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? Football, basketball, soccer players, student-athletes, competitive athletes For what? Muscle cramps, stiffness, lack of mobility
There are many athletes who get cramps during games whether they play football, basketball, soccer, or any other type of sport.
Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary and painful contraction of muscles, particularly in the calf. Though cramps are not a medical emergency, cramps can make it temporarily extremely difficult or impossible to use the affected muscle.
Cramps can be caused by long or intense periods of exercise, particularly in warm weather, overuse of a particular muscle, dehydration, or muscle strain.
In addition to avoiding dehydration and stretching, athletes can - and should - do Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets before their warm-up and games. Even with adequate hydration by an experienced and well-trained athlete, they may still occasionally experience cramps.
In these cases, start Progressive Single-limb KAATSU Cycle sets on the affected limb can effectively and efficiently (quickly) resolve the problem. In games like football, basketball, and soccer, the athletes do not have to miss much of their game if they have KAATSU equipment on the sidelines or bench and are helped by an experienced trainer.
Essentially, the repeated, gradually, increasingly progressive engorgement of blood in the vascular system helps increase the elasticity of the vascular tissue.
Dr. Cory Keirn explains, "There are a few reasons why KAATSU Cycles helps. The easiest is that KAATSU Cycling helps push out lactate and brings in new blood with fresh ATP and energy. Of course, some scientists are now thinking that muscle cramping could be due to over neurological stimulation instead of metabolic waste build-up. Basically, the muscle is working so hard that the nerves can't stop firing. KAATSU Cycles helps lower muscle tension with the external pressure cycles. Simply put, it is like foam rolling, but on a much bigger level."
Protocol
*Hydrate.
*Place the KAATSU Air Band on the affected limb to begin Single-limb KAATSU Cycles.
*Start Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets on a low pressure setting. The athlete can do 2-4 sets as they wish.
*As the athlete starts to feel less pain and be more comfortable, gradually increase the pressure to medium (and high) settings (if they can tolerate higher pressures).
*Ideally, the Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets are also performed before warm-up or the game itself if weather conditions or game situations exist that may lead to cramps.
Photo above shows Danny Woodhead who used KAATSU Cycles to recover in unprecedented time from a torn ACL (read here).
Patent
Based on the original KAATSU know-how and US patent #9,775,619 (Compression and decompression control system and vascular strengthening method).
For who? Road warriors, competitive athletes, executives, travelers, individuals on quarantine For what? Travel, jet lag, insomnia, stress relief
KAATSU users of the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or KAATSU C3 are really, really fortunate, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you find yourself stuck in a quarantine in a hotel or at a home due to local regulations or cross-border travel, the KAATSU the Original BFR is extremely useful to stay sane, stay relaxed, and/or work on your strength, stamina, speed and fine motor skills while in a hotel room or other location.
KAATSU users around the world have stayed pumped with KAATSU equipment while using everything from TRX straps hooked to their hotel door to water bottles substituting for dumbbells. You can also do burpees, slow negative squats, isometric exercises, the classic KAATSU 3-Point Exercises [shown below], stretch, do shoulder rolls frontwards and backwards, and/or use resistance bands tied to a doorknob while you have your KAATSU Air Bands on your arms (utilizing the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode) or while you have your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs while doing core work.
Both the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 and newer KAATSU C3 are compact (handheld), lightweight, and can be used anywhere anytime by anyone doing anything. The standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on your arms or legs [shown above] are tremendously beneficial and provide a great stress relief while on quarantine.
In times of stress, especially while being forced to limit (or avoid) outdoor activities, simple leg and easy-to-do core exercises with KAATSU equipment are also a great way to stay fit, stay sane, and not gain weight.
KAATSU Walking (or KAATSU Pacing in a hotel room) can provide the same effect as significantly longer (in duration and distance) runs, jogs and walks. Simply put the KAATSU Air Bands on your legs and walk back and forth while stuck in your hotel room [see photo on left].
Advanced KAATSU 3-Point Exercises for the legs (i.e., Standing Heel Raises, Leg Curls, and Quarter Squats) are a great finisher to KAATSU Pacing.
The KAATSU Air Bands on your upper legs will result in healthful systemic effects that are felt and seen throughout your body, including your core and upper body.
But if you want to focus on your core, you do not have to do planks, crunches and other forms of abdominal work - although you can. Instead, you can do a number of simple KAATSU exercises to strengthen your lower back and tighten your core.
In fact, core and lower back exercises can comprise of your entire KAATSU training session for the day. Alternatively, core and lower back exercises can be an addition to your typical KAATSU sessions.
Core & Lower Back #1 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate pressure.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Stand on one foot, balancing only on your other leg for as long as possible.
4. When your balance is lost, rest for 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
5. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
6. This act of balancing will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.
Core & Lower Back #2 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Place a book on your head and walk slowly until the book falls off.
4. Rest 10-20 seconds and repeat the walk again two more times with the book on your head.
5. Walking straight slowly, especially on an uneven surface like a sandy beach, will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.
Core & Lower Back #3 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Stand on one foot while holding a water bottle in each hand.
4. Hold the water bottle in your outstretched arms and stand as long as possible on one leg.
5. When your balance is lost, rest 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
6. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
7. In order to make this exercise more difficult, move your outstretched arms left and right, and up and down in an asymmetric manner while balancing on one foot.
Core & Lower Back #4 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Do planks as usual.
4. Alternatively, tighten the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms at your Optimal SKU and do planks as normal.
Core & Lower Back #5 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly bring one leg one up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knee with your arms to stretch your back.
4. Repeat as desired.
5. Continue to lie on your back and slowly pull both your legs up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knees with your arms to stretch your back.
6. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #6 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift your hips off the floor and hold. Bring your hips to the ground and repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #7 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift both your feet off the ground and hold. Repeat as desired.
4. Lie on your back, lift both your feet off the ground, and kick your feet slightly off the ground. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #8 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly pandiculate (i.e., stretch and stiffen your trunk and limbs, extending your toes, feet, arms and hands as you do upon waking).
4. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #9 Exercise
1. KAATSU Aqua Sit-ups are used by competitive aquatic athletes with a Bosu Ball in a pool.
2. Start horizontal in the water while grabbing onto a Bosu Ball; then climb on top of the Bosu Ball. Do 3 sets to failure.
KAATSU Master Specialist Cory Keirn DPT explains how and where KAATSU can be used...anywhere anytime, including in your car while waiting for your children. You can do the same while quarantined in your hotel room or other location:
You can use KAATSU for exercise or rehabilitation while...
* typing an email in the hotel room
* waiting while meals are delivered to your room
* sitting and waiting and waiting
* watching TV or moviews
* doing homework or reading a book
* stretching
* packing your bags before heading out to the sunshine
Once you understand that exercise and rehabilitation can be done anywhere anytime, your efficiency and effectiveness in getting things done goes way up. And exercise is transformed to simple movement - that you constantly do during the course of your day - with KAATSU equipment.
For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, competitive athletes, work-at-home employees, study-at-home students For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, warm-up, recovery, KAATSU Cycle
As schools, universities, cities, organizations and governments close in unprecedented numbers around the globe due to the coronavirus pandemic and fears about infection from COVID-19, some individuals find themselves limited to their homes and neighborhoods.
While precautions are prudent and wisely followed, people still need to work and eat, and many want to rehabilitate and exercise as usual.
Telecommuting enables people to work from home together with their far-flung co-workers. Eating is certainly not an issue (if local residents are not stockpiling food and water), but rehabilitating and exercise can be more problematic for many people.
A walk outside, a jog around a local park, bodyweight exercises or yoga indoors can be done during temporary lockdowns and mandatory telecommuting policies set by corporations or governments. But going to a physical therapy clinic for rehabilitation or heading to a fitness gym that is located further away may not be a conveniently easy option.
This is where the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 can help.
The KAATSU Cycle 2.0 is compact (handheld) and can be done anywhere anytime by anyone doing anything. From stretching and doing therapeutic movements to walking upstairs and doing push-ups with the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 is effective and efficient. Even the standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on your arms or legs [shown above] are tremendously beneficial and provide a great stress relief in these times of the unknown.
In times of stress, especially while being forced to limit outdoor activities and travel, simple leg and easy-to-do core exercises with KAATSU equipment are a great way to stay fit and not gain weight.
KAATSU Walking can provide the same effect as significantly longer (in duration and distance) runs, jogs and walks. Simply put the KAATSU Air Bands on your legs and walk in or around your home or stretch [see photo on left].
Advanced KAATSU 3-Point Exercises for the legs (i.e., Standing Heel Raises, Leg Curls, and Quarter Squats) are a great finisher to the KAATSU Walking.
The KAATSU Air Bands on your upper legs will result in healthful systemic effects that are felt and seen throughout your body, including your core and upper body.
But if you want to focus on your core, you do not have to do planks, crunches and other forms of abdominal work. Instead, KAATSU users can do a number of simple KAATSU exercises to strengthen their lower back and tighten their core.
Core and lower back exercises can comprise of your entire KAATSU training session for the day. Alternatively, core and lower back exercises can be an addition to your typical KAATSU sessions.
Core & Lower Back #1 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs to your Optimal SKU.
3. Stand on one foot, balancing only on your other leg for as long as possible.
4. When your balance is lost, rest for 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
5. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
6. This act of balancing will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.
Core & Lower Back #2 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs to the Optimal SKU.
3. Place a book on your head and walk slowly until the book falls off.
4. Rest 10-20 seconds and repeat the walk again two more times with the book on your head.
5. Walking straight slowly, especially on an uneven surface like a sandy beach, will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.
Core & Lower Back #3 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs to your Optimal SKU.
3. Stand on one foot while holding a water bottle in each hand.
4. Hold the water bottle in your outstretched arms and stand as long as possible on one leg.
5. When your balance is lost, rest 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
6. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
7. In order to make this exercise more difficult, move your outstretched arms left and right, and up and down in an asymmetric manner while balancing on one foot.
Core & Lower Back #4 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your Optimal SKU.
3. Do planks as usual.
4. Alternatively, tighten the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms at your Optimal SKU and do planks as normal.
Core & Lower Back #5 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your Optimal SKU.
3. Lie on your back and slowly bring one leg one up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knee with your arms to stretch your back.
4. Repeat as desired.
5. Continue to lie on your back and slowly pull both your legs up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knees with your arms to stretch your back.
6. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #6 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your Optimal SKU.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift your hips off the floor and hold. Bring your hips to the ground and repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #7 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your Optimal SKU.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift both your feet off the ground and hold. Repeat as desired.
4. Lie on your back, lift both your feet off the ground, and kick your feet slightly off the ground. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #8 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Inflate your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your Optimal SKU.
3. Lie on your back and slowly pandiculate (i.e., stretch and stiffen your trunk and limbs, extending your toes, feet, arms and hands as you do upon waking).
4. Repeat as desired.
Core & Lower Back #9 Exercise
1. KAATSU Aqua Sit-ups are used by competitive aquatic athletes with a Bosu Ball.
2. Start horizontal in the water while grabbing onto a Bosu Ball; then climb on top of the Bosu Ball. Do 3 sets to failure.
KAATSU Master Specialist Cory Keirn DPT explains how and where KAATSU can be used...anywhere anytime, including in your car while waiting for your children.
You can use KAATSU for exercise or rehabilitation while...
* typing an email in your office
* waiting for an airplane or the train
* sitting in the passenger seat on a long drive
* doing the dishes or folding clothes
* watching TV
* doing homework or reading a book
* walking your dog
* stretching
* packing your bags or tidying up your room
Once you understand that exercise and rehabilitation can be done anywhere anytime, your efficiency and effectiveness in getting things done goes way up. And exercise is transformed to simple movement - that you constantly do during the course of your day - with KAATSU equipment.
There are many athletes who get cramps during games whether they play football, basketball, soccer, or any other type of sport.
