Hot Feet or Blazing Speed – Which Set the Treadmill on Fire?
This just in from the department of irony. In Lansing, MI an apartment blaze was caused by faulty exercise equipment. If you are on the treadmill, and it catches fire, are you terrified at the fire or impressed that you conquered the machine? Nobody was injured in the blaze, though they could certainly “feel the burn”.
This isn’t the only recent malady involving exercise equipment. Apparently, firefighters in Berwyn, IL have been filing workers compensation claims for injuries sustained while using firehouse exercise equipment.
Yikes. Good thing these chance events didn’t happen in the same town.
The truth is, people often are using their equipment incorrectly or, worse, using out-of-date equipment. In reality, exercising is far more likely to help you than harm you, so long as you exercise (pun intended) good habits and use proper equipment.
ABC News reported the most common fitness faux pas, including:
Misusing equipment – which can cause serious injury
Spotting incorrectly – Having a spotter is a must. But make sure he or she is up to the task.
Inappropriate clothing – If you’re going to the gym, wear sneakers. (Seriously, some people don’t)
Ignoring warning signs – “Feel the burn” is a popular adage, but can have disastrous results when taken literally.
