1. An apparatus adapted for conditioning a shape memory alloy wire for a given application, wherein the wire defines first and second ends, said apparatus comprising: a securing element configured to secure the wire in a fixed position, wherein at least the first or second end is able to translate; an activation source thermally coupled to the wire and operable to selectively cause the wire to reversibly transform from a Martensitic phase and to an Austenitic phase during a cycle; a loading element securely coupled to and configured to apply a tensile load in the wire, wherein the source and loading element are cooperatively configured to cause the wire to reversibly change from a first length to a second length, when the wire transforms from the Martensitic phase and to the Austenitic phase; and an adjustable hard-stop configured to limit motion of said at least first or second end, so as to limit either the first or second lengths.