Gyms provide you with various exercise equipment to suit your myriad needs. There are two types of exercise recommended for the human body: strength training and cardio. Along with stretching, these two are fundamental to a successful fitness program. Gym exercise equipment falls in either of these two categories.

Cardio, or cardiovascular exercise, is important for a healthy heart, and burns fat by raising the heart rate. The equipment for these kinds of exercises includes treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, stair climbers and more. This exercise equipment is often accompanied by a display screen that tracks the heart rate, along with other information like the number of miles run or calories burned.

Equipment for strength training exercise is more varied. Weight machines, free weights and resistance equipment are used for this purpose. Weight training builds the strength of the muscles and aids in sustaining the benefits that comes form cardio workouts.

Free weights are available in varied sizes and weights. Generally, people have a preference for free weights to weight machines, because the entire body goes through the workout while using the former. Conversely, weight machines are easier to use and a lot safer, and allow the user to work with greater weights.

Weight machines have weights connected to a pulley that the user can use by pushing or pulling other parts of the exercise machine. These machines are highly user-friendly, with each machine carrying an illustration on its correct use.

Also, there is resistance exercise equipment that includes the chin-up bar that works the triceps and the biceps, and the abdomen-working crunch machines.

Balance and resistance equipment can be used independently or with free weights. Doing crunches or lunges on inflatable balls or pads, respectively, is a great way of using the entire body effectively while maintaining balance in the process.

Though gyms nowadays provide innumerable options for the user, it is best to first know how the machines work before trying them out.

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