KAATSU Aqua is BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) exercise and rehabilitation that is performed in the water (swimming pools or aqua-therapy pools). It is based on standard KAATSU protocols developed by Professor Sir Dr. Yoshiaki Sato, M.D., Ph.D. of Tokyo, Japan.
KAATSU Aqua uses specialty woven neoprene pneumatic waterproof bands that enable KAATSU exercise to be conducted in the water using standard KAATSU protocols and KAATSU equipment such as the KAATSU C3. It can be used by a variety of people who exercise in a pool including those who are recovering or rehabilitating from an injury or surgery up to competitive athletes and Olympic swimmers.
KAATSU Aqua can be used by the following individuals
| Competitive Swimmers Collegiate swimmers |
KAATSU Aqua can be done by those who are at least 14 years of age. KAATSU Aqua Bands must only be used by individuals who are pool safe and who can swim. |
KAATSU Aqua is patented blood flow moderation exercise performed in the water. It is based on the standard KAATSU protocols developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato of Tokyo, Japan between 1966 – 1973. | Professor Sir Yoshiaki Sato, M.D., Ph.D., FNAI, 70-year-old KAATSU inventor |
KAATSU Aqua are intricately woven and layered neoprene pneumatic bands that enable KAATSU exercise to be safely conducted in the water using standard KAATSU protocols. |
KAATSU Aqua Bands can be used in combination with any KAATSU device (e.g., KAATSU Master or KAATSU Nano). |
KAATSU Aqua Bands can also be used with dryland training.
KAATSU is not occlusion training or tourniquet training. KAATSU's controlled and individualistic pneumatic Air Bands are much different than simple arm straps or inexpensive knee wraps or wide blood pressure cuffs that are used by individuals who do BFR (Blood Flow Restriction). KAATSU Aqua is a means to safely and effectively engorge the limbs in blood that lead to myriad physiological benefits and advantages. |
KAATSU Aqua Bands can be used in swimming and therapy pools. KAATSU Aqua Bands should not be used while holding your breath underwater or while free diving or when diving from a diving board. |
KAATSU Aqua Bands should not be used in open bodies of water like lakes, rivers, seas or the ocean or while surfing or diving. KAATSU Aqua Bands should be used under the supervision of a certified KAATSU Aqua Specialist. |
KAATSU Aqua can be done every time you train or exercise in a pool. Competitive athletes can use the KAATSU Aqua Bands during every training period as long as the KAATSU Arm Bands are limited to 15 minutes and the KAATSU Leg Bands are limited to 20 minutes per session. KAATSU Arm Bands and Leg Bands cannot be used simultaneously. |
KAATSU Aqua Band Sizes
| KAATSU Aqua Bands on Arms |
KAATSU Aqua Bands on Legs
KAATSU Aqua Band Positioning
KAATSU Aqua Bands on Arms KAATSU Aqua Bands on Legs | KAATSU Aqua Band on Arms above the bicep KAATSU Aqua Band on Arms below swimsuit line |
KAATSU Aqua Pressure
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| KAATSU Specialist confirming KAATSU Aqua Band Pressure |
Recommendations
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Key Safety Rules
KAATSU Color(pinkness of palms and arms) | KAATSU Color(pinkness of palms and arms) |
Key Safety Rules
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Goal Achievement Competitive Athletes
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Goal Achievement Competitive Athletes
Shooting with KAATSU Aqua Bands on arms ![]() |
Goal Achievement Non-competitive Athletes
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Uses of KAATSU Aqua
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KAATSU Aqua Pressure Levels
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KAATSU Aquarobics Examples (for individuals of all ages & abilities) Arm Bands (with or without hand paddles)
Moving arms in water Tricep extensions in water | Sculling in water with KAATSU Aqua Bands on arms |
KAATSU Aquarobics Examples (for individuals of all ages & abilities) Arm Bands (with or without hand paddles)
Poolside triceps extensions Pulling with KAATSU Aqua Bands | Passing ball with KAATSU Aqua Bands on arms |
KAATSU Aquarobics Examples (for individuals of all ages & abilities) Leg Bands
| Kicking with KAATSU Aqua Bands on legs Leg lifts against pool wall
Leg lifts against pool wall |
KAATSU Aquarobics Examples (for individuals of all ages & abilities) Core Work (with Leg Bands)
| Bells |
KAATSU Aquarobics Examples (for individuals of all ages & abilities) Core Work (with Leg Bands)
| Treading Water |
KAATSU Aqua Swimming Workout Examples KAATSU Aqua Workout #1a (with arms bands) or #1b (with leg bands):
KAATSU Aqua Workout #2a (with arms bands) or #2b (with leg bands)
| KAATSU Aqua Workout #3a (with arms bands) or #3b (with leg bands)
KAATSU Aqua Workout #4a (with arms bands) or #4b (with leg bands)
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KAATSU Aqua Water Polo Workout Examples
| Shooting with KAATSU Aqua Bands on arms |
KAATSU Aqua Water Polo Workout ExamplesFor passing (Arm Bands for field players)
For shooting (Leg Bands for field players)
For passing (Leg Bands for field players)
| Shooting with KAATSU Aqua Bands on arms |
KAATSU Aqua Water Polo Workout ExamplesFor eggbeater vertical height and strength (Leg Bands for field players)
| Eggbeater with KAATSU Aqua Bands on legs |
KAATSU Aqua Water Polo Workout ExamplesFor eggbeater lateral movement (for goalies)
For swimming speed and stamina (Arm Bands for field players)
| For swimming speed and stamina (Leg Bands for field players)
For lateral movement and explosiveness (Leg Bands for field players)
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KAATSU Aqua Recovery ExamplesFor leg recovery (Leg Bands for any post-workout athletes)
For arm recovery (Arm Bands for any post-workout athletes)
| Post-workout Stretching |
| KAATSU Cycle |
| KAATSU Cycle |
6.1 KAATSU Cycle Uses
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6.2 KAATSU Cycle Benefits
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Case #1: Carson Christuk (age 16), Northshore YMCA in Massachusetts
o 2:14 in September 2013
o 2:11 in December 2013 (taper meet)
o Started KAATSU Aqua in January 2014
o 2:09 in February 2014 (unrested and unshaved)
o 2:03 in April 2014 at YMCA National Championships
Case #2: Jake Bennett (age 18), Northshore YMCA in Massachusetts
o Week 1: 5 times per week using KAATSU Aqua only on his legs. On land, did KAATSU 3-Point arm exercises with KAATSU Arm Bands 3 times per week (i.e., Hand Clenches + Biceps Curls + Triceps Extensions)
o Week 2: 5 times per week on the legs (legs were very sore). In the water, he did easy swimming with arm bands 3 times per week progressing from 6 x 25 to 6 x 50 to 12 x 25
o 1:44.9 in September 2013 - best time from previous year
o 1:46.5 in October 2013 with pain o Started KAATSU Aqua in November 2013
o 1:44.5 in December 2013 (taper meet, pain free)
o 1:41.2 in March 2014 at high school state championships
Victoria Arlen (19), KAATSU Aqua user since March 2014
Water Polo Players (teenagers) at Vanguard Aquatics with Uros Dzelebdzic
o 10 x 50 sprint freestyle on a 1:15 interval conducted 3 weeks apart
Non-users: 32.25 32.23 (first 50 time)
Users: 31.56 30.32
Non-users: 33.90 33.77 (average 50 time)
Users: 33.96 32.38
Non-users: 34.58 34.13 (average of last five 50s)
Users: 34.84 32.97
Congratulations! | KAATSU Aqua Bands drying out |