March 7, 2019

I would say that strength training is one thing that WILL benefit the lives of anyone, no matter their current age or situation. Obviously there are those that have physical limitations, but I still think there is a place for strength training.

Moms and dads can benefit because they will be able to play with their kids and perform their daily duties without being whipped by the end of the day.

The older populations can fight the effects of aging and be able to live a fully functional life for a longer period of time. Reaching up into the cabinet, getting up and down off the toilet, or even taking the stairs are things I want to do with ease until the day I leave this earth.

Athletes, young or old, can perform at a higher level with the help of a good strength program. Whether it’s jumping higher, throwing harder, or running faster, strength WILL undoubtedly accomplish these things.

SIDE NOTE: One of the biggest issues that is plaguing the youth sports world is early specialization, which leads to playing the same sport year round. It makes sense, right? If you spend all year working on a sport, you have to get better at it, right? Although this may seem true, there are several negatives to choosing only one sport at a young age.

First and foremost, you develop the same movement pattern over and over and over again. Very rarely does a baseball or softball pitcher perform the same movements as a soccer player. Or a tennis player. Yea, they may move side to side occasionally. But the big question is.. How much more ATHLETIC will a baseball pitcher who also plays soccer be than someone who just plays baseball year round?

Obviously the multiple sport athlete is going to move better than the one that only plays one sport. But there are TONS of coaches (mainly those that are in it for the money) that will tell you that focusing on one sport is the only way to get some exposure and make it to the big stage. Which is a lie.. Take it from Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz and Dr. James Andrews (who has worked on TONS of pro athletes). They know a thing or two about this stuff.

So if you or you son/daughter are fully immersed in a single sport and you don’t think you want to change it, what else can you do??

Strength train. And don’t just think, “I put them in weights class at school.” Yes, there are some strength and conditioning coaches at the high school level that know what they are doing. But since there aren’t any regulations or rules requiring a strength coach to have anything but a teaching certification, the program done at school is likely lacking in a few areas. Especially in a BIG group setting.

A good, quality strength program will not only take into account the needs of the sport, but also of the individual athlete as well. Not all athletes move the same. So not all programs should look the same either. Think square peg and round hole..

square peg

It doesn’t matter if you play one or multiple sports, you will develop some overuse type movement patterns due to the you perform regularly. Unless you hit, throw, kick, or any other sporting movement with both sides of your body equally, you will develop asymmetries. One of the best ways to counteract that?? Strength training!

Performing quality movements that focus on an athletes goals and needs is the number one way to help prevent injury and to enhance performance.

So what can you do to become a better athlete?

  • Strength train ALL YEAR LONG- This will ebb and flow based on the season of sport you are in, but it should be done all year. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
  • Play multiple sports- You will become a better athlete. You will move better. You will probably stay healthier. And you will dominate. Think about the kids in school that are good at every sport..They play every sport. Coincidence? I think not.
  • Find a good coach. Just like a good baseball, volleyball, or soccer coach is someone you should seek out, a good strength coach can do wonders for your performance. Find one that has a strength and conditioning certification and experience getting athletes better.
  • Obviously eat right and get your sleep. I feel like that is a given but it’s really not!

If you want to take your (or your son/daughter’s) game to the next level, reach out HERE and we can discuss some options.

Reviews from former athletes:

“While working with Robbie, I was able to find my limits and even exceed them. Not only did I get better during every training session, but I also learned many ways to improve outside the gym as well. As a full-time athlete, sleep and nutrition play a major role in my recovery from the long season. We worked together my first few off-seasons and I was able to make great progress each year. Robbie stays up to date on new research and training methods which allowed me to stay healthy and strong throughout the year. I know the investment is well worth it if you are working with Robbie!”                                — Jose Trevino (Athletic Performance Client/Catcher-Texas Rangers Baseball)

 

“I trained with Robbie in and out of the multiple high school sport seasons in which I participated. My main goals when I started were to become a more efficient runner and to have someone to motivate me outside of my typical sport coaches. As a result of the consistent training I put in, I got stronger, improved my endurance, and altered my mindset from just working out, to training with a purpose each and every session. Robbie taught me to believe in my abilities as an athlete and as a person. He has impacted the way I think about training and nutrition, which played a major role in me making the Texas A&M cross country team!”

— Paige (Athletic Performance Client)

“I was privileged to have Robbie Bagby as our strength coach during my two years at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. He was always extremely professional and well prepared. Because of his efforts, my teammates and I were more flexible, stronger, and had better balance at the end of every tournament.

After I finished my four years as a college golfer, I asked Robbie to continue to train me to increase my core strength and flexibility as I began my professional golfing career. In a short time, I gained distance off my drives even after a long round of 18 holes. He makes each workout challenging, creative and most importantly, fun! He also places a high value on correct form with each exercise. He motivates me to push past my perceived limits to get results. If you are serious about changing your life for the better, Robbie will lead you every step of the way!”                                                                                — Vanessa (Former Division-Ⅰ Golfer and Athletic Performance Client)

“I trained with Robbie for three years and saw significant differences in my athletic performance. I was a multi-sport athlete, participating in varsity cross country, varsity track, and varsity soccer, but I was always looking for other ways to gain an edge on the competition. Robbie was able to adjust workouts to accommodate me, ensuring I remained injury free and at peak fitness. Through my strength training, I was able to stay healthy throughout high school while never sustaining any serious injuries. Robbie is not only knowledgeable in the physical aspect of training, but also provided advice for a healthy lifestyle, educating me on how the other aspects of my life impacted my performance. I always felt that I was performing exercises correctly and that I was doing the most good for me as an individual. Robbie attended several of my sporting events throughout the time we worked together, which showed that he was truly committed to my success!”

— Remy (Athletic Performance Client)

“After having rotator cuff surgery early in her sophomore year of high school, my daughter began training with Robbie to rebuild the strength lost from the surgery and recovery process. The main goal her sophomore track year: to qualify for the district track meet. After a few months of training and to her surprise, not only did she participate in the district track meet, she won 1st place and eventually advanced to the regional meet. With Robbie’s help, she exceeded her goal.

Other awards earned by Alexis during her high school career include: All-District, All South Texas, and “Hitter of the Year” awards in volleyball as a senior, placed 3rd in shot put in the State Track Meet during her senior year, and accepted a track scholarship at Sam Houston State.

Not only did Robbie help my daughter with her core strength and overall conditioning, he has helped her develop an athlete’s mindset. She understands that goal setting is the first step to her training, and hard work -along with a positive attitude- pushes her up the hill towards those goals. It has not been easy, but with the help of Robbie, she learned how to take her failures and turn them into successes using her strength and athletic mindset.”                                                                                                                                               — Maurine (Parent of Former Athlete)

 

Reach out HERE or email me at robbie@foundationfitnessdfw.com

 

 

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