Gyakuto
Senior Master
This isn’t a new idea, I remember reading about it in ‘Flex’ back in the 80s, but this is the first time I’ve seen this backed up with a bit of evidence and I’m sure there’s more primary source out there. Essentially, the eccentric phase of any strength exercise - slowly lowering a dumbbell in a curl, for example - is significantly better for strength development that the concentric phase (curling phase) and it is perceived as being ‘easy’ and thus sustainable.
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I tried it at the gym this morning, using ‘cheat curls’ and lowering for the count of five, lowering into a squat for a count of five etc. It was nice to change things up a bit in my regime, I can feel the fatigue in the anterior of my legs, my triceps - biceps feels the same as usual post workout - etc. It does take a little longer to complete ones workout, however. I’ll give this a good try for a month and see if I make greater progress.
With regards my MA training, previously I would have repeatedly ‘pushed up‘ from a kneeling position for example, (the concentric phase of a movement) to strengthen my movement. Now I‘ll concentrate on slowly lowering myself into a kneeling position and getting up with the aid of something to push up on. Let’s see how this goes for a month!

Opposites Astonish - GATTEN! | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On Demand
Our topic this time is "opposite exercise," something that will improve your health and help you get your body toned. One woman whose leg muscles were weak enough that she had trouble standing up tried a certain "opposite exercise," and soon enough she was practically leaping out of her chair...
I tried it at the gym this morning, using ‘cheat curls’ and lowering for the count of five, lowering into a squat for a count of five etc. It was nice to change things up a bit in my regime, I can feel the fatigue in the anterior of my legs, my triceps - biceps feels the same as usual post workout - etc. It does take a little longer to complete ones workout, however. I’ll give this a good try for a month and see if I make greater progress.
With regards my MA training, previously I would have repeatedly ‘pushed up‘ from a kneeling position for example, (the concentric phase of a movement) to strengthen my movement. Now I‘ll concentrate on slowly lowering myself into a kneeling position and getting up with the aid of something to push up on. Let’s see how this goes for a month!