A woman learned the hard way why you are never ever supposed to lock your legs when working on a leg press.
In a graphic video the woman can be seen pushing on the equipment before she straightens her legs and appears to lock her knees.
Before anyone can correct her, the machine shoots forward, snapping her knees in a way that appears to break her legs.
Because she extends her legs instead of keeping her knees bent to support the press' weight, her knees are forced to bend in the opposite direction.
Helle Hammonds, founder of GymClass, comments, "The problem with leg press machines and many other weight machines is that they create a way of moving weights whilst isolating certain muscles and joints. The body is not supposed to move like this. Instead when the human body moves an object we tend to use a whole bunch of different muscles and joints to get the job done."
She also adds, "These weight machines create an unreal environment, using inappropriately heavy weights and incorrect form can, as the video shows, cause problems. I have seen many injuries to people's lower backs from leg press machines in particular, as they lift weights that are too heavy."
Experts advise to always have proper supervision and training before using exercise equipment.
The video is a severe example of what can go wrong if heavy equipment isn't used correctly.
WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS GRAPHIC. MANY MAY FIND IT DISTURBING.
http://youtu.be/Jp4llRU08RU
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