HAVE YOU GOT THE RIGHT EXERCISE MACHINE?

Business Times - 15 Jun 2002

WHICH type of exercise machine you choose depends on what you want it to do for you. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, the truth is some people buy fitness equipment without actually giving much thought to it, so much so that they end up with extra unwanted furniture. Like a stool that looks suspiciously like a stationary bike or a coffee table might pass for a weight bench.
'Eighty per cent of consumers still regard price as one of the biggest considerations when buying fitness equipment,' says Dynaforce managing director Adrian Wee. 'The level of education on the right type of equipment to buy is very low although much information is available over the Internet.' To get a better idea, Dr Tan Jee Lim, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Changi General Hospital, was asked to explain the various functions of the following cardiovascular machines.

TREADMILL
The treadmill is a predominantly aerobic machine with emphasis on the lower limbs. Plus: The big advantage to jogging outdoors is that the treadmill's cushioned surface is low impact and you can control the variables - the slope and speed - while measuring the calories burnt and heart rate achieved. Minus: Monotonous and you risk falling off a rolling platform if fatigued.

ELLIPTICAL CROSS-TRAINER
The elliptical cross-trainer has some upper limb as well as lower limb training functions. Plus: It builds up the buttock muscles as well as those in the thigh - the quadriceps and hamstrings. The shoulder muscles also gets a good workout. Its main strength is that it is minimal impact as your feet stay glued to the paddles and is good for people with knee problems. Minus: All that movement requires coordination; needs some getting used to.

STATIONARY BICYCLE
The stationary bicycle's strength lies in minimal impact as feet are glued to paddles. Plus: Good for people with lower limb arthritis as the weight is largely borne by the buttocks and there is minimal weight stress on the legs. By adjusting the saddle, patients with knee problems can build up lower limb muscles very well without exacerbating their symptoms. Minus: Does not work the upper limbs.

STEP MACHINE
Steppers or stair-climbers are good for building up the quadricep muscles in the thighs but they place a lot of stress on the patellofemoral joint at the knee and can aggravate symptoms.
If you have a health problem, Dr Tan's advice is to consult your doctor. He says one of the biggest headaches that some people face is that they want to exercise but the exercise aggravates existing joint problems.

When they exercise, their joints hurt and they stop. Their weight increases and they feel guilty. Dr Tan says that in this Catch 22 situation, very often, they just give up. This is where exercise prescription comes in, he says, and the Changi General Hospital's sports medicine centre can prescribe a set of exercises individually tailored to meet the patient's needs, yet taking into account his or her limitations.

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