Before debunking several training myths, it is significant to understand that the designs of fitness machinery can be both good and bad.  An excellent design of training machinery targets a specific set of muscles and joint functions as well.  High-quality fitness training equipment always emphasizes safety of the trainee. Some myths that surround the fitness equipment are enlisted below.

• Myth – Machine exercising can be harmful on body joints. Many exercising experts opine that owing to the repetitive movements over a range of unnatural paths and motions cause debilitating effects on joints; such type of injury is called repetitive motion injury.

• Truth – The range and path of motion of a properly designed fitness machinery focus on the body’s joint and muscle function.  If the training machine’s design is appropriate and the trainee’s body position is correct, then there is no chance left for any type of body injury to take place due to the equipment. Nevertheless, if the fitness machinery does not let the body to be aligned properly, then exercising over it can be detrimental (on muscles and joints). 

If the harmful effects on joints and muscles are felt despite the equipment’s design is to a t, then there is a problem with the posture (while exercising) of the trainee.

• Myth – Exercising on a gym machine does not improve functional strength as it cannot mimic the common body motions and movements.

• Truth – Irrespective of the gym machine worked upon, the strength produced by the body is general. Also, the same functional strength significantly helps in enhanced muscle movement and improved overall performance.   Whether the training is done on fitness machines, dumbbells, body weights or manual resistance equipment – the strength gained while working out gets transferred to every muscle’s movement without any hassles.

• Myth – Machine exercises must not be opted whenever building muscular size and strength are considered.

• Truth – Whenever a muscle is involved in an exercise – the one done by barbell or dumbbell – it does not mean the workout will lead to muscle’s size expansion.  Rather, a free weight exercise is not apt for building muscles as it requires additional focus to balance the weight that can sway the ability to target muscle’s size expansion.

Whereas, properly designed machinery helps trainees focus on specific muscles while supporting counter reactionary force. Proper alignment of a trainee’s body helps his/her focus get shifted to the target muscles.

Such myths have tarnished the reputation of many leading gym equipment brands. A point to consider is whether the training machinery has proper design or not; also, is the trainee aware of the correct way to do the exercise or not.  Such myths need to be exposed for all those who wish to build strength and muscles using gym equipment and accessories.