Z-Health

Created by Dr. Eric Cobb, Z-Health® is a cutting-edge exercise system that helps people improve their health, alleviate their pain, and maximize their athletic performance.

Dr. Eric Cobb is the creator and CEO of Z-Health® Performance Solutions, LLC.

A chiropractic physician, Dr Cobb has a degree in human biology and has done post-grad studies in a variety of areas, including kinesiology, musculoskeletal trauma, and advanced soft tissue techniques.

Dr. Cobb was born with two passions: fighting and fitness. He started training in martial arts when he was five years old, read his first weight-training book at seven, and has never stopped — training or reading. Driven by his desire to learn more about health, fitness, and maximum performance, Dr. Cobb devotes the majority of his "free" time to ongoing study and research.

Z-Health is a neural training system that provides the missing link — one that most people don't realize they need — for lifelong health and performance. Dr. Cobb's primary responsibility is to spread the word about Z-Health, traveling the country, teaching workshops and certification courses, as well as working with select individuals and athletes.

Z-Health is about learning to speak the language of movement with total fluency.

Z-Health focuses on Dynamic Joint Mobility (DJM) for nervous system re-education, while our competitors center their training on DJM for improved joint function.

Programs that focus on mobility for improved joint function use large, less-specific range-of-motion exercises for the joints. They typically emphasize speed and a high number of repetitions. If the aim is to increase circulation and lubrication around a given joint, this training works well.

Z-Health focuses on the whole-body approach with training principles that have the goal of re-educating the nervous system for maximally efficient movement patterns. Z-Health is very precise, uses a low number of repetitions, and emphasizes the perfection of movement skills. As a result, the program will help you improve joint lubrication and function AND will teach you how to eliminate poor movement patterns that may have developed over time.

As you master the principles of Z, you will see dramatic changes in everything you do.

The nervous system manages your entire body. If you would like to make changes in pain, range of motion, strength, coordination, speed, agility, or any other physical attribute, the fastest path to getting there is to adjust your nervous system.

The nervous system has three vitally important characteristics:

1. It is the governing system of the body. In other words, it runs the whole show.

2. It is the most stable system of the body. Research has proven that the nervous system can continue to learn and adapt at ANY age, which means you can improve your body at ANY point in your life by focusing on the nervous system.

3. It is the fastest system of the body. Your nerves communicate throughout the body at lightning-fast speed. What is wonderful about this is if you impact the nervous system correctly, you can make nearly instantaneous changes in the body.

Z-Health targets the nervous system through very specific joint range of motion exercises called Dynamic Joint Mobility drills or DJM. When performed correctly, DJMs offer a powerful pathway to making your nervous system function much more efficiently.

Specific joint movements are one of the best ways to communicate with the nervous system. The reason for this is that the joints have a very high concentration of nerve endings surrounding them that provide direct feedback to your nervous system.

This feedback tells your body where it is in space, how fast it is moving and what movements are safe. By re-training and “waking up” these nerve endings through specific joint mobility drills, you can help your body get out of pain and learn how to perform at your true genetic potential.

The Z-Health path to the nervous system is dynamic joint mobility or DJM. It is, in our experience, the missing link for almost everyone: from “regular” moms and dads to world champion athletes.

DJM training is exactly what it sounds like. It's a system of joint specific exercises designed to not only improve joint function, but overall body coordination, agility and control. Done correctly, DJM training can make you stronger, faster, and more flexible and mobile more quickly than you would believe.

But, here’s the critical point: DJM training must be specific and it must hit every joint in the human body for maximum benefit. Our bodies are completely integrated systems that are all interdependent, so you have to train the whole body to be mobile and coordinated

People say it looks like a lot of things — from yoga to martial arts to dance to stretching and every other "named" system under the sun. We don't consider this unusual because the body can only move in so many ways. What makes Z-Health different from so many other systems is not the exercises so much as how you perform them.

The depth and specificity of Z-Health makes it very different from many other approaches to mobility. Plus, the actual training techniques of Z and its focus on the neural components of the process make it extremely fast and effective.

This statement is such a strange response from people in a society that is always looking for a magic pill. However, with regards to this question all you need to remember is this: simple does not mean easy.

Z-Health DJM exercises are, especially in the beginning, about mastering your body. As you build coordination, agility, and body-control through the simple movements of Z, you will be amazed at how your body and your performance changes.

Because of his martial arts background and real-life experiences, Dr. Cobb has spent virtually his entire life working with and around some of the most dangerous guys on the planet. After 20 plus years in that environment, he has learned that the best of the best in every activity are "simply" really good at the basics of their craft — whatever that may be.

In Z-Health, we want you to become a master of the craft of movement and the key is developing good movement basics.

Just because you are not in pain does not mean your joints are functioning properly. In Z-Health our simple rule is that if a joint is not functioning properly the muscles that attach to that joint will not function optimally.

In practical terms, this means that if you have "low-grade" or non-painful joint problems they are still impacting on your performance by creating muscle weakness or poor coordination. This relates to what researchers in the nervous system call the arthrokinetic reflex system of the body: reflexes that are initiated by joint motion.

From a neurological perspective, trying to train with less than optimal joint function is like driving with your brakes on. You can do it, but the ride will be choppy and you are guaranteed to have problems sooner rather than later.

When you target the nervous system correctly it is not only possible but expected.

Strength coach Pavel Tsatsouline is famous for saying: “Your muscles are already capable of lifting a car they just don’t know it yet.” If you know what to do, you can create dramatic, near instantaneous changes in the body by showing people how to take off their neural brakes.

The nervous system is an integrated web that runs throughout the body and operates at astonishing speed. This means if I can ask the body the right question through a specific exercise to elicit the positive change I'm looking for, I’ll see a result immediately.

After all, it only takes one movement to get into pain — doesn't it makes sense that one movement could get you OUT of pain?

One of our favorites is a high school basketball player who put 3 inches on his vertical jump with one series (about 2 minutes) of our foot exercises. We get these kinds of changes in power and strength all the time with more anaerobic athletes — football players, soccer players, fighters, etc.

As for endurance athletes, we recently helped a world-class middle distance runner shave nearly a full minute off her 5k time in two weeks of training. (We had her doing only 1 exercise 3x's a day so it qualifies for the 3 minute rule!) She subsequently made the US World Cross-Country team and placed very highly in international competition. While we could go on and on with similar results, the truth is, we expect these types of changes every time we work with someone — especially if they are new to this form of training.

Z-Health is such a powerful and productive system that whenever Dr. Cobb or a Z-Health Certified Trainer works with you — whether you're a pro athlete or a weekend warrior — we expect these types of results in performance or pain relief beginning in the first session.

However, our favorite stories come from people who have never had any professional training in Z-Health. They've simply purchased our products, put in the time and had amazing results.

If this system only worked for elite athletes, it wouldn’t be of much use. The reality is that your nervous system and the nervous system of the world's fastest man both run the same basic software. Since our focus is on the nervous system it doesn’t matter if we are working with a 75-year-old man, a 15-year-old high-school athlete, a gym rat, or a weekend warrior. All of us have the same potential for tapping into our best performance ever when we focus on the nervous system.

What we normally tell people who are new to Z is to give us 10 days of consistent effort. Whether you are an athlete or an office worker, we guarantee that you will see changes in how well you move and how you feel!

"Boring" is all about perspective. However, we will say that it is our belief that if your workout or training is boring, you’re not really engaging yourself mentally in the process.

While training can be repetitive at times, you want to learn to train yourself like a professional. At your job while every day may not be exciting, you still show up. Elite athletes have to do the same thing.

The real secret to learning to enjoy Z-Health and EVERY form of exercise is to get your mind involved in every rep. When you do this your training sessions can becom e a totally different animal than anything you’ve ever experienced. Plus, the Z-Health approach requires intense concentration which will make your training sessions fly by.

The best place to begin is the beginning ... for your first product we recommend either: The Quick Start Guide to Z-Health DVD, or the much more extensive R-Phase DVD & Manual set.

Quick Start Guide to Z-Health DVD

This is a fantastic introduction to Z-Health. After thousands of clients and exhaustive experience, these are the 4 exercises that we find provide most people with tremendous results. We have also added two bonus exercises to accelerate your improvement no matter who you are. Buy now!

R-Phase DVD & Manual

Designed to be an encyclopedic introduction to Z-Health, the R-Phase DVD/Manual package is vital for everyone wanting to build a better body! in fact, it's so complete we use this exact info to help prepare our professional trainers for certification. Buy now!

Neural Warm Up Level 1

No other 10 minutes can more completely and effectively prepare your entire body for anything you do! In the Level 1 Neural Warm Up, we have distilled our encyclopedic 35 minute R-Phase series into a sleek and streamlined 10 minute program! To make it even better, we've added advanced training elements to instantly improve your strength, coordination and reaction times all in 10 minutes. Buy now!

I-Phase DVD & Manual

The I-Phase (or integration) series is the next step in turning your body into a finely-tuned machine capable of doing exactly what you want, when you want it to. I-Phase is the result of a 20+ year study of the movement patterns of the world's most elite athletes, as well as how to incorporate those exact patterns into your body: quickly and efficiently. Buy now!

Neural Warm Up Level 2

The Level 2 Neural Warm Up was created from the Z-Health I-Phase (integration) training series. This evolutionary training program was developed through intense study of the movement patterns of the world's most elite athletes. Countless hours were spent identifying the exact biomechanical skills that make these athletes excel. And, believe it or not, the Level 2 program is perfect for everyone — not just "athletes." The movement skills you will embed in your body in the Level 2 Neural Warm Up will help your body be at its best — no matter your "sport." Elite athletes spend years in "trial and error" training to learn to move the way they do. We'll teach you their secrets in 10 minutes a day. Buy now!

S-Phase DVD

Most people are never trained to move like an athlete — it happens accidentally, if at all. Now, all of that has changed! The Z-Health S-Phase training program will show you exactly how to intelligently supercharge your athletic performance. Our basic mobility programs, R-Phase and I-Phase, introduced you to the foundational patterns of movement excellence. Now with S-Phase, we provide an in-depth, detailed instruction of the athletic movement patterns used by the world's most elite athletes to consistently outperform the competition. This two-disc set will teach you the step-by-step movement drills and skills you need to create your own precision athletic training sessions that will have your looking, feeling, and performing your absolute best. We've even included two sample progressions to jump-start your training to help you become the athlete you always knew you could become. Buy now!

The differences are easy to explain. Think of R-Phase and I-Phase as the "master templates" for training and the NWU1 and NWU2 as "workouts" or "training sessions" based off of R-Phase and I-Phase.

The R-Phase and I-Phase products are the exact programs that we use to introduce our professional trainers to Z-Health. If you order these courses, it is vital that you plan to read through the manual. Included in the manual is the rationale for the training template, plus ideas to help you learn how to design your own training programs!

The NWU1 and NWU2, on the other hand, are simply fast, efficient follow-along training sessions that you can pop into the DVD player anytime you want.

Our preference for everyone is that you start your Z-Health training with R-Phase. We believe that if you really understand the principles outline in R-Phase your ultimate gains will be much greater. However, if you want to simply dive in and give it a try, the NWU1 may be the place to start.

1. The easiest way is to go to our online store and select the product(s) you want and check out.

2. You can also call us toll free at 888-394-4198 or dial 480-706-3007 and we will be glad to help you over the phone.

3. Prefer a fax? Then fax your order to 480-706-1511.

Absolutely! We are happy to and do ship our products around the world. There are several ways to order.

1. Our online store.

2. Phone the office directly at 480-706-3007.

3. Fax your order to 480-706-1511.

4. Or, if you are comfortable with including payment information via email you are welcome to email orders@zhealth.net

All products are shipped USPS. Rates charged are actual USPS shipping rates plus a small handling fee. Approximate shipping rates are listed below.

Domestic USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days) — ~$10 for 1 product, ~$12 for 2 or more

International USPS (Airmail 5-7 business days) — ~$26 for 1-2 products; ~$41 for 3-4 products; ask for a quote for more products. Shipping prices vary based upon selected shipping method and destination. Please note: Delivery time can often exceed two weeks due to customs processing in individual countries.

While we hate to see our products returned, if, for any reason, the products did not work out for you, within the first 30 days you may mail back the products and we will refund the full product price (minus shipping). Be sure to include a note with the original order number and reason for the return so we make sure we can properly credit you. Our mailing address is: 8380 S. Kyrene Road, Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85284

A session with a Z-Health certified trainer will provide you with a few targeted Z exercises that are specifically what your body needs right now. Also, if you have a specific pain or performance issue your Z-Health Certified Trainer can get you started in the right direction immediately as well as helping you find and address your root problems. Find a Z Trainer!

The Find a Trainer page will allow you to select a trainer by area and level of Z-Health certification. Once you have selected a Z-Health certified trainer, you can contact them directly to set up an appointment. Find a trainer!

Z-Health Certification is a professional distinction that indicates that an individual has dedicated themselves to study and train not just the Z-Health drills, but also the principles and proprietary assessment process necessary to provide exceptional results for their clients. Learn more about Certification!

Anyone with an extreme interest in making the human body function at the highest possible level!

Currently, we have personal trainers, physical therapists, gym owners, athletes, doctors, body workers, Pilates instructors, kettlebell instructors, students, teachers, health care workers, and professional martial artists attending courses — just to name a few. Learn more about Certification!

Z-Health consists of a four-level certification program plus a 9S Speciality Certification series:

R-Phase Certification — The foundational six-day Z-Health program. With R-Phase, we focus on the basics: isolating movement and practicing with intent. In the beginning, all movements are done from a neutral stance position. In addition, we introduce and discuss anatomy, kinesiology, and fundamental neuroscience — to lay the foundation for the "whys" of the system. R-Phase, the initial stage, often brings dramatic changes in people, and provides trainers with a set of assessment tools and protocols to bring immediate results to their clients. This certification introduces the Z-Health proprietary client assessment process, so trainers are able to resolve their clients' issues more efficiently. It also provides additional training in the R-Phase drills, as well as the Level 1 Neural Warm Up.

I-Phase Certification — I-Phase is designed to take individuals who have completed the R-Phase certification to the next level and beyond. I-Phase, a much more athletic approach, expands on the R-Phase drills to include "real-world" athletic positions and stances. It moves past the joints to look at the roles of the visual and vestibular (inner ear/balance) systems in movement. Significant time is spent discussing HOW we learn and what needs to happen to replace bad — or other unfavorable — movement patterns. Throughout this course, trainers develop expertise in the I-Phase series; learn advanced client-assessment techniques for the visual, inner ear, and myofasical systems; and develop the skills necessary to assist more challenging clients.

S-Phase Certification — S-Phase focuses on athletic enhancement. The certification program for S-Phase builds on the athletic-movement foundation established in I-Phase. Trainers perform the basics of all sports mechanics: sprinting, cutting, linear and lateral speed, plyometric drills, and upper/lower body differentiation — and a lot of time is spent “playing.” New visual drills and assessment protocols are also introduced. S-Phase certified Z trainers learn the drills, skills, and principles of the Z-Health approach to building speed, agility, coordination, explosive strength, visual skills, and improved reaction times, as well as advanced principles for structuring athletic training programs.

T-Phase Certification — T-Phase certification is for advanced Z-Health certified trainers: corrective exercise specialists, therapists, physicians, and anyone else who is interested in incorporating Z-Health myofascial exercises into their client work. T-Phase covers multiple systems of the body, including the lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, cranial, dermal, and fascial — their complex relationships and how they communicate with one another. For example, tissue damaged from injuries and surgeries can impact a person’s movement and performance years later; impinged nerves cause the associated muscles to be weak; chronic pain is not the same neurologically as acute pain; etc. T-Phase trainers are trained in advanced client assessment techniques and have an in-depth toolbox of guided myofascial exercises, as well as the skills necessary for working with and/or referring clients with challenging issues or histories.

9S Series — The 9S courses are specialty certifications for advanced Z-Health practitioners. Each unique course builds expertise in one of the core attributes of exceptional athletic development: Strength, Skill, Sustenance, Suppleness, Stamina, Structure, Spirit, Style, and Speed.