PowerCranks improve running ability because they "force" the user to develop the muscles and coordination that contribute to better running technique in a manner that avoids injury (other than a potential overuse injury that might happen if you try to do too much too fast). On regular cranks the foot moves in a circle, just as it moves with PowerCranks, but a good portion of that movement is done passively - the foot is pushed up and over the top. PowerCranks requires the foot to be moved about the entire circle actively and this coordination closely resembles optimum running coordination.

Improved running technique results in improved efficiency. Improved efficiency means the athlete can run faster for the same effort or go longer before the muscles fail. So, the coordination changes forced by PowerCranks helps running even though one is riding a bike. Our typical triathlete customer seems to improve their marathon pace about 1 min/mile within the first 3 months. Results, of course, vary. For additional information view our running technique video.

PowerCranks improve cycling because they do several things that improve cycling power. PowerCranks "force" the user to train additional muscles that can add to the pedal forces and overall efficiency. PowerCranks also develop a better coordination that leads to improved efficiency. The higher the efficiency the more power the wheel sees for the same energy "effort". These changes are almost impossible to achieve using regular cranks because they move in the same circle regardless of what muscles or coordination is used. On regular cranks all you know is you are working hard and the bike is moving (or you know you are generating X amount of power if you have a power meter) but you have no idea what your technique is and whether it could be improved. With PowerCranks the athlete can do the same workout as before but now the PowerCranks also provides technique feedback. That feedback is the training secret of PowerCranks.

On regular cranks the foot moves in a circle but a good portion of that circle is done passively. PowerCranks requires the foot to be moved in the entire circle actively and this active coordination is a better cycling technique. The constant feedback ensures that with time that natural pedaling motion of the cyclist changes to this more efficient pattern. Training with PowerCranks results in proven improved efficiency. Again, improved efficiency means the athlete can achieve more power/speed for the same effort or go longer for the same training base. Our typical cyclist-triathlete customer is reporting speed improvements of about 2-3 mph after about 6-9 months of serious PowerCranks use. Results, of course, vary. Click on the links for more.

VO2 max is a metric use to assess endurance potential in endurance athletes. VO2 max is highest rate oxygen can be taken up by the athlete while exercising and is related to how much muscle the athlete is using in an aerobic manner. PowerCranks force the user to train additional muscle into equivalent aerobic muscles and trains the coordination that allows incorporation of these muscles into their sport. Increasing VO2 max improves the potential of any endurance athlete. In a collaborative study done at 3 Canadian Universities PowerCranks were shown to have increased VO2 max a statistically significant 15.6% after only 6 weeks of immersion use.

Another customer (an experienced cyclist) tested himself and reported to us his VO2 max had increased from 4962 ml/min (71.2ml/kg/min) pre PowerCranks to 5609 ml/min (81.7ml/kg/min) after 6 months and to 5794 ml/min (85.5 ml/kg/min) after 13 months, a 20% increase from his pre-PowerCranks days. Results, of course, vary.

Most non-contact injuries in athletes are related to muscle strength or conditioning imbalances in the legs and poor technique or coordination. PowerCranks improve both of these aspects in the athlete.

Regarding muscle balance, because a stronger leg cannot assist a weaker one, with enough use and time the legs invariably become balanced. The most extreme example of this we can think of is what one of our customers with cerebral palsy reported. Before he got on the PowerCranks his cycling imbalance was measured at 80/20. After about 1 year it was measured at 51/49. WOW!

Further, PowerCranks are non-impact so they allow the athlete to correct these balance and coordination problems without the risk of injury seen with more traditional techniques, such as plyometrics.

For the injury prone athlete, PowerCranks allow the athlete to increase the intensity of their training without increasing the "pounding" to their bodies, and risking injury. For a more detailed explanation go here

The two big muscle groups that PowerCranks train beyond those currently being trained are the hip flexors (the iliopsoas) and the hamstrings. Another smaller muscle that is trained is the tibialis anterior, which dorsiflexes the ankle (pulls the toes up). Eventually, with time, all of these muscles are being trained in an aerobically balanced, coordinated, manner which means they can be used more effectively in almost every activity.

Being able to invoke more muscles into any activity means that all the prime mover muscles will be working less hard at any given level so it is much easier to go harder (faster) than they normally do.

The core muscles are those deep inside the body that stabilize the pelvis and the spine. Good core strength is important for powerful movement of the arms and legs. With poor core strength an athlete will lose upper extremity coordination and power and with poor core endurance, upper extremity technique will "fatigue" sooner. Athletes are only as good as their weakest link. Leg muscle imbalances are associated with increased risk of non-contact injury.

Because PowerCranks are independent from each other, and effectively train all of the lower spine core muscles in both strength and endurance. If you are unbalanced, this means that, if you are riding both legs at the same time, trying to do the same amount of work, the weaker leg is being stressed more and it will respond to this stress and eventually become the equal of the stronger leg. This same principle holds for the fore/aft muscles. The pushing leg cannot help the pulling muscles on the back stroke. As one trains these "pulling" muscles will become the effective equivalent of the pushing muscles.

PowerCranks is an "easy" way to enhance lower core muscle and leg balance.

PowerCranks by doing more for the athlete in the same amount of time really help the athlete to get more for the time they have to give. Training additional muscles, improveing technique and efficiency, helping to avoid future injury, improving rehab from current or old injury.PowerCranks does it all.

Triathletes especially benefit because now they can see running benefit while riding their bike. This gives them the option of taking some time away from their running and adding it to either the bike or swim training, depending upon where they will see the biggest advantage.

Customers typically spend a lot less time running than they do now but find themselves running much faster. Less pounding. Less risk of injury. Better outcome. What could be more efficient from a training time-management perspective? More here

PowerCranks force the user to use the injured leg in a coordinated manner. On a regular bike if the bad leg hurts the rider can simply let the good leg do all the work. On regular cranks one is spending a lot of time making the legs go around and doing almost nothing to facilitate getting that bad leg to become the equal of the good leg again. PowerCranks force the user to use the bad leg. There is no hiding from PowerCranks. Also, the cranks act as a complete running alternative since the athlete is maintaining his/her running or cycling mechanics even though not running or cycling, per se. Many customers have reported setting a run personal record in their first race after rehabilitation with PowerCranks despite almost zero running. More here

Many sports, beyond the obvious cycling, running, triathlon can benefit from PowerCranks. It simply requires using the product to train the weaknesses of the athlete for the demands of the sport that the product can address. Even some non-athletic needs can be enhanced. Click on the tabs below for more specifics in these areas.

 

Many laugh when they hear us say this but if you have this problem, you are not laughing and you might want to know about this potential solution. Users have reported to us that they have seen improvement in problems associated with their erectile dysfunction. This is not something that people usually talk about to bicycle crank manufacturers. But, if one looks at the physiology of erections, there really is a physiological explanation that can explain the reports. Any activity that exercises the iliopsoas muscle aerobically would probably have this effect because it would improve parasympathetic tone to the muscle. It has been shown that runners suffer from this condition less than the general sedentary population. Since PowerCranks exercise the iliopsoas better than simple running we would expect PowerCranks to have additional benefits here, accounting for these reports. For a more detailed explanation go here.