the blog of balance performance physiotherapy » back pain

Alter-G reduced gravity treadmill: appealing to lightweights & heavyweights

JonathanLewis — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:29:32 +0000

Although Balance is an organisation that has been at the forefront of many innovations and concepts related to movement, rehabilitation, recovery and performance we arent exactly controversial! We are different to every other sports injury and spinal rehabilitation centre in London because we dedicate ourselves to sustainable solutions for our clients even when many clinics feel it doesn’t make good business sense to educate clients to a level that empowers them to take care of themselves. Perhaps they are right – we have invested in space to move rather than extra cash generating treatment rooms, we introduce innovative products to an unknowing public rather than sticking with “convention”, and we have dedicated time into refining and discussing and racking our brains to see how best to communicate our objective – which is for clients to expect more of themselves and develop a resilience of mind and body that will protect them over a lifetime. Despite all this, and our lack of tailored shirts, we havent fallen out with any of our fellow professionals.

After a controversial boxing weekend we are asking ourselves if Dereck Chisora’s use of the Alter-G at Balance helped provide some of the additional fitness required to go the distance with heavyweight World Champion Vitali Klitschko: click here for the BBC sports report.

Dereck Chisora using Balance's Alter-G shortly before leaving for his World Title Challenge to Vitali Klitschko in Munich

Balance Performance brought its high spec Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill to the UK the same week in 2008 as Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs. At that time only elite sports clubs and world class runners such as Paula Radcliffe owned or had access to the G-Trainer. Not much has changed in that time few sports injury clinics are prepared to invest in such technology despite the benefits to their clients – although now the NHS is dipping its toes into the world of anti-gravity. This is surprising as virtually every one of our clients who comes to our sports injury and orthopaedic clinic following low back, hip, knee or ankle surgery will have been advised by their surgeons to observe a period of “partial weight bearing”. Once our people and clients who come to us from other physiotherapy clinics in London experience the Alter-G partial weight bearing treadmill the benefits to their movement – and so recovery, confidence and well-being – are obvious.

Others who instantly recognise the benefits of the Alter-G are those who suffer periods of joint pain but wish to continue indulging their love of running despite arthritic changes in their low back, hips, knees, ankles.

Less obvious at first glance is the benefits to sports conditioning and running performance, weight loss, and our clients with neurological conditions such as parkinsons, MS, head injuries.

However since 2008 the list of people who have used Balance’s Alter-G is broad and diverse: from lightweight iron woman athletes looking to expand their training volume, ultra endurance adventurer Oli Dudley preparing for 7 back to back ultramarathons around the world, the awesome Parkour Team from Urban Free Flow (click here to see their video), US Olympian Shannon Rowbury (Bronze medalist at the World Championships 1500 meters race), countless professional footballers including players from Fulham FC, Millwall FC, Brentford FC, Ipswich Town, Brighton and Hove Albion FC, and regular appearances from professional rugby team Harlequins – London Broncos went on to get their own.

Away from sport our Alter-G demonstrated to those working in military rehabilitation the benefit to soldiers who have had amputations following traumas sustained in combat. This led to the first Alter-G in the UK Military going to Headley Court.

If you’d like to know how you could benefit from using the Alter-G whether because of a sporting injury, neurological condition, following lower limb or back surgery, after a hip or knee replacement, or because you have endurance goals or need greater power on the sports field: call Balance on 02076272308 and ask to speak with one of the Balance professional team.

Run Britain article by Dr Lucy Goldby on the Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill

scott — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:58:28 +0000

Dr Lucy Goldby has written a fantastic article on the Alter G treadmill (G-Trainer) that has appeared on Run Britain’s website. Run Britain is the largest online group for road running in the UK.

Balance has now had their Alter-G for over three years and firmly believe that a tool is only as good as the knowledge of those who use it. In the three years that Balance has had the Alter-G our team of therapists have accumulated hours of time using the G-trainer with clients from a huge range of disciplines, levels and with differing problems. From clients with hip replacements, club runners wanting to run faster to premiership footballers getting over a knock the Balance team have seen it all.

If you want to use the Alter-G at Balance and haven’t used it before you will automatically have a session with one of our expert therapists on how to use it to maximise your rehab and or performance to achieve your goals.

To read Lucy’s fantastic article please follow the link: http://runbritain.com/little-runbritain/157/

For more information on using the G-Trainer (commonly referred to as “Alter-G”) or to book a free session at Balance call 0207 627 2308

Crosscore Pulley Suspension Training introduced for Shoulder Resilience

JonathanLewis — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:12:24 +0000

As we introduce the WarMachine (the pulley suspension training system

from Crosscore USA) at grass roots level in the UK we are seeing the experienced professionals and experts in their fields coming forward
and asking for us to come and show them the 360 degree potential the
system offers its users for health and fitness, injury rehab and
surgical recovery, sports performance (from tennis to MMA) and those
that want/need to have some fun with their physical training.

One such professional is Andrew Bellamy an osteopath who runs the Adur
Clinic and Shoulder Centric from the Brighton and Hove area.

Andrew who is a forward thinking professional who looks one step ahead
for the benefit of his clients. He has put this workshop together to
help sports injury specialists and personal trainers do the same,
pulling together 3 powerful tools. The WarMachine, the Rotater and Kettlebells for shoulder function,
recovery and resilience to injury.

We have worked before with Andrew sharing his knowledge in Real Time
Ultrasound of the shoulder with the Balance sports injury team and
Andrew has supplemented his existing knowledge of trigger points by
learning more about the Trigger Point Performance self-massage tools.

Really looking forward to this workshop, any questions please contact
Andrew directly or Jonathan Lewis at Balance.

The Lissom Technique at Balance Performance Physiotherapy

scott — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:09:54 +0000

The Lissom Technique is the truly innovative creation of two exceptionally gifted specialists in human movment and part of the Balance strength and conditioning team Julien Diaz & Jason Prog.

Lissom is a free flowing movement technique that encompasses a combination of simple but challenging moves and stretches to build core strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. The movmements used in Lissom stem from movments which have been in use for centuries through dance, martial arts and most importantly play. Lissom takes technicaly difficult moves and breaks them down into managable and enjoyable routines.

The Lissom technique has been born out of the need to challenge both the physical and mental elements of our bodies. Our bodies are designed to move in a free flowing and dynamic way, yet in todays society we have become very rigid in our movements as a result of the computer generation.

Using body resisted exercises is both physically and mentally challenging. It is this type of movement which really challenges the body’s stability and coordination and strength. Using precise techniques to achieve good alignment through movement brings fluidity, stability, flexibility and strength. Overall, there is a feeling of body empowerment, liberating your body and mind.

There are two Lissom classes at Balance at 7am and at 7pm every monday, please call to book or for more information.

Hybrid Bodyweight Training Equipment. The Total Package?

JonathanLewis — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:43:16 +0000

Chris Chirsalys - professional circus/sideshow performer

This article was written by J.P. Brice. Co-inventor of the War Machine Suspended Pulley Trainer by CrossCore, Inc.

Bodyweight training. It’s been around forever. But as the sports of bodybuilding and powerlifting really started to evolve in the 50’s and 60’s, we became fascinated with big, shiny, “muscle specific” machines and training with massive amounts of weight. Bigger was better, especially in the 80’s when I began lifting. Well, I will always have a deep passion for bodybuilding and heavy weights. It’s just who I am. But, now that I am almost 40 with three bulging discs caused by all the years of heavy squats and shrugs, I now tend to put longevity first when I train. After all, big muscles are really only temporary, but your tendons, joints and skeletal system are forever and you’ve got to take care of them.

Nowadays there is a growing focus on getting back to the basics. By basics I mean bodyweight training, tire flipping, kettlebells etc. I personally think the recession the past few years has had a lot to do with this. Lets face it, lifting your own bodyweight is pretty affordable compared to a rack of dumbbells. But at the same time I also think that we are all realizing after sixty years of huge leaps in fitness equipment technology, that good old fashioned basics can often give you the same desired end result, if not better.

Today some of the most popular bodyweight training routines include suspended straps. Some are made from two separate straps and some are joined together in a Y configuration toward the top near the anchor point. There are many great attributes of these straps such as allowing us to workout at many different locations, giving us a wide range of exercises that can isolate each muscle or combine many in the same movement…including the beloved “core” we all hear about these days. Straps give us a variety of multi-planar, compound exercise movements that tend to be much easier on the joints because they compliment the body’s natural mechanics. I have to be honest, as a heavy weightlifter of over twenty five years, I first laughed at these straps. I thought, “These don’t weigh 500 lbs….what use could I possibly have for them”. After I was able to shove my ego to the side I soon realized the benefit bodyweight training could offer even me. I now incorporate bodyweight training into my workouts and all my shoulder pain has gone away and my back is much better than it used to be.

Now that I have covered why I personally think bodyweight training is making a comeback and what it has done for me, let me put a different “spin” on things. Imagine adding a 3rd dimension to bodyweight training with suspended straps and even gymnastics rings. An improvement of balance through imbalance. The 3rd dimension I speak of is by way of adding a pulley to these straps that now gives your presses, pulls and everything else you did before, “rotational movement”! Because rotational movement now allows you to train one side of the body at a time or both together, any limitations your bodyweight training routine had before are now totally gone. The balance this improvement creates and the mind-muscle awareness you gain in your form and overall functionality is incredible. Rotation is also great for telling your weak side it had better quickly catch up with the dominant side. I know, my fellow weightlifters out there are still skeptical. But hold on, I’m getting to the icing on the cake for you. The implementation of the suspended pulley also allows you to attach counterweights to one side. These counterweights can range from kettlebells to weight plates. I like kettlebells because they balance perfectly when being hoisted on a pulley. The isolation exercise capability via freeweights (curls, tricep extensions, lat rows, etc.) is now just like being at the gym and the single pulley transfers all the actual weight to the handle so not much weight is needed. If that wasn’t enough, resistance bands can be used in place of the counterweights to give the user even more resistance versatility, not to mention a whole slew of different cable attachments that can be used.

This new “hybrid” concept in bodyweight training equipment is sure to please the beginner all the way up to the elite athlete and I’m convinced it is the future of many exciting things to come in our industry. Now get out there and do the “iron cross” on those rings…but this time with rotational movement!

J.P. Brice
“Life’s A Battle…Prepare For War”
www.crosscore-usa.com

The WarMachine is available in the UK and throughout Europe from Balance Performance shop. Click on this link and take a look: WarMachine

elite athletes suffer many of the same sports injury problems

JonathanLewis — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:49:28 +0000

Tight hip flexors and imbalances, weak gluteals – does this sound familiar? It happens to elite ATP pro tennis players as well as the recreational athletes we see from Clapham, Stockwell and Brixton.

Graham Anderson at AVB AMRO world tennis tournament

JonathanLewis — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:10:12 +0000

News from Graham in Rotterdam:

The 38th AVB AMRO world tennis tournament in Rotterdam may not sound the most glamourous event on the ATP Callander but with Soderling, Murray, Ferrer, Berdych, Melzer, and Tsonga, it is a strong field following on from the Australian Open. I’m the sole ATP physiotherapy representative to look after the qualifiers, and 32 drawer singles as well as the doubles (16 pairings). Busy strapping and prepping players before they go on court, this between treating injuries and advising on rehab programmes. All stops temporarily if called to court by a medical court call. With 2 courts and 4 practice courts there’s potentially a lot of running.

Graham works 14 weeks of the year in professional tennis including all of the UKs major tournaments (AEGON (Queens Club), Wimbledon Grand Slam (AELTC) and the ATP World Tour Finals (O2 Arena)), but leaves confident in the knowledge that a talented team of sports injury specialists is available in our London clinic all year around.

Balance Blogging

JonathanLewis — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:19:01 +0000

There is so much going on at the moment at Balance Performance that i could be blogging daily, the reality is that its so busy the blogging activities are at a low!

Stewart Laing is one of the UKs most respected Sports Physiologists, has worked with some of the worlds elite athletes but is able to find the most relevant tests to suit you and your goals. From hydration tests to help you optimise injury recovery to the full battery of tests to assess aerobic capabilities, body fat percentage/lean mass composition. call Balance on 02076272308.

The strength and conditioning team is very strong. Kettlebell coaches, (Svetlana, Cj Swaby) with the most experience and highest skills, knowledge gained from the worlds best teachers. Movement specialists Julien Diaz, Jason Progl delivering the Lissom technique to individuals and small groups, learn how to move with poise, control and fluidity. Strength and conditioning coach Darren Brown guiding personal training clients through bodyweight drills, olympic and power lifts.

Balance Performance has two of Londons best sports masseurs in Trevor Speller (also an osteopathic student) and Kellie Roberts (who London Irish players also benefit from). they provide deep and effective soft tissue work, Trevor also uses active isolated stretching techniques.

Martina Kehoe is teaching 2 classes each week to empower clients to care for themselves using Trigger Point Performance self massage tools to work on muscular adhesions, scar tissue and trigger points – to see the performance/recovery tools click this link http://bit.ly/fbbYKr to find out more about the classes (FREE for existing clients) call 02076272308.

As always there is an ever present depth of expertise in sports injury treatment and back pain rehabilitation.

To break up the text here’s a video to show you a piece of equipment that encapsulates alot of what goes on at our London performance centre and what we promote across Europe. Flow and control, strength and power in movement for everyone, accessible to all:

CrossCore Pulley suspension system – the WarMachine.

Balance is growing in its impact in providing people with products that are effective in strength, fitness, recovery, prevention, sports injury treatment and back pain treatment, consumables like sports tape, kinesio tape (our brand is KT Tape). Our gurantee is that we will never sell you anything that we dont believe is effective, if you are not sure if a product is right for you contact us to be absolutely confident in your purchases.

Great versatility for outdoor training, highly effective strength, conditioning and fitness anywhere:

JonathanLewis — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:29:12 +0000

A few examples of the versatility in bodyweight training that the Pulley suspension system of the WarMachine offers personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, bootcamp providers and anyone else who likes to take their physical training outdoors. Free flowing, fluid strength, conditioning, speed, power and endurance.

interested in future education workshops in pulley suspension training across Europe? go to http://www.warmachine-europe.com

want to buy and your from UK/Ireland? you can go direct to the product page: War Machine http://bit.ly/ijyJKr

Outside of Europe and want to know where you can find the WarMachine near you? go to http://www.crosscore-usa.com

Steve Cotter Masterclass at Balance Performance on Friday October 8th

JonathanLewis — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:46:14 +0000

Balance Performance is once again extremely proud that Steve Cotter, world class teacher of kettlebells, athletic movement and all aspects of strength, conditioning, movement and wellbeing, will be teaching a 3 hour Masterclass at our London facility.

Friday, October 8th, 6pm – 9.15pm
Balance Performance
113 Gauden Road
London SW4 6LE

call 020-7627-2308 to book a spot: £65

Content of the Masterclass is split between the use of the Animal Moves for bodyweight strength and conditioning followed by 90 minutes of kettlebell technique work. For those who do not know Steve Cotter, he is a teacher who not only has an indepth understanding of the subjects he teaches but as an athlete also he is incredible. Poise, touch, balance, power, strength and grace in movement are very obvious.

Animal Movements:

The original Martial Arts originators observed the animals in nature for inspiration in how they would develop such force and ferocity to defend their habits. Certain animals in particular were revered for their fighting prowess. Out of these studies were develop Animal movements, which recreated the power, grace and agility of the natural kingdom. In this course, full contact champion Steve Cotter shares some of the secrets of Animal Movements to teach you how to use your whole body in a powerful, graceful and integrated manner. Not only are these tremendously challenging, but also unique and a lot of fun.

Kettlebell swing, jerk, snatch and variations:

For those new to kettlebell training, we start from the ground up essentials. For those who have been training for years, you have the benefit of Steve’s experience and the constant improvements and refinements he makes in his own training through his study with the Russian and Ukranian World Champions Lifters. If you think you know how to do these lifts, you will still learn some new tweaks and modification to take your current level to the next level. If this is your first taste of KB training, you will learn the essential movements to get you started on a safe and effective fitness program.

Call soon as previously these Masterclasses have sold out rapidly – because of this i have held off sending text messages to my own personal network to give others a fare go at getting on theMasterclass before it sells out.

Hope to see you there.