I was on the road this past weekend introducing KAATSU to many wonderful people. Not going to lie. Part of the fun of showing people KAATSU is enjoying the looks of astonishment on their faces when I tell them that we’re going to use light weights. Next is the joy of seeing the look of shock when they feel the KAATSU effect kick in, followed by the look of wonder when they realize how KAATSU can change everything they thought they knew about working out.
When 5 Feels Like 50
Saturday saw me at a fitness club introducing KAATSU. The weight room was filled with people doing the usual things people do in weight rooms. I applied the KAATSU arm bands to my subject and asked how much weight they usually used for bicep curls. “Usually 50 lbs” was the answer. I said we were going to use 5 lbs. They indicated they’d never, ever used 5 lb weights for anything. I smiled, handed them the dumbbells, and told them to start lifting.
The amount of pressure you use depends on your personal physical condition. We always start at the lowest pressure range. For the first set of reps my subject didn’t feel anything so we paused the set and I adjusted the pressure range before starting to lift again. My subject said the next dozen reps didn’t feel any different, but then the KAATSU effect started kicking in. I could see he was starting to break a sweat and the look on his face changed as the burn began. I asked him how it felt now and he said it was feeling like he was lifting 50 lbs, not five.
KAATSU’s automated cycle mode takes a user through a range of compression pressures. It starts low, holds for 30 seconds, then releases the pressure for 5 seconds. The next compression is at a slightly higher pressure which is again held for 30 seconds before releasing. This cycle continues through eight compression steps per KAATSU set. Users can do up to six sets in a row, allowing enough time for a full upper or lower body workout while using KAATSU.
Pressure Replaces Weight
When the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated they compress the upper part of the limb. This reduces the venous flow of blood back to the heart causing the limb to become engorged with blood. When you’re working out under engorgement, your muscles run out of easily available oxygen and start producing energy anaerobically. This process releases hydrogen ions which require oxygen to broken down and cleared out. The buildup of hydrogen ions makes the cell environment more acidic which causes the “burning” feeling in the muscles. Normally you have to lift heavy weights to create this effect, but using KAATSU you can create the effect without the heavy weights.
This is the beauty of KAATSU. It’s why KAATSU is so effective in rehabilitation, with seniors, and with anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to lift heavy weights. KAATSU is a Japanese compound word meaning “Added Pressure”. It’s profoundly simple, but simply profound 🙂
I was glad to share this experience with my subject and I know they’re now out there sharing the KAATSU news with others. I hope you’ll consider experiencing the KAATSU effect and enjoying the benefits of KAATSU yourself!