The Ab Rocket danger

[nikkipompom]

My friend Hope bought this and injured her back. She is in very serious condition with a slipped disc. I looked at it. It seems like any excersize piece,it seems safe but actually I a wondering who really checks these sit up machines out. Anyone have problems with this one??

 

[tyciol]

I haven't tried this one in particular but I have seen the commercials for it. It's something I'd like to try one day because of the massage pads. They put pressure on the back for a massage.

The thing is, massage and putting pressure on the back, while relaxing for someone who is unfit, is of course a risk to somebody with spinal conditions such as slipped discs. I am inclined to think that there was probably a warning on the product saying to consult one's doctor when one has a condition like this.

Producers of fitness equipment know this is a standard disclaimer, because they don't want people to get hurt. Not only is liability bad, but it would harm your reputation if people got hurt using it. That is why I am wondering if she consulted them.

Exercise in general is always going to be a risk for someone with biomechanical injuries (heck, any exercise is not without risk even for normal or fit people). Since it is a spinal injury, any exercise involving either movement or muscular engagement at the spine (such as crunches/situps/back extensions) is going to amplify the risk much more.

So, while your friend got injured doing this, they may have been injured attempting to do situps normally as well. I see it as more of overdoing it with a painful condition moreso than a flaw of the product. What this thing does is actually to maintain posture and a straight spine, and it reduces the amount of work the abs/hip flexors need to do, because it uses springs to assist people.

What this does is allow people to do much higher reps and to exercise for a longer period of time. This is good if you want to work slow-twitch fibre endurance.

On the other hand, perhaps it is bad to be able to exercise too much because I think with easier exercising we tend to get into the habit of doing it too quickly, with counting to high numbers we can sort of space out and begin to bounce or lose our form. When that happens, even if a device helps to maintain your posture it may not be enough.

When exercise is harder, while there is a higher risk of injury due to the higher force, I think it is often compensated because you are more mentally alert, because you need to consciously apply a lot more effort.

 

[nikkipompom]

Since I posted this and things have been on going with her I've realized that her jumping into this without really understanding proper form caused her physical trauma.She's been in therapy for almost one year. She also has gained alot of weight now.

 

[Duckybill]

Possibly the best beginner's exercise is walking. That will strengthen the overall body. Then you can consider other exercises. Or you can go to FAST walking. Great exercises! Personally I like walking or jogging in place. For beginners though, take it EASY!

 

[Romanseight2005]

I just had a meeting with a trainer today and discovered why I was so tired. I was doing cardio and strength machines everyday for two hours, in addition to swimming with my son, biking, and the excercise I get from housecleaning and daily life. I just started working out this summer, so I plunged in. I should be focusing more on cardio, and limiting my strength training to twice a week.

 

[JoshTraceur]

Do you know the workout machines that say they are targeting certain muscles actually DON'T work those certain muscles? This is how you get money taken away from you and become injured easily. You could easily do bodyweight conditioning and gain tons more strength and a more fit body (if you actually care about your appearance).

I would type in Eat.Move.Improve in google and you will find some very good results on that website! (I can't post a link yet... stupid post count ) Also just type in bodyweight conditioning for some good results!

 

[hermanchauw]

In general designers of exercise MACHINES are not human movement experts. They are just there for the money. Te real movement experts can design (many, deep, efficient, effective) exercise programs without ANY equipment.

Food for thought.