When planning your home gym to start a regular workout routine, the first thing you need to consider is the type of exercise you want to do. Do you expect to do mostly cardio exercises, or do you want to focus on strength training? Or do you want to do a bit of both? If you’re just starting your fitness journey and you’re not sure what to pick, that’s okay! Our team at Fitness Equipment Cape Cod is here to help you find the right exercise program.
Here’s a look at the basics of strength training and cardio workouts to help you choose the best fitness equipment for your home gym.
Strength Training: Build Muscle
Strength training involves using weights or your own body weight to increase muscle strength. This type of exercise is usually slow and requires focus on breathing and muscle control. The best machines for this kind of activity are strength-training machines or benches, which provide resistance to help you work your muscles. Pair these with some free weights for a more robust workout.
However, strength training can be difficult for beginners. Experts recommend that you begin your strength training regimen with a partner, as incorrectly lifting weights can cause serious injury. This type of exercise is efficient at burning fat, but the fat will be replaced with muscle. This means that if your goal is solely to lose pounds, this may not be the most effective type of exercise.
Cardio: Get Your Heart Rate Up
Cardio is defined as any exercise that elevates your heart rate. It’s most often associated with constant motion such as jogging or rowing. There is a wide variety of cardio machines available, including treadmills, ellipticals, and rowing machines. Any of these will raise your heart rate and create a great workout.
Cardio is a great workout for a beginner. It’s easy to get onto a machine and keep moving. It’s also an excellent way to burn fat and keep the pounds off. Cardio is recommended for anyone looking to lose weight or help their circulation and heart rate.
The Best of Both Worlds
The best option for a complete workout is to combine strength training and cardio. Work your muscles with a few repetitions of strength-training exercises, then put in some time on a cardio machine to get your heart rate up. This way, you’ll gain muscle while burning fat and benefit from both types of exercise.
