The e3 Fitness Grip and e3 Core Activation Glove work on the basic principle of stabilizing the shoulders, back and hips. The shoulder and hip girdles are able to maintain stability through the proper positioning of the joints and the use of muscles and other soft tissues that surround these joints. If the joint is properly positioned and there is balanced muscle use, the joint creates a stable platform from which the involved extremity can perform work or execute an action, within an optimum range of motion and with increased muscular efficiency.

During normal activities, the average person displaces the shoulders, then the back, which in turn shifts the position of the hip joints. This alteration in alignment makes these areas susceptible to forces that would pull them into unstable positions. For example, if the shoulder position is internally rotated by contraction of the biceps, an unstable articulation is created whereby contraction of the trapezius, levator scapula, and rhomboids along with compression of the spine (rounding of the thoracic spine) must occur in order to provide sufficient resistance for the shoulder girdle to perform work. This pattern of movement creates shearing planes in the shoulder joint and results in increased stress on the back, shoulder joint and surrounding soft tissues because of the muscular imbalance.

The following diagrams depict the significant performance improvements recognized with use of the e3 grip:

With e3

• Weight stays over the midline
• Shoulders are more stable and in a more level position
• Hips are level; primary muscle use is along the mid line of leg
• Knee tracks straight ahead; directly over the foot and under the hip
• Right foot aligns with the mid-line of the body and in the direction of travel

Without e3

• Weight shifts to the right
• Right shoulder drops and back arches to compensate
• Right hip drops; primary muscle use in the legs is lateral
• Right knee rotates outward
• Right foot angles away from the mid-line of the body

The underlying premise of the e3 fitness grip is that the human body is an interactive physical structure of multiple interlinking components, rather than a collection of isolated body parts attached to a central longitudinal frame. The e3 grips and gloves help modify mechanical behavior throughout the body by placing the shoulder and hip girdles in more inherently stable positions and the axial skeleton in a balanced vertical alignment. The result of these changes is more efficient muscle use which improves balance, mobility, and strength.

The TEKSCAN Pressure Measurement System

These two images are from a Tekscan Pressure Measurement System. They show the amount of pressure generated by the right foot of an individual without and with the e3 fitness grip.The colored bar graph at the top the page corresponds a color with the amount of force generated. (Purple being the least amount of force and moving to red being the most amount of force.)The white and red square depict the starting point and the white and red line depict the weight shift pattern.

Standing on right barefoot without e3 grip (10 seconds)

The first illustration is without the e3 grips. Most of the weight is being exerted upon the heel and the outside edge of the foot. The weight shift pattern (the red and white line) moves randomly over a wide area.

Standing on Right Barefoot with e3 grip (10 seconds)

The second illustration shows the same individual with the e3 grips. Here the weight is distributed more evenly throughout the foot, and the weight shift pattern is in a much tighter formation.

This indicates that the body weight is brought more to mid-line of the body as well as the foot, meaning that muscle recruitment is more efficient throughout the leg, and body control is increased by using the e3 grips. This also indicates an increase in stability for the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back.