Demystifying Gym Equipment
Ladders and hurdles and bands, oh my!
If you’ve ever wondered how to incorporate new equipment into your routine, read on. We’ve taken intimidation out of the equation.
“Simply adding in new activation drills for 5–10 minutes could take your workout to the next level.” — Kyle Robertson, Personal Training Coordinator
Traditional Resistance Bands
Good for: Warm up, upper body activation
To try: Crossover Symmetry Drills
Medicine Balls
Good for: Core strength, balance, coordination
To try: Seated Medicine Ball Trunk Rotations, Standing Lift, Lunge with Overhead Press
Foam Roller
Good for: Warm up, improving range of motion, decreasing muscle soreness
To try: Calves, Back, Quads
Agility Ladder
Good for: Strengthening joints/ligaments/tendons; speed, coordination, and agility (duh)
Bosu Balls
Good for: Core strength, balance
To try: Everything and anything (here’s a full library of hundreds of Bosu exercises)
Mini Hurdles
Good for: Form, speed, coordination, and agility
To try: 2-Step, Hop, Side Step
Jump Rope
Good for: Increasing heart rate, balance, coordination
Keep in mind that everyone is different, and what works for someone else might not work for you. Listen to your body and consider working with a personal trainer at The Rec for personalized instruction.
As always,
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Anna B.
Fitness information from Kyle Robertson, Personal Training Coordinator
Editor in Chief Emeritus (2018/2019)
Born and raised in the D.C. Metro Area, Kyleigh followed her gut 750 miles away from home to Auburn, Alabama. Now a senior in public relations, she can confidently say it’s the best decision she has ever made. Passionate about health and wellness and interested in marketing, working at The Rec is the perfect fit for her.
Outside of The Rec, Kyleigh is working toward big goals, like visiting all 50 states before she’s 25 (12 to go, if you’re curious) and getting her registered yoga teacher certification. She has an insatiable appetite for adventure and loves to travel, learning about new cultures and herself in the process. When she’s not daydreaming about future trips, she can be found in yoga class, visiting the cows off Lem Morrison, or making sure her friends are fed. Kyleigh doesn’t exactly know what she wants to do when she graduates, but she knows it won’t be boring.
