Local personal trainer and fitness expert Val Fujii wants to make you aware of four common exercises that are known to get you hurt. Today he is exposing those exercises.
“One of the biggest concerns we as personal trainers have are the number of machine exercises that make up the typical workout. With machine exercises, you are limited to a fixed range of motion and therefore, you do not appropriately prepare your body for everyday movement,” Fujii claims.
Fujii continues on, saying “The claim that machine exercises are safer than using free weight or body weight exercises is absolutely absurd. In reality, machine exercises are setting you up for short and long-term injuries that will slow down your results. Plus, by not engaging as many muscles, machine exercises limit fat burning and lean muscle growth potential.”
Following are the four common machine exercises you should avoid doing:
1.) Abs Machine
Crunches in this machine will be a sure-fire way to hurt your neck and back. They don’t provide the stabilization work your core muscles really need to improve posture and to prevent injury.
2.) Back Machine
Most people already use their backs way too much during most exercises and this machine just reinforces that. People are better suited doing exercises like hip extensions and deadlifts in addition to stretching the hip muscles which are commonly tight and restricted.
3.) Leg Extension Machine
This exercise will put you on the fast track to knee surgeries and arthritis in the long run. Your best bet is to focus on lunging exercises to build firm, toned legs and stable knees.
4.) Elliptical Machine
This machine truly only has use for people that are significantly overweight and/or de-conditioned. If you are within 10-20 pounds of your ideal body weight you are better suited performing intervals on a stationary bike or outdoor running. For those folks who prefer to workout at home, try stationary running and jumping jacks.
One way you can avoid doing these machine exercises is by participating in Superwomen Boot Camp’s free two-week trial that is going on now through Thursday, August 13th. Spots are filling up fast so, reserve your spot today!
Val Fujii, NASM CPT, PES, is the owner of Superwomen Boot Camp and is a local Folsom and El Dorado Hills fitness professional. He is available for interviews or to discuss other story ideas related to women weight loss and fitness. He can be reached at 916-337-4780 or via email at SuperwomenBootCamp@
