Concentric training focuses on the muscle-shortening phase of movement, which is typically the "lifting" or "pressing" portion of an exercise. It plays a vital role in strength development and muscular efficiency.
🔍 Understanding Muscle Movement
There are two key phases of muscle movement:
-
Concentric phase: This is when the muscle shortens while producing force.
- Examples:
- Pressing up during a bench press
- Lifting the bar during a deadlift
- Examples:
- Eccentric phase: This is when the muscle lengthens while under tension, such as lowering the weight back down.
Concentric Training on the Concept2 StrengthErg
The Concept2 StrengthErg is designed to focus exclusively on concentric movements. This approach offers several unique benefits:
- ✅ Reduces strain from eccentric loading
- ✅ Maximizes control and efficiency during the lifting phase
- ✅ Enhances recovery by eliminating resistance between reps
During use, resistance is only applied during the rep itself. Once the rep is complete, there is no resistance during the return, allowing that portion to serve as a recovery phase.
📘 Learn More
For a deeper dive into the benefits and science behind concentric training, check out our blog posts: