A program of exercise is tailored to
each subject's level of strength, endurance and work capability.
Pre- and post-regimen lung tests are administered as well as tests
to evaluate physical ability to labor. Workouts are 2 or 3 times
per week with at least a day of rest between workouts. The
objective is to improve overall performance of all muscles involved
with respiration, thus providing the subject with more vitality and
capacity for greater labor.
The workout program on both
XLATOR and NLATOR is designed on the set and rep system of
exercise. A warm-up session using extremely light resistance is
followed by a session utilizing low repetitions against moderate to
heavy resistance to develop strength, a session with time-extended
work to develop deep, total muscle use, and finally a session using
slightly heavier resistance which gently and gradually introduces
muscle tissue to the more advanced levels of work in future
workouts.
The main object of the
exercise program is to improve the efficiency of breathing. Working
out on THE HEART-LUNG GYM™ strengthens the force behind the
endeavor, increases the strength of gaseous exchange and increase
the volume of air exchanged. The aim of the program is to improve
breathing in a body under duress and when the occasion arises, to
improve the ability to cough and clean congested airways.
A complete HEART-LUNG
GYM workout takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour. Three
days a week is by far the most productive schedule to follow.
The first section of use
with XLATOR is a warm-up—against no resistance and with no
restriction on the volume of air used by the subject. This involves
simply breathing into the XLATOR, gently or robustly, according to
the subject's wishes. This is to prepare the subject for future
exercise and to encourage the subject to choose his/her own best
type of preparation. Often, this warm-up will inspire coughing. If
there is congestion, such as mucous in the airways, it is usually
cleared away.
Click to see the XLATOR!!!
Next, the selected weights
are placed on the barbell, the volume contrail is positioned, the
pacer set, and the workout begins. Three sets of 6 repetitions is
the first command. These are done with a rest of approximately 3 to
15 seconds between reps and a rest of 30 seconds to 1 minute between
sets. (Rest time will vary according to the health status and
recuperative ability of the subject.) This section of the workout
is designed to improve strength and encourage speed or force. The
object is to blow as hard and fast as possible. (The volume of air
the subject exhausts is controlled by pre-selected settings, either
on the machine or control panel, a safety factor which prohibits any
endeavor beyond a designated point.)
The second section of the
workout is designed to build endurance. One set of 12 repetitions
is attempted with no rest between reps. The object is fast,
explosive efforts done for a longer period of time. Both the weight
and the volume used in the previous section are maintained. This
effort is designed to induce lung labor in excess of any other the
subject would be exercising in "normal" activity. (The subject is
always in control. The machine never demands more than the subject
wishes to accomplish and never forces an exercise the subject does
not feel capable of doing. The subject can slow down or stop at any
time.)
After this section, a rest
of 1 or 2 minutes is taken, or longer if subject needs more time to
recoup. However, every effort should be made to stay within the
prescribed rest period.
The third section of the
workout is called "All Out." In this segment, the switch
controlling the amount of volume the subject can use is removed.
Now maximum amount of air are expended. Total volume is the goal.
The weight remains the same with strength, speed and volume being
paramount. Only 2 repetitions are done with a long rest between.
Following this, another 1
or 2 minute rest is taken.
The fourth and final
section is call "Extra Reps." The volume control is replaced at the
original setting. This section is designed to expose the subject to
slightly more resistance than used previously, slowly preparing the
body for what will be demanded in workouts to come. Usually 3
single repetitions are done with about 15 seconds rest between.
Resistance is increased approximately 10/10 above that used
previously.
Thus ends the XLATOR
workout. Utilizing the NLATOR is very similar, each section of the
workout progressing in the same way.
Click to see the NLATOR!
Following the NLATOR
workout, the two units are connected so that they may be used in
sequence. This workout level depends entirely upon the subject's
ability to perform this kind of labor.
Working out on XLATOR and
NLATOR in combination ranges from 3 to 21 reps. The process is
short, as only 1 set is attempted. The resistance is reduced from
the amount used in individual unit workouts. The object is to
exercise lung muscle in a continuous manner and produce as much
endurance as possible. (Again, the subject is never forced beyond
his/her ability or required to attempt more repetitions than is
comfortable.)
All efforts with the XLATOR
and NLATOR workout are recorded. If the subject tires and cannot
complete the entire workout, the session ends. The next workout, 2
days later, attempts to improve upon what has been accomplished and
perhaps advance the goals set previously. The concludes a total
workout on THE HEART-LUNG GYM™. For additional information,
contact: 32 Llanfair Road, Ardmore, PA 19003 or call Mr. Edward
Fitz at 610-896-6853.
