Shadow Boxer VRT Review
Published September 24, 2008 by Boxing Capital
It says a lot that despite a rather unusual and potentially embarrassing first try of the Shadow Boxer VRT (it was in a busy London pub and I was wearing a suit – don’t ask!) I was immediately impressed. As with so many excellent products, this is one that makes perfect sense yet nobody had developed a product like this previously – certainly not for a wider market anyway.
I returned from that visit to examine the product closely for a few days before passing it on to my three fellow product testers, who actually had something of a heated debate to see who would get to examine it next! So it was certainly a positive start. But after over two weeks of solid testing between us, as well as seeking the opinion of two aspiring professional boxers, we are now pleased to be able to deliver our verdict.
The Lowdown
First Impressions.....
The Shadow Boxer VRT made an immediate first impression on us all. It was easy to put together (although instructions are inside if required) and there was also a Free DVD (Full Details Here) that came with the product. The carry case was roughly the size of a football boot bag making it very easy to carry around. There were three different strengths of cords included dependant on your strength level. Putting the Shadow Boxer VRT on was also easy – just undo the Velcro waist strap, step inside it and raise it to your waist, before tightening again. And off we went!
First Attempt.....
With all of our testers coming from a boxing background, we all immediately started using the Shadow Boxer VRT for actual shadow boxing rather than any of the numerous multi-gym/fitness exercises the product is also capable of. Initially, despite feeling some resistance you feel fine....but after around a minute you really start to feel the Shadow Boxer VRT working your muscles and things become much harder.
Comfort.....
The Shadow Boxer VRT sits around your waist and whilst it is essential that it fits snugly, it doesn’t in anyway feel uncomfortable, due to the flexible yet strong materials used. At first glance, the handles appeared to look somewhat awkward and uncomfortable but we were pleasantly surprised – they provided a good fit and there was no chance of your hand slipping.
Testimonials.....
Some excellent names already use and speak extremely highly of the Shadow Boxer VRT, including Professional Boxer and Light Middleweight Prospect George Hillyard and Former Amateur Star and ABA Champion Tony Cesay. MMA Stars such a Paul 'Semtex' Daley and Dean 'The Renegade' Amasinger also use the product. Check out the Shadow Boxer VRT blog for footage and comments.
Versatility.....
Possibly the products greatest asset is it’s versatility; it can be used for Shadow Boxing and also has a growing list of Multi Gym style exercises that you can perform. It really is possible to make this piece of equipment become an integral part of your training regime. You can even use the Shadow Boxer VRT for Pilates exercises if this is part of your training regime!
As this is a relatively young product, new ways to exercise with the product are being found all the time and the Shadow Boxer VRT website www.shadow-boxer.co.uk includes useful explanations and even video’s. The Blog section of the Shadow Boxer VRT website has already been updated to show different exercises you can use the product for and will continue to be updated regularly as the product evolves.
Portability.....
Another fantastic selling point is the fact that the Shadow Boxer VRT can be used absolutely anywhere. It is so light it can be carried easily and you don’t need lots of room – you can even use it in your house; come on, all boxers walk around the house shadow boxing!
Similarly, you can be watching the TV at home whilst trying out the various Multi Gym/Fitness exercises. It’s a big selling point for me personally as I personally don’t always have the time to get to the gym for a full session – with the Shadow Boxer VRT, you can still have a very good work out at home.
Durability.....
We’ve used the Shadow Boxer VRT for over two weeks quite rigorously and I am pleased to report that despite our best efforts, it is still in perfect condition. There is no doubt that the product would be susceptible to damage if subjected to a huge amount of strength or constant use for months and months on end, but all objects suffer wear and tear - it’s a fact of life.
We are testing the latest Shadow Boxer VRT, the VRT2 and the various improvements made to the cable connection suggest a long life span. We will continue to use the Shadow Boxer VRT and report further on Durability in the future.
Benefits.....
Working with the Shadow Boxer VRT can certainly benefit all boxers. The resistance based work out it provides effectively uses your own body weight as the anchor to your boat. Whilst shadow boxing, it really does help your hand speed – try boxing four x two minute rounds using the Shadow Boxer VRT. Then take the Shadow Boxer VRT off and try another round – your hands really do feel so much lighter and sharper. Long-term use can only improve the speed of your hands.
Power is another benefit – the resistance provided is working your arms all the time to hold your guard up and especially every time you throw a punch. Again, long-term use will serve to strengthen the muscles in your arm. As you are throwing punches with speed, you will develop explosive power, which is ideal for boxing rather than heavily loaded power as this is much slower. Something I first overlooked but which was brought to my attention by a fellow tester, was technique. You simply do not get the full benefit of the Shadow Boxer VRT without punching properly and therefore, it concentrates your mind to throw properly delivered punches.
Negatives.....
So where are the negatives you ask? Well, aside from a price that may be too high for some, we’ve identified a couple. However, we must stress that these are not problems with the product at all but down to Potential User Error!
Price – At GBP 64.99 it is a lot of money to ask. For us, the product can be used in so many ways and is so portable that it still does represent excellent value. But ultimately, it is still a lot of money to spend and you should consider how much you will actually use it prior to purchasing.
Age Range – For us, this really is a product aimed at users 16+. Whilst it can be used by younger users, we just feel that a workout involving so much strength work (there is resistance against every punch thrown) might be too much for Junior Boxers. However, it might be possible to use this on the lower strength cords, for shorter work outs but the product should certainly not be used in the same manner as it will be by adults.
Potential User Error.....
Too much too soon - You should be mindful that the Shadow Boxer VRT delivers an intensive work out and you need to know your own limitations. One of our testers (I won’t name names, although I’d like to) used the strongest cords for an extended period of time at his first attempt – then wondered why he was experiencing some discomfort in his muscles afterwards. You might be used to Shadow Boxing but this really is much harder - take your time and build up the amount of time you spend using the Shadow Boxer VRT and the strength of the cords you use.
Bad Habits – Bad Habits – If you are lazy, or the type of boxer who takes it easy when they’re tired, this could potentially lead you to develop some bad habits boxing wise. Shadow Boxer VRT is the jackpot in bingo but much like in the mentioned game it's no sure win as you still have to use it right and in the best way possible. For example, a tired boxer might start to shorten his punches so he’s not working his arms so hard! Clearly, this is all down to the user but if you are a lazy boxer in training (shame on you!) then this product might not be for you – you certainly don’t want to get in the habit of throwing shorter punches and coming a cropper during a bout.
Judges Scorecard
Value - 9
Durability - 8
Comfort - 9
Versatility - 10
Benefits - 9
Overall - 9
*** Your should note that Durability has only scored an 8, despite our positive comments. This is due to the fact that we only have the experience of a two week test and therefore have to rely on assumptions from what we've seen during that period. As assumption is involved, we are not comfortable in rating any equipment higher than 8 in this catergory. We will revisit the topic on all products in future months with continued use.
Summary
In summary, we believe this products really is an essential training accessory and an items every Professional Boxer and Amateur Boxing Club should give serious consideration to. It is so easy to use absolutely anywhere and can be used in a wide variety of exercises. Add in the potential benefits from regular use and the price of GBP 64.99 represents excellent value.
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