Favourite parts! As a sports editor, I am often asked about this. Favourite items - a popular section in all media, because favourite items provide orientation in the jumble of offers. What should I buy, how should I decide? Well, buy a favourite item, because you'll be right - especially if an expert gives you their word for it. In this case: me!
The bike season is slowly coming to an end, the dark and dingy season is beginning, hence my choice: the Propilot wobble bar from Praep. The principle is as simple as it is ingenious: a bike handlebar is inserted into a block with three contact surfaces. You can fix the handlebars in three positions: either completely wobbly, semi-wobbly or quite solid when the flat side of the block is pointing downwards. You use it to do push-ups.
In contrast to push-ups on your palms, you have to coordinate your muscles more strongly here. If not, you'll fall over. It's pretty wobbly at first and you can hardly do any repetitions. But over time, you'll get to grips with your shaking and wobbling arms. Because with the wobble bar you train inter- and intramuscular coordination as well as strengthas science calls the interaction of the muscles.
If the handlebars, i.e. the wobbly bar, want to break free, the muscles grab hold at lightning speed and prevent you from tipping over. This simulates exactly the OMG situations in biking. For example, you're hurtling down the trail, the ground hits you, the handlebars snap - now it's not fate that decides, but your muscles. If your reflexes are well trained and your muscles work together quickly, then you can manage the rodeo ride.
I'm a freerider and I studied at the German Sport University Cologne, which means: I'm a practitioner, I know the theory and I can tell you: this thing is awesome. Pumping with the Propilot is much more fun than a conventional push-up, you get muscles and train for biking at the same time: Handlebars in your hands, hold on tight! It's perfect for the grubby season until the new bike season starts.
But there is one downside: just buying the part and putting it in the corner is useless. You have to pump. Always. Constantly. Extensively. I'm a big fan of micro-training. 20 push-ups in the morning after brushing my teeth, 20 until the coffee has run out of the machine, 20 before lunch, 20 when you don't know what you're supposed to be doing, 20 before going to bed. ...
... sorry, I just had to pump 20!
I've had the Propilot for a few years now and love it! You can also just buy the block. I put my favourite handlebars in there and screwed my favourite grips on. However, I also pump all the time. But then you do that too.
By the way: You can put your mobile phone with the app on it and use it to check whether you're going down far enough, but I don't need that kind of frippery; I'm happy when I don't have to see my mobile phone. Cost: 79 euros in total. The block alone: 49 euros.
Conclusion on the Praep Propilot wobble bar
Efficient training tool for the shoulder and arm muscles. Quickly to hand, always and everywhere. Ideal for preparing the body for drop landings and downhill flops. Nice side effect: thick arms look better. - Dimitri Lehner, Editor-in-Chief FREERIDE
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
