Speedo Tip Of The Week

BY MIKE MEJIA//Correspondent

Strength training performed on machines can actually be detrimental to young athletes. Although often touted as a safer alternative to free weights, the fact that most machines only provide linear, two-dimensional resistance actually increases a developing body’s chances of injury. Here are some tips for selecting the right kinds of exercises for your dryland routine:

• Exercises like body weight squats and lunges are a great way to increase strength, bone density and work your muscles in a more functional, three-dimensional plane, the way we move in real life.
• Medicine balls and rubber training bands will allow you to add extra resistance if you lack the confidence, or supervision to work with free weights.

The more an exercise involves your core, the better it is for you and the better choice it is over seated machine exercises that isolate specific muscles.