Fluid Power Resistance

HealthMax Pro uses efficient, easy-to-use Hydraulic Fluid Power Technology. Just dial in your personal resistance level to any of the 12 settings included, and you're ready to go. This is truly unique and convenient. And since the settings are numbered, repeating a specific exercise at the desired resistance is easy. What's more, you can also vary the resistance to give you firm positive resistance on the return stroke.

Once you've set your personal resistance level, HealthMax Pro's cylinders give you multivariable resistance throughout each exercise stroke. In simple terms, this means the more you try, the more resistance you get. The HealthMax Pro cylinders continually adjust to the force you exert with a responding amount of resistance. This design means that they automatically adjust to match the natural strength curve of each muscle you're working.

If you reach a point in a stroke where you can't push any further, HealthMax Pro will automatically reduce the resistance level so you can complete the exercise at a slower pace. (You can't hurt yourself.) Most exercise systems cannot do this, because they do not have variable resistance. Instead, they don't allow you to complete an exercise if you have reached maximum exertion. And that prematurely ends your workout before you've fully exercised through the entire range of motion.

The resistance graphs located here show the key difference:
Resistance curve

This graph shows HealthMax Pro's multivariable resistance. As you gather muscle strength throughout each stroke, the resistance increases to match the force--you exert... and then, as you approach the end of the stroke and exert less force, resistance eases off. HealthMax Pro conforms to your natural muscle strength curve and allows you to reach full muscle workout. All this results in a better work-out for you.

The equivalent resistance in pounds of force is related to the speed of the exercise. In general, at 21 repetitions per minute, the resistance is adjustable from Level 1 at 25 lbs to Level12 at 200 lbs.

Resistance curve

This graph shows a linearly increasing resistance system like the Soloflex system. It varies resistance with rubber weight straps. This design means that resistance is constantly increasing throughout each stroke. It ignores the physiological fact that your muscles don't work that way. When your natural muscle strength curve calls for your body to ease up at the end of each stroke, the weight bands are applying maximum resistance. This can be a frustrating and much less safe approach to exercise. Bowflex does not have multivariable resistance. The Bowflex strength curve starts out easier at the beginning and gets harder toward the end.