Functional Training Tools: The Surge Part I

I have recently attained an exciting new piece of exercise equipment, the 'Surge.' This is a hollow plastic tube, similar to that of a Vipr. What makes this product stand out when compared to the competition is the fact that it is designed to be filled with water. This allows for an active resistance, one that constantly changes, providing an enhanced stimulus for the user. The inconsistency of hyrdo-resistance further provides differing levels of difficulty depending upon how much water is within the Surge and the intensity at which the user is moving.

Another great characteristic of this product is the sound elicited when moving, this provides feedback to the user and allows for correction throughout exercise. Slow, silent and controlled movements typically represent prehabilitation and rehabilitation exercises, whilst loud, crashing movements are utilised for strength and power development.

Any sporting movement can be replicated with the Surge, ranging from complex movements such as power cleans (surfing, rugby union etc.) and rotational movements (club or racquet sports) to simpler resistance movements such as deadlifts, squats, bent over rows and bench press.

Casey Stutzman has a breif description and demonstration of the surge here. You can look forward to more videos detailing the Surge from Innovate in the coming weeks.

Mitch