Machines to Avoid

[MostSpot]

what can be done when the cartilage is wearing down? and is it good or bad to ride a bike going up steep hills? Why is leg press bad? does it wear down the knees and how?

[MostSpot]

Originally Posted by metalmancpa

I had heard a Smith Machine is not a very good substitute for freeweight squats, something to do with proper motion etc.

how can this machine be used without lifting weights? I hate lifting weights and I have a back problem, I don't even think squatting is a good idea because it hurt my knees

[Jobster]

Originally Posted by MostSpot

what can be done when the cartilage is wearing down? and is it good or bad to ride a bike going up steep hills? Why is leg press bad? does it wear down the knees and how?

You have to fix your imbalances and do mobility work. Also look up prolotherapy. Cartilage can grow back, but it requires active intervention, whether through prolotherapy or the right type of movement, which will produce synovial fluid. But you have to find out why it is wearing down, which I suspect is due to imbalances. Fix those or you will never get relief.

[AlexSantana]

Machines aren't as good as free weights because they aid you in controlling the weight. Have you ever noticed when you're doing an overhead shoulder press how when you're struggling on the last reps the weight is going all over the place? This is better for you, because it forces smaller muscle groups to control the weight, which isn't the case when you use machines.

[DGates01]

I have bad knees. Squats and lunges are out because my knees can't handle them. As for the machines, the leg extension does bother my knees more than other machines. But the leg press does not. I can do all the weight on the leg press without feeling it too much in the knee.