Training in a gym is, without doubt, the fastest way to get into shape. However, considering the countless types of activities you can find in fitness centres, a question arises: is it enough to move more to achieve remarkable results?
Does running on a treadmill, pedalling on a spin bike or doing an aerobics class have the same aesthetic impact?
The answer is no. To be effective, training in the gym must follow certain precise rules, and if the goal is to achieve a more toned, slimmer body with defined muscle lines, resistance training is the watchword.
Only weight training, in fact, is able to best stimulate all muscle groups, increasing their tone and making the physique aesthetically pleasing.
Classic aerobic training, on the other hand, has undisputed benefits, but the improvements mainly concern health markers. Therefore, if the goal is to sculpt the physique and make it firm, toned and rock-hard, overload training is the best solution.
For best results which training equipment is better, isotonic machines or dumbbells and barbells? Let’s find out together with the tips TECA Fitness has prepared for you.
Isotonic equipment vs free weights, an endless debate
Overload training has a considerable impact on aesthetics and there is no doubt about that. The difficulty arises as to whether it is better to use gym equipment or dumbbells and barbells.
The diatribe about which is more effective has been going on forever, but isotonic machines score several points in favour. Here’s why. Let’s talk about safety.
Compared to free weights, gym equipment allows more specific work on the target muscles and minimises the risk of injury. Not everyone has optimal joint freedom.
On the contrary, due to the sedentary lifestyle that characterises our society, muscle imbalances, joint pain and poor posture are the order of the day.
Proposing weight and dumbbell training to this category of people can only have negative effects.
Let me give you a concrete example.
The squat is, without a doubt, a fundamental exercise for toning and sculpting the lower limbs as it involves a large number of muscles and is also energy-intensive. However, due to individual characteristics such as levers and joint mobility, not all people can perform them correctly.
Training in the gym with complex exercises, such as a barbell squat, can only worsen already existing imbalances and cause joint pain in the lower back and knees. Performing the squat with an isotonic machine, on the other hand, allows toning of the thigh muscles without overloading other districts or unnecessarily stressing joints and tendons.
The exercise, even before being effective, must be safe, and gym equipment allows you to train in full respect of your individuality, without fear of injury.
Gym equipment: the pluses of isotonic equipment
- Effectiveness
If there is safety, the workout also becomes more efficient. Here’s why.
When the equipment accommodates the physiology of movement and respects the individuality of the user, the target muscles are stimulated more effectively and joint stress is significantly reduced.
In this way, the quality of training increases, the effects of exercise are optimised, and results arrive in less time.
Not only that.
Isotonic machines are ideal for training in continuous tension, another key factor in sculpting and toning the physique. In fact, gym equipment keeps the muscles under tension for the entire duration of the exercise, with no dead spots, allowing deep stimulation of the fibres and, therefore, more qualitative workouts.
2. Ease of use
Compared to dumbbells and barbells, training with gym equipment means easier control of movement and better management of the workload.
The machines allow you to vary loads quickly without leaving your workstation, which means less time spent training and more results.
In the equation of a quality workout, progressive overload is a key element and with gym equipment, safely handling heavier weights becomes much easier.
The best equipment for training in the gym
In a well-equipped gym, you will have isotonic machines to train your entire body.
In fact, the market offers an almost infinite choice of gym equipment, but only high-quality ones will reshape the body with safe, easy and effective exercise.
How, then, do you choose equipment to be guaranteed an effective workout? To better answer this question, it is important to understand the distinction between the various types of equipment.
Some, in fact, are only suitable for muscle isolation work (e.g. Arm curl, intended for biceps training). Others, such as multi-stations, are more complete and lend themselves to working on several muscle districts (think cable columns and the vast choice of exercises to be performed with cables).
There is also a third category of machines that give a different flavour when it comes to training in the gym. These are versatile machines that, thanks to small adjustments, such as grip or foot position, allow you to vary the working angle and offer more muscular stimulation with different exercises.
I’m talking about superior quality equipment, such as TECA Fitness Isotonic line, which stand out for their high biomechanics and versatility of use.
Let me tell you more.
An advanced piece of equipment, such as TECA’s Advanced Hack Squat, is equipped with a special system of levers (VAP – the Variable Altitude Pantograph) that makes the movement safer, and with a tilting footplate, combined with two small rear footplates that, together, make it possible to perform not just one, but several exercises for the lower limbs.
Primarily designed to perform the squat movement, and thus train the thigh muscles, TECA Advanced Hack Squat is ideal for many other exercises (lunges, single leg squat and pistol squat, reverse squat, good morning, standing calf) that also stimulate the B-side, ischiocrural or calf muscles.
Building a rock-hard physique is easy as long as you choose the right equipment, so among the qualities that distinguish good equipment is versatility.
Gym workout, choose equipment according to your goals
The choice must always start with the body district that needs the most improvement, but without neglecting the other parts of the body. The watchword must always be harmony.
Over-developing only certain parts of the body to the detriment of others will not have the desired effect, but on the contrary, the final appearance will be disproportionate.
That said, if there are lagged muscle groups, it is important to adjust the training volume, putting more emphasis on the deficient areas and distributing the exercises equally for the other muscle groups.
Isotonic machines for your gym workout are divided according to the body districts trained. Some stimulate large muscle masses with multi-joint exercises, while others are suitable for isolation work on specific muscle groups.
The most suitable equipment to target the upper body
Among the most popular gym exercises for men, there is no shortage of back and chest exercises.
The lat pulldown is a versatile piece of equipment that simulates bar pulls and involves numerous muscles of the trunk, in particular the large back. By varying the grip and position of the torso, it is possible to perform an infinite number of exercises to achieve the typical V-shape
Chest press, on the other hand, specifically trains the great pectoral and in a general manner also the triceps and deltoids. A revolutionary machine like TECA’s Advanced Chest Press, equipped with special joints and handles, stands out for its versatility of use, safety, effectiveness and reduced joint stress.
While the above machines are ideal for multi-joint work, the following are suitable for isolation work.
Pulley, Rowing, Peck Deck, Dorsipecto, Pullover, Shoulder Press, Triceps, Rear Delt, Arm Curl, Deltoid complete the upper-body workout and allow more emphasis to be placed on the individual muscle district, if there are any weak points with greater needs.
The most suitable equipment to target the lower body
The most suitable gym equipment for strengthening the lower limbs certainly includes machines such as the TECA Hack Squat and Leg Press.
Equipped with great inventions (variable buoyancy pantograph, adjustable footplate, ROM limiter) they are both suitable for multi-joint exercises, with a particular focus on the thighs and buttocks.
Tools such as Leg extensions, Leg curl (in the lying, sitting or standing variant), Sitting Calf, Abductor, Adductor, Standing Gluteus harmoniously complement lower-limb training with isolation exercises.
Whatever your goal, training in the gym with the right equipment allows you to reach your potential in less time and in complete safety. As long as you always use high-quality gym equipment such as TECA‘s Isotonic and Advanced muscle equipment lines.
Following our advice on how to train in the gym and which equipment to use will make it easier to stay in shape.
Working out in the gym with TECA Fitness
Find out how to train at your best with TECA Fitness equipment; discover our products on www.tecafitness.com, contact us for more information on our gym equipment by email at info@tecafitness.com or call us on +39.085.903301. We are waiting for you in Via Vestina 346, 65015 Montesilvano (PE).
