You only place the KAATSU AirBands on 2 locations on your body: on your upper arms and on your upper legs. The bands on your upper legs should be placed as close to the groin as possible, located above the quadriceps and above the hamstrings. The bands should be angles slightly upward towards the outside of the thigh. You can do a variety of exercises in the KAATSU Cycle mode with the KAATSU AirBands on your upper legs in sets of 3-4 with only 20 seconds rest maximum between sets. These exercises can be Quarter Squats where you continue to move upwards and downwards very slowly while you do not lock your knees until failure. It can also include Standing Heel Raises (also performed slowly in sets of 3-4 until muscle failure), Wall Sits, Bridges/Hip Thrusts, Kickbacks, Reverse or Walking Lunges, Step-Ups, and many other glute-focused movements. You can finish off with a 5-10 minute session in the KAATSU Constant mode (on a low pressure setting) on a Stationary Bicycle or StairMaster or Rowing Machines. Alternatively, you can do KAATSU Cycle Walking on soft sand or uphill or up and down stairs.

Thank you for watching!

We have not conducted any formal research on KAATSU's possible secondary effects on lymphedema.

@KAATSUGlobal Okay/Thank you

Glad it was helpful!

Interesting point! We'll look into it.

Correct!

Hi Dorothy! To check your CRT, you want to press on your palm.

Glad to hear that Brad!

GREAT question! KAATSU and traditional Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) are fundamentally different in both methodology and design. KAATSU focuses on optimizing blood flow rather than restricting it. Using stretchable, pneumatic AirBands, KAATSU applies a brief, gentle pressure that slows venous return without impeding arterial blood flow, ensuring tissues remain oxygenated. This approach minimizes discomfort and risks such as muscle damage or vascular issues often associated with the high-pressure cuffs used in BFR. Unlike BFR equipment, which relies on constant compression and often occludes blood flow, KAATSU dynamically adjusts pressure in its Cycle mode for a safe, effective, and comfortable experience. Backed by decades of clinical research and testing since 1994, KAATSU’s protocols cater to individuals of all ages and conditions. In contrast, BFR typically employs high-pressure systems that may not be suitable for everyone and lack the same level of clinical validation. In summary, KAATSU stands out as a safer and more adaptable blood flow optimization tool, enhancing recovery and performance without the risks associated with restrictive BFR methods.

We LOVE hearing that! Keep up the good work :)

Glad it was helpful!

Anyone, anywhere, any time ;)

Ha! We agree.

Your body's response is highly abnormal. Please call the KAATSU Global Customer Service team and tell them how you used your KAATSU equipment. They will be able to pinpoint the problem or issue. The first and most basic principle about KAATSU is that it should be gentle and gradual. The purpose of KAATSU is to strengthen our vascular tissue via repeated compression and decompression with pneumatic bands that are applied to either our upper arms or upper legs. This compression and decompression is brief (i.e., 30 seconds of compression followed by 5 seconds of decompression), incrementally progressive (i.e., each subsequent 30-second period of compression is VERY slightly increased), and meant to be gentle (i.e., not to hurt or cause discomfort). You can discuss the minutiae of these protocols with the Customer Service personnel, but the key point is that KAATSU should be gentle on your body. The purpose of the KAATSU equipment is to slowly and gradually engorge the capillaries and veins of either your arms or leg. This engorgement, when combined with slight movement, is the catalyst to a robust hormonal response. This is a natural process within our bodies. The KAATSU equipment and protocols are simply an easy and convenient means to kickstart this process. KAATSU is very distinct from BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) equipment that operate on the principle of Limb Occlusion Pressure. Through the BFR blood pressure cuffs and modified tourniquets, these products are specifically designed to occlude various percentages of arterial flow. This is not what KAATSU does. Rather than occlude arterial flow, the purpose of KAATSU equipment is to slow down the venous return every 30 seconds. This process should not hurt; it is a gentle process. You just started yesterday so you should use the Low Pressure setting in the KAATSU Cycle mode while sitting down relaxed. Over time, you can do some slight movements that the Customer Service team can teach you. Visit www.kaatsu.com to connect with the Customer Service team. Good luck. For your specific physical asymmetries, there are additional specific protocols. Email me at [email protected] and we can discuss offline.

Hi Paul! You can purchase it here: kaatsu.com/collections/all/products/kaatsu-book-by-robert-heiduk

Unfortunately, 2 per week was not sustainable for our team. But if you email us at [email protected], we'll make sure to include any questions you have into our next monthly webinar.

We agree!

We have one solution that we demonstrated at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, but it is extremely expensive. We are still working on a solution for individuals without hands (i.e., amputees). We are still in the prototype stage and trying to be an innovative as possible. Thank you very much for your patience. Please email me at [email protected] and remind me of your specific needs as it pertains to KAATSU equipment 3-6 months from now. We will hopefully have a reasonable solution by then.

You're welcome! 🎉 We're glad you found it valuable.

There are some standard KAATSU recommendations: (1) Do KAATSU twice daily, on both arms and legs, always using the KAATSU Cycle mode. (2) The second session can ideally be performed within an hour of going to bed. (3) Gentle, moderate bodyweight exercises are best (e.g., walking, balancing on one foot, wall, chair or regular push-ups, KAATSU 3-point exercises on arms and legs). (4) Try to refrain from eating 90 minutes after your KAATSU sessions. (5) Be well hydrated before and during KAATSU. You want to follow these 4 standard protocols because (1) regular and consistent work to increase the elasticity of your vascular tissue will help your metabolism and ability to burn more calories upon movement, (2) when the hormonal response is happening as you sleep, the long-term effects will be augmented, (3) you want to continue movement with KAATSU for the long term instead of going all-out with intense, vigorous exercises for short periods of time, avoiding the possibility of burn-out, (4) when the elasticity of your vascular tissue is maximized, you do not want to be feeding your body. Rather, allow your body to continue requiring energy (when your vascular tissue expands with every heartbeat, this requires an incremental body of energy from your body, and (5) a hydrated body enables maximal stretching of your vascular tissue. Good luck.

For those concerned about EMF exposure, we recommend the KAATSU C4 (kaatsu.com/products/kaatsu-c4) which emits little to no EMF.

Love hearing that!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience - We leave hearing how it benefits your life!

Yes, the standard KAATSU protocol is to do KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms before you start KAATSU on your legs.

​@@stevenmunatonesThanks, Steven! I thought that was the case. I found this video very motivating

Glad you enjoyed it!

You’re welcome 😊

Thanks for sharing your story and your support!

@@KAATSUGlobalwill let you know here, when it will heal completely.

So sorry to hear that! Please contact our Customer Support team at [email protected] and they can help you out.

We agree!

Glad it was helpful!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Glad you liked it! More to come.

There are a few people who use the KAATSU Cycle mode for several hours per day. They always have a specific goal in mind. They may be a professional, Olympic, or collegiate player who is desperate to get back into the field of play. They may be a firefighter, a soldier, or other first responder who is similarly desperate to return to their unit, platoon or co-workers. They may be a performer who is rehabilitating from a specific injury. In my particular case, I was in a terrible accident and using my KAATSU unit significantly helped with the inflammation and pain - so as long as the Cycle mode is used, as well as all of the basic KAATSU protocols are followed (fast capillary refill time, remaining in a state of good hydration, etc.), KAATSU can be used for extended periods of time in certain situations by experienced KAATSU users.

He was doing KAATSU Cycles in the morning. That means that the bands inflated for 30 seconds and then deflated for 5 seconds at incrementally increasing pressures. This enables the capillaries and veins to get gradually and significantly engorged in blood. This, in itself, is a workout It is not a workout like doing leg extensions or hamstring curls in the gym, but it is a great and extraordinarily efficient way to get a nice pump in the legs, to increase the elasticity of your vascular tissue in your legs, and to do some light cardio. For example, he can also do KAATSU Cycle sets while he is making breakfast or brushing his teeth - and balance on one leg - to work on his core. He is double stacking. That is, he is going to be doing all these normal morning activities anyway, but now he adds his KAATSU equipment on his legs and he gets a nice, easy, efficient workout. We recommend and he does 6 full KAATSU Cycles sets (each set is between 6-7 minutes) so it is an extremely effective 36-42 minute morning routine before heading out the door to head to work.

Thank you - and yes, we agree! We love seeing people thrive with Kaatsu!

Just watched this and it seemed this man was using the bands for hours at a time. I thought you were only supposed to use them for 20" then pause a couple of minutes before resuming Can you clarify?

You can use KAATSU longer than 10 minutes but only when you are using the KAATSU Cycle mode. In the Cycle mode, the bands inflate for 30 seconds and then deflate for 5 seconds. In the Constant mode, where the bands stay inflated without any deflation, this should be limited in duration

I love my Kaatsu C4 so much. So grateful for this invention!

@@salliecarothers8360

Glad you enjoyed it! We're glad Kenzie is on the team as well.

You sure can! Glad you enjoyed it!

Awesome! Keep us posted on your progress.

You're very welcome! Let us know what other videos you'd like to see in the future.