What type of exercises cause the most injuries? It has been shown that weight training causes a hefty portion of sports injuries and some can be permanent. There is very little need to do more than isometrics and isotonics for muscle tone unless your dream is to be a competitive body builder or you’re sold on a very muscular “Macho” image. Flexibility derived from exercises like yoga and swimming, and aerobic exercises like Prancercise®combined with spot isometric and isotonic exercises, can give a person a well-rounded and fit body. I personally use light ankle/wrist weights during Prancercise® and during my pre and post preparation for it.

As Julie Barros recommends in the following article which I happen to agree with, she encourages both isometric and isotonic strength training, using your own body weight to strengthen your muscles…“By including both methods you are ensuring you are getting the maximum benefit of strengthening the muscles and getting a full range workout. So grab some weights, use a resistance band or just use your own body weight to build and tone your muscles with both types of strength training exercises.”
http://ezinearticles.com/?Isometric-Or-Isotonic-Exercises?&id=3361400

It is my belief that when you try to use heavy weights and weight equipment you are tempted always to try to do more than you should and consequently injuries are easily obtained and can take forever to get rid of. . . We don’t easily know are limits until after the fact and the injury. . .

Weight lifting and shoulder injuries:
Rotator cuff and shoulder bursitis are probably the most common shoulder injuries to weight lifters and these are common injuries in general, to fitness buffs.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5452249_weight-lifting-shoulder-injuries.html

Weight training injuries:
In this article the writer talks of ten common weight training mistakes that can lead to injury,
It’s so easy to acquire a serious injury using heavy weights and machines. . .
http://www.getbig.com/articles/pain.htm

In the article Isometrics and Weight Lifting, Paul J. O. Brien explains:
“Isometrics and Weight Lifting are often seen to be opposing ideologies, but the truth is they’re not. Now, I’m not a big fan of weight lifting by and large. There are great benefits to lifting weights, bigger muscles, increased strength and so on, but in my opinion there are too many problems caused, such as repetitive injuries worn joints, and compression damage all of which I discuss in more detail in my e-books. What’s more you can get all the benefits of weight training far quicker and much safer using isometrics.”
http://www.isometric-training.com/Isometrics-and-Weight-Lifting.html

When weight-lifting is bad: In the article Is Lifting Weights Everyday Bad for You?
The author, Roshan Valder points out many potential dangers with weight lifting such as: overdoing it; using poor technique; not having an adequate diet and rest; not really knowing your health limitations or weaknesses, as a doctor might be able to recognize prior to starting your routine. He also notates an interesting point ,it can be detrimental if done prior to puberty.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-lifting-weights-everyday-bad-for-you.html

So for all you Hercules wanabees, think twice. . . what are you going to do with a lot of extra muscles and brawn, pray-tell? I believe this all lends itself to the might makes right attitudes that lead to unnecessary violence and bullying in our society. . .

Joanna Rohrback ©8/23/2012