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by Tracy Morgan Director of the Cybex Institute
Does your health club have separate areas or rooms for cardiovascular machines, resistance machines and free-weights? If so, do you find the "free weight room" an intimidating and scary place - one that you cannot imagine yourself walking into let alone exercising in? Do you confine yourself to the selectorized resistance machines alone, and repeatedly perform the same circuit of machines over and over again? If you've answered "yes" to these questions, read on and learn how to feel comfortable and confident among the most experienced of free weight users. Learn the environment Most Free Weight areas consist of:
Dumbbells, bars and benches
are used to perform traditional free weight movements. Plate loaded machines
often resemble the selectorized machines you are used to, in that they help
guide you through a motion that attempts to target specific muscles. The way in
which you use the machine is also often very similar. Plate loaded pieces differ
from selectorized machines in that "plates" are loaded onto the
machine to create the appropriate resistance. |
The unfamiliar
environment and a lack of knowledge or experience in equipment and free weight
use can make even the most confident individuals uncomfortable. Employing a
personal trainer, with the specific goal of learning free weight and
plate-loaded activities can provide that knowledge and make the free weight
environment much less intimidating. Friends or workout partners that are
experienced in free weight and plate loaded activities can help you in your
learning process as well.
Following weight
room etiquette can help you to feel comfortable amongst the members of the room.
Remember to wipe down the benches and seats that you use. And instead of sitting
on a piece of equipment between your sets, allow others to work in between your
sets. Finally, return all of your weights to the weight tree or rack after using
them.
From the Cybex Institute