Flexible tools for your workouts

WHETHER you are on a construction site, the classroom or the gym, being equipped with and using the right tools are crucial to productivity. Personal trainer and fitness instructor at Hard End Fitness Factory on Ardenne Road, Gisel Harrow, said knowing how to use these tools to your advantage can also determine not only the quality of your workout but the results you see as well.

Below she shares how to use a few game-changing workout tools in your exercise programme:

Kettlebell

Kettlebells are a gift to physical exercise. The bells, which are available in several weight options from five to 100 pounds, are great for strengthening muscles — from the core areas to the glutes and hamstrings. In addition, they are also touted for their ability to amplify their work, as well as being effective in achieving resistance.

For an effective session, Harrow said that what you can do is hold the kettlebell upside down between both hands at chest-level to add resistance during squats or lunges. Also, consider one hand to grip the handle for individual arm exercises. This is great for toning. Harrow notes, too, that kettlebells are also great conditioning tools for developing cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance.

Jump rope

Jump rope sounds pretty basic — it’s nothing more than a skipping rope to some people. But it actually is perfect for exercises as simple as warm-ups to get an intense workout in small spaces. Harrow said that this small, lightweight speed skipper can help improve your agility, coordination, and endurance. Interestingly, Harrow said that this simple exercise doesn’t only add to your physical, but contributes to cognitive development because of the cognitive forces involved in learning new patterns of exercise. There is also the added bonus of it being not just easy to store and carry, but you can also get your cardio on anywhere.

Resistance bands

These are an invaluable asset for home and on-the-go workouts because they allow you to strength-train without weights and they also provide a full comprehensive body workout of all the major muscles. These bands are great to add to your workout equipment at any stage of your fitness journey because they are flexible across all fitness ranges. They also have the capacity to add variety and intensity to any workout whether it’s lunges, squats or glutes. They also contribute to flexibility and stamina, and as a bonus, resistance bands are also affordable, portable and are very easy to store because they are so small.

Harrow said these tools represent an evolution of big gym equipment. They are flexible for use and can be incorporated in just about every activity to add diversity as well as to reduce the possibility of you becoming bored with your exercise regimen.