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Dear Dr. Schwartz-

I semi-discovered Heavyhands on my own, then found your Heavyhands book. I've had many years of great exercise as a result. I have noticed, though, that some exercise "experts" warn against doing Heavyhands, apparently because of the pressor reflex induced by static muscle contraction.  Their concern seems to be that the pressor reflex will increase blood pressure to unhealthy levels.

Any comments?

Thanks,
Adam

Adam,

Your question is well taken and I regret that, except in a superficial way I can't begin to answer it sufficiently. Actually, I am particularly and personally interested the question and may have done more of my share of reading on the subject!

Indeed, the subject of some sort of 'reactive hypertensive response to' upper body exercise, particularly, resistive type exercise is quite important.  When I matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh, over 60 years ago, their medic pronounced me hypertensive at that tender age!  That was long before my investigation of Heavyhands!

Both my parents were discovered as hypertensive early in their adult lives. In our family, surely no member should have taken up many types of systematic exertion without the advice an especially savvy physician. 

In our hh class that continued for some 5 years there were many, many spontaneous 'hypotensive' responses to lowering of the arterial blood pressure- and a glut of happily surprised family type doctors in attendance.

I cannot prove that for 30 years these folks have enjoyed slow hearts and low blood pressures due in part to the 'muscleloading' aspect of this exercise. As you doubtlessly know, none of us can afford to take this measurement for granted. It is too often the seat of disease processes far beyond a pressor effect.  Also, one must be aware of the problem and probably not be too presumptuous of the complicated role of exercise as a health measure.

If I had the opportunity to redo these decades I would continue to opt for a muscle loading combined resistive/aerobic variety. Yet one must keep carefully in mind that biological systems do not always behave as they're expected to. Sometimes the reasons for that are impossible to fathom. Sometimes, for example the genetic factors are so voluminous that idea effects are hard to achieve.

Thanks for a question that needs review frequently.

Len Schwartz.

Dr Len Schwartz, and your associates and supporters,

 Hi, I did panaerobics in a class at my gym in Ossining NY, between 1984 and 1987. Those were the best years of my life. I began with 3 pound Heavyhands and I progressed to 10 pounds in just 3 years. I am little guy, 150 lb, 5' 3" and I was about 40 years old at the time. 

Many years later, I am 61 now, I miss that time. I want to start panaerobics again and to rebuild my life to be more energetic and successful, but I cannot push myself to sweat and excel. I need to be in a group so that I can follow and be pushed and inspired by an instructor. I am trying to find a sports club or group where panaerobics classes are given regularly. Could you please direct me to such a group? I live in Pennsylvania.

I believe jumping and running with the weights in accordance to your system is great for our bodies. I also believe that being 60 is NOT an old age and by doing panaerobics I make my body feel like 50 (or even younger) again.

Thank you very much
George
Newtown, PA

Dear George:

I'm tickled you've had good such glowing success with Heavyhands exercise.  Over the three decades of the method's existence, the issue of hh class work has never been forgotten for long and with good reason!  Seems we humans are never far from group participation, regardless what we're into. I suspect that this tendency may explain our powerful addiction to sports and other competitive games. In groups we learn and improve and we often compete!

This tendency may explain the fact that we may divide into those who exercise in the great outdoors or confine our exertions to the indoors-the so called cocooners!  Heavyhands classes appear to work well either way.  I myself have tended, for example, to move toward indoor exercise where I appear to enjoy greater freedoms to depart from the usual!

Heavyhands classes have seemingly cycled considerably over the years.  I haven't the slightest notion why, unless it's related to the enormous influx of all manner of body moves into the fitness arena, some of which by chance are well suited to indoor performance, some not.

I've also noticed that some areas of the U.S. appear more taken by hh dance classes. These classes have been enjoyed and attended with good popularity through the years.  As a matter of fact I'm into a new book at the moment which may find good acceptance to veteran Heavyhanders who like to dance.

I'll test the waters to try to find good classroom sources for you, but I'd also like to see you prepare for your probable young version of middle age by finding more people like you. Oftentimes, a single partner or two can be readily converted to a most effective class.

Meanwhile, I'll set my ear to the ground to see what might be happening in your area.  Perhaps you'd, given your experience, be the logical one to get things going in your neighborhood!

Best luck and keep 'em flyin.'

Len Schwartz

Dear Dr. Schwartz,

Why are HH better for me than the standard dumbbell?

Kara, Sayville NY

Dear Kara,

The evaluation of any piece of exercise equipment, as  I see it, should depend upon common sense elements: the prevailing need, the customer's interest level, the subject's willingness to deal with the expectable frustrations of training, often the considered advice of a trusted physician especially knowledgeable about the crucial connections between fitness and health.

For 27 years now Heavyhands has represented a novel technique and the simple equipment used for learning and applying certain principles related to the facts around human movement and the fueling of both muscular energy and effective oxygen utilization.

Thus, Heavyhands handweights were designed to allow for an especially comfortable implementation of the strategy: To increase  workloads over time  by virtue of the gradually extended hard work upon which this growth of fitness elements is dependent.  This effect is amplified further by the presence of the foam rubber cladding of the shaft and the cladded strap both of which reduce gripping energy and yield better persistence and real enjoyment of the virtually endless movements available to the 'student.' See Heavyhands the Ultimate Fitness Exercise Method-Little, Brown Inc.l980.

Best Regards,
Len