Weights and Strength Training Buyer's Guide

Strength training is a fundamental component in any sport, rehabilitation and general fitness plan. By increasing the strength of a muscle and creating a larger amount of muscle mass in the body, the metabolism is naturally raised and the skeletal system becomes better protected against injury.

Increasing the strength of a muscle requires exercise against a resistance. The size of the resistance and the number of times (repetitions) that this resistance is pushed by the body, determines the effect that the exercise has, with higher repetitions equating to a greater increase in muscular endurance and a low number of repetitions with a heavier weight, equating to a larger increase in strength or power.

The PhysioRoom strength section contains a variety of muscle building and strength increasing equipment including; dumbbells, resistance training aids and strength machines for home and gym usage.

Barbells and Dumbbells

Barbells such as the Classic Rubber Studio Barbell, dumbbells, Olympic Technique Plates and Kettlebells all offer versatile strengthening tools that can be used either at home or in commercial gym settings. Individual muscles can be targeted by using dumbbells, useful in specific weights training or rehabilitation after injury or surgery. Whole body patterns of movement can also be trained, for example by using Kettlebells, which offer great conditioning and toning for the whole physique.

Dumbbells are a must for any strengthening program and don’t need to be scary or intimidating for the beginner; the Ignite Studio and Neo Hex Dumbbells are ideal options to start strength training techniques. The “classic” style dumbbells like the Urethane Dumbbells and Jordan Classic Rubber Solid End options cater for the experienced weight lifter or gym goer to target specific muscle groups. All our dumbbells are available in a range of weights and sets, to suit individual needs and help progress strength goals gradually without risking injury.

Training Apparatus

The Farmers Walk and sled apparatus offer functional training methods, meaning they incorporate movement patterns that are used every day, helping to execute them against high loads of resistance so that injury risk is diminished and movements become stronger and more fluid. Check out the Farmer’s Walk by Physical Company.

Multi-gyms are the height of any enthusiastic strength trainer and combine a number of strength machines in to one piece of apparatus. The 3 or 4 station options offered by Physioroom, include the TT-4 Multi-Gym Station and TT Pro Multi-Gym Station that can be set up in home gym or commercial settings. The high quality and heavy duty equipment are robust to withstand excess use and allow a plethora of exercises to be carried out for whole-body strengthening, in one place.

The importance of Benches is often overlooked when it comes to Weights Training. It is vital that a bench is supportive, comfortable and has the necessary functions to make your training as effective and as safe as possible. Flat or adjustable benches are available that offer plenty of options for both the beginner and experienced trainer. Our incline/decline benches can be used to experiment with different angles for exercises like Lat’ Pulls, Sit Ups and chest presses, utilising the resistance of gravity to gain more of a training effect.

Bars and Weight Discs

Barbells offer versatile pieces of equipment consisting of a long bar, usually with weights positioned at either end, and are perfect for bodybuilding, functional training and standard dumbbell exercises.

At Physioroom we offer products such as the Jordan Classic Rubber Solid End Barbell in weights of 10-45kg. The barbell features a unique J-lock system that helps prevent loosening of the dumbbell head and offers a compact durable barbell with excellent balance. Go online to order the Classic Rubber Solid End Barbell Straight Bars Sets.

The Jordan Classic Rubber Studio Barbell Sets come with a choice of two grip anti-roll design discs and quick release collars to securely fix the discs in place, to safely perform various free weight movements. With a range of sets available you can choose the one most suitable for your individual fitness level. Check out the Classic Rubber Studio Barbell Sets by Jordan.

For individual bars that may be used at home for individual strength training, the Aluminium Training Bar lets you learn the Olympic lifts, without having to lift a full, 20kg Olympic bar. This allows less developed or younger athletes to learn these skills in situations where a full size bar may be too heavy and risk injury.

Resistance exercises, like the overhead squat, single arm overhead press or high windmill can all be performed using the Training Bar. The Studio Barbell 30mm Bar is an affordable option with a steel grip design also ideal to perform various barbell exercises such as; squats, deadlifts, rows and overhead press exercises during weight training. Learn more about the Studio Barbell 30mm Bar.

The Ultimate Bar is specifically designed for Men and Women to offer two durable weight bars especially designed to fit the different genders ergonomically. The Ultimate Bar can be ideal for weight training enthusiasts who require a comfortable fit to complete their weight training program.

Additional equipment amongst our huge range of Barbells include The Reebok Rep Set, which is a must-have piece of equipment for both individual exercises and group class environments, with 6 Rep Discs, a 2kg 30mm steel bar and a pair of Muscle Clamps it allows for versatility whilst working out. The Physical Company Gym Hammer also offers an alternative piece of apparatus to swing, smash, slam, chop and squat using this heavy-duty commercial gym hammer for a total body workout, great for increasing functional strength, overall fitness and training your core.

Curl Bars are available to help maximise comfort and provide a secure fit across the shoulders; the Classic Rubber Solid end Curl Bar and the Physical Company Pro Olympic EZ Curl Bar, are ideal for isolating muscle groups, carrying out exercises such as hammer curls and tricep extensions. Curl bars may also be easier on the wrists than straight bars and offer relief for anyone with hand or wrist conditions.

X Fit Bars are comfortable, high-quality foam-covered bars that are made of a solid steel core for evenly distributed weight. They offer great versatility for studio classes, personal training sessions or circuit training classes. Use Fit Bars of varying weights to suit your needs and level of fitness to strengthen various exercises like; lunges, squats, sit-ups and upper body exercises which can all be enhanced by using these versatile tools.

The Urban Strength Bar brings together strength, flexibility and balance to strengthen core muscle fibres and tone, improve performance, enhance movement and reduce risk of injury. A large range of exercises can be performed including; staggered squats, push pulls, plank levers and creative linked movements that bring upper body, lower body and planking exercises together. Go online for more details on the Urban Strength Bar.

Specific body parts may be isolated using the ergonomically designed Steel Series Olympic Tricep, Hex and Swiss Bars. The Tricep Bar allows you to isolate individual muscles within the tricep area, whereas the Olympic Hex Bar and Swiss Bar allow users to complete heavy lifting exercises whilst reducing tension on the spine. The Physical Company Olympic Swiss Bar incorporates multi-angled thick handles for all types of press and rowing movements. Choose from four different grip positions to avoid joint discomfort and allow training around existing shoulder injuries. Find out more about the Physical Company Olympic Swiss Bar.

Classic Rubber Studio Barbell with handles and Olympic Technique Plates are versatile and can be easily secured to barbells such as the Olympic Pro Lifting or Elite Bars. They can also be used by themselves as free weights or to add resistance to workouts. The Physical Company Bumper Plate Set caters for your every need of weight training and includes 4 pairs of PU bumper Plates ranging from 5kg to 20kg. The tough plates can offer a plethora of resistance options. The set also includes a Pro Olympic eZ Curl Bar and a pair of Olympic Clamp Collars. Go online to order the Physical Company Bumper Plate Sets.

Clips and Collar accessories are used to keep your weights in place, by securing them to the bar, preventing movement of the plates and any uneven balance of weight. The product chosen depends on the size of bar being used with options including; The Physical Company 1" Spinlock Collars, user-friendly Quick Lock Clamp Collars, Olympic Hex Lockjaw Collars and Spring Collar to fit Olympic Bars, and the Studio Barbell Clamp Collar to offer a click and lock collars for 30mm bars and ensure secure weight discs or plates stay secure whilst lifting. For thick bar training, Fat Gripz accessories will fit virtually all barbells, dumbbells, chin-up bars and cable attachments to make the bar more than twice as thick helping to improve grip and forearm strength.

Benches

When working out, it is essential that you are as comfortable as possible and this doesn’t come much more important than when you are choosing a bench. Benches are required to be cushioned, robust and supportive when lifting weights so that exercises can be executed effectively and safely.

Flat benches such as the Physical Company Flat Bench may be chosen for a versatile and compact exercise bench, suitable for performing various exercises. Ideal for beginners, the flat benches provide a supportive base to perform weight lifting exercises such as; flys, chest presses or rows. Get more details on the Physical Company Flat bench.

Adjustable Benches offer incline and decline functions that can be adjusted as needed and different angles can be explored to use the effects of gravity as additional resistance for exercises, enhancing their training effect. These benches, like the Physical Company Adjustable Decline Bench, are suitable for performing a variety of exercises including declined and inclined free weight and cable exercises, flys, chest press, tricep extensions and decline sit-ups. The J-Series Adjustable Incline/Decline Bench is designed with ten possible angles from -10 degrees to +80 degrees to add to the exercise opportunities and has a tapered backrest for added comfort. Learn more about the Jordan Adjustable Bench.

At Physioroom, our range of benches can be used as stand-alone equipment or in conjunction with weight racks, such as the Physical Company Olympic Adjustable Multi Bench or Olympic Flat Bench, which are heavy duty and built to endure the toughest workouts. With a spot platform included, 7 positions of adjustment, a backrest covering flat, incline and decline and 6-bar catcher positions, these apparatus sets are ideal for gym settings to accommodate the ultimate strength training enthusiast. Similarly, the GymGear Olympic Flat Bench and the GymGear Olympic Incline Bench form part of a range of fully commercial strength equipment supplied.

Cable Attachments

Cable Attachments allow for a variation of exercises to be performed at different machines and can provide unique angles for working various muscles. Closed grip to wide grip options are available to connect to different strength training machines including; multi-gyms, lat pull down machines and muscle specific machines involving cables. The Cable Attachments are used by attaching them to the end of any cable machine, allowing the user to train various muscles on different equipment.

Jordan Cable Attachments are accessories to link various cable machines. Made with grey urethane grips, they are the perfect add-on to target specific muscle groups with a range of available exercises. Find out more about the Jordan Cable Attachments.

Dumbbell Racks

Storage is imperative in a gym setting where loose weights, bars or equipment can cause trip hazards. Even at home storage is vital, as floor space is needed for everyday life. At PhysioRoom our storage solutions allow you to easily keep weights and equipment tidy and organised when not in use.

Dumbbell storage racks are available to accommodate both Classic Rubber Solid End dumbbells and the Neo Hex ranges supplied at PhysioRoom. Depending on available space, you can choose a vertical or horizontal style holder. The Physical Company and Jordan offer vertical Olympic Bar Holders to store up to 8 bars upright if space is limited for horizontal racks.

Horizontal 2 or 3 tier options, like the 10 Pair Dumbbell Rack (3 tier) or the 10 or 12 Pair Dumbbell Rack (2 tier), are heavy duty designs and can be 'daisy chained' together to provide one continuous rack to store dumbbells. The Physical Company Wall Mounted Olympic Bar Holder offers horizontal storage against any wall to save floor space, by securely storing up to 8 Olympic Bars. Check out the Wall Mounted Olympic Bar Holder.

Neo Hex dumbbells can be stored easily in 10 pair up to 48 pair solutions. The Physical Company Dumbbell Storage Tier also comes with 10 pairs of dumbbells to optimise your workout routine. This product offers a convenient holding rack when dumbbells are not being used for isolated training and aerobics. Go online to order the Dumbell Storage Tier with 10 pairs of dumbells.

For storing Fit Bars, the Fit Bar Rack can hold up to 60 Fit Bars and comes with lockable wheels. This is great for storage when not being used in studio classes, personal training sessions or circuit training classes. Take a closer look at the Fit Bar Rack by Jordan.

For individual weights and plates, storage is specifically designed to keep equipment tidy, reducing trip hazards in gym settings and keeping equipment organised when not being used. The Olympic Plate Stacker or Weight Tree (Oval Frame), are designed to store all sizes of Olympic weights in a safe and secure location. The 12 or 30 Pump Set Club Rack are simple and effective ways to store up to 30 Pump Sets with minimal floor space requirements. Kettlebell specific racks are also available from The Physical Company and Jordan, to securely accommodate up to 15 Kettlebells for commercial settings.

Jordan offer specific Attachment Racks with 15 attachments to offer storage solutions for all your cable machine accessories, keeping them tidy and organised when not in use. Find out more about the full range of features included with the Jordan Attachment Rack.

Dumbbells and Kettlebells

Kettlebells and dumbbells can be used in a variety of different strength training regimes and classes, by allowing the user to isolate muscles for specified growth or strengthen movement patterns.

Dumbbells allow the user to perform isolated strengthening movements, such as bicep curls, which will stimulate muscle growth in a specific area. Alternatively, they can be used to perform full body exercises, such as the Turkish Getup. At PhysioRoom we offer a range of dumbbells both sold individually and as part of sets depending on your home or more commercial needs.

The Ignite Studio dumbbells are an affordable option to have around the home, ideal for adding extra resistance to workout routines. A more “classic” style of dumbbell, like the Jordan Urethane Dumbbells, are more durable and heavy duty, perfect for isolated muscle training. The Urethane Dumbbells like the Jordan Classic Rubber Solid End Dumbbell are also available in sets, ideal for progressing fitness levels as strength is gained whether your goals are; bodybuilding, functional training or targeting specific muscle groups. These weights come in a variety of styles and mass options to suit the individual.

Neo Hex Dumbbells come in a range of weights from 1kg to 10kg, perfect for lighter strength training purposes such as muscle toning and rehabilitation. At PhysioRoom the Ignite Studio Dumbbells are sold in pairs individually or as a set for more commercial settings, to provide a range of weights to suit your personal needs or for use in gym classes to increase resistance and strength gains. Go online to place an order for the Ignite Studio Dumbells.

Kettlebells provide a full body workout when used for ballistic movements, during which the centre of mass is extended beyond the hand. This replication of swing movements mimics real world activities such as digging and hammer swings.

Available in Neoprene Covered or Cast Iron options, our Kettlebells can be purchased in varying weights from 4kg to 40kg, ensuring exercise progression can be made gradually without risking injuries. The Cast Iron Kettlebells are designed with a flat base, for ease of use and storage. They offer the perfect tool to shape and tone your body and are perfect for a wide number of training options including; aerobics, circuit and cross training, and isolated weight training.

The Neoprene Covered Kettlebells are colour coded for different weights and are supplied in individual weights or sets so that once you start to get stronger you can progress to heavier options, allowing gradual strengthening of muscles and reducing the risk of injury by not increasing the load too much, too soon. Look at the Neoprene Covered Kettlebells in greater detail.

The Competition Kettlebells are made for competition standards and offer another option to shape and tone your body. They offer a large base for stability when performing floor-based exercises and are very popular with Crossfit enthusiasts to promote whole body strength training. Orders for the Competition Kettlebells can be placed online.

At PhysioRoom, our range further includes vibrating weights and Kettlebells that feature constant vibration functions for added strength gains and additional benefits to your workout. The V Bell Vibrating Dumbbells will help both beginners and seasoned athletes to strengthen their arms, wrists, shoulders and back, and help tone and strengthen muscles. They are also a great way to improve general blood flow. The Axia Vibrating Kettlebells also help to maximise workout results and improve your overall health. The vibration helps to produce faster results without over exerting yourself, so you can burn off calories quickly and easily. Find out more about the Fitness Axia Vibrating Kettlebell Weights.

For exercising in water, if you’re following an injury, have restricted mobility or are in pain from conditions such as Osteoarthritis, the Physical Company Supasoft Aqua Ds offer a fantastic mode of resistance featuring floatable dumbbells with a curved and flat edge for medium or maximum resistance to enable strength training in the pool. Add the Supasoft Aqua D’s to your routine.

Functional Trainers

Functional trainers offer varied resistance for muscle building and flexibility training. By allowing the user to work with full ranges of motion and the weight of the body, functional training stations can be used for both sport specific exercise and traditional strength training. Functional training is a must following injury or surgery as normal function can be impaired and strengthening allows day to day activities to be executed easier and more efficiently.

The products in this range focus on working through the full range of motion of each exercise, a common downfall with traditional barbell based strength training. This creates a more fluid contraction and assists in working the stabilising muscles of the core whilst eliciting normal movement patterns.

The Physical Company Farmer’s Walk bars are designed to challenge most major muscle groups, as you train for strongman carries. The Conditioning Sled helps to build stamina and strength for testing endurance levels. The heavy-duty Olympic weight pins can be loaded with up to 140kg and with their extended grip handle bars, allow multiple pushing positions. Pulling drills can be completed on apparatus such as Welded D-Rings and the optional shoulder push attachment is available allowing rugby scrum drills.

Our Independent Squatting Stand from the Physical Company is perfect for any strength and conditioning facility where space may be at a premium, allowing the execution of a safe and well postured squatting technique, especially when using weights. Go online to order the Independent Squatting Stand.

The Physical Company Multi Grip Chin Up easily attaches to any secure wall, providing two main grips for regular and narrow chin ups. A chin-up bar is perfect for home exercise, with rubber handles for optimum grip it is a versatile tool that can also accommodate the use of suspension training kits. Get more details on the Multi Grip Chin Up.

Multigyms

A Multi-gym is a piece of apparatus on which a number of weight lifting and other exercises can be performed. Popular in home and commercial gyms, multi-gyms combine different strength training machines into one functional tool, providing the ability to do many different exercises for the whole body in one location.

PhysioRoom offer 3 or 4 station multi-gyms, such as the TT-4 Multi-Gym Station and TT Pro Multi-Gym Station, which both provide high quality structures to base a plethora of exercises around. The TT-4 Multi-Gym Station is a reinforced structure with 7 points of support making it ideal for more than 15 exercises. The TT-4 is ideal for small spaces and can be an asset to home training gyms, as it offers a load system of 70kg for the upper body and 98kg on the leg press function, enabling you to train like you would in a gym. Learn more about the TT-4 Multi-Gym Station.

The Pro Multi-gym station also features 7 points of support to offer a wide range of training options. The multi-station is ideal for shoulder and chest exercises, with highly adjustable bars and also includes a leg press to exercise your lower body within one space. For the full range of features, check out the BH Fitness PRO Multi-Gym Station.

Smith Systems

Smith Machines are designed for self-spotting, counterweighted exercises and consist of a barbell that is fixed within steel rails allowing only vertical movements. The barbell is counter-balanced which gives the user complete safety whilst training. By using fixed place slots to halt the weight at a certain height, heavy weights can be lifted without the danger of dropping them on the body or the floor.

This self-spotting mechanism makes the Smith Machine a favourite in gyms and fitness centres. PhysioRoom are proud to offer apparatus such as the Physical Company and Impulse Fitness models of Smith Machines. Ideal for Weight training, and in particular a safe squat technique due to the stabilisation of the barbell whilst under load, the Smith Machine helps to enhance training as well as reduce the chance of injury.

The Physical Company Smith Machine comes in 7 different start and finish positions; 5 degree incline on upright and with an open ended frame allowing entry and exit through both ends of the machine. The Impulse Fitness IT Smith Machine offers a full commercial grade Smith Machine that is user friendly and makes working out more effective and comfortable. Expand your home gym with the Physical Company Smith Machine.