FITNESS: Does it work for you?
Peta Bee of the Times Newspaper Health Supplement puts the latest fitness trends through their paces.
What is it?
A back support belt designed to be worn throughout sport or gym workouts. Designed by the rugby coach and Medical Biochemist Angus Macnab, who suffered a lower back injury after a car accident, the product is made from a neoprene based compression fabric.Who is it aimed at?
Anyone who like to work out but is plagued by the kind of chronic back pain that affects almost half the UK population at some point each year.
What’s the idea?
Unlike other back products, the VertiBaX: Lower Back Active Support, supports not only the back but also the core muscles groups. It is lightweight and stretchy, so it aids rather than constricts movement and can be worn when running, playing rugby or cycling to aid weakened back muscles.
Who uses it?
Elite athletes, gymnasts and ballerinas have been involved in every stage of its development and many are already wearing the products in training. It is also being used by experts at the Carnegie Centre for Sports Performance and Wellbeing at Leeds Metropolitan University who work with athletes aiming at London 2012 Olympics. NHS physiotherapists recommend a child’s support belt produced by VertiBaX for children with Cerebral Palsy.
Can I try it?
Products are available from vertibax.co.uk.
Worth the money?
If niggling back pain has plagued your workouts, then this could be what you need to get back on track.
Summary of Article written in Peta Bee’s fitness column on Monday 13th April 2009 in The Times, Arts, Style, Life supplement, under Health.
