HR4K TRAINING PLATES

When you think of training and getting fit in general, one of the last things you’d think about was loading up your plate but we are talking about a different kind of loading up and indeed a different kind of plate altogether! HR4K.co.uk, the outfit we acquired our recently reviewed Platatac dump pouch through, has another string to their bow and have set their sights on more than just tactical nylon.

Not so long ago in Airsoft International, we ran a short series of features about health and fitness and the impact that it can have on your enjoyment of airsoft. Sure, the idea of running, lifting weights and suffering isn’t for everyone and of course, airsoft is accessible for everyone no matter their level of fitness. One thing is for certain though, with even a little physical conditioning you’ll find skirmishing a lot more comfortable and less strenuous, alternatively you’ll be able to push harder and fight longer than ever before… Forget upgrading your gun when you can upgrade yourselfe Many airsofters also like to make a commitment to realism and all that real-deal gear can get tough to lug around for just the one or two days a month we might manage to get to a skirmish; it can easily get to the point where it’s actually physically risky to except yourself that hard without some kind of prior preparation. At it’s most basic, a little work on training and fitness is pretty beneficial to the physically demanding activity that airsoft can be whether you like it or not.

LOADED PLATE!

Body armour is one of the parts of an authentic airsoft load out that we as airsofters most commonly cheat our way around… Sure, we wear plate carriers but often we do our best to fill them out with something as lightweight and comfortable as possible. Unfortunately armour that stops bullets is far from lightweight so if you really want that taste and appreciation for what it is really like to be fighting in a combat situation, you are going to have to get used to carrying anything between 10-12kg of extra weight right next to your body. This isn’t to mention the weight of additional ammunition and magazines which works out at around half a kilogram per fully loaded magazine… Suddenly carrying 10 magazines doesn’t sound so attractive does it, although those GBBR users out there will likely know the pain well.

Whether you want the plates to help you achieve your fitness goals or you want a taste of realism without having to source genuine ballistic plates, which can cost over £200 a piece if not more, HR4K.co.uk’s weighted plate system gives you a realistic filler system and a realistic, well-balanced weight to use your carrier as part of your training. From squats, push-ups, running or other popular cross-fit activities, a weighted vest will increase the intensity of your workout and before long you will be acclimatised to physical activity with the extra weight.

PLATE FEATURES

HR4K’s plate system comes with two dual curve ESAPI (medium) sized steel plates that are hand cut and formed in the UK from UK-sourced steel, then Cerakoted for durability. They then have HR4k graphic transfers applied on one side and a 10mm neoprene foam backing adhered to the other for comfort and also a realistic armour plate thickness. Each plate weights 5kg, simulating a fully protective armour system and can be worn by both males and females.

In addition to the two plates the kit includes 3 STANAG-sized 500g weights, cerakoted and neoprene backed just like the rest. These are made to fit in magazine pouches to simulate the weight of fully loaded 30rnd magazines and have holes drilled for the attachment of dummy cords for easy extraction. As fractional weights, these are useful for maxing out of repetitions and pushing yourself to the limit during workouts so we’d probably like to see more of them included in the kit, or available separately, or potentially double thickness, double weight versions at 1kg a piece.

The plate kits cost £192 direct from HR4K.co.uk which seems quite a lot for inert, dummy plates is still less than comparable weight ballistic armour, which is also notoriously tough to get hold of due to restrictions.

About HR4K

The Hereford Kit Company, or HR4K for short, are a new and recently formed business based out of Hereford, UK in an unsurprising and not so cryptic twist! Given the geographic location it doesn’t take a genius to work out who the owners talk to and deal with on a regular basis but that’s all we will say on that matter, less some guys with rectangular sunglasses come and visit our houses in the middle of the night!

 HR4K are, as is fitting, about more than just tactical nylon, pouches and the associated items and the small but perfectly formed selection of brands they are curating are a reflection of this. Their own HR4K branded gear as detailed here is a new addition but other brands have also been carefully selected for their relevance and quality.

BEAVERFIT

BEAVERFIT IS AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION OF TRAINING EQUIPMENT. ORIGINAL IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE, PROVIDING BESPOKE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS SOLUTIONS AND CERTIFICATED TRAINING TO THE MILITARY, UNIFORMED SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CLUBS, EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS, HEALTH CLUBS AND MORE, GLOBALLY.

BEAVERFIT WAS STARTED BY TOM BEAVER AND GREW OUT OF A PERSONAL PASSION FOR THE TOUGHEST ENDURANCE BASED FITNESS TRAINING. INCORPORATED IN 2010 OUT OF A CHALLENGE BY THE BRITISH MILITARY, BEAVERFIT HAS GONE ON TO BE A WORLD LEADER IN THE PRODUCTION OF TRAINING EQUIPMENT.

PLATATAC

OFFERING A DIVERSE RANGE OF SPECIALIST PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT, PLATYPUS OUTDOORS GROUP IS AS UNIQUE AS THE ANIMAL WE DERIVE OUR NAME FROM. FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WITH AN AMBITIOUS VISION, WE HAVE GROWN FROM A SIMPLE OUTDOORS AND MILITARIA STORE TO AN INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF OVER 40 WORLDWIDE BRAND NAMES WITH A COMBINED PRODUCT LIST IN THE THOUSANDS. WE OFFER A GREAT RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND CAPABILITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE SOLDIERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL THAT STAND ON THE BATTLEMENTS LOOKING OVER US WHILST WE ARE SAFE IN OUR HOMES. THANKS TO YOU GUYS; WE SIMPLY WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

ROGUE AMERICAN

ROGUE AMERICAN WAS FOUNDED IN AUGUST 2011 BY A MARINE, WHO ALSO SERVED AS A HIGH THREAT SECURITY PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SPECIALIST, IN PLACES LIKE YEMEN, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. PROUDLY SERVING WITH AMERICA’S FINEST INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE BY THE WARRIOR ETHOS OF COURAGE AND COMMITMENT INSPIRED ME TO CREATE A BRAND THAT KEPT WITHIN THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THOSE WHO LIVE THIS WARRIOR MINDSET.

C2RFAST

C2RFAST IS COMMITTED TO DESIGNING AND MAKING HIGH END EQUIPMENT FOR OUR CHOSEN NICHE MARKETS. USING ONLY THE BEST QUALITY MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES, OUR PRODUCTS ARE ROBUST AND STRONG. WE LOOK TO USE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND HOW OUR PRODUCTS ARE GOING TO BE USED, AND WHAT CHALLENGES OUR CUSTOMERS FACE EVERYDAY – SO USABILITY AND RELIABILITY ARE KEY. WE STRIVE FOR BETTER THINGS.

HARDCORE HARDWARE AUSTRALIA

HARDCORE HARDWARE AUSTRALIA UTILISES THE LATEST IN MODERN SOFTWARE, MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES TO BUILD SOME OF THE MOST HARDCORE TOOLS ON THE PLANET. WE DO THIS TO AID YOU IN THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR DUTIES. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES TOGETHER WITH THEIR COALITION PARTNERS FOR ENSURING THE PRESERVATION OF OUR FREEDOM. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT YOU.

This feature was first printed in Airsoft International Magazine Volume 12, Issue 5.