Top 6 Most Useless Workouts Ever

           

       6 Most Useless Workouts Ever

 

all exercise will help you get into better shape and lead a healthy lifestyle, the things you’re trying to accomplish need to affect which exercises you choose to do on a regular basis.

However, there are certain times in every fitness fan’s life where they choose an exercise to accomplish a goal and see less than adequate results – if they see results at all.

There are certain techniques that may seem worthwhile, but in reality you’d be better off picking one of many viable alternatives.

There are a number of shockingly popular exercises that aren’t just “slow” with regards to the results they produce – they’re all but worthless in even the best situations.

1. Lying Leg Curl

Not only do most people look ridiculous doing it, the Lying Leg Curl is really not an exercise anyone needs to be doing. It forces your muscles to work in a way that they do not normally move. Just about any other leg exercise will be more effective at working your leg muscles because they do so in a way that your legs are meant to and it works the muscles you actually use.

2.Lat Pull Down Behind the Head

If you are looking at that machine with the hanging bar and think it’s a good idea to work your muscles by pulling the bar down behind your head…just don’t. While this may seem like a good exercise and the bulky guys at the gym look great doing it, most people do not have the shoulder flexibility to do this with proper form. That means you are likely to injure yourself doing an exercise that is nowhere near as efficient as a military press [which works the same muscles]

3.The Triceps “Bench” Dip

The triceps “bench” dip requires you to sit on one of two benches that have been placed in positions parallel to one another.

With your arms on the bench behind you and your feet on the bench in front, you raise and lower yourself in a series of repetitions.

One of the “benefits” of this exercise is that it allows you to adjust the bench heights to allow for a fuller range of motion. In reality, no height adjustment will make this exercise any less worthless than it already is. The issue is that you’re using a great deal of force to accomplish very little.

There are better techniques for your arms, back and core that don’t require the amount of strain triceps “bench” dips are known to force on unsuspecting fitness buffs.

Instead of using the triceps “bench” dip, try doing regular dips as an alternative. Most people only choose to go with triceps “bench” dips in the first place out of a lack of equipment, lack of necessary strength or both.

The triceps “bench” dip requires you to sit on one of two benches that have been placed in positions parallel to one another.

With your arms on the bench behind you and your feet on the bench in front, you raise and lower yourself in a series of repetitions.

One of the “benefits” of this exercise is that it allows you to adjust the bench heights to allow for a fuller range of motion. In reality, no height adjustment will make this exercise any less worthless than it already is. The issue is that you’re using a great deal of force to accomplish very little.

There are better techniques for your arms, back and core that don’t require the amount of strain triceps “bench” dips are known to force on unsuspecting fitness buffs.

Instead of using the triceps “bench” dip, try doing regular dips as an alternative. Most people only choose to go with triceps “bench” dips in the first place out of a lack of equipment, lack of necessary strength or both.

4.Tricep Kickbacks

If you are female then this is the exercise that many have touted as the way to get rid of saggy arms, and it looks like it would be too. However, just don’t. Not only can you not spot train that way, this exercise does not work the muscle as effectively as other exercises. It is also hard to increase weight with this exercise and therefore you won’t tone your triceps effectively. Instead go for good old fashioned pushups.

4.Crunches on the Floor

Crunches, when done on the floor, are designed specifically to tighten and develop your abdominals.

The motion that you go through when doing crunches actively engages your core, which allows you to build up those rock hard abs you’ve always wanted.

These benefits are supposed to be thanks in large part to the fact that you’re laying on your back. At least, that is how they’re supposed to work.

In reality, crunches don’t provide the type of resistance necessary to yield any type of dramatic positive effect.

Additionally, because they’re only working a relatively small area of your body, you’re wasting your time going through a great deal of effort for little results.

If you really want to get those rock hard abdominals you’ve always dreamed about, consider doing a few alternatives that make better use of your entire body.

Instead of lying on your back and targeting just one small area, work towards positively and actively engaging your entire core.

You can begin using a balance ball in a traditional exercise routine with techniques like regular sit-ups and begin to see the types of effects that crunches on the floor are supposed to do in the first place.Incorporating a balance ball is also a much safer way to work that section of your body, as they don’t put nearly as much strain on areas like your back and your neck as crunches do.

5.Standing Chest Fly

This exercise is meant to work your chest and it does if you do it laying down. However when you do it standing up gravity is pulling down on your arms. Therefore instead of working your chest, you are really working your shoulders. Even worse is that you are putting stress on your rotator cuffs which could lead to injury especially as you increase weight.

6.The Elliptical

This could be said for almost any cardio machine, but the elliptical allows you to get lazy in your workouts. If you choose a leisurely pace and go on the elliptical for 30 minutes while watching your favorite show, you really aren’t getting a workout. Pick a speed and intensity that gets you sweating and your heart rate up, if you do this the elliptical is great. The problem is most people think that just being on the elliptical is enough of a workout, which is fine but you won’t see the results you want if you don’t push yourself a little.