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Fitness: A State of Being
Today's technological advancement often raises a lot of questions. While we find that we have a lot more convenience at our disposal, there are many issues surrounding our present fast life. Most people often find that easy is not necessarily good, and ...
Types Of Bicycle Rims To Consider
The first bicycle wheels were from a horse drawn cart, made of wood with a metal band round the bicycle rim, very hard and very uncomfortable to ride. Then a man called Dunlop (Scottish) invented the pneumatic tire, this along with Macadam (another Scot) ...
What Makes An Ice Climber?
WHAT MAKES AN ICE CLIMBER? Ice climbing is not for the faint at heart. This exhilarating and dangerous sport takes participants into some of nature's fiercest and most beautiful elements and requires strength, stamina and the willingness to stay outside ...
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I was once asked a pointed question by a potential athlete; "what can a coach do for me that I can not find in a book?" The answer is specificity. A proper coaching program is personally specific to an athlete’s needs. The plan considers the athlete’s individual strengths and weaknesses, skill, training history, injuries, lifestyle, equipment, fitness level, goals, diet, and a myriad of other data. It can be the difference between buying a custom made suit versus randomly selecting one off the rack.
The first step in building a coaching plan is evaluation. A coach may outline an entire year’s worth of training around specific goal events. They will ask you when you want to "peak" or be at your best. Field tests or metabolic testing may need to be performed to determine heart rate zones, and flexibility is tested for normal joint range of motion. The plan will be "periodized" with different training periods and work outs; each building off of the previous. Training will move from general to specific as you approach your peak. Training near peak may even consider the individual terrain and characteristics of the race.
Coaches monitor progress and make adjustments to an athlete’s schedule as required. Adjustments need to be made for an individual’s time constraints, to
recover from or prevent potential injury, and to administer additional rest and recovery. A coach has to read between the lines a lot and consider an athletes mental state. Are they burned or under emotional stress? Are they challenged enough? They also adjust motivational cues from athlete to athlete. Some athletes respond well to simple orders, while others like to know the reason behind what they are doing. Strength training is administered based on the athlete’s goals, and routine design may promote hypertrophy, power, or muscular endurance.
Perhaps one of the best things coaches provide is consistent, accurate, and clear feedback. Skill sets such as cornering, climbing, and proper running form are best accomplished while under direct supervision. Coaches can also teach mental skills such as visualization and positive self talk which can have a tremendous impact on performance.
Training should be a gradual building process, work out to work out, month to month, season to season. If your goal is general fitness or exercise you probably do not need a coach. But if you have a specific goal in mind, coaching can provide the quickest, safest, and most effective route to accomplishment. If you decide to hire a coach, make sure they are licensed by a national governing body such as USA Triathlon, USA Track & Field, or USA Cycling. You should also check references and competitive experience. Lastly make sure that your personalities mesh and that your coach is someone you enjoy and respect.
About the Author
Matt Russ has coached and trained athletes around the country and internationally. He currently holds licenses by USAT, USATF, and is an Expert level USAC coach. Matt has coached athletes for CTS (Carmichael Training Systems), is an Ultrafit Associate. Visit www.thesportfactory.com for more information.
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Banks see profit climbs, but lending lagsThe Hill (blog)By Peter Schroeder - 05/24/12 12:22 PM ET The nation's banks posted climbing profits in the beginning of 2012, reaping $35.3 billion in the first quarter of the year as the industry continues to move on from the financial crisis.and more » |
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Edmunds sees new US auto sales climbing 31% in MayMarketWatchBy Tess Stynes New US auto sales are expected to climb 31% in May from a year earlier, with Japanese auto makers Toyota Motor Corp. (TM, 7203.TO) and Honda Motor Co. (HMC, 7267.TO) poised for the biggest growth, reflecting progress in recovering from ...and more » |
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