What is so different about the training component here at AB Athletic Development? What are we offering that other gyms in this area don’t or can’t offer? We’ve had questions from parents lately about WHY their son or daughter should train here and not just workout at home or at their local or school gym.
Typical comments such as “We have everything at our house or “They work out with their friends” or “The coach gave them P90X.”
The Truth
If you’re just someone who is trying to drop some weight, lose that excess fat, and increase lean muscle tissue, with no real sport specific training needed, then working out at home, or at the local or school gym, or acting like a pterdactyl backing out of trouble is fine. BUT, if you consider yourself a serious athlete, then I suggest you rethink your training.
The Problem
The biggest problem we have with athletes training at home or at their local gym is the lack of Supervision & Structure. There are no assessments or proper progressions these athletes can follow. There is no foundation to build on. The athlete is at risk and the program becomes crap!
We’ve designed programs for Youth, High School, Collegiate and Professional athletes and the College and Pro guys have all asked us to structure and phase out their programs. These are College and Professional athletes that have probably lifted hard since high school and still need help designing a program. If they are struggling to piece a workout program together, then the high school athletes are as well!
That’s where AB can help! Not only do we phase out their workouts properly, We also clean up some of their lifting techniques and iron out some of their limitations in flexibility and mobility.
All of this cannot be done without an in-depth Assessment. This has to take place in order to understand what needs to be addressed. If there’s no pre-screening assessment or if you have no idea what you’re looking for, then you will have no idea how to design a program.
Initial Process
When an athlete walks through the doors of AB ready to start training, there’s a few things that need to happen. First, the athlete must be cleared by their Physician in order to participate in any type of activity.
Once cleared, each athlete must fill out an in-depth Medical History/Case History & Strength Training Questionnaire. The athletes must also fill out a Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire which will help us understand certain aspects of their physical, mental and social states.
Pre-Screening Process
Once this is completed, the athlete will go through an in-depth Assessment Protocol in order for me to better understand their body structure, movement patterns, strength & flexibility imbalances/asymmetries which help me personalize each individual’s workout.
After the Evaluation has been looked over, a PDF is sent to the athlete and parents so they can go over the Assessment Scores together. We discuss our findings and make sure the athlete and parents understand WHY we are implementing specific exercises. An In-Home exercise program will also be given depending on the age and days/week the athlete attends AB or other factors.
Good to Go!
Once they are cleared to participate in a Strength Training Protocol, we go over the Rules of Facility, Spotting techniques and familiarize them with the Weight Equipment (Racks, Clips, DBs, Bars, Plyo Boxes, Bands, Stability Balls).
Then we discuss the In-Home Exercise Protocol if necessary. When that is taken care of, we go over Dynamic Warmups, Foam Roller Exercises, and basic Exercise Technique & Movement Pattern Training.
Athletes will also learn how to properly cool down post workout. All AB members will receive a Nutritional Resource Packet on how to fuel their bodies including their very own Hydration Chart!
How Do You Know They Improve
Testing is very important for tracking progress. We test for strength, power, speed & agility (using automatic timing devices) which is administered prior to an athlete’s protocol. Depending on age and lifting experience of the athlete, the testing protocol can be modified. We test periodically throughout Program.
Video Analysis
Video Analysis is always available to our athletes. It is very important for the athlete to see themselves on film to understand the correct vs incorrect way to perform a lift. Sometimes an athlete cannot feel what his body is doing. Adding a visual stimulus or cue can help spark the correct movement pattern in which the athletes are able to make immediate changes.
Culture
I think this is one of the most important aspects of training at AB. There’s a strong mutual respect, camaraderie and a level of competition for all the athletes who train here. Everyone is pulling for each other and trying to get better everyday.
There may be athletes from rival schools partnered up, youth and high school athletes training at the same time or even some Minor League guys mixing in with the younger kids. It’s a great environment in that regard and makes a fun and exciting place to train at. Bottom line is that everyone is here for the sole purpose of reaching or exceeding their athletic potential!
If you’re interested in training please email austin@wassermanstrength.com!
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