ISO-BOW

Charles Atlas built his amazing body using isometric exercises, calisthenics, and isokinetic exercises. Isometric is putting pressure against something immovable. Calisthenics are geared toward cardiovascular and strength training by doing many repetitions. Isokinetic means to move against a force with varying resistance. Charles Atlas called his program Dynamic Tension. In many of his exercises he used muscle against muscle but moved them. For instance one could do a curl by holding one hand against the other and moving the arm through the curling motion. The second arm would apply the resistance through the entire range of motion. Since the resistance varied along the path this would be isokinetic. He had people do multiple repetitions in his plan...............The Iso-Bow makes doing some muscle against muscle exercises easier because it helps keep the arms apart. This allows greater range of motion. The Iso-Bow can only be used by pulling on the handles. It can't be used to push the arms together. Curls and triceps extensions are easy. Since the handles can be twisted without needing to release them, it makes switching from exercise to exercise very quick. One very difficult exercise to do is to hold the arms extended in front of the body and begin holding them in opposing tension. Then slowly move them in a circle one way and then reverse it. Take about twenty seconds each way. I swear your arms will be shaking and your body will be very tired. This is wonderful because these motions exercise all of the smaller muscles in the shoulders and upper back. You won't see big definition happening doing this but it will start a great foundation for all of the other muscles in the upper body................Since the Iso-Bow can't be used for pressing the arms together I recommend you find a 2" X 4" board that is about 18"-24" and use it to press your arms together. Make it a comfortable length for your body size. Do the exact same motion as the previously described exercise except this time you'll be pressing your arms together instead of pulling them apart. Can you see how this will totally exercise your upper body? One pulling motion done in all angles and one pushing motion done in all angles will cover your entire upper body. The 2X4 length allows greater range of motion than pressing one hand against the other................There are numerous other exercises that can be done. Almost every exercise motion that can be done with free weights can be simulated using the Iso-Bow and the 2X4................This is the second simplest exercise tool you can get. The 2X4 is probably simpler. Both of these together make an awesome combination................I was expecting my Iso-Bow to be black as pictured. The one that arrived had a red band with black handles. I was fine with it. It works the same as the black version................I own a Steel-Bow from this company. It is an awesome tool. It does all that the Iso-Bow does but it is much bigger. The benefit of that device is it measures your strength on a built in scale. I've realized that I don't need the scale. I just go by intensity and effort. Thus I decided the Steel-Bow is really more than I need. Also I don't need to change springs for different exercises. I'll be selling my Steel-Bow and keeping my very compact Iso-Bow and a 2X4................For abdominal work I use an ab-wheel bought years ago at a local store for $9.98. You know, those little wheels with handles on each side. You start on your knees and roll outward and then pull back. That is the most intense abdominal exercise tool you can own. Forget crunches. Get one of those for $10 somewhere...............The Iso-Bow, a 2X4, and an ab-wheel make a super cheap super effective exercise tools combination that can't be beat anywhere. I recommend them.

i abolutley loive this thing. i got into adding isometrics into my fitness about a year and a half ago with a word fit isotrainer and and isomax coupled with a hey band footplate. with the iso-bow you can isohold or intgrate dynamic movements, a lot of push-pull and mp and down movements. i will often hold a bear squat or a lunge position while doing the upper body holds with the iso-bow for a whole body exertion. super simple yet very effective for quick and micro-workouts...it travel value is unbeatable.

I admit to being an exercise and fitness fanatic all my life. I have probably used just about every type of exercise tool on the market. In fact, many years ago I used to have a regular Bullworker exercise unit and thought it was a good addition to my other workout equipment.I recently came across this Bullworker Iso-Bow on Amazon and thought I would order one. First off I think it was a little expensive for this lightweight isometric and isotonic exercise tool; however, when I looked at the exercise chart that came with the device I realized this is quite a versatile exercise tool even though I still think it is a little pricy for what you get.I began doing some of the isometric exercises and was pleased with the wide variety of ways to use the Iso-Bow. One of the things I also like about this unique piece of equipment is that you can also do isotonic movements using your opposite arm as resistance. It is also very portable and so light weight that you can carry it almost any place. When I use the Iso-Bow along with my “Magic Ring” and other exercises it gives me a total body workout.In spite of me still thinking it is a little pricy I have really grown to enjoy using the Iso-Bow. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to add an isometric strength building device to their other Bullworker exercises or any other fitness routine exercises.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Advanced PR-24 Police Baton Techniques)

Great device. Simple, handy, easy to use with enough versatility to cover most of the major muscles. Someone remarked that it's too expensive. I think that with the things I've mentioned and the fact it's well made ( I've used it for a little more than six months regularly and it's shown virtually no signs of wear, not even the foam on the handles ), makes it well worth the price. Has definitely helped me tone up with very short workouts. I can do most of the exercises while I stair-step, thereby allowing me to combine two workouts into one. I can tell gains in strength by the fact I'm not as tired when done. I can also visibly see an improvement in muscle size. For the price you can't go wrong. I wish mine came with a chart. Someone else wrote theirs did. The producer does provide YouTube vids that show everything you need to know, though.

Have used the other Bullworker home gym products before. I can't believe I had not come across this Iso-Bow before! This is so simple and easy and light weight, but you will be amazed how much more you can push yourself on the resistance/tension! I am able to go beyond the 50 pounds of tension per hand, and I can start at any angle, and I can hold for longer times (for more resistance), and can do all this without having to move my arm in a full arc. I work out at home because of my very busy work schedules. So, this is a Great addition to my home gym! Took things up couple of notches. Best part is - it is so light and easy to carry and pack, that this is going to be a permanent travel companion for me! I can exercise in the park, in nature, in the car, or on the beach!