But what if you could take care of a week's worth of workouts in just one shot?
Kids, school, work, dinner, homework. At what time do you squeeze in a workout?
Some people head to the gym just once a week for one hour and don't feel one bit of guilt. Their secret: an exercise plan hatched in a Strength Science Lab at the University of Florida.
"It's based on eccentric or negative resistance training," Michael Macmillan, M.D., clinical associate professor at the
University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., told Ivanhoe. "It takes advantage of the fact the body can lower weights that are too heavy to lift. When you lower a weight, the energy that you're lowering the weight from actually goes into the muscle."
The machines use sensors that add weight when you lower the bar then remove weight when you lift. That's double the workout in half the time. It is how Olympic champion skier Bode Miller trains.
"The stretching of the muscle by this particular level of weight is a strong stimulus of growth and repair," Dr. Macmillan said.
"Feels like it really maximizes the intensity of the workout," Bryan Conrad, who works out frequently, told Ivanhoe. "With two little kids at home, I don't have a lot of extra time."
While these machines require the assistance of an exercise professional, anyone can incorporate eccentric training into their workout. When you lift weights with both arms, lower the same amount of weight using only one arm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Trevor Barone M.S.
Fitness Director
University of Florida
(352) 672-5554
