Is Charles Spencer’s stuff,machines the infimetric stuff you guys are talking about ?
Scott
Charles Spencer actually stopped these exercises as they did not develop measurable gains. He made a detailed summary on his WordPress site a while back. His mechanisms did look quite ingenious, but as we often see, many folks retrace the footsteps of the experts only to follow in their previous failures, shortcoming and/or limitations. Great leaders like Jones, Darden, Hutchins, Mentzer, Sisco, Little, Hahn (and a couple more) literally educate, study, test, evaluate, and adapt continuously.
“Infimetrics” appears to be another Arthur Jones invention (and hence appropriate for this forum):
http://arthurjonesexercise.com/Ironman/ads/1974IronManNautilusAds.pdf
I assume that Charles Spencer got the idea from Jones and Nautilus. In any case, Spencer spent a lot of his own time developing and testing machines that would facilitate training in this way. As Grant D. points out, he has since stopped promoting the technique. That doesn’t mean others will not find value in it. It is pretty easy to get a pulley and some rope, and try it for yourself.
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So this is a really cheap and easy way to keep in shape. I took a piece a scrap plywood, and attached a small pully to it with some piano wire, attached a couple of handles, then got to work on it. Great little bicep exercise, I’m sold on this idea.
Ok so is there a chart or suggestions on exercises using this system? I like how easy it was to just put together the device, and it looks like that spare pipe I have can be used as well for this.
That’s the fallacy right there. Being in shape is not easy. And looking for easy ways to achieve that is a waste of time.
IMO
Being in shape is easy, it’s just the work part of it is hard. An example of this would be to write down all the individual steps involved in taking a shower, then write down all the steps involved with a session at the gym.
What I mean as easy though is the fact that the devices are easy for a person to make themselves, so no expensive machines needed, and since you’re using your own body as the resistance for each exercise, no need to move a bunch of weights around for each exercise session.
So yep easy set up for exercise.
It depends on what your version of “in shape” is. It’s a pretty malleable term, but suffice it to say that the majority of people on a website called Testosterone Nation don’t envision alternating arm curls with piano wire as being something that will get you, or keep you “in shape.
If your goal was to get big biceps with no weights, and you relied on no-weight infimetrics instead of underhand pull-ups, it’d be pretty silly. If, on the other hand, you used a burnout set of those alternating arm curls as a finisher after some heavy bicep work, it could be effective. It’s important to keep in mind the difference between assistance and ball-busting hard work.
An example for chest would be:
- Chest Press (I use a seated machine) performed 30-10-30 to failure immediately followed by
- Infimetric Chest Press (wrap the strap around your back and alternately press each each arm out) to failure
Move slowly. Give it a try and report back?
simple and easy don’t mean the same thing.
what you’re referring to is the concept of simplicity.
one thing can be conceptually very simple, yet extremely hard when it comes to actually accomplishing it. that’s the case with being in shape.
The problems with infimetrics are several, but most predominantly related to measurement, both of effort and force produced.
Jones saw the potential benefits of it as a future form of exercise, but that involved a computer as a form of measurement and feedback . So in the future it is still possible that infimetrics could provide an effective "stand-alone "form of exercise.
Unfortunately as of today, that is not the case.
But they are certainly not worthless, and provide a unique and innovative way of either providing a “unique” stress to a muscle when used “infrequently” or as a way of creating extra inroad/fatigue on a specific muscle group.
So a useful tool, but no more than that.
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Here is a photo of Dr. Darden doing an infimetric bench press with Arthur Jones and Gideon Ariel at the back discussing biomechanics and a need for a variable resistance exercise.
Dr. Darden, any interesting stories related to filming of that episode, to the machine itself or those days in general? Thanks!
A unique concept that Jones pushed for a short while. I don’t remember anything dramatic from the filming.
Dr. Darden,
Attached is a video that outlines the system of exercise I have developed, you should find it interesting and your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Download the link below, paste into your web browser, the link expires on 17th May 2024.
Geoff
Jeff,
I’ve attached a file to download which will show you a glimpse of what I have developed. You should find it interesting. Let me know your comments…
Download the link below…( Paste this into your browser)
The tranfer link expires on the 17th May 2024
Enjoy…
WeTransfer - Send Large Files & Share Photos Online - Up to 2GB Free
Geoff
baronics@hotmail.co.uk
Hi Jeff,
What are you thoughts now (4 years later) on the bullworker device and it’s usefulness as a tool to perform infimetric exercise.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I find it’s very effective for infimetric exercise but its value only really comes into play if I use it at the end of my working set. I’ve tried using it as a stand alone piece of equipment and I get a good pump but it doesn’t really get much inroad. Cheers, Jeff
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