Summer is only just around the corner and you know what that means? Outdoor entertaining, long days on the beach and looking fit, fabulous and healthy. Pulling out those old shorts can be tough in the first few warm days though, especially when you’ve been letting your fitness goals slide over the cooler months.
But getting to the gym these days can be hard. Forking out money for memberships, combined with our busy schedules it’s no wonder why home gym setups have started to take over. Don’t worry though! It’s not all downhill from here - there’s still time to get your best beach body possible!
Whether you’re just after a much-needed health kick, killer abs to flaunt at the beach or just looking to shed some of that winter weight, there’s a good range of exercise machines that can help to speed up the process for you. Even better, they can be incorporated into your daily lives without the hassle. Start shaping and toning today and get fit for summer with these top-rated exercise machines!
1. Functional Trainer
The ultimate workout of all workouts, the Inspire FT2 Functional Trainer is one of the most functional and versatile machines around today. Offering a full-body workout in the comfort of your home, committing to a 20 min workout a few days a week can get you looking toned and fit just in time for summer.
The functional craze has been going strong for a while now, with many arguing it’s the only way to train because of its extreme flexibility. The trainer has 30 different pulley systems that can be adjusted, a dual 80kg weight stack and comes with the bench and all accessories too. Its key focus is to boost strength, speed and mobility, whilst maintaining a great cardio workout that’ll boost your skills and coordination. Because our bodies are designed to move, functional training works on training your moving patterns rather than isolating individual muscles.
2. Treadmill
Using the treadmill is by no means a new thing, but it’s still one of the best ways to burn calories and strengthen your muscles. There’s a lot of treadmills on the market so finding the ultimate one for your fitness needs can start off confusing but for workouts that are efficient and aerobic, the StarTrak ST37A.4 treadmill can provide many health and fitness benefits.
Designed with a high-performance monitor that gives you 15 different training programs for weight loss and endurance, using the treadmill for around 30 minutes a day a few times a week can improve sleeping patterns, increase stamina and energy and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Whilst some treadmills can be bulky and hard to move, this is ideal for the home gym because it’s easy to move and can be folded up to store away when not in use. For the best workout, alternate between walking and jogging. This will help to build good base fitness and prevent workout boredom.
3. Recumbent Exercise Bike
Getting fit for summer on an exercise bike has always been a popular workout option because it provides a level of comfort that many other cardio machines don’t. The difference between a regular exercise bike to a recumbent bike though is the latter option is an excellent option for those with back pain.
The recumbent exercise bike is specifically designed with a larger, more comfortable seat – ideal for anyone who needs extra support or prefers to sit down whilst exercising. As opposed to a regular exercise bike that imitates a standard road bike (upright position and pedals positions under the body), these exercise bikes have a reclined body seat with an airflow backrest and pedal positioned in front of the body offering a better leg workout.
It still offers the efficiency of a bike - so it’s great for a calorie burn or cardio exercise, but it doesn’t come with the strain of a normal bike. Recumbent bikes are good for anyone new to cycling and provides a cardio workout for all ability levels – so it doesn’t matter too much if you’ve been out of exercise action over the winter months!
4. Rowing Machine
Despite a lot of people believing that the rowing machine is only working out the upper body; it’s actually a full-body, low impact and cardio workout. As far as exercise machines goes, the rowing machine ticks all the boxes. It’s time-efficient – 20 minutes on the machine and you’re done, so it’s practical for the busy lifestyles we tend to lead.
For users that are prone to back or knee problems or going through rehab, rowing machines are ideal because they are low impact and super easy to learn. You can feel it working your legs, butt, arms and back muscles for a better posture and you can be in complete control of how hard you want to go. Designed with water resistance for a smooth workout action, the Apollo Pro V can get you looking fab and beach-ready for summer.
Last updated on 12/11/2021
