Don Chu's Letter to George

This letter is an effort to tell you how much I appreciate the X-Vests. I have found them to be an excellent tool for providing overloads in both conditioning and rehabilitation programs. As you well know, plyometric training is an integral part of any sophisticated strength and conditioning program these days. The problem is finding a way of providing contrast and complex training loads for the higher end athletes. The X-vest has proven itself in my programs! The fit and adaptability are excellent. The key is to make any overload as much a part of the body as possible. The X-vest allows for freedom of movement and doesn't interfere with any of the agility, bounding or running programs that I write for a wide variety of athletes.

I have found the durability to be impressive, and I especially like the "wicking" of perspiration by the inner liner. I have even used the vest in the water with both swimmers and water polo players. These athletes have typically never been exposed to added resistance during their pool workouts. Even they have been impressed with the function and fit of the X-vest. Another group that has benefited immensely from the use of the vest are the tennis players I work with, both collegiate and professional. I know that we are able to provide the proper amount of resistance in our agility drills that force concentration and increase effort when we perform change of direction drills. Lateral change and the first step movements have improved considerably while using the X-vest.

Thank you for all your efforts and help in improving my capability as a strength & conditioning specialist.

Donald A. Chu Ph.D., PT, ATC, CSCS
Author: "Jumping into Plyometrics"

Donald Chu received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1974. His degree in Physical Therapy is also from Stanford. He has a Masters in Kinesiology & Physical Education from CSU, Hayward. He is a professor emeritus from CSU, Hayward after a teaching career spanning over twenty years. During the time from 1997- 2001, Dr. Chu served as the Program Director of the Ohlone College Physical Therapist Assistant program. Dr. Chu is currently the Director of Athletic Training & Rehabilitation at Stanford University.

He holds certifications as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). He has served on the Board of Directors for both organizations, and is a Past-President of the NSCA. Currently, Dr. Chu is the President of the California State Board of Physical Therapy, and serves as a public member on the Board of Interior Design for the State of California.

He is the author of “Jumping into Plyometrics”, “Power Tennis Training”, “Explosive Strength & Power” (Human Kinetics publisher) and “Plyometric exercises with the Medicine Ball” (Bittersweet publishing). He has authored several chapters in books on Sports Medicine, particularly in the area of rehabilitation.

Dr. Chu has consulted with elite athletes at every level on the development of training and conditioning programs. His past clients include athletes from the 1984, 88, 92, 96 and 2000 Summer Olympics, and Professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He is currently working with Olympic hopefuls in the skeleton, and bobsled events for the 2002 Winter Olympics.