The aptness gears provide one of the easiest and most powerful tools for improving heart health
AMOSUP Sailor’s Home Annex in Manila has installed a new set of fitness equipment to allow members do their workouts in the union’s inn.
Checking-in members who are preparing for embarkation to their ships or staying in to complete training requirements can proceed to do their fitness routine with the new equipment such as the S-drive, krank cycle, rower machine, and elliptical workouts.
The workout machines intend to enhance the trainee’s cardio vascular system, which the management chose to focus on due to rising complaints of heart-related problems among seafarers.
It’s a fact that exercise improves the cardio vascular system by enhancing circulation and strengthening the heart muscle. It has cleansing and energising effect on the entire body. Through the new fitness equipment, it makes one of the easiest and most powerful tools for improving heart health.
Prior to the new gears, fitness buffs only tackled the existing treadmill, stationary bikes and the free weight and workout stations in Sailor’s Home Annex. The new gym equipment (cardio work stations) and some of their features include:
S-Drive
The S-Drive performance trainer combines a self-powered treadmill, weighted sled, resistant parachute and harness system in one space-saving footprint. It offers an incredibly versatile high-intensity interval training solution that is easily integrated into virtually any circuit programme.
This self-powered fitness machine looks similar to a treadmill but is far more versatile, giving the benefits of exercise with a motorless treadmill, a simulated sled, resistance parachutes and a harness system. The S-Drive has adjustable resistance options and can be used at virtually any intensity level.
How does it work? First, a trainee can move forward, backward or laterally on the 60″ x 22″ track similar to when an outdoor track or field is the training venue. The machine responds to user motion, so immediate changes can be made in response to coaching.
Next, two special features can add resistance to cardio workouts:
- A harness system can help replicate the feel of parachute resistance and let a trainee work on resisted sprint drills.
- A sturdy handlebar in front of the track can be pushed and pulled to simulate sled exercise.
Braking for the parachute and sled have multiple settings to accommodate different needs and help trainees get results efficiently.
Krank cycle
Kranking is basically a cycling workout that you do with your arms instead of your legs.
Krank cycle is a stationary cycling machine powered by your arms, not your legs. It’s the brainchild of Spinning inventor Johnny G (aka Jonathan Goldberg), inspired by hand-cycles for wheelchair-bound athletes.
“It’s a very time-efficient workout where you can get resistance training and cardio at the same time, once you develop your upper body with enough endurance to be able to handle a full-on workout,” says a review of the equipment.
Here’s how it works: Sit or stand behind two independent crank arms that power a single flywheel. Pedal one arm at a time or both together, moving the pedals away from your body or toward it. As with a Spin bike, you can adjust the resistance using a dial.
Rower machine
Aluminum flywheel with 12 precise magnetic resistance settings allows users to mimic small, medium or large boat rowing. The adjustable backlit console makes it easy to access training programs and see complete workout data.
As a self-powered design, its ergo-formed seat delivers a more comfortable exercise experience. The seat lock offers enhanced stability when getting on or off the rower, while transport wheels simplify movement within the facility
Elliptical
When most people think of working out on an elliptical machine, building muscle is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Most immediately go to the cardio benefits of the elliptical and its role as a great calorie-burner and fat-loss activity.
But if one of your goals is to add a little bit of muscle, the elliptical can still be a part of your fitness routine. This is also a great muscle-building activity for those that have joint pain and want more low-impact options. You may not build muscle as quickly as traditional weight-training activities, but you can certainly strengthen a number of muscle groups throughout your body, including:
Quadriceps – The elliptical produces a significant amount of quadriceps utilization, making it a great exercise for building strength throughout the front part of the legs. It’s also a great way to balance-out the legs as many people have a poor balance between the quadriceps (front part of the leg) and hamstrings (back part of the leg).
Glutes & Hips– The elliptical and its unique motion is also a great way to build strength throughout the butt and hip muscles. This is great for runners and cyclists who often have a hard time isolating these muscles and often find them to be a weak-link.
Upper Body & Core-When using an elliptical trainer that has the upper body arm option, you can easily incorporate some upper body strength. Your muscles of the chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps can all benefit from the upper body resistance.
You can also isolate the core muscles of the body if you skip using the arms or handrails and go hands-free. The balance factor and having to keep your body in good posture will do a great job of activating the core.
You don’t have to keep the same resistance throughout your entire workout! Vary the resistance to exercise different muscle groups at varying intensities to mimic using different weights. Similarly to weight training, form is important to get the most out of each exercise. Avoid slouching or over-extending your legs during your workout. SF