Anyone else notice that the equipment we use in CrossFit Sweat Shop is pretty basic?  There are a lot of really complicated and specialized (not to mention, extremely expensive) machines out there.  Unfortunately, the majority of the “fitness equipment” out there today arises from the 1970′s when the popularity of bodybuilding began to soar.  The trend then, and unfortunately still today, was to develop machines that isolated individual muscle groups.  The reason being, this is an excellent way to achieve muscle hypertrophy (gain in muscle size).  Fortunately, the year is now 2009, and everyone is aware that using machines that isolate small muscle groups, or even using free weights for single joint movements (bicep curl, tricep extension, shoulder raises) is a complete waste of time if a functioning and healthy body is what you desire.  Right?  Regrettably, this is not the case.  Next time you are in a gym, take a look around at all the people using machines and/or doing “bodybuilding” movements with free weights.  A large majority of them are women whose goal is to not bulk up.  Ooops!

If anyone is interested in a book that explains, from an anthropology approach, how we as humans should be exercising, I HIGHLY recommend the book Play as if your life depends on it.  It is an extremely interesting, informative, fun and easy read.  Everyone I’ve recommended this book to has really enjoyed it.  It is one of my all-time favorites.  If anyone is interested I have a copy that you may borrow.

The picture above are of items I “found” in and around my apartment.  The first person to correctly name each of the items, and the quantity of each shown will win either a new car, a CrossFit Sweat Shop t-shirt, or have the remainder of their mortgage paid in full.  While you are posting in the comments section, also post your “favorite” piece of gym equipment. 

In the time it took you to read this post: 2 people at your gym put extremely unnatural forces on their patella tendon and knee joint  by doing the leg extension machine, one bodybuilder dude  is only half way through wrapping his knees before doing a limited range of motion set on the leg press, 4 people exacerbated their tennis elbow by doing dumbbell tricep extensions, and 2 women who want to reduce the size of their hips just crushed a set of 15 reps on the hip abduction machine, isolating their gluteal muscles in a way that they will only be used for while on that machine, all the while maintaining a heart rate that is just above that of a corpse, thus failing to address the fat that lies over their glute muscles, consequently rendering their efforts useless.

Be careful out there people.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.