
The moment arm applied by the powerhouse of the body is 65.5 inches in this model with the
feet 4 inches behind the chest pad, and 65.1 inches when the feet are 17.5 inches behind the
chest pad. This relative difference is less than 0.6%. The knee angle has increased by 12 degrees
from the 4.0 inch position to the 17.5 inch position and the hip angle has increased by 26 degrees.
This could substantially increase in the ability of the lifter to produce force at the beginning of the
first pull. The lifter would then walk toward the FLIPPER to position themselves for the second
pull. The lifter may set the bottom bumpers on the tops of their thighs prior to beginning the
second pull, even though this may be at a slightly higher handle position than a second pull with
a lighter weight.
Training or Testing?
So what matters to the strength and conditioning coach and what matters to the athlete? In this
case they may differ depending on the goals for the athlete. For training, the old adage of train
how you want to perform is the rule to follow. If your athletes need to develop explosive power
from a deeper squat position, it is suggested to train the athletes with their feet closer to the FLIP
-
PER at the starting position. Also, if explosive power and multiple reps for muscular endurance
training are your goals, then also, train with the athletes’ feet closer to the FLIPPER at the begin
-
ning of the movement. This allows the athlete to transition through the first and second pull
phases with little or no repositioning of their feet, thus enabling a faster and smoother transition
from the first phase through the transition phase.
If you or your athletes are training for Strongman, or if you are testing for maximal strength, then
it may be beneficial to start with the feet further back, away from the FLIPPER. The higher loads
the athletes may be able to lift may help their confidence. For Strongman, if this is how they are
to perform, then it follows that is how they should train.
19
Using the Flipper - Foot Placement
65.5
65.1
4.0
17.5
Fig 22