Bullworker
Encyclopedia
The Bullworker is an isometric exercise
device used for strength training
originally marketed and sold in the early 1960s. Designed and patented by German
inventor Gert F. Kölbel, it continues to sell in Europe
, Asia
and the U.S.A.
creates the desired resistance; the Bullworker returns to its original position when pressure is released. Hence a range of 1 to 200+ pounds of resistance is possible with a device weighing only four pounds.
Although a number of improvements have been made to the Bullworker from its introduction to the present, the basic construction and principles of operation remain the same. The Bullworker is still marketed worldwide today, with Trademarks and distribution owned by Hughes Marketing, LLC. There are currently two models, the Classic & Steel-Bow. Both models are identical in design and function, with the Classic a "barbell" size and the Steel-Bow a "dumbbell" size for more precise muscle targeting.
The original allowed for the performing of 26 individual exercises, providing a complete body workout. While Isometrics was the emphasis, the instructions included routines of: Isotonic, Cardio, Resilency and Endurance. Today, the emphasis on these additional fitness routines has greatly expanded the number of exercises available. An additional fitness routine of Iso-Motion has since been added. It was extremely popular, selling over 9 million units worldwide in 15 years. An extremely durable device, many are still in use 40 years later.
Isometric exercise
Isometric exercise or isometrics are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction...
device used for strength training
Strength training
Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. There are many different methods of strength training, the most common being the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction...
originally marketed and sold in the early 1960s. Designed and patented by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
inventor Gert F. Kölbel, it continues to sell in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and the U.S.A.
Design
The original Bullworker consists of two sleeved, spring-loaded, telescopic cylinders in the center, with two hand grips affixed at the outermost ends. Two opposing cables are attached to the hand grips at each end of the device. Exercises are performed by pushing inwards on the contractible cylinders or by pulling the cables outwards, away from the cylinders. The resultant compression of the internal springSpring (device)
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication...
creates the desired resistance; the Bullworker returns to its original position when pressure is released. Hence a range of 1 to 200+ pounds of resistance is possible with a device weighing only four pounds.
Although a number of improvements have been made to the Bullworker from its introduction to the present, the basic construction and principles of operation remain the same. The Bullworker is still marketed worldwide today, with Trademarks and distribution owned by Hughes Marketing, LLC. There are currently two models, the Classic & Steel-Bow. Both models are identical in design and function, with the Classic a "barbell" size and the Steel-Bow a "dumbbell" size for more precise muscle targeting.
The original allowed for the performing of 26 individual exercises, providing a complete body workout. While Isometrics was the emphasis, the instructions included routines of: Isotonic, Cardio, Resilency and Endurance. Today, the emphasis on these additional fitness routines has greatly expanded the number of exercises available. An additional fitness routine of Iso-Motion has since been added. It was extremely popular, selling over 9 million units worldwide in 15 years. An extremely durable device, many are still in use 40 years later.
See also
- Dynamic TensionDynamic tension"Dynamic Tension" is the name Charles Atlas gave to the system of exercises that he first popularized in the 1920s.Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method which pits muscle against muscle. The practitioner tenses the muscles of given body part and then moves the body part against the...
- Isometrics
- Bullworker History
- Inventor Gert F. Koelbel