January 12, 2023
You may have heard me talking lately about the “giant robot” in my gym – an advanced piece of exercise equipment built with a powerful two-horsepower engine. It is the primary means by which I have been becoming “strong as a bull” of late with only three 20-minute strength training sessions per week.
I've known about this crazy machine for years, but finally got one installed in my gym about 12 weeks ago and the results have been unparalleled.
It's called the ARX.
The ARX – which stands for Adaptive Resistance Exercise – is a mashup of single set-to-failure training and superslow training that can be used for extreme efficiency strength training or for rehab. The ARX technology “biohacks” strength training with a computer-controlled, motorized resistance that matches any force you produce, giving you a perfect rep with every rep.
Unlike a traditional weight training machine that requires you to adjust the weight with pins or plates, there is no need to set the resistance while using ARX. Instead, the machine applies opposing resistance in direct proportion to what you are producing at each moment in time throughout an entire rep. The entire effort for that one single set to failure is then measured and displayed by the software in real-time.
The ARX OMNI – which I own – allows for over a dozen motions, including the squat, deadlift, pulldown, row, overhead press, and chest press, while the smaller ARX ALPHA allows for leg press, chest press, row, calf raises, and torso extension and flexion, both with significant strength, bone-density, and muscle-building results in as little as one workout per week.
Recently, the ARX came up in “The Future Of Biohacking Fitness, Longevity, Recovery & More With Beth McDougall.” and in this podcast, I interview Mike Pullano about all things ARX. Mike Pullano is the Chief Product Officer at ARX, the world's leader in computer-controlled, motorized resistance technology. After an Achilles tendon injury sidelined his fitness routine, Mike found a passion for biomechanics and physiology. In his search for better fitness solutions, he discovered an early prototype of ARX. Blown away by the results, Mike joined the ARX team in 2014 to help develop Adaptive Resistance™ technology for its introduction to the market.
Bringing an extensive background in product development, customer experience, and marketing, Mike oversees end-to-end product creation from design to delivery for ARX’s renowned offerings. He holds a bachelor’s in science in Sports, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mike currently lives in Austin, Texas where he spends 11 minutes and 46 seconds exercising per week, using the rest of his time exploring the world of human performance, golfing, hunting, and playing music.
During our discussion, you'll discover:
- Chest Press
- Pull-down
- Deadlift
- Overhead Press
- Row
- Squat
- Podcast with Doug McGuff:
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- Dorian Yates and Mike Mentzer
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- Influence of Resistance Training Proximity-to-Failure on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
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- Alpha – 7 ft. x 3 ft.
- Omni – 11 ft. x 3.5 ft.
-And much more…
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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
– Mike Pullano:
– Podcasts:
- The Future Of Biohacking Fitness, Longevity, Recovery & More With Beth McDougall.
- Does Weight Training Count As Cardio?
- Biohacking Muscle Growth: How To Maximize Anabolism & Muscle Hypertrophy Using Targeted Delivery Of Nutrients To Muscle Tissue During Exercise, With Professional Bodybuilder Milos Sarcev.
– Other Resources:
- AirDyne
- Kaatsu (use code BEN to save 5%)
- Neufit
- Katalyst
- GlycoFuse
- LiveO2
- Influence of Resistance Training Proximity-to-Failure on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
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Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Mike Pullano or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!
It would be nice to own an ARX but at $43K+ it’s obviously not marketed towards even the most ardent exercise enthusiast! In fact most people probably wouldn’t be able to spend $4,300 on one piece of gym gear. BUT, for those who can and do….no problem ENJOY!
@ Pascal it’s more advanced, you seemed to have missed the adaptive part on the eccentric. Jay Schroeder has some impressive numbers in his students with eccentric loads. Only some athletes utilize his ‘PIPES’ to excel the norm.
A cheaper alternative would be get a yogaband (non-elastic) and do max intensity for 30+ sec with really short breaks in correct angles for each muscle. This is the fastes way after ARX, loaded stretching, it’s from Neurocentric Athlete Training, Dr. Eric Cobb. Still do both when I have to money.
So May be the Isochain from coach Paul Wade could be efficient
Which is somehow more affordable for the
Another awesome dream machine
But I ll stick with x3 bar for the moment.
And a kind of carol bike protocol alternating between cycling and rowing.
Also have you already had a Word about the coolmitt stuff? Seems to have great impact on training.
From France friendly
Cute, only costs 100x more than a resistance band setup that allows the same exercises, including belt squats.