The Bison-1 forearm strength training equipment was constructed by a Belarusian scientist Nikolai Sotsky in 1992. Bison-1 is often referred to as a "gym in a bag". It is the first piece of forearm equipment that allows three-dimensional movements, thus, simulating the bio-mechanics of human joints. About 30 muscles of a forearm and other upper-body are involved in a strength training workout simultaneously, and a complete quantity of possible forearm exercise variations exceeds 100,000.
Bison-1 is designed for
forearm and arm muscle strength training
with a simultaneous accent on cardiovascular system training
. The biggest advantage of this forearm training equipment
is its ability to provide freedom of exercise variations, giving it a more natural effect versus the basic dumbbell or other weightlifting forearm strength workouts
at the gym, where you are almost always given one or two directions of motion. The second advantage is that during the regular arm and forearm workouts
at the gym, the motion direction is only determined by the construction of given machine, while Bison-1, by giving more forearm and wrist motion freedom, involves even the most neglected deeper forearm muscles
by allowing to implement the same type of exercise in different positions and with different ways of holding the equipment's handles, thus, more thorough wrist and forearm muscle tension
. The result of such forearm workout is five to seven times more efficient when focusing on muscle strength
, leading to considerable decreases in chances of arm injuries in joints, muscles, and tendons
. The original design of Bison-1 was built on what we learned back in school – basic forces of friction. As a result we managed to practically eliminate the motion momentum, gravity inertia, and returning to starting position motions (which waste 50% of the workout - unnecessary time and energy loss) - the third advantage. The simple and yet genius design of the forearm equipment offers a wide range of load resistance and resistance variations depending on the speed of strength training exercises.
These unmatched advantages are what is keeping Bison-1 equipment ahead of the
forearm strength training
race - there is no other exerciser that can match the simplicity of operation, portability, freedom of movement, flexibility of a training environment, and of course, as an outcome of all that – efficiency and unbeatable results.
Compared to other traditional
forearm equipment
, Bison-1 exerciser allows free all-directional motions, creating more natural muscle workout effect.
Thanks to this advantage, the forearm muscles develop more efficiently with Bison-1, which results in the mentioned above five to seven times faster progress in
muscular and tendon strength training
.
Bison-1 requires no specific training environment, due to its size and weight (weight – 3.3 lbs., dimensions: 2x2x18 in.), the equipment can be easily dismantled into two or three parts, each not exceeding 7.5 inches.
The forearm exerciser can be easily placed inside a brief case! That’s why it can be a companion on your vacations, business trip, office work, 3...etc.; you can use it while watching TV or waiting in a traffic jam, thus, using your time more efficiently.
- Thanks to load adjustment options, Bison-1 can be used by professional athletes (weightlifters, athletes, wrestlers, volleyball, hockey, tennis players …etc.), average people not involved in sports, and rehabilitation center patients, in order to restore muscular performance in wrists and forearms.
- Bison-1 is very simple to deal with; the equipment is very self explanatory, and it takes a minute to understand the adjustment, dismantling, and assembling procedures once you get it in your hands.
- The forearm equipment introduces a revolutionary approach in training devices design, never ever applied in any other device.
The resistance is generated through friction forces. The exerciser engages a friction system inside, that’s why its users are not required to deal with inertia of weights, or other weightlifting devices like dumbbells and barbells, being a negative factor in muscle training efficiency.
Besides, it is unpractical to scatter your energy. For example, 10 times lifting of the weights up must be alternated with 10 times bringing them down.
This is a waste of strength, energy, and fatigue. Thankfully you never deal with this problem here by applying the same load equally with much higher efficiency. In addition, the device presents no chances of accidental injury during the workout.
When using the Bison-1 forearm equipment you can make over 100,000 exercises for
strength training
of arms, forearms, wrists, and fingers, as well as for cardiovascular system training. With Bison-1 anyone can design an individual set of exercises for optimal and fast progress.
Bison-1 provides ability for a full range of wrist motions, which helps simulate any type of natural wrist movement, and combined with smooth resistance adjustment feature, you are able to train your wrist, forearm muscles, and grip along the full amplitude of motion. The same ability for full range of motion provides muscle and tendon stretching during the workout. The equipment can also be used in warmups and stretching for grip, wrist, and forearm dynamic stretching. Flexibility is also one of the core factors in strength training, and dramatically decreases chances of injuries during intense activities involving lower arms.
Due to the all-directional movement, the trainee is able to co-train up to 30 different muscles simultaneously, from different angles, and along their full length.
Thus, as compared to traditional training devices and exercises, idle muscles are also involved during forearm training with Bison-1. Due to the all-directional movement, you will also be able to train the forearm muscles along their full length and from different angles! This is one of the core factors in strength training, as you must train your muscles and tendons to the fullest extend for maximum engagement to get them ready for the maximum range of activities.
- Widest range of applications: from training in over 20 kinds of sports to exercise therapy, post-injury recovery, and post-illness rehabilitation, efficient relaxation after long computer work and attractive game-plays with children.
- Long service life (if applied properly, the device can last for decades).
- And, AT LAST !, a great appreciation, given by many European technical councils, military, organizations, and individuals well-known in the world of sport (for details see Awards section).
The theory and reasons behind such efficiency and effectiveness of Bison-1 are explained in detail in the Bison-1 Explained article.
The equipment (see fig.1,2) consists of two spherical hinges, each comprising a fixing ring (1) with a ball (2) inside of it. The balls are attached to metal rods (3) that are firmly fixed to handles (4). Fixing rings have threading on the internal surface and are screwed onto a coupling bushing (5). Friction elements (6) are located between the balls and bush-ends. Lock-nuts (7) hold the rings in the necessary position on the external surface of the coupling bushing.
Figure 1. Bison-1 Components. | Figure 2. Bison-1 Side-cut Draft.
|
Forearm strength training equipment Bison-1 simulates natural movements of a human body, presenting a fundamental principle of bio-mechanics and kinesiology: "Similar develops similar". The easy mechanism of load adjustment allows the ability to work on all possible joint movements in all three dimensions, while exercising with Bison-1, you will be in full control of your motion directions and load resistance, thus, precisely controlling the energetic tension of the exercises performed. As a result of the personal custom exercises, you will be able to work deeper and smaller muscles and tendons that are almost always neglected by other arm exercises, or regain functionality in your lower arm after a big injury. It is in fact the deeper muscles and tendons that give you functional muscle and joint strength, versus the general strength gained at the gym.
Functional strength is much more important than general in sports and everyday performance. Functional strength allows to safely perform a wide range of motions requiring considerable muscle strength. Think of it as UFC versus classical "no-contact" Karate, running versus walking, three dimensions versus two dimensions, performance versus looks…in simple terms it is just much more effective and efficient!
The strength exerciser Bison-1 differs considerably from the traditional methods of exercising. The results of forearm strength training with Bison-1 are shown on the pictures below. These are not visual effects or tricks; these nails are eight inches long and a quarter-inch thick, tied into complicated knots with bare hands. 99.5% percent of the world population are not able to even slightly budge them, not even talking about tying knots like these. The first knot got a name of the Sotsky's knot, and is made by Nikolai Sotsky, while the other two were given to him, as souvenirs, by other users of Bison-1. Although you may never be attacked by a pair of such nails in real life, it is a demonstration of how strong your grip, wrists, and forearms become after training with Bison-1!
 Figure 3. Sotsky's Knot. |  Figure 4. Complex Knot
(1/4 x 8 in. steel nails). |  Figure 5. Complex Knot
(1/4 x 8 in. steel nails). |
ATTENTION: the efficiency and simplicity of Bison-1 has practically, no analogues in sports forearm strength training worldwide!
Anyone, who tries exerciser Bison-1 will feel a true increase of rock-solid muscle strength in their forearms. This phenomenon is demonstrated by the graph below, generated during the course of a science experiment:
Figure 6. Hand strength development over 21 days of using Bison-1.
Sotsky's forearm exercise equipment Bison-1 can be used for overall upper body strength and endurance development, with main focus on forearms, wrists, and grip. This training is important for various combat-type sports: wrestling, MMA, box / kick-boxing, karate…etc.; arm wrestling, weight-lifting, games like tennis, volleyball, basketball, handball, baseball, football, gold; gymnastics, different types of throwing sports in track-and-field athletics, archery, climbing, sailing, swimming, rowing and so on. The equipment be can effectively used during strength training for many types of dangerous occupations including a lot of arm activities(special forces, security, military, bodyguards and so on), as well as general strength training classes in schools, colleges, universities, groups of aerobics or fitness, and especially - bodybuilding. Using the exerciser for the purpose of recovery from traumas of support or motion apparatus, as well as for some coordination damaging diseases has shown outstanding results. The small size and weight of Bison-1 equipment, possibility of smooth and precise regulation of the resistance load in a wide range allows it to be used during individual trainings at home (while watching television), office (10-15 min. daily workouts during breaks or lunches to refresh upper body muscles), on a business trip, or even during camping and hiking. Bison-1 strength training exerciser proudly keeps the title of the gym in a bag…or briefcase, or backpack – you make the choice!
Bison-1 is already used by professional athletes and average people around the world, and is now finally coming to the United States. This forearm equipment is strongly recommended by athletes for all types of sports where arm and hand strength are important (see Testimonials). Due to its three-dimensional movement Bison-1 is able to stress even the deeper muscles of forearms; with 100,000 exercises it is up to each individual to choose the exact muscles and functional wrist movements to work on. Due to the same three-dimensional movement ability of the exerciser it is able to mimic almost all of the hand motions used in sports: jiu-jitsu gripping and holding, MMA punching, baseball pitching, climbing, swimming, tennis racket twists, golf trajectory development, football passing..etc. The number of variations is practically unlimited due to numerous degrees of freedom of the device spherical elements and it's further multiplied by:
- plane of rotation (frontal plane, horizontal plane, vertical plane)
- position with respect to the body - behind, in front, and the side
- different vertical levels - above the head, at the head level, chest level, waist level
- position of palms on the handles
- in combination with arm and body movements
However, how important is forearm development in sports? You think you have reached your full potential in forearm strength? These are the questions that triggered the development of Bison-1. Strict focus on all the core factors of functional forearm strength training were integrated and packed into the small-size piece of equipment. It is impossible to fully train your forearms, wrists, and grip by simply using other options offered on the market, they are simply insufficient for modern sports and training techniques. Your true functional strength can only be fully trained with Bison-1.
However, maybe you are an office worker or a traveling agent? - Bison-1 will work perfectly for you as well.
Men's Fitness, April 2002 states "Most denizens of corporate America could classify their forearms as vestigial muscles--tasks such as typing and surfing the Web pose serious injury risks to grossly underdeveloped flexors and extensors." Sure many of active individuals will state that working those forearms in the gym does the job, however, let's look at those types of workouts closer. Yes, heavy dumbbells and barbells sure do increase the general forearm and wrist grip strength, however, it is only a partial bidirectional strength. Working out with Bison-1, focuses on the functional strength, on performance improvement, which decreases risks of finger, wrist, and elbow injuries, instead of focusing on the traditional static motions. Bison-1 not only will deliver the impressive forearm look, but more importantly - develop the performance strength athletes around the world are looking for.
Although Bison-1 is an ideal forearm strength exerciser for professional athletes, it is also a hard to match alternative for businessmen, law enforcement, military, as well as preventative and post rehabilitation device. Bison-1 easily fits in a suit case, and only takes 10-15 minutes out of a day to train; to be honest, that is how much, and most likely more, I spend waiting for red lights and traffic on the way to work! Spend 10 minutes during your break at work, at least every other day, and you will feel a noticeable increase in forearm strength, finger and wrist coordination while typing (trust me, I am a web developer - programmer, I do a lot of typing), and noticeable pain relief. On the other hand, if you start noticing red knuckles on your hands and finger joint pains, Bison-1 will help you to work those joints, decreasing chances and getting rid of joint diseases and irritation caused by overwhelming typing on a computer or a typewriter.
What, if you are in law enforcement, firefighting, or military? Well, the importance of forearm exercising here is vital and life-saving! Hand-to-hand fighting, armed combat, throwing, pushing, pulling, and other activities that involve arms require a lot of forearm and grip strength. Again, we need functional strength, as there are usually no dumbbells in a combat that need to be curled. There were many cases in law enforcement, as well as firefighting when lives were lost and suspects escaped due to poor physical shape of firefighters or LE agents. We believe that Bison-1 just may help someone save person's life, and that is the biggest result this equipment will ever achieve!
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