Exercise Equipment Guide: Treadmills, Weights, and Home Gyms

What happens when your treadmill stops suddenly, and how can you troubleshoot common home gym equipment? Selecting the best mini-trampolines, resistance bands, and cross trainers can significantly improve your at-home fitness results and safety.

Calories & the Stairmaster

The StairMaster is an exercise machine that has either foot pedals that move up and down or a small staircase that revolves. Both machines simulate walking up stairs. MayoClinic.com considers stair climbing a weight-bearing activity that can help slow bone mineral loss. Using a StairMaster also burns calories.

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Does the Gazelle Exercise Machine Really Work?

The makers and promoters of the Gazelle exercise machine claim the equipment helps you lose weight, improve cardio function and tone muscle. The basic components of the machine are two foot pedals that glide and two handlebars that move in opposition to the pedals.

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Four people stepping

Stepper Vs. Elliptical

At first glance, a stair-stepping machine and an elliptical trainer appear to be very similar. The foot platforms on these machines are used in very different ways and provide you with different types of workouts.

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At the Gym

Front-Wheel vs. Back-Wheel Drive on Ellipticals

When you're looking to purchase an elliptical machine, you can choose from two basic styles: front-wheel drive or back-wheel drive. Each type of elliptical machine includes a flywheel, which is the wheel that helps create the elliptical motion while you exercise.

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Woman on a Rowing Machine

How to Use the DP BodyTone 300 Rowing Machine

Rowing on a DP BodyTone 300 rowing machine works your legs and core while giving you a cardiovascular workout. A rowing machine provides little impact on your joints so you don't have to sacrifice possible joint strain for an effective workout, according to Men's Total Fitness' “Rowing Machine Buyer's Guide.

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Hispanic businesswoman looking at watch

How Does Working Third Shift Affect the Body?

Third shift workers can develop a condition known as "shift worker disorder." The main symptoms are sleepiness and insomnia. A sufferer will feel tired during his work shift when he is trying to stay alert, and he will be unable to fall asleep once it is time to go to bed.

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Woman working out on row machine in fitness studio

How Long on the Rowing Machine for Cardio?

Rowing on the water isn't a practical workout for many city dwellers, but using a rowing machine as an alternative is ideal. This machine not only strengthens a number of your major muscle groups, but also elevates your heart rate and strengthens your cardiovascular system.

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How to Make a Treadmill Run Without a Key

Many treadmills are designed to operate with a safety key. Inserting the key into a slot on the control console closes a switch and activates the internal electrical circuit. Making a treadmill run without a key is possible by installing a jumper bypass at the safety switch.

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Why Is My Treadmill Belt Slipping or Skipping?

Working out on a treadmill at home is more convenient for many compared to going to the gym. However, with convenience comes some extra responsibility -- you will need to maintain, troubleshoot and service your treadmill to keep it running well. One common treadmill issue is the walking belt slipping or skipping.

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Treadmill group exercising in fitness gym

How to Build a Manual Treadmill

Manual treadmills are relatively uncomplicated in terms of design. The running belt is supported by a deck that’s attached to a rectangular steel frame. The belt turns on rollers at the front and back of the frame. Flywheels at each end of the front roller provide resistance during workouts.

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young woman jogging on a treadmill

How to Contract Glutes When Exercising on a Treadmill

While slimming down is the desire of many people, the one body part that some like to actually expand is the derriere. Genetics play a big role in the size of your butt, however you can do exercises to enhance your natural shape.

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many dumbbells are at stand at the gym

How to Make a Dumbbell Rack

A home gym or weightlifting room wouldn't be complete without a dumbbell rack. Not only does the rack keep weights from cluttering your exercise area, it also organizes them so its easy to pick the dumbbells you need when exercising. In addition, a rack makes cleaning your weights a more efficient process.

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Rehabilitation with Thera Bands

Are Resistance Bands Effective?

Weight-bearing exercise is important for your health, particularly for muscle and bone development. Resistance bands provide muscle-building tension, and can be used almost anywhere. These bands offer safe and effective workouts, and are often recommended by physical therapists for rehabilitation purposes.

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How to Reduce Treadmill Noise

Owning your own treadmill can make for a convenient and year-round way to continue running to stay in shape. But if you live in an apartment or with a noise-sensitive family, you may get complaints about your noisy machine.

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Boxing

Substitute for Kettlebell Swings

Kettlebells are used in the gym to build strength, endurance and explosiveness. The Russian exercise apparatus are becoming increasingly popular and a number of gyms and workout facilities have them for workout enthusiasts to use for training purposes.

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Group Of People Using Different Gym Equipment

Will the Elliptical Machine Make My Butt Smaller?

Hopping on the elliptical machine at your gym and powering through a 30-minute workout can burn hundreds of calories and strengthen a number of major muscle groups. One of these muscles is your gluteus maximus, which you might refer to as your butt.

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Fitness  treadmill

How to Fix a Treadmill Speed Sensor

The treadmill speed sensor records the revolutions per minute of the front roller and the computer converts this reading to miles per hour. On most models, the speed sensor is connects to a circuit board that interfaces with the treadmill control panel.

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How to Hang a Punching Bag From the Ceiling

A punching bag is an essential piece of equipment in many gyms and garages and encourages speed, coordination and upper body and even all around strength and toning. You can hang a punching bag in your own garage or workout room, but doing so requires a little bit of thought and planning.

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Woman On Cross Trainer Machine In Gym

Are Gliders Good Exercise?

Glider exercise machines can be one of two types. An air glider keeps your legs mostly straight as you move them back and forth. An elliptical machine bends and straightens your legs as you glide through the workout.

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