1st achiever model, measuring the range of motion 1970

We filed the first of our 5 patents and begin manufacturing in a 4,000 ft. basement. Our first basic model, the PRO had no measuring whatsoever. We then did the Indicator model, then the Accommodator. Next, the Achiever that measured the range of motion with a paper graph. Since we had preset speed of exercise, one would work at their max and it would draw out the range of motion. This had never been done as the only way to measure muscle strength was with Isometrics. For example, one usually is twice as strong in middle range as beginning or ending i.e., curls or knee extension. This range of motion also may vary from 100lb of leg press strength at beginning to maybe 500lbs just before your knees lock our or fully extended. Some individuals have lifted 1500 lbs in that last inch of the press. These measuring also further illustrated the advantage of our accommodating resistance.

In the summer of 1968 an article was given to me from JOHPER, a publication of Journal of Health and Physical Education. This article explained a new type of exerciser that offered accommodating resistance and would measure the ranges of motion since they had preset speed of exercise. They called the exercise, Isokinetic. This was the first time we ever heard the word Isokinetic. Now for the first time we knew what we had. That new device was the Cybex, designed by James Perrine. At that time, they began selling their unit for $5000.00 and ours was $200.00. There was some patent litigation after this, but we did not infringe their patents whatsoever....

We began to sell our new approach to exercise with great success. We had both floor and wall models. The next challenge was to design a single unit that was a combination of a floor and wall unit. This was in 1971. We sold a couple of our units to Harding College in Searcy, Ark. Dr. Orlee of the University was so impressed with our isokinetic exerciser that he contacted Dr. Rummel of NASA to consider the Mini Gym for space flights. The NASA engineer for this type of equipment was John Lem, who later wrote articles on the Mini Gym that is on the WEB. He came to our plant a couple of times to offer his suggestion for this new unit. After these conferences he took a couple of units back to Houston, and NASA made the necessary changes on our new unit for their space environment. Thus, we now had the Super Mini Gym model 180. All this interest deriving from NASA because astronauts lack of maintaining bone and muscle in their previous flight.

Dr. Rummel of NASA was in charge of the astronauts exercise programs. He began a crash program to remedy this loss of muscle in their first day flight and now the next flight was to be 60days. The next crew of astronauts took the Super Mini Gym with the other supplies in their rocket ship from Cape Canaveral and transferred them to Skylab whish was already circling the earth. The crew of Skylab3, Bean, Garriot, Lousma, worked diligently on the super Mini Gym daily for the 60 day flight. They returned to earth in much better shape than the crew of Skylab2. These articles are on the web too. The crew of this 3rd flight were on world wide TV using the Super Mini Gym and praising it. They called the unit Mark I. It was so effective for them, the continuing flights used it, and the Super Mini Gym 180 had made its debeu.

By 1974 we developed several other applications from the Mini Gym i.e., the Leaper, Swim bench, Knee Unit. There was much success with many athletes and teams, i.e., Bruce Jenner, Mark Spitz, Kent Benson, most colleges and University as well as pro teams. The Isokinetic principal had proven itself by developing more strength, and rehabilitating injuries quicker and easier. In the last 30 years hundreds maybe thousands of University research project have been done with masters and doctorate thesis. Almost, without exception, virtually every project has shown Isokinetic resistance to develop more strength, develop quicker reflexes, and rehabilitate more effectively in less time than other heretofore methods.

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