- Why do you think power resistance moves are beneficial to isolated strength exercises?
Resistance training that also incorporates multiplaner movement patterns with power training is showing tremendous results on the playing field. The reasons are two-fold. First, all sports movements require multiple muscle groups to work together to perform. Nothing happens in isolation. If you train athletes for power and movement the “transfer effect” onto the actual playing field is far greater. The strongest guys in the weight room holding the squat and bench press records are rarely your top performers on the field. That’s a fact. Second, most sports require power movements in one form or another, whether it is a power back hand in tennis delivered after a hard deceleration to change directions to make the shot, or off the line on a football field, it is power that is required. If the muscles for power and trained in isolation the dramatic increase in injury is realized once the multiple smaller muscles are called upon for power in multiple planes of movement. Here they become the weakest link and often break down due the imbalance of the training.
2. Can you give some examples of how this type of training helps both the young athlete all the way to a senior in functional health?
All physical things in life require muscle strength and some level of power to accomplish them. It is all relative but an athlete who is stopping on a dime to change direction has to train for that power move, as well, the senior trying to catch themselves after tripping needs some level of power and strength to prevent the fall and injury. Training muscles in combination that simulate the sport or active daily living situations (ADL) for strength and power in multiple planes of motion will provide the fastest results with the most benefits.
3. Do you feel that isolated exercises are still valid with functional training?
Yes. The major muscle groups should always be trained. Isolation training does this best. It provides for a strong base to work off of. But the other is just as, if not more, important to overall strength and reduction and prevention of injury. You would not expect a tall building, although it may be made of solid concrete, to hold up very well if they did not put the reinforcing rods in the mix as it was built? The body is the same way, and functional training is the what keeps the connectors strong and the rest held together.
4. The Xcellerator is relatively new on the market yet it is seeing some amazing results. Can you share what it is about that product in particular that you like and how it is helping clients in your areas?
There are examples everywhere about the tremendous results the Xcellerator is providing its users. In sports we have top level athletes increasing their explosive power. For example, the Carroll College Football team trained under th direction of Coach Jim Hogan, Samson’s National Strength Coach of the Year for the 2005-06 season, this past summer for ground-based power movements using the Xcellerator, the Vortex Power Belts and the Vortex PRO-TRAINER They won the national title, destroyed all comers in their 16-0 season and had strength and speed gains as well as reduced injuries in almost every catagory. In fact we just learned that EVERY player who trained using the Vortex system had NO injuries the entire year. That is almost the single best reason to train in this way all by itself. It is almost unheard of at their level. They were even on the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine this past month. An incredible accomplishment helped by the power training system only vortex can provide. Pro-Boxer Travis Simms won his title back after a long layoff and trained on the Vortex system using the Excellerator. Because the combo of the bands, the weight stack and the unlimited movement and multiplaner training environment of the Vortex design he was able to increase not only his strength, but the power in his punches and his over all conditioning since he can also simulate the sport by “fighting the machine”…and at ballistic speeds without the weight stack flying around. The combination of bands with the selectorized weight stack provides the best of both worlds together as one new resistance system – one with awesome results. The same goes for Hockey, Lacrosse, Golf, Baseball, Wrestling, MMA, Tennis, Basket Ball, Skiing, etc…Practically every sport gains results faster and at higher levels with reduced injury from this new power system.
5. How applicable is it to a variety of ages and physical needs/limitations?
(See # 2 answer for all ages)
Those with other physical limitations can also benefit from the use of the Xcellerator Band system. Yes, it is a ballistic power training system but when used in a slower, more controlled way the user gets the benefit from the bands. The resistance increases as the movement is carried out (one benefit of band training); plus the fact it also connects to a selectorized weight plate enables the trainer to increase the starting load by a measurable and constant base weight. Thus, the benefits of having a selectorized resistance are also incorporated. We have been seeing results of 50 – 75% faster improvement from seniors and those in therapy and in wheelchairs that use this system over any other fitness training available today.
Here’s what Armand Cherry at the CBC Fitness and Wellness Center in Acton, MA has to say:
“Based on my experience working with clients with similar medical issues, the Vortex Pro (with the Xcellerator) helped my clients accomplished their goals 75% faster than other equipment that I have used in the past for the issues.”
Jeff Bryan also weighs in…The Vortex Pro Trainer has been an unbelievable addition to our studio. I could not have asked for a better machine to match the type of training that we do. Our clients ages range from the late 20’s to the early 80’s. It was easy to incorporate the Vortex Trainer into their exercise programs. Because of the design, many of the exercises were actually more comfortable for our clients, notably the older population. That is huge to us! The amount of exercises that you are able to perform on it almost seems to be unlimited. The Vortex allows you to move in any direction, under resistance, at any speed. This makes it a lot of fun for us trainers when creating new programs for those clients that are ready to take their training to the next level. It has been a benefit in all of our training phases, stability, strength, and power. I personally have enjoyed incorporating it most into our power phases. The Xcellerator bands have allowed us to take power and speed training to a new level, and the grab and go system allows us to keep the intensity up at any level. Our power phases have become feared since the arrival of the Vortex!!
Jeff Bryan Owner of One on One Fitness and Director of Personal Training Certifications: A.C.E, N.A.S.M standard & advanced levels.
6. How about the Power Belts designed to use with the Vortex equipment – what kinds of needs do they address?
The custom Vortex Power Belt was designed by us with Sheik to create a belt that allows our cables to be attached at a variety of points around a users’ waist. It sounds simple but it adds so much to the creativity of training, especially what is called “ground-based” training. This type training is done with a load of resistance attached at one or two points around the waist and exercises and movements are done in a standing position. With the Xcellerator Power Bands connected to the weight stack and the Power Belt on all sorts of possibilities open up for just about anyone. Athletes use it for explosive acceleration and deceleration at all angles. Particularly desirable is the lateral training and plyo work that can done in all directions under a measurable work load. For seniors it allows for key anti-fall and stability training to prevent falls and the serious complications resulting from a fall. Active Daily Living exercises like walking up stairs, twisting while bending to pick up something or simply carrying groceries into the houses can all be simulated. Plus, the body’s weight can be off-loaded to the machine as counter-weighted squats and lunges are performed using the Power Belts allowing those recovering from hip and knee replacements the ability to move in real to life movement patterns without the load of their body weight on them. It is the only unit in the world that allows for all of this and more.
7. How easy are they to use and is there a fear initially from any particular age group?
Every thing is easy to use. The bands simply hook onto the weight stack by hand, the belt is just that, and the cables all have easy snap on attachments. Plus the unit itself uses a patented “Grab-n-Train” design. As for fear…well it is truly a unique phenomenon to tell the truth. Every person who sees it either says ”it is so simple, I get it” and start right off, or, “what is that”? It is the later group that always ends up using it the most. It becomes a bragging right to say “I’ve mastered the Vortex unit”. What’s even better is the fact that it only takes one try to get to that point!
We have one club owner who made up T-shirts for it. The ones who wore them the most were the seniors and they kept bringing back their friends who wanted to master it as well. The fun, ease of use, the fast and wonderful results, and the feeling of accomplishment are all added benefits for all age groups. It is a phenomenon to say the least.
8. Can you put the two together to form one “super” workout?
I suppose you could, but I have to tell you the workouts are super enough right now. If top athletes are seeing unheard of gains like they are and seniors are getting fast, fun and safe results, and the handicapped are having their lives changed, I think we have a lot offer just as they are…but two together would be something to see!
9. As people train more in this power modality, how do you see this affecting our population at large?
It is a simple answer. People will get stronger faster and have far less injuries. Simple as that.
10. How do you see this type of training changing the way we think of fitness and functional fitness?
As more and more is learned about what is being called “functional” fitness adding the benefits the Xcellerator, the Power Belts and the Vortex “Grab-n-Train” design brings will only make it a far richer, fun and enjoyable experience with long lasting results. Who doesn’t like results? That’s what this type training provides quickly and easily. I think it is here, and is here to stay.
THE PERFECT STORM® STUDIO (Patent Pending)
