You’ve probably noticed that one of the redundant messages on this website is that, if you utilize my methods, you can for the most part avoid unnecessary injury in your training. Those are strong words and they indeed require some explanation. Every week in the clinic we see people walk in the door and say they got injured while on the training program (for any sport or fitness goal) that they got off the internet, out of a book, from a seminar etc. Or they say they got hurt in yoga, Crossfit, Pilates, Zumba, PureBarre, or other popular fitness offerings. This is not because any of these specific methods are inherently evil, or their trainers are not well-meaning. There is potential good in all types of training, we just have to know if and when it is appropriate for a given individual, and when and how to apply that training.
The training and injury prevention system I use at TLB is a combination of my academic training and my experience (and it has a unique name which will be released soon!). I utilize a mix of physical therapy principles, exercise physiology concepts, and a healthy dose of personalization/customization in designing and implementing training plans for each client.
We start with a thorough interview. We determine the client’s goals, training experience, current fitness level, health history, and other key factors. As humans, we are all quite similar, but also somewhat unique. The interview is where I listen and start to get a feel for the direction in which training should be going.
Then we proceed to a physical therapy evaluation. PT’s are uniquely trained to examine a person’s body and determine if it is functioning ideally, and is capable of pursuing training related to the stated goals. If it is not functioning properly (dysfunctioning), we know how to identify the causes and what corrective movements to apply. I have to make a pitch for PT here. PT’s spend more time in their academic curricula studying anatomy, biomechanics, and the prescription of therapeutic exercise than any other health or fitness service provider. We receive graduate degrees and are licensed to do exactly that. It is this expertise that we use to identify weaknesses, motion restrictions, postural imbalances, etc. I then apply an organized exercise routine to address and, in most cases, correct the problem. By doing this, we can keep your orthopedic, or mechanical, machine, functioning at its full potential.
Next I look closely at the goal or goals of the client. I use the data from the interview and PT evaluation to apply the principles of exercise physiology. I design a periodized training program that is an ideal fit for each client’s current status, and future goal(s). Periodization is essentially the use of cycles or seasons to optimally prepare an athlete (whatever your level or sport) for participation. Knowing which energy systems are most important for a given sport, how to prioritize that in the training, and keeping in mind the uniqueness of the individual, allows me to design workouts that will provide the correct stimuli for results.
At this point the client and I mutually establish a coaching relationship. I get to know my clients and really listen to what makes them “tick”. As I better understand each client, I can dynamically adjust their training in an ongoing manner. I counsel clients on the workout data we are collecting and make ongoing adjustments as necessary. I try to develop a meaningful relationship in which the client can rely upon me for sound advice. Having a mutual understanding of the natural highs and lows of the training cycles, as well as life, allows me to objectively and positively analyze performance.
By doing all of the above, we can work together and truly make your fitness fit YOU, and it works. You can achieve your goals, have some fun, and NOT GET HURT!