Exercising using gym equipment isn't a clear cut process. It's not simply a case of visiting a gym and having a go at all the different machines and equipment. The results differ from person to person, which is why it's difficult to quickly determine what will work best for you. Everyone is different and this is one of the reasons why people don't start exercising to begin with let alone sustain it.
It's important to use equipment and do exercises that will suit your individual circumstances. The fitness experts at Just Fitness offer the following advice to help you get the most out of your training and choose the equipment that best benefits you.
Habits and Goals
Like so many things in our lives, exercising requires good habits and realistic goals. Just as it is expected that people have a shower and brush their teeth daily, exercising should become automatic and not be something you have to think much about. The routine of engaging in various types of gym equipment exercises on a daily basis gets easier the more ingrained it becomes.
It's also important to set goals you know you can achieve. Creating too many requirements and expecting too much too soon will almost certainly set you up for failure. The pressure you place on yourself will suck away the enjoyment and rewards of exercising with equipment and you almost certainly won't want to keep at it for very long.
Setting incremental goals such as going to the gym a couple of times a week rather than every day will help you see it through for longer. This helps reduce stress and allows you to experience positive rather than negative feelings about your efforts. It also makes it easier to exceed expectations.
Variation
Variations in equipment exercise routines are the key to avoiding fatigue or boredom and keeping things interesting. Give yourself a set amount of time you want to exercise for and then break it up into increments of 5 or 10 minutes for different machines. This allows you to have variety as well as challenge the body in different ways. This same principle also applies even if you decide to use just one piece of gym equipment. If you're exercising on a treadmill, you should mix it up and experiment by periodically changing the speed or adjusting the incline for added intensity.
Health
It's important to use equipment that feels right and doesn't adversely affect your health. For example, you shouldn't use a rowing machine or a shoulder press machine if you suffer from back issues. Likewise, stationary bikes are a better alternative to treadmills if you can't handle high-impact exercise routines.
If the equipment you're using causes pain and discomfort or involves too much exertion, then it probably isn't right for you to use and it might be best to try something else in instead. It's highly recommended you get an expert opinion as well as approval from a doctor before you start a new exercise regimen or try gym equipment you haven't used before.
