We are all unique individuals and as such need very specific training that works just for us! We each need our optimal physical fitness equipment that is right for our specific needs.

I devised a fitness training program for myself. I used physical fitness equipment that is matched to my desired goals.

I knew the important parts of a fitness training program were threefold: Cardiovascular training, flexibility training, and stregth training.

After trying several different types of cardiovascular training, I eventually was able to discover that a sit-down exercise bike was the answser for me. It put very little stress on my joints, and thanks to the ability to put it on minimal resisitance, I could pedal for an hour without suffering cramps or arthritis related swelling. I now ride the bike anywhere from ten to fifteen miles five times a week.

The point of exercise is to use your muscles. When you use your muscles, you use up energy available in your blood and stored in your fat. That’s why overweight people who diet and exercise lose weight faster than those who only diet. Now, you could  do calisthenics and forget about the exercise equipment, but calisthenics will take you only so far.

Your muscles react to the physical fitness equipment you are using in your training. It’s easy to use the right physical fitness equipment when you know your strengths and needs.

Then, too, you don’t get the same feedback that you do with modern exercise equipment. It’s harder to set your goals with calisthenics. Running in place for ten minutes, for instance, might use up energy and work your legs, but how fast are you running? How many yards have you run in those ten minutes? You can’t tell. With a treadmill you can tell. The feedback you get from exercise equipment is its major advantage over calisthenics or isometrics or any other exercise you can do between yourself, the walls and the floor. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have calisthenics as part of your workout. Combining calisthenics with workouts on your equipment gives you the best results.

Most people make a workout on their exercise equipment the major event of the exercise period. Those who are seeking strength will concentrate on weightlifting. You can get a weightlifting set, or you can get an exercise machine that emulates weightlifting.  There’s also the benefit of not marring your floors when you drop a weight and set it down. The machine absorbs it all.

Strength training for me was just a matter of accepting that I would have to use lower weight and do more reps. Curls, triceps work, sit-ups and leg lifts round out my strength training routine. I do strength work for about fifteen minutes after the bike.

And finally, stretching. It’s an important and often overlooked part of fitness training program routines. Simple work on both your arms and legs, as well as your torso, can make you limber and fit for tomorrow’s activities.

Some physical fitness equipment can actually work against you. Make sure you are using the best matched gear for your training.

Most like the latter because they don’t have to keep adding or removing weights from their barbells and dumbbells: a turn of a knob sets the resistance in pounds for you. And, with a weightlifting machine, you don’t need as much room as you do for a weight set.

Check out the site Cure Help Health Tips for more great articles.