Intensity

Intensity describes how demanding an exercise, a set or a training session is in relation to your maximum performance capacity. High intensity can mean: heavy weight, short breaks, or many repetitions until just before muscle failure. At the EISENHORN strength station, the intensity can be precisely controlled – through the weight, the movement speed, or the range of motion. This allows exercises like bench press or deadlift to be optimally designed for both beginners and advanced users.

What's important here is: The training intensity should continuously increase over time to achieve progress. However, this does not necessarily mean that only the weight has to be increased. Tempo, break length, or execution of the exercise can also influence the intensity. What’s crucial is that you push yourself to your personal limits, regardless of your daily condition.

How do we define intensity in the context of the MIKE5 training concept? In training science, intensity refers to the chosen resistance in relation to the repetition maximum (1RM). That is, the level of chosen load as a percentage of the maximum load, with which only one repetition can be performed.

In MIKE5, we relate intensity to the load maximum in relation to the specified interval. A slight modification of the definition from training science. This means that at a required intensity of 100%, by the end of the specified load time (interval), you can't perform a single additional repetition. The muscle essentially fails. An intensity of 80% would mean that you are already being strongly challenged. However, it would be possible for you to continue your training further. Namely 20% longer than the time the interval specifies.

While training with MIKE5 you can rely on your feeling and don't need to measure these values precisely. It is crucial, however, that you learn to reach the 100%. These are the sets where you really achieve an effective training stimulus. The indications are a guide and not a scientific specification. It’s always about going through different phases of muscle activation so that an effective training stimulus is set at the end.

You can learn more about training intensity in our blog post "Intensity is a Prerequisite".