Last Updated on March 28, 2010 by Jimson Lee
Dear Readers,
I want an opinion. Seriously.
Is this product Sprint Trainer for Arms
a piece of crap?
I wrote an article last September called Arm Action in Sprinting
With the forces produced on the backswing, there’s no way you can keep your elbows locked at 90 degrees. If it bends, say to 100 or 105 degrees, no problem!
I’m a firm believer you should aim to push the elbows DOWN, not BACK on the backswing (sorry Adarian, but this is where I disagree)
If you want to practice arm swing mechanics, the best piece of equipment is a mirror! (Maybe two empty rolls of toilet paper, but that’s another story).
From the web site:
Resistance tubing connects upper arm with hand to encourage a correct bend in the elbow.
During backward movement, tubing provides moderate tension to develop powerful back swing while it helps to accelerate the arm during forward propulsion.
Sprint Trainer features a cuff that attaches around the upper arm and a loop that goes around the finger and thumb.
Lined thumb grip keeps tubing from cutting into the hand.
Velcro cuff fits up to 17" bicep. Green. 1 lb. Sold as pair.
Note that these are sold as a pair. What do they expect?
I look forward to your comments.
I would not even use this equipment on beginning runners who’s arms can’t follow a “relatively” straight vertical line. I also, agree on the arm downswing comment above. It does seem to me as the tubing would be pulling my adductor pollicis & abductor pollicic brevis, which could actually reinforce and eventually lead to less then 90 degree angle on the back swing. Now if you are generating enough power and keep your elbow locked at 90 degrees and do not loose the force production from the downswing/backswing more power to you. However, the human body needs to be able to absorb the shock of the downswing/backswing hence it opens up more then 90 degree and less then 90. Think of the dorsiflexion for example and fact that you do not want you foot locked as well. Looking at the picture itself you should take note of the right arm where the hand is at 90 degrees, which I would go as far as to say he would be compensating to resist the force to apply incorrect running mechanics, that is if the runner would be trying to keep his/her arm at 90 degrees on the upswing. Bottom line, do what comes naturally with advanced sprinters (unless they need serious help) after all we learned to squat up and yet we have trouble squatting down when we get older. This I feel, would be as loading something that does not need to be loaded in a motion as the natural kinetic chain is taken away by forcing compensation. Arm action/motion needs to be fixed by strengthening/stretching the necessary muscles for the motion itself and not fixed by resistance while in motion. If one does not posses the necessary fundamental ability to move his/her arms as needed then why load them?
We agree that elbow movement is important. That is a similarity. The direction to drive is just preference.
The issue i have is that what happens with the hands, arms and elbows will affect the feet,legs and knees. You wonder why people run as if they are squatting down, it is because of the action of the arms, hands and elbow.
The other issue is that different speeds require different degree of elbow opening and closing. If you can’t alter it then it becomes hard to control your speed.
Plus I am a big fan of shoulder movement and this device would tend to make me hold my shoulder stiff. That to me is wasted energy.
But you would be surprise by who buys stuff like this.
Interesting mechanics from a well known sprinter from the 90’s…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Pr3Y9QpYU
yeah it’s crap!!!! what a waste of money!!!