The 6 Sciences of Kieser
Reviewed by Kieser clinical team | Last updated June 2026
Kieser is not a gym. Our approach to strength training is built on 6 sciences. These are evidence-based principles that underpin everything we do. They shape our machines, the programs we design for you, and how our team will work with you to achieve your goals. Here's what each science is about, and why it matters for you.
Science 1: Cams – resistance that works with your body
Every Kieser machine is designed to deliver the right amount of resistance throughout each repetition. Our machines provide less load where your muscles are weak. They increase the load as you move into your strongest range.
The key is the cam – an irregularly shaped disc inside many of our machines.
As you move, the cam adjusts resistance to match how your muscles, bones and joints work together.
Your muscles are challenged through their full range of motion, not just part of it. More muscle fibres engage with every rep. That helps to make each rep more effective and your training more efficient.
Our exclusive, Swiss-engineered machines support safe, precise and measurable strength training.
Read more → Science 1: Cams – resistance that adapts
Science 2: Single set training – how one set can be enough
At Kieser, your program is one high-quality set per exercise, twice a week.
One well-executed set – taken to maximum tolerable effort – can produce similar strength gains to multiple sets. Effort is the key driver, not volume. For people managing an injury, a health condition or a busy schedule, this can make effective strength training accessible. Just two 30-minute sessions a week – because what matters is how hard you work, not how long. Two 30-minute sessions a week – because what matters is the quality of the effort, not the hours spent.
Read more → Science 2: Single set training
Science 3: Training to momentary muscular failure – the importance of effort
Every set at Kieser has a goal: reach the point where your muscles can't complete another repetition with good form. That point is called ‘momentary muscular failure’, and it's the signal your muscles need to grow stronger.
Your target in every set is to reach momentary muscular failure – or stop when you have just 1 to 3 repetitions left. Your clinician calls this the strike zone.
On Kieser machines, the final reps of a set are safe by design. Our equipment supports your body throughout, to help you push to the end of your set with confidence. Stopping too early is what can hold your progress back.
Read more → Science 3: Training to momentary muscular failure
Science 4: Training injured – staying strong through recovery
An injury doesn't have to stop your training. When you train one side of your body, the other side can become stronger too – even without being trained at all. Scientists call this the cross-education effect.
Muscles can weaken faster than most people expect – as little as 2 weeks of inactivity can lead to significant strength loss. Staying active during recovery matters.
A Kieser physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can redesign your program to protect the injury site while helping to keep the rest of your body strong.
Read more → Science 4: Training while injured
Science 5: The power of protein – fuelling your strength
Training gives your muscles a reason to grow. Protein helps them to act on it. Without enough protein, the gains from training may be harder to achieve.
For people doing regular strength training, protein can help support your training. Many Australians aren't reaching these targets. Your exercise scientist or exercise physiologist at Kieser can help you understand what this means for you.
Read more → Science 5: The power of protein
Science 6: Quality over quantity – training smarter
Building strength requires the right load, heavy enough to use your most powerful muscle fibres. At Kieser, your exercise scientist increases the challenge in a structured way, using a method called ‘double progression’.
When you can reach momentary muscular failure at your current weight, your load increases by about 5%. If a load increase isn't required yet, increasing your time under load becomes the focus instead. This involves small, structured steps forward to help you progress.
Read more → Science 6: Quality over quantity
Strength changes lives. Every science we apply at Kieser is in service of that truth – helping you build strength that supports your independence, health and the things that matter most to you.
Ready to experience the 6 Sciences in action?
- New to Kieser? Book your initial consultation and start a clinician-designed program built for your goals. Book now
- Already training with Kieser? Ask your exercise scientist how you can apply the 6 Sciences to support your training progress.
