The Best Types of Workout Machines
- Hammer Strength Press
If your gym has invested in Hammer Strength equipment, count yourself extremely lucky. In fact, we would go so far as to recommend you use nothing else in your quest for fitness. Hammer Strength machines are superior in that they provide plate loading, which allows for almost endless possibilities on resistance loading (as opposed to most machines that have a limited weight stack that increases in pre-designated increments). Additionally, Hammer Strength equipment more closely mirrors the comparable free-weight equivalent range of motion, which keeps the muscle under more constant tension, resulting in better strength and mass gains. All in all, Hammer Strength machines are a superior breed. - Smith Machine
Second to the usefulness of the Hammer Strength line is the ever-versatile Smith Machine. The Smith Machine is an unloaded bar attached to a rack and counterweighted for smooth motion. The bar can be safely locked into place by merely turning it around 45 degrees and engaging two attached hooks. This makes the Smith Machine a useful solution for those attempting to train without a spotter, as they can "save" themselves with a quick flick of the wrists. Additionally, the Smith Machine can be used for a number of exercises, including bench and overhead pressing, squatting and rowing variations. - Lat Pulldown
The lat (or lateral) pulldown machine rounds out the three best workout machines available. The beauty of the lat pulldown machine is that it allows simulation of the pullup movement for those otherwise unable to perform this motion. Additionally, it also permits the user to engage in a variety of other movements by changing the attached bar or handle. Possible movements include all variety of pulldowns (including grip variations and handle variations), face pulls and a slew of pressdown variations as well for training the triceps. All in all this type of cable system setup provides the potential to add resistance along movement planes not otherwise able to be replicated via conventional dumbbells and barbells, making it an indispensable addition to anyone's workout regime.
