Having been in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years, I have seen an array of fitness equipment with claims that promise the moon and the stars. Needless to say, I remain skeptical of any product that professes to be “the best.” So when I was asked to review a product from Body Oars, I questioned the website’s claim that Body Oars are “the world’s best water exercise equipment.”
Body Oars produces five products:
- LOBOS (Lower Body Oars)–this is the product I tested.
- UBOS (Upper Body Oars)
- RAMBOS (Rapid Ass Motion Body Oars)
- XBOS (Extreme Body Oars)
- Exoskeleton Joint Lock Wraps
Body Oars are pieces of molded plastic strapped to either the arms (UBOS) or legs (LOBOS) by way of Velcro. The plastic extends beyond the major joint of the extremity, keeping the joint from bending. This better isolates the intended muscle group by eliminating the involvement of the muscles responsible for moving that joint. The molded plastic also flares out as it extends past the extremity, resembling a paddle. In fact, you can think of Body Oars as paddles for the arms or legs. The paddle increases resistance in the water as you push it in one direction, moving your “vessel” in the opposite direction.
The website has instructions, videos and workouts for using the Body Oars. There’s even a video showing a few firefighters testing them out. After reading the instructions–and warnings–I strapped them on and took the plunge.
Donning the LOBOS was pretty easy after reading the directions. You have to sit pool-side with your leg flat to get a secure placement. Three Velcro straps go around the leg, two below the knee and one above the knee. The instructions state to then don a secure floatation belt or life jacket–a good idea due to the lack of leg mobility and the unfamiliarity of how the LOBOS may affect your swimming, especially if you need to self-extricate. Once secured to your leg, the LOBOS are stationary. You feel like you’re in a cast because there’s no movement or loosening them by accident.
Upon entering the pool, I realized that I could not do half of the exercises that were shown on the website due to the depth of my pool. Most backyard pools in my part of the country are about 6 feet deep. A deeper pool would allow you to be vertical to perform what the website calls the Basic Vertical Free Float. I had to remain at an angle, which was fine with me, as I’m not as proficient in the water as I’d like to be.
One of the recommended exercises involves doing scissor kicks–but because the Body Oars lock your knees in place, there’s a lot more resistance. I felt my core, hip flexors and quadriceps working, as the website said I would. After about five minutes, I realized that a steady rhythm was key to good form, and to being able to do a prolonged workout. I tried to speed things up and really force the oars back and forth, but realized that this was just asking for an injury. In fact, the instructions directly warn against this: “Full effort (high intensity) applied to LOBOS may result in abdominal strain or worse to new users.” You know I had to try it!
After some time, I noticed that this was a different kind of workout for me. It was not an intense pushing, lifting, running, sets-and-reps type of workout. It was more like a steady, low-intensity effort. It was almost therapeutic; I
felt some of my day’s stress being relieved. I realize that this may be due to the pool itself, since I do not frequently exercise in the pool. Or it could have been my deliberate, low-intensity approach to this new product.
Nevertheless, I did feel a sense of calm as I was exercising. Maybe this is what runners feel on a slow, long jog, or how swimmers feel when they’re completing lap after lap.
Body Oars claims that their products are easy on the joints. I didn’t feel any joint pain, but then again, I don’t suffer from joint pain; validation on this claim would better come from someone who does suffer from joint issues.
Although I could feel my muscles working, I didn’t feel any soreness or pain in the days following the exercise.
So, although the LOBOS take some getting used to, I do think Body Oars has a niche in the realm of exercise, as well as in physical therapy or rehabilitation. In fact, there are some testimonials on the website from people with disabilities. One wheelchair-bound female blogs about her ability to stand, walk unassisted and step out of the pool by herself after using the LOBOS.
I also think this product makes exercising a possibility for those with joint issues. You can get a good cardiovascular workout while increasing your core, hip flexor, leg strength and endurance. And the novelty of a new water workout may be attractive to those who don’t really like going to the gym, since it doesn’t leave you feeling beat up after the workout.
For those without any physical limitations or joint issues, this product can provide a nice alternative to your standard workout. I don’t see it replacing load-bearing exercises for those who want to build or maintain strength, as I still believe in the Overload Principle. But I believe it can be incorporated into a workout regimen as a “core and flexibility” variable that can also serve to increase circulation and recovery.
As far as a workout for firefighters, I think the Body Oars LOBOS is another tool for your toolbox. I haven’t seen any other product that does exactly what the Body Oars do. It’s an innovative, effective tool for those with physical limitations or those who simply need some added “kicks.”
LOBOS
Pros
+ Good cardio workout
+ No strain on joints
+ Good for those with
physical limitations
+ Builds kicking strength
+ Promotes a sense of calm
Cons
– Doesn’t replace load-bearing exercise
– Some exercises require a deep pool
Body Oars
Tel: 614/633-0860
E-mail: bodyoars@aol.com
Website: www.bodyoars.com
