10:49 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

By ERIN OCHOA / KVUE News

Users claim it can burn more calories in less time. It's called Kinesis — a new form of exercise that uses cables and weights for a work out tailor-made for you.

Robert Wiatrek, 47, is a triathlete-in-training, and he's stepping outside the box with Kinesis.

Kinesis instructor Michele Melkerson-Granryed is also a personal trainer at the Bodybusiness Health Club in West Austin.

"Kinesis means movement in Greek and it is four modules, four different pieces of equipment that do an unlimited amount of exercises," she said.

With a Kinesis, you rotate through four stations in a certain amount of time, pulling cables attached to weights.

"It's unique because it's operated with cables and the cables are in a continuous loop," Melkerson-Granryed said.

The cables allow you to move in three-dimensional motions -- and work multiple muscles at the same time.

"It almost feels too easy at first, then it gets tough," Wiatrek said.

The manufacturer, TechnoGym USA Corporation, claims it can help you build muscle, and lose weight. The company claims it can burn 30 percent more calories than traditional weight training.

Trainers at Bodybusiness tested that theory for themselves. They say, their tests showed the manufacturer's claims are true.

"It's also got pulleys, you'll notice, that rotate 360 degrees and that allows the user to have much more freedom of movement," Melkerson-Granryed said. "The machines and movements are catered to fit your needs."

You can also control the amount of weight you're working with -- without even pulling out the pin.

"The handles - they kind of fit whatever size body you are -- you know, tall, short," said Wiatrek. "If you want to increase the tension, you just take a step forward without moving your weights up or down."

Bodybusiness is one of only two gyms in Texas with kinesis equipment -- and one of only a few in the nation.