Neck Workout Machines: Should You Use Them?

Neck workout machines: Should you use them? Neck workout machines can help build strong neck muscles, but only if they are used correctly.

As a general rule, neck training is safe, but some methods are more risk-free and effective than others. Performing a deadlift while flexing and stretching your lumbar spine is similar to exercising your neck because both require flexion and extension of the cervical spine.

You can only maximize the use of neck workout machines if you know how to operate them. Otherwise, using neck workout machines can harm your neck.

It is important to understand and know the signs of weak neck muscles. One of the many signs of weak neck muscle is frequent neck pain and discomfort.

According to the Association of American Neurological Surgeons, neck pain and discomfort are defined by neck ache that radiates to one or both arms.

Neck discomfort can be caused by any neck’s tissues, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles. Intervertebral discs separate the cervical spine’s seven vertebrae (C1-C7), the section of the spinal column that runs along the top of the neck.

These discs absorb shock, allowing the spine to move freely.

 

Iron Neck 1

 

Is a Neck Workout Machine For Me?

What Causes Weak Neck Muscles?

The most prevalent cause of a weak neck is poor posture. Due to our increased reliance on electronic devices, most of us now have terrible posture.

Because we spend so much time staring at our computers or cellphones, our neck and chest muscles atrophy, resulting in a slumped-over posture, this posture can result in an abnormally forward head posture dubbed tech neck.

Neck injuries may also be a factor. Whiplash and other neck traumas, such as being involved in an auto accident, can induce atrophy of the neck muscles.

While your spine has recovered, the surrounding muscles have shrunk. What transpired? Your neck and upper back are always heavy, as is the pain in your neck and upper back.

Like every other muscle in your body, you can strengthen your neck muscles. Neck strength exercises are the only way to strengthen your neck like you would any other muscle in your body.

 

Best Neck Workout Machines

 

BSN Sports Plateload Neck Machine #1 Recommendation – Iron Neck TDS 4-Way Neck Machine
Iron Neck Varsity 2
The BSN Sports Plateload Neck Machine is perfect for garage gym owners who want to include neck strengthening routines to their workouts. The Iron Neck is by far our most favorite in terms of price point and functionality. It allows for easy home use and storage at an affordable price for those who want to exercise and strengthen their neck. The  TDS 4-Way Neck Machine provides a smoother, less shaky action when working out your neck, providing an overall stable neck strengthening and resistance training workout.
Non Athlete Fitness Asset - Check Current Price Non Athlete Fitness Asset - Check Current Price Non Athlete Fitness Asset - Check Current Price

 

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Care Of Your Neck Muscles?

The human neck is the weakest link in the body’s musculoskeletal system. Don’t make the same mistake as other people who don’t grasp the value of neck training until they become injured.

Strengthening the muscles in your neck improves your neck and the remainder of your upper back. You might be wondering how you can make your neck stronger and the benefits of doing so. Your general well-being will be enhanced as a result. In this manner:

Helps With Balance And Posture

The muscles in your neck weakened because of bad posture can be built up by strengthening your neck. When you have neck weakness, it usually affects your shoulder blades.

Your shoulders begin to hunch as the weight of your head pulls down on your neck. A sturdy neck more easily supports the weight of your head. It is no longer dragged down, and the rounded shape of the shoulder blades is no longer evident.

That’s not all, either. People who sit at a desk all day or drive a long distance may develop a slouching posture. Maintaining proper posture while sitting for lengthy periods is easier by strengthening the neck.

Cures And Prevents Neck Pain.

Pain and weakness in the neck are often linked. It is therefore critical that you strengthen your neck to combat neck pain. Although various things can cause neck discomfort, it is most often caused by a physical problem.

It’s not always your neck muscles causing the problem. It is an issue with the cervical spine. You could blame osteoarthritis, a slipped disk, or another type of bone disease.

The good news is that neck exercises can still help alleviate pain in these circumstances. When combined with medicine and other therapies, physical therapy is beneficial.

Physical therapists can alleviate patients’ pain with pinched nerves in the cervical spine by implementing neck strengthening exercises.

Reduces The Permanence Of Neck Injury Damage

Strengthening your neck can help you avoid serious neck injuries, relieve pain, and improve mobility. Due to their weaker necks, women are more likely to suffer concussions from neck injuries.

Neck strengthening is essential if you wish to reduce your risk of suffering a concussion from a neck injury. The risk of a concussion from neck trauma decreases by 5% for every one pound gain in neck strength.

 

Iron Neck Banner 2

 

What Are The Muscles In Your Neck?

Trapezius

The trapezius is the most well-known and frequently exercised among the neck muscles. Three places of insertion: top (lateral clavicle), middle (spinal scapula), and lower (root spine of scapula), are all points of origin for the trapezius, which has a distinct but connected muscle function at all three points.

The scapula is elevated and rotated upward by the upper trapezius, while the scapula is retracted and depressed by the middle and lower trapezius, respectively.

Scalenes

Like those of the trapezius, the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the scalenes are responsible primarily for the lateral bending of the cervical spine and serve as a respiratory muscle.

The scalenus anterior is located on the inner border of the first rib and attached to the transverse process anterior tubercles and aids in raising that rib during inspiration.

In the first rib, the scalenus medius inserts into the transverse process of the atlas and the posterior tubercles of those same transverse processes. As a result, it aids in raising the first rib, along with side-to-side flexion and rotation of the cervical vertebra.

Also contributing to cervical spine inspiration and lateral flexion is a muscle called the scalenus posterior, which arises from the transverse processes of the lower cervical vertebrae and inserts into the first rib’s outer side.

Splenius Muscles

There are two muscles in the splenius group: the capitis and cervix splenius. The splenius capitis inserts between the superior and inferior nuchal lines in the first three thoracic vertebrae.

Spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae 3 and 4 and the transverse process of the middle cervical spine are the sources of the splenius cervicis. The muscles work together rather than separately to rotate them to the side of the contraction to extend the head and neck.

Levator Scapulae

The levator scapulae originate in the cervical spine’s transverse processes and insert into the superior angle of the scapula, near the scapula’s spine. Its principal role is to elevate the scapula when the neck is stabilized, and it also assists with neck rotation when the scapula is stable.

Sternocleidomastoid

Anterior to the manubrium sterni, the sternal head rises almost vertically. In contrast, the clavicular head rises almost posterolaterally from the superior surface of the medial third of the clavicle, making up the sternocleidomastoid.

The mastoid process of the skull’s temporal bone is attached to both heads. When the sternocleidomastoid muscle acts alone, it moves the head to the other side and raises the head above the level of the shoulders.

The muscles in the neck and head work together to flex the head and bring it forward.

What To Do During Neck Training?

Doing neck training with equipment aside from workout machines is also a good option. Neck discomfort affects the majority of people at some point in their lives.

Overuse or mistreatment of muscles and ligaments is the most typical cause. In today’s computer-dominated workplace, long periods of sitting with our shoulders hunched and our heads stretched toward monitors can put a strain on our necks.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, Chronic neck discomfort has been the subject of extensive research. Chiropractic manipulation and electrical nerve stimulation are among the treatments you may use in conjunction with other therapies.

The quality of the research has been unequal, and the results have been variable. Despite this, more and more research shows that neck-strengthening workouts can help break chronic cycles of neck discomfort.

 

Iron Neck Banner 1

 

Neck Exercises

Neck exercises are a good substitute for neck workout machines, especially for those hesitant to do strength training for their neck. These low-risk and no equipment workouts rely on body movements and form.

Neck Up

Both novices and veterans can do this neck exercise. If you don’t have access to a bench or any other place where you can rest your head, this is a simple version of the neck workout. You’ll be doing a lot of “sit-ups for the neck” exercises during this session.

Your head is suspended off the end of a bench in this posture, with only your shoulders and the back of your neck in contact with it.

When you let your head drag you down, you will begin to see the surroundings inverted. Simply bring your chin to your chest until it touches or you reach a point where you cannot go any farther, then return to the ground and repeat.

You should solely use your neck to keep your back flat.

Neck Bridges

Neck bridges, sometimes referred to as Wrestler’s bridges are extremely popular among professional wrestlers for a reason. Although many fighters, from boxers to MMA participants, use neck bridges, wrestlers popularized the strategy of showcasing a huge, powerful neck.

Additionally, they invented the neck bridge, the most strenuous neck workout ever developed. The neck bridge is the ideal neck workout since it addresses every component of your neck, including its beauty, functionality, and endurance.

You can do as much or as little as you like with neck bridges. Select one of the three options below and adjust it to your desired endurance level.

  • One possibility is to impose a time constraint and complete a few rounds. To maximize the effectiveness of your neck bridges, perform them three times in a row for five minutes each. Tyson’s Neck Bridge workout appeared to be as follows.
  • Attempting to fail a single time, as well as multiple times, is also an option.
  • The typical bodybuilding set and rep strategy is another option. Perform five sets of several repetitions that are comfortable for you. For instance, throughout five sets, do 50 back-and-forth motions.

If your neck is sufficiently strong, this is the ideal workout for it. To begin, perform the neck-up exercise first, followed by this exercise.

 

Iron Neck Banner 3

 

Neck Workout Machines

You don’t need much equipment to train your neck, and you also don’t need much equipment to build a gorgeous body. While pushups are excellent for developing chest strength, bench presses can be equally useful. This rule also applies to the neck.

Find the best neck strengthening equipment for you and learn about neck exercises with the aid of equipment.

There is a vast variety of equipment available, some of which is well-known and fairly priced, while others you may have never heard of but could benefit from.

Neck Harness With Weights

Floyd Mayweather, Anthony Joshua, and a few other fighters routinely use this neck training equipment. Although some people prefer bodyweight neck training, many fitness enthusiasts had incredible success with this method.

All you need to get started is a low-cost neck collar and a weight of your choice. For the majority of people, a standard Olympic-style weight plate will suffice.

Place it over your head and immediately begin working.

Neck Flex and Neck Machines

The neck harness, known as neck flex, is a tool you can use in conjunction with the neck extension. This equipment is an easy-to-understand concept. This neck harness has resistance band attachments on either side, allowing for total neck workouts on all four sides.

Plate Load Neck Machine

Certain gyms around the country are home to a supernatural creature capable of assisting you in achieving your neck-fitness goals. It is called the Plate Load Neck Machine.

Gyms are equipped with every piece of equipment possible for the chest, shoulders, legs, and even the calves, but they rarely have a machine for the neck, even though the technology is readily available.

Iron Neck Machine

The Iron Neck is a great way to strengthen the neck muscles. It’s like wearing a ‘halo,’ but with straps or bands around your head and chin. A pump is included with the Iron Neck, allowing you to fine-tune the device’s fit on your head.

This neck trainer is a great way to strengthen your neck muscles in a less complicated way than any other neck workout equipment you need to operate, such as those with mechanical and technical operating aspects.

The Iron Neck is convenient, easy to use, and user-friendly, whether you are a fitness enthusiast or a beginner in neck training.

Related posts: