Nautilus behind-the-neck machine (pics)(video)

[POTA]

Was going to post this in the Nautilus Pullover thread, but felt it deserved its own. Has anyone used it? It was apparently a favorite of Mike Mentzor. Just moving my arms in motion in which it works I can feel a good stretch in my lats. I bet it was a great machine. But I can understand why it probably didn't get popular enough to keep producing. A lot of people were probably confused on how to get into the initial position to use it.

[thedickus]

I used to train at AF base that had what I thought was a full line of original Nautilus machines but never saw this one. I can see some benefits. It looks like it would replace the one arm cable pull-in and very effectively take the weak link bicep out of the picture. It does look like it would be a PITA to get into the start position.

[HealthNutMD]

I've used that machine before, a long time ago... like late high school and maybe up at Penn State as well. I used to like it. It also reminds me a lot of the Classic Cybex Shoulder machine, which is similar but does the opposite motion with the roller pads.

I wanted to purchase that Classic Cybex Shoulder machine, but I can do like 20 reps with the stack... as much as I love it, I decided to pass on it. Although if I could modify the stack or add some weight to it, I might pick it up.

[KBKB]

I've used that machine before.

Honestly, it wasn't my favorite. As I would bring my arms downward, they also wanted to come inward/forward, thus causing my arms to slide forward a bit on the rollers. I never felt like I could maintain my position on that machine. This detracted from being able to put in a maximal effort.

[grumpytude]

love those old bodybuilding photos-that looks like one funky machine though

[POTA]

I've used that machine before.

Honestly, it wasn't my favorite. As I would bring my arms downward, they also wanted to come inward/forward, thus causing my arms to slide forward a bit on the rollers. I never felt like I could maintain my position on that machine. This detracted from being able to put in a maximal effort.

Yeah, the pads seem funky. Seems like they also prevent a fuller ROM so you can't touch your elbows to your sides and get a good squeeze. The machine looks like it has a lot of potential, though, if it were tweaked.

[Tyciol]

This is neat. The naut pullover is like the perfect iso machine for the extension action and this machine looks like the perfect iso for the adduction action.

Makes me wonder what the difference is in how the muscles get hit. Extension/adduction mostly seems like the same muscles to me, I dunno why.

[gomez26]

As I would bring my arms downward, they also wanted to come inward/forward, thus causing my arms to slide forward a bit on the rollers. I never felt like I could maintain my position on that machine. This detracted from being able to put in a maximal effort.

this, maintaining position is the biggest issue. it would be difficult to put additional supports to keep the arms in place because there would be little room for it as the arms cross-over in the top position. thin structures that would allow adequate clearance will most likely not have enough stiffness/strength to resist being bent out of shape during the motion. another issue is the spacing of the joints not matching everybody's shoulder width.

It does look like it would be a PITA to get into the start position.

yes, many of the original versions of jones's machines actually required help from another person to get into. he had to compromise some of the functionality to get greater access by the person training so they could get in by themselves.

[POTA]

this, maintaining position is the biggest issue. it would be difficult to put additional supports to keep the arms in place because there would be little room for it as the arms cross-over in the top position. thin structures that would allow adequate clearance will most likely not have enough stiffness/strength to resist being bent out of shape during the motion. another issue is the spacing of the joints not matching everybody's shoulder width.



yes, many of the original versions of jones's machines actually required help from another person to get into. he had to compromise some of the functionality to get greater access by the person training so they could get in by themselves.

I wonder why it wasn't made with a foot lever to bring the pads down, like with the pullover machines. It seems so obvious to include one with a machine like this.

[g0ld3nuncw]

I wonder why it wasn't made with a foot lever to bring the pads down, like with the pullover machines. It seems so obvious to include one with a machine like this.

I have this machine. I took it apart and re-built it. New paint, bolts, replace the chain with cable, put bearings where the bushings were. My home gym is made up mostly of older Nautilus equipment. I have most of the old Nautilus machines, and while this machine is cool, it isn't near the most effective. Chins and pulldowns feel better, but it's good to use for a change of pace now and then.



Try the website below to see:
s1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/g0ld3nuncw/

NOTE : You will have to type in http then :// before the address above because this site will not let me post pics or links with less than 50 post

cated.

[POTA]

I actually had your photobucket bookmarked from when you posted pics of your pullover. I didn't notice that you had the behind-the-neck machine. Nice!





And it's good to hear more input on its functionality. I really think if the pads were replaced with something better to put the elbows on/in, it'd hit the lats better. Not sure what, though.

[POTA]

Found a pic of Sergio Oliva I haven't seen before using what appears to be this machine.

[KBKB]

Found a pic of Sergio Oliva I haven't seen before using what appears to be this machine.

Or maybe some other version of it? (The arm pads appear to be different than the rolling ones in the other photos.)

[POTA]

Or maybe some other version of it? (The arm pads appear to be different than the rolling ones in the other photos.)

The pads on the one he's using look like they'd keep one's elbows better in place than would the one Mentzer uses. But the way Sergio has his arms situated is curious. It really inhibits the range of motion. You physically really can't bring your arms any higher than where his are in the pic. I wonder why he doesn't do it in the same fashion Mentzer does.

[POTA]

Cool old ad.

[POTA]

Anyone use the TechnoGym Vertical Traction machine?



I've never used the Nautilus Behind-the-Neck machine, but the Vertical Traction seems like it's probably just like it, except you pull down on handles on the latter. The arc motion appears to be identical.

The Vertical Traction machines can be found at most LifeTime Fitness locations now. I used it for the first time the other day and I liked it a lot. Really hits your lats in a way that pulldowns don't. I can imagine long-term inclusion in a solid back routine could help develop some nice cuts in the back.

[HealthNutMD]

Anyone use the TechnoGym Vertical Traction machine?



I've never used the Nautilus Behind-the-Neck machine, but the Vertical Traction seems like it's probably just like it, except you pull down on handles on the latter. The arc motion appears to be identical.

The Vertical Traction machines can be found at most LifeTime Fitness locations now. I used it for the first time the other day and I liked it a lot. Really hits your lats in a way that pulldowns don't. I can imagine long-term inclusion in a solid back routine could help develop some nice cuts in the back.

I don't like it... Several gyms in the area have this piece and a full line of Technogym. I don't like that piece at all. Additionally the arms are wobbly, like all of the technogym pieces. I really dislike their machines.

I have yet to find a single piece of HOIST machine or Technogym I like. Technogym actually makes a plate loaded series that closely mimics the hammer strength lines and a few of those plate loaded pieces are nearly identical in biomechanics to their Hammer Strength counterpart. The Technogym plate loaded shoulder is decent. I'd have to go to their website to reference the plate loaded line, but if I'd buy anything, it would be 1-2 pieces of their plate loaded line.

[g0ld3nuncw]

[QUOTE=HealthNutMD;The Nautilus pulldown machine was designed to eliminate the weak link in doing pulldowns, the grip. They also made a compound machine where you could do pulldowns with a bar, then immediately go into the grip-less pulldowns after the grip was exhausted.

[POTA]

I went nuts when I first saw it in the gym because I had made some suggestions in this thread on how the Nautilus Behind-the-Neck machine could be altered to improve it, and the Vertical Traction machine has exactly those things which I suggested:

Yeah, the pads seem funky. Seems like they also prevent a fuller ROM so you can't touch your elbows to your sides and get a good squeeze. The machine looks like it has a lot of potential, though, if it were tweaked.

I wonder why it wasn't made with a foot lever to bring the pads down, like with the pullover machines. It seems so obvious to include one with a machine like this.

[Noughtilus]

I have this machine. I took it apart and re-built it. s1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/g0ld3nuncw/

Hello

Could you post some more photos of this machine, specifically the cams/arms, especially from the back? I wish to create something functionally similar, as an experiment.

Some graph paper placed behind the cams would be especially helpful, if unrealistic. Do you have any photos of dismantled machine during the refurb?

Thanks.

[JEROMESIMONNET]

Hello

Could you post some more photos of this machine, specifically the cams/arms, especially from the back? I wish to create something functionally similar, as an experiment.

Some graph paper placed behind the cams would be especially helpful, if unrealistic. Do you have any photos of dismantled machine during the refurb?

Thanks.

I hope this help. I cannot do much because if you do not have 50 posts, there are plenty of things you cannot do

DSC06233.jpg

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This is the cam of the lat pulldown

DSC06239.jpg
Top of the cam of the BN
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Cam of the BN

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DSC06242.jpg

[Noughtilus]

Thank you!

[deadwoodgregg]

Hello

Could you post some more photos of this machine, specifically the cams/arms, especially from the back? I wish to create something functionally similar, as an experiment.

Some graph paper placed behind the cams would be especially helpful, if unrealistic. Do you have any photos of dismantled machine during the refurb?

Thanks.

Dude...... this thread is like...14 months old. You would probably be better off sending PM's to the members that have the info that you seek. I am not sure that they are on here everyday.

[Noughtilus]

Will do, thanks.