different types of training

one thing that I'm asked on a regular basis is "what is the best exercise for..."

There is no one "best exercise;" it all depends on what outcome you'd like to achieve. Muscles do one of two things: shorten or lengthen. when a muscle shortens it generates a force to overcome whatever resistance is placed against--most often the mass of the body segment against gravity. when a muscle lengthens it is yielding to an opposing force but works to provide negative acceleration or deceleration of that opposing force.

if you're looking to develop a lean, defined look then the idea is to train all of the muscles in an integrated manner in order to develop intermuscular coordination which leads to more efficient and effective movement patterns. This means doing away with machines that isolate a specific body part such as the pec deck (for chest) or leg curl (for hamstrings) and instead use exercises like squats, lunges, wood-chops, or anything that is ground-based (requiring to stand upright on the ground). the simple fact is that the more muscles involved with anyone particular exercise, the more energy is expended (more calories burned) so it becomes an extremely effective way to exercise and maximize the energy output per training session.

more to follow....

Core Training for Runners

The following article provides some basic info on how to implement a core training program to enhance stability and strength for running.

http://www.rockymountainsports.com/training/core-training-for-runners.html

Performance Training

Sport coaches work on athletic strategy and talent and organizing the efforts of numerous individual athletes into one common purpose for the betterment of the team; sport coaches focus on qualitative work and their skill is measured in the collective success of the team's efforts. Strength coaches work on the technical aspects of sport, that is they help the individual athletes prepare by training them to achieve the highest level of fitness and performance possible on an individual level. A strength coach measures their work in quantitative values--did they help the athlete get stronger, faster, more explosive, bigger or smaller. Both the sport coach and strength coach need to work together to plan for the training the former for the collective efforts of the team, the latter for the individual efforts from each athlete.

This brings us to the Everyday Athlete model; strength coaches break down the movement patterns of a sport, or a specific position of a sport and help the athlete to prepare to be as efficient and effective as possible for the specific demands of their sport or individual. The same can be done for you to help you develop the most effective exercise program for your needs.

Think about the movements and actions that you perform on a daily basis-would you like to have more energy, strength, stamina or flexibility to perform these movements and actions with ease and with a reduced risk of injury? If so, then the Everyday Athlete training model is for you. To train like an athlete, pay attention to the movements you perform on a daily basis: do you lift? push? reach? pull? walk? run? carry? Any one of these movements can be broken down into an exercise which you can use to enhance your strength and function for that particular action or activity.

More will be revealed...

Starting a blog

In 2001 or 2002 it occurred to me that my style of training and conditioning was based on the performance training model, but I was working with normal adults, not competitive athletes. However athleticism has been described as having grace, coordination, skill and strength--something that we all require in the activities of our daily lives.

This blog will focus on training tips and techniques for people who strive to improve their lives through fitness, exercise and healthy choices....