Friday, February 13, 2004
From Dr. Schwartz: In response to Doyle's Questions, see Feb 12 Post:
Question 1: Since heavyhands has now been around for over twenty years, has there been any research or insight into the longterm physiological and psychological of panaerobic exercise?
Answer from Dr. Schwartz: Not elegant research at this juncture. But a whole lot of 'clinical'
material from long users of the system. Actually, there are some inherent
difficulties in making long range assessments of any exercise system: (1) It's hard to
find groups of subjects who use any system to the utter exclusion of other
kinds of exercise readily available; (2) I do believe (unless I'm rationalizing!)
that the 'voluntary report' sort of information can become an excellent
source of useful data until we can take a more controlled, precise look at things;
(3) Being the repository of a small mountain of such 'clinical' data over the
years suggests that physiologic and psychic factors tend to escalate steadily
throughout extended periods of regular concientious exercise! Indeed, I may
have gotten sedate about this 'expectable' finding. It does appear that pa rameters such as blood pressure, pulse, bodyweight and muscle/fat ratios typically
head in the right direction at similar but hardly identical paces. Aging
does take its toll on exercise, but not enough to scotch the motive, we believe,
and it continues to reduce cardiovascular and other risk factors.
Question #2: What pulse count should we use and with what customizing for personal age and fitness levels?
Over the past 22 years I believe I have become less obsessive about pulse
numbers overall, tending to check pulses more when trying something new, or
during moments when I feel some sort of physiologic or psychologic 'difference.'
A headache would provide such a reason, a degree or two of fever, or a sore
knee. I also employ my own version of estimating my level exertion in which the
host learns to do so accurately without conventional pulse counting (Borg
Scale).
3. Are there plans to offer weights beyond 10 pounds?
Larger endweights will be forthcoming soon. Probably from 12.5 lbs to 20
lbs.
It's very likely that your doctor would find you healthy enough for you to
continue your current program with less risk than if you'd abandoned it!
Comfort is quintessential! Along with that periodic check with a physician savvy
about exercise should keep you at it since you already speak of enjoyment!
4. Many heavyhanders seem to use to use weights with out straps. Beside the safety factor of flying weights, are there problems associated with using weights without straps? I heard you previously mention that using weights without straps can affect your blood pressure will working out.
The issue of strapped Heavyhands is surely complex. I developed strapped
weights initially because I quite selfishly thought they'd add a measure of
comfort to my Longstrong/Panaerobic Workouts! They did for sure, and now I'm
addicted to the species of handweight. Some people use heavyhands without
enjoying their mechanical advantages. These are generally of two kinds: the first
is the ability to allow the 'top' endweight to rest upon on the thumb and
forefinger that are gently grasping the shaft. The second is the advantage of
gripping lightly to not at all with the remaining fingers. The combined effect
should be the pleasure/benefit of hand relaxation during some pretty powerful
movements involving the upper body. Basically, the strap insures the advantage
of easy gripping during long strength/endurance whole body movements.
I went through a phase of measuring blood pressures during very hard and almost no
gripping. My blood pressures and those of some other people I recruited were
lower during easy gripping. Essentially, I'd like make the encumbered heavyhand
the rough equivalent of a foot that doesn't have to griop inside our shoes!
Otherwise, the issue should be decided by common sense notions that include
comfort and performance. Occasionally, I see a patient for whom I've no qualms
about prescribing good strapped handles. Most people will find they can work
longer and harder with straps, period.
Question 1: Since heavyhands has now been around for over twenty years, has there been any research or insight into the longterm physiological and psychological of panaerobic exercise?
Answer from Dr. Schwartz: Not elegant research at this juncture. But a whole lot of 'clinical'
material from long users of the system. Actually, there are some inherent
difficulties in making long range assessments of any exercise system: (1) It's hard to
find groups of subjects who use any system to the utter exclusion of other
kinds of exercise readily available; (2) I do believe (unless I'm rationalizing!)
that the 'voluntary report' sort of information can become an excellent
source of useful data until we can take a more controlled, precise look at things;
(3) Being the repository of a small mountain of such 'clinical' data over the
years suggests that physiologic and psychic factors tend to escalate steadily
throughout extended periods of regular concientious exercise! Indeed, I may
have gotten sedate about this 'expectable' finding. It does appear that pa rameters such as blood pressure, pulse, bodyweight and muscle/fat ratios typically
head in the right direction at similar but hardly identical paces. Aging
does take its toll on exercise, but not enough to scotch the motive, we believe,
and it continues to reduce cardiovascular and other risk factors.
Question #2: What pulse count should we use and with what customizing for personal age and fitness levels?
Over the past 22 years I believe I have become less obsessive about pulse
numbers overall, tending to check pulses more when trying something new, or
during moments when I feel some sort of physiologic or psychologic 'difference.'
A headache would provide such a reason, a degree or two of fever, or a sore
knee. I also employ my own version of estimating my level exertion in which the
host learns to do so accurately without conventional pulse counting (Borg
Scale).
3. Are there plans to offer weights beyond 10 pounds?
Larger endweights will be forthcoming soon. Probably from 12.5 lbs to 20
lbs.
It's very likely that your doctor would find you healthy enough for you to
continue your current program with less risk than if you'd abandoned it!
Comfort is quintessential! Along with that periodic check with a physician savvy
about exercise should keep you at it since you already speak of enjoyment!
4. Many heavyhanders seem to use to use weights with out straps. Beside the safety factor of flying weights, are there problems associated with using weights without straps? I heard you previously mention that using weights without straps can affect your blood pressure will working out.
The issue of strapped Heavyhands is surely complex. I developed strapped
weights initially because I quite selfishly thought they'd add a measure of
comfort to my Longstrong/Panaerobic Workouts! They did for sure, and now I'm
addicted to the species of handweight. Some people use heavyhands without
enjoying their mechanical advantages. These are generally of two kinds: the first
is the ability to allow the 'top' endweight to rest upon on the thumb and
forefinger that are gently grasping the shaft. The second is the advantage of
gripping lightly to not at all with the remaining fingers. The combined effect
should be the pleasure/benefit of hand relaxation during some pretty powerful
movements involving the upper body. Basically, the strap insures the advantage
of easy gripping during long strength/endurance whole body movements.
I went through a phase of measuring blood pressures during very hard and almost no
gripping. My blood pressures and those of some other people I recruited were
lower during easy gripping. Essentially, I'd like make the encumbered heavyhand
the rough equivalent of a foot that doesn't have to griop inside our shoes!
Otherwise, the issue should be decided by common sense notions that include
comfort and performance. Occasionally, I see a patient for whom I've no qualms
about prescribing good strapped handles. Most people will find they can work
longer and harder with straps, period.
Thanks for your questions, Doyle. Dr. Schwartz received them this morning and will respond within 24 hours. Great questions, and good points of discussion for us all. Look for your answers soon.
K.B.
Lion Sports
K.B.
Lion Sports
Thursday, February 12, 2004
I am excited that heavyhands is undergoing a re-issue and resurgence. I am also very pleased with the new web site, which will be an excellent resource for old and new handers alike. I do have a few issues that I would like Dr. Schwartz address.
First, since heavyhands has now been around for over twenty years, has there been any research or insight into the longterm physiological and psychological of panaerobic exercise?
Second, I am curious about Dr. Schwartz's views on the calculation of workout pulses. I see that the web site continues to use the traditional 220 minus your age formula. I find those limits somewhat confining and use a formula which also takes into account not only my age, but also my resting pulse rate (which, thanks to heavyhands is in the low 40's). I often train in pulse rates in the 160's, even though that would be above 90% of my max rate for my age (43). I can easily sustain this high pulse work for 15-20 minutes, which indicated to me that I am not as close to my maximum rate as the simple formula would indicate. Some of my best workouts are at these higher pulse rates and I really enjoy them.
Are there plans to offer weights beyond 10 pounds? I regularly use weights between 10-15 pounds and above. I have jury-rigged some weights with straps, but they are not as tight and comfortable as the regular handles, which limits my ability to sustain a workout.
This leads to my last question. Many heavyhanders seem to use to use weights with out straps. Beside the safety factor of flying weights, are there problems associated with using weights without straps? I heard you previously mention that using weights without straps can affect your blood pressure will working out.
Doyle Evans
First, since heavyhands has now been around for over twenty years, has there been any research or insight into the longterm physiological and psychological of panaerobic exercise?
Second, I am curious about Dr. Schwartz's views on the calculation of workout pulses. I see that the web site continues to use the traditional 220 minus your age formula. I find those limits somewhat confining and use a formula which also takes into account not only my age, but also my resting pulse rate (which, thanks to heavyhands is in the low 40's). I often train in pulse rates in the 160's, even though that would be above 90% of my max rate for my age (43). I can easily sustain this high pulse work for 15-20 minutes, which indicated to me that I am not as close to my maximum rate as the simple formula would indicate. Some of my best workouts are at these higher pulse rates and I really enjoy them.
Are there plans to offer weights beyond 10 pounds? I regularly use weights between 10-15 pounds and above. I have jury-rigged some weights with straps, but they are not as tight and comfortable as the regular handles, which limits my ability to sustain a workout.
This leads to my last question. Many heavyhanders seem to use to use weights with out straps. Beside the safety factor of flying weights, are there problems associated with using weights without straps? I heard you previously mention that using weights without straps can affect your blood pressure will working out.
Doyle Evans
