An exercise machine is any

machine A machine is a physical system that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing engines or motors, but also to natural biological macromol ...

used for physical

exercise Exercise or workout is physical activity that enhances or maintains fitness and overall health. It is performed for various reasons, including weight loss or maintenance, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardio ...

. These range from simple spring-like devices to computerized electromechanical devices to recirculating-stream swimming pools. Most exercise machines incorporate an ergometer. An ergometer is an apparatus for measuring the

work Work may refer to: * Work (human activity), intentional activity people perform to support themselves, others, or the community ** Manual labour, physical work done by humans ** House work, housework, or homemaking ** Working animal, an ani ...

a person exerts while exercising as used in training or

cardiac stress tests A cardiac stress test is a cardiological examination that evaluates the cardiovascular system's response to external stress within a controlled clinical setting. This stress response can be induced through physical exercise (usually a treadmill) o ...

or other medical tests.

Resistance machines

Weight machines

Weight machines use gravity as the primary source of resistance, and a combination of

simple machine A simple machine is a machine, mechanical device that changes the Direction (geometry) , direction or Magnitude_(mathematics) , magnitude of a force. In general, they can be defined as the simplest Mechanism (engineering) , mechanisms that use ...

s to convey that resistance, to the person using the machine. Each of the simple machines (pulley, lever, wheel, incline) changes the

mechanical advantage Mechanical advantage is a measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system. The device trades off input forces against movement to obtain a desired amplification in the output force. The model for ...

of the overall machine relative to the weight.

Other kinds of resistance machines

Friction Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. Types of friction include dry, fluid, lubricated, skin, and internal -- an incomplete list. The study of t ...

machines * Spring-loaded machines (such as Bowflex) * Fan-loaded machines * Fluid-loaded machines * Bullworker * Hydraulic equipment * Whole body vibration *

Outdoor gym An outdoor gym is a gym built outside in a public park, with the all-weather construction of its exercise machines somewhat modeled on playground equipment. It is similar to the 1960s–1970s proliferation of fitness trails, which continue to ...

* Pneumatic exercise equipment * Treadmill

Endless-path machines

Stationary bicycles

* Exercise bicycle

Running/walking machines

* Treadmill * Elliptical trainer

Elliptical machines

Ellipticals (elliptical machines) are a combination of stair-climbing and a treadmill. Generally it contains two tracks upon which the user stands. Users describe an elliptical motion (hence the machine name) while walking or jogging. Some ellipticals have magnetic resistance controls that add difficulty to doing the motion.

Glider machines

This machine allows the user to stand on two separate foot pedals and use their own muscles to create the movement. The stabilized movement can be likened to that of a "swing set" for each leg.

Climbing machines

Also named stair-climbing machines, they work the user's legs as he/she pumps pedals up and down, much like climbing stairs. Some climbing machines have handles to push and pull to exercise the whole body.

Rowing machines

Rowing machines, also named rowers, simulate the body movements of using a rowing boat.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Exercise Machine Exercise equipment Strength training