Strength Development

When the weight is distributed in a balanced manner in the front, sides and back of of the hip joint, there is increased resistance on leg movements in all directions. This results in greater strength development of the muscles involved. Such precise strength development is most important in conditioning and, in particular, in sport specific training.

With increased levels of hip muscle strength, walking, running, cycling and other activities that involve the hip muscles become easier. In time, when doing these activities you will require less effort to move the legs for extended periods or with greater force and quickness.

The use of weigthed pants is a relatively new phenomena, but one that is extremely effective since the muscles are strengthened in a manner specific to the way that they are used in the sport (but only if the weights are placed and balanced correctly). As a result, you are capable of quickly improving your performance in these sports because of the highly specific nature of this strength training. The same results are not possible with general weight training exercises, which usually develop the muscles in different movement patterns and ranges of motion.

Speed Training

One of the greatest benefits from using weighted pants is in the increased speed. This occurs from the development of speed-strength, i.e., doing fast-movement leg exercises when wearing the weighted pants. An example is the quick knee pull-through to develop the hip flexors. By doing this exercise, it becomes easier to quickly bring the leg forward and upward when running, which contributes to greater stride length and resultant speed.

In essence, wearing weighted pants while running develops the muscles in exactly the same way as they are used in running. The key to maximum effectiveness is to first have good running form!

Over-speed Training

It is possible to greatly increase running speed with most athletes. Running can also be more explosive afer you have developed your base strength and have been doing some speed training with the weighted pants in a alternating manner. For example, after you are suffieicntly warmed up, put the weighted pants on with two pounds each leg.

Do several short sprints (40-100 yards) and then take the weights out (or pants off). At this time your legs will feel very light. Repeat the sprint to feel yourself "flying" and going faster than ever before. Such alternation of "heavier" and "lighter" running is the basis for over-speed training.

The physiological basis for greater speed is in muscle memory. When you wear the weighted pants in sprinting, the muscles must recruit additional fibers and work them in a more powerful manner to bring the legs forward and upward and backward and downward very quickly. when you take the weights out to decrease the resistance, the muscles still remember how strongly they contracted for several minutes. As a result, even thought the resistance is decreased, the muscles still contract strongly (as though the weights are still in the pants), which in turn makes the legs move faster, producing greater speed.

To help you better understand this phenomenon, think of the empty and full glass experience. When you first start drinking from a full glass, you use a certain amount of strength to raise the glass to your lips. If someone switches your glass to an empty one with out your knowledge or if you unknowingly grasp a glass that is almost empty, you will subconsciously lift it with the same amount of force. You then bring the glass to your lips so quickly that the drink is soon all over you.

The same thing happens in running. The muscles become accustomed to running with the extra weight and respond in the same manner withot the extra resistance, making you run faster.

Plyometric Training

Weighted pants such as the ones by Protrainer™ are very beneficial for use in plyometric activities. This includes different jumps with the weighted pants, which create greater loading on the landing to produce a more powerful take-off. This is used to create grater explosivemess, especially when not using extra resistance. Note that the weighted pants eliminate the need for holding light weights in the hands for more power.

The weighted pants are beneficial in activities such as bounding, leaping take-offs with a knee drive and when executing quick changes in direction. They are especially effective in side jumps and lateral movements--two key actions for improving quickness and agility. To be effective, you must quickly explode on each jump. By having the extra weight concentrated below the center of gravity, you can maintain better balance in these jumps, which allows you to be faster and more explosive.

Depth jumps, standing jumps and running plyometric (depth) jumps are needed to improve vertical and horizontal jumping height. Altitude jumps are used to increase eccentric strength, which is needed in stopping and to prepare the muscles for an explosive contraction. These jumps are very important in enhancing sports performances. For example, the jumps improve your ability to execute a quick jump as needed in basketball jump shots, volleyball spiking and blocking, track and field jumps, leaping for balls in football, baseball, explosive serving and overheads in tennis and head shots in soccer. For more information please visit dryessis.com