THE PHYSICS OF FITNESS BIOMECHANICS- ONLINE COURSE

GOLD CERTIFICATION – Course Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online Course only*                             Price: US$ 385+ Tax
Includes:
• A copy of “The Physics of Fitness”, by Doug Brignole (PDF Version). This is the Manual for the course
• Accredited Certificate for passing the Final Online Exam (+70% min. passing mark required)

Course Description

This course explains the physics that are involved in resistance exercise, as well as the “rules” of ideal anatomical movement for each target muscle, and the neurological conflicts-of-interest associated with certain simultaneous joint activations.

Knowing these factors allows us to accurately assess each resistance exercise for efficiency (percentage of actual muscle loading, in relation to the amount of weight being used), productivity (quality of muscle stimulation based on whether or not the exercise provides an ideal resistance curve, complete range of motion, adequate alignment, etc.), as well as risk of injury (whether a joint is being twisted, weaker supporting muscles are being over-loaded, “mechanical disadvantage” is occurring simultaneous to maximum “moment arm” loading, etc.

In short, this information allows a trainer to identify and recommend exercises that are optimally effective for muscle development and strength building, while minimizing wasted effort and potential risk of injury.

 

 

What is “Brignole Biomechanics” Trainer Certification, and Why Is It Valuable ?

“Biomechanics” is the study of human anatomy (the musculoskeletal system and the neurology that applies to it) and physics – combined.

Any exercise that involves “resistance”—whether from free weights, cable machines, elastic bands, body weight, etc. —involves physics, which dictates specific principles resulting in magnification of force.

Any kind of anatomical movement can be evaluated by understanding the anatomy—what constitutes “natural” and “efficient” motion, and also how the Central Nervous System responds to various motions. Some motions are very safe, while others are not so safe—or even dangerous. Some motions are more productive, while others are less productive—or even useless.

Anyone who is in the business of “teaching” resistance exercise, SHOULD understand biomechanics as it relates to resistance exercise. Biomechanics knowledge allows a person to select “better” exercises (more efficient, more productive and more safe), and avoid exercises that areinefficient, compromised in their degree of productivity, and potential injurious.

Doug Brignole is the author of “The Physics of Fitness”, which is endorsed by ten scholars (Ph.D. professors) and three orthopedic surgeons. He is the leading authority on the topic of “resistance exercise, as applied to resistance exercise”.

Brignole Biomechanics is the official Trainer Certification program, which teaches the principles that allows a trainer to optimize exercise results, and minimize exercise injury risk. This curriculum is offered internationally, in multiple languages, with the goal of standardizing the principles which lead to the best fitness results, with the least amount of wasted effort, in the safest possible manner.

As one example of how an exercise can be evaluated for biomechanical efficiency, consider the following.

The amount of resistance (load) placed upon a person’s triceps (a person who weighs 180 pounds), during “Parallel Bar Dips”, is approximately 119 pounds per arm. Conversely, the amount of resistance (load) placed upon a person’s triceps, during “Supine (flat bench) Dumbbell Triceps Extensions”—using only 20 pounds in each hand (40 pounds total) is approximately 240 pounds. This is due to the angle of the forearm during each of these two exercises.

Needless to say, it’s foolish to put out more effort and get less benefit, when a “better” option is available, which provides more benefit with less effort.

The following factors determine the efficiency, productivity and safety of a resistance exercise.

1. The angle of a target muscle’s “operating lever” (limb), as it relates to a given direction of resistance.

2. The angle at which a muscle pulls on its corresponding limb, depending on the degree of bend at the joint.

3. The length of an “operating lever” (limb or combined limbs).

4. The “resistance curve”—the sequential variations of resistance, as a limb travels through an arc / range of motion.

5. Where a limb is—during an exercise—relative to the “base” or the “apex”.

6. Whether an exercise has “alignment”—i.e., is on the same plane as the direction of motion, and the direction of resistance, and the origin / insertion of the target muscle— or not.

7. Whether or not the direction of resistance originates from a position that is directly opposite the origin of a target muscle.

8. Whether a joint is moving as it designed to move, or is being moved in a unnatural direction.

9. Whether or not a limb is being moved directly toward a target muscle’s origin.

10. Whether an exercise is being performed with full range of motion, partial range of motion, or no range of motion.

11. Whether or not “bi-lateral” deficit is being avoided.

12. Whether or not “reciprocal innervation” is being avoided.

13. Whether or not “active insuffiency” and “passive insuffiency” are being avoided.

14. Whether or not a weaker, non-target muscle interferes (fatigues first) with the adequate loading of a stronger target muscle.

15. Whether or not an exercise is being performed in a stable environment.

If a trainer does not know these factors, he (or she) is not sufficiently well-informed to “teach” resistance exercise.

Brignole Biomechanics teaches these biomechanical principles to trainers—and provides them with that certification—thereby ensuring that clients who receive “resistance exercise” instruction from those trainers are being optimally “trained” for best results, least wasted effort, and least risk of injury.

Before you hire a trainer, ask them if they are “Brignole Biomechanics” certified. If they suggest to you that they “don’t need that”, ask them if they understand any of the concepts mentioned above. If they don’t understand all of them (and worse—if they don’t understand ANY of them), you will not be receiving optimum resistance training instruction.

You will be working much harder than you need to; you will be getting much less benefit than you could be getting; and you will experience a much greater risk of injury than necessary—if your trainer is not Brignole Biomechanics certified.

 

 

Background of The Course

 

Every year, thousands of youth and young adults begin a resistance training program in an attempt to enlarge their muscle size for enhanced physical appearance or to increase their muscle strength for improved athletic performance. Most of these new fitness enthusiasts do standard resistance exercises as recommended by fitness professionals, personal trainers, and friends, or as presented in books, magazines, and websites. These standard resistance exercises are generally effective for the first few months of training, during which time most new participants experience gains in muscle size and strength. However, sooner or later, they encounter either an exercise-related injury or a muscle-development plateau. One reason for these unintended occurrences is that many popular resistance exercises present a relatively high risk of injury, a relatively low training stimulus to the target muscles, or both.

When faced with exercise-related injuries, most people discontinue their resistance training program altogether. When faced with muscle development plateaus, many people increase their training volume by performing more exercises and more sets of each exercise. For those who have less favorable musculoskeletal genetics, high-volume resistance training typically leads to overuse injuries that can become chronic problems. For those who have more favorable musculoskeletal genetics, high-volume resistance training may be effective for eliciting additional gains in muscle size and strength. However, adherence to high-volume resistance training programs is physically demanding, mentally challenging, and time-consuming.

Thankfully, there is a safe and productive alternative to high-volume resistance training based on more appropriate exercise selection and more effective exercise performance. In this comprehensive resistance training textbook, Doug Brignole presents a physics perspective for maximizing muscle development by doing the right exercises and doing the exercises right. Doug applies his extensive knowledge of biomechanics to both the principles of resistance training and the practicals of exercise performance.

The first 17 book chapters clearly explain the physics principles that are essential for optimal performance of all resistance exercises. Doug demonstrates an unusual ability to simplify complex biomechanical concepts through excellent examples and precise illustrations, so that readers can make appropriate practical applications to their exercise selection and execution.

The next 8 book chapters discuss specific resistance exercises for essentially all of the larger and smaller muscles. Doug details the strengths and weaknesses of various exercises, presents the most effective exercises for enhancing muscle development and avoiding injuries, and describes how to properly perform these exercises for best results.

Doug’s understanding of physics principles and musculoskeletal biomechanics is exceptionally impressive, as are the physique titles that he has achieved by putting this knowledge into practice throughout his 40-plus years of championship bodybuilding. As a former Mr. California, Mr. America, and Mr. Universe, Doug certainly knows how to train hard in the weight room. Equally important, Doug also knows how to train safely and efficiently (with fewer exercises and sets), by ensuring that each exercise provides maximum stimulus to the target muscle(s). If you would like to enhance your muscle development with more productive exercises that offer lower injury risk and higher training effect, then you are reading the right book. You will definitely gain greater understanding of how your muscles work, how to work your muscles, and how to think critically about each exercise that you perform. After reading and contemplating Doug’s physics-based analyses of resistance exercises, I made some beneficial changes in my strength training program. I am pretty confident that you will also make some advantageous exercise modifications in your strength training program.

Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D.

Professor of Exercise Science, Quincy College, Quincy, Massachusetts
Author of 28 strength training books/textbooks