Speed of Movement & the Mighty Metronome.


Tempo refers to the speed of movement and is usually represented by a 4-digit number: eccentric (negative) contraction - isometric (pause between negative and positive) contraction - concentric (positive) contraction - isometric (pause between positive and negative) contraction. For example, a tempo of 3-1-2-0 means to lower the weight for a count of 3, pause for a count of 1, raise the weight for a count of 2, and do not pause before starting the next repetition. An "X" designation denotes eXplosive, meaning to lift the weight as fast as possible.

It's not uncommon for people to race through their sets in order to get done sooner. Although this could benefit power development, hypertrophy might be sacrificed. For instance, if two individuals were to perform the same number of repetitions, but one completes the set in 6 seconds and the other takes 60 seconds, is the training effect the same? Obviously not! Tempo is a training parameter that is quite often neglected. You can calculate total time under tension (TUT) of a set simply by multiplying tempo (add all 4 digits) and the number of repetitions performed.

The problem with tempo prescription is that cadence tends to vary among individuals and also between reps and sets. (Generally, the count speeds up as you fatigue!) For this reason, I recommend that you purchase a metronome - the Robic SC-700 Sports Chronometer available at Creative Health Products is a good choice. Set the watch to 60 beats per minute so that it beeps every second and try to keep the cadence uniform throughout the entire range of motion.

John Paul Catanzaro is a certified kinesiologist and professional fitness and lifestyle consultant with a specialized honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. He owns and operates a private gym in Toronto, Ontario providing training and nutritional consulting services. For additional information, visit his website at www.BodyEssence.ca or call 416-292-4356.







Related News



Ford Executive Anne E. Belec Joins Brunswick Board of Directors - MarketWatch

Ford Executive Anne E. Belec Joins Brunswick Board of Directors
MarketWatch -2 hours ago
... IDS dealer management systems; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; ...

Fitness equipment discussed again - Belmont & Mount Holly BannerNews

Fitness equipment discussed again
Belmont & Mount Holly BannerNews, CN -Jul 17, 2008
He said that, according to Assistant City Manager for Community Development Danny Jackson, it would cost about $1000 to move the fitness equipment from its ...

Drummers beat footballers in fitness levels - Belfast Telegraph

BBC News

Drummers beat footballers in fitness levels
Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom -10 hours ago
Boffins connected musicians, including Blondie's drummer Clem Burke, to equipment measuring their heart rate, oxygen up-take, and the levels of lactic acid ...
Rock drummers have fitness of 'top athletes'NewsLite
Rock drummers 'are top athletes'BBC News
all 33 news articles


Mid-ranged fitness clubs slowly emerge - Kyiv Post (subscription)

Mid-ranged fitness clubs slowly emerge
Kyiv Post (subscription), Ukraine -1 hour ago
Its market for fitness centers looks similar. “On this stage of the development of the fitness market in Kyiv a small percentage are luxury clubs, ...

Gym focuses on women’s well-being - Gresham Outlook

Gresham Outlook

Gym focuses on women’s well-being
Gresham Outlook, OR -11 hours ago
After a while, the exercise equipment just wasn’t challenging her. Beyond that, Talley likes the atmosphere Rice has created. “I wanted something different ...

Cybex Announces Second Quarter Results - MarketWatch

Cybex Announces Second Quarter Results
MarketWatch -22 hours ago
a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment for the commercial and consumer markets, today reported results for its second quarter ended June 28, ...
Cybex Announces Second Quarter ResultsBusiness Wire (press release)
all 256 news articles

2008-07-16 18:09:19 - Fitness Equipment Market - Home Vs ... - PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)

2008-07-16 18:09:19 - Fitness Equipment Market - Home Vs ...
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria -Jul 16, 2008
Participation rates for all types of fitness equipment continue to be strong. Product innovation is also driving participation trends. to remain slow ...

Healthy mind, healthy body Rescue mission receives exercise equipment - Kansas.com

Healthy mind, healthy body Rescue mission receives exercise equipment
Kansas.com, KS -Jul 16, 2008
The equipment came from the fitness center at the recently closed Love Box Center and was donated by members of the Love family. ...

Favorite gym provides fitness at a cost - Kyiv Post (subscription)

Favorite gym provides fitness at a cost
Kyiv Post (subscription), Ukraine -1 hour ago
At Favorite customers get an opportunity to train with state of the art fitness equipment manufactured by the world’s best know brands. ...

What You Should Know About Gyms and Fitness Equipment by Craig ... - Natural News.com

What You Should Know About Gyms and Fitness Equipment by Craig ...
Natural News.com, AZ -Jul 14, 2008
In this excerpt, Craig Pepin Donat shares on gyms, fitness equipment, prescriptions and "scientific" studies. The Healthiest Year of Your Life with Craig ...