Health Clubs - WHy is it that machine based exercises are usually shown first? - Ausbb

02-11-2009, 09:12 PM

This is something that has mind boggled me for such a long time, but why is it that for some reason, whenever someone joins a health club (whether one can call a health club a real gym is debateable), the people are always shown how to use the machines first?

Is it easier to just show people how to use the machines, or is it people wanna get fit but don't want to use the effort with free weights?

I remember years ago when I first got into a routine, admittingly I got shown the machines (I cannot believe that I wasted many months back then). Ah well one learns from their mistakes lol.

But seriously, it just happens nearly all the time.

ANd I remember in one of my early stages I used the Smith Machine when I first did squats (this was years and years ago), needless to say it didn't take long for me to stop using it.

One question about the SMith Machine, do many see it as possibly the worse exercise machine invention? I have heard so many bad things with these machines, especially when it comes to squatting. Maybe some others here know some first hand bad experiences?

BoyFromAus · 02-11-2009, 09:19 PM

the minds of an average potential client is trained to think more is better and more technology = better results. Advertizers are well aware of this

02-11-2009, 09:31 PM

It is a joke. You are right in that. Its called brainwashing

trofius · 02-11-2009, 11:34 PM

It allows someone that is untrained to become accustomed to pushing weights.

It teaches them a basic range of motion, some of the newer machines are very close and it is obvious that a bit of research has gone into their design.

It also limits any injuries that could occur by people pushing more than they can handle.

I feel they have a role in a gym, but only for newbies, It should be explained that they should move on to free weights once they have some srength, ability, and a basic concept of what the exercise if for.

BoyFromAus · 02-11-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofius

It allows someone that is untrained to become accustomed to pushing weights.

It teaches them a basic range of motion, some of the newer machines are very close and it is obvious that a bit of research has gone into their design.

It also limits any injuries that could occur by people pushing more than they can handle.

I feel they have a role in a gym, but only for newbies, It should be explained that they should move on to free weights once they have some srength, ability, and a basic concept of what the exercise if for.

true, it does do those things. But I still think it's advertized the way it is because people are used to thinking more advance technology = better results.

Fat Albert the computer nerd would take the Ab swing over doing HIIT on the oval anyday. According to him, it's the breakthrough in technology that he's been waiting for, it works abs from 120 degree angle and burns of all the fat in the belly. HIIT is just some painful torture that gets no airplay.

03-11-2009, 12:11 AM

Your title says it all , HEALTH CLUBS!
More and more are going this way as opposed to being a gym.
Health/Sports Clubs are the Maccas of the fitness world and just like
their fast food counterparts they want to cater to the lowest common denominator so they don`t give a stuff if one serious lifter doesn`t join because there will be 10 posers/zombies to take his/her place.

Admin · 03-11-2009, 03:30 AM

gym or health club who really gives a toss , not everyone is out to be bulging with muscles , some just want to get a bit more fitter look after their body a bit more

it's the elitist attitude that scares a lot of people away from gym/health clubs you get these wanker tossers that say "real men use iron" and look down upon the new comer

i say good on them for taking the step and joining the health club , in this society where people are too lazy to walk , to lazy to cook , a nation that is facing as obesity epidemic atleast the people joining the health club are taking the right steps

anyway back to the topic , i agree with trofius

03-11-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarkov

Health/Sports Clubs are the Maccas of the fitness world

Haha

Thats a good way of putting it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admin

in this society where people are too lazy to walk , to lazy to cook , a nation that is facing as obesity epidemic atleast the people joining the health club are taking the right steps

This is a real problem today. Isn't Australia one of the worst countries in the world for obesity? I know people who are obese, but that is because of the medication they take, and I used to take anti deps at one stage, never do that again. Got off them. And I had them because the amount of pain I was in. On the whole it did nothing for me except made me worse and want to be in bed all day.

But yeah, like said above, it is taking the right steps joining one

**The Hulk** · 03-11-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordoftime

One question about the SMith Machine, do many see it as possibly the worse exercise machine invention? I have heard so many bad things with these machines, especially when it comes to squatting. Maybe some others here know some first hand bad experiences?

One exercise which I find to be good on the Smith machine is Incline bench press.
Also, I find heavy decline close grip bench press another great exercise on the Smith machine.
And standing calf raises are good too.

It has it's uses for bodybuilding.

03-11-2009, 10:49 AM

Personally I don't like the Smith Machine and I never really have. Hulk is right in that it does have some uses for Bodybuilding, but I reckon people turn to it too frequently. Why Bench Press or Squat on it? That is just silly. I also think that it is much easier to do incline Bench Press on it than it is to do them free weights, well for me anyway.

I know it is good to have people in the gym doing what they can for their bodies. But come on, people that are overweight or out of shape are that way because of their sh!t lifestyles. They only have themselves to blame and there is only one way to get back on track, HARD WORK! Giving them comfortable machines and assisting machines is bullsh!t, it is no different to what they have put themselves through. They need to go through the hard work and torture of getting their body back in shape. Then (hopefully) they won't let it go again as they know the work required to get there. From what I can see at my Health Club the people that do all machine work DO NOT CHANGE. They haven't changed in 6 months and won't change in the next 6 months. They are wasting their time and money. Sure diet is probably paying a big part but it is obvious they are not putting in the effort of the people with the good physiques.

I think machines are making workouts softer which in turn is not helping these people at all.

02-11-2009, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
lordoftime Guest Posts: n/a	Health Clubs - WHy is it that machine based exercises are usually shown first? This is something that has mind boggled me for such a long time, but why is it that for some reason, whenever someone joins a health club (whether one can call a health club a real gym is debateable), the people are always shown how to use the machines first? Is it easier to just show people how to use the machines, or is it people wanna get fit but don't want to use the effort with free weights? I remember years ago when I first got into a routine, admittingly I got shown the machines (I cannot believe that I wasted many months back then). Ah well one learns from their mistakes lol. But seriously, it just happens nearly all the time. ANd I remember in one of my early stages I used the Smith Machine when I first did squats (this was years and years ago), needless to say it didn't take long for me to stop using it. One question about the SMith Machine, do many see it as possibly the worse exercise machine invention? I have heard so many bad things with these machines, especially when it comes to squatting. Maybe some others here know some first hand bad experiences?

02-11-2009, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoyFromAus Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Gender: Posts: 800	the minds of an average potential client is trained to think more is better and more technology = better results. Advertizers are well aware of this __________________ Reloaded

02-11-2009, 11:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
trofius Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rockhampton Gender: Posts: 1,830	It allows someone that is untrained to become accustomed to pushing weights. It teaches them a basic range of motion, some of the newer machines are very close and it is obvious that a bit of research has gone into their design. It also limits any injuries that could occur by people pushing more than they can handle. I feel they have a role in a gym, but only for newbies, It should be explained that they should move on to free weights once they have some srength, ability, and a basic concept of what the exercise if for. __________________ Mick..yes another one there are hundreds here..! Currently 74kg, 173cm ~15%bf, 1 RM: B125, BS150, FS110 D180, MP75, PP80, PC90 6 RM: B100, BS110, FS80, D160, MP60, PP60, PC70 http://ausbb.com/member-training-dia...ys-2010-a.html

03-11-2009, 03:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
Admin Administrator. Graeme Join Date: Nov 2006 Gender: Posts: 2,808	gym or health club who really gives a toss , not everyone is out to be bulging with muscles , some just want to get a bit more fitter look after their body a bit more it's the elitist attitude that scares a lot of people away from gym/health clubs you get these wanker tossers that say "real men use iron" and look down upon the new comer i say good on them for taking the step and joining the health club , in this society where people are too lazy to walk , to lazy to cook , a nation that is facing as obesity epidemic atleast the people joining the health club are taking the right steps anyway back to the topic , i agree with trofius __________________ Ausbb- Australian Body Building serving all of your fitness,Body Building needs, conditioning, fat loss, training, supplements and so much more New to this forum? Follow these steps: 1) Register free as a member 2) Introduce Yourself 3) Ask questions, post some answers, learn more 4) Get back to the gym and build more muscle! 5) Create your own Training Diary One team: Ausbb Join Ausbb on facebook Make a Donation. Ausbb Sponsors Ausbb Member of the month - Vote now! Do you own or use a small Gym? Message to all New comers and lurkers: Don't be Afraid to post even if some of the topics might be out of your league don't hide in the shadows jump into General Topic and get to know some of the girls and guys on the forum TAKE PART IN THE 2012 BODYTRANSFORMATION COMP Ausbb is all you need VicFishing - Victorian Fishing forum ps it's Graeme - not Graham

02-11-2009, 09:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
lordoftime Guest Posts: n/a	It is a joke. You are right in that. Its called brainwashing

03-11-2009, 12:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Zarkov Guest Posts: n/a	Your title says it all , HEALTH CLUBS! More and more are going this way as opposed to being a gym. Health/Sports Clubs are the Maccas of the fitness world and just like their fast food counterparts they want to cater to the lowest common denominator so they don`t give a stuff if one serious lifter doesn`t join because there will be 10 posers/zombies to take his/her place.

03-11-2009, 10:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
Josh_GTiR Guest Posts: n/a	Personally I don't like the Smith Machine and I never really have. Hulk is right in that it does have some uses for Bodybuilding, but I reckon people turn to it too frequently. Why Bench Press or Squat on it? That is just silly. I also think that it is much easier to do incline Bench Press on it than it is to do them free weights, well for me anyway. I know it is good to have people in the gym doing what they can for their bodies. But come on, people that are overweight or out of shape are that way because of their sh!t lifestyles. They only have themselves to blame and there is only one way to get back on track, HARD WORK! Giving them comfortable machines and assisting machines is bullsh!t, it is no different to what they have put themselves through. They need to go through the hard work and torture of getting their body back in shape. Then (hopefully) they won't let it go again as they know the work required to get there. From what I can see at my Health Club the people that do all machine work DO NOT CHANGE. They haven't changed in 6 months and won't change in the next 6 months. They are wasting their time and money. Sure diet is probably paying a big part but it is obvious they are not putting in the effort of the people with the good physiques. I think machines are making workouts softer which in turn is not helping these people at all.