I have both Nautilus multi-biceps & triceps machines in good working condition. Both have the akinetic bar. They are loved by everyone who uses them. People love the akinetic mode.
I never liked as much the plate-loaded bi-tri machine. Felt awkward!
Multi-biceps was love at 1st sight/use!
Drew Baye is promoting a book by Ken Hutchens about the compound bicep. Previews seem to say he trashes it
I found out that drew baye is very narrow minded
Interesting! I would very much like to know more about this book of Hutchins and what Drew Baye says!!
Scott
I didn’t find the book of Hutchins but I did find this that I think Drew Baye wrote!
“Some of Arthur’s equipment designs, most notably the compound biceps and compound triceps machines, violate muscular sufficiency principles (active insufficiency of the target muscles occurs) as a result of this mistaken belief.”
Even though I’ve heard Bill DeSimone say active insufficiency a ton of times I still don’t know what it means?
Scott
Update : I just found the book!
Its on Baye’s site. Baye is selling it for Hutchens
Dr. Darden , does any of this stuff about what Hutchins wrote about the compound bicep ring a bell with you?
Scott
I made some pretty good gains years ago using the Compound Position Biceps. Now, I can’t attribute it all to that machine. I was alternating it with the Plate-loaded Biceps/Triceps machine. Always felt like it worked the biceps in a different way than other exercises. We all know that Arthur Jones; as a salesman; over-hyped a number of the products he sold. The fact it was discontinued because it didn’t sell well tells you it was not a “breakthrough” machine. Still, I thought it was a good machine. There are no “perfect” machines, or exercises, or methods.
I would be interested in reading Hutchins book. He has written some very good material. Especially concerning friction in machines. I don’t always subscribe to everything he writes. But, $29 for an 82 page book?
If I recall correctly I heard Hutchins was terminated from Nautilus shortly after a heated discussion with Jones about friction?
Scott
I’m not familiar with Ken’s Compound Position Biceps material.
So far I’ve found some great stuff on the compound bicep! I’m finding some stuff I’ve been looking for for ages! I wish there was some way to talk to you personally! After reading some of this stuff I’m glad I never spent the fortune one of those machines cost! Before this I didn’t think much of Drew Baye but what I’m seeing now gives him a more favorable light!
Scott
It actually only came out yesterday I believe
Thanks to you Matt I am finding answers to questions I’ve had for many years! Ken Hutchins put out a book dedicated to the design and construction of the vintage compound bicep machine!! It’s a treasure trove of stuff about machine theory and Eccentric Arthur and his ways! I haven’t read it all yet but my preliminary findings are that Ellington Darden was right when he said in the early days that the best curl machine Nautilus made was the plate loading bicep-tricep! The arms up compound bicep was not the best position to work the biceps and for that matter neither was the multi bicep!
Scott
Is this the machine you are referring to?
Yes, I believe so.
Scott
I dont think thats it. I may be wrong, but isnt it one like Petrella has, with pads on it and no actual hand grips?
Yw Scott. I may pick it up just because i’m a fan of all things Nautilus. From the preview on Baye’s site i really thought it was going to be a hit piece on AJ
Those were the omnis . The one Im talking about was coined the plate loader, it had bi on one end and tri on the other . The Omni machines had weight stacks,
Scott
Scott,
OK, I agree that Ken Hutchins has written some good material on some subjects.
I have a degree in exercise science, but not the background to dispute any of his claims on the biceps position. I don’t want to bash the guy on his work. But, this is the same guy that touted superslow as the ultimate exercise protocol. We know that’s definitely NOT the case. And I’m not real impressed with the machine designs he himself came up with.
I agree that the Compound Position Bicep machine in either form is not worth the exorbitant price that people ask for them. It is not a ‘Game-changer’ for biceps development. But, does it still have value as an exercise? If someone offered to sell you one at a reasonable price, would you pass on it now? I owned the Nautilus NITRO biceps machine (arms-up position) for 3 or 4 years, I felt like it was the best bicep curl we had in our high school wt. room. (And we had the PL Biceps/Triceps) I only parted with it when I retired because the frame was one welded piece and I could not get it down into my basement. Otherwise, I would have kept it.
I’m not trying to change your mind on what you now believe after reading Hutchins book. Just keep things in perspective. Are you going to part with your Multi-Biceps now? If you are, let me know. I’ll buy it and drive down to get it.
Lol, i meant the book, not the machine! Im perfectly happy with my multi. For me its the top of the line! There is one for sale on ebay near me if u are serious. Its 400/obo in Oldsmar, Fl. Ebay item # 274630180982. Im not much of a fan of Hutchens either, but like i said, i love to read about AJ and Nautilus