Very Important Fitness Training Lesson
I want to share something really important – and funny – with you today.
Last night, I was at U of T, training our soccer team in the Athletic Centre, when one of our guys did something absolutely ridiculous!
I confronted him immediately and there’s a VERY valuable fitness training lesson to be learned from this situation.
I put together a little video describing what happened and how you can learn from this BIG mistake.
Watch it here:
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Love this! How funny. Yes, I tell my athletes this all the time. They still think they’re doing something correctly when they’re in the gym on the machines…not that this isn’t a good idea. I have two athletes who’ve listened to me and have practiced and have WON their races. I’ve had 13 ladies I coached at one time. All of them listened, all of them learned, all of them competed for their first time coming in top 10 in their age groups. I don’t mean to say this derogatorily, but men have a problem with this idea. I know that sounds ‘biased’, but I train men now and have never had such a hard time training them. One of them has listened and in 3 months went from coming in last at his race, last in his age group, last in the swim, bike and run portion to winning his age group, coming in 8th out of the water and 18th overall. Yes, 3 months. He listened. What you’re saying makes total sense. Thank you for sharing. It’s always good to hear about your stories. Love them! Coach Nic
OK I get the whole concept of sport specificity in training….but saying doing a leg press is absolutely ridiculous!Is absolutely ridiculous! There is a little room to as we like to say mix it up!!!
Sorry Sam. I need to disagree here. If you want to mix it up, why not do some bodyweight (or weighted) squats, lunges, step-ups, or any other exercise where you are grounded to the floor (ie. closed-kinetic chain exercise). I really don’t think that machines have a place in a “proper” training program. If anything they teach your body how to develop “improperly”. But if you’re just looking for bulk, then I guess they’re ok.
This is great info as I am going to start training for a marathon and a good reminder that I need focus on that type of training. I once read this quote which makes perfect sense in relationship to your message..”The best way to become a better runner is to run”.
Thanks Yuri
A seated fast leg press will do little for a soccer player other than tighten his calves, quads and psoas without the benefit of replicating his movement on the field. Why bother wasting time on “mixing it up” when you can get more for your money with sport specific exercises? This is lazy and unimaginative sports training.
I couldn’t agree more. This latest nonsense has put this player on the fence of being cut from our program. We don’t waste time with players that don’t “get it”. Neither should you guys waste time with exercises that do nothing.
I agree with and understand the concept. Maybe you should explain why we do sit up and core work while sitting/lying on our backs or planks/side planks??Just a thought
I totally agree. I’ve answered this and many other “core”-related questions in my free abs course. You can check it out here => http://www.myfitteru.com/abs
is H.I.I.T with jump rope a good idea for weight loss?
Yes, jumping rope is great for weight loss via HIIT. You can easily switch speeds and it incorporates your entire body which is what you want when losing weight.
Great Video Yuri.
I am increasing my vertical leap and focusing on explosive jumping exercises, as opposed to heavy squats or super high numbers of bodyweight squats, which I think would be good for strenghth and endurance respectively, but not necessarily explosive jumping power.
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Great Post Yuri.
I was wondering if you have a tutorial video on how to do those Olympic exercises which you mentioned at the beginning of this video.
Hiya, Yuri. Thanks for the advice. This made me laugh, as I was doing the seated leg press at my gym today (not at the speed your boy was doing them, though)! It’s part of a circuit that my gym has set up with weight machines and benches, so that you can do aerobics one minute and then change over to various weight machines for one minute each. Basically, I alternate between weights and aerobics for a total of 30 minutes and rest for about 30 seconds in between. Is this acceptable for someone like myself who is not a pro athlete, but wants to lose weight and firm up? I’ve really enjoyed your Eating for Energy ebook…great job!
Hey Tristan,
I know you’d be tearing these up if you were with us. I’ll be sure to put some of the video tutorials together in the next little while. Right now, I just have a few available in my Fitter U Fitness member program.
Hey Beth,
I still think you’re better off doing non-machine based exercises. Instead of leg presses, trying using squats (bodyweight, weight, or even using the stability against your back and wall), lunge walks, step-ups, or 1-leg squats. Even if you’re not a pro athlete, think about how a certain exercise can benefit you in every day life movements and activities. They also help you burn more fat!
Hi Yuri
Thanks for your video sharing the concept of sport specificity it makes a great deal of sense, but i have to admit i too have been guilty of doing the leg press last year and after a few months family circumstances and a neck injury dictated i could not go to the gym. Last week a bought your 12 week programme Strength and Conditioning for Runners, which i cannot wait to get started, i have been doing something very similar for a very long time but noticed that i included more exercises in one session that your recommend in your programme. My question to you is, what should i do when i have completed the 12 week programme. Do i start the same programme and just add more weights? Many thanks Yuri.
Hey Baltasar, my suggestion would be to join Fitter U Fitness once you’re done with that initial program. That way you can get on-going monthly workouts that will make you stronger and a better runner.
Yuri,
Would these Olympic lifts that you mentioned be good for martial arts training? I’ve been doing martial arts for years and I’m ready to step it up to the next level. Great video by the way!
Hey Johnny,
Yes, olympic lifts would benefit you as well. They really are about training your body to become more explosive. Thus, any sport and athlete can benefit from them.
Taking some time to keep up some training whilst away. It Will keep your energy levels up as well as help burn some of those extra calories you may just be eating!
Remember, enjoy your treats and don’t get bogged down with trying to be ‘perfect’ when on holidays – you’re there to have fun but try not to go overboard and undo all the great work you’ve done to date!