For what? Functional movement, performance, recovery
Sprinters, middle-distance athletes, and distance specialists train differently, and have different body types, training strategies, and mindsets. This is true in running, swimming, cycling, speed skating and many different types of sports.
But all athletes can effectively and efficiently use the 3 basic applications of KAATSU the original BFR:
*Level 1: KAATSU Cycle
*Level 2: KAATSU Performance
*Level 3: KAATSU Recovery
Level 1: KAATSU Cycle:
The KAATSU Cycle is a convenient, easy-to-use, automatic mode that requires no physical movement. It can be done anywhere (e.g., office cubicles, airplane seats, sofas at home, desks at school) anytime (e.g., before or after workouts), on the arms and separately on the legs. Before a workout, physical movement like stretching or an easy jog or calisthenics while the KAATSU Cycle mode is on can also be used.
During the KAATSU Cycle mode, the KAATSU Air Bands remain connected to the KAATSU equipment (KAATSU Master 2.0, KAATSU Nano or KAATSU Cycle 2.0 units) and automatically inflates and deflates to pressures between 0 - 500 SKU.
It is recommended that athletes start with lower pressures on their first KAATSU Cycle set (e.g., Group Low on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 1 on the KAATSU Master or 100 SKU on the KAATSU Nano). The second and subsequent sets can be increasingly set to higher pressures (e.g., Group Medium and Group High on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 2-5 on the KAATSU Master or 150-400 SKU on the KAATSU Nano).
The KAATSU Cycle mode helps increase the vascular tissue elasticity and prepare the athlete for movement and a vigorous workout.
Level 2: KAATSU Performance
The KAATSU Constant mode is ideal for any kind of athletic performance. After inflating the KAATSU Air Bands to your optimal SKU pressure, the bands are untethered (disconnected) from the KAATSU equipment so athletes can work on their starts or anything else from swings of a golf club to turns in a pool, especially after 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets have been completed.
KAATSU Performance is the most intense form of vigorous exercise and is highly aerobic. Athletes should always remain well hydrated before and during KAATSU - and should always monitor their CRT (Capillary Refill Time) and should immediately take off the bands if they feel lightheaded or uncomfortable.
Above is a short clip of elite sprinters working on short bursts of speed on a handful of hill runs in the KAATSU Training mode. Middle-distance and distance runners and swimmers can also utilize the KAATSU Training mode. They can combine distance (or duration) with pace, interval and pressure or KAATSU DPIP.
KAATSU DPIP
DPIP = Distance (or Duration) + Pace + Interval + Pressure
KAATSU Air Bands are inflated to an optimal SKU pressure so athletes can achieve a certain pace in a specific interval over a set distance or duration.
For example, a runner can run 8 x 400m at 2-minute intervals at a 1-minute pace with the KAATSU Air Band set at 100 SKU pressure. Swimmers can swim 8 x 100m at 1:45 intervals at a 1:20 pace with the KAATSU Air Band set at 100 SKU pressure.
Once this initial KAATSU DPIP set can be repeatedly achieved at 100 SKU (keeping the distance, pace and interval constant), the runners and swimmers can then increase their SKU pressure to 110 SKU. After the second set at 110 SKU can be repeatedly achieved (keeping everything constant), the runners and swimmers can then increase their SKU pressure to 120 SKU. They can continue to increase the pressure - or alternatively, increase their distance (or duration) or pace, or decrease their interval.
The SKU pressures used during the KAATSU 3-point Exercises are dependent upon the appropriate Base SKU and Optimal SKU pressures.
Level 3: KAATSU RecoveryAfter a hard strength-training session, a vigorous workout, or a competition, athletes can use the KAATSU Cycle mode to efficiently flush out lactate from their major muscle groups, enabling them to recover well in time for their next workout or competitive event.
The KAATSU Cycle mode is convenient and easy-to-use for post-workout recovery. The athletes can just sit and apply the KAATSU Air Bands to their arms and then their legs - or vice versa.
Some athletes prefer to do repeated KAATSU Cycle sets with the same SKU pressure. Other athletes prefer to start with a higher pressure and then decrease their pressure on subsequent sets. Other athletes prefer to do the opposite; they start with lower pressures and then increase their pressure on subsequent sets.
It is recommended that athletes start with lower pressures on their first KAATSU Cycle set (e.g., Group Low on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 1 on the KAATSU Master or 100 SKU on the KAATSU Nano). The second and subsequent sets can be increasingly set to higher pressures (e.g., Group Medium and Group High on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 2-5 on the KAATSU Master or 150-400 SKU on the KAATSU Nano).
The highest pressures that can be obtained are generally among athletes between ages 18-30 and decrease for both younger and older individuals. Dr Jim Stray-Gundersen explains, "There is an overlay of 'physiologic' age that modifies the chronological age. That is, older athletes who may have stiff, damaged arteries, should use relatively low pressures. Keep in mind what one is trying to do with KAATSU is find your optimal amount of venous outflow impediment so that otherwise easy exercises become unsustainable."
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