What is blood flow restriction training? In essence, this training method is exactly what it sounds like: limiting blood flow to muscles while training. This is usually done by using specialist equipment, such as blood flow restriction (BFR) cuffs.

What has grabbed people’s attention is its reported benefits, with claims BFR can stimulate impressive muscle growth and strength gains from resistance training with a lower load.

It has also been suggested that BFR could be used during low intensity, aerobic activities – such as a session on one of the best walking treadmills – to prevent atrophy or muscle loss in deconditioned people, such as elderly populations and those with an injury.

To separate fact from fiction, we spoke to Jeremy Loenneke, an associate professor of exercise science at The University of Mississippi, and an authority on blood flow restriction training.