Whether a person is going to be exercising in a gym or in their home, there are many different types of exercise equipment to choose from. While there are many types of equipment available, most exercise equipment is used either for strength training or cardiovascular training. The following discusses popular types of exercise equipment, as well as the benefits they provideStrength Training EquipmentThe main benefit of strength training equipment is that it helps a person build lean muscle mass and burn more calories throughout the day. Free weights, resistance bands and weight machines are the main forms of exercise equipment which will help a person increase their overall strength and build a leaner body.Free weights and resistance bands are available in different sizes and weights, and they are extremely versatile and do not require a huge amount of space in order to use them. One of the main benefits of free weights is that a person can work their muscles to a greater range of motion for a more effective workout, although a person must be careful to use proper form when using free weights. They are also very cost-effective in comparison to weight machines while providing the same benefits for building muscle and strength.Weight machines consist of a stack of weights that are attached to a pulley, which are lifted as the person uses the machine. These types of machines are excellent for beginners since they are often equipped with instructions and illustrations on how to perform exercises on the machine. The main drawback of weight machines is they take up a considerable amount of space and they are often expensive.Cardiovascular Training EquipmentThe main benefit of most cardiovascular machines is that they allow a person to burn fat and calories while also strengthening the heart. Common forms of this type of equipment include treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines, stair climbers and stationary bikes.Elliptical machines, rowing machines and stationary bikes are low impact activities and are a great choice for someone who has joint pain. While a treadmill puts more pressure and impact on a person's joints, they have the added benefit of strengthening a person's bones. Most cardiovascular machines have a screen that allow a person to see how many calories they are burning, their heart rate, total distance and total time spent on the machine.