Charles Atlas and Dynamic Tension

Pioneer to the phrase Dynamic Tension, the act of pitting two muscle groups against each other, Charles Atlas cemented himself in history regarding one of the most unique isometric strength techniques out there to this day

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[jeremymunguia]

Rocky Marciano was said to have used Dynamic Tension too. I have the Dynamic Tension book with the 12 lessons and am going to start my own journey with it.

[bulvie]

Wonderful video. While I was in the military I was introduced to Charles Atlas. Today, at 75, I still incorporate many of his exercises in my weight training.

[steverino]

Great video...he had a marketing genius behind him. The Atlas breath is gold. Lots of old school guy used the observing animals idea which is basically flexing or pandiculation. Great channel my friend!!

[jamestaylor]

I am 63 started the atlas program in 1969 I exercise 1 minute in the morning and 1 minute before bed. I have a 27 inch waist and I am ripped. This is Calle dynamic tension and if you do more than 2 reps in a minute your going to fast. This is all about dynamic tension. Dynamic tension all your being dynamic tension DYNAMIC TENSION

[NelsonMontana]

As antiquated as it may be, all the information in that original Dynamic Tension course still holds up. It's a great adjunct to weight training and cardio.

[graysontheovercomer]

I'm a full time, stay at home student. Years ago I lifted barbells and loved it, but after a car wreck I lost all my progress. Spent years grossly overweight. Recently I was diagnosed by diabetes, and I shifted my diet and lost close to 50 pounds. I'm back down to my highschool weight, so I've been investing ways to stay fit at home.

I just discovered Charles Atlas and I'm blown away by these exercises. Thanks to following the strongman rabbit hole, I've found out about dynamic tension and isometrics. I've been mixing some kettlebell, isometric, and dynamic tension for great results!
I do have a few questions about isometrics. I don't have the money for an iso chain, but I am about to buy an iso trainer, which is just an adjustable strap with handles. Gets the job done.

My question is, will isometrics help me reach my goal of being crazy strong? I don't care about aesthetics, I just want to be lean and strong for my health (and so nobody gets fresh with my wife).

I appreciate your channel. Good information for sure.

[georgewilkie]

Traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate Styles have always used Dynamic Tension. Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu, Shotokan, Isshin Ryu, Kyokushin, etc. All of these Traditional Karate Styles have one or more KATA that contain "Sanchin". And "Sanchin" is Dynamic Tension. In fact, one ancient Kata is entirely made up of Sanchin Technique. It is called, "Sanchin No Kata". For those who may not know what KATA is let me explain. KATA is a type of Karate Drill. It is somewhat similar to Shadow Boxing. The difference is that KATA consists of Karate fighting techniques that are pre-planned to be executed in a specific sequence and pattern. Various Punches, Blocks, Kicks, Stances, Parrys, must be performed in a specific sequence and manner. Karate Styles will have anywhere from 5 Kata to 25 Kata. They all have specific names. And, many have some moves that are performed with Dynamic Tension or in Japanese called "Sanchin". Example, at one point in the KATA you will perform a Knife Hand Block (Shuto Uke) followed by a Reverse Punch (Gyaku ZUKI). While performing these two techniques You will strongly tense all of the muscles of Your body, including Your abdomen. You will move slowly as You tense and move through these techniques. You will also breath deeply and forcefully from the diaphragm. This is done to strengthen Your muscles. It is DYNAMIC TENSION, or you could say, TENSION WITH MOVEMENT.
I have been a Karate Sensei for 53 years (I'm 77). And, I have always been highly impressed and amazed at how the Ancient Martial Arts Masters knew the science of Biomechanics, kinetics, and especially Dynamic Tension, and the role they play in excellent and effective fighting. Remember, there were no computers or other diagnostic equipment to help them. They were truly Masters, and awesome Men and Women. (Legend has it that the great Chinese Martial Art of Wing Chun was founded by a Buddhist Nun). Dynamic Tension is a wonderful tool for gaining physical strength and power.
Kudos to You for producing an outstanding Video on this subject... Bravo!

[MattRichardsEsq]

Kung Fu systems were using dynamic tension hundreds of years before Charles Atlas. It's called Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Classic). The tension exercises in Kung Fu, however, were developed to increase power in technique, such as punches, kicks, grappling etc. It was popular in Fujian White Crane, which explains why tension exercises are common in early Karate styles like Goju Ryu.

I love the interconnection of these concepts. Atlas' dynamic tension exercises look quite different to Yi Jin Jing, but it's the same principle. And, just as Atlas grew his ideas from studying animals, the Kung Fu techniques and exercises also developed through the study of animals.

[jomon]

I remember in Hight School working out at the school gym on the football team.
Got a bull-worker and my strength went up on the plates on the old universal gym a lot, not so much bulk. This was in the 70's, but you are right about the strength.

[hemi.awdpursuit]

As a comic nerd in 90’s I stumbled across old Charles Atlas ad in old comics. Mailed off cut out to old address that didn’t exist anymore when I was 14 in 8th grade. When I turned 17 found site online Atlas Book. I combined Atlas programs with my weight training

[darkworld]

I knew his son, Charles V. Atlas (1918 - 2008) for the last 11 years of his life. He was a wonderful, kind man who tol me many stories about his famous Dad!

[ericanderson]

Excellent presentation, I was getting worried there would be no mention of The Dragon, the pound for pound greatest physique in my opinion . Thanks again for this !

[mtbluzman]

I remember ordering the course from the back of the comics when I was a kid !

[philosopherking]

Excellent video. I started dynamic tension as a teenager when I inherited the Charles Atlas course from a friend, and at 52 I still surprise men half my age in Brazilian jujitsu rolling. Dynamic tension is hard work, because you are working only at the effective range of exercise, i.e. when you do an arm curl with a dumbell, if you pay attention to the movement you'll see some parts are more difficult than others; you begin the curl (hard), hit the peak of bicep contraction (hardest) and then it gets easier- at the top of the movement you are riding on momentum and the bicep is relatively relaxed. With dynamic tension you are only working with the highest point of muscle contraction, or the hardest part of the arm curl (or whatever other movement) constantly. This is why you build strength so quickly, Charles Atlas was right, in a week you will see a marked improvement and 15 minutes a day is more than enough. IMO, it's one of the reasons why people don't use it; it's HARD work and doesn't build muscle as well as weights. It does build real strength. I remember a girl I liked back in high school telling me that I looked like a "construction worker".

Quick interesting fact: An Indian guru named Paramahansa Yogananda was one of the pioneers in the mailing course fab that Charles Atlas tapped into in the 1910s. Yogananda's "Energization Exercises" had strong elements of dynamic tension and I heard said that CA plagiarized them. The bit about him seeing a tiger at the zoo and getting the idea for dynamic tension always sounded dubious and mythical, and he probably claimed to avoid copyright legal issues. Then again, dynamic tension has probably been around for thousands of years in one way or another.

Great content, subscribed!

[SalsBodybuildingArchives]

Great back story and info here, thanks for posting, Peace, Sal💪🏻

[randyfemrite]

You just inspired me to finish my Charles Atlas course I started 50 years ago. As Jack Lalanne once said " doesn't matter what you do, just do it".

[ted]

I just started this course today though I ordered the course a few years ago. I'm going all in. Hopefully it will work well.

[Suchapill]

Amazing video. You keep doing videos about the legends and your channel will soon be outta site! Have you done a video on the skinny strongman named The Mighty Atom?

[waynehagerty]

Great Video! I remember seeing the ads in comic books when I was a kid.

[playhousefilms]

Dynamic tension was a way he could sell his booklets based on his appearance and popularity. He def lifted.