Concentric exercise has significant benefits and its now possible in a dynamic fitness studio in the heart of lower Fairfield County, Connecticut
Concentric exercises focus on the shortening phase of muscle contraction, where the muscle generates force and density. It is in direct contrast to eccentric exercise, which is when the muscle fibers tear while elongating. For much of existence, concentric only training was not possible as any weight we would pick up, we’d also need to put down. But now, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, a new fitness community serving residents of Wilton, Weston, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Fairfield, Ridgefield, and Stamford, has cracked the code on concentric exercise and also made it a lot of fun. The benefits of concentric exercise include:
Less Tearing, Soreness and Recovery Time. Different types of muscle damage occur primarily during the eccentric load, both mechanically and at a cellular level. This is where most muscle soreness and tissue damage occurs. Sore muscles take time to recover - a period during which most athletes can not continue training and performing at their peak. Concentric strength training has shorter recovery time and less muscle soreness, allowing for higher quality/intensity of work and more training sessions.
Functional Application. While eccentric strength movements do elicit improvements in muscle strength and size, they are location and speed specific. Unlike concentric strength, eccentric movements do not translate as well to functional application. Many daily activities (e.g., getting out of a chair or climbing up stairs) involve concentric contractions, making the training relevant for real life.
Mitigate Injury Risk. Eccentric often strain joints and tendons while fatigue compromises the quality/intensity of exercise, leading to form compromising fatigue and injury. Concentric exercise involves significantly less strain on the joint and tendons.
Toning Not Bulking. Concentric movements increase the density of the muscles, creating a toned appearance. The repair of torn muscle fibers caused by eccentric movements increase the size or circumference of muscles, resulting in a bulky appearance.
Increased Caloric Burn. Concentric movements increase the density of the muscles which results in the muscles having a greater thermogenic effect. This results in greater caloric expenditure, even while you sleep!.
Reach Peak Power More Rapidly. An eccentric movement can handle a greater load than its concentric counterpart, so it takes more weight to reach peak power in the eccentric phase. Concentric movements enable the athlete to reach peak power faster and with less load. Power is key to acceleration of the body in sports performance and in everyday life.
No impact on joints. Eccentric movements like walking down stairs or big mogul skiing can put a lot of mechanical and inflammatory stress on the athletes joints. Concentric movements avoid these stressors so the cartilage in the joints don’t deteriorate over a lifetime of training.
Efficiency. Concentric exercise requires less setup time and complexity of positioning, therefore enabling the athlete to do more work in less time. By doing more work, the athlete more rapidly gets his or her muscles into hypertrophy.
Incorporating concentric-only exercises into your day can provide significant benefits, especially as you seek to live a longer and more functional life.