While exercise is beneficial, there are some exercises that pose risks that outweigh any benefit. A list of five such exercises comes from SparkPeople. Funny thing is I can say that I was guilty of every single ones of these exercises, and what’s more, the machines detailed as being risky exercises were all part of the circuit at my local SnapFitness. Maybe I’m not so sorry I dropped the club after all.

The lat pulldown behind the head was how I was taught to use that machine years ago. I thought it actually felt good. Goes to show, I guess. The other machines, the seated leg extension and inner/outer thigh machine, all seemed like good exercises. I do remember feeling sore after using them, but figured that’s the price to pay. The thigh machine though, seemed especially risky. Straining an abductor or adductor muscle is sure to take you on the sidelines for awhile.

All said, there’s a lot going for gentle, more focused workouts like yoga and Pilates. Time to hit the mat.