You’re sitting on the couch at 3 a.m. and a commercial comes on that promises if you buy this piece of equipment you will get the body a Greek god and the pro performance of your favorite football player.
The concept of those infomercials is good: get people excited about fitness, moving and reclaiming the body. But the question is whether the product will work as intended and be used as intended.
Here’s the catch. The pitchman almost always says something like, order now and we’ll include a diet plan, or video with extra exercises. Then they show you before and after photos of people who have used the equipment and followed their plan. They look great, so you write down the 800 number and figure you’ll give it a try.
But wait. There’s more. What they don’t tell you is that any activity that requires equipment has limitations, and those extras—the diet plan and additional exercises—are what really make the difference.
For example, the ab-roller is supposed to workout your abs. But once you put your head on the headrest and hold on to the sidebars, the mechanism does far more of the work than you do. What’s more, because it is a fixed piece, your obliques aren’t required for lateral stabilization. This minimizes the total impact to your body in terms of developing muscles and burning calories.
What ends up happening is that whenever you rely on a machine:
Why are these so popular? People are in a hurry and think they can buy their way to fitness. They plunk down money for DVDs, equipment and all sorts of gizmos that often never get out of the box. If they are used, it’s usually for only a short time. Eventually, the novelty wears off and frustration sets in when those sculpted abs don’t show up after a week or two. Garage sales are littered with old fitness equipment.
This isn’t to say that all infomercial products are bad. You have to use them and use them correctly for a long time and—most importantly—you need to pay attention to the extra exercise and food plans that come with them. Ultimately, it is a lifestyle change that leads to the dramatic results you see on the screen.
The same factors are true for the machines at the gym.
What is everyone’s favorite piece of equipment? The treadmill, because it has a go button it and is easy to operate. People think that if they get on a treadmill and keep moving they improve their conditioning. But the truth is, the wrong moves can be more detrimental than doing nothing at all.
Mindless participation at the gym may make you feel better about trying to get in shape, but it won’t get you there. You need to learn how to use the equipment properly. You need to read the manual—or consult an expert—before you use any piece of equipment. You need to make sure that:
Machines with weights, like Nautlius equipment where you might curl, extend or press arms or legs, are usually marked with red lines or red rubber caps as guides for proper alignment. We see people all the time who have injured themselves because they didn’t know this and overextended.
People at the gym tend to ask each other for advice. You see someone who appears to be fit and ask them what equipment they have been using. Be cautious. They may look good, but that doesn’t mean they have been doing things properly. They could have scar tissue, pain and other issues that you will want to avoid. Also, keep in mind our mantra: Every body is different. What works for someone else may not work for you.
We don’t advocate the use of machines. Yes, they have limited value in rehabilitation situations, but overall there is nothing better than muscle-on-muscle resistance. Don’t fall for the hype.
Originally published in Grosse Pointe Today.