Hippocrates once said, “that which is used develops, and that which is not used wastes away.” That statement perfectly describes the human body and its need for continual exercise and movement. One must exercise and challenge themselves through intense physical conditioning and regularly working out, if they want to be in top form. Exercises that increase ones pulse, such as lifting weights on strength training equipment and using cardiovascular equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills, are quintessential exercises for people seeking optimal health. Cardiovascular exercise on treadmills and elliptical machines, as well as physical strength training with weight equipment, are also requirements for those who wish to be fit. Laying down in bed, day dreaming of what you wished you looked like, will only make you more upset. Do not waste time, procrastinate and day dream. Get on the exercise grind and make it happen!

Many of you reading this are probably saying to yourselves, “Why does this blog keep reiterating how important cardio and strength training are, when it is obvious that in order to reach your full potential, such measures must be taken. Is there a reason we have been told 50 times in this article that one must use both cardiovascular and strength equipment in order to maintain a successful exercise program?” Well, if we are preaching to the choir, then more power to you and we are more than pleased that our readers are doing their homework. However, although it is obvious that a total-body workout is necessary for a fitness training session to be complete, many people only focus on one aspect of exercise, while neglecting the other. In other words, many people will just lift weights and not run, or vice versa, so even though the majority of us perfectly understand the theory behind the necessity to incorporate strength and cardio training into the same workout, the majority of that majority, does not put their theory into practice.

When it comes to practicing with exercise equipment, weight machines are really fun and effective. Weight training is essential for increasing strength and muscle mass. There is a large variety of weight training machines in today’s fitness equipment industry, each having its own purpose, specializing in different functions. Therefore, there should be a machine suitable for any and all strength conditioning needs. The variety of home gym options, including but not limited to, single, double, triple or quadruple weight-stack home gyms, make it virtually impossible that someone can’t find a home gym that can help serve their needs. For example, Nautilus, Life Fitness, Body-Solid, Bowflex, Precor, Cybex and Kettler are some excellent brands of commercial and home fitness equipment, that all manufacture a wide variety of strength training machines suitable for ones home, or commercial health club facility.

Home gyms are used for strength training and are built to help people tone, build and define their muscles, however they are not all the same and there are many features of a home gym one must consider when shopping for one. Structural integrity and mechanical capacity are key terms that need to be completely understood by those seeking out a top of the line home gym. The mechanical capacity of the home gym refers to the amount of weight that can be lifted on the machine. Typically, home gyms, strength trainers and circuit weight machines, all have solid warranty coverage. Whereas treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals and other kinds of commercial and home fitness equipment, all have electronic boards prone to breaking down, strength equipment such as home gyms, weight plates, circuit weight machines and selector strength pieces, are all electronic free and primarily made of steel.

Popular home gym models include, but are not limited to, the Body Solid 1500s, the BodyCraft Family Express, BodyCraft X2 Family Xpress, Life Fitness G7, Precor S3.23 Functional Trainer. Extensive research has proven that the health club caliber gyms previously mentioned are mechanically advanced and structurally superior pieces of gym grade equipment. One of the best parts about having commercial gym equipment at home is that it is rated to last for decades. Imagine how long pieces of gym equipment last in commercial environments over time. At the end of the day, you are only using it for a small percentage of time, compared to its usage in the gym, therefore the fitness equipment is rated to last much longer in your home, than it would in the gym.

If you are not really juiced up for this years NFL and NCAA Football seasons then there is something wrong with you! These guys are such great athletes and we take great pride in supplying them with the best fitness equipment known to man. If you want to find out how structurally sound an Elliptical Cross Trainer is, then put a 6’5, 310 lb. middle line-backer on it and if the fitness equipment remains quiet while in use, and does not rock back and forth, well, then you have found yourself a winner! Big, strong and sometimes fat people are really the best way to determine the strength and quality of gym equipment.

edit: Side note, if your name is Julie, and you are 5’5 and 130 lbs., it does not matter if the piece of cardio fitness equipment you are looking for can support the weight of a Giant, it just matters wheter or not the exercise bike, fitness stepper, home gym, treadmill, or elliptical is comfortable for you.  That is not to say that you should not be concerned over the structural integrity of the exercise equipment that you may potentially purchase, we are just saying the mechanical capacity (user weight capacity), is of no importance to you. Sports equipment and gym machinery will always support at least 150lbs, unless specified otherwise.

However,  most of the people that call the Kings of Cardio, are not small and skinny, in fact, for the most part, they are big and heavy. In order for exercise equipment and gym gear to work safe and effectively, it must be sturdy enough to withstand continuous usage over time by people of all shapes and sizes. For these two reasons, we make sure that we provide our customers with the highest quality fitness equipment on earth and in return they love us for it! We hope…

I’d always considered myself myself out-doorsy type, and never taken much to gyms or workout equipment for that matter. About 2 months ago, I found myself skipping out on my daily jogs, by lack of motivation. After deciding that a gym membership might inspire me to exercise, since after all I would be paying $30 a month, I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I go at least four times a week now, and exercise all parts of body that simply jogging did not sculpt. After about an hour on the elliptical, weights, treadmill, and crunches, followed by a 15 minute hot tub session, I’ve never felt so revived. I can also pay attention to the numbers of calories and miles I’m burning, and build plans for each week to exceed the previous. I have an entirely new respect for gyms and trainers now, and can’t wait to start building my own home gym soon!

Somehow people have turned against building muscle mass and as far as I can remember, there have not been any reputable athletes that have not endorsed lifting weights. Go and pump some iron today. Weight lifting will increase your muscle mass, tone your body and make your clothes feel tighter when you put them on, if you are a true weight lifting machine then you know what I am talking about. Add weight lifting to any cardio routine and it will dramatically increase your overall results from exercising. If you want to look sweet, fell good and be a champ, then you have to mix up your home gym exercise routines and not just walk on the treadmill for a mile or so. That is for wimps and simps!