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Exercise Equipment And Sports Medicine

Choosing Exercise Gear for Home Workouts

Choosing Exercise Gear for Home Workouts
By Megan Smith, PT, ED of Human Resources & PEO Services

Home exercise gear should support strength, balance, cardio, and mobility while fitting your available space. Compact, versatile equipment is often easiest to store and use consistently. Choosing tools that match your comfort level, physical ability, and workout goals can help reduce barriers to regular movement. Low-impact options can support joint health, while more advanced equipment can help build strength and conditioning for long-term wellness.


Adaptive Resistance Training for Fitness and Rehabilitation

Adaptive Resistance Training for Fitness and Rehabilitation
By Megan Smith, PT, Executive Director of HR

Adaptive resistance training is a modern strength training approach that adjusts resistance throughout each movement. Unlike traditional weights that stay constant, adaptive systems respond to the user’s force and motion, helping maintain consistent muscle engagement during the entire exercise. This type of training supports functional fitness, athletic conditioning, and rehabilitation programs. Systems like the XO Trainer Resistance System provide dynamic resistance in a compact format, allowing users to perform a wide range of strength and mobility exercises while promoting smoother movement patterns and efficient training.


How Resistance Band Sets Support Rehab Strength and Sports Performance

How Resistance Band Sets Support Rehab Strength and Sports Performance
By Megan Smith, PT, Executive Director of HR

Resistance band training supports many stages of movement and recovery. In physical therapy, bands allow controlled resistance that helps rebuild strength, restore range of motion, and retrain movement after injury or surgery. In sports training, they help improve stability, speed, and power while placing less stress on joints than heavy weights. Because resistance increases as the band stretches, muscles stay active through the full movement. Durable systems such as Stroops resistance bands provide consistent tension for clinics, training facilities, and home workouts.


What Is an Ergometer?

What Is an Ergometer?
By Hulet Smith, OTR/L, MBA, CEO

An ergometer is an exercise device that measures physical effort while providing controlled, adjustable resistance. Commonly used in rehabilitation, medical, and fitness settings, it tracks output such as speed, distance, or power to ensure safe and measurable exercise. Ergometers support upper-body, lower-body, or total-body movement, including adaptive and pediatric use. By offering consistent resistance and real-time feedback, they help guide recovery, improve conditioning, and track progress over time.


How to Optimize Your Home Gym for Lymphatic Drainage

How to Optimize Your Home Gym for Lymphatic Drainage
By Megan Smith, PT, Executive Director of HR

This article explains how a thoughtfully designed home gym can support lymphatic drainage and overall wellness. It explores how gentle, rhythmic movement helps move lymph fluid, outlines who may benefit most from lymphatic-focused exercise, and highlights equipment such as vibration platforms, upright bikes, and recumbent bikes. Safety considerations, contraindications, and practical guidance are included to help readers choose appropriate equipment and routines that promote circulation, recovery, and comfort at home.


What Is Adaptive Variable Resistance and How Does It Work?

What Is Adaptive Variable Resistance and How Does It Work?
By Megan Smith, PT, Executive Director of HR

Adaptive variable resistance is a training method that adjusts resistance based on how much effort a person applies during movement. Instead of using fixed weights, the resistance increases or decreases in real time. This approach supports safer movement, better control, and consistent progress. It is commonly used in rehabilitation, fitness, and performance settings to help users build strength while respecting individual limits.


Top 7 Best Kettlebells and Kettlebell Racks for Organized Gym Storage

Top 7 Best Kettlebells and Kettlebell Racks for Organized Gym Storage
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

Our team has carefully evaluated seven outstanding kettlebells and kettlebell racks that can transform both clinical settings and home gyms with better organization and safety. We walk you through specialized options for vertical storage, space-saving combination designs, and multi-functional solutions. Instead of just listing features, we focus on what really matters: how each rack enhances safety, saves valuable space, and keeps your weights organized for efficient workouts. We've also included our hands-on advice for choosing the right set and rack based on your specific space and needs, plus answers to the most common questions we hear about kettlebell storage solutions.


Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Dumbbell Set with Rack

Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Dumbbell Set with Rack
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This article offers a practical guide to choosing the best dumbbell set with rack for rehabilitation clinics, physical therapy offices, and home gyms. It highlights the clinical benefits of organized storage, including safety, space efficiency, and ease of use. You’ll learn what to look for in terms of construction, mobility, accessibility, and future growth. Featuring a curated list of product recommendations ranging from wall-mounted racks to full mobile therapy stations, the guide helps buyers choose a long-lasting, budget-conscious solution tailored to patient needs and space constraints.


Dumbbell Set Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy

Dumbbell Set Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This comprehensive guide to dumbbell sets helps readers understand how to select the right weights for their specific needs, whether they are recovering from injury, building a home gym, or strength training. The article explores clinical and fitness benefits of dumbbells, explains key features like material, grip, and storage, and recommends top-rated products for every user level. With expert guidance on weight ranges, handle design, and safety considerations, it empowers individuals to make informed, goal-aligned purchases that support functional movement and long-term health.


Top 4 Best Plyo Boxes for Strength, Safety, and Recovery

Top 4 Best Plyo Boxes for Strength, Safety, and Recovery
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This expert comparison review highlights four of the best plyo boxes, evaluating their materials, design, and clinical applications. From the durable Exertools Steel Plyo Boxes built for elite athletic performance to the soft-sided and ergonomic options ideal for injury prevention and rehab, each box is suited to specific training needs. Whether in a strength facility, physical therapy clinic, or home gym, this guide helps users select the safest and most effective plyo box for their goals.


Upright Bike Buying Guide: Features, Benefits, and Best Models

Upright Bike Buying Guide: Features, Benefits, and Best Models
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This comprehensive guide explores how to select the best upright bike for rehabilitation and fitness. It outlines the different types of upright bikes, key features to consider, and the clinical benefits of upright cycling for joint health, cardiovascular conditioning, and post-injury recovery. Featuring detailed product recommendations, the article helps users identify models that best suit their therapeutic and lifestyle needs.


Recumbent Bikes for Seniors and Athletes: How to Choose What Works

Recumbent Bikes for Seniors and Athletes: How to Choose What Works
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This buying guide explains how to choose the right recumbent bike based on clinical needs, body type, and rehab goals. It breaks down key features such as seat adjustability, step-through design, and upper-body integration, while also reviewing top-rated recumbent bikes. With detailed clinical use cases, an FAQ section, and expert-backed recommendations, the article empowers users to make safe, informed decisions.


The Best Elliptical Cross Trainers and How to Choose the One for You

The Best Elliptical Cross Trainers and How to Choose the One for You
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This comprehensive buying guide explores the top elliptical cross trainers tailored for athlete recovery, highlighting their benefits for low-impact cardio, joint-friendly rehabilitation, and endurance training. Backed by physical therapy expertise, the article breaks down key features like resistance levels, stride length, and machine type (recumbent vs. upright), while offering product recommendations for various recovery scenarios.


Best Leg Pedal Exerciser for Elderly & Seniors

Best Leg Pedal Exerciser for Elderly & Seniors
By Jeanine Clancy, MEd, BSN, RN

With portability, durability, and compatibility at its core, the Cubii Go Under-Desk Elliptical Machine is a must-have for individuals looking for a safe and effective way to exercise from the comfort of their home or office. The benefits of exercise are numerous and especially important as we age. Get the Cubii Go Under-Desk Elliptical Machine and combine the best of technology and convenience to get moving today!

 


Top 5 Portable Massage Tables

Top 5 Portable Massage Tables
By Mike Price, OT

Massage therapy is an excellent treatment for body stress, pain, and anxiety. A portable massage table will allow you to effectively and comfortably treat your patients in the comfort of their own homes while still maintaining professionalism and efficacy. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


The 5 Best All-in-One Home Gyms

The 5 Best All-in-One Home Gyms
By Mike Price, OT

The best workout is one you’ll do. Having a home gym can make it easier and more comfortable for you to get the exercise you know you need. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


5 Best Home Exercise Equipment for Seniors

5 Best Home Exercise Equipment for Seniors
By Naheed Ali, MD, PhD

Since it can be challenging for older adults to go to normal gyms, investing in high-quality home exercise equipment is especially important. There are a range of commercial-grade exercise machines available for home purchase. Our product experts give their top seven selections in this article.

 


The 5 Best Treadmills

The 5 Best Treadmills
By Mike Price, OT

Treadmills offer you a solution to bad weather, lack of time or ability to travel to a gym, and give you a newfound motivation to work out! With a treadmill, there is no excuse for getting lost on the way to your fitness destination. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


The 5 Best Home Elliptical Trainers

The 5 Best Home Elliptical Trainers
By Mike Price, OT

Cardio equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals are often compared. Elliptical machines stand out due to their low-impact nature and greater ability to workout your entire body. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


The 5 Best Exercise Bikes

The 5 Best Exercise Bikes
By Mike Price, OT

An Exercise bike is an efficient way to burn fat and calories while strengthening your muscles, and lungs. You’ll get an excellent aerobic workout without putting the stress on your joints that can occur with other cardio exercise equipment. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.

 


5 Best Tricycles for Adults & Seniors

5 Best Tricycles for Adults & Seniors
By Hulet Smith, OTR/L

An adult tricycle, which provides a stable and functional alternative to a conventional bike, gives you the chance to safely enjoy the benefits of cycling. The frame of an adult 3-wheeled bike is built for stability and comfort. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


How to Choose the Best Adult Tricycle

How to Choose the Best Adult Tricycle
By Mike Price, OT

As people get older, and their physical abilities change, riding a three-wheeled adult tricycle accommodates range of motion, strength, and balance challenges. Even if riding a bicycle isn’t safe or comfortable, a rider can safely work hands, legs, muscles, heart, and brain on an adult trike. Our product experts give their top recommendations in this article.


Top 5 Best Hydrotherapy Devices

Top 5 Best Hydrotherapy Devices
By Megan Smith, PT

Hydrotherapy uses water as therapy to relieve physical pain and decrease mental stress. Treatments vary in temperature, water pressure, flow, and delivery. Hydrotherapy can also include massage or low-impact aquatic exercise. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


Total Gym in Physical Therapy? How & Why Does it Work?

Total Gym in Physical Therapy? How & Why Does it Work?
By Megan Smith, PT

Total Gym is well-known for being an innovative workout system, but what makes it different? With offerings for a range of different environments and user needs, Total Gym provides exceptional tools for nearly any application. Read on to find out how!


On the Field or At Home: Soft Shell Headgear is the Best Protection

On the Field or At Home: Soft Shell Headgear is the Best Protection
By Megan Smith, PT

Looking for a better solution for protecting your child from head trauma? Whether you need a helmet for sports or for home use, soft-shell protective headgear has come a long way in protection, comfort, and style. Check out the rest of our buying guide now to learn all about it!


Glassless Mirrors: What is the Difference?

Glassless Mirrors: What is the Difference?
By Hulet Smith, OT

Looking for a safer alternative to traditional mirrors? Or maybe you're tired of the loud echo in your gym or dance studio? Glassless mirrors are lightweight, inexpensive, and totally shatterproof, making them an amazing choice for use in any setting from homes to pools to kitchens for bright, clear reflections with no danger of broken glass.


How to Choose the Best Home Gym Equipment

How to Choose the Best Home Gym Equipment
By Megan Smith, PT

Want to get fit, but hate going to the gym? Rehabmart offers a comprehensive selection of home gym equipment, and outlines all the most important facts and features so that you can make the best choice in home exercise tools that align with your unique needs.


2nd Skull: Better Impact Protection for Athletes of All Ages

2nd Skull: Better Impact Protection for Athletes of All Ages
By Megan Smith, PT

At the end of the day, contact sports come with inherent risk. If hit hard enough, there’s not much that will protect players from an injury. But the 2nd Skull headgear product line can reduce the impact taken from a hit by almost a third - and that’s a lot of impact injuries avoided. 


Get Better & Stronger with the Spider Complete Exercise Gym

Get Better & Stronger with the Spider Complete Exercise Gym
By Mike Price, OT

The Spider Complete Gym is a unique, dynamic exercise system that can be used by any patient, regardless of mobility, to provide a workout that’s perfectly suited for his or her specific needs and abilities. 


How to Choose the Best Playground Equipment

How to Choose the Best Playground Equipment
By Hulet Smith, OT

Playgrounds (and their associated equipment) offer children of all ages a chance to develop motor, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. This article will provide you with several features and considerations to help you make the best choice! 


Healthcare International: Fitness for Every Age and Skill Level

Healthcare International: Fitness for Every Age and Skill Level
By Megan Smith, PT

Since 1992, the folks at Healthcare International have made it their mission to provide high-quality, commercial-grade exercise equipment that’s affordable and user-friendly! Healthcare International has designed their line of exercise equipment with a range of user experience in mind, optimizing workouts to individual’s needs and catering to every fitness level.


4 Great Exercise Equipment Options for Children

4 Great Exercise Equipment Options for Children
By Mike Price, OT

When it comes to exercise gear, how do you know which is the most fun and effective for your kid?  Our Top 4 Pediatric Exercise Equipment Review will analyze and compare the features, cost, and certified user reviews of the best and most versatile equipment, so that you can make the choice that is right for your child.