Bridgefeast--nice post! More on exercise

[Currumpaw]

The importance of exercise, including resistance exercise is irrefutable. Bridgefeast is a UK man which made me take notice. "Strand Pulling" contests were once a sport in the UK. Strand pulling uses a chest expander. I have the booklet written by Syd Devis who was a UK strand pulling champion. I got it through the "Old Time Strongman" site" about 15 years ago--but--my first chest expander was a flat strip of surgical rubber ordered from an ad in the back of a comic book. I moved up--in 1965 and bought an adjustable chest expander with five springs. I think that over the years only two people have stretched all five springs other than myself when holding it close to the body, against the chest while standing. That includes an amateur powerlifter who at that time was a natty who benched over 400 lbs. and was deadlifting close to 500 in competition. I removed one spring and he stretched four springs with difficulty.

I highly recommend a chest expander as a way to provide upper body resistance exercise. Not only does exercising with a chest expander increase strength but the exercise can be therapeutic for damaged shoulders. Therapists use resistance bands for the reason that the resistance begins low and increases as the bands are stretched. This prevents farther injury as can happen with a weight where the resistance is somewhat static throughout the range of motion.

Many do not have equipment or the space for equipment in their home and perhaps going to a gym is difficult. Waiting one's turn to use weights or equipment also can be counterproductive.

I had intended to open a one on one fitness business--well then. I have tens of thousands of dollars of equipment yet continually go back to an adjustable chest expander while watching television and having morning coffee.

I found a good video demonstrating a few exercises with a chest expander. I will include it. The "Big A" sells a "Ueasy Adjustable Chest Expander" for around $25 US. Different colored bands provide different resistance levels. I would suggest the black bands providing the most resistance simply because you can use just one band as well as five bands.

James Grage has many videos demonstrating exercises with the "Undersun Bands". I think that these are excellent, can be used in conjunction with weights and also can provide leg and back exercises. Grage's videos showing exercises with Undersun bands are very good. The cost today is under $65 US for a full set of the green bands but over $100 for the orange bands--same resistance--same dimensions--a higher price. I guess the green bands aren't selling well.

The chest expander and bands provide very good resistance workouts without waiting for one's "turn" to use equipment at a gym. The chest expander and band set weigh little, take up minimal space and are excellent to get a few sets in when a commercial interrupts your favorite programming. They can be packed into a suitcase when travelling. What really makes these work? Self discipline!

If one just purchases the chest expander which is a really good choice to go along with the bands, I would get the chest expander first. Body weight squats for the quadriceps and using a stair with a railing to maintain your balance while doing heel raises for you calf muscles will work the muscles in the lower body. Stretching exercises for the back--YES! Has anyone ever heard of "Power Walking" developed by Steve Reeves? It is an effective way to raise the level of conditioning from simple walks yet is still below the intensity of jogging or running.

The videos are below.

youtu.be/I2npj4EqCpk(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/xrhMpzhz0s4(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/w23BfEiXVDw(Not working as expected?)

My best to all!

Currumpaw

[j-o-h-n]

We called it resistance training.......and I don't mean resistance to training. Many times while I travelled the NYC subways I would use one hand against the other, one arm against the other to build up strength. It works.....(my left hand can beat the shit out of my right hand)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 07/02/2023 10:11 PM DST

[Currumpaw in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hey j-o-h-n!

I see you have --so far--survived the "purge"!

What you did riding the subway is called "Isometric Training". Isometrics have been around for decades. The Russians used isometrics as a part of their training for their "amateur" athletes. Isometrics are also used today to eliminate "sticking points" by power lifters. I believe that Louis Simmons uses isometric to help his power lifters get through a sticking point. As an example, the bars on a power rack will be set up where the athlete is weak in the range of motion in the deadlift. He or she will then lift the Olympic bar against the rack bars and strain for X number of seconds. I bought a mail order booklet about isometric training in --1964? The ad was in the back of a comic book. I wish I still had it as it may be worth a little ($) as a nostalgia item.

A cheap and interesting isometric tool--I knot the plastic packaging that Poland Spring water bottles in the center. I then grasp either side of the knot and do isometrics at my chest, arms by my thighs, arms in front of me, arms overhead and hands behind my head using three different hand grips and holding for five seconds in each position and grip. It has certainly--in my opinion--helped my fluoroquinolone damaged shoulders.

Charles Atlas' "Dynamic Tension" is a form of isometric--sort of--that maintains resistance--but-- throughout a "range of motion". Top bodybuilders are today doing a posing routine at the end of their workouts to extend the "pump" and to help shape muscle.

I have to go! Take care friend!

Currumpaw--Dan

[j-o-h-n in reply to Currumpaw]

You're correct (as usual).... It's been over70 years when I read those comic books and learned isometric training and Atlas body building from the back of comic books. In fact to this day I don't let guys kick sand in my face..... Thanks for the nostalgia.... stay well....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/03/2023 10:37 AM DST