Anyone using products by Vitesse?

[Marius_Hancu]

Just reading about this company:
http://www.speedtrainer.net
in Miyahira's papers

They have several products (basically chain-based) which they claim can help tennis players in terms of speeding up their shots:
http://www.speedtrainer.net/productList.htm
Anyone using them?

They are referenced in this article by Miyahira, which I found very interesting:
How to Train for Speed - Part II
http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/reviews/kelvin_miyahira/2005-01_httfspeed2.htm

 

[vin]

Looks interesting.

They seem to be primarily focused on golf, so I found some interesting information from their promotion of the golf version of this piece of equipment in the FAQ section of www.z2golf.com (there's no direct link to the FAQ page).

Here are a few in particular.

Why should I buy this instead of weighted clubs? If you want strength, use a weighted club. If you want to increase your clubhead speed, you need to train faster. Weighted clubs cannot be swung fast; therefore following the laws of specificity, one cannot increase one’s speed.

How does VST’s Golf SpeedChain work? It creates a variable weight resistance that allows for high acceleration at the initiation of the downswing. Then milliseconds later near impact, it compels the golfer to produce huge amounts of force thereby allowing one to increase his/her strength at the point of contact. In physics this is increasing one’s impulse or applying one’s
force for a longer period of time.

How long will it take to increase my speed? Our tests show that a majority of people that try it for the first time will increase their speed by two to ten miles per hour. It does require consistent usage (three times per week minimum) in order to retain that increase of speed but nevertheless increases of speed are steady thereafter. Average reported increases frm existing users is 5-10mph in the first month of training.

Will it throw off my timing and make me lose my accuracy? On the contrary, the Golf SpeedChain will help with the timing and enable you to gain accuracy. According to Dr. Hosea, a biomechanical scientist, pros and amateurs produce different levels of force at critical points during the swing. Amateurs use and waste all their force early in the downswing and have very little left for impact. Pros, on the other hand, produce speed early, then huge amounts of force at impact. The SpeedChain was designed to mimic the patterns of the pros’ swings and will also help you swing like they do.

Can I swing this indoors? Yes, you need an area of about 10 foot by 14 foot.

Resistance bands are also popular for getting stronger and it takes up less space. Should I get those too? No, rubber bands only provide linear resistance that does not come close to mimicking the movements of a multiplanar, circular swing. Doing exercises with pulleys suffer from the same linearity so while it may make you stronger n that direction or plane, it has little to do with a golf swing.

Who else is using it? The Universities of Hawaii and Louisville were the first in the nation to be introduced to it albeit for baseball and volleyball primarily. The Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy is also using it as well as a number of PGA Professsionals and Long Drive Competitors.

Can it be used as a warm-up? Yes, we have spotted some golfers using in the parking lot of the golf course. Just a few swings and you’re ready to go.

What if I religiously do the workouts and don’t increase my speed? Can I get my money back? Yes, we’re so confident that you’ll increase your speed and power that we’ll give you your money back if you don’t gain any distance. Just do the workouts for 3 times per week for 30 days and you’ll see the difference.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Will it throw off my timing and make me lose my accuracy?

On the contrary, the Golf SpeedChain will help with the timing and enable you to gain accuracy. According to Dr. Hosea, a biomechanical scientist, pros and amateurs produce different levels of force at critical points during the swing.

Amateurs use and waste all their force early in the downswing and have very little left for impact. Pros, on the other hand, produce speed early, then huge amounts of force at impact.

How the heck can one produce only speed, but no force is a mystery for me: in order to create speed, you must accelerate, in order to accelerate you must apply force.

One thing I guarantee is that in pro tennis the largest acceleration is in the last quadrant of the rotation, right before contact, indeed.

Should I assume you're busy trying to manufacture the chain device in your workshop, Vin?

BTW, how's the belt going, are you using it in training, or not much?

 

[vin]

How the heck can one produce only speed, but no force is a mystery for me: in order to create speed, you must accelerate, in order to accelerate you must apply force.

I agree, that doesn't make much sense. I think they are just saying that amateurs apply force to early which I think is the same as what you say below:

One thing I guarantee is that in pro tennis the largest acceleration is in the last quadrant of the rotation, right before contact, indeed.

Should I assume you're busy trying to manufacture the chain device in your workshop, Vin?

BTW, how's the belt going, are you using it in training, or not much?

If you noticed, I edited that part out of the post. At first, it simply looked like a chain connected to a handle racket, but after closer inspection of the golf chain, I can see that the links vary in size and it seems that there is some scientific design behind the variation.

To be honest, I haven't used the belt all that much. I've spent a lot of time over the past year or so trying to straighten out my technique instead. Now that I'm finally near the level where most stroke production is automatic, I am focusing more on fitness, footwork, and strategy. I've been thinking of bringing the belt back out, especially with the new Dougherty articles on tennisplayer, and have even thought of buying an official one.

 

[JaisBane]

What I wonder is why the groundstroke chain is $75 and the serve chain is $85 when the pictures are exactly the same. I imagine that the actual devices have different chain weightings, but it would be nice to know for sure. I also wonder how you can keep from tangling yourself up in these chains, it would be quite the hassle if you had to unwrap yourself before every repetition. Or perhaps I underestimate the amount of strength required to move the chain fast enough to wrap oneself up in it. I'm interested in this, but I'd like to have a demonstration or hear an unbiased testimonial before I commit myself to a purchase. I'd also like information on the exercise routines and the specific use of the device, but I suppose releasing that information freely over the internet would compromise their business model. I no longer have consistent, easy access to a pool, so I'm looking for something similar in principle with which to replace my towel method.

 

[vin]

I also wonder how you can keep from tangling yourself up in these chains, it would be quite the hassle if you had to unwrap yourself before every repetition.

Not only a hassle, but a potentially painful one!

I have similar questions and if I get around to it, I may send them an email.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Just reading about this company:
http://www.speedtrainer.net
in Miyahira's papers

They have several products (basically chain-based) which they claim can help tennis players in terms of speeding up their shots:
http://www.speedtrainer.net/productList.htm
Anyone using them?

They are referenced in this article by Miyahira, which I found very interesting:
How to Train for Speed - Part II
http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/reviews/kelvin_miyahira/2005-01_httfspeed2.htm

Very good stuff Marius, I really like that chain product. Takes the place of my "ball on a rope" gadget. I think I will buy one!

Also, the coach from Hawaii is a great coach. Lots of good information from him.