This summer I've been trying Power Factor Training (Pete Sisco and John Little). The basic idea is to use heavy weights at the point in an exercise where you are the strongest to overload all the muscle fibers. This is a signal to grow- and, at least in the case of my chest, this seems to be true.
One thing I have noticed, however, is that gyms are not optimized for this sort of thing. The leg press I use isn't even bolted to the floor. It'll only take eighteen plates. There's a little room behind where I put my feet- I threw some more weight on there, but I started noticing the back rest would flex. So I quickly found the limits of the machine. Additionally, with various racks, you get some ability to choose the height, but often it isn't optimal.
And some of the machines I have tried this with- there are sweets spots- more specifically weights- where it seems to work very well. But then, as you try to go up in weight, the stress seems to move away from the muscles you were targeting. There's this old high pull Hammer Strength back machine that seemed to be just nailing my upper back- in straight line from one shoulder to the other- all of these various back muscles really being effected. Perhaps they just adapted, but as the weight got heavier, it seems less effective.
So, there are a few areas where we could improve things. First we help this mind muscle connection along, and get some real-time feedback as to what muscles are actually being effected (and which joints)- preferably, in order to fix potential problems. Currently, due to the nature of heavy weights in a gym, at least some of your attention is going to go away from which muscles are being effected, and towards 'oh shit, if this falls on me, I am going to die.' I would prefer to reduce the possibility of death to zero, although I am aware that such fear may in fact help us achieve our goals.
Secondly, connected intimately with the first, would be the ability to have a greater degree of control over range of motion. In my imagination, I think of two handles instead of a bar- handles which can essentially be placed anywhere- but 'anywhere' would be figured out based on the feedback from the muscles.
Third there's weight and your response to it. Classic problem with regular weights- one side is stronger, so you unconsciously use that side more, and end up making the imbalance worse over time. Immediate feedback and correction would avoid all that. Weight increments can also be smaller and more fluid- and if people do want to use a longer range of motion, it could be changed with regard to where you are in the range of motion. And changed on the fly, based on the level of power you are putting out as you lift.
The other big deal about this sort of training is that the recovery period is longer, and the flip side to that is less time in the gym. So I see this could be very popular in high powered business centers. Really busy guys who want a good physique. Only having to work out every twelve days or so is helpful for them.
But it could also be paired with something like Kaatsu, and provides something Kaatsu is missing. To see a growth response in bones and other tissue, heavy weight is necessary.
And of course, it could just be paired with fun hobbies, family, whatever. I remember Arthur DeVany saying something about going to the gym so that he would be ready for life instead of just going to the gym for the sake of the gym.
I imagine booths, or perhaps platforms. The handles extend in from the sides- and can be set at different heights. Dead lifts, bench press, overhead press- it's all just a matter of moving the handles in to the right place and then locking that in for that particular exercise. And various ways to keep your feet on the floor, depending on what you are trying to do. Lat pull downs with a lot more than your weight, for example. Feedback that might be needed immediately could be shown on whichever wall you are looking at- and a more detailed chronicle of the workout would be available after.
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