There is an expansive list of workout products online, and the more you search, the more turn up. So which ones work? They aren’t cheap. So, what is the best bang for your buck? While we can’t cover them all in one post, we would like to share the top 5 that we think can help impact your life.
1. Battle Ropes
Battle ropes, also called heavy ropes, are not a new workout tool; however, they have become a new trend across the country, and for good reason. Battle ropes come in a variety of size and weight that can fit anyone.
Using battle ropes is a dynamic, constant form of movement. Additionally, it has the benefit that the ropes reflect if you’re doing the movements correctly.
Battle ropes are looked at as an upper-body tool, but it also has several other advantages. You can incorporate movements like jumps, lunges, and squats that help work out your legs, back, and glutes as well. It goes without saying, the high-movement training helps burn through calories.
2. Mace Training
Steel mace workouts are an excellent source of functional training. Originally, the Steel Mace was made to improve sports performance, and it has been used by warriors and wrestlers for centuries.
Functional training is excellent because it requires balance and body awareness during training. This is achieved through the use of unilateral exercises. Functional training should require controlled amounts of instability so that you must react in order to regain their own stability.
Due to the uneven weight distribution, the steel mace won’t allow you to cheat like many other tools. It won’t give you the option to move your upper body in a rigid fashion. Instead, you’ll move in a relaxed fashion with your upper body as you begin to do things like trunk rotation or foot pivots. The steel mace is great for developing good rhythmic movement, needed for actions like throwing a ball or sprinting.
Note: When using the Mace to exercise make sure that you’re using proper form and a weight that you can completely control. Swinging a steel bar with a heavy steel ball at the end can be dangerous to yourself or others if not performed correctly.
3. Stretch Out Strap
There are countless ways to use the Stretch Out Strap to your advantage. Additionally, they can really help with stretching out stiff and sore areas and improving mobility. This helps you perform a longer stretch without fatigue or excess discomfort. It doesn’t matter what your athletic ability is. A strap can provide useful help on support, alignment, and posture.
For example, it really helps you get a good stretch with your legs since you don’t have to actively hold the leg in different positions for a while.
If you don’t have the name brand strap, you can use a dog leash instead, as many already have this around the house. Either way, it is a simple device that can help you complete a variety of exercises more effectively. What else could you want from exercise equipment?
Remember, don’t get too excited and pull your way into postures with force. Always listen to your body, and let your body open up in its own time.
4. Sandbags
Sandbags have become popular because of their affordability, portability, and versatility. You can replace an entire home gym with a single sandbag, and they are great for full body workouts.
You can perform compound lifts like the squat and deadlift. What makes it unique and more challenging is the dynamics of it are awkward. The sand shifts, which makes it harder to get a grip or maneuver. This makes it very functional as the awkward weight forces you to move and adjust the bag in a way that causes your muscles to expend greater energy.
The best part is, you can make the bag heavier or lighter depending on how much you load it. This ensures that virtually everyone can benefit from using it.
It’s one of the most cost-effective and efficient training tools you can buy.
5. Your Body
It goes without saying, the cheapest and most efficient tool you have is your own body weight. Bodyweight workouts are easy to implement, but they can be extremely challenging for your strength and flexibility!
If you’re looking for good workouts that are quick and fit into your schedule, try yoga or Tabata workouts. They can really get you sweating.
If you are unfamiliar with Tabata workouts, allow us to explain.
Each exercise in a given Tabata workout lasts only four minutes, and the structure of the program is as follows:
- Work out hard for 20 seconds
- Rest for 10 seconds
- Complete 8 rounds
You push yourself as hard as you can for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. This is one set. You’ll complete eight sets of each exercise, and you can apply this to almost any exercise.
At Access Physical Therapy & Wellness, we are dedicated to helping our patients feel the best they can. If you need advice or assistance in getting back to feeling your best, contact one of our 35+ locations.
