seated cable row equipment failure

[Cgb6810]

Thought I would post this.

I was working back with a few guys this last week. Our last exercise was seated cable row. In the height of my bulking season, I can lift the whole stack and so can the guys I train with. Most in my gym though, will never approach the stack. Of course, ego was in play so we're all trying to outlift the last guy up. I was the last lifting the stack. Im the shortest so I kinda do a leg press/cable pull to get into working position. That means I pull initially pretty hard. I started pulling and got the weight up about a foot and a half when the cable clip decided to let go. I plopped down on the seat and the weight came crashing down. No injuries at all, just a loud ass bang that scared everyone.

The clip looked brand new. It just bent it out. So, we double clipped both ends of the cable, added a 25 lb plate and did another set.

I can see from the stats there are a lot of big guys in here lifting some heavy weight. Just remember, you're testing the equipment for the other gym members.

Tried to load a pic of the clip, but it didn't take, Ill try again. Got it now!

[tmonkey]

I am sure someone will say pic or it didn't happen but i believe you and it is a good reminder to be careful around any of the machines

[Mr. Someday]

Glad you didn't get hurt. Very similar thing happened to me about 6 weeks ago with the stack on one of those....heard this tearing noise and looked up to notice the band is shredding apart and got the weight back down before it completely let loose. Now that I think about it, they still haven't fixed it yet either! Hey...if you're gonna break something, might as well be because their was too much weight on it!!! lol

[tmonkey]

that clip looks like a piece of crap, i hope they replace it with one that is better

also it must not have been locked closed - maybe the spring was bad/worn out

repped

[ironwill2008]

Glad you didn't get hurt. Very similar thing happened to me about 6 weeks ago with the stack on one of those....heard this tearing noise and looked up to notice the band is shredding apart and got the weight back down before it completely let loose.

^^^^This. Having this happen during a heavy pulldown could cost someone some teeth, or worse. Very bad situation.

[paolo59]

Food for thought for gym operators, no? I rather doubt that most gyms do an adequate job of service and maintenance for the equipment. If there's one weak link in the system, it's going to be those clips!

[ironwill2008]

Food for thought for gym operators, no? I rather doubt that most gyms do an adequate job of service and maintenance for the equipment. If there's one weak link in the system, it's going to be those clips!

Agreed. At one time, I changed gyms because of the lack of equipment maintainance. Newbs are generally unaware, and more likely to be injured simply because they don't know what to look out for.

[McJimmie]

that clip looks like a piece of crap, i hope they replace it with one that is better

That's true !

You can but those clips in the pound shop, but I wouldn't trust it on the weight stack.

They've bought a cheapie somewhere, while one of your fellow gym goers has gone climbing with the original clips.

[Staynlean]

Very similar situation happened to me about 3 years ago on the seated lower pulley except where the cable goes into the top of the weight stack it screws in and came un-screwed at the worse possible time. It snapped off, I went FLYING back well off the seat with the close grip handle still in hand. It was VERY loud and actually made me mad.

To this day, I always check the cable at the top of the weight stack making sure it is screwed in ALL the way and more often than none it needs a twist or two.

[Cgb6810]

Food for thought for gym operators, no? I rather doubt that most gyms do an adequate job of service and maintenance for the equipment. If there's one weak link in the system, it's going to be those clips!

The owner of the gym happened to be in at the time. He's a brain surgeon and lets his son manage the gym. He gave the clip to the woman behind the counter and she grabbed a bag of new "made in china" clips and gave one to me.

No, there is not a good maintenance program at my gym. In fact, there is NO maintenance program at my gym. The equipment is never lubed or cleaned for that matter. Everything is set up perfect for what I do. Just need them to put more attention into the working part of the gym. We have new paint, several new flat screens, and some new treadmills. I hear they're putting in new shower stalls in the men's locker room. The next time a clip breaks they can't plead ignorance.

[ironwill2008]

He gave the clip to the woman behind the counter and she grabbed a bag of new "made in china" clips and gave one to me.

Good grief. Those generic snap hooks cost $4-5 at Lowes. A good, load-rated equivalent would probably be, what, $10 more?

Gym owners, at least those I've known, tend to have a really false sense of economy; they'll spend thousands, like you say, on new TV's and stuff, but won't go the extra tenner to make sure somebody doesn't get hurt.

And then they complain that liability insurance costs continue to climb.

[Mr. Someday]

Completely off-topic : cgb, you look familiar....considering you are from Michigan, you wouldn't happened to have worked with Justin Harris, have you? Or maybe I've seen you over in Dante's forums on IM? Monsters like you tend to stick out on this site. lol

[Cgb6810]

Completely off-topic : cgb, you look familiar....considering you are from Michigan, you wouldn't happened to have worked with Justin Harris, have you? Or maybe I've seen you over in Dante's forums on IM? Monsters like you tend to stick out on this site. lol

Yes, Justin helped prep me for competing back in 2006. That was just my 2nd year competing. He did a good job of getting my fat ass into shape. I've competed in a lot of the Michigan contests, and some in Indiana and Ohio. This year its the Masters Nats. I finally feel like Im worthy. Just gotta come into the show in shape. Now that I've learned a little bit, I help a few guys(and gals) in the West Michigan area get ready for competition.

[trans4mation]

That clevis isn't nearly as heavy as the ones in use at my gym. They are at least 3/8" thick as I recall.

[StressMonkey]

That is some scary stuff right there. Glad you weren't hurt.

[Old_swole]

That is some scary stuff right there. Glad you weren't hurt.

The ones at my gym are steel that one looks like aluminum. Whoever installed that should be fired. I need to tow my F250 anybody have any kite string?

[Mr. Someday]

Yes, Justin helped prep me for competing back in 2006. That was just my 2nd year competing. He did a good job of getting my fat ass into shape. I've competed in a lot of the Michigan contests, and some in Indiana and Ohio. This year its the Masters Nats. I finally feel like Im worthy. Just gotta come into the show in shape. Now that I've learned a little bit, I help a few guys(and gals) in the West Michigan area get ready for competition.

Knew you looked familiar. Justin did my prep that same year for the New Englands. He got me from Grimace to shredded in 16 weeks my first time out. Learned a TON from him.

You look great btw....I can see you doing some damage at the Master Nats!!

[Cgb6810]

Knew you looked familiar. Justin did my prep that same year for the New Englands. He got me from Grimace to shredded in 16 weeks my first time out. Learned a TON from him.

You look great btw....I can see you doing some damage at the Master Nats!!

Thank you! Im going to give it my best.