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Dynamic Tension

Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method developed by Charles Atlas in the 1920s that involves tensing muscles against themselves while moving body parts. It combines isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic exercises by using muscle tension to resist movement instead of external weights. After being bullied as a child, Atlas developed Dynamic Tension by observing how animals like tigers maintain strength through pitting their own muscles against each other. Dynamic Tension became popular after Atlas used advertisements depicting a bully being stood up to by a formerly weak person who had used the method. It is commonly used in martial arts to help control tempo, apply power, and portray a stronger presence through techniques like tightening core muscles during movement.

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735 views1 page

Dynamic Tension

Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method developed by Charles Atlas in the 1920s that involves tensing muscles against themselves while moving body parts. It combines isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic exercises by using muscle tension to resist movement instead of external weights. After being bullied as a child, Atlas developed Dynamic Tension by observing how animals like tigers maintain strength through pitting their own muscles against each other. Dynamic Tension became popular after Atlas used advertisements depicting a bully being stood up to by a formerly weak person who had used the method. It is commonly used in martial arts to help control tempo, apply power, and portray a stronger presence through techniques like tightening core muscles during movement.

Uploaded by

jairo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

"Dynamic Tension" is the name Charles Atlas gave to the system of physical exercises that

he first popularized in the 1920s.


Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method which pits muscle against muscle. The
practitioner tenses the muscles of a given body part and then moves the body part against the
tension as if a heavy weight were being lifted. Dynamic Tension exercises are not
merely isometrics, since they call for movement. Instead, the method comprises a combination
of exercises in three disciplines: isotonic, isokinetic, and some exercises in the isometric
discipline.

History
After being bullied as a child, Charles Atlas joined the YMCA and began to do numerous
exercise routines. He became obsessed with strength. He said that one day he watched
a tiger stretching in the zoo and asked himself, "How does Mr. Tiger keep in physical
condition? Did you ever see a tiger with a barbell?" He concluded that lions and tigers became
strong by pitting muscle against muscle.
The story may be apocryphal, but it captures the essence of Atlas's innovation. There were
many other "isometric" courses available at the time, and sales took off only after Atlas used an
advertisement depicting a bully kicking sand in a weakling's face.[1] Some other notable users
of this method include Joe DiMaggio, Max Baer, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Robert
Ripley and Alan Wells.
Specifically, dynamic tension is a technique very commonly used within martial arts. It refers to
the "dynamic tension" literally applied using a person’s movements. Tightening core muscles
and applying dynamic tension allows a person to change the tempo of his or her movement.
The reconstruction of such movements gives a person more power and speed. That especially
becomes useful in performing or sparring. Taking a deep breath, exhaling slowly while
tightening the muscles, and sometimes even physically shaking the body part all portray a
stronger presence while one performs. Following dynamic tension could be a series of quick
movements to pick up the pace.
Dynamic tension is a technique that is universal and can be used on any movement or any
style.

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