Many fitness experts have opinions on the best gym equipmentfor losing body fat or growing muscle. Trends and fads regularly shift, andthere’s always a new piece of gear in the spotlight.
But the truth is, the exercise methods you enjoy the mostare your best bet for sticking to a regular fitness routine.
Don’t know what you enjoy yet? Here’s our guide to the best gym equipment and machines for losing weight and keeping it off based on different exercise methods.
What is the best exercise method for weight loss?
According to a medically reviewed article bytheMayo Clinic,diet seems more effective than physical activity for weight loss, as it’seasier to create an energy deficit by cutting down on calories.
However, they also state the importance ofexercise in keeping the weight off once you’ve lost it.
Manyexperts agreethatcombining strength training and cardio is the most effective way to lose weightand improve your fitness in the long run. But finding an activity you enjoy andare therefore likely to sustain is the best strategy.
Say hiking is your favourite form of exercise,but you feel like you need to take up an intense form of cardio likeHIIT trainingtolose weight.
In reality, there’s no reason you can’t reach andmaintain your weight loss goals by simply eating within a calorie deficit andhiking outside of the gym.
But if you want to start an exercise routine, thebest gym equipment could be thestair climberpairedwith somecompound free-weight exercisesor theleg press,depending on which you enjoy most.
We’ve listed the best gym equipment for cardio and strength training so you can get a taste of what’s out there before putting your exercise program together.
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The best gym equipment for building strength
1. Free weights
Targeting your stabilising muscles is greatfor developing strength and good posture, alongside working the larger musclegroups.
Free weights do this automatically, as theychallenge these additional muscle groups to keep your body balanced and yourjoints in place as you control the weights throughout each movement.
While abiceps curlmachineisstill beneficial for building strength, performing the same exercise withdumbbells would have a greater impact.
So, if you like a challenge, free weights could be the best gym equipment for building your strength!
Barbells
Barbells consist of a bar around 5-6ft longweighing 6-10kg, that is then loaded with interchangeable weight platesdepending on the lifter’s requirements.
They are typically used forcompoundexercisessuchas:
They look intimidating at first glance, butthey’re not too different to dumbbells if you start with lighter plates andwork your way up.
They’re incredibly versatile and allow you tolift heavier over time than other free weights. You may struggle to find asingle dumbbell above 50kg in the gym, whereas you could easily load a barbellabove this amount using plates.
You can still perform the above exercisesusing alternatives if you prefer, but barbell training could be a winner if youwant to develop strength over time.
You can get a full-body strength workout using this gym equipment alone.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells look like mini barbells, but theyusually have a set weight ranging from 2-50kg.
Since they challenge both sides of the bodywhen used in unison, they are one of the best gym equipment choices for fixingmuscle imbalances, making them a good addition to your strength trainingroutine.
They can be used for compound exercises butare especially effective for theaccessoryexercisesthatcomplement them by isolating and strengthening smaller muscle groups. Theseinclude:
You can use dumbbells for a full-body workoutby performing variations of the compound exercises above alongside someaccessory exercises to build strength in overlooked areas.
They’re accessible and versatile and can build strength alongside cardiovascular endurance training.
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Kettlebells
Kettlebells are one of the best gym equipmentchoices if you want to train both strength and cardio simultaneously.
They differ from dumbbells as their weight isloaded beneath the handle rather than on either side.
So, when you perform functional exercises likethekettlebellswingortheclean andpress, the shiftin the centre of mass challenges your muscles in a new way as they work tostabilise the weight.
Not only are you building strength, but you’realso activating your cardiovascular system.
Check out this guide tofunctional strength training with kettlebellsto understand whether they’re the best gym equipment solution for your routine.
2. Push and pull-up bars
You may have heard of thepush-pull workout splitbefore—it’s an effective way of building muscle power without becoming too fatigued in your strength training sessions.
Pull-upandpush-up barsare some of the best gym equipment for weight loss and toning whenpaired with good nutrition and a consistent training routine.
Pull and push-ups promote strength in the core, arms, shoulders, back, and stabilising muscles and are effective for developing functional strength.
3. Cable machine
Cable machines are often neglected bybeginners, as using them isn’t as straightforward as picking up a dumbbell andgetting straight into bicep curls. But they’re not complicated to use once youknow how they work.
Unlike free weights, they provide consistenttension throughout each exercise and allow you to change the direction ofresistance. They’re one of the best gym equipment choices to train your musclesfrom every angle.
Here’s auseful articleto get you started with cable machines.
4. Leg press
We mentioned the push-pull workout methodearlier. The leg press machine is one of the best pieces of gym equipment foryour push days, alongside performingbarbellsquats, as itisolates the muscles in your legs without relying on balance.
You can progress to lifting a significantamount of weight with the leg press. It also helps you improve yourdeadliftsticking pointsbyproviding another opportunity for the lower body to push against heavy loads.
If you’re looking for the best gym equipmentfor weight loss, the leg press is good to consider since it’s great forbuilding strength in the lower body.
Plus, the pin-loaded machines make it easy to track your progress, which could help you sustain your motivation in the long run.
Related: The importance of warming up, according to experts
5. Battle ropes
Battle ropes are a set of thick, heavy ropesideal for getting a full-body workout—they target strength, muscular endurance,and cardiovascular endurance.
JohnBrookfield, theindividual who created the training system for battle ropes, says that they’rethe answer to a missing link in training for athletes.
They train speed and strength simultaneouslyat a constant pace, which is ideal for improving muscular endurance andstrength, which isn’t easily achieved.
So, if you’re looking to partake in competitive sports or an activity like rowing or paddleboarding that requires muscular endurance, this could be one of the best gym equipment choices for your training.
The best gym equipment for cardiovascular endurance
1. Treadmill
Treadmills are undoubtedly one of the best gymequipment choices for cardio exercise.
Old school but effective if you enjoy usingthem, they provide a low-impact method of running that makes it easy to throwon your headphones and get going without worrying about traffic or otherobstacles.
Consider setting a running goal for the year,such as completing 10K on the treadmill and mixing up your runs to help youreach that goal. You can try different types of runs, such as:
If you haven’t tried running, theNHS Couch to 5Kplan is a good place to start.
2. Elliptical
Does the treadmill not cut it as your best gymequipment solution? We get it—they can feel a little monotonous if they’re theonly form of cardio you get.
Elliptical machines are great if you wanteverything the treadmill can offer but in a way that mixes up your training.
They’re incredibly versatile, as you can grabthe handles and work against the machine’s resistance with your arms to get anupper-body workout alongside running. Or you can switch direction and workbackwards to challenge your muscles.
They’re also even easier on your joints thantreadmills, as they have foot pedals rather than a flat running belt, sothere’s less impact on your bones and joints.
You can read more about the benefits of elliptical machineshere.
3. Stationary bike
This could be the best gym equipment forcardio sessions if you prefer cycling to running.
Stationary bikes can help you burnover 300caloriesin a30-minute session, ideal for weight loss when paired with a healthy caloriedeficit.
But most importantly, they also provide a funform of cardio thanks to their versatility—they can be used forintervaltrainingorlong-distance rides, and you can even attendindoor cycling fitness sessionsfor extra motivation.
They’re also extremely convenient since you can use them in all seasons and weather conditions which you can’t always do when cycling outdoors, which may be helpful if you’re using them for weight loss.
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4. Rowing machine
You don’t have to take up rowing to use thismachine, but you’ll certainly feel like a rower once you’ve spent a few weekstackling the total body workout it provides.
Alongside the cardiovascular benefits thatrowing has, it also strengthens a variety of muscles, including:
- quadriceps
- glutes
- calves
- pectorals
- biceps
- triceps
- abdominals
- obliques
Since the rowing motion relies on your legspropelling your body backwards and your arms simultaneously pulling against theresistance created by the machine, it builds muscular power and endurance overtime.
Plus, the rowing motion can also be quite meditative and therapeutic when paired with good music or a podcast, which can benefit your well-being and motivation for sticking with your exercise program.
5. Hill climber
Hiking isn’t always referred to as a weightloss activity, but when paired with a healthy calorie deficit, it can hugelybenefit your physical and mental health.
It increases your stability, aerobic fitness,and muscular endurance in the lower body and core and is alsogreat foryour well-being.
If you decide to take up hiking, the stairclimber is the best gym equipment for preparing your body for walking uphillfor a long duration.
It strengthens your hamstrings, quadriceps,calves, and glutes, alongside training your cardiovascular endurance, balance,and coordination.
Once you fall in love with walking in the countryside for sustainable weight loss, the desire to tackle longer routes and steeper hills will keep you focused and motivated when you’re in the gym, which is a win-win in the long run.
Specialist gym member insurance through Insure4Sport
If you’re starting a gym training plan thisyear, you may want to consider protecting yourself withspecialist gym member insurance.
Unfortunately, as with most sports, gymworkouts carry the risk of suffering an injury, which could not only stop youfrom exercising but also affect your ability to work for a period.
You can opt for Personal Accident and Loss ofEarnings cover to help with unexpected costs so you can focus on getting backon track.
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