Meet Kyle Judkins — a 911 operator, Law/Fire/EMS dispatcher, composer, and gamer who refuses to let a sedentary career destroy his body.
"Technology has moved us forward while setting our physical health further back - I think it's time we fight fire with fire and leverage technology to build our bodies rather than eroding them."
His twin VOLTRA I setup proves you don't have to choose between a demanding career and staying strong. From parking lot workouts during breaks to seamless transitions between exercises, Kyle's found a way to do what needs to be done.
Here's how he's making it work.
As a 911 operator, dispatcher, composer, gamer, what’s the biggest challenge in staying physically active while juggling all these roles, and how has VOLTRA I helped you create consistency?
Honestly the combination of appreciation for ingenuity and technology - combined with lowering the resistance to do the things that need to be done seems to add up. Exercise should be the toughest part, not the motivation to actually get exercising!
How has your training routine evolved to counteract the physical effects of long hours sitting? Any habits, tools, or mindset hacks you’ve built into your day?
Focusing on posterior movements, and variable resistance such as the damper mode for the delicate shoulders help with undoing some of the damage from sitting kyphotic at the desk. Leaving my setup ready to do a ‘drive by’ exercise such as lat pulldowns helps. Even if you're not on your glow up kick, you can slow the loss of progress, making everything easier when you pick it back up. It's a marathon not a race.
From your twin setup to your lighting and gear choices, your space feels custom-built for both form and function. What was your vision when designing this hybrid setup?
The guiding principle for me was lowering the resistance to do the thing that needs to be done. I started with wanting a dedicated place to Squat (or overhead press), Bench, and Deadlift without having to move anything. Eventually this extended to multiple exercises that I consider a staple in overall movement patterns.
Building a rack frame allows me to really customize my space, and the Voltra I fit like a glove filling in the gaps. There are very very few machines I could not replicate with a pair of Voltras and a rack - but there are a lot of things the Voltra and a rack can do that machines can't. The most incredible feature of the Voltra is the unique ability to enhance a setup rather than overlap with equipment you already own. I would have had to sacrifice a ton of space to fit weight stacks/cable machines.
What are your go-to exercises on the VOLTRA I right now?
Lat pulldowns with reverse chains, deadlifts, damper lateral raises, seated chest press/rows. Isokenetic/damper fly variations. Goblet squats with the V bar and lying quad extensions are absolutely devastating, although I haven't perfected the setup on the last one!
How has the VOLTRA I given you more control — not just over resistance — but over how, when, and where you train?
I have kept them in my car with a few mounts and handles and had full workouts in the parking lot on break. I've brought them to friends' houses with no gyms and done the same - surprisingly before the strap mounts even came out. One thing that really helps when I am not as consistent as I should be is the battery life - The charge lasts longer than my brain says it should, and keeps a charge much longer than I think it should even when I forget to turn it off for a few days and it just sleeps ready to go.
As a composer, you think in layers — harmony, rhythm, space. Do you approach your workouts the same way, layering types of resistance, movement, and intent?
Actually, I probably should treat it MORE like composition. The most successful and impactful music of our species is built on the effective use of two ingredients; Enough pattern to make it relatable and enough variation to keep it interesting. I'd imagine any good program is the same, good balance of Pattern and Variation. I suppose I mostly use a push/pull/legs as the pattern and simply vary the angle/exercise for each. I've tried periodization of volumes but sometimes you just have to keep it simple!
What advantages have you found in using the VOLTRA I in twin mode vs. a single unit setup?
Twin mode in conjunction with the App is just extremely convenient. I had used the single unit setup first and ordered the 2nd pretty much immediately - to the point that I've considered a 3rd or 4th unit. The thing that I really enjoy about the 2nd unit is that when I'm not using them for an exercise in twin mode, it allows me to use both separately for completely different movements.
How does the Beyond+ App enhance your VOLTRA I experience?
The app enables me to easily change, load, and unload the weight conveniently - as well as enabling and disabling twin mode without even touching the units.
The App also allows me to create drop sets and even incremental 'test' sets that let me go up in weight each set to test a daily training max. I picked up cheap older iPhone with no plan at Walmart to use exclusively for the VOLTRA I and it definitely paid for itself in improving my user experience (I even put a magnet on the back to stick it anywhere).
Since adding VOLTRA I to your space, what’s one unexpected benefit that’s had a bigger impact than you anticipated?
Space savings. When not in use it's a little over 20 lbs for a pair of units that take up less space than a single 45 lb plate but provide resistance up to a combined 400 lbs. Pretty much any angle I can think of I can mount it, replacing so many things that I was able to fit some things that I'd have never thought i'd have room for(like leg extension machine, leg press, elliptical, heavy bag, and a back extension, some of which was added after I took these photos! 2nd most surprising was the safety I feel for rehab exercises like rotator cuffs using variable resistance modes. First time in my life I felt that I could push 100% on shoulder exercises without sacrificing form, something that free weights simply can't do.
What’s next on your workout journey? Are you training for strength, performance, longevity — or just staying pain-free and powerful?
Pain free! long term goals are health. Currently, I am slowing weight training to focus on diet, but strength and joint health are more important than looking good to me. Mental health and physical health are not isolated variables, but rather two parts of the same network.
Any last words for others in demanding, sedentary roles who might be looking for ways to train smarter, not harder?
40 minutes in the gym won't reverse 40 hours at a terminal. 12 sets, 12 reps, 12 seconds reset won't reverse 12 hours sitting in front of a computer. Just focus on moving more often when you can, even if it’s a simple doorway stretch every few hours - it'll be a step closer than you were before. In most cases life will make slow gradual changes to our bodies, so start by making slow, small changes to your life to reverse them. If you can find a way to enjoy the process, it's always a bonus.
In the Setup
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VOLTRA I × 2
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Spotter arms and flip down safeties also add a ton of mounting options, which can be used even with a regular 4 post rack to add a wider mounting option for flys. I would also say the Monster Lite lat pulldown seat feels like a zero compromise solution to lat pulldowns. These would be my desert island accessories to go with the VOLTRA I and a rack.
About Community Chronicles
Community Chronicles is a collection of stories and media from the Beyond Power community, designed to highlight bold and innovative ways in which our products are used. Periodically, editors will share setups, stories, or tips to better serve our growing community.
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Find Kyle on YouTube to check out his experience with the VOLTRA I.
