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This was a long time due. I do have a cousin in the northeast Philadelphia area every time I talk to her, all she talks about for me to come see her Tidal Tank. This is not your typical piece of fitness equipment. By the looks of it you could say it looks like a piece of work. Geez, you can take that both ways. “Dimi” I call her, short for Dimitra, was more than happy that I would finally get to try out her Tidal Tank.
When I got together with Dimi it was all Greek to me as she is talking up a storm, half in English and half in Greek. Of course, her being that excited just made me that more ready for the Tidal Tank! Today I plan on making waves. So, let’s dive into it. Dimi explained that it’s 100% water so it’s constantly moving. Her Doctor of Physical Therapy and certified strength and conditioning specialist recommended for her to get the Tidal Tank for great rehab and sports performance since she had some injury issues.
The Tidal Tank is made of fully transparent material. It can be filled up to 40 lbs. of water. It includes a free air pump. It is 8 inches diameter x 30 inches in length. I get started and take charge of the Tidal Tank. The sloshing water engages your core in any of the exercises you do. You would need to use every muscle to control the water, but you may start easy by adjusting the weight. Just swinging the Tidal Tank around–not only is it versatile but lots of fun too! Great for functional balance and stability training. The water within the tank reacts to your slightest movement. In turn, you must adjust, keeping control of the weight and of your body.
As my body is fighting to get the water under control, I am using muscles I hardly ever use. The muscles must work closely together because of the moving water, no repetition is the same which stimulates muscle growth even more. In the exercises, I’m trying to balance the water. Depending on the degree of difficulty of the specific exercise, it requires a high level of concentration. The Tidal Tank is training my coordination and mind to body connection. It activates the smaller muscles, which are required for balance and stability.
Dimi brought up the fact that most people who go to a physical therapist, go because they have pain. This she says often makes you move differently, which can be the cause of the pain to stay in the long term. Dimi continues to say that this is overlooked, with the variable weights such as the Tidal Tank, it can almost always be fixed. I am understanding her more clearly now that she slowed down and is serious about the Tidal Tank.
I decide to make more waves by performing some bridges, squats, presses, pullovers, rows and having a merry old time while doing it. These exercise options are numerous. The weight of the water and the resistance all depends how much you pump the handle. The water bag keeps you moving. It works your whole body, even though you think that it’s only working your arms.
The Tidal Tank helps improve your flexibility and make you more aware of how much you can push yourself before you cause an injury. The motion of the water intensifies your workout and keeps it interesting! It is an excellent cardio workout, and a sensation of using muscle ligaments, tendons in some collective, yet safe effort.
Dimi’s physical therapist had told her about a patient that comes in for physical therapy who had spine surgery and suffers with severe spinal stenosis at two levels. Relentless sciatic pain most of the time. But he used the Tidal Tank in a way that seems to be spine friendly. He says the handles are comfortable and tank feels very well made and he loves the moving water which is like therapy to him.
The Tidal Tank helps me incorporate explosive rotational movements. The quality of the tank feels very sturdy, and the straps feel like they are made of a very high-quality material. I love the shift of water for new muscle use. The Tidal Tank is so versatile that it may be used for all patient ages, from athletes, professional athletes, geriatrics, to everyone in between.
I find it more challenging than it appears. Helps target core and stability a lot better than the traditional sandbags. It gives a different perspective to the normal resistance other equipment doesn’t. You can empty water of the Tidal Tank, store, and transport.
If you are looking for a compact and portable training tool for traveling purposes, you can bring the Tidal Tank anywhere. It comes with 3 different ink colors which I think is a great idea to change things up! When purchasing the Tidal Tank, you get access to their video library of exercises to work with and you don’t have to SPLASH out on big bucks. It comes at an affordable price.
For more information visit www.tidaltanktraining.com. And, with any exercise program consult your physician before beginning.