We’re all the same when we get started (and for a while after too!) – gym equipment names are confusing and you can sometimes feel more than a little helpless in regards to what does what.
We’ve put this guide together with a view to freeing up your mind a little in order to get to the bottom of how each machine can benefit you, how to use it, and where you can find the best version of it.
With that in mind, let’s go on a journey now into the wonderful world of gym equipment and finally make a little more sense of it all so that the only thing you have to think about from now on is your constant progression.
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The treadmill is a great way to practice walking or running at any pace you’re comfortable within an indoor setting – this is fantastic for those who prefer home based exercise or those who aren’t confident running outside.
Primarily your lungs in regards to developing your general fitness but treadmills can also provide a great core and leg workout (you use these areas when you run) especially when used with an incline (uphill) setting.
One of the best aspects of cardio (cardiovascular) machinery is that the world is your oyster! You can perform steady state (long distance) cardio at a moderate intensity or crank things up and perform some interval training (varying intensities on repeat) as well as performance based cardio at higher intensities.
Prices vary massively and it really depends how much you want to spend! Typically a treadmill will range from $300 to $3000.
Rowing machines are a great way to work the entire body by replicating outdoor rowing in an indoor setting – this is one of the only cardiovascular machines that involves the arms almost as much as the legs.
As it’s a cardio machine you’re going to work the lungs and improve your fitness – in conjunction with this expect to get a great leg and arm workout (especially at higher resistance settings.)
You can perform steady state and interval cardio at a basic level, but you’ll find that some rowing machines actually include inbuilt games too so that you don’t get bored on your fitness journey. Performance based cardio (operating at near maximal levels) is also possible with a rower.
Prices for a rowing machine vary from $200 - $2000.
The elliptical machine is a great way to simulate a running motion that places no impact on the knee joints and successfully integrates the arms for a full body workout.
Elliptical machines are very versatile in that they can be used purely for cardio purposes (fitness) or to target your lower body and arms by integrating the handles and increasing the resistance settings.
You can focus on your fitness through long distance cardio / interval training or tweak the resistance (and sometimes incline) settings to focus on different aspects of your lower body and make the workout harder. Your upper body is also going to get a decent workout provided you use the moving handles.
You can expect to pay $300 - $3000 for an elliptical machine.
Upright bikes provide a great low-impact form of indoor exercise by simulating a road bike but without the need to go outside.
An indoor bike will work your lungs and lower body in equal measure – every muscle in the lower body is in fact targeted (especially at higher resistances.)
You can perform any cardio variety without having to worry about any impact taking place on your joints in the process – when you integrate some resistance this proves to be a fantastic lower body toner as well for every area of the legs.
Upright bikes range from $150 to $1500 generally.
A stair mill literally allows you to simulate walking upstairs on an endless cycle – this is a great form of low impact cardiovascular exercise
Stair mills should primarily be used as an easily accessible low impact form of cardio though they can be an effective calf and even glute (bottom) toner when used with some resistance.
Stair mills can be used to perform either steady state or interval cardio with an emphasis being placed on the calves and the base of the glutes to perform the movement.
Stair mills are one of the most expensive pieces of cardio out there with prices realistically ranging from between $2500 to $10,000.
Recumbent exercise bikes are a fantastic low-impact form of cardio that provides a little more comfort and back support for the user over an upright bike.
A recumbent exercise bike is going to work your lungs and the back of your legs hard – especially when you integrate some resistance into your workout.
You can use a recumbent exercise bike for steady state, interval and to a lesser extent performance based cardiovascular activity.
You can generally pick up a recumbent exercise bike for $300 to $3000.
A spin bike is a seated frame that revolves around one singular spinning disc that you can apply different levels of resistance to – it more closely simulates the feeling of being on an outdoor bike with all the benefits of being indoors.
Like the upright exercise bike, spin bikes will allow you to develop your fitness while targeting all aspects of the lower body – spinners are perhaps a little more versatile in terms of the exercises you can perform on them as their frame usually accommodates standing up in the saddle a little more comfortably than a standard upright bike.
You can use a spin bike to perform all forms of cardio safe in the knowledge that your joints are protected due to the low impact nature of the activity.
Spin bike prices range from $150 - $1500 typically.
Leg press machines come in many different shapes and sizes, though they all have one thing in common – they are designed to safely and effectively work every muscle in the lower body while protecting the joints.
Leg presses target every muscle in the lower body including the thighs, the hamstrings, the glutes and the calves with different foot positions yielding a different area being prioritized at once.
You can safely and effectively target any muscle in the lower body through either applying a foot stance that targets an even balance of all of them at once or slightly altering your stance to prioritize a certain area.
Expect to pay between $1000 and $7000 for a good quality leg press.
A hack squat machine is designed to allow you to perform a squatting movement with a major emphasis being placed on the thighs to isolate and develop them.
Primarily the quads (thighs) though you can effectively target every leg muscle through differentiating your foot position.
You can use a hack squat machine to target every aspect of the front and back of your leg muscles through either placing the feet further forward or backward on the platform.
Hack squat machines cost roughly $1000 - $3000 on average.
A leg extension machine will allow you to isolate the quads on their own and either strengthen them, tone them or a combination of the two.
Leg extension machines work the quadriceps muscle.
You can use a leg extension machine to effectively develop muscle tone in your quads as well as improve their endurance and / or strength.
A leg extension machine will typically cost $500 to $2500.
Serving as a complete opposite to the leg extension machine, the leg curl machine isolates and tones / strengthens the hamstring muscle.
The leg curl isolates and develops the hamstring muscles, though there is also some calf integration too.
You can use a leg curl machine to effectively develop the hamstring muscles in any way you choose, whether it’s to strengthen them, improve their endurance or tone them up.
On average a leg curl machine is similarly priced to a leg extension costing $500 - $2500.
A seated calf machine is a great way to isolate and develop the calf muscles.
Seated calf machines isolate the calves while strengthening the ankle joint.
You can use a seated calf machine to tone, improve the endurance of and generally strengthen the calf muscles.
Usually, you’ll find that a seated calf machine costs $200 - $1500
Slightly different to a seated calf machine, the standing calf machine allows the user to isolate and develop their calf muscles from a slightly different angle that some believe helps to lengthen them.
Standing calf machines target the calves and help to strengthen the ankle joint.
You can use a standing calf machine to effectively isolate and strengthen the calf muscles and potentially lengthen them.
You can expect to pay $300 to $2000 for a standing calf machine.
Leg abduction machines are a safe and effective way to target the outer thigh muscles.
Leg abduction machines are designed to target the outer thighs in isolation to the rest of the body.
You can use a leg abduction machine to effectively target and tone / strengthen the outer thigh muscles and aid in your overall stability.
Expect to pay $1000 to $3000 for a leg abductor.
A leg adduction machine served as the counterpart to a leg abduction machine by targeting the inner thigh muscles.
Leg adduction machines target the inner thighs in isolation to the rest of the body.
You can use a leg adduction machine to effectively isolate and develop the inner thigh muscles, which in turn will aid in stability.
You can pick up a leg adductor machine for $1000 to $3000.
Lat pulldown machines have been around since almost the very beginning of resistance training practices and they directly target the lat (back) muscles.
Without getting too technical, the lat pulldown will effectively target every muscle in the back though there is a particular emphasis placed on the side of the back muscles as well as the forearms when used without lifting aids.
You can use the lat pulldown to strengthen and develop the back muscles while also helping to safeguard against ailments like sciatica.
You’ll pay anywhere from $200 to $5000 for a lat pulldown machine.
Pec deck machines have been designed to isolate and develop the pec (chest) muscles.
You’ll be targeting the chest muscles on their own when you use the pec deck – your seat position will determine which part of the pec you access.
A pec deck machine can be used to effectively target and strengthen, tone or improve the endurance of the pec muscles.
Pec deck machines cost around $500 to $4000 on average.
Cable crossover machines are one of the most versatile pieces of gym equipment available – they get their popular name “crossover” from the ability they grant the user to perform a unique kind of chest fly that sees the arms crossing over in the middle. This exercise is simply one of the hundreds you can perform on this machine though it is the most popular.
This is completely dependent on the exercise – you can use the crossover to perform almost any exercise you can think of.
With a little research, you can use the cable crossover to perform nearly every exercise in existence with the benefit of having constant tension applied to the muscles through the use of the cables.
Expect to pay $400 to $3000 for a good cable crossover machine.
A chest press machine is a great way to safely target the chest muscles, shoulders and triceps without the risk of injury through dropping weights or destabilizing.
This entirely depends on the variety of chest press you are using, though you’re typically going to be targeting an even balance of both chest muscles at once with an emphasis being placed more on one area depending on your seat angle.
You can use a chest press to develop size and strength as well as definition in the chest in a safe and effective manner.
You’ll pay $800 to $3000 for a chest press machine.
A butt blaster machine is an amazing way to target the glute (butt) muscles and tone them.
Butt blaster machines isolate the glute muscles individually.
You can use the butt blaster machine to effectively strengthen and tone / develop the glute muscles.
Butt blaster machines will typically cost anywhere from $300 to $2000.
An ab crunch machine is a fantastic way to isolate the abdominal muscles and develop them without integrating any other body parts.
The ab crunch machine directly targets the ab muscles and allows the user to tone them without “cheating” their way through the exercise as is possible when performing it without a machine.
You can tone, strengthen and generally improve the ab muscles with the ab crunch machine which is not only going to be great in terms of developing a six pack, but it’ll also improve your posture.
Ab machines cost $400 to $2000.
A Pilates reformer machine will allow you to effectively practice various Pilates exercises with added resistance and support from cables.
A Pilates reformer machine can effectively be used to target every muscle in the body depending on which exercise you choose to perform on it.
You can strengthen your core, tone your upper and lower body and generally improve your posture with the safe and effective use of a Pilates reformer.
Expect to pay $400 to $2000 for a Pilates reformer machine.
A barbell is essentially a long bar that serves as a loading platform for weight plates – it’s totally up to you as to which area of the body you choose to target with it.
Absolutely everywhere! There are thousands of barbell exercises for you to perform to target every muscle in the body.
You can use a barbell to enhance strength, muscle tone and generally improve your skeletal structure.
Barbell costs are typically around $30 - $200 on average.
An Olympic barbell functions in the same manner as a normal barbell, except that it is of a higher quality to ensure that the bar can handle excessive loads.
As with a standard barbell, you can target the entire body with an Olympic barbell.
You can almost perform any exercise you can imagine using an Olympic barbell except that, due to its build quality, it can take a near limitless weight load and isn’t likely to bend under excess pressure.
For a good Olympic barbell expect to pay $150 - $1500
A fixed weight dumbbell is simply a handheld weight, set at a fixed weight that you can perform a series of thousands of exercises with.
You can target absolutely any area of the body using either a singular or pair of dumbbells together.
Using a fixed weight dumbbell will allow you to effectively target and tone / strengthen almost any body part you can think of when used in a safe and effective manner.
Prices vary massively depending on the weight being purchased – you’ll likely pay a minimum of $10 for a light pair and up to (and in excess of) $1000 for the heaviest pairs.
An adjustable dumbbell allows the user to select their own weight and adjust it accordingly as per their limitations for their chosen exercise.
As with a set dumbbell, you can target every muscle in the body with either a singular or a pair of dumbbells.
You can successfully use adjustable dumbbells to tone, strengthen and generally develop any area of the body.
Adjustable dumbbells cost anywhere from $100 to $1000.
A standard weight plate is designed to be used in conjunction with a standard barbell to increase the weight being lifted for a chosen exercise.
When used in conjunction with a standard barbell, a standard weight plate can be used to target any area of your choosing.
You can perform any exercise to strengthen and tone any area when using a standard weight plate with a standard barbell.
Prices for weight plates vary depending on weight value and quality value – they are usually in the range of $10 - $200 per plate.
Similar to a standard weight plate, an Olympic weight plate is designed solely to be used with an Olympic bar due to its two-inch loading hole (compared to the one-inch standard plate hole.)
You can target every area of the body with an Olympic weight plate loaded Olympic bar.
You can use an Olympic weight plate in conjunction with an Olympic bar to target and develop any area of the body – Olympic weight plates can absorb more shock and are designed for bars that are intended for use in high-intensity situations.
Olympic weight plate costs vary from $30 – $300 per plate.
A climbing rope is a fantastic way to develop upper and lower body strength while targeting every aspect of the core and upper and lower body muscles.
Climbing ropes target absolutely every muscle in the body.
You can use a climbing rope to develop fitness and strength by climbing up and down it in a vertical line and even performing certain holds while in mid air using your body weight.
Climbing ropes cost $50 to $150 on average.
Kettlebells are a fantastic way to target the entire body and engage stabilization muscles through the performance of smooth, free flowing movements that require a number of areas to fire off at once (more so than a typical dumbbell or barbell movement.)
Most kettlebell movements target one primary area while involving typically unused aspects of many other areas at once too.
You can successfully develop your strength and muscle tone through using a kettlebell as part of your training as well as developing your core and stabilization muscles to an excellent level.
Kettlebell costs vary depending on the weight being purchased, they typically range from $15 to $200.
An exercise mat is a comfortable platform for you to perform core and bodyweight exercises on.
You can use an exercise mat to target almost any area of the body in comfort and safety.
Uses vary but ultimately you can choose to perform any body weight or ab exercise on it instead of exposing your skin / body to a hard and / or rough surface area.
Costs for an exercise mat are usually $15 to $50.
An EZ curl bar is a small, specially designed barbell that allows you to perform various arm exercises while safely accommodating the wrists (standard barbells can cause issues with this area.)
EZ bars are typically used to target the biceps and triceps.
You can perform almost any biceps or triceps exercise while protecting the wrists due to the special position of the bar grips.
An EZ bar usually costs $20 to $100.
A triceps bar is a specially designed bar that allows the user to perform triceps exercises with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) thus providing more stability on a wide array of triceps movements.
The triceps bar is primarily going to be used to target the triceps though it can also be used for some biceps movements too.
You can use a triceps bar to develop strength, size and general tone in the triceps area (as well as the forearms and biceps.)
Prices for a triceps bar vary from $20 to $60.
A flat bench is a specially designed bench that’s typically going to be used for barbell bench-pressing, though it can accommodate dumbbell bench pressing in conjunction with other flat angled exercises.
A flat bench can theoretically be used to target the chest, triceps, and shoulders through an array of exercises, though typically the chest will be the primary focus.
You can perform almost any exercise that involves the body being laid in a flat position.
You’re going to need to spend $50 to $300 for a flat bench.
An adjustable bench is a highly versatile weight bench that allows the user to change the seat angle to accommodate almost any form of pressing exercise.
You’ll primarily be targeting the chest, triceps and shoulders with an adjustable bench.
You can perform almost any dumbbell pressing exercise – barbell movements are also possible though you’ll be limited due to the lack of a spotting platform.
You can pick up an adjustable bench for $80 to $1000.
An Olympic weight bench is a specially designed bench with an integrated spotting platform for assistance with maximal loads. Olympic benches can come in flat, decline or incline varieties.
An Olympic weight bench is typically going to target the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
You can target the chest, triceps, and shoulders using maximal loads due to the specially designed bench frame.
An Olympic weight bench will typically cost $100 to $3000.
An incline bench is simply a flat bench variant that is instead angled at a set incline permanently.
An incline bench primarily targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
You can perform any pressing or isolation movement that requires the body to be in an inclined position.
Typically an incline bench will cost $80 to $1000.
Decline benches are purposefully designed to accommodate movements where the body needs to be laid exclusively in a decline position.
A decline bench will typically target the abs, chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Any exercise that needs to be performed from a declined angle.
Most decline benches cost $80 to $1000.
A balance board is a unique exercise device that allows the user to perform exercises while simultaneously having to focus on their ability to balance using their stabilizer muscles and core strength.
You can effectively target the entire body with a balance board though you’ll be using an even mix of several areas at once when exercising on it due to the forced participation of your stabilizer muscles and core.
Almost any exercise you can think of though using the balance board will add unique dynamics to the movement.
Balance boards cost anywhere from $15 to $150 on average.
A foam roller is a special foam stick used to help with stretching and rehabilitation by applying pressure to high-tension areas and effectively helping to put them at ease.
Foam rollers can be used to target anywhere on the body where tension needs to be eased.
As opposed to being used for exercise, a foam roller should be viewed as a rehabilitation and supplementary device to help you get the most out of your training by helping to eliminate muscular tightness and tension thus improving flexibility and blood flow.
Foam rollers usually cost $20 to $100.
A jump rope is a traditional piece of exercise equipment used for either low or high intensity cardiovascular exercise.
Jump ropes are typically used to target the lungs for effective fitness though they also help develop the calves and other aspects of the legs.
You can perform interval cardio or even steady state cardio over a longer duration.
You can pick up a jump rope for $5 to $30.
An ab roller wheel is a special wheel with handles attached specifically designed for the performance of the abdominal rollout exercise.
The ab wheel targets every aspect of the abdominal muscles.
An ab roller is specially designed for the abdominal rollout exercise – it is easily one of if not the singular most effective ab exercise for the front of the abdomen.
Expect to pay $10 to $50 for an ab roller.
A suspension trainer is a fantastic way of performing bodyweight exercises while also integrating the core muscles and other stabilization muscles that would normally not get covered while performing said exercise.
You can use a suspension trainer to target any area you wish.
You can perform almost any bodyweight exercise of your choosing with a suspension trainer, due to the exercise being performed in “mid-air”, this adds a completely new dynamic to your chosen exercise.
Typically a suspension trainer will cost $100 to $250.
Gymnastic rings are used to perform bodyweight exercises in a similar fashion to a suspension unit, though they are suspended from a much greater height thus opening up a wider array of exercise options and positions.
You can successfully target the entire body using gymnastic rings.
You can perform any bodyweight exercise with a pair of gymnastic rings. Due to their curved structure, they are very accommodating for the wrists and facilitate a variety of different positions being held, as well as a full sphere of movement due to them being elevated at such a great height.
You’ll often pay $30 to $80 for a pair of gymnastic rings.
The wall ball is a fantastic piece of equipment for developing total body power.
Wall balls integrate your upper body and hips by forcing them into action in the process of throwing the ball.
You can develop your power in the pursuit of enhanced athleticism and strength.
Typically, a slam ball will cost $10 to $80 depending on the weight of the ball you purchase.
Medicine balls can be used for a variety of exercises to develop the core, develop fitness and / or improve muscle tone in the lower and upper body.
You can use a medicine ball to perform a series of exercises to effectively target the whole body.
With a medicine ball, your options are varied – exercise choices range from simple core exercises to advanced athletic movements depending on your goals.
The cost of a medicine ball depends on the weight and quality of the ball in question – prices range from $15 to $100.
A plyo box can vary in height and is used to develop your lower body power and general full body fitness.
Plyo boxes target primarily your lower body and develop your fitness.
Though plyo boxes are primarily used to develop leg power, you can also use them to perform unique exercises depending on their height and to tone the lower body.
The cost of a plyo box will depend on whether or not you buy a set or singular boxes, and prices again vary depending on their size and height. Expect to pay a minimum of $50 and a maximum of around $300 for the largest and best quality.
A glute ham developer is a specially designed platform that allows you to perform a unique bodyweight version of a hamstring curl – this is perhaps the most challenging leg exercise around but is worth every ounce of sweat for the strength and size it will afford your hamstrings and glutes.
The glute ham developer will target the hamstrings, glutes, and core when done correctly.
You can develop your lower body and core strength while generally developing the hamstrings and glutes.
Expect to pay at least $300 and a maximum of $2000 for a glute ham developer.
A hyperextension bench is a specially designed bench / platform used to perform the important back extension exercise.
Primarily your back extensor and middle back muscles.
Hyperextension benches are used to develop core balanced and strengthen the lower back.
Expect to pay $100 to $1000 for a hyperextension bench.
Preacher benches are used to perform an isolated version of the bicep curl that doesn’t allow you to integrate any other body parts thus focusing purely on the biceps.
This special bench is used purely to target the biceps.
You can perform isolated dumbbell or barbell variants of the biceps curl.
Preacher benches usually cost $100 to $800.
An arm blaster is a special harness that allows you to isolate the biceps when performing a barbell bicep curl.
Arm blasters primarily target the biceps in total isolation from the rest of the body.
You can use an arm blaster to perform any barbell bicep curl exercise while ensuring no other part of your body attempts to get involved and overtake the area you are targeting.
Arm blasters cost roughly $30 to $80.
An abdominal bench is a specially designed bench that encourages a safer position while performing abdominal exercises and usually allows you to use added weight.
Abdominal benches work the front of your abdomen.
You can perform sit-ups and crunches using an abdominal bench.
Abdominal benches typically cost $100 to $1000.
A stability ball is a large air filled ball that allows you to perform exercises on an unstable platform, thus integrating stabilization muscles and the core more so than when performing these exercises without it.
Depending on the exercise, you can target every muscle in the body with the stability ball.
You can perform almost any weighted and bodyweight exercise you can think of while relying on the stability ball as a platform – this will add a new dynamic to your training.
Stability balls typically cost $15 to $50 depending on their size and quality.
A dip bar is used to perform the triceps dip exercise in a convenient manner.
Dip bars target the shoulders, chest, and triceps depending on your body position.
You can perform any variation of the dip exercise (some parallel bars start with narrow bar spacing and gradually expand to allow for both wide and close grip dipping.
Expect to pay $50 to $500 for a set of dip bars.
A pull up bar allows you to perform either wide grip pull ups or chin ups in an easy and convenient manner.
A pull up bar primarily work the back, bicep and forearm muscles with an emphasis being placed on a different area depending on the pull up variety being performed.
You can perform several variations of the pull up exercise.
A pull up bar will typically cost anywhere from $30 to $80 on average.
Power towers are a convenient combination of a leg raise and dipping station (to perform abdominal and dipping exercises) in conjunction with a pull up bar to perform pull up exercise variations. There is sometimes an additional press up station at the base thus making this a great all in one solution for performing a variety of upper body exercises.
You can target the triceps, shoulders, back, biceps chest and abs with a power tower.
You can perform a huge variety of some of the most effective exercises for strength and muscular size development in one station as opposed to having to use several pieces of equipment separately.
Power towers tend to cost roughly $100 to $2000.
We recommend the Weider Power Tower. Learn more in our buyer's guide.
A dumbbell rack is a convenient storage solution for fixed weight dumbbells of any size and can accommodate anywhere between a few to as many as twenty pairs at once.
As this is not an exercise machine, the only area likely to get a workout is your lungs when you retrieve some of the heavier weights from the rack!
You can safely and conveniently store your dumbbell sets away without having to worry about tripping over them and causing injury.
Expect to pay anywhere between $200 to $1500 for a dumbbell rack depending on its quality and size.
Similar to a dumbbell rack, a barbell rack is a fantastic storage solution for barbells – they vary immensely in terms of shape and size depending on what kind of barbell they are accommodating. Some are designed for Olympic bar storage whereas others are designed for storing pre set bars.
You won’t be targeting any muscle groups with a barbell rack but you’ll likely be avoiding many injuries as a result of not tripping over loose barbells anymore.
You can use a barbell rack to store either pre set or unloaded Olympic bars safely.
You’ll pay $80 to $600 for a barbell rack.
A weight tree is a convenient storage solution for weight plates – they are typically designed for Olympic plates though one-inch plate trees do exist.
As this is not an exercise machine but a storage solution, you won’t be targeting any particular area of the body when using a weight tree.
You can use a weight tree to neatly store your weight plates in numerical order thus providing a safer training environment.
You’ll typically pay around $50 to $300 for a weight tree.
A squat rack is a specially designed rack for performing free weight squats with inbuilt safety bars and ledges to allow you to drop the bar or re-rack it quickly when in danger
Primarily every muscle in the lower body, though squat racks can also be useful for targeting the shoulders via the military press exercise and even the back when performing rack pulls (a deadlift variant.)
You can perform any variation of the free weight barbell squat in safety.
It’ll cost you $200 to $2000 for a good quality squat rack.
A smith machine is a specially designed rack with an inbuilt barbell – you can use it to load weight plates onto and perform any barbell exercise without the risk of injury due to the bar being on guided rails (and usually incorporating a safety catch.)
You can use the smith machine to target every muscle in the body depending on the exercise you choose to perform.
Smith machines are a fantastic way to perform any free weight barbell movement in total safety without the need for a spotter.
A smith machine will usually cost $1000 to $5000.
The power rack is an all in one solution for safe Olympic lifting and strength training practice – it is essentially a cage with inbuilt and adjustable safety bars to allow you to perform anything from deadlifting to squatting from variable heights, safe in the knowledge that you can drop the load when in danger.
This piece of equipment facilitates an enormous array of exercises that will allow you to target the entire body.
You can perform any free weight barbell movement with total peace of mind due to the safety stop bars and variable loading / unloading height.
Power racks range from $300 to $3000.
Push up bars are a simple and convenient way to perform push ups using a neutral grip that is arguably more comfortable for the wrists.
Push up bars typically target the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
You can perform push-ups safely and comfortably – some bars are adjustable meaning several push up variations may be possible to prioritize different areas.
A push up bar will usually cost anywhere from $20 to $120.
A resistance band is a highly versatile piece of equipment that allows you to target any area of the body for either rehabilitation or enhancement purposes as part of a normal exercise.
A resistance band can be used to work any area of the body.
Uses for resistance bands vary from simple rehabilitation / flexibility exercises to being used as part of free weight or bodyweight exercises to make them more challenging.
Resistance bands cost $10 to $80.
Agility ladders are a fantastic way to develop your coordination and footwork for athletic purposes.
Agility ladders will typically challenge your mind as well as your lungs and calves as you perform any one of a number of footwork drills.
Being that the agility ladder is not a ladder per say due to it being laid out on the floor (though it is in the same shape as a ladder), you won’t be using it to climb! Instead, you’ll need to navigate through its squares using several planes of motion and exercises.
Roughly $10 to $30 is an average price for an agility ladder.
Aerobic steps are a highly versatile piece of equipment used to enhance or perform several bodyweight and other exercise variants.
You can use an aerobic step to target the entire body as well as developing fitness.
You can perform any number of exercises or enhance others via the integration of added height.
Step costs vary from $20 to $100 on average.
A punching bag can come in many different shapes and sizes, though the goal of this piece of equipment is ultimately to develop your boxing skills.
The punching bag provides an amazing cardio workout as well as helping to tone your shoulders and triceps as well as pretty much every other area of the upper body.
You can perform speed, power and even agility based boxing drills with a punching bag.
A punching bag will typically cost around $50 to $500 depending on weight and quality.
So there we have it – you now have a decent understanding of the majority of the gym equipment names you’re likely to hear and how to use these pieces as part of your training.
While this is by no means a complete list of everything you’ll ever need to know about in order to confidently train alone at home or in the gym, it’s safe to say that you’ll be comfortable using most of this equipment regularly as part of your routine now, regardless of your goal.
The ultimate aim of this article is for you to feel confident using new equipment as part of your regular training regime in order to mix things up and create dramatic differences to your body – variety alone can create a world of difference if you feel like you’ve hit a plateau.
How do you feel about using the equipment listed here now? Share your experiences with other readers and let them know how you progress as you try new machines and exercises – we’d all love to hear from you!
Good luck out there, and happy training!
Hi there, I'm David, personal trainer and chief editor at Fit&Me.
We want to help you achieve your health and fitness goals, and transform your body, by offering the best fitness equipment and knowledge you need.
