Low Volume Training History: Part II – Arthur Jones
In part two of our low volume training history series, we focus on a figure many consider the true pioneer of high-intensity training: Arthur Jones. His journey began in 1948 at the Tulsa YMCA, where he first conceived a new type of exercise equipment. By 1967, he created a prototype called the Blue Monster, and in 1970 he began selling his machines to the public under the now-famous Nautilus brand.
Jones’ machines bore a striking resemblance to those imagined by Gustav Zander nearly a century earlier. However, Jones insisted he was unaware of Zander’s work until years after Nautilus was established.
Arthur Jones’ Training Principles
Alongside his equipment, Jones introduced a revolutionary training theory focused on efficiency and intensity. His key principles were:
Perform only one working set per exercise
That set should be taken to failure or beyond
Use progressive overload to increase weight over time
Train three days per week for optimal recovery
Maintain controlled tempo during all repetitions
Over time, Jones refined his tempo recommendations to maximize effectiveness.
Why Arthur Jones Is a Fitness Legend
Arthur Jones is incredibly important to fitness and weightlifting history. He nearly single-handedly invented the modern weightlifting machine industry. Early Nautilus machines remain among the best ever made, prized for their durability, design, and biomechanical precision.
Jones was obsessive about creating the perfect machines. He collaborated with universities, hiring students to take extensive body measurements such as shoulder-to-wrist length, elbow-to-wrist length, waist circumference, limb and foot length. He worked with engineers and scientists to determine exact seat angles and positions for optimal biomechanics. For example, the Double Shoulder machine seat is set precisely at 78 degrees to maximize effectiveness.
The Man Behind the Machines
Many don’t know that before Nautilus, Arthur Jones was already extremely wealthy from other ventures unrelated to fitness. He didn’t create Nautilus for profit; his motivation was to design the best machines possible. The first-generation Nautilus equipment was overbuilt and engineered with precision to last.
If you ever find a first-generation Nautilus machine in a gym, take advantage of it. They are built like tanks and deliver outstanding training benefits.
Unfortunately, Jones’ monumental contributions are often overlooked. He deserves full credit for shaping modern weightlifting, fitness, and training as we know it today.
