For those who are new to going to the gym, the sheer amount of equipment available can be a bit daunting. 

It almost feels like walking into a cockpit and being told to fly a plane:

Too… Many… Buttons…
So, let’s make it simple.

We’ll start with an underappreciated, yet widely used piece of gear: 

The training bench. 

Fully adjustable, the training bench supports weight training, sit-ups, tricep dips, and many more workouts – including our favorite: ‘takin’ a breather.’

Next, let’s consider the good ol’ fashioned dumbbell set. 

You will, surely, be familiar with these, which incorporate a wide variety of techniques and target the same variety of muscle groups.

But what’s the difference between a dumbbell set and a barbell set?

The easy answer – the barbell set has, surprisingly, a long bar connecting the respective weights on each side of the bar (think traditional bench-press). 

Here’s one for the nautical folk:

The rowing machine. 

Rowing machines simulate the action of rowing a boat, and provide a pretty intense head-to-toe workout.

But what if you’re looking to do some cardio?

Try the treadmill. 

Perfect for people of any skill level: just set your preferred speed and start those legs moving!

But beware of the fancy heart rate monitors and incline commands if you are just starting out (technology, right?)... 

If running is not for you – bad knees are a problem we encounter a lot these days – check out the stationary bikes, which provide a less impact-heavy form of endurance training. 

Armed with this info, we hope that you’ll feel more comfortable and confident next time you hit the gym.

And, if this is all old news to you, we encourage you to come down and try something new :)