In my practice of two years in outpatient physical therapy rehabilitation where muscle weakness and endurance have been two of the major concerns after most injuries, strength and endurance training has been my focus since the initial phase of therapy. I use different kinds of strength-training devices along with manual strengthening techniques to accelerate the recovery.

I was recently offered the opportunity to use The Burn Machine device by Redford, Mich.-based Burn Machine LLC on a trial basis and they promised some incredible results. The machine claims to build core strength and flexibility. At first, I looked at it as any other arm ergometry device and was trying to include it in different kinds of exercise programs to learn its effects and to grasp patient response.

The Burn Machine provides both symmetrical and asymmetrical workouts using the same machine. It has a 360-degree rotating grip, which allows all degrees of freedom and ability to achieve increased strength and flexibility. It has a center bar with sliding asymmetrical weights attached to it. The asymmetrical counterweight can be positioned to the right, left, or center, and it puts more stress on the heavier side of the device to achieve increased muscular strength and exercise capacity. The Burn Machine devicecan be used for very low-impact exercises to very high-impact heavy resistance calisthenics.

I was able to use the Burn Machine with one of my patients who was in rehab after a rotator cuff repair. He achieved complete range of motion in the first phase of rehabilitation, and my only concern was developing his muscle strength. Pain was one of the limiting factors in achieving the long-term goal set for him. The patient’s first reaction toward The Burn Machine was ambivalent, but on emphasis and proper orientation, he agreed to participate in the therapeutic exercise regimen with the use of The Burn Machine.


“This baby just looks simple!” were the first words the patient said after finishing his first set of repetitions. I was persistent in implementing the protocol, and the patient’s involvement helped me to see the aftereffects. It was undoubtedly impressive to see the progress in such a short span. We were able to achieve Grade V muscle strength in the rotator cuff group compared to the other extremity for the same set of muscle group. Grade V is considered the normal strength in a muscle when maximum resistance is applied on the individual muscle as per Kendall’s muscle-testing procedure.

The revolutionary asymmetrical barbell system has different models starting with intermediate and professional cross-trainer to universal Burn Machine; also there is Ultimate and Monster Bar Burn Machine. The center bar plays an important role in all the models and the asymmetrical counterweight changes the body’s center of gravity for resistance training and aerobic conditioning. Its 360-degree ergonomically designed grip maximizes versatility and comfort while reducing the risk of injury.

Removable weights make strength training accessible to a wide range of users, from those with extreme physical limitations to the more advanced. The Burn Machine claims to build core strength, flexibility and burns calories, and one cannot appreciate the accomplishment unless you have experience with the Burn Machine.

Another patient in the clinic showed up with primary concerns of restricted range of motion in his wrist and elbow joint after a long period of immobilization due to humeral shaft fracture. My conventional line of treatment for such cases include joint mobilization techniques and strengthening exercises. This time, I planned to accommodate The Burn Machine to see the byproduct. I realized the freedom of motion by the 360-degree grip allowed the patient to be relaxed and gave feedback for every performance. It also reduced the accessory movements expected during the exercise regime.

Movements like pronation, supination, palmar flexion, and dorsiflexion were effortless. The patient was able to recognize and appreciate the achieved ranges in every session. I tried to include the strengthening program with the range of motion to scale down the treatment time and keep the patient’s attentiveness. I also achieved increased core strength and exercising capacity in addition to my treatment goal.

The use of The Burn Machine is not limited to upper extremity and cardio activity. I have also achieved impressive results to strengthen lower extremity muscles such as quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves in both low impact and individuals and athletes. The machine could be easily consolidated for chest, abdominals, and back strengthening. It is designed to be used while sitting and standing, making it perfect for those that are wheelchair-bound, as well as high-impact sports individuals. It provides unique cardio aerobic workout without the need for transfer. The counterweight of asymmetrical barbells provides an added challenge for patients who need an advanced level of conditioning following injury to an isolated muscle.

My only difficulty with the use of the Arm Machine was with patients in the initial phase of rehabilitation who were debilitated, and low endurance obstructed the use of the speed bag. After discussing my concern with the company, I was pleased to know that they were working on a 4-pounder which would be available to me soon as a prototype. After the release of the 4-pounder prototype, I started using The Burn Machine with patients who were hard to convince because of the weight and asymmetrical shape. The response was wonderful, and patients’ interest in working with the Arm Machine fetched increased muscle strength and flexibility.

In my practice, I see many patients with exactly similar cases, and I have tried to compare the effectiveness of The Burn Machine with the traditional arm bike. I was assured that achieving strength is more monotonous with the arm bike than the degree of freedom offered by The Burn Machine. The force-generating capacity and the increased range of motion achieved by The Burn Machine was evident. Strength training with weight cuffs and thera-band provides a challenge to the muscles, but including core strength and flexibility with counterweight resistance could be more rewarding.

A statistic-based research and data analysis should be done by Burn Machine LLC and different organizations that have used The Burn Machine device for performance and comparison with other similar machines available in the market. This should also include patients’ response to The Burn Machine after completing their exercise program and whether they will use it in the future as a part of their regimen. One of my patients was so impressed with the rate of progress that he requested to order the Ultimate Burn Machine at the time of discharge, which will help him build strength and endurance at home.

The patients’ interest in using this device has escalated after they see it in use by their fellow patients in the gym, and their curiosity about including it in the exercise regimen has given me opportunity for its wide use in different patient populations. The advantages of the machines varies, and I would encourage my patients to use them, because I find them easy and interesting to handle.

The speed bag provides yet another level of advantage for sports medicine and physical therapy. It is a useful tool when used to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff. It can be very handy and useful in home healthcare settings for therapists who need to work on strength training and endurance in different patient populations.

I would highly recommend the use of The Burn Machine in different settings such as nursing homes where patients with low cardio-aerobic endurance and prolonged immobilization can be assisted without much effort. I feel this unit has a great amount of potential to provide exercises and physical therapy to a wide range of patients.

The cross-trainer claims to eliminate the time-consuming exercises for basic core strength while offering a safe, effective workout for the beginner, and the asymmetrical counterweight serves to balance the core muscles, which attribute to good posture and which could be beneficial in sports injury clinics and for other endurance athletes.

— Preeti Jha, PT, MPT, is a registered physical therapist for ‘Therapy First’ –  Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialist in Wayne County, Mich. Questions and comments can be directed to editorial@therapytimes.com.