In the noun form, a workout is a rigorous form of stylized exercise usually developed by the individual. It may emphasize over all body and cardiovascular fitness or may be used in training for specific sports such as boxing in order to build endurance. The verb form of the word is the process of engaging in such exercise or physical fitness program.
Workout equipment is often found in a gym or fitness center. Any of several machines are available each of which focuses on a specific activity or part of the body. A workout program might include various components such as stretching, weightlifting, treadmill, bicycling, and other more specific machines.
A workout developed for training in a specific sport might put more emphasis upon one type of exercise over another, but a general workout would usually involve using several exercise machines in a 45 minute to 1 hour session by going from one machine to another.
For those who use a personal trainer either in person or by participating in an exercise program, a workout usually does not require any additional equipment but focuses more heavily on flexibility, aerobic exercise, and body resistance training.
A weightlifting or bodybuilding workout usually will consist of a number of repetitions of an exercise intended for one set of muscles, or major muscle groups such as the triceps, or leg muscles. To avoid overtraining one set of muscles, a workout may use routines which emphasize one group of muscles on one day and a different group on the next workout day.
A workout combined with good nutrition practices can be an effective tool in overall good health. So long as proper precautions such as warming up and cool down moves are utilized, either a ‘canned’ routine or a self-designed program will be effective. The workout should ensure features that will work all the major muscle groups of the body as well as to include cardiovascular components.
Progressive degrees of difficulty are also appropriate so the exercise routine remains as a challenge just beyond the easy reach so that there is continual striving to reach a goal. For example you might do 10 repetitions at 50 pounds then 6 repetitions at 65 pounds.
There are canned routines available on the internet as well as specially designed computerized programs set up which take into consideration your physical fitness, baseline abilities and age as well as other factors.