It is the same in virtually every gym you visit.

Lots and lots of people isolating their muscles for all they are worth on flash machines in the hope it will miraculously reduce problem areas on their body.

What's more, they are often placed there by fitness instructors and personal trainers, and such exercises form the basis of their regular training sessions.

LIES

Essentially, wittingly or unwittingly, we are often being lied to. The fitness industry needs to keep creating machines that promise 'spot reduction'.

It is a big industry and, in part, relies upon the innocence of novice gym goers to maintain its profits.

Now, obviously, some of the equipment is good. However, much of it plain does not provide what it seems to promise.

The Ab Cradle is an obvious example. It promises sculpted abs, despite providing an easy option, by lifting the head with the help of the hands as opposed to the core muscles doing the work.

IF PEOPLE KNEW THE TRUTH

If people were told the truth (that, often, working with your own bodyweight can provide better results) such pieces of equipment might cease to exist.

There will always be those who believe such things however. This is, in part, due to gym staff perpetuating such misinformation!

It is certainly not all their fault though. People don't go to the gym to be told how to breathe correctly and told to avoid machines and use just their own bodies to train.

NO!

They want these 'figure changing' machines.

HOW TO AVOID POINTLESS EXERCISES?

Check out these points to make sure you get a good workout that will actually be effective.

1. If you have a fitness program written make sure the instructor knows you want functional fitness that can apply in other areas of your life (other than mirror gazing!).

2. On the whole focus upon big, compound, movements that work more than one muscle group at a time. Essentially, get your body working as a unit.

3. The workout should have elements of C.V. and resistance in it. For instance, if all your workout contains is C.V. work you will never develop lean, fat burning, muscle.

4. Finally, learn to breathe properly and to use your own bodyweight as your own portable gym! The gym's not always available but your body IS! Learn to use it effectively and it will never let you down.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

So, what IS the "truth" about gym equipment?

Well, it is this.

Used on its own, more often than not, it is NOT going to give you the results you are after.

Used as part of an holistic approach to fitness and health it can have benefits but do not be fooled into believing it is the "be all and end all" of developing a good, functional, and aesthetically pleasing physique.

(c) Tim Webb 2006