How the Eccentric Founder of Nautilus Changed Bodybuilding Forever: The Rise of HIT Training and Its Influence on Legends Like Mentzer, Yates, and Cormier
September 19, 2024
In the realm of bodybuilding, where the focus is often on intensity and volume, one man stood apart—Arthur Jones, the eccentric inventor of Nautilus strength equipment and the mastermind behind High-Intensity Training (HIT). He wasn’t a bodybuilder himself, but his contributions to the science of strength training have arguably influenced the course of the sport as much as any legendary physique. Jones’ philosophy of brief, intense workouts would inspire champions like Mike Mentzer, Dorian Yates, and even influence the thinking of modern bodybuilding stars like Chris Cormier.
Arthur Jones and the Birth of HIT
Arthur Jones wasn't your typical strength enthusiast. Known for his brash, no-nonsense approach, Jones believed the bodybuilding world was stuck in inefficient methods of training. His solution? Fewer sets, heavier weights, and an emphasis on eccentric muscle contractions—the slow lowering of weight after a lift. This minimalist approach was designed to stimulate maximum growth in the shortest amount of time. Jones argued that traditional high-volume methods were overkill, promoting diminishing returns and even hindering muscle growth.
His invention of the Nautilus machines allowed for a consistent resistance curve, meaning the muscles were under constant tension throughout each repetition. Combined with his HIT philosophy, these machines became a staple in gyms around the world. But it wasn’t just the equipment that changed bodybuilding—it was the mindset.
The Colorado Experiment: Proving HIT’s Effectiveness
One of the most controversial yet famous demonstrations of Arthur Jones' HIT principles was The Colorado Experiment in 1973, which sought to showcase the potential for rapid muscle growth through brief, intense workouts. Jones teamed up with Casey Viator, an elite bodybuilder, for this experiment at Colorado State University. The results were nothing short of astonishing.
Viator reportedly gained 63 pounds of muscle in just 28 days, while training only three times per week using Jones' Nautilus machines and HIT principles. The workouts were short—lasting less than 30 minutes—but were brutally intense. Viator performed each set to total muscular failure, emphasizing controlled movements and the eccentric portion of the lift, just as Jones prescribed.
Though the results have been debated, with some critics pointing to muscle memory or enhanced recovery from previous injuries, the Colorado Experiment remains a landmark event in the world of strength training. For Jones, it was proof that his HIT system could produce dramatic gains in muscle mass, challenging the traditional dogma of high-volume training.
Mentzer and Yates: Embracing the HIT Revolution
Mike Mentzer, known for his cerebral approach to bodybuilding, was one of the earliest adopters of HIT. Mentzer took Jones' theories and applied them with surgical precision. His approach was methodical: high intensity, low volume, and long rest periods between workouts to allow for full recovery and muscle repair. Mentzer's belief in the system was unwavering, even claiming that he could out-train any athlete on earth using HIT principles.
Yet, it was Dorian Yates, the 6-time Mr. Olympia, who would become the living embodiment of the HIT method. Yates’ career was built on the idea that less is more. After discovering Jones’ philosophy through Mike Mentzer, Yates revamped his entire training regimen, reducing the number of sets he performed but increasing the intensity of every single repetition. The result? One of the most freakishly massive, shredded physiques in the history of the sport, dominating the bodybuilding scene throughout the 1990s.
Yates credited HIT for his success, saying that it allowed him to build muscle more efficiently while avoiding injury. His brutal, one-set-to-failure approach was showcased in his infamous "Blood and Guts" training video, where bodybuilders could see firsthand the sheer intensity required to make HIT work. Yates’ style was not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to push themselves to the edge, it yielded results.
Chris Cormier: The Real Deal
Chris Cormier isn’t just a six-time runner-up at the Arnold Classic—he’s one of the most decorated and enduring athletes in professional bodybuilding history. With a career spanning over two decades, Cormier consistently competed at the highest level against some of the fiercest competitors in the world. His stage presence, symmetry, and conditioning made him a fan favorite, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal."
Some of Cormier's most notable achievements include:
- Two-time Ironman Pro Champion (1999, 2000)
- Night of Champions Winner (2001)
- Three-time San Francisco Pro Champion (2000, 2002, 2004)
- Grand Prix Australia Champion (2002)
- Runner-up at the Arnold Classic six times (1999-2005)
Throughout his career, Cormier consistently placed in the top ranks at prestigious events like the Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and Ironman Pro. Despite these incredible accolades, Cormier’s reflections on his career reveal a deeper story—one of unrealized potential, particularly when it came to his training methods.
Cormier’s HIT Revelation: A Friendship with Yates
Late in his competitive career, Cormier struck up a friendship with Dorian Yates, one of the key figures who helped shape the HIT training philosophy. By this time, Cormier had already achieved incredible success using a more traditional high-volume training approach. However, after traveling to England to train with Yates, he experienced a revelation. Cormier began to understand that, despite his stellar career, he may have left something on the table by not adopting HIT training earlier.
Under Yates' mentorship, Cormier experienced the full brunt of HIT training—the brutal, all-out sets to failure that pushed his body to its limits in ways he hadn’t experienced before. It was here that Cormier realized the potential he could have unlocked earlier in his career had he embraced this high-intensity, low-volume philosophy.
While Cormier continued to train and refine his physique with HIT principles after working with Yates, he has since gone on record to say that he believes he didn’t fully reach his potential using the high-volume methods he followed earlier in his career. Despite his incredible success, including those six runner-up finishes at the Arnold Classic, Cormier admits that HIT could have taken him even further.
The Legacy of HIT in Modern Bodybuilding
The debate between high-intensity, low-volume training versus traditional high-volume methods has raged on in bodybuilding circles for decades. While many modern athletes still adhere to high-volume approaches, the influence of Arthur Jones, Mike Mentzer, and Dorian Yates has left a lasting mark on the sport. The fact that even a highly successful bodybuilder like Chris Cormier regrets not adopting HIT sooner underscores the effectiveness of the method.
HIT’s ability to build dense, hard muscle while minimizing injury risk has made it the go-to system for bodybuilders who prioritize longevity and sustainable growth. It’s not just about short-term gains but developing a physique that withstands the test of time.
Conclusion: Embracing the HIT Revolution
Arthur Jones may have been a maverick, but his contributions to bodybuilding have been profound. From the Colorado Experiment to his revolutionary Nautilus machines, Jones showed the world that muscle growth wasn’t about spending hours in the gym but making every second in the gym count. HIT’s impact on athletes like Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates, and now the admission from Chris Cormier, speaks to the power of Jones’ philosophy.
As Cormier said in reflection, he wished he’d trained the HIT way throughout his career. And for today’s bodybuilders, the lessons are clear: train smart, train hard, and leave nothing on the table. After all, it’s not just about how long you spend in the gym—it’s what you do with every second you’re there.