A basket full of goodies...

Howdy here...I decided I had a whole bunch of things in my mind that I wanted to touch on, so i'll make a bit of a summary post with some good tidbits I hope...I've been working with some tweens the past few weeks running a Sport Performance camp; It has been a ton of fun, but also a little exhausting. I thought it would negatively impact my training and lean body mass, but oddly enough I've been adding some lean muscle lately. While I do definitely feel like my lifts are less explosive, I've been hovering above 183lbs lately, at a body fat around 9%. Considering I had been stuck around 179-181lbs in the last 4-6 weeks, I am definitely happy with the progress. On to the other thoughts...

- If you are a recreational weightlifter who can squat 3 plates with some good depth, HUGE thumbs up... It's not easy to do...having said that though, if you seem to come out of the hole with decent strength BUT fold in half like a chair, giving you a ton of spinal flexion, then all is for naught. Take a plate off and make sure you are doing a proper squat. Totally unacceptable to have that kind of leg strength and atrocious technique or corresponding lack of core strength. Do your best to workout with a reliable partner, who is not afraid to tell you when your lifts look like garbage or hire a professional to put you through a workout every couple months. If they are worth the cost (which they should be!) then they can help clean up techniques or give you ways to do it yourself. I guarantee you'll learn something, so it's worth the price.

- I just got directed to a website made by Canadian trainer and strength coach Brad Pilon (HERE) and it really made me think. I am not here to say one way or another whether or not this book may have some merit, especially since I haven't read it. However, It does raise some questions with me though. I happen know a lot of graduate students, university professors and researchers who do studies on different supplement ingredients and protocols that have had positive findings and AREN'T on the bankroll of supplement companies. I wholeheartedly agree that there is no black and white as it comes to protein ingestion and how your body will respond. There are so many factors when it comes to physical adaptation that its hard to guarantee anything! From looking at the site, I just think he may be trying a little too hard to produce shock value, but I also understand he's probably put a ton of good work into a product that he wants to sell...just something to think about.

- From the last few weeks working with kids in the 13 to 16 year old range, I can say for certain how important proper movement patterns need to be reinforced at this age. Every kid wants a chance to do bench press, squats, and deadlifts, but most of them have very little ability to control much of their body during movement. If you are coaching kids at this age, do the world a favour and stand your ground! When they ask to try something that's only going to build on their dysfunctions, just say NO! If they don't care the reasons, then just don't give them the options.

- I am really loving Cytosport right now. I am extremely glad that they have taken the initiative to be a company that provides products that athletes can count on as being 100% clean(NSF tested). There are so many supplement companies that it's hard to say whose products are better than others in terms of quality. You'd probably have to take them all into a lab and break them down and I don't have the resources for that...so let's assume they are all in a similar range. Cytosport's new line is also trying to eliminate all of their previous usage of 'proprietary blends' and focus on quality ingredients. This makes it much easier to qualify the expected physiological effect of its use. Between a renewed focus on quality and the peace of mind of being clean and safe, we at REP are currently on the Cytosport bandwagon, and happy to sell their line of products!! Email us if you have any more questions!

That's it for now...It's About Getting Better!