ShouldeRök™

ShouldeRok™  for increased shoulder strength, core stability, to rational strength, proper spinal position and increased shoulder mobility and function.

The ShouldeRök™ is partly inspired by Ragnarök the Viking prophecy of destruction and subsequent rebirth of the world. The remaining inspiration comes from world class Powerlifter Chris Duffin.

This product is designed to help:

1. Retrain your nervous system to ensure a stable, braced, neutral spinal position for maximal and safe performance under a heavy load.
2. Improve scapular and overall shoulder mobility, especially for athletes with impingement due to years of wear and poor movement.
3. Increase rotational strength and athleticism in pulsing (speed to contraction and speed to relaxation).
4. Reinforce correct breathing to further support spinal bracing for ALL heavy lifts and movements that require transfer of power from the ground into an implement (ball, bat, club, etc) - You cannot use the ShouldeRok correctly w/o setting up properly, in this sense it is a tool that reinforces a principle required of all athletes - power transfer through the core.

If you're not sure you have the mobility or strength to wield this fantastic tool than please take some time to work through our 'ShouldeRok Preparation Video

The Macebell or Gada is a classical training tool dating back centuries.  Its original use was in the wrestling for fighting cultures of ancient Persia and India.  My first experience using one was about 8 years ago when I attempted to incorporate it for shoulder development and conditioning. As a competitive powerlifter I quickly abandoned its use finding that combined with my powerlifting training it aggravated my wrist, elbows, and shoulders.

However 2 years ago I decided to make another run at using the macebell again.  I had been making tremendous gains in shoulder health and mobility with my progression into Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) and some associated kettlebell work.  I decided to try the swing again but focus on some refinement in the movement based on the DNS methodologies.  The goal was to simply realize some training efficiency as the swing was a very active warmup.  If I could accomplish my rehab, prehab, and warmup all at the same time I would have more time to focus on my actual training.

With the new approach to the swing my shoulder pain that I had been experiencing daily for the last 8 years disappeared after the first 30 days.  This is pain that had kept me from sleeping, interfered with my training, and I was only able to manage in the short term with mobilizing and re-seating drills.  Gone!  I couldn’t believe the change.  Being surrounded by powerlifters and strongman I found several other test subjects similar to myself and quickly found that the same thing happened. That was when I decided to develop the tool into what we now are marketing to others as the ShouldeRök™. 

For further details on the value of the ShouldeRök™ and its impact on eliminating issues caused by open chain barbell movements today done with an open scissor you can watch this video of me presenting on the topic to a room full of clinical rehab specialist.

One of key differentiating features is the easy load ability combined with the length of the product. Most products of this type are shorter which allows for the same weight to be used across a broader spectrum.  This approach compromises effectiveness effectiveness of their products but is required for those selling 'fixed bells' or other devices.  The length of the ShouldeRök™ is designed to maximize balance as well as the eccentric opening and the requirements for muscle engagement and stability.  The ShouldeRök™ is simply a superior product for this reason.

A lot of people regard this as a mobility tool and they are really missing the boat as to the true value it provides.  Mobility is an output but it is achieved through developing strength and stability with the proper integration of shoulder to core interactions.  The strength and stability are achieved with the proper cueing patterns and core stabilization while applying dynamic load as the shoulder moves through its entire range of motion.  In addition all the supporting muscles of the shoulder girdle are engaged and develop particularly as you add progressive load. 

The ShouldeRök™ and ShouldeRök™ method provide strength development, improve stability and shoulder to core integration, and increase mobility.  These improvements are made all with the use of a fun and highly efficient warmup or cool down to any workout.

Over the next year and a half after realizing these changes in my shoulder health I continued to refine the DNS inspired cues and approach to the swing.  I also put on my engineering hat and decided to improve the product itself.  I lengthened the bell and improved the balance with proper material selection giving it a very unique swing characteristic compared to others on the market.  We had some shot loadable bells in the gym but it was such a pain to change the weight that it was never done.  With micro-loading progression and small weight differences making a big impact between one athlete to the next I felt that changing weights quickly was a critical piece.  I chose to have it plate loadable with Olympic plates.  This allowed for developing a loading method that would ensure the safety of the lifter and those around them.  Having a weight fly off the end of a bell just wasn’t acceptable, or compromising the proper handle size to use 1” plates.  For comfort and control I added knurling and flaring of the handle.  The handle has 14" of knurling so that shorter lifters can choke up on the handle and use it as a shorter device.

The ShouldeRök™ was branded as a separate product than just a macebell due to the unique nature of the specific coaching cues that are provided to customers and significant design refinement of the product.  It is simply the best product of its type on the market and video series with it was developed by one of the best strength athletes and strength coaches in the world today.

It’s time to get strong!  Its time to get your ShouldeRök™ today!

LONG TERM SHOULDEROK REVIEW ON BODYBUILDING.COM FORUM

This is a great user-submitted review on the Bodybuilding.com forum on the Shoulderok and it's use.

IMPROVE SHOULDER MOBILITY AND LOOK LIKE CONAN THE BARBARIAN

Craig Marker, Ph.D., CSCS, SFGII, is a fitness enthusiast who has spent his life trying to help people improve their lives. He is a professor at Mercer University teaching psychology and research methods.

GARAGE GYM REVIEWS – SHOULDEROK

I’ve created this site to provide honest reviews as well as instructions for DIY equipment. There is an absolutely absurd amount of equipment available for purchase today, and I will help guide you through what is worth using, and what is not.

LEGACY STRENGTH SYSTEMS REVIEW

Athlete and Trainer Pete Arroyo reviews the MRI Findings of his numerous shoulder issues and discusses his experiences with the ShouldeRok allowing him to train.  As well as his experiences with his athletes.  He also shares a piece on how he includes the ShouldeRok in someone's training.

A CLINICIANS STORY WITH DMS AND THE SHOULDEROK

Dr Don Berry's story of ending 2 years of pain and frustration, immediately returning to lifting heavy, and improving his impact on his clients with DMS

(we recently re-negotiated our shipping rates due to increased volume thanks to customers like you. As a result, you will see a savings of around 50% on shipping for heavier equipment like this product)