7 exercise devices that can do more harm than good

For a few years now, the sports industry has been offering us countless training machines, to be used at home or in the gym. Both the most modern models and the classics are successful among fans, especially bodybuilders. However, experts are always warning that multifunctional devices are not always so beneficial to our health.

O incredible.club took on the challenge of listing the most dangerous (and sometimes useless) equipment. Experts say it’s best to stay away from them.

Because it is dangerous: the fixed trajectory of the barbell with the weight causes the joints to move in a way that is totally uncomfortable for their capabilities. Therefore, when using this device, you not only put the body’s joints at risk, but you can cause trauma to large and small muscles.

Tip: Squats, bench presses, and shoulder presses can be done without machines, using dumbbells or barbells. And it is always possible to adapt the execution so as not to force the body.

Because it is dangerous: your legs are strong enough to support your body weight on a daily basis. Therefore, the weight placed on the device needs to be greater than that of the body, to ensure sufficient resistance. But with this, the load is directed to the lower back, and you risk earning a herniated disc. Not to mention that, doing this type of movement, no stabilizing muscles of the thighs, glutes, shoulders and hips are used. Therefore, the use of this machine is not only dangerous, but also inefficient.

Tip: replace using the machine with free squats with dumbbells. Pressure on the back is reduced thanks to the positioning of the load in the hands. In addition, dumbbells make you maintain a certain position by activating a large number of muscles at the same time. Sometimes a lower weight can make us burn more calories.

Because it is dangerous: this exercise is often especially traumatic for the body. It can overload the shoulder joint capsule, leading to a tear in the rotator cuff muscle.

Hint: Try it backslashes. They help strengthen the muscles in your shoulders, back, legs, and hands. You can also complement these exercises by placing your hands in front of your body for extra security.

Because it is dangerous: as the load mainly affects the calves, the device can lead to a sprain in the knee joints, causing wear much faster, in addition to pain. In addition, the machine makes the body realize a moment that has practically no use in everyday life.

Tip: step exercises on a bench cause the quadriceps to be activated in a much more effective way than any machine, in addition to benefiting the buttocks and calves as well. When a large number of muscles come into play, the knees don’t wear out; quite the contrary: they strengthen.

Because it is dangerous: in addition to requiring a position that is not completely comfortable for the body, this device can cause muscle asymmetry. If one side of your body is stronger than the other, it will automatically end up taking on most of the work, getting stronger faster than the weaker side.

Tip: prefer the good old push-ups. They distribute the weight in the hands evenly, otherwise you would lean to one side and not be able to perform the exercise. Not to mention that push-ups work the core muscles, which are responsible for stability and balance.

Because it is dangerous: in addition to this machine promoting the execution of movements that we do not perform in everyday life, it causes an unnecessary overload on the iliotibial band, the tendon that connects several muscles on the lateral surface of the muscle. Therefore, the use of this device poses a risk of dislocating the knee joint.

Tip: try doing unilateral leg curls. This exercise involves the inner and outer surface muscles of the thigh, as well as the muscles responsible for stabilization.

Because it is dangerous: although the idea is to lift weight with the help of the calf, the mechanism of the device makes the main tension fall on the spine. With that, back pain is practically guaranteed.

Tip: do the exercise using only your own body weight. With this, you will also work the small stabilizer muscles of the leg. If you feel that the weight is not enough, do the exercise one leg at a time.