Lähtövastus

Lähtövastus is a Finnish term used in exercise science and equipment settings to describe the initial resistance or load encountered at the start of a movement, or when a mechanism begins to operate. The word combines lähti, meaning “start,” with vastus, meaning “resistance” or “opposition.” In practice, lähtövastus refers to the starting load applied on a resistance device or the starting challenge given to a trainee.

In sports science and physical training, lähtövastus serves several roles. It is often selected as a safe and manageable entry point for movements, ensuring proper technique and a smooth ramp-up in effort. It can function as a warm-up load, a reference point for progression, or the baseline in strength testing. When training progresses, the starting resistance is gradually increased to maintain an appropriate training stimulus while preserving safety.

In equipment and rehabilitation contexts, lähtövastus may be configured on machines with adjustable resistance, resistance bands, or hydraulic/pneumatic systems. It represents the initial force that must be overcome when movement begins and can influence how trainees experience and adapt to an exercise.

See also: resistance training, warm-up, progressive overload, strength testing.