Types of Weight Training Equipment

Different types of weight training equipment out there are used for different purposes and are used both by weight training enthusiasts as well as professional body builders. The main categories that the types of equipment can be divided in are:

• Free weights
• Weight training machines
• Body weight leverage equipment

The most common type of free weights out there are undoubtedly dumbbels, which themselves come in different variations. The benefit of free weights is said to be the fact that you require the use of secondary muscle groups to support the weight training exercise of the muscle (group) that has your primary focus. Using these secondary muscles builds up balance and improves overall strength. Buying adjustable free weights (and equipment in general) is the way to go. This allows you to build up resistance as your weight training routine develops.

The more commonly used weight training machines in the gym are built to focus on specific muscle groups, while home equipment moves more toward the x-in-1 style machines, such as multi-gyms. This type of weight training equipment is used mostly by beginning weight training enthusiasts, since the movements are guided and no additional support or skill is required to use them.

Body weight leverage equipment is used for weight training without "artificial" weights. You're simply using your own body in combination with a bench of sorts and gravity to provide you with resistance needed to work out a specific muscle group. Examples of exercises are back extensions, chin up pulls and abdominal crunches.