At the beginning of each sports season, I find myself having similar discussions with parents, coaches and athletes regarding the importance of in-season training. I know why you can’t train in season, but it’s my job to teach you why you can train in-season. In-season training improves performance and generally keeps kids healthier. I’ve even … Read More
Sports Performance Training
Essential Strength – Kettlebell Swing and Pull-up Program
I’m huge fan of simple. I’ve seen the best results in my training career when clients (or myself) adhere to a simple and progressive training template. Some Training Programs I Love Weighted Pull-up Training Program (a program I posted earlier this year) Fighter Pull-up Training Program (via Pavel) Kettlebells and Deadlifts (via Pavel) When I take a look back … Read More
Wall Sits Stink {and What to do Instead}
The wall-sit is a very common exercise used by athletes and coaches as a regression to the squat, or as a lower body strengthening exercise. You won’t see me selecting wall-sits for my athletes at Skill of Strength. Today I’ll share with you why I have beef with wall-sits and what I use instead! Frankly, I … Read More
3 Reasons You Should Train with a Heart Rate Monitor
If you exercise regularly, it’s safe to say you have a training goal. Whether you are looking to lose weight, build some muscle, look better naked, perform better in your sport or maybe simply get a bit healthier, a heart rate monitor may help you achieve your health and fitness goals more efficiently. Your training goals will … Read More
Sports Performance Training – Part 2
Did you miss part one where I shared some updates and feedback from Skill of Strength athletes who are participating in fall sports. Today, we’re diving into my phone again to see some more recent text messages from SOS athletes and I’ll share a few things we can learn from some of our most successful athletes. Take … Read More
Sports Performance Training Part 1
Athletes worked hard day in and day out in our COMPETE Sports Performance Training program at Skill of Strength this summer preparing for bigger and better seasons this coming year. Summer is an off-season for nearly all sports and it’s easier for most athletes to dedicate more time to their strength and conditioning while they are on a … Read More
Training Advice
I posted this on my MMA Fight Prep Facebook page the other day, but really, these are not just fitness training tips for combat athletes, but training tips for nearly all athletes and most of these apply to all individuals all around! Ten Fitness Training Tips 1. Squat. I don’t care if you are training … Read More
Conditioning for Fighting: Aerobic Fitness
In part two of Mike’s interview with Craig Marker at Breaking Muscle, Mike shares that designing fighter’s training based on the length of rounds is important, but it is not the only way to train. “In fact, if we can build the other energy systems, we will make the conditions of the fight seem even easier.” Conditioning … Read More
Conditioning for Fighting: Energy Systems 101
I had the pleasure of talking with Craig Marker at Breaking Muscle a few weeks ago. Last week, Craig posted the article with my interview in it. I’d love for you to check it out if you are interested in learning more about how I eval fighters (and athletes) as well as how I program the … Read More
Why Athletes Need to SLOW DOWN
Bigger, faster, stronger… the goals of almost every competitive athlete. Although I don’t see the “MOBILE, EFFICIENT, CONDITIONED” t-shirts selling too well I’d argue that most athletes should be spending more time learning how to slow down! What do I mean by slow down? Athletes spend a whole lot of time trying to develop their … Read More