The main advantage of having a gym at home, or at least some gym machine, is that you can do physical exercise without wasting time traveling or depending on the weather, with the ease of being able to fit the sessions into your schedules. The drawbacks of having home gym equipment are that it takes up space, requires a high initial outlay, and it is often difficult to motivate yourself.

How to choose a gym machine

Gyms and fitness centers are usually equipped with various gym machines with different characteristics, functions, and possibilities. Depending on the different objectives that we plan to achieve, or depending on our level of physical condition, it will be more convenient for us to use some machines or others.

Gym machines can be classified into two large groups:

• Machines for strength training and bodybuilding
• Machines for cardiovascular work

Gym machines for bodybuilding

The most common elements for strength and bodybuilding training are the following:

RitFit barbell bench press set: they are safe and easy to use. They allow you to isolate the work of each muscle group and facilitate the technical execution of the exercises.

Multipower: It is an ideal machine for the transition from isokinetic machines to free weight, as well as for working on maximum strength since they allow large loads to be moved safely.

Cable crossover machine: This machine offers great possibilities, with this machine you could do total body exercises at your home gym, such as LAT Pulldowns, Cable Flys, Landmine Movements, Bench Press, Squats, Dead-lifts, Tricep Extensions, Bicep Curls, Pull-ups, Chin-ups and many more.

Free weight: working with weights, bars, discs, and dumbbells are very enriching for motor skills since it forces the deep muscle stabilizers to work since the movement is free and there are no stabilizing means. In this way, all the stabilizing muscles are strengthened, generating an improvement in intermuscular coordination. The drawback of free weights is that it is not a job for beginners, but trained athletes or for those who, once the initial phase has been overcome, want a progression of increasing difficulty, going from the analytical to the functional.

Let’s look at the most popular cardio machines:

Gym machines for cardio training

Rowing machines: they allow a very complete muscular work since both the muscles of the upper and lower limbs are involved. They activate all the extensor muscles, thus favoring a more correct posture. Since rowing especially works the back muscles, it is an ideal exercise to correct poor back posture and for those who spend a lot of time sitting.

Stair-climbing machine or Stepper: it is a machine that simulates the movement that is made when climbing a ladder. It is an easy exercise to practice since it does not require experience or technique. Calorie consumption is much lower than in other exercises, involving only a few muscle groups. It is ideal for people who practice hiking, mountaineering, or trail running.

Arm ergometer: it is a machine in which pedals are grasped with the hands and pedaled in an alternative circular movement similar to pedaling on a bicycle, but using the arms instead of the legs. It mobilizes the upper body and you can stand or sit. If done standing up, in addition to strengthening the upper body, the muscles of the trunk are involved, in such a way that it stabilizes the rest of the body, improves stability, and activates the deep muscles of the trunk. It is ideal for amateur swimmers, climbers, or the elderly, as well as for rehabilitation.

Exercise Bike: the stationary bike offers numerous advantages, since the pedaling movement is cyclical, we can regulate the intensity of work, the gesture does not require great technique and the weight of the person has no influence. Cycling is a good cardiovascular exercise and can be practiced by almost everyone, especially beginners, thanks to the possibility of regulating the intensity of the exercise. A variant on the rise of the stationary bicycle is spinning, which is practiced indoors, in a group, and under the direction of an instructor.

Treadmill / walk: they allow you to run or walk with an incline, as well as vary the speed and incline. Its main drawback is the impact of running, which can negatively affect the joints. The impact on the joints during running can be detrimental, especially for older or overweight people. They must be used with caution since a stumble, imbalance, dizziness, or lack of confidence can lead to a serious fall.

Elliptical bike: the movement of the feet describes an ellipse, while the arms can push or pull. The movement of the elliptical is very similar to that of cross-country skiing and allows a very complete workout because it mobilizes both the upper body (arms, shoulders, and abdominals) and the lower body (leg and calf). The elliptical is one of the most complete exercises for our body and with the highest caloric consumption, being ideal for skiers, cyclists, or runners.