BFR harnesses the natural function of the cardiovascular system. Arteries carry oxygenated blood flow from the heart to the arms and legs. Veins carry deoxygenated blood away from the limbs back to the heart. The goal of BFR and OT Bands is to optimize the venous blood flow back to the heart and pool the blood in the targeted muscle group. This optimized blood flow to your muscles results in naturally increased human growth hormone, lactate acid, noradrenalin, and other hormones.
Athletes like Bode Miller credit their rehabilitation after injuries to blood flow restriction therapy and U.S. Special Forces are beginning to use it as part of their training methods. Doctors have even begun to use it for bedridden patients to avoid muscle atrophy. Participants in blood flow restriction therapy see similar results with lower resistance to those who use heavy weights, all with no added risk of muscle damage.
Studies have shown that Optimization Training offers impressive rewards for power lifters, the elderly, and everyone in between (Read a Recent Case Study about OT Bands used in training) .
Regular gym goers, participants in health and wellness activities, those recovering from an injury, and even people with no time for regular exercise. It’s easier than ever to boost any activity – at the gym or at home – with OT Bands. Any physical benefit you normally get from your workout or daily routine will only be compounded when you wear your bands.
KAATSU, the original form of blood flow restriction technique developed in the 1960s and 1970s by Yoshiaki Sato, moderates venous blood flow to the muscles during exercise with air compression bands and sensors. As a result, blood pools in the muscles, increasing metabolic rate and growth hormone.
KAATSU equipment is expensive and is typically used by medical or therapeutic clinics or elite athletes. KAATSU products are not often available to the average consumer.
BFR training bands are typically made of elastic making them more affordable than KAATSU equipment.
Most BFR bands are also one-size-fits-all, making it difficult to get a correct and consistent pressure for every workout. While there are definite benefits to BFR bands – the lower cost and ease of use – these bands are uncomfortable and should only be worn for short durations.
OT Bands combine KAATSU’s more controlled blood flow restriction benefits with BFR’s affordability. Instead of using air compression or elastic, our OT Bands are a custom fit neoprene rubber design that expands and contracts with every movement of your muscles to more accurately and consistently optimize blood flow at an affordable price.
OT Bands are custom fit based on your arm or leg size to help you consistently achieve the correct pressure during your workout. Elastic bands tend to lose compression over the course of your workout. The neoprene in our bands, however, keeps a consistent compression on your target muscles.
OT Bands are comfortable and don’t dig into the skin like their elastic counterparts. And unlike other BFR bands, our bands optimize blood flow around the entire muscle – not just parts of it. Elastic bands buckle which allows blood to seep away from the muscle, defeating the purpose of BFR training.
The slim, stylish design of OT Bands makes them comfortable for wear over or under clothing, so you can easily go from the gym to the office while maintaining consistent compression on your muscles.