: Browse Leg Curl Machine Deals on Amazon.
HYPER EXTENSION BENCH
Description: Standing on the gym machine in an angled position, facing downwards, move your upper body up and down. It not uncommon to hold a weight at your chest to increase the intensity, but be careful to not rush this Adding weights too quickly can and often does lead to injury during this type of exercise.
Pro Tip: When performing the back extension exercise, especially if you are using free-weights for additional resistance, make sure not to raise your torso beyond the line of your body. Also, do not bounce as you gain momentum, take your time, and learn good form.
It is considered dangerous to twist as you are coming up and raising your torso, as well as resting your entire hip on the hyperextension bench cushion without proper room to bend.
The hyperextension bench is a really good way of training the lower back muscles; on top of that it is rather an easy movement and fitness enthusiasts just starting out in the gym should have no problem.
Muscles Used: Spinal erectors, longissimus dorsi, quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis, latissimum dorsi, spinalis, multifidi, gluteus maximus, and hamstrings. In a nutshell back, butt, and hamstrings.
Average Price: $100-$350 more or less depending on brand and quality, and condition.
Where to Buy: Browse Hyper Extension Machines on Amazon.
DIPPING BARS
Description: Holding onto the handles, one with each hand, lower your body and lift yourself up. It’s important to adhere to good form to avoid any potential shoulder injuries when dabbling with this gym equipment type.
Pro Tip: This is an excellent alternative to the decline press, but it does require a little more strength. So though typically not suggested for beginners, easing into it however is also not discouraged.
When doing dips, you will notice that it feels as if your triceps are doing all the hard work and all the pressure is on them; it is essential however to focus on the pectoral muscle above all.
You should feel the elongation as you dip and then the contraction as you push back up. Always perform this exercise slowly, unless you’re an athlete training for sports. Finally, avoid if you have suffered elbow or shoulder injuries.
Muscles Used: Shoulders, triceps, lower pecs. Dips can be performed with weight, or without, by keeping your body vertical.
Average Price: Around $100-$250. Also depends upon the condition, quality, and brand.
Where to Buy: Amazon and Rogue Fitness are top options. Browse Dipping Bars Deals on Amazon.
SMITH MACHINE
Description: A squat assisting workout machine. Think of it as the squat rack that helps you when you don’t have anyone to spot you. Very good machine to use for practicing your squatting form. A go-to machine for back strengthening after an injury of the sort.
Pro Tip: There are many exercises to do on the smith machine that may look the same to you as the other machines; but keep in mind, with the smith machine you can start the exercise from above.
The machine assists you by keeping the weight steady for you to pick up from whichever position you choose to put your body in.
A major advantage of the smith machine is for working out in the gym by yourself when there is no one to spot you, but you still want to be safe; by simply turning and locking the bar. This is ideal for training squats on your own, and because of the balance, it provides.
One advantage of the smith machine, however, can also sometimes be a disadvantage if you’re not careful. The machine provides superior balance, which may cause you to want to lock your elbows as you are lifting the bar and reach the top; try to avoid doing this.
Muscles Used: All muscles can be worked using the smith machine gym equipment. One of the exercises typically done on a smith machine is the military press shown below. It focuses on the shoulder, triceps, and traps.
Average Price: A good one is usually around $700-$1,200 or more. Can be found for less as well.
Where to Buy: Browse Smith Machine Deals on Amazon.
PREACHER BENCH
Description: While seated, the preacher curl bench helps you isolate and train your biceps. A perfect place for beginners to start biceps training by utilizing a lighter barbell and lifting up and down; slowly bringing the weight down.
Pro Tip: Sit with your underarms at the top of the edge and your triceps resting on the preacher bench pad. Whether you are doing one-handed dumbbell exercises, such as hammer grips or one arm twists, or whether you are using a barbell, follow the above technique.
Contrary to popular belief, this workout is not superior in building that biceps “peak.” But it does prevent you from cheating when working out biceps and provides them with a precise contraction; separating the elbow movement from the rest of your body.
Do not extend your arm too far, as this can result in injury. Also do not shift your body downwards toward the weight, just to get leverage and complete the curl. Most importantly, do not use too much weight and combine that with lowering the bar or dumbbell too far down.
Muscles Used: Biceps, brachialis, and forearms.
Average Price: Around $100-$250. Costing more as you increase the amount of weight purchased.
Where to Buy: Browse the Best Preacher Benches on Amazon.
ABDOMINAL BENCH/Sit-Up Bench
Description: Designed with your abs in mind. It’s similar to the hyperextension machine, but for your abs. Important to practice and adhere to proper form when performing this exercise. Especially if you decide to hold onto weights as you’re lifting yourself up.
Pro Tip: Doing this exercise also causes your hips to flex, which brings in the muscles that work that area, the psoas, and the front of the quadriceps in particular.
Thus, it is not as specific as just the crunch, so be sure to feel the muscles as you are working out, because more than one group should be involved, and you want to make sure your torso not as rigid, in order to focus more on the abdominal muscles. A few types of sit-ups to try are twisting, weighted, incline bench, and vertical bench.
Muscles Used: Abs (rectus abdominis). Also external and internal obliques, psoas, quadriceps, transverse abdominal (pyramidal)
Average Price: Good ones range between $50-$200. More or less depending upon quality, condition, and brand.
Where to Buy: Best Abdominal Bench Deals on Amazon.
Guide to Sit-Up Benches: Best Sit-Up Benches – Guide to Choosing a Sit Up Bench
LEG PRESS MACHINE
Description: Ultimate leg training machine. Laying down with you back against a makeshift wall, push the platform/weights upwards; do not lock your joints. Perfect machine to train legs with.
Pro Tip: This machine is just as good as the squat machine as far as building strength and developing the muscle, however, it is good for protecting the back, due to the machine (with your help) holding it in position.
Common mistakes fitness enthusiasts make when performing the leg press exercise are lifting the hips as the weight is lowered. Also, it is advised against ever locking your knees at the top of the movement, while your legs are fully extended.
Incomplete and/or exaggerated movement will not result in an efficient workout either. Finally, avoid using too much or too little weight and be sure to push with both of your legs equally.
Muscles Used: Quads (quadriceps), gluteus maximus, adductors, and hamstrings.
Average Price: Around $1,500.
Where to Buy: Browse Best Leg Press Deals on Amazon.
HACK SQUAT MACHINE
Description: This machine combines the leg press machine and the squat machine for a super quad-core combo. Another great piece of gym equipment to use on leg day.
Pro Tip: Common mistakes people make when using the hack squat machine is going too far down with a heavy load, and entering what is known as the deep squat.
Another mistake is the locking of the knees when reaching the top of the movement. The reason this is dangerous is that you are resting the weight on the ligaments instead of the powerful leg muscles. In addition to this, not pushing with both legs equally also results in improper form.
The gluteus maximus is the largest and strongest muscle in our bodies, this is why really heavyweights are needed, for it to develop. Interestingly enough, it is not really involved in normal walking, go figure!
Muscles Used: Gluteus maximus, quadriceps, adductors, hamstrings, lower back, and lower spine.
Average Price: $150 to $300. Depends on how much weight you purchase and the condition of the machine.
Where to Buy: Browse Hack Squat Machine Deals on Amazon.
CALF MACHINE
Description: Lifting the weights at the end by pushing upward with your feet by going on your toes. There are various types of these machines for working out, but the one pictured is by far the most common calf machine in the gym.
Pro Tip: Proper execution entails sitting with your knees bent at a right angle, with the balls of your feet on the footrest. Your heels should be free when working out using the calf machine.
Raise your heels as high as possible, pushing the pads on your knees as high as you can; once you reach the peak of how high you can push, hold it there for a moment and then slowly lower your heels. Making sure to breathe in a natural manner throughout the process.
Do not bounce without keeping the weight under your control, and avoid taking one foot off of the footrest while finishing a set before the other. Lower the weight first and then remove your feet.
Muscles Used: Calves mainly. Secondary muscles include: peroneus longus and brevis, gastrocnemius, tibialis posterior, and plantar flexors.
Average Price: Between $150-$300. More or less depending on the condition and amount of weight.
Where to Buy: Best Calf Machine Deals on Amazon.
LEG ADDUCTION / ABDUCTION MACHINE
Description: Opening and closing your legs, pushing the weight resistance outwards. A most popular gym machine among ladies, perfect for toning legs and butt.
Pro Tip: This is a very specific exercise for the leg adductors, the long adductor in particular. This workout machine works well for both beginners and advanced athletes.
To stay injury-free, make sure you warm up adequately before jumping on the machine. Never be in a hurry and perform the exercise rather slowly, as it is possible to injury the muscles by doing it abruptly.
Once warmed up, avoid making these common mistakes when working out with the leg adduction/leg abduction gym equipment: not using enough weight, opening your legs too wide, and doing the exercise too rapidly.
Muscles Used: Adductors primarily.
Secondary muscles included are deep gluteus maximus, pectineus, gracilis, quadratus femoris, external obturator, iliopsoas, and hamstrings.
Average Price: Around $3,000. More or less depending on the condition of the workout machine.
Where to Buy: Browse Amazon for Adduction/Abduction Machine Deals.
PECK DECK MACHINE
Description: This type of gym equipment was designed to isolate and work the chest. A favorite for beginner bodybuilders as it has a unique motion that feels good when performing.
Pro Tip: To properly use the peck deck machine, sit back with your elbows at about 90 degrees, on the mid-chest level. Push to bring the arms together in front of your face,
Breathe in as you are opening your arms, going as far back as flexibility will allow (but be careful if you’re using heavy weights); breathe out as you bring the arms together again.
Common mistakes include too little travel and too much travel. Too little reduces the effect of the exercise and too much can cause injury. Do not separate the elbows from the bar, meaning you’re pushing with your hands instead.
Muscles Used: Chest (pectoralis major) and shoulders (deltoids)
Average Price: Between $450-$1,000. Depending on the amount of weight purchased and also the brand and condition of the machine.
Where to Buy: Browse Pec Deck Machine Deals on Amazon.
INDOOR CYCLE BIKE
Description: This one is pretty simple to understand. It’s basically a more convenient alternative to biking. This is the machine you’ll often see used in spin classes, but you can also use it individually. However, make sure not to confuse an indoor cycling bike with other exercise bikes such as a recumbent bike or a regular upright exercise bike.
- Indoor Cycling Bike: Designed to simulate actual biking as close as possible. Your position matches that of riding an actual bicycle.
- Recumbent Bike: This one is different in the sense that you actually sit back in the seat with your legs cycling out in front of you.
- Upright Exercise Bike: Similar to the cycling bike, but the inner mechanisms are a bit different and they’re also often more comfortable.
Pro Tip: Using an indoor cycling bike is similar in some ways to a regular bike but very different in other ways. You want to make sure you are staying safe to prevent injuries. Setting up properly and maintaining proper form is the key to doing this.
Here are a few tips:
- Get in a seated position and lean your body forward and fix the handlebars to the point they are comfortable for you.
- You want to adjust your seat as well. You want your legs slightly bent when you are pedaling. A good rule of thumb is that if you feel pain in the front of your knees, then raise the seat, and lower it if you feel pain in the back of the knees.
- Make sure the distance between you and the handlebars is appropriate. The pedal should be below your knee when the crank is parallel to the ground.
See the video below for more info.
Muscles Used:
- Calf – Soleus, and gastrocnemius.
- Thigh – Hamstrings and quadriceps.
- Gluts/Buttocks – Gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus.
- Arms – Biceps, and triceps.
- Shoulders – Deltoids
- Foot – Plantar flexors, and dorsiflexors
Average Price: Can range from $200 all the way to $2000 and more depending on the quality, features, size, etc.
Where to Buy: Browse Indoor Cycling Bike Deals on Amazon. Also, Rogue Fitness has some top quality options.
KETTLEBELLS
Description: Kettlebells have become very popular in the fitness world, there are a ton of different exercises you can do with kettlebells. Fitness enthusiasts are using them for strength training and cardio. Take a look at the video for different ways to use kettlebells.
Muscles Used: A lot of different muscle groups. Depends on which exercise you choose to do.
Average Price: $30 to $150. Depending on the weight and brand/condition.
Where to Buy: Amazon and/or Rogue Fitness. Browse Kettlebells Deals on Amazon.
Guide to Kettlebells: Best Kettlebells for Your Home Gym – Adjustable vs Standard
WALL BALL
Description: Combined with a sit-up while throwing this ball against the ball and catching it; going all the way down again, and then up once more, and so on repeatedly. Perfect for anyone focusing or wanting to incorporate cardio and aerobic exercise into their routine.
Muscles Used: Legs, Core, Chest, Shoulders, Abs
Average Price: $150 to $300 for good ones. Give or take dollars depending on condition and brand. Also the more it weighs the more expensive it will be.
Guide to Wall|Medicine|Slam Balls: Medicine Balls vs. Wall Balls vs. Slam Balls – What You Need to Know
Where to Buy: Amazon. Also, great wall balls can be found at Rogue Fitness. Browse Wall Ball Deals on Amazon.
FOAM ROLLER
Description: A perfect tool for reducing soreness, untying muscle knots, and increasing flexibility. The best way to use a foam roller is to incorporate it into your already existing fitness regiment, it will reduce stress on your body and help your body’s circulation.
Muscles Used: Everything. You can also choose which muscle/muscle groups to target.
Average Price: $10-$50. Affordable foam rollers, though they are, can also range up in price for better quality ones.
Foam Rollers Guide: Best Foam Rollers – Top 10 Muscle & Back Rollers
Where to Buy: Browse Best Foam Roller Deals on Amazon. As well as Rogue Fitness.
STABILITY BALL
Description: The most versatile tool for fitness enthusiasts, there are countless exercises to do with an exercise ball. A perfect thing to use this stability ball for is the rehabilitation of injuries, stretching, and balance. Typically fitness enthusiasts have this tool in their home gyms, garage gym, or just laying around the house and use it every chance they get.
Muscles Used: Any muscle can be worked with the stability ball.
Average Price:$10 to $30, more or less depending on size and condition.
Where to Buy: Browse Best Stability Ball Deals on Amazon.
Use This Guide To Master Gym Equipment
The good thing is, that once you learn the names and types of the workout equipment out there, you will be liberated from the initial shock and intimidation. The more you learn, the more you suppress the fears of using the wrong machine or being laughed at.
This exercise equipment guide will help you become well versed in the gym machine lingo and you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of the most popular equipment and accompanying workouts. With it, you will also be well equipped to even build your own home gym if you rent/own a house with ample room.
Things To Remember When Using Gym Machines
Having a good understanding of the equipment that is in your gym, or when building a home gym for yourself, is important because it will help you set better bodybuilding and fitness goals. Knowing the difference between a leg curl and leg extension exercise machines, for example, will help you better-set goals for working out your legs.
Another very important thing to mention is that proper form, when using these workout machines, cannot be stressed enough.
Given the choice between throwing more weights on a machine and adhering to proper form with less weight, always opt for the good form and doable amount of weights for the level of fitness you are at. This will help you achieve better results, but more importantly, avoid bodybuilding injuries.
You’re All Set for the Gym Now!
Using this guide you will now be able to confidently identify the name of common workout machines in the gym and from the above directory, you will also get an idea of best pratices when it comes to using them. We hope you found this guide handy and that you’ll use it in your journey through fitness.
Hang on a second! Are you looking to build your own home gym?
If so, you may want to take a look at our guide on how to build a home gym in which we list out the most common gym equipment for such an endeavor. As well as provide you with resources to browse through for the best gym equipment deals!
Keep reading: The Best Home Workouts for Men
