Hydraulic Exercise Equipment

There are several ways to add resistance to exercise equipment . Some machines have poles onto which you slide free weights. Other machines have weight stacks that allow you to adjust the weight by sliding a pin into the stack. While these machines can be very versatile, they do not always afford a smooth-feeling movement as you lift and lower the weights. Another concern is making sure the resistance is even throughout the movement. This is where the development of hydraulic exercise equipment can help.

Identification

The resistance provided by hydraulic exercise equipment is directly related to the amount of force provided by the user. The harder you push or pull and the faster you move, the more resistance you create. Instead of free weights or a weight stack, the machine has a cylinder with a valve you use to adjust the setting. Most allow you to make a few adjustments to the cylinder to further tailor the resistance to your needs. They are designed to apply pressure in both directions, both lifting and lowering. These types of machines are typically designed to be used in settings in which you participate in a 30-minute circuit-training program. Each machine is designed to target a specific muscle group. The machines are set up so you move quickly and alternate from a hydraulic machine to a station where you jog or do other aerobic activity. For the next 30 minutes, you travel around the circuit and alternate between machine and activity.

Effects

Hydraulic exercise equipment is made to work every major muscle group. There are machines to work the lower body, upper body, abs and obliques. They are all machines that you sit on or stand on, then work a specific muscle group. They are designed to be very simple to use. The goal is to provide you with a 30-minute workout, and the claim is that you get both an aerobic and strength training workout at the same time. The concern is that, since you are moving quickly and pushing and pulling hard, there may be a higher chance of joint injury if you do the exercise incorrectly. Most strength-training programs usually instruct participants to move slowly and with control whenever they are working with resistance.

Features

Since everyone's body is different, most companies make several lines of equipment. Some equipment is made especially for use in women's-only gyms; it is usually made with slightly smaller frames to better fit a woman's body. There are lines just for men as well. In addition, many companies market specialty lines for use by children, and some make equipment designed especially for seniors. Kids' equipment has smaller frames to better fit their bodies. Equipment designed for seniors offers easy walk-on access and seats that are lower to the ground, making them easier to get on and off. All companies offer a choice of colors seat-upholstery colors, and each company provides a full line of equipment; however, some offer more options than others.

Considerations

Hydralic exercise equipment is large and requires ample space. Setting up a circuit of 12 machines requires about 500 square feet. A full. 24-four piece station requires close to 1,000 square feet. They are very heavy machines that are not easily moved around. A full circuit of equipment can range in the thousands of dollars. You can occasionally find package deals, but expect to spend approximately $1,000 for each machine you buy. Most companies claim that you do not need to have any specialized fitness training to operate their equipment. They offer a quick (1-day or weekend) training program in which an instructor shows you how to use the equipment. This, however, raises a lot of concerns. While the instructor may know how to use the machine, he may not be able to assist you if you have injuries, or be able to make recommendations if you are dealing with health issues. If you have any chronic pain or health issues, consult your physician or physical therapist before participating in one of these programs.

Expert Insight

There are pros and cons to using hydraulic exercise equipment. Since the resistance of the machine is set by how hard the user pushes and pulls, each participant can work at her own level and nor worry about having to adjust the weight after the last user. This allows you to move quickly through the circuit. However, there are limits to how much resistance the machine can really produce. After using this equipment for some time, you may reach a point where you need traditional equipment with weights to get enough tension. Since this type of equipment is used in 30-minute circuit-training programs, it can be a good option for people who are new to exercise or are deconditioned. Thirty minutes of solid exercise is usually enough to start with if you are out of shape. In addition, given the setup, these types of programs are usually friendlier to people who are afraid of gyms or health clubs. However, organizations like the American Heart Association, President's Council on Physical Fitness ans Sports and the National Institutes of Health recommend that everyone get a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes of solid aerobic exercise at least 5 days per week. In addition, you need to do a strength-training program at least three times a week that targets all of your major muscle groups. What this means is that any claim that a 30-minute circuit-training program provides you with all the exercise you need is not really accurate. In addition, since you are moving quickly through the circuit to keep you heart rate up, you are not getting the full results in regard to building muscle strength as you would with a concentrated strength-training routine. Again, it can be a good place to start. But eventually, you will need to find a more complete program that either separates your aerobic activity from the strength-training regimen or has you work out for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

Resources

• Fit Express
• Go For It Equipment
• Hydraulic Exercise Equipment Pro and Cons