The Nautilus brand has its beginnings dating back to early 1970. It was the brainchild of the eccentric Arthur Jones, an undisputed pioneer in the field of exercise physiology. Jones was responsible for the very discoveries and contributions that have made it possible to prescribe both effective and rehabilitative exercise to millions of people the world over.
Early exercise machines were all based around strength training, and were years ahead of their time. Jones invented “selectorised” resistance equipment, out of which Nautilus created their signature shell-shaped cam, which varied the resistance through the range of motion, contracting a far higher percentage of muscle fibres. Jones took his designs on the road and convinced hospitals and rehabilitation centres to use his equipment, and through word of mouth and writing research papers, the age of Nautilus resistance equipment began. Famous body builders in the 1970s, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferragamo, were fascinated with these machines.
Years later, Nautilus would come together with world-leading brands – Bowflex Home Gyms, Schwinn Fitness, Trimline Treadmills, Stairmaster, Quinton Treadmills – to form a company with over US$700million in turnover in 2006. Nautilus invests heavily in the specially formed Nautilus Institute, which is dedicated to research, development and improving the understanding of fitness and well-being in order to develop the industry even further. No other company today has this commitment. Trust Nautilus!