Weightlifting Equipment
Weightlifting equipment is complex and varied; the machines and the weights are meant to help the athlete train for personal purposes or for competitions. When making purchases for gyms, investors usually inquire about the quality and warranties of the weightlifting equipment, also considering the features of the space when shopping. As for first time users, it often happens that the weightlifting equipment seems a bit intimidating when entering the gym. Without proper guidance, it is pretty difficult to be able to handle things among the array of machines and the exercise weightlifting equipment that you know nothing of. Here are some of the items and machines that you'll certainly use.
Normally, there are two main types of weightlifting equipment: free weights and machines. The free weights get their name from their use together with pulleys, pins, weight stacks and cables. And the regular exercises rely on dumbbells, barbells and weight plates. The plates are attached to the barbell and you perform the exercises by lifting with both hands. Olympic barbells are 7 feet in length and weigh 45 pounds. Smaller versions are also available, and you should find less demanding weightlifting equipment in gyms. The dumbbells are the short barbell variant, as these items are designed for training with a single hand.
Weight plates are made of iron, but there are gyms that use plastic plates too. These items are an essential part of weightlifting equipment and you can't call yourself an amateur lifter without them. A next highly important element in the gym is the bench. Most bench designs fall into three distinct categories: flat, inclined or declined. Benches with racks are used for the practice with barbells, while those without racks serve for training with dumbbells. Machines also deserve special attention and consideration in the present discussion because of their usage extent and the popularity among body builders.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the use of machines. If compared to free weights, this kind of weightlifting equipment is easier and safer to use. Moreover, while some machines are designed just for the training of certain groups of muscles, others are multi-functional, providing training options for the entire body. The main downside of such weightlifting equipment is the risk of making mistakes while performing exercises. A correct posture and body inclination are sometimes difficult to achieve, which could create the premises for injuries. For beginners, the workout with machines should have professional assistance.