As you enter into a premium gym, the first things you notice are the extensive selection of bright and shiny high-quality machines and free weights. With so many machines and other pieces of equipment available it can be little confusing as to which machine may actually be the most effective for building strength and improving cardiovascular endurance.
Regardless if you’re new to health and fitness or an experienced user of the gym, knowing the correct pieces of equipment for your desired goal can take away time and improve your results, and make working out more enjoyable for you. In this guide will take a look at what the top gym equipment is in premium gyms and how each of the pieces of equipment can be potentially useful towards your own fitness goals.
1. Strength Training Equipment
Strength training is a vital aspect of acquiring muscle, adding bone density, and boosting metabolism. Premium gyms have a variety of equipment to train the various muscle groups for all people in a safe and effective way.
1.1. Free Weights
Free weights include dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells. They are flexible and effective and allow the most natural of movements.
Dumbells: The best exercises to do with dumbells include bicep curl, shoulder press, lunge, chest press. Something to note is that dumbells and kettlebells come in adjustable weights or fixed weights.
Barbells: The best exercises that are typically done with barbells are compound lifts like squats, deadlift and bench press. Premium gyms typically have olympic barbells if you plan on lifting heavy.
Kettlebells: Kettlebells are great if you are looking for functional movements, swings, and to provide full body conditioning.
Tip: Free weights also require more balance and coordination which also helps you to develop and train your stabilizing muscles.
1.2. Smith Machine
The Smith machine is a barbell that is mounted to steel rails to provide a guided motion. This is great for beginners looking for extra stability, and people recovering from injuries.
Common exercises: squats, bench press, calf raises, shoulder press.
1.3. Cable Machines
Cable machines use adjustable pulleys and weight stacks which allows for smooth, controllable resistance.
Benefits:
- Can work muscles at multiple angles
- Functional isolation movements such as triceps pushdowns, cable crossovers and lateral raises can be accomplished
- Higher end gyms usually have multi-station cable machines enabling you to train your whole body at one station.
1.4. Leg Press Machine
If squats are bothering your lower back, alternatives like leg presses can be an excellent substitute. The leg press works the lower body (quads, hamstrings and glutes) with the advantage that the exercise does not require any balance.
Make sure to position the seat correctly to avoid possible strain on your knees.
1.5. Pull-up and Dip Station
Bodyweight training can be incredibly effective for building functional strength. Pull-up bars and dip stations may not be fancy but are highly effective.
- Pull-ups: muscles worked are back, shoulders and arms
- Dips: muscles worked are chest, triceps, and shoulders
Some higher-end gyms have assisted pull-up/dip machines for beginners to use until they become strong enough to use their bodyweight.
1.6. Plate-Loaded Machines
Plate-loaded machines are also known as equipment that requires the user to add their own weight plates rather than using a pre-attached weight stack. They often feel more natural than pre-loaded machines and are commonly found at higher-end gyms geared towards serious strength training.
Examples include Chest press, hack squat and shoulder press.
2. Cardio Training Equipment
Cardio workouts are great for heart health, endurance and calorie burning. Premium gyms have a multitude of machines to add variety to your workouts.
2.1. Treadmill
- The treadmill is by far the most commonly used cardio machine. you can walk, jog or run indoors and adjust to a set speed and incline.
- Premium treadmills have advanced features such as:
- Pre-programmed workouts
- Heart rate monitors
- Shock absorbing pads to protect joints
2.2. Elliptical Trainer
An elliptical trainer provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout that’s easy on the joints. It imitates walking/running, but without the pounding associated with walking/running.
Benefits:
- Works both the upper and lower body
- R esistance can be adjusted for different intensity levels
2.3. Stationary Bike
Cycling is an excellent cardio workout that will build lower body strength while helping you work on your cardio/endurance.
Types:
- Upright bike – similar to outdoor cycling
- Recumbent bike – reclined position more support for the back
- Spin bike – allows for high intensity indoor cycling classes
2.4. Rowing Machine
The rowing machine is a complete-body exercise simulator that engages your legs, core, back, and arms with one motion.
High-quality products have a smooth resistance system and digital displays that show important info about your workout.
2.5. Stair Climber
This equipment simulates walking up stairs and provides leg strength building and cardiovascular activity opportunities.
Tip: Keep your back straight and don’t lean on the handrails too much.
2.6. Assault Bike (Air Bike)
The air bike uses your arms and legs to create resistance. The more power you generate, the more resistance you will feel – making it an ideal exercise for high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
3. Functional Training Equipment
Functional training is based on movements that not only assist daily life activities, but sports performance and mobility. Premium gyms will have their area for functional training.
3.1. TRX Suspension Trainer
The TRX straps use your body weight as resistance. You can increase or decrease the difficulty; simply by changing your body angle. This is an incredible means of developing core strength, stability, and flexibility.
Examples: Ball slams, wall throws, rotational twists.
3.2. Medicine Balls & Slam Balls
Medicine balls and slam balls are both generally used for explosive power training, core workouts, and rehab work.
Example: Ball slams, wall throws, rotational twists.
3.3. Battle Ropes
Battle ropes are intense and fun! The ropes also help with endurance, and work your arms, shoulders, and core simultaneously.
3.4. Plyometric Boxes
Plyometric boxes are best used for jump training that will help develop explosive fitness and coordination, along with agility.
4. Recovery & Mobility Equipment
Luxury gyms also invest in recovery tools to keep you injury free and improve your range of motion.
4.1. Foam Rollers
Foam rolling releases muscle tension and improves blood circulation, speeding up recovery.
4.2. Stretching Stations
Some gyms have a dedicated stretching station with resistance bands and a mat so you can work on your stretching and mobility.
4.3. Massage Guns
Foam rolling alleviates tension in the muscles in addition to increasing blood flow and vasodilation, contributing to recovery.
5. Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Goals
When seeking to pick equipment, you may consider your main fitness objective:
- If strength: use free weights, plate-loaded machines, or cable systems,
- If toning muscles: use a combination of free weights and resistance machine at moderate weights doing higher reps,
- If fat loss: use strength training combined with high-intensity cardiovascular training such as rowing, assault biking, or stair climbing,
- If endurance: Use treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical with steady-state exercise.
6. Tips for Using Gym Equipment Safely
- Learn good technique before lifting heavy weights
- Start off light before progressing the resistance
- Warm-up for early workouts, and cool down later.
- Clean the equipment before and after use, you are ultimately going to help reduce the spread of germs and viruses.
- Trainers are professionals; do not be afraid to ask for assistance if you are unsure how to use the intended machine or tool.
Final Thoughts
A premium gym provides exceptional fitness equipment to provide you with the ultimate experience. From racks of free weights designed to increase your gains to cardio machines with built in training programs, the only limitation is your drive to reach your goals.
The most valuable tool in your gym is knowing what to do with it, and knowing how to combine strength, cardio, and functional training in order to develop a balanced program. Whether your emphasis is on increasing your lifts, increasing your speed on run, or to just feel healthy, premium equipment is available to help you train and make progress.
The next time you enter the gym, you’ll have a better knowledge of where to begin, and how to maximize each performance.
