I admit that I am a nerd when it comes to the the tools for exercise and human optimization. I also realize that not everyone is as passionate about the tools as I am. However, I would like to share some of the background and reasons behind why we have chosen the tools that we have to help you optimize your results.
As passionate about these tools as I am, I must say that the magic of the tool is not in the tool itself but in how the tool is utilized. In the case of the strength training tools I will refer to here, proper utilization includes having a knowledgeable coach to teach and coach you on how to best apply the principles of exercise and the willingness of the client to apply that knowledge.
In general, there are a few criteria that guide our selection of tools.
1. We choose tools that allow us to optimally, effectively, safely and efficiently deliver our protocols.
2. Another criteria we utilize when choosing our tools are those that allow us to measure and quantify the results of the training as best as possible.
When it comes to strength training tools, most of our chosen tools were developed to optimally apply the principles of High Intensity Strength Training. Although we can effectively apply many of the principles of High Intensity Strength Training to free weight and body weight exercises, we have found that certain machines are more optimal when considering safety and efficiency of training. I would like to make a note of an important distinction between the the equipment we choose and some other tools that are available. That is that we choose strength training tools that are designed so that the movement is tracking in accordance with joint and muscle function. These machines are not designed as some may think to mimic free weight exercises. Although many free weight exercises can be effective training tools, they became a standard of exercise due to the fact that dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells were tools that allowed the user to apply an overload to fundamental movements. We view our machines as an advancement, an evolution in training due to some of the following reasons.
If we focus on what we consider to be the “Primary Objective of Exercise,” which is to stimulate the muscles, we can utilize the “Ten Requirements of Full-Range Exercise” as criteria to evaluate strength training equipment. This was the original work of Arthur Jones, a pioneer in High Intensity Strength Training and the founder of Nautilus exercise equipment.
The Ten Requirements of Full-Range Exercise are:
1. Controlled Movement: The equipment should allow for controlled and deliberate movements during exercise, minimizing the use of momentum.
2. Full Range of Motion: It should enable a full range of motion to engage muscles throughout their complete range of movement.
3. Variable Resistance: The equipment should provide resistance that matches the natural strength curve of the muscle being trained, meaning it should be more challenging at the point of maximum contraction.
4. Effective Resistance: It should provide resistance that is high enough to challenge the muscle but not so high that it compromises proper form.
5. Direct Resistance: Resistance should be applied directly to the target muscle group without involving other unrelated muscle groups.
6. Safety: The equipment should be safe to use, with built-in safeguards against injury or strain.
7. Isolation: It should allow for the isolation of specific muscle groups, avoiding excessive involvement of surrounding muscles.
8. Convenience: Equipment should be easy to use and adjust, minimizing the time spent on setup and adjustment.
9. Efficiency: It should be efficient in terms of the time required for a productive workout.
10. Accommodation: The equipment should be adaptable to different fitness levels and goals, making it suitable for a wide range of users.