What fitness equipment do you need?

When you want to start exercising, the next question might be which sport you want to do. There are so many different ways to get your exercise. Before you decide which sport to play, it's helpful to first determine why you want to exercise: what's your goal?

Cardio

If your (main) goal is to lose weight, cardio is the best option. Cardio is a form of exercise that trains the cardiovascular system. Performing cardio increases your heart rate, which improves blood circulation and heart function. Exercises that improve this include cycling, dancing, running, or swimming.

Strength training

Is your primary goal to build muscle mass? Then strength training is recommended. Through strength training, you'll increasingly challenge yourself to perform exercises with heavier weights. If you continue to do this consistently, your muscle mass will increase, and you'll notice the difference in your appearance.

Want to start strength training? Here are a few tips that might be helpful. Especially if you're a beginner, it's helpful to create a plan beforehand. How often do you want to train each week? What exercises will you do? When creating a training schedule, make sure it includes exercises that help you improve the areas you want to improve. That's why no two workout plans are the same.

What fitness equipment do you need?

When you walk into a gym, all the equipment can be quite overwhelming. It might look complicated at first, but nothing could be further from the truth! Depending on the body parts you want to train, there are various fitness machines suitable for this.

For training your legs and glutes, a squat rack is perfect. You can also squat without a rack, but the rack provides support and makes the exercise easier. A weight bench is also a popular strength-training device. You can perform exercises for your biceps and triceps on it, as well as leg exercises like hip thrusts.

The exact equipment available depends on the gym. Therefore, it's recommended to take a look around during your first visit: what equipment is available? Usually, the equipment will indicate which exercise(s) you can use it for and how to perform them. If you're having trouble, you can always ask a gym staff member. Then you can decide whether to incorporate the equipment into your workout routine or whether to start with dumbbells, for example.