When we first get started, and for quite a while afterwards, we’re all pretty much the same. It can be confusing to understand the names of gym equipment and feel helpless when trying to figure out what it does.
This guide was created to help you understand how each machine works, how it can be used, and where to find the best.
Let’s now take a look at the world of gym equipment for sale. We will make sense of it all and focus on your continuous improvement.
Cardiovascular machines
The treadmill (also known as a running machine)
What is a treadmill?
A treadmill is an excellent way to run or walk at whatever pace you prefer indoors. This is great for people who don’t feel comfortable running outdoors or who want to do home-based exercise.
How does a treadmill work in certain areas/muscles?
Your lungs are the most important part of your overall fitness. However, treadmills can provide great cardio and core workouts (you use these areas when running), especially when they are set up on an incline (uphill).
What can I do to use a treadmill?
The best thing about cardio (cardiovascular machinery) is that you can travel anywhere in the world! You can do steady state (long-distance) cardio with a moderate intensity, or you can go all out and do interval training (varying intensities each time). Performance-based cardio can also be done at higher intensities.
What is the cost of a treadmill?
Prices can vary greatly and it all depends on how much you are willing to spend. A treadmill can cost between $300 and $3000.
Where can I purchase a treadmill?
Amazon and Rogue Fitness.
Which treadmill is best?
The SoleF85 Treadmill is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to use a treadmill
How to use a treadmill for beginners
The rowing machine (also known as a rower)
What’s a rowing machine?
Rowing machines can be a great way for your whole body to work out. They replicate outdoor rowing indoors, which is why they are one of the few cardiovascular machines that engages the arms as much as the legs.
How does a rowing machine affect the muscles and areas?
It’s a cardio machine that will work your lungs and improve your fitness. You can expect to have a great leg workout, especially at higher resistance settings.
What can I do to use a rowing machine for?
While you can do steady state and interval cardio at a very basic level, you will find that many rowing machines have inbuilt games that allow you to keep your mind active on your fitness journey. A rower can also be used for performance-based cardio, which allows you to operate at close to maximum levels.
What is the cost of a rowing machine?
A rowing machine can be purchased for between $200 and $2000.
Where can I purchase a rowing machine
Amazon and Rogue Fitness.
Which is the best machine for rowing?
The Concept2 Indoor Rowing Machine Model D with PM5 is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide.
Cross trainer – Elliptical machine
What is an elliptical device?
The elliptical machine simulates running but has no impact on the knee joints. It also successfully integrates the arms to give a complete body workout.
How does an elliptical machine help?
The versatility of elliptical machines is amazing. They can be used for cardio (fitness), or to target your lower back by integrating the handles and increasing resistance.
What can I do to use an elliptical?
You can either focus on your fitness with long distance cardio or interval training, or adjust the resistance (and sometimes the incline) settings so that you focus on different parts of your lower body. This will make it more difficult. If you use the moving handles, your upper body will also get a good workout.
What is the cost of an elliptical machine?
An elliptical machine can cost you between $300 and $3000.
Where can I purchase an elliptical?
On Amazon.
Which elliptical machine is best?
The Sole HTML35 Elliptical Training is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to use an elliptical device
How to Use a Cross Trainer
Upright bike (also known as stationary bike or indoor bike)
What is an upright bicycle?
By mimicking a road bike, upright bikes offer indoor exercise that is low-impact and can be used indoors.
How does an upright bicycle work in your muscles and areas?
Indoor bikes will target your lower body and lungs equally.
What can I do on an upright bicycle?
Any cardio exercise can be done without putting any strain on your joints. Adding resistance to the workout will make it a great lower body toner for all areas of the legs.
What is the cost of an upright bicycle?
The price range for upright bikes is generally between $150 and $1500.
Where can I purchase an upright bicycle?
Amazon and Rogue Fitness.
Which is the best upright bicycle?
The Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to Use an Exercise Bike: How to Use the Upright Fitness Bike
Stair mill (aka stair climber)
What is a stair-mill?
The stairmill literally simulates walking up and down stairs in an endless loop. This is a great cardiovascular exercise that has low impact.
How does a stairmill work?
Although stair mills are best used for cardio, they can also be used to tone the bottom and calf muscles.
What are the uses of a stair-mill?
You can use stair mills for either steady or interval cardio. The emphasis is on the calves as well as the base of your glutes in order to perform the movement.
What is the cost of a stair-mill?
Stairmills are one of most expensive pieces in cardio, with prices ranging from $2500 to $10,000.
Where can I purchase a stairlift?
On Amazon.
Which stairway mill is best?
We recommend the StairMasterSM3 StepMill.
How to use a staircase mill
Step Mill Basics with Julie Hannan
Recumbent exercise bike
What is a recumbent exercise bicycle?
Recumbent exercise bikes offer a low-impact cardio option that is more comfortable and supports the back than an upright bike.
How does a recumbent exercise bicycle work in specific areas/muscles?
Recumbent exercise bikes are going to work your lungs, back and legs hard.
What can I do to use a recumbent exercise bicycle?
A recumbent exercise bicycle can be used for cardiovascular activities, including interval and steady state.
What is the cost of a recumbent exercise bicycle?
A recumbent exercise bicycle can be purchased for between $300 and $3000.
Where can I purchase a recumbent exercise bicycle?
On Amazon.
Which recumbent exercise machine is best?
The Sole fitness R92 recumbent exercise bike is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to use a recumbent bike for exercise:
How to use an exercise bike: The recumbent exercise bike
Spin bike (aka spinning bike / spinner / indoor cycle)
What is a Spin bike?
Spin bikes are a seated frame that revolves around a single spinning disc. You can adjust the resistance to make it feel more like an outdoor bike, but with all the advantages of being indoors.
How does a spin bicycle work in your muscles and areas?
Spin bikes, like the upright exercise bicycle, will help you develop your fitness and target all aspects of your lower body. Spinners can be used for a variety of exercises as their frame allows you to stand up on the saddle more comfortably than an upright bike.
What can I do to use a spin bicycle?
A spin bike can be used to do all types of cardio safely knowing that it has low impact and is safe for your joints.
What is the cost of a spin bicycle?
Prices for a spin bike range between $150 and $1500.
Where can I purchase a spin bicycle?
On Amazon.
Which is the best spinning bike?
The Keiser HTML3i Indoor Cycle is our recommendation. Learn more in our buyer’s guide.
How to use a spinning bike
Spin Bike Setup & Spinning Technique
Resistance machines
Leg press machine (aka 45 Degree leg press/horizontal leg press/vertical leg press/plate loaded leg press/selectorized leg press)
What’s a leg press machine?
There are many types of leg press machines, but they all come in different sizes and shapes. However, they all share one thing in common: they are safe and effective at working every muscle in the lower half while protecting the joints.
How does the leg press machine work in relation to which muscles / areas?
Leg presses target all muscles in the lower body, including the thighs and the glutes. Different foot positions result in a different priority area.
What can I do to use a leg press machine for?
Any muscle can be safely and effectively targeted by using a foot stance. This can either target all the muscles in your lower body at once, or you can modify your stance to focus on a specific area.
What is the cost of a leg press machine?
A good quality leg press will cost you between $1000 to $7000
Where can I purchase a leg press machine for sale?
On Amazon or Rogue Fitness.
Which is the best machine to press your legs?
We recommend the BodyCraft 660 Leg Press/Hyper Sled. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to use a leg presse:
How to: Leg Press (Life Fitness Machine).
Hack squat machine
What’s a hack squat?
Hack squat machines are designed to enable you to do a squatting motion with a heavy emphasis on your thighs in order to isolate and grow them.
How does a hack-squat machine work in your muscles and areas?
The quads (thighs) are the most important, but you can also target other leg muscles by adjusting your foot position.
What can I do to make a hack-squat machine work for me?
A hack squat machine can be used to target all aspects of your leg muscles. You can either place your feet farther forward or back on the platform.
What is the cost of a hack-squat machine?
Hack squat machines are approximately $1000-3000 in average.
Where can I purchase a hack-squat machine for sale?
On Amazon.
Which is the best hack-squat machine?
We recommend the BodyCraft 660 Leg Press/Hyper Sled. Learn more in our buyer’s guide .
How to use a hack-squat machine
