At last! A single simple-to-operate apparatus that effectively develops the all-important muscles of the body's great hinge mechanism - the hip joint - in both opening and closing; extending and flexing.
Despite its critical importance for human motion and posture, the hip joint has been basically neglected in terms of specific exercises and apparatus to improve its strength and functioning.
The primary hip extensor, the gluteus maximus, is the largest muscle in the human body. Very coarse in texture, it is heavily endowed with fast-twitch fibres. As a result it plays a central role in sports which involve sprinting and jumping. Conventional methods of strenthening and developing the glutes such as the barbell squat simultaneously activate the knee extensors or quadriceps. As a result optimal development of this vital muscle group is rarely achieved.
The MyoHip is unique as it is an accommodating or variable resistance machine which isolates the glutes and its synergistic muscles. Therefore the exerciser can focus on developing that muscle group. The possible range of movement for the exerciser on the MyoHip is 45° either side of the vertical, meaning that the included angle of the hip joint can extend from 45° to 135°, sufficient to ensure strong muscle activation.
The sequence below shows the apparatus being used in extension mode with the exerciser's back to the roller pads:
With modern sedentary lifestyles and the general aversion to walking anywhere, it is not surprising that many people have tight hip flexors which do not function effectively.
In order to use the MyoHip to develop and strengthen the hip flexors the exerciser simply changes their seating position to face the roller pads. The handgrips can be used if the pressure of the roller pads on the chest is uncomfortable. As in extension mode the exercise range can extend from 45° to 135° included angle of the hip joint.
In both extension and flexion modes the variable resistance mechanism compensates for gravitational attraction on the user's upper body. At the start of either movement the user has to overcome the effect of gravity on their trunk and head, while at the finish gravity makes it easier to push the roller pads. Therefore the machine's resistance is configured to become progressively greater throughout the exercise movement.
The sequence below shows the apparatus being used in flexion mode with the exerciser facing the roller pads:
Strengthening and developing the human body's great hinge, the hip joint
The MyoHip is an important addition to the exerciser's arsenal of strength-building equipment. For too long the muscles of the hip joint have been largely ignored. To some extent this could be because most exercises were originally developed and popularised by body builders whose desired body shape does not include large buttocks. They also have little interest in the hip flexor muscles since they are deep-seated and not visible.
However, for a large range of sports the hip extensors and flexors are vital. These include those sports where sprinting or jumping is involved and also rowing where the trunk swing is a major contributor to the power of the rowing stroke
Even more importantly a large proportion of the population experiences hip joint dysfunction. The MyoHip offers a very convenient and effective way to avoid these problems or to undertake rehabilitation.
Contact MyoQuip for further information or to obtain a quotation on the MyoHip. If you are located outside Australia we can quote in your own currency with alternative shipment options.
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