The 10 Most Worthless and Dangerous Pieces of Gym Equipment Ever

Ouch.

Published 3 months ago in Facepalm

Contrary to what your favorite gym influencers may tell you, not all workouts are created equal. Though equipment like dip machines and Roman chairs may promise to help us get toned and beach ready by summer, they may not only be wasting your time but open the door to a whole lot of pain.

From the dangers of dip machines to old-school vibrating belts, here are the 10 most worthless and dangerous pieces of gym equipment ever.

1
Assisted Pull-Up Machine
Though this machine can help you become a pro at pull-ups, it can also let you down — literally — with the movable platform plummeting to the ground if too much weight is placed on it.

2
Seated Bench Press
When it comes to the seated bench press, the devil is in the technique, one that shockingly few gym goers have down pat. “They're seated too low with their head jutting forward, a rounded spine, and elbows flared high," Butch Sand, a personal trainer at Crunch, told 'Prevention' of this machine's common pitfall.

3
Leg Extension Machine
Though this piece of equipment works well when used correctly, therein lies the problem: It usually isn't. If used at an incorrect weight, this machine can strain your knees and tendons.
4
The Dip Machine
The dip machine may share a name with “dips,” but unfortunately, it lacks many of the benefits of just doing the bodyweight exercise on its own when it comes to working those triceps. It may also pose safety concerns for people who lack flexibility and may be experiencing injuries.

5
Roman Chair
When used incorrectly, this old-school workout equipment can lead to some intense pain. "While using this machine, most people start from a rounded position, and then snap back up too quickly with a hyperextension of the lower back, and end up looking like a fish out of water," Butch explained, noting that this bad technique can spark “serious back injuries” including “disc herniation.”
6
Ab Rotating Machine
The problem with the ab rotating machine is that it doesn’t rotate your abs — it rotates your pelvis. Beyond having the potential to place force on the spine, strengthening your rotating pelvis doesn't lend itself to many practical scenarios.
7
Old-School Vibrating Belts
“The vibrating belt machines of the 1950s and '60s, literally more useless than nothing, since there was the small chance it would malfunction and injure you,” recalled Redditor D-Rez.

8
Seated Back Extension
“This could just be due to my inexperience, but a couple [of] years ago I ruptured a disk using this machine,” Redditor alle0441 wrote of the seated back extension machine. “While explaining to my doctor how I over-exerted myself, he says, ‘I can't believe they still have those machines in the gym.’ All I know is I was in extreme pain for about 3 months and I won't even look at that machine again.”
9
The Smith Machine
“Smith machines neglect the supporting muscles,” wrote Redditor browsingg. “When you switch to barbell, you'll feel the difference and it feels a lot more natural.
10
Pulley Machine Side Crunches
If you’re putting in endless reps of side crunches on the pulley machines, don’t expect to tone your love handles. Contrary to popular misconception, it doesn’t do much when it comes to slimming your sides.