Warriors Fitness Guest Author Article

Considering it’s 90* and sunny out you probably haven’t thought about snow in a while.  I know skiing and snowboarding are several months off, but it’s time to get your legs and body ready for hitting the slopes this winter.

I have a few exercises that you can integrate into your normal ‘leg day’ at the gym that will help you prep for all the snow fun you’re going to have this season.  Keep in mind that theses exercises are good for general strength, power, explosiveness and fitness too!

Who is Your Coach? Part #2

Be sure to read Part #1.

Is your "Coach" really interested in what you're doing?

But what about the qualities you want to see demonstrated by your coach?  I often recognized them when I observed friends/colleagues training their clients, though I never put the characteristics down in words.  I just knew someone had what it takes from watching the way they worked with/talked to their clients or from what they did for their own training. These trainers weren't just avoiding the poor characteristics, they were active, interested partners in their clients' success and enjoyment. 

I’ve had a several instances in my career through clinics or with one-on-one training where I’ve realized during the session, though most often after, what great coaching I just enjoyed.  The colleagues/friends who demonstrated these qualities were always living examples of how I wanted to conduct myself as a coach.  The new breakthroughs, concepts grasped and overall experiences created for me were exactly what I wanted to share with my clients.

Who is Your Coach? Part #1

Have you asked yourself this question before?  You should.  It’s important to know the nature of the individual(s) who you train with. 

Recently (twice in the past 8 months) I have been on the ‘trainee/athlete’ side of the equation which got me thinking about this topic.  First off, before snowboard season began last year, I wanted a new perspective for my pre-season conditioning.  Second, I was looking for expert feedback in creating the first portion of my off-season training that started in April, where I’d be focusing on gaining size and strength (a phase I’m currently working through).  The bottom line with both these training goals was that I didn’t want to create another program for myself and I didn’t want to use an old one (even if it was an effective routine).

The old saying that a person legally representing themselves in court has an idiot for counsel came to mind (not that I’m an idiot) but it occurred to me that more experienced coaches than I were letting colleagues develop training programs for them, so why shouldn’t I do that?  I also might be able to learn something new in the process.  

'Feel the burn?'