What Do I Need to Know Before Purchasing a Workout Tower?

The first thing you need to know before choosing a workout tower - or any form of gym equipment - is where you plan on putting it. A workout tower is compact, relatively speaking, but it also requires its own area or corner. With that in mind, be sure to take note of the measurements of any tower that you might be interested in buying. Compare each tower's measurements (including height) against the dimensions of whatever area you have designated to store it.

The second thing you'll want to consider is which muscle groups you'd like to develop the most. Almost every tower provides options for toning up your abs, and arms, and shoulders, and legs. But there also towers that come with attachments for performing resistance exercises, the kind that will develop several ancillary muscle groups in addition to your core.

Consider whether you want a tower that comes with a detachable bench for doing incline exercises. Consider whether you want a tower that has one or more racks for stacking free weights, or dumbbells. Consider whether you want a tower that'll represent an all-in-one solution, or whether you just want a piece of equipment that'll promote your overall fitness and health.

Safety is a major concern when it comes to workout towers, particularly if you have kids. Assuming that's the case, you may want to avoid any towers that are centered upon sling straps, or, worse yet, suspended objects. In addition, be sure to confirm that the workout tower has a heavily-weighted - and perhaps even immovable - base.

Several Tips For Getting The Most Use Out of Your Fitness Equipment

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When it comes to staying in shape, there are two basic ingredients. One is the means, and the other is the motivation. If you own a fitness tower then you've got the means right at your disposal. The motivation becomes a little easier if you follow the handful of tips that we've listed below.

First, you'll want to set up a decent workout environment. That means creating an isolated atmosphere that provides you with access to TV, water, a reasonable temperature, and, most importantly, music. If you can, set up several workout playlists that you can listen to on your iPod. The more playlists or podcasts you have access to, the more you'll look forward to getting in a brief workout every day.

You'll want to work out different muscle groups on different days. And you'll want to mix things up by integrating some different exercises, as well. Most workout towers come with a multi-page guide that'll walk you through some basic regimens. Beyond that, you can find some really decent and challenging exercises online.

Try not to overdo it during a workout, regardless of how good you feel. It's better to build incrementally and have a little bit left in the tank than it is to start feeling sore and beat down. In addition, chart your progress. Set minor goals, and in the event that you have achieved one of those goals, reward yourself.

Finally, you may want to consider how your fitness plan is being affected by your diet. A lot of muscle groups are made in the kitchen, so to speak, which means your body requires the right nutrients in order to stimulate muscle and minimize fat.

A Brief History of The Workout Tower

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During the 1970s, any workout tower (aka a "knee raise station") was primarily used for toning up the abs. These early towers appeared bare and minimal, with most models consisting of little more than a pair of hand grips for doing knee raises, and a pull-up bar for building up the traps, the deltoids, and the arms.

As physical fitness evolved into a booming industry (around the mid-1980s), companies like Weider and Bowflex began to manufacture compact gym equipment that could be used in the home. Fitness towers became popular specifically due to the fact that they were inexpensive and they could fit into almost any room.

Throughout the 1990s, increased competition led to a number of innovations. As a result, the average fitness tower expanded to include dumbbell racks, an incline bench, sling straps, resistance equipment, leg bars, dip bars, a pull-up bar, and more. In addition, a lot of workout towers allow for adjusting both the incline bench and the dumbbell forks, thereby rendering the entire mechanism more versatile than before.

Since the turn of the century, workout towers have become more safety-conscious. Parents can detach any elastic bands, along with any resistance equipment, or suspended gear. The majority of towers are also heavily weighted, so there's little chance of them teetering over. Another improvement involves the addition of rock-climbing gear, including nylon grips and metal handholds. Such accessories are used for increasing upper-body strength, the kind that's required for dangling inverted from the north side of a boulder.