What is Flywheel training
Flywheel training is a strength training modality that relies on the resistance of an inertial flywheel instead of conventional gravity-based resistance training with weights. This scientific paper shows that one of the important aspects of flywheel training is that it offers the possibility of performing exercises with eccentric overload and variable resistance.
“The effectiveness of inertial training, from rehabilitation to performance enhancement, has been proven by a lot of research.” – strength and conditioning coach Zsolt Pozsonyi
Flywheel training gained interest when NASA and the European Space Agency started using it with their astronauts in weightless space. It is a unique development in sport and physiotherapy. Training with a inertial flywheel is also called kinetic training or isoinertial training.
How does Flywheel Training work
Flywheel training works with a rotating disc, instead of traditional weights. The disc – also called inertial flywheel – is attached to a cord. When you pull the cord, the inertial flywheel starts rotating. During this acceleration, you experience resistance. This part of the movement is called a concentric movement.
Once the cord is fully unwind, the inertial flywheel maintains its rotation speed and will automatically pull the cord back, just like a yo-yo. You now need to slow the flywheel down by decelerating it. This part of the movement is called an eccentric movement. It is this eccentric movement that makes flywheel training so unique and effective. That’s why we wrote a full must read blog about it: How to create Eccentric Overload in Flywheel Training.
Flywheel training vs traditional weights: what’s the difference
Traditional weight training relies on gravity while flywheel inertial training is based on kinetic energy. As a result, the first noticeable difference is that a flywheel exercise machine can generate a lot of resistance without being heavy.
During a flywheel workout, you experience that the energy you put into the concentric phase (pull) equals the energy that you need to put into the eccentric phase (deceleration), to slow the flywheel down. This is something we are not used to in traditional strength training. In other words: during a flywheel workout you experience a constant resistance.
As a result, there is more emphasis on the eccentric (over)load than in weight training. This is exactly what makes flywheel training so effective.
For more differences between flywheel training and conventional resistance training, read these two blogs:
- The difference between flywheel training and free weights.
- Do resistance bands work or are there better alternatives?
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Benefits of Flywheel Training
The higher forces in the eccentric movement result in a more intense and effective training. Various studies have shown that flywheel training has significantly more effect on muscle strength, speed, power and size (flywheel training hypertrophy).
Looking at functional strength, flywheel training is proven to improve performance-related abilities like jump height and running speed to a greater extent than traditional training.
Science also shows that flywheel training is a very suitable treatment method in physiotherapy, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Especially in tendon injuries like Patellar Tendinopathy and Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. But also in hamstring injuries and rehabilitation for patients recovering from a stroke.
Suggested blog: Flywheel training lowers hamstring injury occurrence in elite soccer players.
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FAQ
By listening carefully to the wishes of the customer and by gaining more in-depth knowledge about everything concerning flywheel training, Kynett has expanded its range with various mobile devices and accessories which make training with Kynett even more fun, more intensive and more challenging. Moreover, the production and assembly is all carried out inhouse and is entirely located in the Netherlands.
With all of our products, you are able to train your entire body. On the website there are a number of instructional videos. It is very easy to think up and try sport specific exercises yourself, think tennis, boxing, golf etc.
Eccentric training improves strength, speed, power and performance related skills such as jump height and running speed to a greater extent than concentric or traditional training. But what do we mean by eccentric training and eccentric overload? Lifting a weight with your biceps is a good example of a concentric movement. Your muscles become shorter and therefore lift the weight to the ceiling. As you lengthen your muscles again, the weight returns to the starting position. Lengthening the muscles and thus lowering the weight is called an eccentric movement. It is possible to make an eccentric movement without much force. For example, by lowering a lightweight dumbbell. However, when we talk about eccentric overload, we are not talking about a movement with a light weight. A movement contains eccentric overload when you produce more force in the eccentric movement than you can produce concentrically. In practice, this often means that you lower more weight than you can lift (> 1RM). Therefore, lowering a weight slowly causes no eccentric overload if you could also lift the weight. It should come as no surprise that slow eccentric movements don't produce the same positive results as true eccentric overload like flywheel training. Flywheel training exercises are also more multifunctional, because at the beginning of the eccentric phase, you have to slow down and stay balanced. This will train more muscles (including your abdominal muscles) and improve your balance. Training with Kynett is suitable for many target groups such as top sports, rehabilitation, physical therapy, personal training, fitness and sport specific training. Training can be both light and intensive, and focused on speed or power.
The Kynett HOME makes flywheel training affordable and easy at home. Due to the compact and durable design, the Kynett HOME takes up almost no space. The weight of the resistance is determined by means of resistance discs. The Kynett HOME comes standard with two 4 mm thick discs. Lighter resistance discs of 3 mm or heavier discs of 5 mm can also be used. A maximum of one disc per side can be used. The discs can be combined, but you can also train with one disc. This way you determine the intensity of the training yourself.
The Kynett FIT is made from durable and sturdy materials and comes with a steel support and two ratchet straps, so you can train wherever you want! With this innovative way of training, all muscle groups can be trained within 1.5 square meters. The Kynett FIT comes standard with two 4 mmthick resistance discs and offers the possibility to train with heavier resistance than the Kynett HOME. Resistance discs of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 millimeters are compatible with the Kynett FIT! The Kynett FIT can also be attached on the wall with the mounting set.
The Kynett PRO is made from durable and sturdy materials and comes with a solid wall mount. This makes the Kynett PRO very easy to adjust to different heights and the possibilities are endless. With this innovative way of training, all muscle groups can be trained within 1.5 square meters. The Kynett PRO comes standard with two 4 mm-thick resistance discs and offers the possibility to train with heavier resistance than the Kynett HOME. Resistance discs of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 millimeters are compatible with the Kynett PRO!
The most complete and extensive set in our range! With this multifunctional wall setup you have everything in one! The innovative design makes it possible to switch between upper and lower body in no time. The pulleys at the top and bottom make it possible to perform all exercises within a range of 1.5 meters, which results in an enormous space and cost saving compared to renting/ purchasing expensive fitness equipment and large spaces. In addition, the Kynett ULTIMATE offers the possibility to train with heavier resistances than the Kynett HOME. Resistance discs of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 millimeters are compatible with the Kynett ULTIMATE!
The resistance with which you train is not expressed in kilograms, but in a moment of inertia: kgm2. Every object that can rotate around a certain axis has a so-called moment of inertia. Based on the mass and dimensions of the rotating disc, the moment of inertia can be calculated.
You can easily order via our webshop. But if you prefer personal contact, please send an e-mail to info@kynett.com
