Weightlifting equipment includes free weights, dumbbells, weight machines, lifting straps, and weighted clothing. The barbell is potentially dangerous and requires a spotter. Dumbbells come in fixed, adjustable, and select types. Weight machines work almost every muscle group. Lifting straps distribute weight across the wrists, while weighted clothing gradually builds muscle strength.
There are many different types of weightlifting equipment. Free weights, dumbbells, and weight machines are standard in most gyms and can be purchased for home use. Lifting straps or weighted clothing provide a more specialized form of weight training that can meet the needs of weightlifters young or old. The variety of exercises that weightlifting equipment provides makes it an essential part of any fitness routine.
The bar is a main piece of weight lifting equipment at home or in the gym. Since some barbells can hold up to 1,000 pounds (approximately 450 kg) of weights, the bar is a tool for both Olympic weightlifters and those just starting to use weights. The bar is raised when the user is lying on their back, known as a bench press, or when standing. Of all the weightlifting equipment, the barbell is the most potentially dangerous. Many gyms require a spotter to be present when the user performs a bench press.
The dumbbells, a short handle that supports two identical weights, come in three types. The first are fixed weight dumbbells. Constructed of cast iron or concrete-filled plastic, they are not adjustable. The second type, adjustable dumbbells, have interchangeable plates so the user can add or subtract weight. Finally, select dumbbells allow the user to add or subtract weight without having to manually remove the plates.
While dumbbells and dumbbells focus solely on upper body strength, weight lifting machines give the user the opportunity to improve almost every muscle group. Most weight lifting machines include a weight stack that the user adjusts by moving a pin to the selected weight. A pulley system connects the weights where the user is exerting force. Most gyms offer a variety of weight-lifting machines that users can cycle through during a single workout.
Used with both barbells and dumbbells, lifting straps give the user the benefit of distributing more weight across the wrists and lessening the importance of grip strength. Weighted clothing, such as lifting straps, is a type of weightlifting equipment more suitable for those who have just started weightlifting exercises. They are small sacks filled with metal or sand that the user straps to their wrists or ankles. Usually worn under clothing, they gradually build muscle strength as the wearer goes about their daily routine. Low-impact exercise makes weighted clothing an option for seniors working to maintain muscle mass.
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