ViPR stands for Vitality, Performance, and Reconditioning.

It’s an exercise craze that’s sweeping the nation, and the #1 question people are asking:

“Why am I working out with a pipe?”

ViPR was created to encourage purposeful motion. It blends strength training with functional training and movement. This new and improved training tool is actually made of rubber and comes in 7 different weights.

It is meant to be carried, tilted, dragged, thrown, flipped, stepped on, rolled and more. You can do just about anything with this tool! Every ViPR exercise uses “whole body integration,” which basically means that the muscular system is interdependent and works best when trained together.

All ViPR exercises use rhythmical strength-to-shorten movements that work your muscles effectively. Gravity provides resistance, and helps to ensure proper motion. ViPR bridges the gap between movement and strength training, and because it’s so unique, it’s also inspiring people to work out!

Catherine Luciano, Midtown’s Fitness Director, is a ViPR enthusiast and uses the innovative training when working with her clients. We sat down with Cat and asked her about the benefits of ViPR:

Who benefits from ViPR Training?

- Absolutely EVERYONE can benefit from ViPR training, from a post-rehab client to an athlete of any age.  Benefits include increased flexibility, strength, muscle size (depending on weight of the ViPR), as well as fat loss.  Add those together and the overall benefit is to perform better, whether it be in a sport or just daily activities.

Is ViPR Training helpful in injury rehabilitation? How so?

I am a Medical Exercise Specialist and use this functional tool to teach the body how it is supposed to work. ViPR helps encourage all muscles to work together and fire in the proper sequence, which is exactly what’s needed in the case of an injury.  By teaching the body these movement patterns, you thereby reduce the chance of further injury. 

Why use ViPR Training instead of free weights?

Strictly for its versatility. The ViPR is another resistance tool of a different design allowing movement patterns that cannot always be done with free weights. And, it’s just plain FUN!

How is ViPR Training helpful in sports training?

I am also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  The movements I teach with the ViPR have direct correlation to all sports.  Most movements are done from a standing, athletic base where we teach the body to maximize a muscle’s range (i.e. flexibility), and to work in all planes of motion (i.e. all angles and directions). But we also want to build strength throughout those ranges thereby reducing chance of injury and maximizing performance potential.

Have you tried a ViPR workout yet? What did you think?