What is Nautilus?

Answer:
Nautilus is a company that manufactures resistance exercise machines.

The machines employ cams that are shaped much like a nautilus shell.

The machines were designed by, and the company was founded by Arthur Jones, in 1970.

Jones was looking for a way to provide equal resistance to the target muscle throughout the full range of motion. Were as a barbell only provides maximum resistance in a straight line. The cable or chain on the Nautilus machine raps around the shell shaped cam as it moves, thus providing the resistance Jones was looking for. Nautilus built a full line of high quality, very effective resistance machines that covered every body part.

Arthur Jones was an innovator in exercise science as well. He is thought, by many, to be the father of High Intensity Training. This type of training uses one, high-intensity set, to failure per exercise. He has also been named on Forbes's 400 richest. He sold the company in 1986.

Some of the more famous bodybuilders to train under Jones were Casey Viator, Mike Mentzer, and Sergio Oliva.

Many gyms now use Hammer strength of Lifefitness machines, as well as the newer Nautilus machines. But, in some you will find the old Nautilus machines that still work great. Just look for the metallic blue machines with the cams.

Nautilus also markets Bowflex and StairMaster.

Ironically enough, Arthur Jones died yesterday, August 28, 2007, at the age of 80 of natural causes. His principles of high-intensity exercise have influenced me greatly.