TRAINING ROADS

There are many paths to the same road.  You’ve all heard this at one time or another.  And it still applies to allot of things, especially when it comes to developing a training program.  As an ex-collegiate football player, competitive powerlifter, and a strength coach you can bet the farm that I have walked down some long roads and driven the superhighway of training. While working as a strength coach, I have designed countless routines that involve weight training exercises, plyometric programs, agility drills, speed development techniques, and stretching exercises for hundreds of athletes.   In this state-of-the-art world of athletic training, wasting your time and energy are merely a consideration; so too is the potential for injury.  Add to that the many sport-specific systems and you have nothing short of physical - if not mental and emotional - gridlock.  If you start with a well-designed program, which you can modify from time-to-time, to suite your body type and goals then progress will quickly ensue. 

Have you ever wondered where all the different forms of training routines came from?  No! Well, you should.   I mean, just how did these lifting and sport specific schemes come into play? Most programs’ came from old weight lifters and old-time sport coaches, a couple decades ago.  These individuals new that there had to be a way to maximize performance in themselves and the athletes they where training.   This work was acquired after years of exploring, analyzing and developing all the physical and mental goals needed in any given sport.  The programs implemented on athletes are based on the needs and goals from their sport specific endeavors. Such as a shot-putter, who needs explosive hip strength and upper body power; a football player, who acquires overall body strength and special agility and speed drills; a volleyball player may need specific plyometric drills to develop jumping ability, adding agility and conditioning work too. Get the idea? It’s pretty simple.

In an effort to be up-to-date, with current trends in sport mastery, and pumping iron, some of you might get carried away with training routines extrapolated from the latest scientific and laboratory rat studies.  No, not your local gym rat, but the laboratory rat.  You know, the rat that goes around and around the wheel?  Well, that little rat can run as fast as it’s little heart desires.   But, the next rat study doesn’t mean I am going to improve my sport specific goals.  Stay true to your workout program and do not let your friends and egos interrupt your progress.  Choose the right exercises, workout regularly, and stick to your nutritional plan for maximum performance.  And most of all don’t let anyone tell you that dreams cannot come true.