Since 2003 Powerbag® and the training associated with them has allowed sports-people and trainers from many different areas to really find out what functional training can mean and what results can be achieved when applied properly. Used by Elite performers across the world, Powerbags have found their way into schools, gymnasiums and into the military.
Powerbag® training equipment, (Patent Pending GB 0210208.5, International Patent Application No. PCT / GB03001854, Trademark Number 826419, Community Design Number 000157052-0001, EP Pat. Pending No. 1501611, US Pat. Pending No. 10-513486, Registered Design No. 157052) developed by the sports psychologist Dr. Mark Bellamy, which provides a crossover between Olympic lifting, medicine ball work and core stability training. It incorporates all the benefits of a power based lifting program with the flexibility offered through sport specific movement based training and throwing drills.
Copying: Powerbag has been patent applied for, the name Powerbag has been trademarked and all of the materials associated with Powerbags are copyright. We do take action against any company who copies Powerbags and the Powerbag training system.
In essence Powerbag training unlike traditional weight training equipment utilizes the movement and instability within the system itself to create an element of unpredictability during lifting. This design feature forces the stabilizing muscles to accommodate to shifts in weight during the course of the movement. This helps to make Powerbag based training more effective than many training approaches towards improving performance in real world situations be they sporting or otherwise. We know the effects of training are fairly specific to the movements trained, and where outside of a gym do you lift a perfectly balanced piece of apparatus by its centre of balance?
Powerbag training works to ensure that you are not just better at training, but that you enhance performance, takes steps to make injury less likely and that you can do the things that you wish to do for longer.
In order to achieve this, we have developed over 150 distinct Powerbag exercises, many of which have their own progressions and regressions. This means that the exercises you perform can be varied, specifically target different movements, and ensure that the training programme that you design never needs to become stale.
Training with Powerbag® teaches the body to use its core stabilizers effectively in order that transfer of energy can take place effectively during even the most complex of movement patterns. It provides a feedback mechanism to assist with the development of all movements being high quality. It constantly emphasizes a high level of co-ordination within each movement and increases the power by which these co-ordinate movements can be carried out.
Powerbag® achieves these key-training goals by its emphasis on quality and core stability trained in a functional way and by its specific design and the sheer adaptability and range of movements that can be completed with Powerbag®.
The first noticeable thing about Powerbag® is that it is soft and flexible, two characteristics that despite being practically unheard of in conditioning equipment, actually provide a number of important training advantages. Due to the nature of the construction of Powerbag®, it provides a safe medium with which to train as there is minimum risk of injury through contact with Powerbag® when in use. Powerbag® training can be carried out on surfaces such as wood floors, carpet, running tracks, pitches and courts where the use of resistance training equipment would not usually be appropriate. These features, plus the unique training benefits offered by Powerbag® make Powerbag® an effective training tool in a wide variety of training situations.
High-level training.
Powerbag® has many benefits for high level sporting performers. Powerbag® allows movements to be produced under resistance which helps to develop the ability to produce power through technique. The instability built into Powerbag® forces recruitment of the stabilizing muscles during training. The design of Powerbag® allows traditional lifting movements to be produced in addition to the same movements with a rotational movement typical of many sporting movements but dangerous to replicate with metal bars that can create large rotational forces around the spine. Powerbag® has a soft structure which allows it to be thrown and caught, excellent techniques to assist in the development of powerful movements.
General Training.
Powerbag® has a role to play in gymnasiums. Wherever there are free weights or gyms using circuit training, there is scope for Powerbag® to be employed. Powerbag® training areas can utilize unused studio space as dropping Powerbag® is unlikely to damage expensive studio floors.
Personal training.
Powerbag® is an excellent training device for personal training. Powerbag® can be carried in the back of the car and provides the opportunity for a personal trainer to conduct functional resistance training with their clients. Powerbag® is easier and safer to transport than metal barbells and dumbbells.
Home training.
Powerbag® is one of the most effective pieces of home training equipment available. The range of exercises and training programs that can be completed with Powerbag® is extensive, yet when out of use, Powerbag® is easily stored and unobtrusive.
Exercise classes.
Due to the compact nature of Powerbag®, it is a suitable piece of equipment to develop large group training sessions which are resistance based. Powerbag® based programs are safe, versatile and effective.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Powerbag® offers an excellent method of improving movement skills and specific strength movements with patients in the later stages of rehabilitation, whether returning from sporting or non-sporting injuries. Powerbag® is priced at a level where personal Powerbag®s may be bought by clients in rehabilitation in order to maintain training levels through programs set by the therapist.
Whilst Powerbag® is a relatively simple design and concept, the training theory that supports its usage is more in-depth. Essentially Powerbag® provides a safe way of providing functional training for powerful movements. Powerbag® facilitates explosive training and helps to emphasize the continual training of the core stabilizing muscles. Powerbag® also provides a useful training device for individuals who wish to increase their overall fitness and functional strength.
Powerbag® achieves these key-training goals by its emphasis on quality, core stability, functional training and by its specific design and the sheer adaptability and range of movements that can be completed with Powerbag®. These movements include:
Olympic lifting movements.
- Variations on Olympic lifting movements, to include diagonal and rotational moves.
- Complex movement based exercises, all multi-joint in nature and all requiring a high emphasis on stability.
- Movement drills, such as fast feet, ladder drills, heel flicks etc.
- Jumps, which are difficult to achieve resisted due to awkwardness of bars.
- Drops, difficult to achieve resisted due to awkwardness of bars.
- Throws, difficult to do with most systems other than medicine balls which rarely exceed more than 15kg.
- Catching and taking the impact, again difficult to complete with most systems.
- Dynamic movements with a partner, throw..catch..move..throw..catch
- Pure resisted core stability movements.
Complex training to mix skills drills or game plays with dynamic work using Powerbag. Your training or playing area also becomes your gym, whether pitch, court trackside or home. So whether your sport is Rugby, Football, Squash, Tennis or Hockey, your conditioning training can now become an integral part of your skills based training.
Warm weather training or holidays, not sure about the facilities? Simply empty out your Powerbag® and fill it with sand when you get to your destination abroad.
Rehabilitation exercises, combining multi-joint movements and the development of functional movements under varying levels of resistance.
So whilst Powerbag® based training emphasises the use of core stabilisers in functional movements, it is not simply another system for training of core stabilisers. Powerbag provides the tools for the development of Functional Appropriate and Specific training programmes for sporting, lifestyle and rehabilitation needs.