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Re:Back pain is a problem which is badly treated by ijidak on Friday January 17, 2020 @02:16AM (#22072564)
> The joints and muscles all work in concerted effort to move and this idea of isolated muscular contraction is a bit like pure functions in Haskell: ultimately pretty useless without IO.

Great illustration. I'm all about functional strength.

There is a big difference between being able to pick up and throw 50 pound sacks of potatoes and the isolated exercises most of us do on machines.

Total body strength seems far more useful.

Re:Back pain is a problem which is badly treated by saiya-jin on Friday January 17, 2020 @08:04AM (#22074227)
Don't do machines, they are really not that good for most uses. The fringe usability I can think of - competition bodybuilders, training around injury of professional athletes. That's probably it. Anything else ain't worth it.

People often do max 1 specific muscle with them, ie biceps or chest to impress and fight low self-esteem, but that's generally not a good way either.

As mentioned, muscles work in complex groups, and having 1 part way stronger than the rest will lead to injuries in real world usage. And injuries mean you will lose it all, and possibly worse.

Re:Back pain is a problem which is badly treated by frankish on Friday January 17, 2020 @03:39PM (#22078994)
This.

P.S. Love your username. You'll be pleased that the name of my garage gym is the Gravity Chamber.