Guest guest Posted June 21, 2003 Report Share Posted June 21, 2003 Mike O'Neil wrote: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vertimax machine. It's sold as a way to increase jumping ability, first step quickness, and sustained speed. It has an impressive list of users/testimonials from fitness professionals, including trainers who are working with professional athletes. It's not cheap ($1600). If you want more details, go to www.vertimax.com Does anyone on this list have anything positive or negative to say about this product? Does it offer unique benefits...or could the same effect be had from an intelligent strength/plyometrics program? Casler writes: Hi Mike, While I have not used the Vertimax so my comments must be taken with that knowledge, I think that the system misses the mark slightly. The load supposedly is " constant " . This would mean that, if in fact, it offers eccentric loading the ratio of load is still the individuals bodyweight with a " constant " external load. For best results this load (IMO) should be proportionate to the " real world " ratio of decelerated mass, not decelerated mass plus a " constant " . Another deficit might be that it does not address loading of the upper body. Somehow people lose sight of the fact that the best jumpers in the world actually get much of their ability from using their upper body. Some of the best jumpers in the world (especially for their mass) are weightlifters, and shot/discus throwers. Why? Because of the combination not only strong legs, but strong upper bodies with the ability to accelerate quickly. Snatches and cleans (someone should tell ) offer significant transference and translation of power to jumping. Much more (IMO) than squats alone. That is easy to address, by simply adding weight to the hands/arms. I would suggest that this device while it might be useful, is not the " answer " (possibly an adjunct) to the ultimate jumping program. Snatches, Cleans, Squats, Squats with bands, Explosive High Pulls w/bands, Jumping with dumbbells, and plyometric drills would probably offer much greater results. By " jumping w/Dumbbells " , I mean starting with a light pair of dumbbells, at your sides, and jumping with them as is trying to " dunk " them. (kinda like a " jumping dumbbell snatch " ) Again this is just my opinion and I have not used the Vertimax to be able to report on the way it works. I am just going by the reported load character. Regards, Casler TRI-VECTOR 3-D Force Systems Century City, CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2003 Report Share Posted June 21, 2003 I purchased a vertimax back in 1996 or so, it is great tool if you work with a lot of athletes who need to increase their vertical, that is the primary reason I use it in our training, to increase vertical and power. It is quite versatile and is very smooth as far as the resistance. Addicott Phoenix, AZ Vertimax I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vertimax machine. It's sold as a way to increase jumping ability, first step quickness, and sustained speed. It has an impressive list of users/testimonials from fitness professionals, including trainers who are working with professional athletes. It's not cheap ($1600). If you want more details, go to www.vertimax.com Does anyone on this list have anything positive or negative to say about this product? Does it offer unique benefits...or could the same effect be had from an intelligent strength/plyometrics program? Mike O'Neil Seattle, WA PS Here are more claims it makes as to its uniqueness (from their website): Unlike other trainers that utilize weight plates, VertiMax is a zero- inertia trainer! A prerequisite for optimum neural memorization to occur. Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax you can instantly tailor the loading to a specific routine or individual athlete Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax the athlete is fully loaded in the low squat - jump initiation position, and this is imperative for optimum results Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax, the applied resistance at jump initiation remains constant (not increasing) throughout the entire jumping motion - from the dorsi to the plantar flexion. (No yank back at the top.) Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax, a true `center of the earth' gravity vector is maintained during an athlete's lateral movement on the platform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2003 Report Share Posted June 21, 2003 Supertrainers, Get a safety squat bar and jumpstretch bands. They acclompish the same things, with potential to do more. I believe it is overpriced. Brewer, L.Ac. Newport Beach, Ca. --- mikeoneil810 wrote: > I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vertimax > machine. It's sold as a > way to increase jumping ability, first step > quickness, and sustained > speed. It has an impressive list of > users/testimonials from fitness > professionals, including trainers who are working > with professional > athletes. It's not cheap ($1600). If you want more > details, go to > www.vertimax.com > > Does anyone on this list have anything positive or > negative to say > about this product? Does it offer unique > benefits...or could the > same effect be had from an intelligent > strength/plyometrics program? > > Mike O'Neil > Seattle, WA > > PS Here are more claims it makes as to its > uniqueness (from their > website): > > Unlike other trainers that utilize weight plates, > VertiMax is a zero- > inertia trainer! A prerequisite for optimum neural > memorization to > occur. > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax > you can > instantly tailor the loading to a specific routine > or individual > athlete > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax > the athlete is > fully loaded in the low squat – jump initiation > position, and > this is > imperative for optimum results > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with > VertiMax, the applied > resistance at jump initiation remains constant (not > increasing) > throughout the entire jumping motion - from the > dorsi to the plantar > flexion. (No yank back at the top.) > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with > VertiMax, a true > `center > of the earth' gravity vector is maintained during an > athlete's > lateral movement on the platform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2003 Report Share Posted June 21, 2003 Mike O'Neil wrote: > I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vertimax machine. It's sold as a > way to increase jumping ability, first step quickness, and sustained > speed. It has an impressive list of users/testimonials from fitness > professionals, including trainers who are working with professional > athletes. It's not cheap ($1600). If you want more details, go to > www.vertimax.com > Does anyone on this list have anything positive or negative to say > about this product? Does it offer unique benefits...or could the > same effect be had from an intelligent strength/plyometrics program? This is what charles poliquin had to say about the vertimax machine in one of his old testosterone.net columns: Regarding the VERTIMAX, it's one of the multiple toys on the market that can be used to train the vertical jump, but can it do a better job than power cleans and squats? I doubt it. Look at any Olympic lifter. They almost always have better vertical jumps than their athletic peers from all other sports do. There is simply a direct correlation between maximal strength levels of the hip and knee extensors and vertical jump height. A classic example of this occurred a few years ago at the National Strength and Conditioning Association convention. Vertec was there and they were giving away a vertical-jump-measuring device to the strength coach who had the highest vertical leap. For the first few days, I was in the lead. After all, my vertical leap had hit 36 " . I lost. The late Dave Passanella, World Powerlifting Champion who had power squatted over a 1,000 pounds, beat me. Dahms Boston, MA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2003 Report Share Posted June 23, 2003 > I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vertimax machine. It's sold as a > way to increase jumping ability, first step quickness, and sustained > speed. It has an impressive list of users/testimonials from fitness > professionals, including trainers who are working with professional > athletes. It's not cheap ($1600). If you want more details, go to > www.vertimax.com > > Does anyone on this list have anything positive or negative to say > about this product? Does it offer unique benefits...or could the > same effect be had from an intelligent strength/plyometrics program? > > Mike O'Neil > Seattle, WA > > PS Here are more claims it makes as to its uniqueness (from their > website): > > Unlike other trainers that utilize weight plates, VertiMax is a zero- > inertia trainer! A prerequisite for optimum neural memorization to > occur. > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax you can > instantly tailor the loading to a specific routine or individual > athlete > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax the athlete is > fully loaded in the low squat – jump initiation position, and > this is > imperative for optimum results > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax, the applied > resistance at jump initiation remains constant (not increasing) > throughout the entire jumping motion - from the dorsi to the plantar > flexion. (No yank back at the top.) > > Unlike all previous platform trainers, with VertiMax, a true > `center > of the earth' gravity vector is maintained during an > athlete's > lateral movement on the platform Mike, Don't waste your money!! Jumps with a weighted vest, squat jumps or good ol' (Olympic) weightlifting exercises are at least as good and probably better than anything you can do on a Vertimax. They are a way better value for sure! For 1600 bucks, you can get yourself a nice Eleiko training bar and probably over 100Kg of training bumpers and a squat rack. With this equipment, you can train explosive jumping movements *and* hundreds of other great strength/power exercises. BTW, all those *unique* claims made by the Vertimax people that you posted at the end really crack me up. Burkhardt Irvine, CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 We use it pretty simply first we establish our reach which is done against the wall. It is marked every have inch. One person is on a plyo box making sure that their armpit is against the wall and wrist flat. Also they need to be turned side ways so that their ankle can be flush against the wall. Next we let them have three attempts to establish their best jump. The number on sliding pole represents the bottom red slats height, the red are six inches apart, the blue one inch and white half inch. So if the pole is locked in at nine feet then I know the second red slat is at ten feet(120 inches). I then subract the wall reading from my jump number and there is my vert. Things we remind them of; 1. Dominate hand insided 2. It is a tap not a volleyball spike 3. As long as your feet stay on the ground you can wind yourself up. 4. Position your self under the slats not behind or infront so you can go straight up. Volleyball also measures with an approach, this has to be practiced because of the change in target areas. Watch for people trying to measure short by staying away from the wall, bending their arm or wrist. I hope this helps Stanley Dodge City, Kansas Dodge City Community College --- myodynamics2001 wrote: > Hey all, > > Anyone have direct experience with the Vertimax > device? If so I'd appreciate your > feedback. > > Thank You > > Staley, > Las Vegas, Nevada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 We use it pretty simply first we establish our reach which is done against the wall. It is marked every have inch. One person is on a plyo box making sure that their armpit is against the wall and wrist flat. Also they need to be turned side ways so that their ankle can be flush against the wall. Next we let them have three attempts to establish their best jump. The number on sliding pole represents the bottom red slats height, the red are six inches apart, the blue one inch and white half inch. So if the pole is locked in at nine feet then I know the second red slat is at ten feet(120 inches). I then subract the wall reading from my jump number and there is my vert. Things we remind them of; 1. Dominate hand insided 2. It is a tap not a volleyball spike 3. As long as your feet stay on the ground you can wind yourself up. 4. Position your self under the slats not behind or infront so you can go straight up. Volleyball also measures with an approach, this has to be practiced because of the change in target areas. Watch for people trying to measure short by staying away from the wall, bending their arm or wrist. I hope this helps Stanley Dodge City, Kansas Dodge City Community College --- myodynamics2001 wrote: > Hey all, > > Anyone have direct experience with the Vertimax > device? If so I'd appreciate your > feedback. > > Thank You > > Staley, > Las Vegas, Nevada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 2003 Report Share Posted December 26, 2003 > Hey all, > > Anyone have direct experience with the Vertimax device? If so I'd appreciate your > feedback. > > Thank You > > Staley, > Las Vegas, Nevada Hi , How's your training business doing in Las Vegas? I hope well. I do not have any experience with the Vertimax but I do have a problem with it. Mainly, what does this device do that can't be accomplished with a weighted vest, a barbell or pair of dumbbells for that matter!? I'm not sure of their exact price, but I'd bet they're over a thousand dollars. That $ could be spent on an Eleiko competition bar and a pair (or two) of bumpers or a whole bunch of weighted vests. Like I said, I have never worked with this device. If anyone can cite any special advantages to training on a Vertimax vs. doing a variety of plain old weighted jumps (using equipment that most weight rooms already have - $1,000.00+ vs. free), I'm all ears. Burkhardt Irvine, CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 2003 Report Share Posted December 26, 2003 > Hey all, > > Anyone have direct experience with the Vertimax device? If so I'd appreciate your > feedback. > > Thank You > > Staley, > Las Vegas, Nevada Hi , How's your training business doing in Las Vegas? I hope well. I do not have any experience with the Vertimax but I do have a problem with it. Mainly, what does this device do that can't be accomplished with a weighted vest, a barbell or pair of dumbbells for that matter!? I'm not sure of their exact price, but I'd bet they're over a thousand dollars. That $ could be spent on an Eleiko competition bar and a pair (or two) of bumpers or a whole bunch of weighted vests. Like I said, I have never worked with this device. If anyone can cite any special advantages to training on a Vertimax vs. doing a variety of plain old weighted jumps (using equipment that most weight rooms already have - $1,000.00+ vs. free), I'm all ears. Burkhardt Irvine, CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2003 Report Share Posted December 28, 2003 Yes, I have experience with the Vertimax; what's the question? It's definitely a quality piece of equipment, and worth having if you have the money. S. Capps Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Baylor University ________________________________ From: myodynamics2001 Sent: Thu 12/18/2003 4:05 PM To: Supertraining Subject: Vertimax Hey all, Anyone have direct experience with the Vertimax device? If so I'd appreciate your feedback. Thank You Staley, Las Vegas, Nevada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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