Historical Background

From the beginning of the 20th Century man started using weights as a means to increasing strength and power. Dumbbells and barbells quickly replaced the early kettle bells, and by the mid-1960s, research had proven that heavy resistance and high intensity while training was necessary to ensure optimal muscle growth. 

 

Around this time resistance training machines utilising pulleys were introduced. These allowed users to change the direction and amount of force more easily. However, these machines, as with barbells, would only allow muscles to work from a weak position, meaning that they could only work with a near maximum load over a short distance. 

 

The first real breakthrough in resistance training was achieved by Arthur Jones, who designed and introduced the Nautilus Training System. These machines re-defined the future of resistance training. Combined with high intensity training and allowing no resting points throughout the movement cycle, they delivered result hitherto unheard of. 

 

By the early 1970s scientists had concluded that strength training could be divided into three basic components; concentric, static and eccentric (also known as ”negative”). Each of these was deemed to be vital to overall strength development. Eccentric (negative) strength was, interestingly, found to be at least 40% higher than concentric strength. But this fact failed to match the strength training programs at that time. The eccentric force when using barbells and dumbbells was never greater than the concentric, and in machines it was, in fact, often dramatically lower (due to friction).  

Arthur Jones realised this and for many years tried to design functional training machines that incorporated the benefits of increased eccentric resistance. In two Athlethic Journal articles Jones discussed “Negative work as a factor in exercise” and “Negative accentuated strength training”. Jones saw clearly the benefits of eccentric training long before exercise physiologists and in doing so foresaw the benefits of combining concentric and eccentric muscular work. He also thoroughly discussed the problems surrounding constructing such a training machine. 

 

Thanks to Jone’s research, Dr. E. Darden, who ran the Nautilus Research Center and was a key figure in the famous ‘WestPoint’ studies, has since become a strong advocate of eccentric training. Darden has personally introduced eccentric training to many disciples and was consequently one of the first to be invited to participate on the X-Force Development Team. 

 

Research during the 1980s and 1990s provide more evidence to show that increased eccentric resistance improved training intensity and efficiency. It was also proven that eccentric training was more beneficial in the rehabilitation of injuries, compared to concentric training. Most researchers agree, however, that a combination of concentric and eccentric work would be most beneficial. Many people have since tried to produce a machine that would combine these requirements and generate an eccentric force 40% greater than the concentric force

 

Until Now.