Hammer Strength Machines

[GFR]

I have injured my chest for the last time with free weights....I was just going to stop training that muscle but thought I might try Hammer Strength Machines......any opinions on options to train pecs without free weights, or if Hammer Strength Machines are ok to use ..

http://webpages.ursinus.edu/fitnesscenter/hammer_strength_equipment2.htm

 

[MillerMan]

Nothing is as beneficial as free weights, that is of course if your not injuring yourself, Hammer Strength machines are good as far as machines go, of course they are alright to use if you dont get hurt with it

 

[Darkkmind]

They are great machines. I use free weights and Hammer strength. Especially since I workout alone and sometimes want to go real heavy.

 

[BruiseKnee]

what exactly did you do to injure it?

 

[FenderBender]

I like the HS when my back is injured because I can "lock" in real good and take most of the stress off my core , which free wieghts can agrivate all of the support muscles.

I don't know if the HS will give you the same or any benifit other than its a controled motion.

What did you do to your chest???

I can't do a strengh or power routine for more than 3 weeks in a row with out injuring somthing at my age, so I do a lot of functional.

 

[GFR]

I like the HS when my back is injured because I can "lock" in real good and take most of the stress off my core , which free wieghts can agrivate all of the support muscles.

I don't know if the HS will give you the same or any benifit other than its a controled motion.

What did you do to your chest???

I can't do a strengh or power routine for more than 3 weeks in a row with out injuring somthing at my age, so I do a lot of functional.

I keep pulling it or it cramps up....I have no idea why. No other muscle is giving me any problems so I guess my chest is just not able to handle heavy weight anymore.

 

[DOMS]

Haven't you seen a doctor about it?

 

[Seanp156]

I love Hammer Strength machines overall, I think they're the best machines one could use. If you're injured and can't use DB's or BB, it's the next best thing, though I would think you could probably use DB's with light weight ?

 

[GFR]

Haven't you seen a doctor about it?

No, it is not a muscle tear or a tendon or leganment injury....I think I'm just too old to hit the heavy weights now. If I could go to the top sports doctor in the state then I might.....but I have gone to sports doctors in the past.....every time they do nothing...

 

[The13ig13adWolf]

have you tried lightening the load a bit and sticking to free? hammer strength still puts you on a fixed plane.

 

[GFR]

have you tried lightening the load a bit and sticking to free? hammer strength still puts you on a fixed plane.

I train in the 10-12 rep range all the time, but I was training for a raw bench comp so light weights are not an option.......looks like the bench comp is off for good.

 

[The13ig13adWolf]

when is it? do you have pain in both sides or just one?

 

[GFR]

when is it? do you have pain in both sides or just one?

2007 in Feb. I have severe cramping on my rt side, but my left pec has also had some.

 

[Mudge]

I dont like starting on the postive with the Hammer stuff, I prefer their back machines.

I am digging the dumbells lately, but due to injury can only do incline dumbell work with anything resembling a heavy weight.

 

[The13ig13adWolf]

i'm not familiar with raw bench comp training in the least but if you haven't torn anything at this point i don't think hammer is the way to go. strengthening your stabilizer muscles may be exactly what you need to assist in the healing process. when i say 'lighten the load' i don't mean super light per se. you can still go heavy and ease the strain a little. what about changing your loading parameters (when do you start to cramp?). what kind of tempo are you using? have you tried pausing for a 1 or 2 count on the stretch?