A Philosophy of Strength and Health

I bought this little Sony sometime back in 2003 to take still pictures and video for lifting analysis. My journey into the whole video thing started with this little camera. It is great because it takes MPEG video that is limited only by the memory stick and it also takes sequence shots. Pop the memory stick into the laptop, edit, upload and go. At nine years old, the camera is showing it's age. The push up video I posted Friday is grainy and not in HD because it was taken with this camera. I am reluctant to get a new one because this camera has been such a big part of my professional and personal journey. But alas, it is time to retire it and get something newer to take better video and still images. Right now I am a jumble of video and pictures between iPod Touches, phones and iPads--not very organized. Using the mini-dv cameras is a pain; to download the video via firewire or USB to the laptop takes time. I may set up the tripods and cameras at some point, but only for sp...

I love push ups. I can remember doing push ups in front of the little black and white TV in my very cool basement bedroom during the 1980 Winter Olympics. Before basketball practice in high school, we all had to do 20 push ups, 20 sit ups and then run 10 high laps--about a mile in the "new gym". Ugh. Hated the running, but the push ups didn't phase me. At this point in my career I'm stunned at the number of high school kids, particularly boys, who cannot do a solid push up. I'm pretty sure it borders on a national disgrace in the US. The saggy backs, droopy heads and severely-winging scapulae are almost unbearable to watch. The lack of depth in the movement is just plain sad. Then I hear about how push ups are used by sport team coaches as punishment and I have to sigh. Nothing is accomplished when kids are forced to do movements that they are under-prepared to do. We are simply reinforcing dysfunctional movement patterns. With tall, skinny guys and most g...

My "clinic" needs some more artwork and I need to get a couple of white boards. The stall bars (Gladiator Wall) are very new and I look forward to developing some neat new mobility and strength work for everyone here.

It got a little punchy yesterday, but in all seriousness, the Indian Club should be an integral part of any overhead athlete's foundational work. And why aren't all physical therapy and athletic training programs teaching their students how to implement these fantastic movement patterns? Brothers and sisters let us break free from the purgatory of Theraband and the Thrower's 10! We must prepare the athletic shoulder to move and groove as it does in sport! In the "See Just How Far We've Fallen" department, check out this footage from a 1904 PE class in Kansas City, MO. Now we have cup stacking competitions. We have such a rich history of physical culture. Let's hope we can regain the lost appreciation of movement skills as the foundation of school-based physical education.

I stumbled upon the official IOC YouTube channel tonight. Check it out. It is a wealth of HD video from London and past Olympic games. I've embedded two things US people didn't get to see if all they had was NBC's televised coverage. First up is the closing ceremony remix of "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush, one of my favorite songs of all-time. Second is the FULL replay of the women's 800 m freestyle final, featuring Katie Ledecky and Rebecca Adlington . NBC cut the Kate Bush segment from their closing ceremony broadcast and as all swimming fans know, they NEVER show an entire 800 or 1500 m distance race. Track coaches and fans rejoice! Watch the full 10,000 m without commercial interruption or your favorite NBC commentators. All sport fans can search by sport / event and get highlights or full event replays. Kate Bush: Running Up That Hill Women's 800 m Freestyle Final

There are days when I grow weary of the hype. Bad ass . Beast mode. Fire breather. Give me a break. Whatever happened to the dignified pursuit of self-improvement and excellence?

One on one or big groups. From age 17 to age 67. A good coach understands athletes have varying learning styles and abilities. He or she uses demonstration, verbal cues and drills to get the athlete to the desired performance outcome. A good coach appreciates the process and where an athlete is in that process when giving direction. It warmed my heart this morning to watch my husband direct swimmers of varying ages and abilities in a positive, enthusiastic and effective manner. He wins respect from his athletes not by screaming, shaming or showing them just how much more he knows than they do. He wins their respect by teaching them and giving them the tools to become better, regardless of their age or ability. He leads them by his example and demeanor. That is a good coach.