Last post we covered Michel’s first workout highlighting upper body with arm and shoulder focus (https://wefit.ca/2018/10/20/movement-that-doesnt-matter-a-case-study/) We are starting the study by separating body areas to get a feel for this new technique. Focusing on one area makes it a bit easier to learn and discover how his body reacts.
The key is to concentrate on the static holds interspersed with rest breaks rather than the movement of a regular up and down repetition. Humans are approximately 20% stronger when holding a load statically compared with shortening/contracting our muscles. This allows for extra high tension while staying very safe because of the lack of movement – movement which often leads to cheating and swinging weight.
Here Michel performed a brief but very tough leg routine. This time his holds were 5 seconds on and 5 seconds off and finishing with a 20 to 30 second hold to failure.
Here we alternated legs every 5 seconds
Here we finished by holding a static with both legs for 30 seconds
We chose a short routine with little or no rest between sets because Michel already has disproportionately strong legs relative to his upper body. We used this workout to just strengthen his legs and also to build plenty of stamina.
Over the course of this study/story we will try to address the details of static training but feel free to ask questions as we go!
Be well, be strong,
Andrew and Tierney
wefit.ca 