Neuromagnetics Q Magnets

Recently (a few months ago) I had the opportunity to trial Neuromagnetics Q Magnets a product that has received quite a lot of hype over the years for pain relief. Now quite a few leading sports people, rugby players Nick Kenny & Craig Wing, Silvano Meli (former Swiss ski world record Holder) to name a few, are singing the products praises (Read them here) so I thought why not give them a go.

The interesting thing about my meeting with James Hermans the managing director was how he didn't impose the product on me. I have had a lot of people talk black and blue about things that will help me but James was happy to just talk to me like a normal person. It was almost like he knew something I didn't, he was secretly confident in the product and the success I would have with it. We spoke for quite a while about how it works and about the injuries I have had and he simply said, just try it see if it works. Almost offhandedly as he passed me some to try.

So it was with this experience I tried them out. A little history of my injuries may be relevant first however. Having just taken up Ironman Triathlon for a year now, 16 years in a pool beforehand, my body is not use to the impacts of running and the stress on my legs from ride hundreds of kilometers a week. Across the year I have had shin splints, ITB friction syndrome and they seem to regularly rotate between themselves so I always have something wrong with me.

At the time of the trial I was off my feet with a shin splint, trying to start running again. I placed them up and down the shin and the calf where a lot of the tightness was coming from and slept with them on for a couple of days. Immediately I noticed a reduction in the pain to the area, so much so that after a couple of minutes I was simply unaware of the site.

I took this as a positive sign so went out for a trial run, for some reason I thought I had to remove the magnets before running so I did so. I was able to run around 4km without pain - something I hadn't been able to do for some months. There was a slight discomfort as I ran however nothing that was indicative of my previous issues.

I continued to wear them as I slept and was able to gradually increase my running, however in my runs it was never smooth and seamless there was always a slight amount of tension there. However things were improving a lot quicker than they had in the past, it seemed the magnets where helping me not only recover but keep the tightness I normally experience after a run down so I could do my rehab.

The big test was a 15km run one morning to training. I haven't run greater than 10km since my last half Ironman in December 2009 due to all my injuries so this would really be a great test. This time I strapped the magnets on for the run also, feeling confident in their ability to reduce pain and help with my recovery I thought they would be great to use during the exercise.

The result spoke for itself. I ran 15km with no shin pain, faster than I have in over a year. Post run I left the magnets on and didn't experience the general throbbing I use to get after a run on my shin.

Honestly I was pretty impressed with the product and the immediate effects it has at reducing pain. So much so that I use them as a first point of therapy when I get an injury and work my rehab whilst wearing and sleeping with the magnets. After long rides when my muscles are throbbing and just sore from exercise they help relieve the pain but also my recovery increases.

There are a lot of products out there at the moment trying to push themselves onto the consumers and its hard to tell the fakes from the real deal. Q Magnets have been a great recovery aid, pain relief and therapy device for me. I'm sure you are thinking now....does it actually work? Well do as I did, just try it out and you might be pleasantly surprised! Check them out here at http://www.qmagnets.com, or if you just want to buy them http://www.qmagnets.com/products.php

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Fuji D-6 Pro - Bike Review

So I have had enough time to really test out the New D-6 so I thought I would write a bit of a review for you on my findings!

Straight from the onset of getting this bike I was told not to race it without having a week or two of riding on it. This was not a representation of the bike, more a general rule of all TT bikes, they ride differently and you need to get use to the handling, makes sense really.

I am please to announce I ignored this getting the bike the day before I flew out to race, and having only the day prior to my Yeppoon Half Ironman to test it out. My first experience getting into the aero position nearly resulted in a crash. The bike is so much lighter than my training ride the pressure I was placing on the bars was far to much and I over steered to the side greatly.

However the transition to the bike was relatively seamless. Upon discovering the correct amount of pressure I could place on the bike the ride was easy and smooth. After around 10mins I was incredibly comfortable with the bike set up. I didn't experience any of the stiffness that people talked of, which may have been countered by the improvement in handling due to the massive weigh difference, but regardless it was smooth in turns and incredibly responsive. Maybe if you compared it to a Fuji SL 1 RC weighing in at an incredible 6.6kg (the D6 is 8.23kg) but as far as handling goes it was great. Slight movements in the aero position were all that was needed to turn. I didn't take any very sharp fast turns on it, however a U Turn in race was easy and didn't seem a chore for the bike.

The SRAM Red components are incredible. Plain and simple I have never used SRAM but having them on this bike, I wouldn't want to go back. Changing gears is smooth and fast with no delay, and the SRAM return to center shifters make flicking between gears effortless in the aero position.

The rear breaks are hidden as most TT bikes employee however they are inset above the top of the tire in the frame (the normal position of a road bike) rather than down near the bottom of the frame. This keeps the area a lot cleaner and free of a lot more dirty than they would have if they were down the bottom which makes the breaker consistent. The design is also great for cleaning, for something so complex, hidden breaks cables etc, it is very easy to get to all the areas of the frame and components to keep it in racing condition!

Its a very aggressive bike, extremely aero and just slices through the wind. I have been on quite a few rides in big headwinds and it powers through the wind unlike anything I have ever seen.

And look at it!! Have you ever seen a bike this good looking? The curves, the colour scheme no other bike can rival the look, and it backs it all up with the performance. And no its not a $15 000 bike, I was incredibly surprised with the price. You can pick one up for just under $8000 depending on your bike store. A top of the line TT bike for under 8k that rides this good, you cant go wrong.

My only suggestion for those traveling for races, get yourself a torque wrench. As you may have seen in my Yeppoon race report I was a little too cautious in tightening them not wanting to damage the carbon frame. I have also read some reports about the seat post needing significant tightening to stop it slipping. All the bolts have NW suggestions - follow them with a torque wrench and your set!

So thats it from me, if you want a fast, aggressive, aero TT bike that handles superbly and for all under 8K get the new Fuji D-6 Pro. And if all that doesn't sell you, I'm sure the look will!

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