A Great Way to Train Your Adductors and Abductors at Home in 2024.

     

Background

Yes, Yes, I know… what a random bit of kit to review!

This purchase came about when I was rehabbing bilateral adductor strains. I had limited access to any machines that may have help helped, but I did have access to a cable machine.

I thought that if I could manage to hook a strap around my thigh, then connect that to a cable machine – that’d do the job. I thought that if it worked, it could provide me with a very low resistent force to adduct against – enabling me to perform a graded recovery, moving through isometric movements to full on max power isotonic movements.

It turns out that I was on the right train of thought, however I originally purchased these. And apologies in advance DMoose… but these really weren’t effective for my hip/knee/ankle rehab as there’s wasn’t enough contact between the strap and skin. This meant that I had to hold/anticipate certain muscles to make the movement work. As I released the weight, a large gap would appear between the pad and my skin.

If I applied slightly too much force on the concentric phase, the cable would also ‘bounce’ – which is the opposite of the smooth movement that I was trying to achieve. In short, it just felt like a very unnatural movement, not conducive to working through smooth movement patterns. This wasn’t necessarily just an issue with DMoose’s version either. Most ankle straps appear to have this design.

 

Instant Speed – Speed Training Bands

I therefore needed something that would wrap around the entire ankle, with a good degree of cushioning the whole way round. That’s when I found these speed training bands.

*Disclaimer*

They’re not really advertised for use on a cable machine.

*Disclaimer*

They have they’re own set of bands that attach each strap together, so that you can perform agility drills and the like, placing more emphasis on glute control through movement.

If you hook carabiners to the d-rings on each strap, they then turn into really effective ankle/knee/hip straps for use on the cable machine.

I doubt the manufacturers would reccomend using them on a cable machine, as there may be a risk of the strap coming loose with very heavy weights. But for the sort of load needed for my adductor rehab (and any ankle/knee/hip rehab work), the velcro remains as secure as any strap that ever I’ve used on a cable machine.

Now yes, yes I know… you can train your Abductors and Adductors without equipment by just using gravity as the force. You can even whack a resistance band around your squat rack and legs and do it that way. Resistance bands however slip, rip hairs (first world problem, I know), and require regular replacements due to usage and old age.

These speed bands don’t slip, they provide a perfect snug fit around the thighs – meaning that you can confidently use this to isolate the hip joint, removing the knee and ankle from the equation. And yep, I realise bands can be utilised for this too… but as mentioned above – they slip, twist, rip out hair, and the resistant force is limited by the tension of the band.

None of that is an issue with these speed training bands.

 

Delivery/Condition on Arrival

Amazon Prime Delivery.

5/5

 

Technical Specifications

Color	‎Brown
Size	‎S
Style	‎Resistance Band
Height	‎5 centimetres
Item display length	‎12 centimetres
Weight	‎300 g
Item display width	‎12 centimetres
Material type	‎Natural Rubber
Number of pieces	‎1
Sport	‎Football
Batteries included?	‎No
Brand	‎Instant Speed Training Bands
Manufacturer	‎Instant Speed Training
Item model number	‎672975459918
Product Dimensions	‎20 x 10 x 7 cm; 289 g

 

Build Quality

Stitching, hooks, velcro are all standing the test of time. The firm, but comfortable and still somewhat squishy interior that makes contact with the skin has no chunks that have been ripped out through constant donning and doffing of the bands.

They’ve handled half of the weight stack so far and the velcro hasn’t slipped an inch. I think this is partly due to the quality of the velcro, but also the sheer quantity/length of the connecting velcro pieces. The D-Handle on ours shows no signs of not being able to handle heavy loads. There’s no deformation or splittage of the seams connecting it to the band.

5/5

 

Ergonomic Rating

For everything mentioned above – top marks!

5/5

 

Adaptability

This in an incredibly versatile bit of kit. Imagine everything that you do with resistance bands – and these can do them better. You could even strap these around your arms and perform shoulder stability work with the connecting bands. Your exercise selection will be limited only by your imagination!

5/5

 

WOW Factor

For the sheer comfort factor, robust build, and innovative design – these get the top WOW marks.

5/5

 

Longevity

It can’t be said with certainty that these will last the ten years plus that some of the other kit that we’ve tested has, as they’ve only had about a years use. But as mentioned in the build quality – they’re still as good as the day they arrived.

5/5

 

Price

These are currently sitting at £24.95 on Amazon. If they last the true test of time, then this is a true bargain buy. And holy moly, this is the second ever product to receive our 5/5 total rating!

5/5

 

Summary

Total rating: 5/5

Should you:

• Avoid
• Consider
• Shortlist
• Buy it NOW!

Grab one below today.

Speed Training Bands

Or find similar options at Amazon and check them out for yourself.

   

 

The Best Value Powerlifting Belt That Money Can Buy in 2024.

     

Background

It was 2014, I was skint from living the university lifestyle. I was struggling to brace during squats, and I’d heard some S&C guys in the gym saying they’d added 20kg to their squat by simply using a belt to brace against.

Obviously, I didn’t spare a thought to the fact that I actually needed to address some deep routed biomechanical movement imbalances. I just went ahead and grabbed the cheapest powerlifting belt I could find, because no way did I have the funds to drop the dollar on a Eleiko, Strength Shop, or SBD powerlifting belt (in fact, I’m not entirely convinced that SBD were even a company back in 2014).

You can perhaps therefore understand that when I saw an actual powerlifting belt pop up on Amazon for under £60, I said ‘take my money now!’. So yep, I’ve been using this belt for the past ten years!

 

Scorpion Powerlifting Belt

It’s outstanding that this exact belt is still available on Amazon. And for a lot less than the £60 I paid for it, it’s currently sitting at £14.00! I think that’s a true testament to how flipping awesome this has been for me, and still is today.

I remember looking at the exact IPF specifications for belts at the time, and I was amazed that this met all of their standards. It was just as thick as the top tier double pronged belts, with the same length and width as them too. It’s safe to say that I was skeptical about this being some cheap Chinese knock off that would snap the first time I really put it to the test. My fears however proved to be unfounded.

I’m no longer powerlifting in competitions, so to be honest I can’t remember the exact specifications of what the IPF allow. And I have absolutely no interest in looking these up again (sorry IPF!). But you can head over and check them out for yourself here if you so desire. This belt did, at the time, meet their standards.

As a side note, I may have some bias towards this belt because:

1. It’s lasted ten years and it’s still going strong (if not better, now that it’s properly worn in).
2. It was cheap as chips compared to other belts at the time.
3. I got it signed by The World’s Strongest Brothers, Tom and Luke Stoltman whilst I was helping run a Strongman competition that they competed in.

 

Delivery/Condition on Arrival

Classic Amazon delivery. Fast, efficient, easy to track. Arrived in perfect condition. The leather was obviously quite rigid initially, but this soon wore in nicely.

5/5

 

Technical Specifications

Color	‎Brown
Size	‎M
Material type	‎Leather
Seasons	‎Evergreen
Usage	‎Fitness
Sport	‎Strength training
Batteries included?	‎No
Brand	‎Scorpion Power Lifting
Department	‎Men’s
Manufacturer	‎Scorpion Power Lifting
Item model number	5060243331823
Package Dimensions	‎31.7 x 23.3 x 17.5 cm; 1.26 kg

 

Build Quality

The buckle, rivets and stitching are all still intact to this day. There’s no fraying anywhere, and even the badge/logo is still as good as it was on day one. And trust me, this belt has had a lot of use and abuse over the years.

It’s condition today is a testiment to the high quality craftmanship put into building this, and ok – I realise it’s probably made in China, but this bucks the trend. No need to throw hundreds at an Eleiko belt when you can pick this bad boy up for just £14.00!

5/5

 

Ergonomic Rating

The 10mm thick, 100mm/4inch width sits perfectly on my waist. No nipping of skin or digging into ribs, and certainly no faffing about trying to get it on. I have, on occasion, had a bit of trouble undoing the buckle because I’ve put it on too tight!

An old friend however once taught me a trick to tackle this… you wrap the excess of the belt around the power rack so that it has an achor point, then you lean into it, effectively tightening it even more. This loosens the tension on the buckle, which then allows you to pull the pins out of the hole!

5/5

 

Adaptability

Hmm, there’s not too many alternatives that I can think of for this belt. None that I’m willing to post here anyway!

I guess you could jerryrig it into a dipping belt. It gets a couple of points for that.

2/5

 

WOW Factor

The price alone demands top marks here!

5/5

 

Longevity

This is over ten years old and still going strong. And you can still buy the same model off Amazon to this day. Top marks.

5/5

 

Price

I mean, £14.00. That’s cheaper than a bacon bun in some cities! And this won’t give you heart disease.

I guess it could cause a heart attack if you use it to add 100kg onto your squat, but I’d say that’s a trade off many would be willing to make!

5/5

 

Summary

Total rating: 4.57/5

Should you:

• Avoid
• Consider
• Shortlist
• Buy it NOW!

Grab one below today.

Scorpion – Powerlifting Belt

Or find similar options at Amazon and check them out for yourself.