PowerCranks, What do they do?
PowerCranks take training and rehabilitation to a whole new level. PowerCranks are independent bicycle cranks that mount to a normal bicycle or exercise machine. This simple concept forces the user to train more muscles and forces better coordination. PowerCranks, when integrated into the normal training routine, allow the athlete to achieve more than was ever possible before. This one tool will allow the user to:
1. Train important muscles, undertrained in almost everyone (more)
2. Ensure your leg and core muscles are balanced (more)
3. Improve running and cycling speed/power (more)
4. Improve running and cycling technique (more)
5. Improve running and cycling efficiency (more)
6. Reduce your risk of injury (more)
7. Improve training time management (more)
8. Improve rehabilitation outcome after injury or surgery (more)
9. Increase your VO2max (more)
10. Plyometrics without the injury risk (more)
11. Other possible health improvements (more)
No other training tool does all of this.
PowerCranks, How do they do it?
PowerCranks are, simply, independent bicycle cranks that replace the regular cranks found on a typical bicycle or exercise machine. This means one leg cannot help the other and in order to pedal the bike one cannot simply relax on the back stroke but must actively raise the pedal using your hip flexor and hamstring muscles. This simple change ensures that your leg muscles will become balanced (both right/left and fore/aft) and that you will be training additional muscles and coordination important to overall well-being and superior athletic performance. Watch the video below for some more information.
PowerCranks, who will they help?
PowerCranks will help almost any athlete who uses his legs for power or speed in his sport or activity. This is especially true for those athletes who are injured or have a history of repeated injury. The question isn't so much "who will they help?" but, rather, "how much will they help?" That can't be known until the athlete integrates them into their training and sees which weaknesses the PowerCranks address. The long list of Olympic, World, and National champions in cycling, triathlon, and running, who have used the product in training is extensive plus a wide variety of university and professional teams have adopted the tool for performance enhancement, injury prevention, rehab, or all of these. If the PowerCranks can help these people we would expect them to work for you also.
Training currently "missed" muscles?
The two big muscle groups that PowerCranks use beyond those currently being trained are the hip flexors (the iliopsoas) and the hamstrings. Another smaller muscle that is trained is the tibialis anterior, which dorsiflexes the ankle (pulls the foot up). Eventually, with time, all of these muscles are being trained in a balanced, coordinated, manner which means they can be used more effectively in almost every activity.
Insuring muscle balance?
Because the cranks are not connected, a strong leg cannot assist a weaker one. This means that if you are riding both legs at the same time, trying to do the same amount of work, the weaker leg is being stressed more and it will respond to this stress and eventually become the equal of the stronger leg. This same principle holds for the fore/aft muscles. The pushing leg cannot help the pulling muscles on the back stroke. As one trains these muscles will become the equivalent of the pushing muscles.
Improved running and cycling speed/technique?
They improve both of these activities because they "force" the user to develop the muscles and coordination that contribute to better technique for both of these activities. Improved technique results in improved efficiency. Improved efficiency means the athlete can achieve more power/speed for the same effort or go longer for the same effort. Click on the links for a more detailed explanation for cycling or running.
Reduced risk of injury?
Most non-contact injuries are related to muscle imbalances in the legs and poor coordination. PowerCranks help with both of these aspects. Further, they are non-impact so they allow the serious athlete to increase the overall intensity of their workouts without increasing the "pounding" to their bodies. For a more detailed explanation go here.
Improved time management?
PowerCranks by doing more for the athlete in the same amount of time really help the athlete to get more for the time they have to give. Triathletes expecially benefit because now they can see running benefit while riding their bike. This gives them the option of taking some time away from their running and adding it to either the bike or swim training, depending upon where they will see the biggest advantage. More here.
Rehab after injury or surgery?
PowerCranks force the user to use the injured leg in a coordinated manner. On a regular bike if the bad leg hurts the rider can simply let the good leg do all the work. One is spending time making the legs go around and doing almost nothing to facilitate getting that bad leg to become the equal of the good leg again. Also, the cranks act as a complete running alternative since the athlete is maintaining his/her running or cycling mechanics even though not running or cycling, per se. More here.
Increase VO2max?
Vo2 max is related to how much muscle the athlete is using in an aerobic manner. PowerCranks force the user to train additional muscle into aerobic muscles and trains them to allow incorporation of these muscles into their sport. Part of the increase in the cycling power that users see is most likely coming from increasing VO2 max.
Plyometrics?
Plyometric exercises are typically thought of as "jumping" exercises. But, what they really are are exercises that train the muscles, connective tissue, and nervous system to effectively carry out the stretch-shortening cycle trying to focus on proper technique and body mechanics. Plyometrics are an effective way of improving athletic performance but they also carry substantial risk of injury. PowerCranks can be used as a substitute for standard plyometric exercise and as a base to prepare the athlete for the more explosive exercises such that they should be able to be performed with reduced risk of injury. PowerCranks are extremely useful as a risk free plyometrics alternative for football, baseball, basketball, gymnastics and a host of other sports that require core or leg strength speed or coordination.
Other health benefits?
Users have reported to us that they have seen improvement in problems associated with erectile dysfunction. Don't laugh, there really is a theoretical explanation. For a more detailed explanation go here.