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Cartesian Gym

 Provides resistance in any direction.
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The grab handles on this weight machine are supported by pulleys in each axis plane. Cables are of the continuous loop variety, so that either a positive or negative displacement from dead center in any direction lifts the corresponding weight. Push on them, pull on them, hang from them or squeeze them together, it all is converted to gravitational lifting action.

Try not to get snagged in the cables in the process.

—RayfordSteele, Jun 22 2004

Cartesian http://www.google.c...h?hl=en&q=cartesian
[DesertFox, Jun 15 2005]

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       how does descartes fit into this? I like the idea. Like a regular gym machine, but with more variety and freedom. I don't work out because of the monotony, but I think that would take care of it.
—schematics, Jun 22 2004
   

       Decartes invented the Cartesian coordinate system. Should I rename to Euclidean perhaps?
—RayfordSteele, Jun 22 2004
   

       Easy to see how to build it, but I'm not clear on the exercizational benefit.
—DrCurry, Jun 22 2004
   

       "Ding dong."
"My, who could you be, you buff, brawny boy?"
"I'm the cable guy."
—FarmerJohn, Jun 23 2004
   

       //a positive or negative displacement from dead center in any direction lifts the corresponding weight. //   

       So there's six weights? +x, -x, +y, -y, +z, -z?
—robinism, Jun 23 2004
   

       The exercizational benefit is the same as any weights machine [DrCurry] but this one can be used in any way and therefor can train all the muscles in just one machine. Bravo [RayfordSteele]!
—harderthanjesus, Jun 23 2004
   

       I thought the whole point of weight training is the slow relaxation of the muscle after the inital lifting of a weight, thus stretching/straining the muscle.

With this system the muscle would be under constant strain from every direction and would never get into a resting position. Unless I have missed something in the idea.
—silverstormer, Jun 23 2004
   

       Maybe you misunderstand what is meant by relax. It's the opposite of contract, it doesn't mean that there is no effort, it's just the movement of the muscle. When you lift barbells you don't put them down after each lift, for example. The concept here is the same as other weights.
—harderthanjesus, Jun 23 2004
   

       No, I understand that. I have just reread the idea and believe I understand what is meant now.
I take it that in the 'dead center' position there is no exerted force upon the user?
—silverstormer, Jun 23 2004
   

       An unitentional slight, I assure you [contracts]. I meant your honour no harm.
—harderthanjesus, Jun 23 2004
   

       A descent work out in zero gravity. +   

       I see a problem with the muddle of cords all around the user. Could be solved by instead making the dead center a body suit, with five extensions reaching through to the center of each face in a small chamber (not one needed to go to the floor because of gravity), six if you're lost in space with 2fries.
—daseva, Jun 23 2004
   

       [silverstormer], yes, exactly.   

       There are only 3 sets of weight stacks needed. It works like this: the cables are a complete loop, with both ends attached to the grab handles. Pull one way, and you pull on cable +x, for example. Pull the other way, and you pull on cable -x, which if you follow around to the stacks, is the same cable.   

       Now, at the stack, the cables pass through a plate lifter that is actuated by tension in either the +x or -x cable. This can be accomplished by having a cable nut on each cable feeding in, and a central stack pull. So, yes, any direction you move from dead center would behave just like a normal weight machine, with the grab handles always wanting to return to dead center.   

       One of these days I'll buy a scanner so I can draw these things up.
—RayfordSteele, Jun 23 2004
   

       I thought cartesian had to do with maps or something. Hmmmm....   

       Yes it does. Looky linky.
—DesertFox, Jun 15 2005
   


 

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