The workout below is a starting point for athletes of all ages. It can also be an efficient workout for older more accomplished athletes that don’t have a lot of time or equipment for a complicated strength program. While I do get into a more periodized program that trains specific movements and energy systems with experienced athletes […]
Leg Curls Using a Machine Aren’t Functional, Do This Exercise Instead
Stabilizing your hip joint and performing a leg curl on a machine is not a functional way to train your hamstrings. In life and in sport, you almost never move the knee without involving the hips. Walking, running, jumping and squatting down all require multiple joints and muscle groups. A leg curl using a stability […]
Functional Strength Training for Athletes Ages 9 to adult: a guide for coaches, athletes, and parents
As athletes become more competitive, the way in which they train for their sport becomes increasingly important. Many times, the difference between a great and an exceptional athlete depends on their training regimen. Well meaning athletes, parents and coaches look to popular health magazines and body building books for information on strength training, but very […]
Sport Specific Warm-Up, Static Versus Dynamic Stretching
By Kristen Aline, B.S. Health and Sports Science, NSCA-CPT, CSCS Functional Exercise Specialist Integrative Health Coach A proper warm-up is crucial to improving performance and decreasing your risk for injury. Just as your strength and conditioning program should be functional (mimic movements of your sport), so should your warm-up. Let’s begin by defining the two […]
Four Core Exercises for your Young Athlete
Depending on a child’s coordination and mental focus, a structured program to train their core can start as early as age six or seven. A strong core will set the stage for more complicated moves both on and off the field. This routine should take about 5 minutes and can be done 2 – 4 […]