Electronic dumbells

**Luffers** · 27-01-2009 10:00 AM

Is this the future???

Electronic dumbbells - Features | Galleries | Technology | Gadgets - MSN Tech & Gadgets UK

**MaxRep** · 27-01-2009 10:16 AM

Never replace the blood, sweat & tears from the mighty bench and squat rack

**coma** · 27-01-2009 10:33 AM

Interesting, kind of reminds me of that futurama where he had a barbell with adjustable gravity!

I kind of wonder where the force is applied here though and why the rotational force makes it feel heavier.

**MaxRep** · 27-01-2009 10:38 AM

I think the key word here being 'feel' heavier.. Im very sceptical whether it would be able to convince your muscles, however...

**NU_nutrition_TS** · 27-01-2009 11:04 AM

Gyroscopics and angular momentum. The sensation will not be the same as lifting a dead weight against gravity and the effect will be closer to isokinetic contraction of the muscle than either isotonic or isometric contraction.

I'd like to invent a system that uses an empty bar that contains induction-powered electromagnets in each end which, in turn, are held within an electro-inductive and electro magnetic field. Sensors incorporated into the system and connected to a sophisticated computer control system would adjust the strength of the electromagnetic attraction/repulsion between the surrounding field and the ends of the bar so that a continually adjusted and optimum opposing force could be applied to the muscles. No need to load/deload weight discs, no need to work out 1 rep max's or working weights...it all works on feedback from your own working muscles applying the right degree of resistance at all points within the movement.

**King** · 27-01-2009 11:07 AM

Regardless of how well it works the idea is still pretty pimp.

**bib-bib** · 27-01-2009 11:12 AM

Interesting. Would like to see how it feels.
I guess slightly similiar to a powerball... If they actually work well then it would be good to see what other application they could have.

**coma** · 27-01-2009 12:05 PM

I still don't like this idea. I don't understand quite how rotational inertia is supposed to replace weight and resist a vertical lift, or in fact a lift about any axis since dumbells have a myriad of different applications it would need to resist any directional change.

My guess is that this product hasn't made it off of the designer's photoshop and that he still has to consult engineers about building a prototype, especially since just syncing up the gyroscopic balls for stability is going to be a task in itself.

**CoN** · 27-01-2009 12:10 PM

the force in those powerballs are freakily strong

looks good for people on the move

**Cakeface** · 27-01-2009 01:51 PM

Rotary inertia does resist any force which acts on it, just not in the same way weight does if you're not used to handling gyroscopes the direction of the resultant force could take you by surprise.

http://www.gyroscopes.org/how.asp