Exercise Weight Machines - Which ones are safe?

Submitted by aprile on July 26, 2005 - 3:22pm
Body: 

Hi Christine,

I've been enjoying this site on and off all Summer. Utilizing the posture, your exercises and the sponges have all helped me tremendously! Thank God for YOU! I ride my bike most of the year, except in Winter for exercise and use light weights for my arms. So when Winter returns, I usually get back to the gym and use weight machines. My question to you is which ones are actually safe to use and which are not? I like the one where you are seated and push the weight with your feet to tone the thighs, also the inner and outer thigh machines where you squeeze the weights in and out. I don't think the upper body machines are a problem, but I really don't know. I am concerned about using them without a problem. Last December was the first time I discovered I had a cystocele and slight rectocele so this is relatively new for me. I appreciate any feedback or advice you can offer. I have the ultimate respect for you and what you are doing for all women. You are the best! Happy Summer Everyone! Best, April

Christine

July 27, 2005 - 7:31am

Hi April!

It

aprile

July 27, 2005 - 10:18am

Hello Christine,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. You know, when I first noticed the prolapse myself and was later formerly "diagnosed" back in December I had just begun an exercise routine at the gym using the weight machines. I am now wondering if any of those positions could have worsened my condition? I did notice it had progressed after using the machines....hmmm..... Well I will stay away from them altogether then because I do believe that most of them will put me in a compromising position!!! Thanks for all of your fine work and advice. Another thing that is working great for me is to keep my "colon lighter"...... I notice that when I eat meat my prolapse is worse; it all makes such good sense now where I didn't understand the coerlation before now it is ever so clear! So....I guess I'll just stick with the exercises, the bike, the walking and the light hand weights. I will however look forward to a true exercise video if you should decide to produce one -- I know it will serve us all well! Thanks again for caring! Best regards, April

fullofgrace

August 6, 2005 - 4:01pm

I am following Christine's advice to listen to my body and so far that has served me well. I recently decided to purchase an exercise machine as I really need to shed unwanted pounds and I want to build a little muscle in the process so I do not loose muscle mass. I got the easy shaper and I do most of the exercises on it. There are a couple that I do not do because the create that angle and pressure southward. But for the most part the exercises are done lying on the back and when the legs are extended the hips are raised sending the pressures in reverse. Or the exercises are done on all fours where the organs are safely positioned over the pelvic bone.

Brigid

August 6, 2005 - 7:10pm

Hi Fullofgrace
I find the exercise bike great for fitness and swimming, I have started a routine of swimming 3 times a week to keep fit and try to loose a little weight. I can't walk too far but I do short walks and with the exercises Christine gives us, either on our backs or all fours, and also the swimming which means you are supported by the water, and the bike, it is a good little fitness regimen. I think gym equipment, is best avoided because those machines seem like torture instruments and also may only do harm. I would think hand weights would do no harm, but the swimming is probably just as good, especially the breast stroke to keep the upper arms toned, and avoid the dreaded "bingo wings". The exercise machine you mentioned doesn't mean anything to me, we don't seem to have it here in Ireland, but I'm sure it is a good machine. The best of Irish luck to you anyhow with the weight loss, I need to lose 2 stone (28 pounds) myself and we will try together. I think a bit of weight loss is good for our prolapses, not to mention blood pressure and general health. The diet is important also, I got some pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, pine kernels and almonds from the health food shop to add more seeds to my diet for health and fitness this week.