In the strength training world, everyone knows that dumbbells and barbells are household tools for pumping iron. Kettlebells, the barbell’s sister, have also become quite popular over the last few years, especially with the rise of the Cross Fit movement.
Well, Bell Sisters, there’s a new training tool in town, and it’s called ViPR.
ViPR, which stands for Vitality, Performance, and Reconditioning was created by Michol Dalcourt, director of the Institute of Motion in San Diego. Though on its outside, it resembles a large and somewhat scary rubber tube, ViPR (pronounced viper) combines strength training with movement training to create a full-body functional workout through innovative movement patterns. (Read: if used properly, you will get a great muscular workout and HUGE calorie burn).
“In the gym, people aren’t moving in a way that they do in everyday life,” ViPR creator Michol Dalcourt told to Men’s Fitness. “You rarely see people move a load through a field of gravity during their workout. Usually they just move the load up and down.”
Anyone can use ViPR, from competitive athletes to folks new to the fitness world. Though, there is one downside: the product is currently only available for purchase by personal trainers, competitive athletes, sports teams, and fitness facilities. We know, it’s lame. We’re hoping we’ll see our friends over at Amazon pick it up very soon. In any effect, ViPR classes are beginning to pop up around the country, so be sure to check with your local fitness centers to try out a class (and let us know what you think when you do!).
More reasons why we love it:
1. Most of ViPR’s exercises incorporate full-body movement patterns. Our lives are full of varied movements, so our workouts should be too. Plus, the more muscles worked in an exercise…the more calories are burned!
2. ViPR’s high intensity interval workout will increase your metabolic rate throughout the day, which, with a healthy diet, leads to greater weight loss.
3. No gym membership needed. The best place to use ViPR is in the park. Find a trainer who owns one (or convince them to buy one) and get a few of your friends together to try it out.
What other innovative fitness equipment have you seen lately? Leave us a note in the comments below!
Tiffany Chag is an ex-collegiate athlete and has been a certified personal trainer since 2005. She has expertise in everything from weight loss to strength training to nutritional counseling.
