Abductor/Adductor Machines

[fit1]

Just wonderin' if it's necessary and if any of you ladies every use these machines...or is it just as good to leave them out and just do the basics for legs...

Thx...
fit1

 

[Gladiola]

I wondered the same thing & posted a thread, "When training legs..."

I only got a few replies & mostly heard, 'if you want, go ahead, but it's mostly important to just do your squats & deads.'

Personally, if I do it, I'll do ab/adductor work on the cable machine with a cuff around my ankle instead of the gyno-looking machines. But I'm a free weight junkie... don't restrict me !!!

I also mostly wanted to do the exercises to help me move more easily & gracefully (no laughing!) when dancing - I was taking a ballet class.

 

[BrickGirl]

I had to start doing the aductor because my quad was developed on the outside compared to the inside, this caused misalignment of the knee and caused my bursa sack on my patella to massively flame up, it was a gradual process. But since I started the aductors, about 2 months ago, its completly gone down, no problems at all

 

[fit1]

Brickgirl -
I've got that same problem with my knee, well, kinda'...mine is more chondromalacia...under the kneecap...it's also caused because my outer quad is more developed than my inner, so I guess it'd be a good idea to do the adductor's..(that's the inner, right?)...and you say the pain has gone away???

Thx

 

[Gladiola]

chondromalacia...

Isn't chrondomalacia an overuse syndrome caused by jumping (& typically called 'Jumper's Knee')? Something aerobics instructors have to worry about.

Have you seen a doc or physical therapist for the chrondo?

 

[BrickGirl]

I added the aductor and developed the inner part, and ever since I have, I have had no problems with my knee at all, when before, for 6 months, it was killing me, and that was the only thing I changed...soooo......

 

[luvs2workout]

I thinks SQUATS should be the most important exercise for the legs, butt, etc...but that doesnt mean that you cant add in other exercises for some variety now and then and plus it keeps the muscles guessing...I only use those machines about once a month and I can really feel it in my inner thighs....so It must be doing somethin!!!

 

[fit1]

Gladi...I went and seen an orthopedic dr...and he said it was caused by my inner quad being less developed than my outer, which causes my knee to be misaligned and that in turn causes the knee cap to rub against the cartilage that is between the 2 bones that form the knee...and it hurts like HELL...
anyways...i was going to a physical therapist and he gave me some exercises to do to strengthen it...you know..just simple exercises w/no weights like contracting my quad a number of times, etc., etc...
i don't really know if the adductor would help...the weak muscle is the inner thigh, but it's the little muscle right above the knee...not sure if the adductor machine works that muscle as well...

 

[BatZgirl]

RE:

Well, I agree with most the people in the board thats squats are the best (and hardest ) leg exercises.

I use the abductor machines, for my leg training sessions. I find that alot of the girls here are into more of the muscle scene, unlike myslef who is into the Slight muscle definition and tone instead, and i find the abductors great for toning and not bulking up too much.

Dont get me wrong girls, I think muscles are great and very attratctive, but for myslef toned and slightly defined is just the way Id prefer to look

The Inner Abductor realy works though, you can feel it when you're doing it and the next day too

 

[diamonddiceclay]

do use these machines 1 time per week

 

[wilson6]

I only suggest clients use the abductor machine if their knees come in during leg presses or squats. Otherwise, they get all they need from presses, squats, etc.

W6

 

[KBgrl]

i always neglect those machines.... i did them today though actually!! its good for a change. i throw them in every now and then.

 

[FitFossil]

I seem to get a lot of inner thigh work w/ squats. Hack squats w/narrow stance work my outer thighs. Sometimes though I'll go heavy on the one that works the outer (get those -ductor names confused! ), because I really feel it in my glutes.

 

[fit1]

Thx everyone for your replies...I think I'll mainly rely on squats for the inner thighs...but throw them in every once in a while and see if it helps my knee any.
Thx again!!!!

fit1

 

[Sassy69]

I do them every now & then - 3 more settings on the stack & i'm at the full stack! (I love to freak out the little cardio queens when I move the pin WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down!)

I thing the biggest deterrant to anyone using those machines is that gyms always seem to stick them right in front of a mirror or at a point where you are facing the entire gym. Its a little eneasing to climb in and start doing your sets when you realize some guy is staring at you (or your crotch area) while you do it....

These machines remind me so much of my annual trip to my fav "female stuff" doc... that they are affectionately referred to as the GYNO-MATIC.......

I finally belong to a gym uses the machines that put the weight stack in front of you and the whole machine is no where near a mirror or a window. Finally, a little privacy and discretion...!

 

[Gladiola]

(I love to freak out the little cardio queens when I move the pin WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down!)

He he... yeah, isn't that the coolest???
& You just know they're thinking, "EWWWWW, look at that muscle, yuck!"

Yeah, kiss my squattin' strong

 

[Gladiola]

I think the effectiveness of these machines is largely dependent on what a person expects them to do. How many ladies get on those because they think they'll "taret burn" that inner/outer thigh fat?

Probably the majority <sigh> Just like everyone wants to work abs, abs, & more abs.

"If you're doing it to strengthen muscle, improve symmetry, or as corrective threapy, then it's great."

What about doing your 'Gran Batmans' more gracefully?
No idea how to spell that.... I speak no French & my ballet teacher had a VERY heavy Russian accent & spoke little English.

 

[Raina]

I do both but only along with everything else I do for legs. I love the comment about moving the pin waaaaaay down. By the end of my 3rd set I'm usually struggling because I'm burning so much. At my gym the abductor machine and adductor face each other. I'm sitting there last night, working my ass off while the girl across from my swings her legs open and closed with 10 pounds a zillion times.

Wait-- you mean I can't target "melt" the fat away?? Isn't that what the burning feeling is-- the fat isn't just getting "hot" and melting away??