IGX

This is a good fast paced introduction to the Reciprocal Inhibition method of stretching. As Tom points out this doesn't replace other forms of stretching it can be used effectively with other methods including static stretching and PNF.
The DVD starts right in with Tom defining RI and how it works. From there he shows how to increase the ROM of the groin (inner & outer thigh muscles) in 30 seconds!
Tom covers all the major muscle groups including: the glutes, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, calves, pecs, calves, shoulders and neck. With RI you work opposing muscle groups so it is important to follow the sequence Tom lays out. Biceps and triceps, glutes and hamstrings etc.
Included on this DVD are several workouts incorporating the Activate techniques including the use of bands and leg flexion/extension machines and stability ball work.
The DVD is a good, short, accessible and easy to use way to increase your ROM and flexibility throughout your body. I highly recommend Activate for anyone looking to get more from stretching in less time. You can’t beat this one, especially for the price!

Shipping was fast, it came in two days.

Dave

I gave it a quick look on Sunday and what I saw was excellent and useful. I will add my two-cents when I give it a try. Furman's ability to articulate instructions on a video are ZOINKTASTIC!

High Velocity Lie-Nap! wrote:I gave it a quick look on Sunday and what I saw was excellent and useful. I will add my two-cents when I give it a try. Furman's ability to articulate instructions on a video are ZOINKTASTIC!

He got anything for the rotor cuffs?

He shows some neck & shoulder stretches, but nothing for RC explicitly

Dave wrote:He shows some neck & shoulder stretches, but nothing for RC explicitly

I was just being an asshole; my "rotor cuffs" are fine. I plan to get this DVD for the "improve my flexibility" part of my Snowball.

GoDogGo! wrote:

Dave wrote:He shows some neck & shoulder stretches, but nothing for RC explicitly

I was just being an asshole; my "rotor cuffs" are fine. I plan to get this DVD for the "improve my flexibility" part of my Snowball.

Ha!

I didnt catch that reference. In this episode we discuss the gulteals

Thanks Guys. This DVD is kind of a spark for anyone with a training background. You should be able to apply this method throughout your training for better ROM.

I have to thank Mario Guevara who helped me. He usually wants to do a 'hard' workout in the DVD. I had planned the, "Airborne Ranger Circle of Dynamite", but we couldn't get permits in Boca Raton. ;-)

From Rational Fitness Practice Blog-

blog.rationalfitnesspractice.com/2008/03/24/activate.aspx

I wanted to use todays blog entry to review a DVD I recently ordered. I know a lot of you guys like Nick Cream were hoping for something along the lines of "Remember the Tight Ones" or something of that nature. I am sorry to disappoint you but of course this is a wholesome fitness-related blog. The only time I have ever come close to running afoul of that was when I provided a link to the softcore porn-esque cover of that new Clarence Bass book. Anyway lets get down to business.

The DVD is ACTIVATE and the author is Tom Furman. The topic pertains to increasing range of motion and the tool utilized is reciprocal inhibition facilitated stretching. Tom and his friend Mario take you through a series of stretches. This is tastefully done, in contrast to a video put out by a different high profile outfit called "Loaded Stretching". In Loaded Stretching partner drills are carried out by two shirtless men. I do not know why this is. The only reason I own the Loaded Stretching video is that I thought it was a stretching video for alcoholics and I believe in fitness for everyone (actually it came as part of a package deal with some kettlebells I bought on the bay a while back but why let that interfere with a good story?). In this video Tom and Mario are sporting Physical Strategies t-shirts with the logo from Tom's website. Tom's shirt even changes color a couple times in the video. Either that or he actually changed shirts. The video would have been much better had they been wearing RFP shirts from the new spring collection. I will overlook this minor sartorial indiscretion.

The stretches utilized in ACTIVATE cover pretty much every muscle group including a superb back stretch that will effectively loosen most of the posterior chain. Each drill is explained in detail and demonstrated from different angles so you can see what is going on. Also animated arrows are used to show the force vectors for the stretches. This is most helpful. Tom and Mario also take you through an agonist/antagonist pair workout which can be performed with very basic equipment like you might find in a playground or in a prison yard. Overall the video quality is good, even HD quality. Tom's makeup artists are to be commended. The video runs about 35 min in duration which is fine because it fits my short attention span and the subject is covered adequately. Like a well written article or a woman's skirt, ideally it should be long enough to cover the subject and short enough to be interesting. I did not come up with that one by myself it was told to me by a college English instructor.

This DVD is available from Tom's website http://www.physicalstrategies.com It sells for around $21 and it is also available in combination with Tom's other DVD "Concrete Conflict" for a combo price of $50. Concrete Conflict is a good video as well. It is a combination of fighting scenarios and conditioning drills. There is some good stuff there and Tom is very creative. One thing I picked up from that DVD that I use almost daily is the stick walking and fighting stick mobility drills. My hand and shoulder mobility is very good as a result. These are quite useful and very therapeutic. Good Stuff!
In summary I recommend both of Tom's DVDs. They are very well done and if you are looking to add some flexibility I would consider ACTIVATE to be a treasure trove of useful information.

Ordered!

I have used the ACTIVATE! technique before my Jumpstretch flexibility drills a few times now. I bitched in another thread how the JS Flexibility routine was doing jack squat for my hamstring flexibility. Thanks to ACTIVATE! I can no longer complain about that. It has really made the JS flexibility more effective for me. It has helped the other drills as well, but I really notced it the most in the hamstring stretches

kallistos wrote:I have used the ACTIVATE! technique before my Jumpstretch flexibility drills a few times now. I bitched in another thread how the JS Flexibility routine was doing jack squat for my hamstring flexibility. Thanks to ACTIVATE! I can no longer complain about that. It has really made the JS flexibility more effective for me. It has helped the other drills as well, but I really notced it the most in the hamstring stretches

I think I'm seeing some real improvement by using these drills before band traction. JMHO

I just sent away for a copy.

I need help. I'm as stiff as a board anymore, even doing the JS routine.

cleaner464 wrote:I just sent away for a copy.

I need help. I'm as stiff as a board anymore, even doing the JS routine.

I like to bust Tom's balls online since I am so good at it. BUT, you will appreciate and see value in his ability to be crystal clear from an instruction standpoint (it is the exact opposite of most of his forum posts). I am betting that just about everyone who gets both of his DVD's will find them useful, not to mention there's a lot of drills that most of us probably never thought of or have seen before. "Activate" is an excellent compliment to JS and I feel a hell of a lot better since applying his techniques in just a couple of weeks.

A solid 5 stars for the info he provides in both products.

I give it 5 fangs out 5.

High Velocity Lie-Nap! wrote: A solid 5 stars for the info he provides in both products.

Ditto. 5 stars for CC&C because it is cram-packed an a ridiculous amount of info for the money, and 5 stars for "Activate!" because he finally got Mario to spit out the chewing gum.

Activate! is becoming a quick lead-in to various things. Like when I do a full BW squat, I always drop down and hug my knees so I can push out and relax the adductors for 30 sec first. Then rock back into the full squat. Opens the hips right up.