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Dangerous Exercise No.1 The PecDec
The PecDec machine has been in gyms for many years. The purpose of the PecDec is to strengthen the pectoralis muscles (chest) through horizontal flexion in an externally rotated position.
The problem is when the elbows are bent and you are exerting force, the shoulder joint can impinge on the rotator cuff tendons leading to inflammation or more severe damage to the surrounding structures. A good exercise instructor will adapt the exercise by keeping the arms straight a bad instructor will keep the arms bent. Which one is your instructor?
'A good exercise instructor will adapt the exercise by keeping the arms straight a bad instructor will keep the arms bent'
Other exercises to strengthen the chest muscles include chest press, cable fly and bench press. Most sensible and educated gyms have eradicated the PecDec machine and replaced it with more modern equipment that places less stress on the shoulder. I know for a fact that the old PecDec machines are still around in some gyms in Canberra. They are also very common in home gyms....so lookout!
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