JIM STRAY-GUNDERSEN, MD, :

"At first very skeptical, I tested BFR on the Olympians I was training. We quickly realized how impactful elastic BFR could be to all populations looking to quickly increase strength, power, muscle, lean body mass, and overall fitness. I sought to develop B Strong BFR, the safest and most effective elastic BFR system which does not impede the arterial circulation."

Jim Stray-Gundersen, MD, is a sports scientist, an exercise physiologist, Co-Founder B Strong BFR Training Systems as well as a long-time ACSM member, past ACSM Texas Chapter President, and Texas ACSM Life-Time Achievement Award Recipient.

Blood Flow Restriction or BFR Training, is quickly becoming a catalytic tool for Physical Therapists, Personal Trainers, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Medical Doctors, High Performance Directors, Athletes, Baby Boomers, and Youth Sport Coaches. Proper BFR, using safe and effective BFR equipment, has been proven to enhance muscular strength and hypertrophy in several populations, improve fitness, and lessen injuries. BFR combined with low-load, low-intensity, and low-impact exercises can improve bone formation, elevate EPOC, and elicit a robust hormonal response including growth hormone. Cognitive Improvements, Systemic and Vascular health improvements, are also being studied.

Gain More While Doing Less

One of the biggest benefits of BFR training is the ability to achieve the same results from low intensity resistance exercises as those achieved through high-intensity resistance training (i.e weightlifting). With BFR training, you use much lighter weights. This makes BFR training ideal for people that cannot lift heavy weights due to injury, age or other factors.

Increased Strength and Muscle Size

Even though very light weights are used, BFR training increases protein synthesis similar to traditional strength training. The increase in protein synthesis combined with reduced muscle damage puts the body in the best possible position for building lean muscle. Because BFR causes less muscle damage, gains have been observed faster than in traditional strength training.

Anti-Aging Effects

BFR training with B Strong stimulates the production of Growth Hormone which helps promote growth of lean muscle. BFR training produces a “systemic effect” due to the hormonal release into the body’s circulatory system. While only arms and/or legs may have been under restriction, the hormonal release into the blood stream goes everywhere and benefits any are of the body that was exercised (core, back, etc).  Doing low intensity workouts with B STRONG allows you to get the maximum benefits without the wear and tear on your body. 

Recovery

BFR training allows individuals recovering from a hard workout, competition, or injury to maintain physical fitness, increase strength, and reduce atrophy. By limiting blood flow to the muscles, users can work the muscles without placing excessive weight on the limb.  If a part of the body is comprised from being able to tolerate normal training, BFR may provide an alternative form of training to still fatigue the body without added stress.  In addition, the systemic aspect of BFR means that non-compromised parts of the body may be trained as normal, so instead of sitting around waiting for the body to repair itself, you can actively produce an anabolic release (i.e. Growth Hormone, etc) that benefits all parts of the body.  For injury recovery, always consult a qualified medical professional for proper care and guidance.

"Anyone going through a surgery like mine (ACL, PCL, LCL) I would definitely recommend this as a form of exhausting your body, exhausting your legs, and being able to build the muscle and build the strength to make progress."