| Before Charles Atlas -- also known as Angelo Siciliano | | | | that bodybuilder type muscles were merely an illusion |
| -- became famous by promoting his exercise course | | | | when it came to strength. Although he did not |
| called... Dynamic Tension, there have been many | | | | discourage students from developing muscular size -- |
| old-time strongman that used body weight (isotonic) | | | | he did instruct them on the practice of tensing their |
| and isometric exercises. | | | | muscles one at a time-- then grouping the muscles |
| One of these individuals was Alexander Zass -- better | | | | together and tensing as many of them as possible-- all |
| known as -- "The Amazing Samson." | | | | at one time. |
| (Zass, born in Poland but, lived most of his life in Russia | | | | In the use of isometric exercises, he outlined 3 distinct |
| and later on as circus performer lived in Great Britain | | | | methods -- and they are as follows: |
| after 1924.) | | | | Freestyle |
| The important thing to note about Alexander Zass | | | | In freestyle you're using no devices or appliances |
| was how he developed his belief in the application of | | | | you're just doing freehand isometrics. You are typically |
| isometric exercise. Or as he referred to it "Maximum | | | | just using your own body. |
| Tension." He believed this training protocol was superior | | | | Wall Exercises |
| to any other of the normal training programs used by | | | | In this method, you are using a wall, or even a tree to |
| strongman of his day and that included using weights in | | | | provide resistance instead of your own body weight |
| the development of physical strength | | | | or body. |
| He understood that isometric exercises not only | | | | Isometric Exercises Device |
| developed muscular strength but, also strengthened | | | | Here is the ideal or best way to perform isometric |
| the tendons and ligaments which are crucial to | | | | exercises. The disadvantages of both the freestyle |
| developing strength. | | | | and wall exercises is that there's no effective way to |
| The amazing Samson, who was also billed as "The | | | | measure your strength gains. |
| World Strongest Living Man" was quoted as saying "I | | | | And how do you know you're using 100% or even |
| aimed first to develop the underlying connective | | | | 70% power in this exercise? That's where an |
| tissues rather than the superficial muscles," (Taken | | | | isometric exercise device such as the Tensolator or |
| from His Instruction Manual -- Samson Systems and | | | | Bully Xtreme comes into play. |
| Methods) | | | | These types of bodybuilding contraction devices will |
| He further explained, "I always wanted to develop | | | | allow you not only to measure your strength gains but |
| tendon strength... without tendons, one possesses no | | | | typically will give you more variety in the type and |
| control over the muscles and the body... the | | | | quantity of isometric exercises you can perform. |
| development of the tendons are the strength to my | | | | The biggest appeal of isometrics is that with a few |
| secret. Muscle alone will not hold back wild horses -- | | | | simple movements and not a whole lot of time you |
| but tendons will and do!" | | | | can get a complete body workout -- in your home -- in |
| Alexander Zass further stated in his training manual | | | | your office -- or anywhere! |