Frequently Asked Questions

In a sentence, Dr. Cobb is the creator and CEO of Z-Health® Performance Solutions.

As for his education, he has a degree in human biology and is a chiropractic physician. He’s done post-grad studies in a variety of areas including kinesiology, musculoskeletal trauma, advanced soft tissue techniques, and other topics. The truth is, however, that he pursued these areas of study primarily out of a selfish desire to learn more about what made his body tick from an athletic perspective. In other words, he wanted to know more about the body to help himself perform better. Like most athletes, he can be obsessive about improving!

Dr. Cobb likes to say in his workshops and courses that he was born with two passions in life: fighting and fitness. He started training in martial arts when he was five years old and read his first weight-training book at 7 and has never stopped – training or reading. For whatever reason, he’s passionately curious about health, fitness and maximum performance. As a result, while he makes his living teaching, he really considers himself a life-long student of training. In fact, even with his travel and teaching schedule he still devotes 10+ hours a week to study and research time.

Z-Health is a neural training system that provides the missing link that many people need for lifelong health and performance. However, most people are unaware that it is even missing! As a result, Dr. Cobb’s primary job as things stand is to spread the word about Z-Health. For the most part this means lots of travel around the country teaching workshops, certification courses and working with select individuals and athletes. Additionally, Dr. Cobb stays busy producing new products, working on a book, and all the other things that go into spreading information to people who need it.

This is a question that we get asked a lot because of the growing popularity of mobility training programs. If you search the web you will find some stellar mobility products by a number of excellent coaches. With that being the case, why would you choose Z-Health?

To make this simple, let’s break dynamic joint mobility (DJM) training down into two distinct categories:

1. DJM for improved joint function.
2. DJM for nervous system re-education.

Almost all mobility programs currently focus on #1 – mobility for improved joint function. This type of training - as compared to Z-Health - uses larger, less specific ranges of motion for the joints and typically emphasizes speed and a high number of repetitions. If you want to increase circulation and lubrication around a given joint, this works and works well.

What makes this approach different from Z-Health is stated in #2. The Z-Health approach focuses on a set of training principles with the goal of re-educating your nervous system about maximally efficient movement patterns. Z-Health is very precise, uses a low number of reps throughout the day, and emphasizes the perfection of movement skills. As a result, not only will Z-Health help you improve joint lubrication and function, it will also teach you how to eliminate poor movement patterns that you may have developed over time.

We like to say that Z-Health is really about learning to speak the language of movement with total fluency. As you master the principles of Z, you will see dramatic changes in everything you do – not just in how well your joints move.

In your body, the nervous system rules! If you are looking to make fast changes in pain, range of motion, strength, coordination, speed, agility or any other physical attribute the fastest path to getting there is to change your nervous system. In our certification courses we explain that the nervous system has three vitally important characteristics to remember:

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 shown over and over 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 speeds. What is wonderful about this is that you can make nearly instantaneous changes in the body if you impact the nervous system correctly.

Specific joint movements are one of the best ways to communicate with the CNS (Central 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 CNS.

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: 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, 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 art 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, really good at the basics of their craft – whatever that may be.

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

Just because you are not in pain does not meant 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!

Honestly, 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 make 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 or 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 become 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.

The 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!

The 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 prepare our professional trainers for certification. Buy Now!

The 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!

The 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!

The Neural Warm Up Level 2 -

The Level 2 NWU was created from the Z-Health I-Phase (Integration) training series. This evolutionary training program was developed through intense study of the movement patters 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 imbed in your body in the Level 2 NWU 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!

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 courses 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 www.zhealth.net, select the product(s) you want and check out.
2. You can also call us Toll Free at 888-394-4198 and we will be glad to help you.
3. Prefer a fax? Then fax your order to 206-870-1593.
4. If you are comfortable with including payment information via email you are welcome to email shannon@zhealth.net

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

1. Online at www.zhealth.net
2. Phone the office directly at 480-706-3007.
3. Fax your order to 206-870-1593.
4. Or, if you are comfortable with including payment information via email you are welcome to email shannon@zhealth.net

Domestic USPS Priority Mail 2-3 business days - $8 for 1-4 products
International USPS (Airmail 5-7 business days) - $15 for 1-2 products
International USPS - $30 for 3-4 products (ask for a quote for more products)

A session with a Z Health Certified Trainer will provide you with a few targeted Z exercises that are specifically what you 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!

Z Health Certification is a distinction that indicates that an individual has dedicated themselves to study and train not just in the exercises of Z-Health, but also in the principles and proprietary assessment process necessary for providing EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS to 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 currently has four different levels of certification training available:

R-Phase Certification is Level 1 - the foundational six-day Z-Health program. This course provides training and expertise in all of the R-Phase exercises, the Level 1 Neural Warm-Up, our proprietary client assessment process, in-depth analysis of how to apply Z-Health principles in the gym and in life, as well as the science and rationale behind all of the major concepts and principles of Z Health.

I-Phase Certification is Level 2 - This course is designed to take those individuals who have completed the R-Phase certification to the next level and beyond! I-Phase, which stands for “integration” phase, is a much more athletic approach to Z-Health. During this course, trainers develop expertise in the I-Phase series, learn more advanced client assessment techniques for the visual, inner ear and myofasical systems, and develop the skills necessary to assist more challenging clients. 

S-Phase or Sports Phase is Level 3 - As you may have guessed, the focus of this course is athletic enhancement! Level 3 certified Z trainers have been exposed to the drills, skills and principles of the Z-Health approach to building speed, agility, coordination, explosive strength, visual skills, improved reaction times, as well as advanced principles for structuring athletic training programs.

T-Phase is Level 4 - Only for advanced Z-health certified trainers, this course is for corrective exercise specialists, therapists and physicians who want to incorporate Z-Health myofascial exercises into their work with clients. Level 4 Z trainers have exposure to advanced client assessment techniques, an in-depth toolbox of guided myofascial exercises, and the skills necessary for working with and/or referring clients with challenging issues or histories.