Swimmer Gymnastics

We are using some gymnastic movements to improve the water awareness/balance/position of our swimmers.  Here is Aaron B, working on an inverted position on the rings

Technorati Tags: swimming,conditioning,gymnastics rings,raiders

 

Athletes at work

The mental benefits of non specialization

I just read the summary of the interview Crossfit radio had with Strength Coach Mike Boyle, who up to this point I have had great respect for.

Mike Boyle's work, along with other prominent strength coaches, I was taught in college, is the only way to produce increased performance in athletes.

As I own a crossfit affiliate, it should be obvious that I have gone in a different direction.  The one factor that was consistently missing with the athletes that I trained in this manner, was a total lack of perseverance, and mental toughness. 

When one walks into a conditioning facility, regardless of the level of athletics, and you already know each set will be fully rested, perfectly timed and laid out, it doesn't take much mental fortitude to persevere.  

On the other hand, if you are a little scared at the prospect of what is coming from a workout, you have to "man-up" to walk in the room.

Now other strength coaches, Mr. Boyle included will probably read this and cry foul.  What about periodization, what about tapering of endurance athletes/swimmers?

I would say to that, to all but the absolute cream of the crop athletes will any of those things matter.  I have had the honor of working with a number of very good athletes, maybe not the cream of the crop, but some very good athletes at the college and Olympic levels.  For them, I would say a little more mental toughness was and is, the limiting factor to their continued success.

We have gone from irresponsibly over training our athletes, to severely under-training them, especially concerning the mental aspects of athletics.

I believe the multi faceted variance of Crossfit allows for this mental training, as well as kick ass total athletic development regardless of sport, in a responsible manner.

Why Grains, Potatoes and Beans are Poison

Great post that answers all the questions I get about food choices and the modern diet.  If you are sick a lot, you may look to your diet as a cause.

 

Grains, Beans and Potatoes, more trouble then they are worth.

very interesting reading on good health and nutrition

Human Mistakes

 

bodies built on hunting and gathering

-courtesy of crossfit balboa

Amazing article on Human Potential

An interesting look at what makes us push our boundaries

http://barefootfts.com/blog/Human+Potential/

words to live by, this is how we live at power enterprises inc.

World-Class Fitness in 100 Words

Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat. Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climb, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast. Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.

from crossfit.com

Starting the zone diet?

Here is a good resource page for those looking to start zoning.

http://zoneperfect.com/nutrition.aspx

Great for Analysis of the Olympic lifts

Olympic lifts are my love and my hate.  Love to watch them, never really feel comfortable doing them, but we practice anyway, practice makes perfect

Technorati Tags: olympic lifts,snatch,clean,RDL,olymic training center

 

God Bless America. Never Forget.

To all the families of 9/11 victims we say a silent prayer for you today. 

Running and Reading

Here is an interesting video of the prospective of a very successful person on over coming adversity and advancing yourself.

 

Congratulations Matt Enouen

Technorati Tags: Matt Enouen,alter football,archbishop alter

why you shouldn't be a smart ass........

dietary advice, all or nothing

I had a conversation with a client today about dietary ideas, and I came to 2 points.

first of all you can't go into changing your lifestyle half way.  You can't half way quit smoking, doing drugs, or anything else you know for sure  is going to kill you. 

Eating poorly and acting like you are doing a good job will still kill you, even if you convince yourself otherwise.  Eating well Monday through Thursday, and eating every piece of crap you can find from that point on......will still kill you, and make you soft and pillowy, just a little slower.

Stop trying to fool yourself and blame everything and everybody around you, and make the commitment.  Full time

Please I implore you....read this and live by it.

ZONE DIET
* Eat at last three meals and two snacks a day to stay within the "zone" where you are not hungry and have a clear mental focus.
* Divide your plate into three equal sections. One-third should be enough low-fat protein to fit in the palm of your hand, and two-thirds should be fruits and vegetables, with a dash of fat such as olive oil.
* Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and fruits.
* Eat less pasta, breads, grains and starches.
* Aim to get calories from protein 30 per cent, fat 30 per cent, carbohydrates 40 per cent.

for all those with excuses not to workout today....

Football Players leave us for the college year

This is the week that the college football players leave us to go to their colleges.  This year has seen an average of 150 pound increase in the back squat 100 pound front squat increase, and 125 pound deadlift increase.  Military presses have doubled, snatches and cleans too.  All in all a successful summer.  Good luck and a good year at school fellas!

On the topic of diet.....

I read an incredible thought process about the use of carbohydrate in the American diet.  As many of us don't do extended manual labor in our day, we should use grain or potato carbs as an accent or condiment rather than a main stay of the dinner plate.  These rules should obviously be relaxed for competitive endurance athletes, but vegetables and low glycemic index fruits should be the majority of the carbohydrate make up of our diet for optimum body composition and health.

zone calculator

for those looking for even energy levels all day, lower body fat, and higher lean muscle mass, you know, everyone, he is where to start.

 

zone calculator

I thought this was funny as hell

remember to eat your fruit and veggies.....