Bullworker


Bullworker is a product and fitness company that specializes in isometric exercise, known to be the fastest way to build strength. The original portable home fitness device was invented by Gert F. Kölbel in 1962 to give everyday people access to high quality equipment focusing on total body fitness without the cost or size of other gym equipment. With over 10 million sold it continues to sell around the world including in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Early History & Findings

German scientists Dr. Erich Albert Müller and Dr. Theodor Hettinger concluded that muscle growth can be attained by exerting 60% of existing muscle strength against a superior resistance for only seven seconds once a day, a fitness technique known as isometrics. The study at the Max Planck Institute consisted of over 200 experiments over a ten-year period.
Professor James A. Baley put isometrics to the test with a class of college students at the University of Connecticut. The study resulted in the isometric training group improving three times faster than the sports training group on tests measuring increases in strength, endurance, coordination, and agility.

Rise of Bullworker device

In 1962, Bullworker pioneered portable home fitness devices and the seven second isometric exercise for the fastest strength gains, using both contraction and extension movements involving range of motion for all the major muscle groups, into one lightweight and compact fitness tool at a price everyone could afford. Various charts were then introduced, proposing different work to exercise and develop the muscles.
Bullworker exploded on the fitness scene revolutionizing exercise for muscle strength to be more effective and much faster. Bullworker enjoyed widespread popularity in Europe and the United States in the 1960s and 1970s during the personal fitness craze.
The original Bullworker device consists of two sleeved, spring-loaded, telescopic cylinders in the center, with two hand grips affixed at the outermost ends. Two opposing cables are attached to the hand grips at each end of the device. The original Bullworker exercise apparatus weighs about four pounds. Exercises are performed by pushing inwards on the contractible cylinders, by pulling the cables outwards away from the cylinders, or any variation of these. The resultant compression of the internal spring creates the desired resistance. The Bullworker will return to its original position when pressure is released. A range of up to 150 pounds or more of resistance is possible in the Bullworker exercise routines.

Later Bullworker versions

Since the original Bullworker fitness device was made available for purchase and use by the general public in the 1950s, a number of modified and improved different versions of the original Bullworker have been made available since its introduction, particularly Bullworker 2, Bullworker Deluxe, and Bullworker X5. However, the Bullworker's functional isometric concepts to improve physical fitness remain the same. Though Bullworker's popularity fell off in the 1980s when personal gyms became readily available, Bullworker is still marketed worldwide, with trademarks and distribution owned by Hughes Marketing, LLC. There are two Bullworker models currently commercially available: Bullworker Bow Classic and Bullworker Steel-Bow. The Bow Classic is 36 inches long, and is the Bullworker 'barbell' equivalent, specializing in powerful holds and greater range of motion. The Steel-Bow is 20 inches long and is the Bullworker dumbbell specializing in versatility for muscle targeting and travel. Both Bullworker models have interchangeable springs to easily change resistance levels, ranging from approximately 0-130 lbs of resistance.
The original Bullworker suggested 26 individual exercises. While isometrics was the emphasis, the instructions included isotonic, cardio, resiliency and endurance routines. The emphasis on these additional functions greatly expanded the number of exercises available. An additional fitness routine of Iso-Motion has since been added. Bullworkers are well built and very durable; many early units remain in regular fitness use decades later.
Bullworker has also developed a fitness product line specializing in convenient exercise to improve strength and flexibility for everyday performance. The Bullworker Pro System is a complete cross training personal home gym workout of various fitness devices, including: Bullworker Bow Classic; Bullworker Steel Bow; Bullworker Iso-Gym; Bullworker Iso-Bow and Bow Extensions.

The Bullworker Mission

The purpose of Bullworker's exercise routine is to make fitness simple while improving the individual's quality of life who works out regularly with the device.