Man vs. Machine

The battle of the machines has begun!  Actually it had begun ever since man has tried to make working out easier.  I am going to break it to you…working out is hard.  Period.  No way around it.  There is no magic pill or machine that makes working out as easy as being on the couch for hours.  Working out is work.  Do it, do it right and enjoy the results.  The problems with exercise equipment companies is that are producing and selling machines that can hurt you and even weaken you.  Gyms purchase them because the average fitness goer is looking for an easier form of working out or most of them are self-explanatory, so again making it easier on the fitness newbie, but in the long run causing damage that may haunt them in the future.

The problems with most fitness machines are they are set fixed positions, meaning your body has to adapt to the machine to use it.  Every human body is different.  Height, weight, bone size, and appendage length is different.  Yes, there are seat adjustments and angle adjustments that adjust a small margin to your body but it will never be perfect for you.  The adjustments your body has to make to use the machine puts extra strain on joints or muscles that you are not even focusing on exercising.  Then that could result to damaged tendons, joints, muscles or weakening the body part you are exercising altogether.

When exercising the body it is easy to forget there are more important muscles than the “show off” muscles.  We all know what the “show off” muscles are, they are muscles we cater to for attracting the ones we desire.  But the muscles we need to cater to while working out are the stabilizing muscles also known as the supporting muscles.  Stabilizing muscles are the muscles that act to stabilize one joint so a movement can be performed in another joint.   When a machine is used it eliminates a lot of the stabilizing muscles making them weaker; therefore not making the user strong as a whole or even strengthening the desired body part exerted to the capabilities the chosen muscle can achieve.

Working out is hard.  Keep it that way.  Do not cheat yourself, what’s the point?  Sitting in a chair pressing weight is like a glorified couch with weights.  Leave the chairs and the adjustable seats at home… do it the right way and get the healthy strong body you desire.

Fitness Tip:  Cables are great to use.  They adapt to you.  Cables are free moving and follow your body’s desired movements.  Integrate them into your workout and enjoy!