Inexpensive equipment every gym should have.

If your gym doesn't have this equipment you should speak to the club owner about purchasing it. This will likely be the least expensive equipment in the gym and yet some of the most useful.

1. Magnetic weights - These are absolutely essential in my opinion and critical for my new Progression Training System™. They are simply small magnetic weights in a variety of sizes, our gym has 1 ¼ lb - 2 ½ lb dumbbell add-ons and 5lb bricks. They are available from a company called Plate Mate. People, especially women, don't often realize how big of a jump 5lbs is on an exercise and for new and advanced trainers alike there are many situations that a 5lb increase is unrealistic and probably has a lot to do with the many people experiencing ongoing 'plateaus'. If your gym won't buy them I suggest you do! Available from: 1-800-877-3327

2. Spring collars - Every gym has these, they are much more useful than just holding the weight on an Olympic bar. The average spring collar weighs ½ lb, would you be happy with a 52lb gain on your bench press in one year? Well it's as simple as adding an extra spring collar to each side each week, much more realistic then adding another 5lbs.

3. Stability Ball - Core stability, functional strength, postural improvement, abdominal training, balance and athletic conditioning. The stability ball is likely one of today's hottest pieces of exercise equipment and they sell for less than $50.00.

4. Sit Fit - Many people are familiar with this little piece of equipment it is an air filled disc available in different sizes. The ones we have in our gym are a 12" diameter. Their function is to provide instability to an exercise forcing the core to compensate and adapt a great tool for functional training for athletes of all kinds as well as injury recovery and prevention.

5. Wobble Board - Another balance and stability tool, a simple board in different sizes either incorporating a centre spine or simply a centre button, I've come to appreciate how important balance is in developing strength in all exercises and especially our key movements such as the squat and deadlift.

6. Box Tower - This is a very inexpensive piece of equipment that you can even make yourself, just a sturdy platform that is adjustable for height. Very useful for many forms of athletic conditioning and a variety of fantastic exercises like the step-up or one legged squat.

7. Medicine Balls - These go hand I hand with the stability ball in my opinion. In many cases a small dumbbell can be used for resistance but the ball is not only more comfortable it is also more useful for much more creative movements. Twists, holds and plyometric throws medicine balls are a great piece of equipment to have at your disposal.

8. Agility Ladder - This is just a simple ladder that lies on the ground, primarily used for athletic conditioning to perform speed, accuracy and agility drills. A great compliment for the competitive or non-competitive athlete looking to develop food speed or specific movements in a measured fashion.

9. Resistance Tubing - Excellent for the warm up phase, injury rehab, stretching and added resistance to change the work curve of an exercise. People often over look this great little piece of equipment.

10. Shin Raise - I've never seen this little machine in any other gym and yet it's a machine that makes a difficult area to train very comfortable. Many people active on their feet develop shin splints, in many cases from a muscle imbalance or flexibility issue in the ankle. This little machine simply allows for a comfortable way to provide blood flow and resistance to the tibialis anterior. (currently not shown)