TOP TEN FITNESS HAZARDS

The American Council on Exercise has come up with a list of the 10 most common exercise hazards.

1. Worn out shoes. The materials in shoes that support the foot break down as they are worn.

2. Overdoing bench presses. Too much weight and too many reps are precursors to rotator cuff injury.

3. Incorrect lat pulls. The incorrect way can cause tendon problems in the shoulders. The correct way is to pull it in front of the body, toward the sternum.

4. Too many risers in step aerobics. Stepping too high can cause knee injury.

5. Overdoing stair machines. Stair machines tend to overwork the quadriceps to the exclusion of other leg muscles.

6. Excessive impact. Too much pounding for any weight bearing activity like running and aerobics lead to shin splints, Achilles tendinitis and more.

7. Lifting weights without a spotter.

8. Failure to warm up properly. Warm up with an easy-paced activity such as jogging until you break a sweat.

9. Wrong settings on weight machines. Weight machines have adjustable seats and levels to put the body in the proper position.

10. Unqualified staff. Check to see if your gym's trainers are certified.

(Air Force Materiel Command News Service)



Now here is the Bayou Version:

1. Worn out shoes. It is impossible to dance fast in them. On the beach you don't need any shoes at all.

2. Overdoing fast breaks. Try to keep your partner at a reasonable distance instead of throwing her all over the floor. Or the sand.

3. Incorrect bear hugs. If you haven't seen someone in a long time, no need to squeeze them breathless.

4. Too many high Zydeco steps turn it into aerobics. Stepping too high can cause knee injury.

5. Overdoing stares at that other guy who can twirl four ladies at once. You'll get there!

6. Excessive impact. Too much pounding for any weight bearing activity like Zydeco or two-stepping can lead to sore knees, tendinitis and degeneration of the dance into clogging. Gets worse on paved surfaces.

7. Lifting your partner without permission. Can be very upsetting.

8. Failure to warm up properly. Warm up with an easy-paced activity such as cleaning seafood until you break a sweat.

9. Wrong settings on beer and Coke machines. If these machines don't have adjustable thermostats to keep the drinks at the proper temperature, bring some ice!

10. Unqualified staff. Check to be sure someone in your band knows how to play the washboard. Or at least use a CD of someone who does! Fire anyone who always calls line dances.

(Cajun Pete, the Old Bayou Philosopher)