As a self-employed personal trainer you will need to acquire certain personal training equipment. What you will need will depend on your clientele, your specialty or style of training and location (working in client’s home). Also you have to keep in mind that every client is different and may have specific goals and workout preferences. As a personal trainer you don’t have to rely on fitness equipment for a good workout. There are so many exercises that require no equipment at all. In addition you could use your clients house setting like steps, elevated objects for push-ups on, split squats etc. It is fair to say that your most valuable equipment of all is your own knowledge, ingenuity and creativity. On the other hand clients and potential clients like to see a personal trainer with a good selection of equipment, thus it could help you to sell your services.
The basic principle is resisting the latest fitness gimmicks and getting what you will put into a good use. While it is important to possess a good selection of personal trainer equipment it also must be:
- portable
- compact /lightweight
- cost effective
- multipurpose
- effective
- durable
There can’t be a defined list of the training equipment a personal trainer must have. The following is an overview of most common equipment that freelance/self-employed personal trainers choose to use in their clients’ homes.
Resistance tubing and bands
Resistance tubing and bands are lightweight and easily transportable and fairly functional. Resistance bands are flat pieces of latex of certain length, or come in rolls and can be cut to any length. There are non-latex versions for those with latex allergies. Resistance tubes are lengths of rubber tubing that come with handles. Resistance bands and tubes is a substitute for typical weight-lifting gear. As with weights training with resistance bands build muscle and is an important part of an exercise program. Resistance bands come in a range of resistance levels, from easy-to-stretch to progressively more difficult.
Fitness balls
Stability balls, or exercise balls, have become a common piece of personal training equipment. They are large and inflatable rubber items that are used for strength training, stretching and core muscle exercises. They are also very effective in increasing balance.
Medicine balls come in all weights, sizes and densities. There are bouncing and non-bouncing ( slam balls) medicine balls. These balls can add versatility, and a bit of play, to clients’ sessions. Medicine ball exercises are effective for improving sport-specific as well as overall strength, fitness, flexibility, reaction and body coordination. Medicine balls are commonly used by athletes to improve their core strength, especially in the chest, arms and legs.; also by boxers to build strength in the abdominal muscles.
A BOSU ball is like an exercise ball that’s been cut in half. Both sides of it can be used for upper or lower body exercises. BOSU ball can be used for many different activities to increase endurance, strength, agility, balance, and stability. In addition it adds fun to the workouts making them more challenging and interesting.
Hand Weights
Kettlebells is an effective cardio/strength builder that can help to increase flexibility. They are interchangeable with free weights, medicine balls and other forms of resistance. Apart from lifting they can are used for swinging movements.
Dumbbells are one of the most flexible pieces of equipment for strength training. They’re primarily used for basic lifting movements. Dumbbells are inexpensive and can be used to tone just about every muscle in your body. Dumbbells can have adjustable weights.
A barbell is another weight tool that is good for explosive exercises such as power cleans and snatches; better for working with bigger weights.
A sandbell is disk shaped and made of a very durable and stretchy neoprene material which is filled with sand, therefore they are soft and very safe. They are very versatile and can be used to replace kettlebells, dumbells and medicine balls etc.
Miscellaneous personal trainer equipment
Personal Trainer Testing Equipment
In addition to the personal training equipment you will need basic fitness testing equipment :
Tape measure -a tool for body measurements to track muscle growth and fat loss.
Stop watch – a tool to gauge your fitness levels and performance timing.
Heart rate monitor – a personal monitoring device which allows one to measure his or her heart rate.
Other testing equipment for the comprehensive health and fitness assessment/consultation may include the following:
Body-fat/weight scales – a scale which in addition to your weight reading provides your body fat percentage.
Blood pressure tester – a device to measure blood pressure.
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