ROD

Wednesday, 24Oct12

Weeping Wednesday

This is a 45 second work / 15 second recovery for four rounds with a 2 minute rest after two rounds

• Ballistic Row and Catch(in a rowing position row the KB quickly up let go for a second and catch in other hand descending slowly)
• KB Goblet Squats
• Plank to Push-up (from a plank (elbow) position push against hands to push-up position-repeat)
• KB Swings
• Burpee Rolls ( jump up-clap-drop down-roll right-jump up-clap-repeat-roll-left-jump up-clap)
• KB Sling Shot to Hold (hold KB at chest height cradled in hand-drop swing around body-switch hands to a hold)

Use the same weight KB for all the exercises. 

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The NLP Athlete Resistance Training: Lifting weight lifts the spirit

Is weight training safe for my athlete?  At Next Level Performance (NLP), this is one of the most popular questions posed by concerned parents. Although resistance training carries some injury risk, the risks to adolescences are similar to those of adults!  Additionally, as a recreational activity as well as a sport, statistics clearly show weightlifting/weight-training carries a lower incidence of injury than many popular sports such as football, tennis, soccer, cheer-leading, gymnastics, baseball and basketball.

Traditionally, abnormal and stunted bone growth has been the primary concern in this area.  Yes, there have been cases of growth plate fractures in adolescents.  However, the use of improper technique, excessive loading or lack of qualified supervision characterized most of these cases.  To date, the position of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the world’s foremost authority on strength training, is that well-supervised weight training programs are well tolerated by children as young as 8 years of age!  To put it in simple terms, there have been no reports showing the fracture of growth plates with properly designed and supervised resistance training programs.  This data includes countries in which children as young as 8 years participate in advanced multi-lifts that require a high degree of skill demand.  The key to minimizing the risk of injury in resistance training for children is the type of supervision found at NLP; close qualified supervision implementing sound programs!

At NLP, we have seen that the benefits of properly designed resistance training programs for the athlete far outweigh the risks.  Our view is also supported by the scientific data. Contrary to conventional wisdom, children as young a 6 years of age can significantly increase their strength with a properly designed resistance program, above and beyond their natural growth and maturation.  However, the training effects in children are not permanent.  That is, if they don’t keep it up by training at least twice a week, strength gains are quickly lost.  The mechanism behind this rapid de-training still remains unclear.

Since athlete’s often participate in sports or activities that are strength and power dominated, it is reasonable to expect that resistance training would enhance their performance in such activities.  One of the greatest benefits of NLP’s athlete resistance training program is that it better prepares children for participation in sports and recreational activities and reduces the likelihood of injuries. In addition to the physiological benefits, youth resistance training programs also impact various psycho-social parameters.  The parents of the athlete involved in the NLP athlete resistance training program report better cognition and class/home work, improved self-esteem, and healthier attitudes toward physical education, physical fitness and lifelong exercise.   The NLP athlete resistance training program has also shown to have various health benefits associated with it, such as, improved blood pressure, improved bone density, and favorable body composition changes

In closing, one should keep in mind that it is not so much the activity (i.e. resistance training) that is in question, but rather the intensity and appropriateness of the exercise.  At NLP, we often find that the biggest hazards athlete’s  face are overzealous or ignorant parents and coaches.  The win, win, win mentality is truly the enemy of an athlete’s proper development.  Furthermore, specialization in a single sport does not provide enough movement variety for full bio-motor development. Regardless of the activity, athlete’s should be encouraged to participate in a wide assortment of  resistance training.