versa climber 108 LX Operational Manual page 30

IMMOBILIZATION OF THE LOWER BODY
If the lower body must be completely immobilized due to injury, you can still strengthen your
upper body and maintain cardiovascular fitness by doing an arms only workout on the
VersaClimber. Stand on the base plate with one foot on each side of the post. Select or
reposition the hand grips so that when one arm is outstretched it is fully extended. Alternate
the pushing and pulling motion of the arms while the lower body remains still.
UPPER BODY INJURIES
The arms, chest and shoulders can be totally or partially immobilized while climbing by
placing one or both hands on the stationary hand rails. If upper body limb motion is
desirable without active muscle contraction, the injured arm can be placed on the moving
hand grip and moved passively, without pushing or pulling.
BACK INJURIES
Exercise that causes back or neck discomfort is frequently the result of either vertical
compression loading of the vertebrae or a shearing or bending of the spinal column and back
muscles. By keeping the back straight while climbing, with the hydraulic control knob set to
a minimum, the discomfort of the injury is minimized. The vertebrae are kept in line rather
than being sheared, bent or compressed like with many other conventional exercises. To
perform strength workouts, lift with the legs and pull with the arms. These forces tend to
elongate the body and stretch the spinal column and provide an otherwise unattainable high
level full body workout, without neck or back discomfort. If the lower back injury is such that
it cannot be moved at all, you can still exercise the upper body by doing an upper body
workout only. If the injury is in the cervical or thoracic areas, (lower or upper spine) one can
utilize the VersaClimber by grasping onto the stationary hand rails and simply using the legs
only.
SEATED EXERCISES
The seat provides an easy sit down routine for beginners and a safe exercise for those who
require a non-weight bearing type of activity. Push and pull with any combination of healthy
arms and legs to assist the movement of the injured limb or limbs. It is also possible to
completely isolate one or both arms or one or both legs while in the non-weight bearing seated
position. Set the hydraulic speed control and range of motion limiters to accommodate the
injury. The heart rate control mode can also be used to regulate work intensity of the
seated arm and leg exercise.
FOR ZERO RANGE OF MOTION IN KNEE
The VersaClimber can be used for aerobic and strength training by a person in a brace or a
thigh to ankle weight bearing cast that can not bend at the knee. Workouts to maximal heart
rates and maximal forces can be performed with one totally immobile leg while it may be
necessary to walk up to and away from the machine using a crutch or cane.
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