Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to many of your questions about The Powerbase:
- What exactly is the Powerbase?
- What are the differences between the Strength Gym and the Toning Gym?
- Which unit, Strength or Toning, is most appropriate for me?
- Why should I include resistance training in my exercise routine?
- I have heard of using tubing instead of weights – is it as effective?
- Will strength training on the Powerbase make me “muscle bound”?
- Can I get cardiovascular benefits using the Powerbase?
- Does resistance training promote better bone and joint health?
- Who invented the Powerbase?
- What age groups are most appropriate for the Powerbase?
- How many different exercises can I do on the Powerbase?
- I like to vary my workouts using routines like Pilates and circuit training; can I incorporate the Powerbase into different routines?
- What comes with my Powerbase?
- Can the Powerbase help tone my problem areas?
- Is the Powerbase safe and effective for people limited by injuries?
- How long will my Powerbase last?
1. What exactly is the Powerbase?
All things considered, the Powerbase is the single most efficient and
effective piece of exercise equipment available. The Powerbase utilizes
TheraBand® manufactured tubing of various resistance levels, attached
to a 100% ABS industrial grade plastic base, measures 191/2 inches long
by 15 inches wide and weighs approximately 5 pounds. The unique design
of the Powerbase truly separates it from traditional tubing. The patented
Powerbase system allows the tubing to be attached to handles, foot straps
and even a training bar for literally dozens of exercises and hundreds
of resistance levels. The Powerbase is available in two models--the
Strength Gym and the Toning Gym. [return to top]
2. What are the differences between
the Strength Gym and the Toning Gym?
The main difference is the total amount of resistance provided by the
two units. The Strength Gym provides up to 300 lbs. of resistance, while
the Toning Gym provides up to 150 lbs. of resistance. Additional differences
are found in the length, appearance and number of tubes on each unit.
The Strength Gym has six sets of tubing, all black and the clips on
the end are color coded to separate the different levels of resistance.
The tubing in the Strength Gym is a littler longer to accommodate men.
The Toning Gym has five sets of tubing, which are color-coded with black
clips on the ends. To better accommodate women, the tubing on the Toning
Gym is shorter than that of the Strength Gym. The sizes and dimensions
of the bases, carrying bags, and accessories are the same for both units.
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3. Which unit, Strength or Toning,
is most appropriate for me?
The Powerbase Gyms are designed to be gender specific. Men are typically
taller and stronger than women, so the Strength Gym is the most appropriate
unit for men. Women enjoy the versatility of the lighter resistance
toning gym, which provides more than enough resistance for adequate
strength training but also is more appropriate for toning and shaping
exercises, as well as aerobic and Pilates-based routines. [return
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4. Why should I include resistance
training in my exercise routine?
Resistance training, or strength training, is the only method by which
people can naturally strengthen their muscles and increase lean body
tissue. As lean body tissue (muscle) increases and the muscles are strengthened,
a person’s basal metabolism and bone density increase, and joint
health improves. Exercise routines that include only cardiovascular
work (jogging, walking, cycling, swimming) can burn calories and strengthen
the heart, but do not significantly increase lean body tissue or strengthen
the muscles. Strength training with adequate resistance must be implemented.
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5. I have heard of using tubing instead
of weights – is it as effective?
Absolutely! Effective strength training is achieved when resistance
challenges the body’s muscles. The source of resistance could
be tubing from the Powerbase or dumbbells from a gym. It doesn’t
matter what kind of resistance it is, your muscles do not know the difference
- they simply respond to the stimulus. [return to top]
That being said, not all forms of resistance are equal. Traditional weights are limiting because a weight can only provide a fixed amount of resistance. For example, if you do a biceps curl with a 30 pound dumbbell, the moment your biceps generate enough force to move that 30 pounds, your biceps do not have to work any harder to complete that motion, the resistance remains constant at 30 pounds. Now, consider tubing from the Powerbase. As you perform a biceps curl with tubes clipped to your handles or training bar, from start to finish the tubes are constantly stretched throughout the movement. Every inch you stretch the tubes through the movement increases the amount of resistance provided by the tubing, forcing your biceps to work harder as they complete the curl. Additionally, as your arm lowers and becomes weaker, the resistance from the tube lessens thereby greatly reducing the risk for injury to the joints and muscles. [return to top]
6. Will strength training on the Powerbase
make me “muscle bound”?
The Powerbase comes with workouts designed to give you the kind of body
development you desire. For you guys, if your goals are to bulk up,
the Powerbase can meet your needs with greater resistance and fewer
reps. If you are looking to achieve greater definition and muscle strength,
then the Powerbase can meet those needs as well. The term "muscle-bound"
is associated with men or women (most of whom have taken some type of
artificial hormone) who have developed their physiques to the point
of limiting themselves physically from participation in almost any other
type of athletic endeavor, other than strength training. So, unless
you are taking some type of artificial hormone (particularly if you
are female) you don't need to worry about ever becoming "muscle
bound." [return to top]
7. Can I get cardiovascular benefits using
the Powerbase?
The ease with which you can move from one exercise to the next on the
Powerbase makes it the perfect tool for combining strength training
with cardiovascular workouts. By moving quickly between sets, using
methods such as “circuit training,” “PHAT training,”
and “super sets,” the Powerbase can give you a heart-pumping
workout that far exceeds typical cardio workouts. Michael Flynt’s
Ultimate Strength and Cardio workout, developed for the Powerbase (video
included with the purchase of a Strength Gym), is an excellent example
of how to utilize the Powerbase to provide cardiovascular benefits.
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8. Does resistance training promote better
bone and joint health?
Basically, when a muscle contracts to overcome resistance, that muscle
pulls on the bones and joints to stabilize the area being worked. Just
as muscle resistance strengthens muscles, when muscles pull on bone
and joint tissue, it strengthens those fibers as well. Bone strength
is extremely important in combating osteoporosis, and strength training
is the most effective exercise for improving bone density and increasing
joint strength. [return to top]
9. Who invented the Powerbase?
The Powerbase was invented by Michael Flynt. Michael has a BS degree
in physical education and did his post graduate studies in physiology
of exercise while working as a strength and conditioning coach at the
University of Nebraska. Michael was also a strength and conditioning
coach at the University of Oregon (all men's and women's intercollegiate
sports) and Texas A&M University. Michael is a certified Master
of Fitness Sciences and a Certified Fitness Trainer. [return
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10. What age groups are most appropriate
for the Powerbase?
The Powerbase can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The tubing provides
a safe and effective way for children to develop coordination and increase
muscle strength. For adults, the Powerbase provides a convenient way
to maintain consistency in their efforts to strengthen and tone muscles.
The Powerbase safely allows seniors to maintain and/or build muscle
mass and improve bone and joint strength. Powerbase Fitness, LLC strongly
advises that children use the Powerbase only with proper adult supervision.
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11. How many different exercises can
I do on the Powerbase?
Over 70 different exercises can be performed using the Powerbase, including
multiple exercises for each muscle group. Working with partners or fitness
trainers and using additional equipment such as stability balls or flat
benches increase the number of possible exercises. [return
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12. I like to vary my workouts using
routines like Pilates and circuit training; can I incorporate the Powerbase
into different routines?
The Powerbase is a wonderfully versatile piece of equipment. Popular
movements like those in Pilates can be easily adapted to the Powerbase
and circuit training is ideal using this simple tool. The Toning Gym
comes with a Pilates workout video
and Strength Gyms come with a circuit
workout video. Many exercise routines you see in fitness magazines
can be accomplished and made more effective with the Powerbase. [return
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13. What comes with my Powerbase?
Your purchase of either the Powerbase Strength Gym or the Powerbase
Toning Gym includes two handles, two foot straps, a training bar, carrying
case, plus an instructional video and literature. Additionally, included
with the Toning Gym are both the Train and Tone and Pilates videos and
included with the Strength Gym are the Ultimate Body Sculpting and Ultimate
Strength and Cardio videos. Routines and exercises on Powerbasefitness.com
are constantly being updated and are, of course, available to you as
well! [return to top]
14. Can the Powerbase help tone my problem
areas?
The Powerbase enables you to perform exercises that are excellent for
problem areas like the triceps (backs of the arms), buttocks and the
inner and outer thighs. Training on the Powerbase will help burn off
excess fat and strengthen and tone those muscles. (Hyperlink to “arms,”“legs,”
and “hips/glutes”) [return to top]
15. Is the Powerbase safe and effective
for people limited by injuries?
The Powerbase can greatly benefit those who have injuries. The tubing,
manufactured specifically for Powerbase Fitness, LLC by TheraBand®,
is an already popular tool used by The American Physical Therapy Association.
The reduced stress on joints and the variable resistance that tubing
provides the muscles make tubing preferable to free weights or machine
weights when rehabilitating injured joints and/or muscles. Additionally,
the Powerbase has a patented method of attaching the tubing to the base
providing a convenient way to exercise without having to attach any
equipment to a door or other object. [return to top]
16. How long will my Powerbase last?
The Powerbase has a lifetime warranty on the base and a one-year non-transferable
warranty on the tubes/clips, handles, foot straps, and bar. Each piece
of tubing has been extensively machine tested for over 100,000 repetitions.
Once the warranty has expired, replacement parts are available at minimal
cost. [return to top]
