Hey there Sean, I’ve just got to say it and rant about it… anyone who thinks this type of expensive gimmick will turn them from a 20 handicap to a 5 is a complete and utter idiot!!!

Anytime something new comes along there’s always an initial overuse of it because it’s the new flavor of the month and it brings some “HOPE”.

In sports training America more than any other country loves bells & whistles and the latest shiny toy.

And just because elite players are using it… doesn’t mean it will turn you into one or make them any better.

Like every other golfer, they’ll try something if it gives them hope or it makes them feel better (the placebo effect).

End of the day, talent and hard work are what makes one a better golfer.

And I’d be guessing some of those promoting the use of it on tour are getting a slice of the $4500 transaction fee it cost to get one of your own.

Big results from 3 x 15 minutes sessions a week standing on a vibrating platform is a crock of sh*t (excuse my language).

Excuse my reluctance to jump on board the band wagon, but from my time working with professional athletes, I got exposed to more gadgets and gizmos every single week than most would see in a lifetime.

But hey, if you’ve got the bucks, and it makes you feel better go ahead and “invest” in one.

Sean Cassidy “Real Men Swing Fast”

Hey Sean,

No holds barred, eh?

Yeah, I can’t imagine at a minimum of $4,500 they are targeting the average 20 handicap golfer playing at your local golf course. Based on the amount of commercial grade equipment, it would seem to me that they are targeting personal trainers and fitness centers that target golfers.

I know I don’t have the cash to buy one for my place anytime soon!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t absolutely dive into this blog with a response to Sean’s rather misguided and very simple minded response. As someone immersed in fitness and physiology and a two-round a week golfer, I’m very familiar with this product and the technology behind it. I’m also in sports marketing, represent athletes and brands in sports and therefore have a ton of experience in pro sports and dealing with athletes and “gizmos” as Sean put it.

This product is backed by a significant amount of research and has been developing gradually over the past 30 years, since it was first developed by Russian Olympic trainers back when Russia was bitch slapping every other country during Olympic competition. It is currently used by more than half of the NFL, including the Giants who kept Plaxico Burress on the field all year despite a significantly torn ligament in his ankle.

The reason this is not some gizmo is because it’s based on pure physiological science and is far from “placebo” in its abilities and effects.

Yes, Sean there’s no denying that talent and hard work are critical. But doesn’t utilizing innovative and state of the art technologies to improve fitness and health and ultimately performance, part of the “hard work” part.

But let me allow the facts to speak and not my own bravado.

Every single one of us has a reflexive response to acceleration of gravity. For example, when you jump off of a bench or step on to the ground below, to effectively absorb the impact, your body reflexively contracts all of its muslces and mainstains stability upon landing. When your body is falling from the higher step down to the ground (even if it’s just a foot or two in elevation) gravity is accelerating as you travel down to meet the ground. This product’s vibrating platform is literally dropping out from under the feet and coming back up to meet the feet at a rate of 30-50 times per second. Every time this occurs, the muscles have to absorb this, 30-50 times per second. Granted, it’s a very subtle “drop”…literally miniscule, but it’s enough to trigger this neural reflexive response and force the muscles to engage for every vibration. So you can image, subtle or not, 30-50 times PER SECOND of anything will be a compelling and significant stimulus. So for those of you like Sean who have no clue about the true technology at the heart of this and other vibration-based products, this is what’s really happening and it is far from placebo. All of this muscular activity PER SECOND is exactly why the body can’t accomodate anymore than 15-20 minutes of exposure to the stimulus. And that’s really what they mean when they say 15-20 minutes: exposure ON the product. With rest periods, the workout takes about 35 minutes.

One of the most important results of all this specifically to golfers is the incredible enhancement of critical blood flow throughout the body to joints and tendons. This significantly improves flexibility and range of motion. Last I checked, flexibility and range of motion were critical to the golf swing and to developing increased club head speed.

Furthermore, the increase in blood flow, in turn, increases release of hormones which help the body reduce pain related ailments such as lower back injuries and other joint related injuries. Last I checked, those were pretty common among golfers and a product that helped prevent or reduce those ailments and related pain might be kind of valuable.

The plyometric benefits of the significant amount of muscle contractions helps increase explosive strength. And again, not a bad thing to enhance if you’re looking to play more consistently throughout a long round, not to mention add a couple yards of distance here and there.

Finally, because the product is actualy operating neurally, it’s enhancing the overall brain-to-body connection. We all know that it’s at the brain level (neural level), that every single phsyical action and motor skill begins. The sharper the brain to body connection, the better for things like hand-eye coordination and balance. Again, last I checked, hand-eye and balance were pretty important to the golf swing and consistency.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Not only is this legitimate science and technology that does indeed generate an enormous array of physical and wellness benefits. But the benefits are exactly those that are critical to golf.

THIS and ONLY THIS is why the PGA Tour Superstores are selling it and why top swing coaches and players are using them. Any normal Joe can walk into Brookstone, Busybody, Gymsource, Second Wind and other retail outlets and experience one themselves. By the way, while they are expensive, they have monthly financing through each of these retailers which makes the high price a little more palatable for most.

Yes, I’m a bit different in that I have a lot of knowledge about this technology. Again, I’m a die-hard work out guy and a rabid golfer and this product happens to bridge those two passions for me. But trust me, the thing is legit.

To imply that all of these players, trainers, coaches and the very PGA themselves would be championing an illegitimate “placebo” gizmo, is about the most short-sighted and simplistic perspective I’ve ever heard.

Godspeed to you brother. As long as your swinging the wrenches, you’re ahead of the game! Hit ‘em straight out there!

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