Mar
12
Workout Machines – The Hidden Dangers
Filed Under Men's Health
Did you know that your regular workout could be damaging your health? Most exercise machines are designed to make your body move in ways you are not designed to move so you can isolating and exercise specific muscle groups. But some of these machines could be damaging your back and joints. You can avoid most of these injuries by learning and understanding the dangers before using them. Sometimes it’s safer, and can even give better results, if you trade some machines for free weight body exercises.
NOTE: None of these machines target abs, if you’re looking for some good ab exercises check this out: Abs Routine
Machine – Leg Extender
Muscle Group: Quads
This machine puts a lot of strain on the area around your knee and can sometimes result in injury. You may feel that it can help you get a better rep but it is working muscles which you don’t even use in daily activities like walking or jogging. One legged body squats are a perfect exercise which improves muscles which you actually use. To perform them just lift one leg and hold it behind your backside, bend with the opposite knee and go down until your quad is horizontal. If you find yourself almost falling over while doing this exercise try lightly holding onto something like a rail or stool.
Machine – Seated Lat Pull-Down
Muscle Group: Lats, back, and biceps
If your not a really flexible person I wouldn’t even attempt to use this machine. You can seriously damage your shoulder joints if you use it wrong and twist your rotar cuff in your shoulders.. A great alternative is simple incline pull ups. This type of pull up is performed by hanging from a bar and lifting your legs so they are parallel to the floor. Keeping your legs raised, pull your chest up to the bar. This movement won’t strain your shoulders anywhere near as much as the machine will.
Machine – Overhead Military Press
Muscle Group: Shoulders and triceps
Lifting things above your head naturally relies on your hips to provide support and balance. But this machine isolates your shoulders and puts the joints around them at risk of injury. I recommend you stop using this machine and practice medicine ball throws instead. Find a wall and stand just over 1 meter away from it, now just bounce it back and fourth, aiming at a spot above your head. Throw softly so the ball drops near your feet and squat to catch it, rising up again in a fluid motion to throw it back. Try not to let the ball bounce back into your face! 15 or more reps will give your shoulders and triceps a great little workout.
