About Us
Learn more about our story
KAATSU - specifically the KAATSU Constant Mode - was first envisioned in 1966 by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in Tokyo. The KAATSU Cycle was subsequently developed in 1973 as a means to recover from injuries and increase compliance and ease-of-use. Rigorous academic study and medical research on KAATSU began in 1995 at the University of Tokyo. Its adoption in Japan transformed the effects of traditional athletic training, speed of rehabilitation, and recovery. After decades of experimenting and proving enhancement of blood circulation and increased hormonal production through practical, noninvasive protocols, KAATSU established the BFR market. KAATSU remains the BFR market's global leader with an unparalleled safety record and widespread adoption in the athletic performance, rehabilitation, and recovery markets.
In 1966, Yoshiaki Sato's legs felt numb while he was sitting on a tatami mat floor in the traditional Japanese posture ("seiza"). He realized that his blood circulation was blocked in his lower legs. This moment of inspiration led him to create the original concept of blood flow restriction training and to pursue a lifetime of exploration, research and discovery in the field.
Between 1966 and 1973, Sato continued to self-experiment daily on himself. He compiled detailed data while applying different sizes of bicycle tubes, ropes and bands at different pressures on various parts of his body. He methodically kept track of what type of bands and pressures were safe and worked best.
In 1973, Sato fractured his ankle and tore the ligaments around his knee. With a plaster cast, he rehabilitated himself with his early KAATSU bands by repeatedly applying pressure on and off while doing isometric exercises for 30 seconds on and a few seconds off three times per day. This was the first application of the KAATSU Cycle Mode that prevented muscle atrophy during his rehabilitation.
In 1994, Sato applied for his first patents in Japan (Patent No. 2670421), U.S.A. (Patent No. 6149618), and Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy with 94206403.0) as he began to manufacture and commercialize the first KAATSU bands in Japan.
In 1997, KAATSU introduced the KAATSU Specialist Education Program in Japan. He also began research and clinical tests at the University of Tokyo Hospital at the 22nd Century Medical and Research Center. The program was expanded in the United States and Europe in 2014.
Since used by the USA Winter Olympic Team in 2014, the U.S. military, and athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, KAATSU has expanded to 49 countries in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Oceania and Africa - and by Mount Everest climbers and English Channel swimmers as well as paraplegics, people up to 104 years, and individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to lose weight and gain muscle tone.
