Machine Exercise
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US $150.00
Exercise Machines Suck!
Discover The 5 Reasons Why Exercise Machines Are A Waste Of Time
In today's day and age we live in a technology dependent society. Almost everything we do revolves around some kind of mechanical or electrical device. This includes what just about everyone looks for in a gym. If you're like most, when you walk into a fitness center, you usually look for the amount of equipment or how many resistance training machines there are on the exercise floor. "Is there a machine for my chest, back legs, arms etc..." This has been the biggest indicator when clarifying a gym's effectiveness. Well, being that our population's obesity epidemic is spreading world wide, and fitness levels have dramatically declined in the past twenty five years or so, I think it's time to re-evaluate and determine what went wrong.
It has been during the past twenty five to thirty years when our obesity problem really started to take off. And due to the fact that our society has always been in search for the 'quick fix', exercise really started to take off as well. Since exercise was "in", and we desire the "magic solution, resistance training machine companies are heavily marketing their equipment. I hate to break it to you, but when it comes to getting healthy and more physically fit, nothing will yield better results than hard work, dedication, and motivation; not gimmicks or machines. Machines actually are an inferior method of exercise.
It's time to go back to our roots and look like we did hundreds of years ago. When you think about it, humans have always done some form of activity, and we have always been obsessed with strength and physique. So my question to you is did we have machines hundreds of years ago? My next question is as a whole, who looked better as a population, us now or mankind hundreds of years ago?
Now I'm not saying exercise machines are useless, everything has its place, but I can come up with a couple of dozen reasons why exercise machines are not optimally efficient. Instead of boring you anymore than I already have I'll provide you with my top five.
Here we go:
1.) Exercise machines are NOT an optimal form of exercise for most. Exercise machines are great for isolating specific muscles (i.e. - the standard leg extension machine for the quads), but because exercise machines are anchored to the ground, your stabilizer muscles (muscle that surround your joints and protect them from injury), do NOT get developed. Exercise machines do not allow you to stabilize the weight you are lifting in three dimensions, and since daily activities such as work and athletics do require you to use these important muscles (the stabilizers), exercise machines are an inferior method of exercise
2.) Exercise machines are NOT ideal to improve posture. Over the years in the fitness industry, I have seen an incredible amount of people that have poor posture. This includes forward head, rounded shoulders, flat lower backs, and other misalignment in spinal curvature. This is due to the lack of strength in postural muscles, making it hard to fight gravity, and since gravity is almost impossible to escape, those who can't fight gravity efficiently will almost always have poor posture. By performing exercise on machines your body does not have to fight gravity, and on most traditional gym equipment your body doesn't have to stabilize itself. However, by performing exercise in a prone, upright, or supine position, you can engage and load postural muscles to help with fight gravity, resulting in better posture.
3.) Exercise machines are just flat out BORING! I can remember a couple of years ago when I worked at a large health club filled with fancy ground based machines, I would sit and watch people go through their work outs. One day I saw a gentleman working on the chest press machine. It was hilarious. He actually appeared to be falling asleep. I mean yawn after yawn during repetitions. I think if the guy was on a lying leg press he may have actually dozed off.
Now let's analyze that situation. If he were on a flat bench performing dumbbell chest presses, do you think he would have been in that state of mind? Only if he wanted a nose job by dropping the dumbbells on his face. I have in the past and still do observe exercisers on the free weight floor. What I see is always a look of determination, motivation, and enthusiasm. My point here is that by participating in a free weight, non-machine based program, it not only forces you to concentrate and work harder, but it's more fun, and the feeling of accomplishment is far superior than just going through the motions on exercise machines.
4.) Exercise machines CANNOT improve balance or stability. As I stated earlier, ground based exercise machines DO NOT require the use of your stabilizer muscles. These muscles not only protect your joints, but they also are responsible for your ability to stabilize and balance. Instead, try to incorporate some non-traditional methods of exercise like the use of a stability ball, or balancing on one leg, or doing some low level plyometrics. These types of exercises are extremely beneficial to increasing balance, stability, and agility. No machine can give you any of these qualities by itself.
5.) You can mimic any exercise machine exercise without the machine and get the same benefits plus a lot more. Every exercise machine that is on the market today has been developed based on movements that the human body does naturally. With that being said, you can perform any exercise machine exercise without the use of an actual exercise machine. The chest press machine is essentially a bench press, the leg press machine is a squatting motion, the rowing machine (you know the one for your back muscles) can be done with free weights, and the list goes on and on. But the catch is that when you do these movements with body weight or free weights you get all the same benefits plus the development of balance, stability, and definitely more calories burned. Let's not forget that when you perform body weight or free weight based movements, you will always engage you core muscles.
I don't know about you, but if I have my choice I'm sure you can guess what it is. That's right good old fashioned body weight, free weight, or other non - machine based movements. Now, it's important to realize that I'm not saying that exercise machines are useless, but would you rather work out for hours at a time with boring exercise equipment, or would you like to get more bang for your buck by getting more out of one exercise like a squat, some form of a press, a rowing motion, a lunging motion, or even a twisting, or bending motion? Instead of using one to two dozen boring exercise machines all you have to do is have fun while incorporating the six movements I just mentioned and you'll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals more efficiently and faster than ever before.
About the Author
Jason Zaretzky is Owner and Program Director of Optimal Performance Training Center, a Sports training facility located in Rockland County NY. He specializes in Athletic performance training for athlete ranging from the pee-wee to the professional. To learn more about Jason and Optimal Performance, visit http://www.rocklandsportstraining.com
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Exercise Machine $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles An exercise machine is any machine used for physical exercise. These range from simple springlike devices to computerized electromechanical rides to recirculatingstream swimming pools. Most exercise machines incorporate an Ergometer. An Ergometer is an apparatus for measuring the work a person exerts while exercising as used in training or cardiac stress tests or other medical tests. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/02 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.18 inches |
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Man Using Exercise Machine $24.99 Man Using Exercise Machine - Photographic Print |
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Young Man Exercising on an Exercise Machine $24.99 Young Man Exercising on an Exercise Machine - Photographic Print |
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Roller Slide Exercise Machine $45.3 Slim, tone, and firm your abdominal muscles with a compact roller slideFitness product also allows you to exercise your arms, shoulders, and backExercise tool improves your sports performance and overall fitnessIncludes a mat for knees and instructions with various exercisesMade from plastic and steelSmall size makes it easy to store and transport |
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Pro-Form Exercise Machine Mat $19.99 Protect your floor from damage from your exercise equipment with this floor mat that helps prevent your machine from slipping while in use. |
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Close-up Image of an Exercise Machine Computer $24.99 Close-up Image of an Exercise Machine Computer - Photographic Print |
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Upper Body Recumbent Exercise Machine $1660.41 Get into the best shape of your life with this upper body recumbent machineExercise machine features an adjustable seat on a sturdy steel frameWork out machine has adjustable hand-gripsAdjustable for various heights8 level quiet magnetic resistanceComfortable padded seat and seat backUnique aluminum upright support beamWork upper and lower body together or independentlyLCD Monitor displays scan, speed, distance, time calories and pulseIncludes both upper hand pedals and lower foot pedals for a full body workout |
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2-in-1 Elliptical and Upright Exercise Machine $403.13 Elliptical machine features smooth, quiet magnetic resistanceHome work-out equipment has an adjustable tension control and seatExercise machine has forward and reverse motionDouble direction 5 KG flywheelNon-skid foot pedalsUse standing or sittingLCD display with scan, time, speed, distance, total distance and calorieStride length is 17 inchesMaximum weight limit is 220 lbsAssembly size is 49 inches long x 22.5 inches wide x 62 inches high |
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Minibike Home Training Exercise Stepper Machine $54.9 This exercise stepper machine is a great space-saving spin-off of large exercise bikes and perfect for exercising in your living room, or anywhere space is at a premium. The bike can be used while sitting on the sofa for example, great for working out while watching your favourite TV programs. The Minibike exercises the same muscle groups as standard exercise bikes making it perfect for toning and endurance training; you can even use it on a table to exercise your arms. The design also makes a great way for the elderly to keep fit from the comfort of their home and the integrated training computer gives a constant update on your workout. |
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Exercise Pedal $57.63 Exercise pedal is ideal for toning leg and arm musclesExercise machine works while sitting on a chairWork out arms by placing the unit on a tableAdjustable resistance knobNonslip tipsEasy to store11 inches wide x 16 inches high x 20 inches long |
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Rear View of a Young Man Exercise on a Lateral Pull-Down Weight Machine $24.99 Rear View of a Young Man Exercise on a Lateral Pull-Down Weight Machine - Photographic Print |
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Elite Preacher Curl Exercise Machine $528.27 PLEASE NOTE: THIS ITEM CANNOT SHIP VIA 3-DAY DELIVERY.Adjustable angled seat and arm pad keep user in proper position Design allows unit to be used as curl stand from the front Bar rests protected by Polyethylene29" W X 41" D X 41" HThis item ships by truck, so please include your phone number when ordering so that you can be contacted to arrange delivery. |
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Sunny Health Fitness Climbing Stepper Exercise Machine $212.31 Brand: Sunny Health FitnessClimbing Stepper Exercise MachineBasic training for indoor mountain climbingGreat low-impact, calorie burning, cardiovascular workoutTones the calves, buttocks, thighs, and hipsDisplay features calories, scan, timer and countFolds for easy storageTwo adjustable resistance cylinders provide a smooth stepping motion Materials: Steel, plasticDimensions: 54.5 inches high x 17.6 inches wide x 26 inches deepModel: SF-1115Assembly Required |
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Stamina 1700 Power Tower Exercise Machine $592.45 Sculpt and strengthen your entire body with the Stamina 1700 Power TowerExercise equipment allows you to do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, tricep dips and vertical knee raisesPower Tower builds build total body strengthSculpt your chest, abs, back and armsFreestanding with a small footprint to fit easily into your home workout areaProvides an intense workoutComfortable, padded, easy-to-clean forearm and back supportComfortable, secure, foam hand grips at push-up, pull-up, vertical knee raises, dip, and chin-up stationsSteel frame construction for solid supportNo slip end caps |
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Stamina ATS Air Rower Exercise Machine $1032.25 Improve your health and fitness with a super-sturdy air rowing machineStamina ATS air rowing machine is designed with an over-sized chrome seat railHome gym machine also features metal pull-chain for extra strength and durabilityMolded seat is comfortable for all users, especially beneficial for those who enjoy a longer rowing workoutWhen not in use simply fold it and wheel it away on its convenient, built-in castersBuilt-in-casters allow you to easily move the ATS air rowing machine out of the way when it's not in useMulti-function monitor helps to keep you motivated and informed during your workoutTrack your progress with these display features--distance, calories used, speed, time, number of strokes and strokes per minuteFor the ultimate comfort during your workout, the Stamina ATS Air Rowing Machine is designed with a molded seatAll body types will be well-supportedFor extra durability and strength, the Stamina ATS is designed with an over-sized chrome seat railEfficient wind resistance for smooth rowing strokeMulti-function electronic performance monitor displays speed, distance, time, and calories burnedComfortable foam padded molded seat slides easily on ball bearing rollersLarge foot plates for any size userAdjustable nylon foot straps hold feet securely in placeOver-sized chrome seat rail for smooth sliding seatSturdy steel constructionWheels for easy portabilityFolds for storageHigh Quality Metal Rowing ChainFloor protectors safeguard your workout area and prevent skiddingAngled seat rail for easy seat return. |
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Olympic Bars/Machine Attachments-Multi-Exercise Chrome Bar w/ Urethane Ergo Grips, Revolving $74 Olympic Bars/Machine Attachments-Multi-Exercise Chrome Bar w/ Urethane Ergo Grips, Revolving |
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Cadet Performing Machine-Tool Exercise in Ordnance Laboratory, at US Military Academy at West Point $79.99 Cadet Performing Machine-Tool Exercise in Ordnance Laboratory, at US Military Academy at West Point - Premium Photographic Print |
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Exercise $17.99 Exercise - Art Print |
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Mini Home Exercise Cycle $153.76 This Mini Home Exercise Cycle is the perfect solution for people to lose weight and get in shape in the comfort of their own home. This home gym machine is portable and can be used with any chair.Mini Home Exercise Cycle is the perfect solution for people to lose weight and get in shape in the comfort of their own homeHome gym machine is portable and can be used with any chairFitness device features a belt drive systemMini Home Exercise CycleMuscle toning and aerobic exerciseBoth upper and lower movements are perfect for aerobic conditioningHelps improve muscle strength in legs, arms, shoulders and backCirculation is increased with the smooth bicycle motionThe safe design helpsyou to maintain flexibility without stress on the joints, perfect for rehabilitation,diabetes and arthritis sufferers |
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Fun and Fitness Kid's Happy Bike Exercise Machine $228.66 The Kid's Happy Bike Exercise Machine is fun to use and promotes both fitness and healthy play in one easy to use unit. This fitness machine features a durable tubular steel construction and inspires children to lead an active lifestyle.Brand: Fun and FitnessKid's Happy Bike Exercise MachineModel: LFC-019Fun workout experience for kids Kid safe, low impact and self propelledOdometer with time, speed, distance and caloriesTension and seat height adjustmentWeight capacity: 150 poundsRecommended for children ages 4 to 8 years oldEasy to assemble, all instructions and tools includedMaterials: Tubular steel/foam paddingDimensions: 18 inches high x 8 inches wide x 19 inches deepAssembly Required |