| Which is the best exercise tool, high tech machines | | | | neither of which barbells supply:6. Balanced |
| or free weights?You may find this information | | | | resistance: Resistance that is neither too light nor too |
| laborious; however, it is necessary to outline the | | | | heavy.7. Automatically variable resistance: The |
| differences between high-tech and non-high tech | | | | resistance varies within the range-of- |
| equipment for the purpose of producing maximum | | | | motion and in accord with a particular muscle group's |
| fitness in minimum time.Much of the equipment on | | | | strength potential.8. Unrestricted |
| the market is virtually useless. Only by knowing the | | | | Speed-of-MovementAlthough it should be possible to |
| basic | | | | perform exercise movements at various speeds for |
| principal of design and function - of not only the | | | | high intensity contractions, throwing the resistance is |
| human body, but also equipment, | | | | not beneficial. However, |
| can one decide the most time efficient means to | | | | unrestricted speed of movement is a requirement. |
| exercise. With that goal in mind, we | | | | Barbells supply this requirement |
| offer the following:Once upon a time, the horse was | | | | as does high-tech equipment.For best results, |
| the fastest form of transportation. If one's goal | | | | perform movements rather slowly. As an example: |
| was to get from point A to point B, the horse was | | | | the positive |
| faster than walking.Those without much time to | | | | portion of the movement should take about 4 |
| waste took a horse, arriving quickly at the | | | | seconds, the negative portion about 4 |
| destination. | | | | seconds (as a safe example).By controlling the |
| Others has walked and eventually reached the | | | | movement, the muscle is contracting always. A fast |
| destination.Presently, the fastest form of | | | | speed of |
| transportation is a jet airplane. | | | | movement to is potentially dangerous.It compounds |
| If one's goal is to get from the East Coast to the | | | | the force. First at the sudden, jerky start. Then |
| West Coast, as quickly and safely as | | | | again, as the |
| possible, the airplane is the best choice.So it is in the | | | | resistance bangs into a body part, at its final |
| choosing between non high-tech exercise equipment | | | | destination point. |
| and high-tech | | | | If a muscle is not prepared for the beginning sudden |
| equipment.Non high-tech is today's equivalent of the | | | | jerk, injury is a possibility.9. Resistance In The Fully |
| horse. High-tech equipment is today's | | | | Contracted PositionUnless resistance exists in the |
| equivalent of jets. This is not to claim that, the | | | | position of full muscular contraction, it is impossible |
| proper use of free weights and other | | | | to exercise a muscle through its full range-of-motion. |
| non high-tech equipment cannot be beneficial; | | | | That is basic premise of full- |
| however, for maximum results in | | | | range exercise.Many but not all high tech machines |
| minimum time there is no comparison.The functions | | | | provide proper variable and balanced |
| of the human body demands you use of an exercise | | | | resistance, in the position of full muscular contraction. |
| tool design that | | | | Other forms of exercise |
| includes certain biomechanical parameters lacking in | | | | tools, such as barbells, do not. Therefore, it would |
| non high-tech equipment. | | | | indicate that resistance is not |
| Function dictates design.One major reason is the | | | | supplied full-range, only partial-range. This lessens the |
| body stability provided by high tech equipment. We | | | | exercise potential.For instance, in the two-arm curling |
| are all | | | | motion using a barbell, there is no affective |
| aware of the laws of force-counter force and the | | | | resistance supplied to your biceps muscle in the fully |
| stresses placed on the body during | | | | contracted position.With properly designed high tech |
| exercise.The support supplied to the body, when | | | | equipment, there is resistance in this position.We |
| lying or sitting, during high tech exercise, | | | | already understand that resistance, properly supplied, |
| helps stabilize the body, absorb counter force, and | | | | is the key to maximum |
| allows one to monitor and | | | | results in exercise.10. Direct ResistanceWhen |
| maintain proper body position.This effectual | | | | possible, resistance must exist directly to the muscle |
| eliminates unwanted stress to other body segments | | | | under contraction to |
| and eliminates | | | | insure best results. Two similar exercises we can |
| injury during exercise.Free weights, when used with | | | | compare are the two-arm chinning |
| various benches and seats can help modify some of | | | | movement and a high-tech pullover machine.When |
| the problems associated with force counter--force. | | | | performing a two-arm chinning movement, you will |
| However, not as well as | | | | provide resistance to the |
| machines do.There are also many other bodily | | | | latissimus dorsi and biceps of the upper body |
| requirements for productive exercise, which only | | | | (among other muscles). During the |
| properly designed high-tech equipment can | | | | movement, the biceps will |
| provideBarbells were a quantum forward leap, | | | | fatigue before the larger, stronger back |
| because they allowed the basic requirement | | | | muscles.Therefore, you would not exercise the |
| of productive exercise: Resistance, to be applied to | | | | latissimus dorsi muscles as effectively, |
| a contracting muscle, with | | | | because of the weak link.High tech pullover machines |
| greater effectiveness than previously existing | | | | supply resistance of a higher quality to the latissimus |
| tools.In truth, it does not matter to a muscle if one is | | | | dorsi muscle groups. By removing the weak link, in |
| lifting a 50 pound sack of sugar or a | | | | the two arms chinning |
| 50 pound barbell. The major difference is the | | | | movement and applying the resistance pads to the |
| comfort factor.Performing a barbell exercise is easier. | | | | upper arms near the elbows' one |
| One major reason is one can grip it better | | | | works the back muscles thoroughly.When one fails |
| than a sack of sugar. To the muscles doing the | | | | to continue movement, due to muscular fatigue, the |
| work, it is still 50 pounds. The | | | | primary muscles |
| amount of resistance used determines the amount | | | | fail, not a weaker link in the chain.11. Full-Range |
| of muscle fibers contracted.Just as barbells were a | | | | ResistanceMuscle contraction provides movement of |
| quantum leap, so is high-tech equipment when | | | | one or more body segments. These |
| compared to | | | | segments have what can be termed a complete or |
| barbells. Application of resistance (the basic principle | | | | full-range possibility.Ideally, one should be able to |
| of progressive exercise and | | | | exercise a body segment through a full-range of |
| pro-active physical therapy) improves to a | | | | movement. Naturally, an injury may prevent this |
| contracting muscle.However, not all high-tech | | | | from happening; however, the goal |
| equipment incorporates all the requirements of | | | | is too to improved full-range movement.This |
| maximum progress. Some of the requirements' one | | | | requirement rotary form movement is the hardest to |
| should consider are:Positive and Negative ResistanceA | | | | visualize. In simple terms, |
| properly designed exercise tool MUST provide two | | | | it is: Resistance moving on a common axis with a |
| aspects of resistance. | | | | body segment being moved by |
| Resistance provided as one lifts and resistance must | | | | muscle contraction.One excellent invention in the |
| be supplied as one lowers the | | | | history of exercise is a device called the cam. It is a |
| resistance.Sometimes called concentric or positive | | | | cam that allows the experienced of maximally |
| resistance, this aspect takes place when one | | | | productive exercise.In simple terms, the function of a |
| is contracting or shortening a muscle. Lowering | | | | cam is as follows:A cam redirects resistance, so it |
| resistance or eccentric, negative | | | | travels in the same strength curve as the exercised |
| movement and takes place as one uncontracts or | | | | body segment. The resistance is re-directed to |
| allows the muscle to lengthen.Along with positive and | | | | travel in a rotary motion and in the |
| negative resistance potentials, the ability to stretch | | | | same strength curve of the moving body segment. |
| and | | | | At the same time the resistance |
| pre-stretch a muscle is essential with an exercise | | | | is directly OPPOSITE the intended movement.This |
| tool.Pre-stretch and StretchingStretching is pushing or | | | | assures resistance, typically provided by a weight |
| pulling a body part into a position temporarily | | | | stack. The lifting of the |
| exceeding | | | | weight stack takes place through either cables or |
| the existing "normal" range of motion. It relates to | | | | chains attached to it.The cables or chains attach to |
| the angels of the joints, muscles, | | | | the cam system and as the cam rotates, the cables |
| and connective tissue.Pre-stretching takes place | | | | or |
| when a muscle moves into a position of increased | | | | chains wrap around the cam. The radius of the cam |
| tension | | | | that the chain wraps into varies.The distance from |
| just prior to the start of a positive contraction. | | | | the center mark of the cam radius, to the point |
| Pre-stretch has two effects that | | | | where the chain |
| result in greater benefits:(1) The muscle is elastic, | | | | touches as it wraps, determines the varying (and |
| just like a rubber band, and stretching it slightly, just | | | | supposed balanced resistance). |
| before movement, actually produces elastic energy | | | | The touching point of the chain is directly opposite |
| that can be used in the | | | | the direction of muscle |
| contraction and help you use more resistance. | | | | contraction.Barbells and some other forms of |
| (2) Pre-stretch ignites a nervous system stretch | | | | exercise equipment do not supply resistance in |
| reflex that calls upon additional | | | | this manner. They supply resistance in a straight line |
| muscle fibers, for use in the upcoming | | | | manner, always directly down |
| movementNow, we have established four | | | | toward the ground, always depending on |
| requirements for full range, maximally productive | | | | gravity.Effective resistance is when you are moving |
| exercise. They are:1. Positive work: Lifting the | | | | the barbell vertically, directly opposite |
| resistance.2. Negative work: Lowering resistance.3. | | | | the pull of gravity.A cam changes straight-line |
| Stretching: A slight lengthening of a muscle groups.4. | | | | resistance (gravity) into rotational resistance. This |
| Pre-stretching: Takes place in a slightly extreme range | | | | allows the resistance to travel in a curve always |
| just before the stretch. | | | | pulling directly away from your |
| It must be done carefully and with minimal speed.5. | | | | movement.Because barbells and some exercise |
| Balanced Resistance and Variable ResistanceAs | | | | machines can meet only some of the |
| muscles contract and move through a range of | | | | requirements we have listed, it follows that high-tech |
| motion, they do so with varying | | | | has the potential to improve |
| degrees of movement and strength potentials. | | | | one's fitness results.The QUALITY of the resistance |
| This is a natural consequence of muscular | | | | is the final determining factor, determining which |
| contraction and human movement.You are aware it is | | | | exercise tool provides best results.Calisthenics and |
| possible to handle more resistance in some exercises | | | | aerobic dance supply minimal resistance (arm legs, |
| than | | | | torso, and |
| others. You may not be aware that as one | | | | lower body).Gymnastics type exercise can be more |
| performs an exercise, the muscles | | | | productive because a larger body mass is |
| involved, are also changing strength levels as they | | | | moved; therefore more resistance is handled by |
| move.That's one reason why some positions of a | | | | muscle groups.Barbells, pulleys and the like are more |
| movement feel easier than others, | | | | productive than either of the two mentioned |
| although the weight remains constant.Because | | | | because, resistance adjusts according to one's |
| muscles have a variable strength potential as they | | | | fitness level.The most effective method of exercise |
| move, it logically follows | | | | are High-Tech Machines, because they meet |
| that, the resistance should vary according to the | | | | the requirements of offering the primary exercise |
| actual muscle strength potential.This is termed | | | | needs of the body, full-range |
| automatically variable resistance when incorporated | | | | progressive resistance.Author of numerous books, |
| into a high-tech | | | | and national magazine articles with appearances on |
| machine design. When referring to the various | | | | many radio and television programs.Former Producer |
| muscle groups and varying strength | | | | of Televison Programming for Nautilus Sports\Medical |
| potentials, it is termed balanced resistance.High-Tech | | | | Industries |
| equipment should provide automatically variable | | | | and former Regional Director of Northern California |
| resistance and balanced | | | | for MedX West Physical Testing |
| resistance. The resistance should vary automatically, | | | | Rehabilitation Equipment.Former owner of numerous |
| and according to the strength | | | | total fitness and physical therapy centers.Former |
| potential, as one move through a range of motion. | | | | IFBB and AAU physique judge.Former competitor and |
| With barbells, the resistance | | | | title winner in Strong Man Contests.Latest book: The |
| does not vary.We have now established, two more | | | | Da Vinci Fitness CodeVeteran U. |
| requirements for a superior exercise tool, | | | | |