Chest Expander: Snapping Cables

[justregularguy]

Hello everyone!

I guess this is a topic nobody likes to talk about or puts much thought into.. but what if a cable actually snaps?
Has anyone experienced it? How dangerous is it ?

There was a guy in another forum suggesting to wear eye protection. Something that I definitely won't do.
Personally I cannot see how a cable would hit my head if it snaps. Most exercises are on chest level.

What are your experiences and thoughts on the overall topic ?

[mr potatohead]

Snapping/breaking bands has been discussed on the strand pulling forum and possibly here and the pushups board, maybe others.

It's happened to me a few times with cheap bands like the kind Walmart sell, with an inner tube that slipped out of it's anchor and with LifeLine brand bands that are rated at 50# and above. I posted a picture of the broken LifeLine bands on the old forum, I believe. They were being difficult to resolve the issue which was about the same time I encountered Sierra E.E., so I didn't bother with those guys anymore. I've not purchased any LifeLine products since that time, but I've bought every product that Bruce has offered.
No damage to myself from the bands, but when they suddenly let go and I went careening and crashing into furniture due to really leaning into the pull, it hurt really REALLY bad. Also, when they break, the snap-back energy dissipates so quickly that, even if they hit me, I probably won't even feel it - so, I could also vote "I don't care" on the poll.

The Lifeline bands connection to handles is similar to your picture. Takes much longer to change out resistance than does the Sierra Hook.

[Bruce Tackett]

*Oh, brother*..........

Elastic tubing is what it is. I secure the ends as securely as can possibly done. I, personally use the same bands I've been using for years. Don't over stretch the bands, don't place the connections on the hooks or stand on them, keep them stored in room temperature, and they'll be fine. Over the years, two bands have snapped on me, and those were both very old bands.

Over the ten years I've been in business, I have sent out thousands upon thousands of bands. Every once in a Blue Moon, I get an email from someone telling me they have snapped a band. I simply replace it, free of charge.

[mr potatohead]

Keeping elastic bands out of direct UV light is also a good idea since it degrades the material over time.

[Michael]

Mikey I had the same experience with the Lifeline cables. I actually drew blood on my upper back.

[billfish]

I have some some heavy resistance bands that I use in conjunction with the rings at times......i use eye protection just in case

[mr potatohead]

Jan 2, 2019 17:38:27 GMT Michael said:

Mikey I had the same experience with the Lifeline cables. I actually drew blood on my upper back.

Do you remember what exercise you were doing?

Was it the band itself that drew blood, or something you crashed into after it let go?

[Bruce Tackett]

I have to say here that this poll gives the impression that snapping bands is a common occurrence. It is not. Like I said, of the thousands of people I've made bands for, I never hear back from over 99% of them, unless they order more equipment.

What makes elastic tubing so ideal is that it can be stretched countless times and retain it's elasticity, and the resistance provided is gradual and smooth. For anyone overly concerned, you can always get exercise rubber bands which might never snap, I don't know, but they don't provide the same, smooth resistance that elastic tubing does.

[justregularguy]

Bruce you're right. I most likely will never snap a cable unless I get silly and overstretch it repeatedly.

By the way someone in another forum posted the following:

"There are commercially available sheaths sold by Ironmind and others.
You could use old pant legs or sew cotton tubes as well.
York springs were encased in plastic tubes."

Does anyone have experience with one of those sheaths ?

[mr potatohead]

I think the sheathed or inside corded tethered limited stretch bands were also discussed on the strand pulling forum, as I recall. You might be able to search it if you use taphappypappytalk. I left those forums after snappytappycrappy took them over.

[gruntbrain]

Discharge hose from Lowe's or Home Depot can be used as a sheath or so I hope

[Michael]

Jan 2, 2019 18:06:45 GMT mr potatohead said:

Jan 2, 2019 17:38:27 GMT Michael said:

Mikey I had the same experience with the Lifeline cables. I actually drew blood on my upper back.

Do you remember what exercise you were doing?

Was it the band itself that drew blood, or something you crashed into after it let go?

I was doing the back press and it was the cable that drew blood.

[Deleted]

I've had cables snap on me a time or two and just left more of a rash and scratch. I heard armorol can help keep it from snapping after a long use. It does get very cold up here in Idaho so if you leave cables out too long like in the garage or something, might as well risk putting it in a freezer cause sooner or later they will snap. Lessoned learned and put the cables in a drawstring bag and put it next to my desk in my office in my house.

[ganesha]

I've had the bands I got with my Samson Handles snap. 4 of them. It is disconcerting but not fatal. I just replaced them with Sierra bands and have never had issues with those snapping.

Actually they did not really "snap" but came apart at the connection point.

[Bob50]

Just replace the bands by a belt and use self-resistance. Comparable effect and no snapping!