When Healthy Isn’t - The dangers of exercise equipment

“Eat right, get plenty of sleep, and exercise.” That is the mantra – a recipe for good health. Americans are taking the advice to heart. For example, in Billings, there are more than a dozen commercial gyms (a few down the road in Laurel) that offer services like workouts, exercise machines and even personal trainers. There are also public exercise facilities in community centers, schools and universities. Even some hotels in Montana throw in a workout room as part of an overnight stay. But what about when the way we exercise turns out to be harmful?

It may surprise you that to build muscle, damage to muscle has to occur. This doesn’t mean outright tears or bruising, but damage at the cellular level. Sports physiologists and body builders know that increasing muscle mass involves a cycle of injury and repair – the body responds to minor trauma from exercise by adding more muscle as it heals. This is the reason behind the rule of only strenuously exercising a single muscle group every other day. It takes time to heal.

Unfortunately, the structures muscles are attached to do not react as well to injury. Tendons, bones and joints take much longer to heal and do not improve in the way muscle does. Damage to these areas may be cumulative and can mean arthritis later in life. For some, sports related injuries are just a part of doing something they love. But for those who use home exercise equipment, the idea is to become healthier, not disabled.

Recalls

The Consumer Products Safety Commission tracks recalls made by exercise equipment manufacturers. Some of the past recalls highlight problems that can happen with home exercise equipment:

• Ab Lounge – A 2004 recall because of cuts and crushing injuries to fingers when the unit was unfolded.
• Free Motion Fitness – 2006 recall because the weights on their weight machine could fall unexpectedly. (CPSC report)
• Thane and Stamina Products Inc. – both companies issue recalls in 2009 for their elliptical cross training products – for different, unrelated reasons.
• Bowflex Home Gym (by Nautilus Inc.) – 2007 recall because fasteners could come loose, allowing the flexible members to snap unexpectedly. Reports of injuries from this Chinese manufactured home gym (retail $2,300) led to the recall. This followed a 2005 recall from the same manufacturer because the lat bench was prone to breaking.
• Paramount Home Fitness – 2009 recall of their Home Curl Machine because of finger amputations and risks of other injuries.

These are just a few of the over 15 screens of exercise and sports related recalls at the CPSC. The CPSC is a publically funded government service available free of charge with an extensive website devoted to consumer safety.

Actions you can take to make sure healthy doesn’t become harmful—

• When you purchase an exercise machine, send in the warranty/registration card. This may be the only way a manufacturer has to contact you if there is a recall. Some now allow registration online through their company website.
• Whether you purchase a new machine or a used one, check the CPSC website to see if any recalls have been issued. (Search by manufacturer.) Used machines should have original owner’s manuals – if they are missing, contact the manufacturer online and request a new one (it should be free of charge).
• Read all instructions and warnings that come with your machine.
• Do not disable any safety devices – they are meant to protect you and may void any action you have if you are injured.
• Keep children and pets away from working machines. Unplug electric machines when not in use and lock manual weight-training machines. Children are curious and may want to imitate activities they have seen.
• If you have any physical abnormality or health condition, seek professional medical advice before you start an exercise program.
• Stay within sensible guidelines, overdoing it will not make you healthier faster.
• If you or a loved one is injured by home or commercial gym equipment, do not assume you are at fault. After proper medical treatment, report the incident.

Reporting is important because most manufacturers will not issue a recall unless there is clear evidence of a problem. In Montana, you may contact the Office of Consumer Protection. You may also seek the services of an injury attorney. They can provide advice on what legal recourse is available.

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