Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Beau Chavez prepares student atheletes on their first trial of Tuff Tread performance treadmills.
Runners demonstrate the capacity of Tough Tread to offer challenges such as increased include and accelerated speed.
Rockin' Fitness has something new to offer. By new I just don't mean "new." I mean state-of-the-art, innovative, cutting-edge technology new. We're talking Tuff Tread high performance treadmills. On Friday, June 28, some of NR-S's top student athletes gave Tough Tread a try.
I could feel the energy before I even walked in the door of the DPRCA dance studio that morning. The words, "Move, Move, Move!" echoed as Beau Chavez, Board Certified Athletic Trainer and Director of Education for Tuff Tread, spotted the students while they took turns running on the treadmill. Each one only ran 8-10 seconds at a time, but it was clear from the effort they put into their strides that these were not your average machines. Tuff Tread machines push the athletes in ways they never expected.
After an hour's time, they had each clocked four minutes of run time. "Its nothing!" Chavez tried to convince them, but their drenching sweat and persistent panting begged to differ. He added, "It's the hardest four minutes of running you'll ever do. But now you're better runners."
They can't argue, partly due to the huffing and puffing, but also because they know it is true. They improved their speed, their stamina and most importantly their form. It's a practice they will have to continue, and thanks to Rockin' Fitness, they were able to start first thing Monday (July 1) morning.
Elliott Belquist of Rockin' Fitness says these new Tuff Tread machines are part of the local gym's new expansion and will be available by appointment. While the student athletes helped to demonstrate was the potential these machines have for athletic training, it's important to note that the machines can also be used for rehabilitation and strength conditioning. Belquist and his business partner Evan Savaneau have received training and certification to tailor plans specific to individuals' goals and needs.
Chavez has been instrumental in the development and design of the Tuff Tread machines since the early 2000s. He explained that it was a process of evolution, building from the works of exercise physiologist and North Dakotan John Frappier. In 1986 Frappier traveled with the U.S. National Team to the Soviet Union as part of the Goodwill Games gymnastics delegation. During his visit, he participated in a sports science conference and was introduced to several physiological training concepts the Soviets were using to push the thresholds of human performance. He returned home to Fargo with an idea of how he could apply some of the Soviet concepts for neuromuscular training and manipulate the body's neuromuscular system to elicit a stronger response. Soon, Frappier began to focus on the benefit of low impact, quick movements that would improve stability and foot speed.
It was soon apparent that existing treadmills would not meet the standards for this kind of performance training. With the help of others Frappier started designing a high-performance treadmill that had the capacity to support an NFL linemen running at 20 mph at a 20% grade without skipping or slowing down, while also possessing the mechanical ability to change speed and grade quickly.
By the late 90s and early 2000s, Chavez was applying Frappier's theories for acceleration training. "(Frappier) was a brilliant man, ahead of his time," Chavez said. The Tuff Tread machines that resulted from years of research aim to help good athletes become better athletes and great athletes become greater than they could imagine.
Chavez himself came from a small town in northern New Mexico and has always envisioned Tuff Tread as a tool to help the young athletes of small towns access the training systems needed to excel in their performance. He says, "That kind of work can really change a kid. I could work with professional athletes, but working with the kids is where it's at, especially if it can help them get a Division 1 scholarship."
To find out more about how Tuff Tread can help you reach your fitness goals, call Rockin' Fitness today.
