Strength: Overcoming Tradition & Assumptions
The term "strength" comes with many images and stereotypes. The most common stereotype usually includes intimidating men who look like action figures, in spaces that look like iron jungles. Strength is associated with mass gain, limb girth increases, muscle hypertrophy and maximal force production against an external load. With regard to lower body strength, we speak in terms of multiples of bodyweight (BW), with the ratio of 2x BW historically viewed as necessary and desirable. We have historically trained in terms of 1 RM. There has been a trend recently to adopt a VBT (velocity based training) approach, as we know 1 RM changes on a daily basis and technology now allows us to more finely tune things with velocity as the target within each set. These things can be helpful as we initially learn to measure and document progress. But I think it is important to step back from this narrow outlook, because this view of strength does not serve all of us well, in either the rehab or...
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I have to roll with the interruptions and do the best I can. Try to keep the general theme going, but make daily workout adjustments when necessary. I had the luxury of being good friends with Chris' club coach and high school coach, so I had access to his schedule for the whole year and tried to anticipate problem times. I have learned to not get too caught up in the gory details at this age, but it is frustrating sometimes and I have to remind the boys to always communicate to me what they do in practice/competition because it greatly affects what I can do with them. They both know the importance of rest, eating, pool, etc.
Hope this helps.