Buying Guide: What to Know Before Buying Upper Body Equipment
The main benefit obtained when working out with Upper Body Machines is the toning and the strengthening of the muscles in the upper part of the body, such as the arms, deltoids, biceps, triceps, pectorals, shoulders and back. Using these muscle strengthening machines, it is possible to carry out with ease such complete and efficient exercises as Butterfly, Chest Press, Biceps Curl, Chest pulls, etc. Exercise possibilities vary according to the machine, as many have been developed to work out a particular group of muscles.
Also, if you want to do a complementary exercise, a pulley machine can be perfect to do so as you work a multitude of muscles at the angle you want.
What types of upper body machines are there?
All Upper Body Machines are used to work the muscles of the upper part of the body, but there are certain differences between them and, therefore, you will find below a list of some of the aspects to bear in mind when buying one model or another:
- Type of machine: According to use
- Type of machine: According to resistance
- Type of machine: According to use
Type of machine: According to resistance
These types of muscle strengthening machines are used to work different muscles in the upper body. According to the exercise carried out, some make it possible to strengthen diverse muscle groups, but others have been specifically designed to work a specific muscle group such as the biceps or the chest. You should choose the model depending on which muscles you wish to work.
Type of machine: According to resistance
Strenght equipment can exert resistance through the selection weights from the stack or by loading discs. For resistance machines with a weight stack, included in the price, the weights are easily selected and without the need to do so manually, unlike machines with resistance through loading discs, which are not included in the price and which must be introduced manually to vary the weight.
Type of machine: According to use
The guarantee varies depending on the intensity and frequency of use, and for this reason three types of use are distinguished: domestic, semi-professional and professional. It is important to check what each machine is designed for and to respect this classification in order to ensure that the machine will be able to support the frequency of training it will be used for.
Technical characteristics of upper body machines./h2>
Material
The material used to manufacture the machine is a deciding factor in its durability and robustness, which means it is important to pay special attention to this point. With regard to the maximum load, all the machines have a maximum capacity, so before choosing a model, you should take note of this limit so you know the maximum intensity you can train at.
Load and Maximum weight of the user
In order to be sure that the machine will work to its full potential and that it is being used correctly, it is important to consider the maximum weight it can support. Otherwise, it may not operate at an optimum level.
What are the benefits of upper body machines?
- The upper body machines help to improve your flexibility and posture, by strengthening your muscles, you acquire a better body posture, which can help eliminate back pain and prevent injuries.
- The use of upper body machines allows you to maintain a balanced body, that is to say, muscular symmetry. Sometimes there are people who focus on training the legs (soccer players, amateur runners, etc.) and forget about the upper body, using the upper body machines to avoid this imbalance.
- Training with the upper body machine accelerates the metabolism and this allows you to lose fat more easily. Not only that but if you want to gain weight it also allows you to do so by gaining muscle mass.
- Upper body machines help improve athletic performance among many other benefits.
How should you care for and maintain upper body machines?
Upper body equipment require minimal care to help them function properly:
- If the machine has a plate tower, the parts that compose it should be checked so that no element is missing that could prevent the machine from allowing you to train correctly.
- The wiring: It is necessary to make sure that the cables and pulleys of the upper train machines are in perfect condition without any damage (special attention should be paid to possible wear or lack of coatings) and that they are aligned.
- In general, it is advisable to check from time to time that the machine has not been misaligned and that all parts are in place.
- Finally, as with all fitness machines, sweat and dust should be removed after use.