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