Alexander Zass Isometrics And The Amazing Samson

Posted: Feb 07, 2010 | Views: 527 |

Alexander Zass, who was also known as the -- Amazing Samson -- is considered to be the father of modern-day isometric exercise.

Click Here for the >>> Best Bullworker type Isometric exerciser!

It is claimed that he built his incredible physique while a prisoner of war. He was chained by his hands and legs, and the only exercise he could do was pulling against his chains. In essence, an isometric contraction.

After his escape from prison, he became a circus strongman and traveled all around Europe performing feats of strength.

Interestingly enough, Alexander Zass refused to do feats of strength that required lifting weights. In fact, most people of his day felt that he acquired his physique by using free weights. However, Alexander Zass would publicly deny that his strength was the result of weightlifting.

Weightlifters of that day were very upset with his statements.

You see they all believed that he had developed his physique and strength by lifting weights. And that accounted for his ability to perform strongman stunts such as -- bursting chains that were wrapped around his chest. Little did they know that he acquired the skill while a prisoner of war .

Here Are Some Additional Facts about This Old-Time Strongman

Zass, born in Poland but later on relocated to Russia. Was captured by the German army during World War I and imprisoned. Finally, he escaped prison and returned to Russia.

Not much is known about his childhood days. Except for the fact that he first became impressed with strength and strong men -- when the circus came into town. Watching the circus performers motivated young Zass to begin exercising.

At first, he would climb trees to gain strength in his upper body. Later on he created some barbells and dumbbells and began working out with them.

He was one of the first individuals  that spoke about the concept of creating "Tendon Strength." In his book... "Samson Systems and Methods" he expounded on the idea that in order to be truly strong your tendons -- must be as strong or stronger than your muscles. That is what probably lead to his development of isometric exercise.

He concluded that in order to become strong you must develop your connective tissues -- the tendons -- before concentrating on strengthening the muscle fibers.

He reasoned that the best method to accomplish this was isometric exercises.

One of the interesting things that happened to him while in prison (because he escaped so often) is that they placed guards inside the cell with him. Unfortunately, for them it didn't work.

It is safe to assume that it is in prison where he learned how to break chains. Later on he developed an isometric workout that used a chain like device.

He even published a training program and instructional course that detailed his use of isometrics employing chains.

After the war, he visited London and performed his incredible feats of strength. The newspapers gave him the name -- Amazing Samson. He immediately became a superstar of his day.

As a result, he enjoyed a boom in the sale of his training courses and isometric exercise programs.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/bodybuilding-articles/alexander-zass-isometrics-and-the-amazing-samson-1831679.html

    Article Tags:

    alexander zass

    ,

    alexander zass isometric

    ,

    alexander zass isometric exercise

    ,

    alexander zass samson

    ,

    alexander zass course

    ,

    alexander zass isometric exerciser

    ,

    alexander zass isometric exercise equipment

    There are two areas which need to be covered when talking about the truth about six pack abs. Exercise and a right diet are the two main elements that can affect your abs. In fact, you won't get suffer from diet even you can have many delicious diet foods. You just have to perform exercise in the right techniques in order to get in shape quickly.

    By: Shortcuts to Six Packl Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 24, 2012
    nathall

    Among the various pharmacological agents that may be included in the arsenal of a bodybuilder, weightlifter, there is a group of drugs that has not yet acquired a well-deserved popularity.

    By: nathalll Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 24, 2012
    Christian Spears

    Do you think your fitness routine is enough to get you in shape? Are you under the mistaken belief that you can just go burn off at the gym any type of food you put in your body and that you will build muscle? If you have answered yes to both of these questions you are wrong!

    By: Christian Spearsl Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 23, 2012

    For the true methods of muscle building read this eye opening article for tips and tricks to quickly add mass to your physique. Cramped full of quailty information and easily digestible for readers

    By: Ben Johnsonl Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 22, 2012
    nathall

    The major effects of anabolic steroids in sports during the initial period of admission are as follows: rapid increase in muscle mass (assuming a sufficient concentration in the diet of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements), and to prevent it falling into the period of heavy training loads.

    By: nathalll Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 21, 2012
    Frank Sherrill

    If you're looking for or giving thought to buying the Bodylastics Terrell Owens exercise bands, then you definitely must start reading every word of this post!

    By: Frank Sherrilll Sports and Fitness> Muscle Buildingl Sep 27, 2010 lViews: 156
    Frank Sherrill

    Muscle confusion is a methodology employed to increase optimum lean muscle growth and progress. This really is a training or exercise protocol that is developed to stop muscle plateauing. Read this article and discover exactly what is the muscle confusion workout!

    By: Frank Sherrilll Sports and Fitness> Bodybuildingl May 19, 2010 lViews: 213
    Frank Sherrill

    It's been a long time since Bruce Lee passed on. Yet still on the net, a large number of guys daily continue to search for the Bruce Lee Exercise program. Look at this post and get the full Bruce Lee workout.

    By: Frank Sherrilll Sports and Fitness> Martial Artsl May 18, 2010 lViews: 417
    Frank Sherrill

    If you are not making use of specific exercises for bow hunting then you might be probably missing the target more frequently than not. You might think that lack of technique or not getting the proper gear is the reason why, however in fact even as get older, we all suffer a loss of muscular strength and staying power. The only solution is strength training for bow hunting.

    By: Frank Sherrilll Sports and Fitness> Archeryl May 17, 2010 lViews: 219
    Frank Sherrill

    Within this Ryan Reynolds workout Deadpool vs. Wolverine article you'll find out the dissimilarities in the secrets and techniques which transformed Reynolds in to a buff, 6-pack featuring superhero. Get all the details now.

    By: Frank Sherrilll Sports and Fitness> Muscle Buildingl May 16, 2010 lViews: 675
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast