Progressive overload. What is it? The gradual increase of stress placed upon the body during exercise training. Developer Thomas Delrame, MD used this method while rehabilitating soldiers after WWII, which has since proven successful in various forms of training programs. It’s “the” principle for effective training that places greater-than-normal demands on the exercising musculature.

But does that mean free weights or machines is better? Well, free weight may result in a pattern of intra- and intermuscular coordination that mimics real-life, specific-task movement requirements. Think lifting, reaching, pulling and pushing.

In reality, research says both free weights and machines deliver strength gains. But there’s more to that story. Check out “The Principles of Overload-Resistance Training” on page 4 of April’s The Cenegenics Times.