The Demands of the Job

Ask any seasoned firefighter what separates looking fit from being ready and you’ll hear one word: unpredictability.

One shift might bring a high-rise rescue in triple-digit heat; the next, a cramped apartment medical assist.

We have no idea what kind of call we’re going to be on, what the terrain is going to be like, what the weather is going to be like.

CAPTAIN BEN DUBIN
Tempe Fire Medical Rescue

For this reality, raw strength isn’t enough.

• Mobility keeps joints moving freely under bunker gear.
• Power turns strength into rapid, lifesaving actions.
• Balanced strength between left and right sides prevents overuse injuries.

Keiser’s A400 platform makes these qualities measurable — showing real-time left/right force and velocity for every rep — so firefighters can build performance that lasts well beyond their career.

A Proven Partnership with the Fire Service

Keiser’s connection to the fire service goes back nearly 40 years.

The original Keiser Force Machine, better known as the “Keiser Sled” in the Firefighter Combat Challenge®, replicated the axe-chopping motion of forcible entry. That innovation led to a full product line engineered to:

• Remove injury-causing inertia with pneumatic resistance.
• Train power in any direction—ideal for awkward hose pulls or victim drags.
• Capture real-time force and velocity metrics to guide training and rehab.

Pro sports teams rely on these systems daily. Now, firefighters have the same tools on the bay floor.

Inside the Tempe FIRE Project

In March 2025, Keiser and Tempe Fire launched a 12-week pilot: FIRE — Fitness, Injury Prevention, and Readiness Exercise.

The program combined:

• Classroom education
• Baseline assessments
• Periodized training on Keiser A400 racks and functional trainers
  

By week 12, firefighters reported better joint comfort, improved conditioning, and measurable performance gains.

Why Keiser Works Better for First Responders

Traditional iron weights peak in load at the bottom of a lift and transfer momentum to the joints. Keiser’s Pure Resistance Technology™ applies constant, controllable resistance through the entire motion—reducing shock forces on hips, knees, and ankles.

Captain Dubin explains:

It allows our members to move weight in a very different way, protecting those joints where typical mass just doesn’t have the same effect… We are taking gravity out of the situation.

Key benefits:

• Max-effort speed without bar whip, crucial for hose-line accelerations and ladder climbs.
• Instant load changes in 1 lb increments, perfect for mixed-ability crews.
• Built-in feedback for velocity, power, and left/right balance, essential for safe return-to-work decisions.

Programming That Matches the Fireground

Tempe’s protocol shows how to build operational readiness around Keiser hardware:

See and copy the full protocol >
 

See and copy the full protocol >

See and copy the full protocol >

Daily sessions began with mobility and medicine ball throws, moved into compound lifts like unilateral rack squats, and finished with short, high-intensity cardio on Keiser bikes or sled pushes—mirroring fireground energy demands.

See and copy the full protocol >

Results You Can Feel

Joint Health & Injury Prevention

Soft-tissue injuries sideline most firefighters at some point, often costing departments thousands. Keiser’s real-time feedback lets crews train in safe velocity zones, improving mobility, power, and balance — the pillars of staying effective now and pain-free later.

Captain Dubin sums it up:

It’s not only about being healthier on the job, but also healthier after the job.

Performance Gains

Firefighter Luke Matthews says the workouts “simulate what we actually do on the fireground… I definitely feel prepared.” The sessions also boosted cardiovascular conditioning: “You get gassed a little bit more.”

After 12 weeks:

• Increased power output
• Reduced joint discomfort
• “It just feels good on my body… seeing the difference on paper is exciting.”

Protecting Crews and Budgets

From 2009–2017, 62% of lost-time claims in Minnesota city fire departments were from lifting, pushing, or slipping — costing five to six figures each. By reducing injury rates through data-driven training, departments can:

• Cut medical and overtime costs
• Maintain staffing stability
• Extend career longevity and preserve experience

Take the Next Step

Firefighters need to perform at elite levels under the worst conditions — with no notice. Keiser’s resistance technology, velocity feedback, and balance tracking deliver that edge while protecting joints and budgets.

Ready to learn more?

Schedule a Keiser demo or join the Keiser Community to start building human performance where it matters most — on the front lines.

TRY OUR EQUIPMENT. WE'LL BRING IT TO YOU.

Our mobile showroom will bring the equipment to you.

Learn More

Subscribe to Keiser's FREE publications

Receive tips, articles, and tools to improve human performance via email.