Cathe, or anyone who'd know...? on Muscle Max exercise.

[eaglobo]

I own a standard size step, and am quite tall at 6'1'. Even using the step at its highest point, I struggle to do the tricep extensions where you lift the dumbbell behind your head. The reason I struggle with it, in part, is because sitting on the step is uncomfortable due to my height.

My question is..is there any difference in the effectiveness of the exercise if I do it from a standing position, as opposed to seated??

Thanks,

Jerry

 

[crazystepr]

Not Cathe (I know, I wish I was too...) but I know exactly what you're talking about. I don't know if the effectiveness differs, but it sure is uncomfortable--and I'm short so I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is for you! I would definetely recommend sitting in a chair or something with more height. I think it puts pressure on your back if you're sitting to low and your back can either arch or round and that might take away from the effectiveness--I think you even get more shoulder assistance if you're sitting too low (don't quote me on that though...)

Hope you get to hear from Cathe. She'll probably say everything that I wrote is, um, WAY off base, but, hey. A girl can try, right?!

Allison

 

[kathryn]

>My question is..is there any difference in the effectiveness
>of the exercise if I do it from a standing position, as
>opposed to seated??

Doing it standing could allow other muscle groups to help more and/or cause you to tend to arch your back, so watch out for that (you can tell if you're 'cheating' a bit by allowing other muscles to help by your body movement.)

You could also try this exercise seated on a chair, or on the high step, or on a stability ball (the latter would add a bit more of a challenge to your stabilizing muscles and core).

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Jerry! Yes, when you are too low, it tends to be uncomfortable for the back, so I usually adjust my leg position to accomodate the height. I suggest sitting up in a taller seat, as opposed to standing, since this will be comfortable for your back as well as keep you from adding a bit of momentum (which standing sometimes can).

 

[eaglobo]

Thanks, I feel better already!!!

Jerry