…because optimal “movers” are required for optimal movements! Goal specific exercise devices exclusively for the Exercise Professional trained in the design, execution, and delivery of progression-oriented, situation-appropriate stimulation of the neuromuscular processes that influence the orchestration and potentiation of contraction. It’s not just about “strong”. It’s about influencing neuromuscular function…“internal performance”. This requires skilled and masterful investigation of local ability, MicroProgression® of motion, load, time, and extremely specific attention and intention. The tools are not magic. They do not automatically generate the desired outcome. In fact, less than skilled use can make any tool somewhere between useless and dangerous. Therefore, understanding and implementing the professional skill of Client-Defined Custom Fit Exercise® based upon “Who? Goal? Have? Own? and Tolerance?” as well as understanding and implementing the C.R.A.M.P. principle of investigative progression (Continue? Regress? Abort? Modify? Or progress?). Appropriate user-defined execution… progressive control, progressive challenge, and progressive delivery …are keys to optimal responses to any exercise. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES:  The use of these products is not obvious!  Considerable education, both foundational and practical exploring the expansive idiosyncratic orthopedic concerns, tolerances, and motor control of various individuals in their appropriate use is required.  The appropriate set-up specific individuals can vary dramatically!  Appropriate progression specific individuals can vary dramatically! Precise use of all RTS Exercise Tools is not as obvious as it may seem. They are not recommended for use by trainers, coaches, therapists, etc. that have not attended RTS3 courses that include detailed execution, progression, and cuing of/on the specific device! In fact, if you think use of any of these tools can be generalized or standardized without considering the everchanging idiosyncratic realities of each and every individual as well as the micro details occurring each and every second of a tools use, then you obviously don’ yet understand its purpose nor the forces and internal influences associated, so please do not purchase until prepared. Most Contraction Tools™are currently sold only through the Student Store on RTS123.com CURRENT PRODUCTS The CorePAD® (Progressive Abdominal Device®) is a serious exercise tool for the exercise professional that understands the value of MicroProgression®. It allows one to progress into starting positions of extension for crunches before introducing other complicating challenges such as unstable support like a ball. It can be used for a variety of other exercises as well. Please Note: This device is not magic. Just like any other exercise device, the CorePAD® will not spot-reduce fat from one's midsection. DO NOT place this device in an exercise area where members or trainers not schooled and skilled in its use and care can access it! It will be separated and the layers lost. The foam will be destroyed from unprotected abuse. It will be misused for exercise as well as other ridiculous things. This device is designed for use only by a qualified Exercise Professional who has demonstrated competency in Exercise Mechanics, structural evaluation, the neuromuscular influences upon structure, spinal mechanics and pathology, and the thought process associated with the implementation of the RTS® principles of MicroProgression®, Strategic Variation® within the Functional Continuum® as determined by an individual's Skeletal-NeuroMuscular Opportunity. The CorePAD® is never the place to initiate crunches with an individual. As the "P" in P.A.D. indicates, it is for the Progression of crunches... once tolerance and competency are established. It is numbered for progression of the starting position of crunches (spinal flexion) only and therefore for this exercise should always introduced at the lowest pad level/height. Other motions of the spine may best be introduced at specific higher levels. Contraindications: Any pathology or condition of the spine for which this pad has been used for rehabilitation can just as easily become a contraindication for its use in the hands of those who do not fully understanding the precise implications of the specific spinal condition and/or do not understand the process of MicroProgression®. Furthermore, "apparently healthy" individuals can demonstrate lack of tolerance for any exercise or motion taken to extremes. Conditions for which the use of this pad should be restricted or prohibited until further evaluation of its impact and tolerance by the individual client include but are not limited to:  Spondylolisthesis  Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen  Spinal stenosis  Spinal fusion  Various disk pathologies  Structural instabilities of the spine  Sacroiliac dysfunctions  Pregnancy Exercise Specific Considerations include but are not limited to: Rehabilitation:  CorePAD® use for rehab should only occur after the patient demonstrates competency with both basic segmental stabilization training and elementary motion exercises.  Even level 1 may be extremely advanced for specific spinal rehab patients. Crunches:  The individual must demonstrate complete competency on a flat surface such as the floor prior to introduction of any degree of "starting extension".  DO NOT start above level 2 for pain free individuals and level 1 for those in spinal rehab.  DO NOT progress more than one P.A.D. level at a time and only when complete competency has been demonstrated via precise control over the path of motion, range of motion, and inertia. Diagonal (oblique) Crunches:  The introduction of the CorePAD®/extension position into crunches that involve spinal rotation (with the pelvis/legs rotated to the left or right) should only be offered by Exercise Professionals with an understanding of Type III coupled movement mechanics wherein the introduction of extension limits facet movement into rotation and vice versa.  Therefore, this exercise should be introduced after the individual has progressed into extension positions on regular crunches, and then with a lower P.A.D. level. (For example, when crunches reach level 4, diagonals might be performed at level 2.) Sidebending:  Begin with enough P.A.D. levels to bring the spine of the sidelying individual to frontal plane neutral or even further by starting in lateral flexion toward the table (apex up). Extensions:  Begin with a comfortable amount of spinal flexion (or reduced extension) prone over the pad.  The size of one’ midsection will play as great a role in your choice of starting level as his/her available spinal range.  Most individuals will be able to start comfortably on level 6. In fact starting flat or at the lowest levels may be uncomfortable due to prone creating an extreme of extension. The 4 rules of exercise control: 1. Motor Learning (progressive control) IS the initial “exercise”and should be progressed before ROM, load or time. 2. The first rep should look exactly like the last rep. 3. You should be able to stop immediately at any point in the range. 4. Stop the set when the static joints move, when the moving joints no longer move with precision. Evolution of the CorePAD® The first prototype was developed in 1998 with interest only that of progressive introduction of degrees of spinal extension during a crunch. Traditional crunches on a flat surface (floor or bench) did not involve the available spinal motion that many individuals were able to display. This being comparable to only half of one’s availableelbow flexion being utilized in an arm curl, a method of safely and comfortably progressing into one’s readily available spinal extension became the goal. Lateral flexion and extension were not yet considerations and would not have been without the subsequent design of the current and final product. Originally the layers were horizontally parallel slices. This design, while simple to manufacture, produced layers that varied in length and therein influenced only limited portions of the spine. This was found to be inadequate and often uncomfortable at beginning levels. After trials on dozens of people, both “healthy” and with spinal pathologies, it became apparent that the crunch was primarily a thoracic venture and the key was to influence at every level of progression the starting positions of both the lumbar, and more importantly, the thoracic region. To accomplish this all layers were then cut to fit from lumbar to upper thoracic.

Foot Rocker™3.0 Balance starts in your foot and you can’t balance without strong "balancers"! This is NOT simply a “wobbly thing to try to balance on” This is a strengthening device when used optimally by a skilled exercise professional who understands 1) the role of output / local tension generating capacity in the process of orchestration, 2) the required elimination of the need to “balance” by using both arms to secure the body during in order to create very specific strengthening challenges, 3) the COM placement on the Foot Rocker that is a vital strengthening apparatus for foot and ankle muscles and therefore a PREREQUISITE for balance training, and 4) the intricacies of strategic progression of positions, motions, and control required to accomplish this goal. The use of the Foot Rocker for specific strengthening is not a substitute for the motor learning of balance activities. Optimal synergistic use is recommended. This requires an appropriate progression of general balance motor learning activities. A process which is not initialed with “wobbly” tools, but on flat ground, and later with progressive planes and bases. The Foot Rocker is rigid and this is key to making it more reactive to micro-controlled positions of challenge including off- center training and end-range training. Half foam rollers not suitable in this particular capacity because they smash and deform under the compression of the body weight thereby reducing both the accuracy of COM positioning and the subtle influences of the muscular forces of the various aspects of the foot. Furthermore, the radius of the foam roller is also too large to provide ideal motion. Progress from flat side down to rocker down or vice versa depending upon the individual client and his/her needs and avail-abilities. Recommended use WITH shoes. Please note: the PVC used in rocker bottom construction is heavy duty industrial grade, not "furniture" grade, therefore the raw materials are often marred (scraped or stained) and beyond our control. During cutting every attempt is made to ensure that the marred areas coincide with the waste pieces, but there is limited ability to generate perfectly "clean" final products. This third version of foot rocker offers three important new features: 1. The radius has been reduced to more closely approximate foot motion with less lateral travel on the floor. 2. The reduced radius also makes the rocker far more reactive, therefore, it is more advanced as it requires more control. HOWEVER, adding a layer of foam beneath it (~2" depending upon foam density) dampens this reactivity making it much easier and allowing for a greater spectrum of progressive challenge! 3. The edges of the top now extend beyond the radius allowing the opportunity to place "range limiters" as needed by the specific client/patient and offering even greater opportunities for incremental progression than previous versions.

The CorePAD reverse is designed specifically for the purely lumber motion performed in a properly executed reverse crunch. Because the original CorePAD is designed to progress primarily the thoracic extension/motion that is the key to an optimal crunch, it has proven to be inadequate for reverse crunches. When performing the reverse crunch on flat benches or the ground lumbar motion is almost entirely eliminated by being held in full flexion as a necessary adjunct to the hip flexion required to properly position and maintain the legs. For this reason the very few who will ever actually have the available range or progress in controlled strength far enough to appropriately attempt a reverse crunch will typically need a supported starting position in slight lordosis in order to produce a degree of lumbar motion into flexion. The shape of this pad is vastly different from the original CorePAD. It is designed for the lumbar spine and offers an ideal transition under the thoracic spine. This shape and its exact positioning under the client enable this exercise like few other options. Like the original CorePAD it is layered for individual client abilities and needs. When properly placed (and proper execution and control are used to eliminate shoulder motion) this pad can be ideal for very advanced clients only. Surprisingly, it has also been found to work well for people with a great deal of lumbar extension and simultaneously somewhat limited flexion. In these individuals we often observe that performing a reverse crunch on a traditional flat surface does not allow them the opportunity to produce lumbar motion without cheating via the shoulder girdle and thoracic region. WARNINGS: Please review/learn the objective differences between crunches and reverse crunches relative to spinal motion and forces! Properly performed reverse crunches are NOT a linear progression from crunches! Many clients and virtually all patients will never tolerate reverse crunches. Contraindications: Any pathology or condition of the spine for which this pad has been used for rehabilitation can just as easily become a contraindication for its use in the hands of those who do not fully understanding the precise implications of the specific spinal condition and/or do not understand the process of MicroProgression®. Furthermore, "apparently healthy" individuals can demonstrate lack of tolerance for any exercise or motion taken to extremes. Conditions for which the use of this pad should be restricted or prohibited until further evaluation of its impact and tolerance by the individual client include but are not limited to:  Spondylolisthesis  Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen  Spinal stenosis  Spinal fusion  Various disk pathologies  Structural instabilities of the spine  Sacroiliac dysfunctions  Pregnancy