An apparatus or device used in any given physical activity for shaping and forming muscle groups for specific areas of the body. A mechanism or machine that is intended to promote health and fitness by using motion with varying degrees of resistance either fixed or adjustable.
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Exercise balls are available in a number of forms. There are large Pilates balls specifically suited to Pilates exercises. Medicine balls are somewhat larger than a basketball and are used as a training aid for a variety of different exercises. There are also a number of different types of timing balls used in developing accuracy and timing of martial arts strikes and kicks.
An exercise ball can also be used to help treat low back pain and to prevent future back pain episodes. The ball helps by strengthening and developing the core body muscles (the belt of abdominal and back muscles) that help to stabilize the spine (or vertebral column). An exercise ball creates instability to the exercise that normally wouldn't be there, forcing the body (and the core) to keep balanced. This strengthens the muscles that are doing the balancing.
Exercise balls work for many types of athletes, including older people and pregnant women. There are specific exercises developed for use with the ball that are appropriate for these and other special interest groups.
Weights come in many forms, machines, Bulgarian Bags, dumbbells, medicine balls, kettlebells, sandbells, and barbells. A dumbbell is a small bar with weights on either end, and is held in a single hand, a barbell on the other hand is a large bar with weights on both ends, and both hands are used to grip it.
Dumbbells and barbells are both useful for exercising different muscle areas and maintaining safety throughout a workout, but machines are both safe and also what is known as an isolator. Machines usually only have one path of motion, meaning that it follows a direct path through a system of pulleys and/or attachment to an immobile frame. Some examples of weight machines are Smith Machines, leg press and Mechanical Shoulder Press.
Sandbags of various weights, water-filled kegs, ropes, tractor tires and generally other heavy objects can be used for exercise. These more awkward weights and exercises utilize even more muscles, such as forearm muscles involved in gripping the weights. Each of these are examples of free-weights that are exercised with while standing and incur full body impact. These are alternatives to store-bought weights and can be made on a budget. Sandbags and kegs can be filled to various weights and tuned for the individual exercise practitioner.
There are a few different types of rowing machines that are classified by resistance. Different form of resistance offer different workouts for the individual using them. The hydrolic rowing machine uses pistons to form resistance for the user. This is often the least expensive form of rowing machine. Water Rowing machines use water as the resistance source and are often considered the best rowers by many because of the natural feel they give. Flywheel or air rowing machines have been in existence for years. They use the resistance of air to provide a solid workout. The one downfall to flywheel rowing machines is they often put out a lot of noise due to the air movement. The last form of rowing machines is that of magnetic resistance. These are one of the most popular forms of rowing machine because they put out basically no sound. These machines work off of magnets that provide smooth transitions in and out of resistance levels. While most rowing machines are rather large there are some that fold easily to move out of the way.
Some other exercise equipment include: treadmill, exercise bike, cross trainer and cable pull down.
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