Fire Rescue Magazine

FEB 2012

FireRescue Magazine presents vital solution-oriented news and skills for fire service decision-makers who rely on cutting-edge information they can use on the job. To view the 2010 issues go to: http://fire.epubxpress.com

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Tools News Techniques Equipment How To Training People Gear Test Web & Media Events LOBOS Pros + Good cardio workout + No strain on joints + Good for those with physical limitations + Builds kicking strength + Promotes a sense of calm Cons - Doesn't replace load- bearing exercise - Some exercises require a deep pool Body Oars Tel: 614/633-0860 E-mail: bodyoars@aol.com Website: www.bodyoars.com The Power endurance By Michael Ong aving been in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years, I have seen an array of fitness equipment with claims that promise the moon and the stars. Needless to say, I remain skepti- cal of any product that professes to be "the best." So when I was asked to review a product from Body Oars, I questioned the website's claim that Body Oars are "the world's best water exercise equipment." Body Oars produces five products: 1. LOBOS (Lower Body Oars)—this is the prod- uct I tested. H 2. UBOS (Upper Body Oars) 3. RAMBOS (Rapid Ass Motion Body Oars) 4. XBOS (Extreme Body Oars) 5. Exoskeleton Joint Lock Wraps The lower body oars or LOBOS are pieces of molded plastic strapped to the legs by way of Velcro. of Resistance Body Oars' LOBOS use water resistance to build strength & Body Oars are pieces of molded plastic strapped to either the arms (UBOS) or legs (LOBOS) by way of Velcro. Te plastic extends beyond the major joint of the extremity, keeping the joint from bending. Tis better isolates the intended muscle group by eliminating the involvement of the muscles respon- sible for moving that joint. Te molded plastic also flares out as it extends past the extremity, resembling a paddle. In fact, you can think of Body Oars as paddles for the arms or legs. Te paddle increases resistance in the water as you push it in one direc- tion, moving your "vessel" in the opposite direction. Te website has instructions, videos and workouts for using the Body Oars. Tere's even a video show- ing a few firefighters testing them out. After reading the instructions—and warnings—I strapped them on and took the plunge. Donning the LOBOS was pretty easy after read- ing the directions. You have to sit pool-side with your leg flat to get a secure placement. Tree Velcro straps go around the leg, two below the knee and one above the knee. Te instructions state to then don a secure floatation belt or life jacket—a good idea due to the lack of leg mobility and the unfa- miliarity of how the LOBOS may affect your swim- ming, especially if you need to self-extricate. Once secured to your leg, the LOBOS are sta- tionary. You feel like you're in a cast because there's no movement or loosening them by accident. Upon entering the pool, I realized that I could not do half of the exercises that were shown on the website due to the depth of my pool. Most backyard pools in my part of the country are about 6 feet deep. A deeper pool would allow you to be vertical to perform what the website calls the Basic Vertical Free Float. I had to remain at an angle, which was fine with me, as I'm not 16 FIRERESCUE MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2012 FIREFIGHTERNATION.COM ▲ PHOTOS MICHAEL ONG

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