Exponential Resistance Trainer

The Kellion POWERGROOVE is such a new and different sort of apparatus that—without a certain amount of interaction with it many capabilities—it can be difficult to grasp why it is so special. But we can suggest something of its nature just by noting the core attributes. These are:

1. A new resistance type we call exponential, which is a kind of “super”-progressive resistance. This element is critical to some specialized applications, but it is a fundamental ingredient in all uses. As a significantly more biomechanically “friendly” type of resistance than has been previously available, it is an important advance.
2. 360° rotation of the main unit, providing unlimited resistance plane angles.
3. True curve-following delivery of resistance, created by gliding independent pulley-cars.
4. Free-flowing, natural movement and responsiveness as a product of the gliding and pivoting action of the pulley-cars together with the exponential resistance.
5. Resistance that responds with dynamic variability according to the angle of the plane and the position of the user.

Simply put, the POWERGROOVE offers advances in established areas of exercise, and opens up entirely new directions of application in performance fields.

Below is a simplified depiction of resistance types. The vertical axis represents the level of resistance, and the horizontal axis represents action over time. The graph on the left represents Constant Resistance, i.e., weight stack machines. (This graph does not depict the fall-off that occurs due to weight-in-motion inertia). The graph in the center represents Simple Progressive Resistance, as produced by elastic bands or springs. The graph on the right shows an example of an Exponential Resistance curve.

Resistance Mechanics
This resistance carriage is comprised of two independent sets of springs, each controlling the base resistance level of one car/cable vector. These springs provide a progressive-resistance substructure. Exponential resistance is created by the dynamic mechanical interaction between the gliding pulleys and the springs. With simple lock pins, base resistance levels can be increased for graduated development, and both the user position and the unit’s rotational position can be adjusted in order to alter the resistance level and/or rate curve in all manner of creative ways. And because the base resistance levels can be set independently for the two cars, the vector levels can be separately varied to produce different effects on the body musculature.

Lock pin settings

Here is a depiction of the two-car gliding pulley system:

Here is a depiction of unit rotation: