KAATSU blog posts testimonials, protocols, case studies, techniques and ideas about KAATSU the Original BFR for recovery, rehabilitation, functional mobility and athletic performance. Statements included in this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
For who? Basketball players, volleyball players, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Vertical leap, functional movement, strength
Aaron Gordon, an NBA basketball player from the Orlando Magic, is considered one of the most athletic players in the NBA. His dramatic dunks have captivated fans for years.
Like Gordon, athletes who focus on basketball, football, soccer, rugby, volleyball, and many other sports focus on explosiveness, acceleration, agility, and their vertical leap abilities. This is where use of the KAATSU Cycle and KAATSU Training modalities can make incremental differences and help athletes reach their true potential.
In a test witnessed by Dave Durden, the 2020 USA Olympic Swim Team coach and 5-time NCAA Coach of the Year, one of the University of California Berkeley Assistant Athletic Performance coaches wanted to focus on KAATSU effects on performance. Steven Munatones recalls the test with Joel Smith, "Joel was not focused on recovery or rehabilitation with the KAATSU equipment, but rather on performance. So he did 3 KAATSU Cycles, with progressively higher pressures, on his arms. We walked right over to the gym after the 12 minutes of KAATSU Cycles was finished in order to shoot 5 free throws - without a warm-up. 3 shot were beautiful swishes, 1 ball bounced around the rim and went in, and 1 ball bounced out.
Joel responded, 'I felt very good, more fluid, with a greater mind-body connection.'
KAATSU passed the initial performance test, however rudimentary it was.
Then we did one more KAATSU Cycle on his leg at a fairly low pressure. We tested his vertical leap with a vertical leap measurement device in the Haas Pavilion on the Cal campus. Even without a warm-up, he leaped 26.0 inches; he said 'It was a lifetime best'. Joel was surprised, but I was not because not only were his vascular tissue with his limbs were made more elastic with the KAATSU Cycles on his arms and legs, but he had already done 16 minutes of KAATSU Cycles and a hormonal response was well underway.
Joel said that in order for KAATSU to be scientifically and statistically valid that he needed to leap at least one inch more than his best. We took up this challenge. The next two sets of KAATSU Cycles were done with a higher manual Base SKU and higher Optimal SKU levels while he did 2 more KAATSU Cycles with the KAATSU leg bands (at 350 SKU).
He walked up to the vertical leap measurement device and jumped again. 27.2 inches.
He did it again and leaped 27.5 inches. He leaped a fourth time and did 27.5 inches again. It was 1.5 inches greater than his max. Test passed."
Detailed training recommendations for increasing one's vertical leap over the course of a short duration (1-2 weeks) or over the duration of a season include the following:
1. Do 6 KAATSU Cycles on the arms at progressively higher pressures to warm-up or work on the arms (optional, if time is limited). Remove KAATSU Air Bands from the arms and place KAATSU Air Bands on the legs.
2. Do 6 KAATSU Cycles on the legs at progressively higher pressures to warm-up the legs ((e.g., Group Low > Group Medium > Group High > Pro Low > Medium > Group High.
3. During the first 3 KAATSU Cycles, simply stretch or walk around. During the last 3 KAATSU Cycles, begin some easy and light jumping.
4. Remove KAATSU Air Bands from legs.
5. Do some aggressive jumping or vertical leap drills.
6. Place KAATSU Air Bands on the legs at a sufficiently high pressure.
7. Do vertical leap drills until legs are burned out. Remove bands, rehydrate and stretch a bit.
8. After fully recovered, do a few more vertical leap drills to complete working on explosiveness and vertical leap.
Kevin Perrott, PhD of OpenCures explains a bit what happens biochemically after sets of KAATSU Cycles:
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
KAATSU At Home Workout on June 16th
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
KAATSU At Home Workout on June 12th
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Swimmers, competitive athletes, triathletes For what? Speed, strength, stamina, KAATSU At Home, KAATSU Aqua
Chris Morgan, head coach of Gator Swim Club in Massachusetts and the 2008 Swiss Olympic swim team coach, discussed the effects of doing 3 months of home-use KAATSU the original BFR and backyard pool workouts on his athletes' immediate and short-term post-lockdown performance in the swimming pool.
For who? Work-at-home employees, retirees, Baby Boomers For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
Samuel Amorim, the leading KAATSU Master Specialist in Brazil and many other KAATSU Master Specialists around the world are helping their older patients improve their mobility and range of motion after doing repeated KAATSU Cycles.
In many cases, the older patients purchase their own KAATSU Cycle 2.0 unit and continue to make significant improvements after they can use the equipment at the comfort of their own home, optimally twice per day using the KAATSU Cycle mode.
Amorim initially warms up his clients and patients with the KAATSU Cycle while they are sitting and stretching. Then, they do a variety of exercises following the standard KAATSU protocols with resistance bands.
Additional KAATSU Brasil activities are posted on both Facebook and Instagram where KAATSU the original BFR can be seen being performed by people of all ages.
For who? Runners For what? Recovery, strength, stamina
Following the postponement of The National Running Show London to 2021, the Digital Running Show will be held online on June 13th - 14th 2020 in partnership with Children with Cancer UK.
KAATSU Global will present its original BFR principles and how the KAATSU Cycle and KAATSU Constant modes are used by sprinters, hurdlers, middle-distance runners, distance runners, ultra-marathon runners, triathletes, extreme athletes and recreational runners for performance gains, rehabilitation purposes, and recovery from vigorous training sessions and competition.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
KAATSU At Home Workout on June 4th
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Mothers For what? KAATSU Beauty, skin care, stress relief
Some protocol examples of KAATSU Beauty for your hands, arms, shoulders, and neck are below:
KAATSU Beauty Application: For individuals with arthritis or cold hands
Purpose: To increase the blood circulation in your hands and arms
Movement #1: Sit down for your first KAATSU Cycle with KAATSU AirBands on your arms. Allow your upper body to warm-up with the gradual pressure of the automatic KAATSU Cycle on your arms.
Movement #2: Slowly and gently rotate your shoulders forwards, and then backwards, during the next KAATSU Cycle.
Movement #3: Slowly and gently stretch your forearms, biceps, triceps, and shoulders.
Movement #4: Slightly, slowly and gently twist your outstretched arms.
Movement #5: Move your fingers like you are playing the piano or typing quickly on a keyboard.
Movement #6: Place a golf ball or tennis ball between the palms of your hands and slowly roll the ball between both of your palms.
Movement #7: Place chopsticks in your dominant hand and repeatedly try to pick up small objects. Then place chopsticks in your non-dominant hand and repeatedly try to pick up small objects.
Application: For individuals with aging skin, stiff shoulders or to improve musculature
Purpose: To increase the blood circulation in your shoulders and neck
Movement #1: Sit down for your first KAATSU Cycle with KAATSU AirBands on your arms. Allow your upper body to warm-up with the gradual pressure of the automatic KAATSU Cycle on your arms.
Movement #2: Perform the standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises for your arms. Slowly do Hand Clenches, then Biceps Curls and then Triceps Extensions while doing 2-3 KAATSU Cycle sets.
Movement #3: Slowly move your head as much as you can left and right, up and down, and around in circles - as long as there is zero discomfort. If you begin to feel dizzy or uncomfortable, stop immediately. If you can move your head even slightly without any discomfort, then move as far (or as little) as possible. Do not move to the point of discomfort.
Movement #4: Slowly and gently rotate your shoulders forwards, and then backwards, during the KAATSU Cycle mode.
Movement #5: Slowly and repeatedly annunciate vowels ("a-e-i-o-u") in an exaggerated fashion. You can do so in front of a mirror or while laying down.
Post-application and KAATSU Finisher:
Movement #1: After these movements above, put the KAATSU AirBands on your legs and do casual walking with low pressure. You can walk inside your home or outside.
Movement #2: As you sit or lie down, you can repeatedly contract, and then release, the muscles of your legs for a few seconds at a time.
Movement #3: Perform the standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises for your legs. Slowly do Heel Raises (sitting or standing), then Leg Curls and then Non-stop Quarter Squats while doing 2-3 KAATSU Cycles.
For who? Mothers For what? KAATSU Beauty, skin care
Some surgeries are minimally invasive and others are much more so.
KAATSU the original BFR can significantly help the skin and underlying tissue quickly repair and recover - so much so that experienced surgeons who know their patients who do post-surgery KAATSU will have to get their stitches removed more quickly than those patients who do not do KAATSU. "What happens is the skin recovers and grows back more quickly," explains Steven Munatones.
"If the stitches are left in the body for the 'normal' amount of time, the skin will grow over the stitches and the surgeon will have to go back in and remove the overgrown sutures. This can cause infection that is best avoided."
Repeated KAATSU Cycles has repeatedly shown to enhance the body's natural healing process, especially when the skin is cut, torn, broken or inked.
These five periodically taken photographs show the rapid recovery of the sutures and skin on a 49-year-old patient who had total knee replacement surgery at a Veterans Administration hospital in Florida.
The patient repeated KAATSU Cycles (8 cycles of 30 seconds of pressure on followed by 5 seconds of pressure off in the Group Low, Group Medium, Group High, Pro Low, Pro Medium, and Pro High modes, done sequentially) on his KAATSU Cycle 2.0.
He did his series of KAATSU Cycles in the morning and again in the evenings as he comprehensively integrated KAATSU to his regularly scheduled physical therapy.
"One thing that we have seen time and time again is how quickly the skin and wound heals when repeated KAATSU Cycles are performed over two or three sessions per day while the patient is recovering at home or in the hospital," says Munatones.
"The skin around the wound heals so quickly with the repeated KAATSU Cycles. The skin grows over the sutures - much faster than what is normally expected by physicians - as a result.
This can cause an unanticipated post-surgical issue when the skin grows over the sutures. When physicians schedule the normal removal of the sutures (e.g., 5-7 days), patients performing regular KAATSU Cycles on a daily basis often experience much faster than normal healing of their wounds and incisions. So, these patients should inform their attending physicians of this KAATSU phenomenon."
Key Principles of Rehabilitation & Recovery
* Do KAATSU Cycle frequently (i.e., daily or twice daily), using primarily the KAATSU Cycle or KAATSU Progressive Cycle modes.
* One session per day can be an intense KAATSU Cycle physical therapy session (e.g., under the guidance of a physical therapist); the other sessions should be comfortable doing KAATSU recovery (e.g., while relaxing or doing household chores).
* Always be well hydrated before and during each KAATSU session.
* Always use the KAATSU Cycle mode; never the KAATSU Constant mode during the recovery period - unless you are doing something complicated or in the pool (e.g., eggbeatering, swimming, or shooting).
* Always use the arm AirBands first before you use the leg AirBands.
* Never use the arm and leg bands at the same time.
* Always use a 1-finger tightness on the AirBands (i.e., you can put one finger between your skin and the bands).
* Always start the KAATSU Cycle mode in the Low Pressure setting. Then, you can increase the pressure setting to Medium and High later.
* You can do single-limb KAATSU Cycle sets on your injured leg, as you wish.
* You can utilize the "double-stacking principle" where you can do other primary activities (e.g., typing emails, making phone calls, participating in a Zoom meeting, reading, walking comfortably) while you do KAATSU Cycle sets as you sit and relax.
Key Pressure Principles
* Always start the KAATSU Cycle mode in the Low Pressure setting.
* Frequently check your Capillary Refill Time (CRT).
* To check your CRT on your arms, firmly press your thumb into the palm of your hand, and then release to check your CRT. If the blood returns to your palm within 1-2 seconds (i.e., counting as "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two..."), then you can increase the pressure to Medium Pressure (or, alternatively, High Pressure).
* To check your CRT on your legs, firmly press your thumb into your quadricep or calf, and then release to check your CRT. If the blood returns to your quadricep or calf within 1-2 seconds (i.e., counting as "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two..."), then you can increase the pressure to Medium Pressure (or, alternatively, High Pressure).
Suggested Protocols of a Morning Session
* First do 2-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms (i.e., 8 repeats of 30 seconds of inflation followed by 5 seconds of deflation).
* You can "work through" the deflation phase (i.e., keep doing repetitions when the AirBands are deflated), doing your normal upper body exercises.
* Then, remove the AirBands on your arms and place AirBands on your legs.
* Do up to 6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your legs while you do a variety of exercises (e.g., repeated Heel Raises, repeated Toe Curls, repeated Leg Extensions, comfortable pace KAATSU Walking).
Suggested Protocols of an Evening Session
* First do 2-4 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms.
* You can simply stretch, sit comfortably, or hold a box while you are doing the KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms.
* THen remove the AirBands on your arms and place AirBands on your legs.
* Do 4-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your legs while sitting comfortably.
For who? Mothers, students For what? KAATSU Beauty, skin care, blood circulation
KAATSU Beauty, the original BFR, has been used by skin care professionals and make-up artists for decades in Japan.
Beauty care experts and aestheticians who cater to both young women and older women understand how increased blood flow in their clients' skin and face helps them on a number of wellness and cosmetic perspectives.
In this study of women (average age 34.5 years), they concluded that the cutaneous blood circulation (circulation and blood supply of the skin) in the foreheads of test subjects were improved with unloaded unilateral knee extension exercises (i.e., 3 sets of 15 repetitions taking less than 75 seconds per set with a single KAATSU Air Band on their left upper leg without weights or resistance).
The women performed the three-set series of exercises twice - for the first time, they did it without KAATSU, and for the second time with KAATSU with the KAATSU Air Band inflated initially to 140 SKU and ending eventually at 200 SKU.
The blood flow in the foreheads of women was calculated from the blood velocity and red blood cell mass that was determined by laser blood flowmetry.
This conclusion of how blood circulation in a KAATSU user's forehead is improved with relatively easy leg exercises that focus on the quadriceps and hamstrings seems either impossible or illogical.
While the KAATSU users experienced no changes in blood lactate and hematocrit (i.e., volume percentage of red blood cells in blood), their norepinephrine levels increased. Norepinephrine is a naturally occurring chemical that acts as a stress hormone because the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.
This natural biohack created by the KAATSU leg exercises helps improve the subjects' forehead cutaneous blood flow. The beauty care experts and aestheticians in Japan know that if KAATSU lower body exercises helps improve circulation and blood supply of the skin of the face, then KAATSU upper body exercises also do the same.
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes, cyclists For what? Strength, stamina, KAATSU At Home
What do you do if you only have 20 minutes free to exercise throughout your entire day? Especially on those days when you are simply too busy to squeeze in a visit to the gym or even go on a run in your neighborhood?
What do you do if you only have 15 minutes? Or even only 10 minutes?
KAATSU the original BFR offers one possible solution.
Especially if you have an indoor (spin/stationary) bike - or any kind of indoor equipment (treadmill, Bosu Ball, StairMaster).
KAATSU becomes an even more elegant solution if you do not want to sweat or change into your workout gear.
If you are severely pressed for time, KAATSU recommendations include the following:
* warm-up with 1-2 KAATSU Cycles (4-8 minutes) either before you get on your bike or while casually spinning on your indoor bike
* pick up your pace as much or as little as you wish for the remainder of the workout (2-12 minutes).
Biochemical Reactions as a Result of KAATSU
Low-intensity exercise with KAATSU Air Bands leads to a biochemical reaction in your body that produces a variety of hormones and metabolites from Growth Hormone, IGF-1, nitric oxide, BDNF and VEGF to ceramides and plasmalogens (refer to a layman's explanation here). This natural production results in increased vascular elasticity and increased recruitment of muscle fibers - an elegant way to improve stamina, strength and muscle tone.
Of course, if you want to hit the spin bike hard and generate a significant amount perspiration and high pulse rate, that is always possible. But it is not necessary to generate Growth Hormone, IGF-1, nitric oxide, VEGF, ceramides, plasmalogens, endorphins and plasmalogens with KAATSU.
These results had long been known to KAATSU Specialists since the 1990s.
Research Results
Many researchers between 2000 - 2005 tested KAATSU Walking with MRI-measured muscle size and strength (maximum dynamic or one repetition maximum) and isometric strength along with blood hormonal parameters. Testing was done on both control groups and experimental groups of subjects ranging from young men to older women.
The testing was done using 20-minute bouts of treadmill speed of 50 meters per minute.
The researchers found a multitude of benefits and changes among the experimental KAATSU users while there was no change in muscle size and dynamic and isometric strength in the control group.
1. Serum growth hormone was elevated after KAATSU Walking with the experimental group, but not with the non-KAATSU control group
2. MRI-measured thigh muscle cross-sectional area and muscle volume increased by 4 - 7%
3. One repetition maximum and maximum isometric strength increased between 8 - 10%
Furthermore, indicators of muscle damage (creatine kinase and myoglobin) and resting anabolic hormones did not change with both groups. The researchers concluded that KAATSU Walking induces muscle hypertrophy and strength gain despite the minimum level of exercise intensity after 3 weeks, and that KAATSU Walking may be a potentially useful method for promoting muscle hypertrophy for a wide range of the population including the frail and elderly.
While these benefits have long been known in Japan and China, there have been many other applications that have since been developed and researched that address age-related skeletal muscle loss (sarcopenia) that inhibits mobility and increases the risk of developing several diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.
No Pain, No Gain?
But many competitive athletes, fitness instructors, coaches and military trainers believe that stamina, speed and strength can only be improved through high-intensity vigorous exercise that comes with highly elevated heart rates, high levels of lactate, lots of time and perspiration.
But this belief was put to the test by United States military researchers like Dr. William Ursprung. At the Texas A&M University, he and his colleagues studied the effects of KAATSU Walking to improve aerobic capacity. Dr. Ursprung evaluated the effects of KAATSU Walking on VO2max, 1.5 mile run times, and muscular size at low training volumes and intensities with airman from the U.S. Air Force 350th Special Operations and Tactics Training Squadron.
This group was already highly trained and fit young men - a group whose fitness levels would be much more difficult to improve with walking than the average civilian.
After three weeks of lower extremity KAATSU Walking, Dr. Ursprung found the airmen significantly improved their VO2max levels, achieved significant decreases in their 1.5 mile run time, and had significant increases in their thigh muscle cross sectional area. The researchers concluded that KAATSU Walking represents a methodology for improving aerobic capacity, endurance and muscular size at low training volumes and intensities.
Implications
This conclusion mirrored the applications for KAATSU that many far forward-thinking coaches, physicians, physical therapists and trainers in Japan and China have long known and applied with their athletes, clients and patients of all ages. For military personnel and athletes who are looking for concurrent improvements in strength and endurance, this experiment proved that they do not always have to move, run, swim, cycle or row at maximum intensity over long durations if they strategically use KAATSU equipment.
While movement or exercises with KAATSU equipment performed with intensity will result in significant physiological and athletic improvement, it is not always unnecessary - especially if you are lacking in time, space or motivation.
"As long as their technique and athletic form is correct, athletes and military personnel - and people from all walks of life - can realize benefits with KAATSU by moving more slowly (i.e., walking versus running or swimming at a moderate pace versus swimming at maximum speed, spinning casually versus spinning at high intensity) rather than always going all-out," explains Steven Munatones. "Perhaps this lowered intensity is appropriate after injuries or immediately after a competition or during a taper phase of training - or even when you only have 10-20 minutes of potential exercise time to sneak into your day. Perhaps this slower pace is simply more appropriate during different parts of any specific workout when an athlete is working on their technique or form."
This phenomena and discovery meant that the implications and applications of KAATSU usage expanded significantly. When benefits and improvements can be achieved at any speed, pace or level of intensity, you can be much more flexible and creative in your training decisions and fitness routine.
For example, instead of only going all-out sprints with KAATSU, runners, cyclists, swimmers, rowers and skiers can practice at more moderate pace - which means that KAATSU can be done more frequently and with less resultant fatigue. This possibility especially rings true for working adults with children to take care of or employees to manage.
Competitive Cyclists & High-intensity Training
In contrast to casual spinning, competitive cyclists, including professional keirin cyclists and triathletes, can use KAATSU equipment in a variety of ways:
1. Warm-up and stretching with KAATSU Cycles
2. Workout recovery with KAATSU Cycles
3. Increased watt output with KAATSU Cycles
4. Increased watt output with KAATSU Training
5. Increase functional threshold power using KAATSU Training
6. Rehabilitation with KAATSU Cycles
Warm-up and stretching with KAATSU Cycles
* As the athletes prepare for a vigorous workout, they do 3-5 KAATSU Cycles on their arms and then 3-5 KAATSU Cycles on their legs.
* They can remain stationary, stretch, or do easy cycling on a stationary bicycle during these warm-up KAATSU Cycles.
* Using the KAATSU Wearables or the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 equipment, the units are easily and comfortable used.
* It is important to be well hydrated before starting KAATSU Cycles.
* It is very important to start with comfortable (i.e., lower) Optimal SKU pressure levels and gradually increase the Optimal SKU levels with each subsequent KAATSU Cycle.
Workout recovery with KAATSU Cycles
* As the athletes complete a vigorous workout, they do 3-5 KAATSU Cycles on their legs so waste products in their muscles can be effectively and efficiently removed. This enables the athlete to benefit from a rapid recovery so their subsequent workouts are optimized.
* They can remain stationary, stretch, or do easy cycling on a stationary bicycle during these cool-down KAATSU Cycles.
* Using the KAATSU Wearables or the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 equipment, the units are easily and comfortable used.
* It is important that the KAATSU Color is pink or rosy or beefy red while doing KAATSU Cycles; the skin tone should never be white, blue or gray.
Increased watt output with KAATSU Cycles
* Athletes can do their workouts while gradually increasing the Optimal SKU levels of the KAATSU Cycles.
* For example, athletes can do 6-8 sets of KAATSU Cycles as the Optimal SKU levels increase from 200 to 225 to 250 to 275 to 300 to 350 to 400 SKU.
* As time and experience with KAATSU increases, the watt output will also increase.
* Athletes can change (either decrease or increase) the parameters of time, incline, Optimal SKU levels as well as watt output.
Increased watt output with KAATSU Training
* Athletes can workout while setting their Optimal SKU at a specific level in the KAATSU Training mode.
* For example, athletes can cycle for a specific time at a specific SKU level at a specific watt output (e.g., 200 SKU for 15 minutes at a specific watt output).
* As time and experience with KAATSU increases, the watt output and time will also increase (e.g., 250 SKU for 20 minutes at an increased specific watt output).
Increase functional threshold power using KAATSU Training
* Athletes can workout while setting their Optimal SKU at a specific level in the KAATSU Training mode.
* For example, athletes can aim for a specific time at a specific SKU level at a specific watt output (e.g., 200 SKU for 15 minutes at a specific watt output).
* As time and experience with KAATSU increases, the watt output and time will also increase (e.g., 200 SKU for 20 minutes at an increased specific watt output). When the time goal is achieved, then the Optimal SKU level can also be increased.
Rehabilitation with KAATSU Cycles
* Torn muscles, ligaments, tendons or broken bones can be efficiently and effectively rehabilitated using the KAATSU Cycle mode.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, mothers For what? Functional movement, strength, KAATSU At Home
Kathy Davison and Angela Hughes are identical KAATSU-using identical twins in England. As they approach their 62nd birthday, they are unquestionably fit and healthy Baby Boomers.
After hearing about KAATSU the original BFR on Dr. Joseph Mercola’s podcast this year, Angela and Kathy became regular users starting on April 4th. Angela said, "KAATSU has been the perfect lockdown project.
We’re great enthusiasts and use our kit every day. Whenever we can, we do Facetime workouts ‘together’, [even though we are] 100 miles apart.
We synchronize the button presses so that we workout using identical KAATSU settings.
We were both previously very active (home gym, running, cycling and swimming – when pools were available), but have undoubtedly both increased muscle and become fitter and stronger by using KAATSU.
We have picked up ideas from the KAATSU magazine and the blogs and have added many new exercises to our workouts. We also use the kit around the house doing less energetic activities (e.g. playing the sax).
We know there are many ways to use KAATSU and that there’s much more to learn about this amazing kit.
This is exciting for the rest of lockdown and beyond."
The twins use the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 unit and the KAATSU Air Bands.
For who? Swimmers, water polo players For what? Functional movement, strength, speed, stamina, KAATSU Aqua
Dave Carlson teachees Military History and Financial Literacy at Los Alamitos High School in the City of Los Alamitos in Southern California. He is a water polo coach who has seen several dozens of his players go on to college and compete in the Olympic Games, both men and women.
Carlson has seen all kinds of personal gains from KAATSU the original BFR including reducing the amount of time he needs to spend in a gym to reducing his back pain. But he has also incorporated KAATSU Cycles and KAATSU Aqua nto the off-season, pre-season, mid-season and championship season training and rehabilitation regimen for his high school athletes.
In a KAATSU podcast, Carlson explains how he utilizes KAATSU for the teenage athletes who he coaches.
For who? Swimmers, water polo players, triathletes For what? KAATSU Aqua, rehabilitation, recovery
High school, club and national level water polo coach Dave Carlson from Los Alamitos, California and 2008 Olympic swim coach Chris Morgan of Danvers, Massachusetts discussed different way to recover from competitions and games with the KAATSU Aqua Bands and the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 device.
They described their athletes' applications of KAATSU the original BFR after water polo games, during high school dual meets, and after competitive swimming competitions.
They also discussed their own rehabilitation journeys with KAATSU when they were recovering from bone breaks, sore backs, inflamed gums, and broken ribs.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
KAATSU At Home Workout on May 22nd
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home
KAATSU At Home Workout on May 13th
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
For who? Olympic athletes, tactical athletes, competitive athletes, Marines http://hawleybennett.com/abouthawley/
For what? Rehabilitation, recovery, strength, KAATSU At Home
The husband-and-wife duo of U.S. Marines Major Gamal Awad and two-time Olympian Hawley Bennett talked about their use of KAATSU the original BFR with retired Navy SEAL captain and KAATSU Master Specialist John Doolittle on a recent discussion.
The pair regularly use the original KAATSU Nano unit with their KAATSU Air Bands. Awad is a tactical athlete who has pushed himself for years to maintain sufficient strength, speed and stamina for his military responsiblities. Hawley competes in equestrian events representing her native Canada.
Awad and Hawley have used KAATSU to help with their rehabilitation from numerous injuries - all quite serious from broken pelvis bones to broken backs. They also use KAATSU in the course of their daily exercise routines. Awad talks of his daily need for KAATSU while Olympian Hawley talked about her own KAATSU journey in the podcast above.
Awad is shown below on the day of his most recent injury - and soon thereafter during his recovery with his pink KAATSU Air Bands on his arms.
To learn more about equestrian athlete Hawley who is looking to participate in her third Olympic Games next summer in Tokyo in 3-day eventing, visit hawleybennett.com.
Laurel Kuzins is a KAATSU Functional Mobility Specialist from Santa Monica, California who leads the daily KAATSU At Home workouts starting at 3 pm California time / 6 pm New York time Mondays through Fridays on Zoom or Instagram Live. These KAATSU workouts are aimed at Competitive Athletes (high school + collegiate + Olympian + professional + fitness + masters). She uses the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 during the KAATSU At Home workouts.
One backyard pool swim workout focused on breaststroke is listed below.
Backyard Pool Warm up
4 lengths kick on board
2 lengths underwater - somersault at halfway to work core / open turn at wall
8 lengths kick on board
2 lengths underwater - somersault at halfway to work core / open turn at wall
12 lengths kick on board
2 lengths underwater - somersault at halfway to work core / open turn at wall
16 lengths kick on board
2 lengths underwater - somersault at halfway to work core / open turn at wall
20 lengths kick on board
2 lengths underwater - somersault at halfway to work core / open turn at wall
Backyard Pool Main set #1
[3x]
4 minute seated static sculling
4x 1-length underwater mini breaststroke pull-outs
4 min vertical body static sculling (deep water preference)
4x 1-length underwater mini breaststroke pull-outs
4 min sculling on belly / static and slightly fetal position
4x 1-length underwater mini breaststroke pull-outs
1:00 rest
Backyard Pool Main set #2
** tethered with stretch-cord**
[2-3x]
10x super slow breaststroke cycles
Head-down sculling no breath UNTIL you need a breath then stop
Remain tethered and 5 vertical bobs in middle of pool
:20 seconds rest
20x super slow breaststroke cycles
Head-down sculling no breath UNTIL you need a breath then stop
Remain tethered and 5 vertical bobs in middle of pool
:20 seconds rest
30x super slow breaststroke cycles
Head-down sculling no breath UNTIL you need a breath then stop
Remain tethered and 5 vertical bobs in middle of pool
:20 seconds rest and REPEAT
Backyard Pool Cool down
[8x]
:20 easy flutter wall kick
1x push glide to opposing/opposite wall
Repeat
