// BLOG
The Rotater: Basic Functional Training Equipment
August 23, 2010
I’d like to thank Ron Jones for including the Rotater in his list of Basic Functional-Training Equipment. Ron is a highly respected fitness professional with qualifications that include:
- MS, Kinesiology/Sport & Exercise Psychology from California State University, Northridge
- Health Fitness Specialist – American College of Sports Medicine
- Russian Kettlebell Instructor – Russian Kettlebell Challenge
- National Bicycle Safety Instructor – League of American Bicyclists
Ron Jones using a stability ball
Here’s what Ron has to say about the Rotater (and why he included it in this list of basic functional training equipment):
“This is a weird looking manual stretch device created by two industrial mechanics. It works great to stretch your shoulder in positions impossible to reach by yourself.”
So…if you need to increase your shoulder range of motion, then get the Rotater.
Editor of The Healthy Minute is thankful for the Rotater
July 20, 2010
“Who is Pete Genot?”
- the Founder and Editor of The Healthy Minute…a free on-line newsletter publishing the latest breakthroughs in the health industry
- Pete is a former college football player
- He has earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees from The University of Toledo
- He’s an avid a motorcycle rider
“Here are my thoughts…
Pete Genot - editor of The Healthy Minute
- I’m sure glad you included the video…I think I would have been lost if I just had to follow the diagrams on the instruction sheet.
- After a few days of watching the videos and following along with the exercises, I was able catch on. They were very easy to learn and can be done in less than 15 minutes per day.
- I have been using The Rotater along with the Strong-arm Attachment for the past 30 days, and I couldn’t be happier!
I injured my right shoulder over a year and a half ago in a bad motorcycle accident. I was traveling on the highway at 60 mph when some debris in the road caused my motorcycle to throw me over the handlebars. I flew thru the air head-over-heals, and the initial impact was on my right shoulder. This caused a severe separation of the shoulder, fractured ribs and various other bruises and abrasions. I tumbled approximately the length of a football field, passing thru the fast lane before finally landing in the center median.
My orthopedic surgeon decided against surgery, and instead recommended physical therapy. When I first started PT, I was in tremendous pain, and had very little range of motion and strength. After several months of therapy, I was able to regain about 90% of my range of motion, although I still suffered from pain and weakness. My doctor said this was something I would just have to live with the rest of my life.
So, after my insurance ran out, I continued to do my rehab at home and slowly regained much of my strength over the next year.
Although my shoulder was much stronger, there were exercises that I just could not do (like barbell bench press) because the pain was just too great. So, I limited myself to doing exercises using light enough weights and specific (limited) ranges of motion that did not cause pain.
The problem was, the more I worked out, the more range of motion I lost and the more pain I felt. Over a year after the accident, I was still feeling enough pain that is limited not only the things I enjoy doing (working out, playing basketball, playing baseball with my kids), but also “normal” activities like sleeping, putting on a shirt or combing my hair. I was resigned to the fact that I would just always be in pain and would have to live with certain physical limitations.
But that all changed when I started using The Rotater.
After doing the stretching exercises the very first day, I noticed that my shoulder really felt better. I was shocked. You see, I was pretty skeptical that this “contraption” would really be able to help me. I already exercised and did some “basic” shoulder stretches the PT taught me, so I didn’t think this funny looking piece of plastic could do any better.
Boy…I’m sure glad I was wrong!
I didn’t realize that the muscles, ligaments and tendons The Rotater helps were so different than the ones I use to do a dumbell press or lateral raise. Those exercises actually hurt, while the one I do with The Rotater give me RELIEF.
I currently use The Rotater to stretch my shoulder about 5 days per week, and I use the Strong-arm Attachment to do strengthening exercises 2 – 3 times per week.
Since I started following this program, I have improved the strength and stability of the shoulder, increased my range of motion to nearly 100% of what it was before the accident and… more importantly…have greatly reduced the amount of pain I feel in and around the shoulder.
This has allowed me to do the things I enjoy again…like shooting a basketball, throwing a baseball to my son, or lifting my 2-year old daughter in the air…without as much pain.
I owe you much thanks!”
Sincerely,
Pete Genot
http://thehealthyminute.com/
You can learn all about Pete on his Facebook page or by following him on Twitter.
Disclosure: Pete was provided with a Rotater at no charge. His testimonial was voluntary and not required.
World Class Athletic Performance Coach Impressed with the Rotater
July 13, 2010
A few months ago we sent a Rotater to Doug Fioranelli for testing and evaluation. Doug is one of the premier personal trainers in the world and has trained high school, Olympic and professional athletes. Check out Doug’s testimonials! Here are some of Doug’s qualifications:
- Doug has Master’s degree in Kinesiology
Doug Fioranelli - World Class Performance Trainer
- he has been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
- Doug is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- he is a Certified Olympic Weightlifting Club Coach through the USA Weightlifting Association (USAW)
- he is a Certified Russian Kettlebell Instructor under Pavel Tsatsouline (RKC Level II)
- Doug is a Certified Sports Nutritionist from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN)
Doug Fioranelli gives his opinion of the Rotater
“I had the opportunity to use The Rotater for several months now and I have to say this is an amazing product. It is very simple to use and easy to understand. Pretty much get it out of the box and you are ready to go.
I think it is very important for people to realize that joints do not move in the exact same pattern even when essentially performing the same motion. It is a huge advantage to expose, strengthen, and mobilize the shoulder joint and its muscles in as many movement patterns as possible to ensure their optimal strength, stability and performance. The Rotater allows for unlimited angles to stretch, mobilize and strengthening the joint and muscles around the shoulder to maintain its movement and integrity.
I found The Rotater to be a great tool and have even loaned mine out to friends who were having shoulder inhibition and pain. I highly recommend that you add this fantastic tool to your arsenal and keep your shoulder joints mobile, strong and healthy for life.
Pros:
- Simple to use and easy to understand. Pretty much get it out of the box and you are ready to go, I like that.
- The unlimited angles for stretching and strengthening. I think it is very important for people to realize that generally joints do not move in the same pattern even when essentially performing the same motion. It is a huge advantage to expose, strengthen, and mobilize the joint and muscles in as many movement patterns as possible to ensure their optimal strength, stability and performance
- I like how easy it is to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the shoulder when the arm is placed behind the back. It is VERY difficult to do this without The Rotater. I was surprised to see how limited my right side was until I used it and I was able to gain some ROM using it.
CONS: (I am being very very nit picky, I think it is a great product)
- Plastic frame could be a little stronger. I did not break mine but I did almost step on it getting out of bed and could have cracked it. I also felt it “flex” sometimes when I do certain movements. Maybe just a little harder plastic would be good for future frames.
- I think the elastic strengthening band could be a little easier to adjust when switching angles and tension. I think instead of closed loops on the frame and untying it each time, maybe an open “bulb-shaped” slot could work where the elastic could just drop down and secure itself in there
- My DVD sound only worked on the main menu page, not sure if it was just mine or a few of them.”
Doug Fioranelli
Rise Above Performance Training
If you like Twitter, then be sure to follow Doug – @RiseAboveStr…you can check out his Facebook Page or see all his videos on YouTube.
Notes: The Rotater is guaranteed against breakage and will be replaced at no charge if you ever break or damage yours – NO MATTER HOW THE DAMAGE OCCURS!
Disclosure: Doug was provided with a Rotater at no charge. His testimonial was voluntary and not required.
Click Here to Buy Your Rotater Today!
The Rotater goes to Philly for NATA
June 29, 2010
We spent last week in Philadelphia, enjoying the food, city and most of all the NATA conference. I’d like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth to give the Rotater a try as well as those who purchased Rotaters for their teams.
We met some great people:
- Matt Ferguson – Co-founder, Pres/CEO of AFX – I’ve been corresponding with Matt for quite some time via LinkedIn and Twitter ( @afxonline ) and it was great to meet him and his national sales manager, Ruth. Great people with an outstanding ankle product.
- the guys from Active Ankle stopped by to introduce themselves…a superior ankle bracing solution. You can follow them on twitter as well ( @ActiveAnkle )
- We were right across the isle from the Body Blade exhibit…Martha Sloan and her fellow Body Blader, Nevia were in constant motion, demonstrating how effective the Body Blade is.
- Jim Jeffrey of Darco International was right next to us, which worked out well since I seem to be developing a touch of plantar faciaitis – and they have one of the top products in this area.
Free Rotater Winners
From time to time, we give away FREE Rotaters to people on our Facebook Rotater Fan Page. It’s really pretty simple…just be the first ( or second, sometimes ) to post the correct answer. Today’s winners:
- Dan Curtis
- Andrew Goldkuhle
Congratulations, guys. Your free Rotaters are on the way. If you want to win your own FREE Rotater, it’s really pretty easy. Just join our Fan Page or follow us on Twitter … then watch for our contest announcements and be quick to answer our Rotater trivia question.
The Rotater is Patented as a Shoulder Therapeutic Apparatus
June 14, 2010
Congratulations to Joint Mechanix Co-owner and my best friend, Scott Kay. During the week of May 18, Scott was awarded patent #7717834 for the Rotater.
Shoulder stretching tool is patented
Designed to increase internal and external rotation for a person who’s going through shoulder rehab, the Rotater has become the “go – to” shoulder prehab / rehab tool for athletes who want to stretch, strengthen and condition their shoulders for increased shoulder performance.
NATA
We will be in Philadelphia (June 22 – 25) for the National Athletic Trainer Association annual conference. If you will be attending, please stop by booth #651, try the Rotater and introduce yourself – we’d love to meet you. If the past is any indication, we’ll be busy demonstrating the Rotater and answering questions.
