From
the Trampoline Stair Machine to the
Self-Impaling
Cable Row Machine, you will not believe
just how
bad some training equipment can be.
Almost every single gym in the world
has a piece of equipment in it that
every member hates to use. It sits
in the corner like a mousetrap, waiting
for the next victim to get close.
I've traveled the world in search
of the worst of these diabolical machines
(well, not really, but you get the
idea).
Keep
in mind, these are real pieces of
equipment that I've actually used
(but not for long!).
1. The Power Rack With Aluminum
Safety Rails - if a rack has safety
rails that are 1 inch in diameter,
weigh 3 pounds each and are BENT,
stay far, far away.
2.
The Eight-Foot Pulldown Machine
- have you ever used a pulldown machine
where you needed to stand up on the
seat to be able to reach the bar?
It's about as practical as playing
golf with a bowling ball (a little
tricky to get into position if you're
using more than your bodyweight too).
3.
The Back-Breaker Crunch Machine
- try a rep in this thing. It'll fold
you up like an enchilada and not in
a good way. That sharp, shooting pain
in your lower back does NOT mean your
abs are working.
4.
The Short and Skinny Flat Bench
- I have no idea who built this thing
as I've only ever seen it one gym
but this guy needs to be fired. This
wonderfully unstable twelve-inch long
bench is perfect for exercises that
don't require a good base of support
or pretty much any support at all.
It was the only "bench"
in the entire gym that wasn't nailed
down so it was all I had to use for
500-pound partial bench presses. Fun!
5.
The Shoulder-Separator Flye Machine
- the designers of this machine must
not have realized that your shoulders
don't bend backwards quite as far
as they go forward. Never before had
I seen a machine that almost made
your elbows touch behind your back
for a "complete" stretch.
6.
The Self-Impaling Cable Row Machine
- I quite like cable row machines
that have a support pad for your chest.
I encountered one version that had
a pad that was all of 2 square inches
and set so that it pressed directly
into your solar plexus as you rowed.
It was like getting punched in the
guts with every rep!
7.
The Trampoline Stair Machine -
what could be better than a stair
machine that automatically shoots
your one leg back up so fast as you
push the other one down that you almost
knock your teeth out with your knee?
How about an escalator.
8.
The Crooked Smith Machine - normally
when you look at the bar on a Smith
Machine, it is horizontal. Not this
thing. I must confess, I didn't actually
use it though. The fact that everyone
who did any exercises on this machine
walked away leaning at a 20-degree
angle kind of scared me off.
9.
The Seatless Stationary Bike -
I didn't actually use this one either,
for reasons too painful to discuss.
10.
The Knee-Cracker Leg Extension Machine
- the leg extension is not the healthiest
exercise for your knees to begin with
but the designer of this machine for
some reason felt it necessary to enhance
this danger by inclining the seat.
Imagine doing a leg extension with
your hips down, your knees up level
with your chest and your heels forced
back underneath your butt. When the
sounds of someone crushing bubble
wrap comes out of your knees, you
know something is not quite right
with the machine.
|
One
Simple Exercise Will
Help You Lose Your Love Handles
FAST!
Sign
up now to learn one easy exercise
that you can do in the
comfort of your own home
that will tighten up the muscles
underneath your love handles
to reduce their size
FAST.
|
