Resistance Equipment or Weights

By: Robby Ryan 

Before modern invention, the ability to build muscle or strength train for sport or fun, was dependant on the clever use of what ever nature made available, as seen on Egyptian tombs, with displays of men exercising with make-shift techniques of swinging rock or sand. According to the earliest records, the Greeks began the Olympics in 776 B.C. and bodybuilding wasn't a competitive sport ( the art of displaying the muscles) until Eugene Sandow popularized it in September, 1901 with the first bodybuilding contest held in London, U.K..

Weightlifting competitions have been entered into Olympic events since 1896 after the ban was lifted and women were also able to compete beginning in 2000.

Strength training and weightlifting never really took hold until 1910 when a barbell was invented by Alvin Calvert that allowed the user to easily change the weight by simply adding or removing plates. People began to find, they now could easily workout at home and it wasn't long before sport training and physical education facilities were also utilizing the effective and easy to use barbell.

The popularity of fitness training and health clubs really took off in the early 1970's when the Nautilus machines came on the scene. This upgraded version of the previous Universal machines allowed the exerciser to work all the muscle groups safely and efficiently with the use of weighted cables and pullies allowing accurate natural movement and resistance.

Aerobics also became popular about this time and women were now joining the men at gyms for both weight control and strength training. Also, most if not all athletic sports training facilities utilize both free weights and resistance equipment.

I personally used free weights up until I joined The Chicago Health Club (Bally's) in 1973, straight out of high school. After I used the Nautilus, it was nearly all I used for bodybuilding. My routine was to build symetrical cut muscle in the least amount of time and maintain it with the least amount of effort, so resistance training was perfect for me then and still is to this day with 40 minute intense, quality workouts, 3 times a week.

Today, there are so many resistance types of equipment out there, it is difficult to choose the device that is right for you. Some work as claim but they are also big and expensive.

I also discovered the use of free weights can be dangerous, since once you begin a set, you are at the mercy of the weight and can cause torn muscle and ligaments or have the weights fall off, which happened to me more than once.

Resistance bands have also become a part of many peoples fitness program, including myself. With the careful and clever use of bands or tubes you can adjust the resistance by simply adding or removing bands or use color coated bands for different ranges of resistance.

I've been using a personally designed full body resistance band workout system for almost 15 years now and I have experienced great success by duplicating the nautilus equipment regimen.

To be successful with a band workout, the bands need to be strategically anchored so you can get the proper movement for the muscle group you are working on. You should be able to comfortably perform at least ten repetitions of any exercise.

Resistance bands and tubes are a cheap but effective alternative to the conventional equipment of today and when quality workouts are done frequently, you can achieve the same results.

Free weight workouts and resistance workouts benefical results, depend on the correct, easy accurate movement and resistance.

Beginners and bodybuilders, young and old, men and women, fitness conditioning to weight management or for physical rehab or to enhance your athletic prowess, it can all be accomplished safely, with a thought out resistance band workout.

Resistance Exercise (RE) studies, have given researchers conclusions of positive end results in the changes that take place when an exerciser performs RE. Not only does the exerciser experience positive physical changes and cardiovascular improvement but positive phsycological changes as well.

No one should overlook the potential of resistance bands for strength training or just looking to manage weight or enhance your physical appearance. Bottom line is, strenght training is good for you.

A user friendly version of the workout resistance program I use today will be available in the coming near future, so stay tuned.