ATHLETIC STRENGTH AND POWER

2012 Michigan State Spartan Strength Clinic: February 10th and 11th

Time is running out! There's only a few more days now until the Michigan State Strength Clinic. I have been attending clinics like this since 1982 and I have to proclaim these MSU strength seminars as the best as far as accommodations, learning environment, networking with fellow colleagues, and also the practical coaching ideas that can be taken back to our individual situations...wherever that might be. Most coaches aspire to greatness.... and touring the facilities and observing professionals at work is always a great motivator. You're not going to find a more knowledgeable staff who are willing to share their ideas and collaborate on this type of level. Truly one of the elite programs in all of collegiate sports! It doesn't happen by chance.... it's the people and the character that is there in East Lansing. Hope to see you there....
Coach "C"

 

I have been to the first four MSU Spartan Strength & Conditioning Clinics and somehow they make it better and even more informative every year. This year's line up promises to be another special event for strength training professionals, students, trainers, physical therapists and personal trainers. Clinic Director Mike Vorkapich does an exceptional job organizing and getting the clinic off the ground. The speaking line-up is always top notch...this year will be no different with the likes of Head MSU Strength Coach Ken Mannie, Dan Riley, Ken Leistner, Jason Arapoff, Mike Joseph, Paul Harker, Gabe Harrington and Scott Hayes.

Additionally, just being inside the Spartan Strength Training Complex is enough to motivate. It's tied for first on my list of top college weight rooms that I have seen...coast to coast!

For all of the details and to access the REGISTRATION FORM just click on the Spartan Photo above. The clinic takes place at the Clara Bell Smith Academic Center right across from Spartan Stadium. It's a comfortable, climate controlled auditorium style learning environment with desk format to place electronic learning devices and laptops and notebooks. The practical "lab work" takes place in the Spartan Weight Room within Duffy Daugherty Building.

 

Blogpost by Ed Cicale

ATHLETIC STRENGTH AND POWER

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Boston College Linebackers Luke Kuechly & Sean Duggan @RBFA

Top college linebacker Luke Kuechly and fellow Boston College teammate, Sean Duggan enjoyed their holidays and winter break by teaming up with yet another former Cincinnati St X Bomber football player, Rocky Boiman, for some training sessions at the Rocky Boiman Football Academy located on Cincinnati's far west side.

In this video, it's Luke Kuechly, the leading tackler in all of college football 2011. Luke won the Butkus Trophy, given to the nation's top college linebacker, the Bronko Nagurski Award: the nation's top defensive player and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. In addition, Luke also was awarded the Rotary Lombardi Award. After a lot of thought, Luke decided to forgo his senior year of college football with the Boston College Eagles and have his name entered into the 2012 NFL Draft. Being a tackling machine, he's a sure bet to be a top draft pick!
Luke Kuechly also starred at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School where he was an impact player throughout his career.
Also in this video, Sean Duggan has just finished his freshman year as linebacker at BC where he has made his presence known... in fact, after watching teammate, Kuechly nab an interception for a "pick 6", Duggan snared his first career interception vs the Miami Hurricanes when he dove for a Jacory Harris pass. Sean was an also an All Ohio player for St X head coach Steve Specht.
Develop your "A" game and become the best football player that you can be at the Rocky Boiman Football Academy. Rocky will challenge each athlete to push themselves using specific drills and he'll coach the players to a better understanding of the game of football.
Rocky Boiman was a star player at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School, a captain for the Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame... drafted by the Tennessee Titans and later winning a professional football player's ultimate prize: a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts.
And, if you happened to be watching NFL Football -Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans- in the United Kingdom yesterday, you heard Color Commentator Rocky Boiman describing the action and strategies to England and beyond.

.. 

Blogpost & Video by Ed Cicale 2012 ASAP~Athletic Strength And Power

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Strength Coach Updates: Aaron Hillmann: Illinois Fighting Illini & Mickey Marotti: Ohio State Buckeyes + Others

University of Michigan Assistant Strength Coach Aaron Hillmann is heading to the University of Illinois to lead The Fighting Illini Strength & Conditioning Program. He had a previous role as head strength coach at Bowling Green State University prior to his short stint with the Wolverines under Aaron Wellman.  New  Football Coach Tim Beckman has selected Hillmann for this key position. Hillmann has worked with OSU Coach Mickey Marotti in the past. Here's an ASAP Podcast from the past with Coach Hillman.

Also, heading on board with Hillmann will be Dave Andrews who has been Director of Olympic Sports Strength Training at the University of Cincinnati as depicted in this must see ASAP Training Video .
PHOTO: Coach Hillmann prior to kick-off Michigan at Michigan State

As noted a few weeks ago, congratulations also to Mickey Marotti, who leaves the University of Florida Gators program to become Assistant Athletic Director for Football Sports Performance at The Ohio State University. Marotti was once a graduate assistant with the Buckeyes in 1987 and now comes full circle ,as does new Head Coach Urban Meyer.  PHOTO: Marotti prior to kick-off Florida Gators at Kentucky Wildcats. 

  Other Buckeye moves of note have Rick Court (right) leaving San Diego State and on board with Marotti's program at Ohio State. Similarly, Murray State Defensive Line/Strength Kenny Parker (bottom), a former Florida Gator player will also be joining the strength & conditioning staff at OSU which has retained Jeff Uhlenhake and Anthony Schlegel.

And at the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Head Football Coach Charlie Weis has placed Scott Holshopple in charge of his important strength training and conditioning position. Scott held the assistant S&C at Florida under Marotti. Photo: Pre-Game warm-ups Florida Gators at Kentucky Wildcats

Blogpost & Photos by Ed Cicale All Rights Reserved Athletic Strength And Power

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Detroit Lions Strength Training & Conditioning Clinic 2012

The Detroit Lions Strength Staff has pinpointed Saturday, March 3rd 2012 for their 2nd Annual Strength & Conditioning Clinic. Head Strength Coach Jason Aropoff and Assistant Ted Rath are doing the behind-the-scenes prep work for this clinic. If this one is anything like last year's clinic, it is sure to be a great professional development event and a chance to network with professional colleagues.

Participants will hear three quality 50-minute breakout sessions on topics such as Strength Training, Conditioning, and Sports Nutrition (Making Sense of Supplements), will receive a copy of the clinic DVD, a handbook with the speakers’ notes and handouts, a sponsor gift bag, a tour of the Lions Training Facility, participate in a raffle give away, and new in 2012, a question & answer session with several current Detroit Lions players. There will be a great speaker line up that includes Ohio State Strength Coach Mickey Marotti and Kentucky Strength Coach Ted Lambrinides

To dowload the Clinic Flyer or for further information, just click on the Detroit Lions Logo.
Download 2012 Detroit Lions Strength Conditioning Clinic
 

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Mississippi State University Strength & Conditioning Clinic Feb 17/18 2012

This just in..... Mississippi State University will conduct its 3rd Annual Strength Clinic on February 17th and 18th 2012.  Join Director of Strength Training Matt Balis, and a clinic staff that includes University of Kentucky Strength Coach Ted Lambrinides, for what promises to be an excellent learning experience and opportunity to network with many colleagues and top strength coaches in the profession. Just click here or on the MSU Logos for a clinic brochure!
Download Final 2012 Brochure

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Happy New Year 2012

There are different ways to ring in the new year. Some better than others... everyone will have their own opinion there. However, there is the ASAP way.  That would require a good hard workout. So, unless you happen to be competing today, there's an opportunity to start the year off with a workout. I receive countless emails about workouts..."What to do?" "What not to do?" I prefer to let the experts talk about that stuff...just peruse our ASAP Archives for exercises, training tips, videos(also seen on our YouTube Channel).  Anyway, for those who persist, here's this morning's workout, the first of 2012. It was done at The Workout @ Adam's Landing in downtown Cincinnati. Strictly upper body work today. I'll hit the squat work tomorrow. I'll have more workout updates on Twitter, too: You'll just have to follow!

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Warm-up (Elliptical plus Cincinnati Reds Matt Krause  "5-Way Shoulder Warm-up" Routine)

Seated Shoulder Press: one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Pulley Pulldowns: Independent Movement Cables;one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Bench Press: one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Pulley Seated Rows: Independent Movement Cables;one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Decline Press:one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Pulley Pulldowns: Triangle Adaptor Handle, one heavy set, 10 reps (11th rep impossible)
Lateral Raise: Dumbells/ 2 sets
Burn Machine Bicep Routine
Tricep Cable PushDowns/ 2 sets

 

Happy New Year and Happy Training in 2012

Blogpost by Ed Cicale--- All Rights Reserved ----Athletic Strength And Power
Photo: Chris Ensminger/16 yr Professional Basketball Star; Germany (Cincinnati Oak Hills/Valparaiso University)

Strength Coach Mickey Marotti Moving to Ohio State Buckeyes

Florida Gators Strength Coach Mickey Marotti will depart his post in Gainesville to head up the strength program once again for OSU Head Football Coach Urban Meyer. Here's a few past videos, etc that ASAP~Athletic Strength And Power has done with Coach Marotti.

    

  

Click here  or on our ASAP logo for more ASAP Exclusive information on Head Strength Coach Mickey Marotti

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ASAP Podcast: Dr. Timothy Kremchek Cincinnati Reds Team Physician

Cincinnati Reds Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Krause hosted his first strength and conditioning clinic last week... many very good speakers on hand. That list included Bronson Arroyo, Chip Morton (Bengals), Billy Hatcher, Michele Macedonio (Nutritionist) and Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the team orthopedic physician of the Cincinnati Reds. That gave us the opportunity to talk about the rotator cuff, etc. for this ASAP Athletic Strength And Power Podcast.
Just click on the ASAP Logo to hear and/or download this exclusive interview. Or, the gray podcast player below. There is also the Youtube version, too.  For further information, Dr. Kremchek would be more that happy to take emails at:
Kremchek@aol.com 

 ASAP Podcast with Dr Tim Kremchek

 

 

Also, here's a great Rotator Cuff exercise video with Matt Krause: 

Blogpost and Interview by Ed Cicale
All Rights Reserved Copyright 2011 Athletic Strength And Power

 

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The Ram Sled Company: 5 Different Sleds

If you're going to take your program to the next level, you're going to need plenty of tools in your toolbox. There has to be motivation. There has to be proper diet. There has to be serious strength training. There has to be conditioning. There has to be Ram Sleds. Check out the five different "Kick Butt" sled products  in this video. Gameday will seem easy if tough practices and intense conditioning are the preparation mode. Here's how.

  

 

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Reds Clinic Round-up..... and Grip4orce: Revolutionizing Grip Strength

Last Saturday, I attended Matt Krause's Cincinnati Reds Strength & Conditionng Clinic. It was a very nicely done seminar.... all at Great American Ball Park. What a great place to have it! And Bronson Arroyo was there... he has a renewed fervor in his off-season training program right now and wants to help the Reds overcome their down year. He's been training down in Naples, Florida and trying to get himself stronger than ever. He's also been working on hip and lower body flexibility as he'll be trying to add some speed to his fast ball this year.... a necessity when you pitch half of your games in a hitters ballpark like GABP.

I also got to speak extensively with Dr. Timothy Kremchek. In fact, we recorded a podcast which will be edited and posted on this site soon.

Additionally, I spoke with several vendors at the clinic, most notably Jim Hartman of GripForce "Grip4orce Inc." where they are "Revolutionizing Grip Strength" with their very cool product. My first exposure to using the Grip4orce was when I visited Michigan State University last year. Coach Mannie had many of the machines there outfitted with these training tools.There's a host of other bigtime pro and collegiate programs using these things now.

Basically it's a rubbery device that the athlete has to squeeze down while using dumbells, barbells and machine grips.....and it forces the trainee to activate more muscles while performing many different exercises. I liked them so much, I got a pair of them.... there are two sizes...or "tensions" to choose from: Regular and Stiff Flex. (Of course, I chose the more difficult model). I have just started using them in my training and I have to admit....I can really feel the difference at the end of the routine. And trust me.....price won't scare you away: $39 bucks!

Blogpost by Ed Cicale           All Rights Reserved        Athletic Strength And Power

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The ASAP Shopping Cart: Southern Spreads Gourmet Peanut Butter

In the past twenty-eight years, I've attended countless strength and conditioning clinics. Each one always has some sort of sports nutritionist or registered dietitian on hand to speak to the importance of getting the correct balance of nutrients into the athlete's body. It's science... and art too. Invariably, it's suggested for athletes to consume peanut butter. The protein benefits to cost ratio is also a huge plus.  It's a very affordable and quality food that's satiable, too!

Okay, it's crunch time: Not all peanut butters are created equal. Sure, there's the old standbys at the local grocery.... you know the brands. But, most of those have additives and sugar content that just make them not all that appetizing nor appealing. That being said, let me introduce The Southern Spreads Gourmet Peanut Butter. I have just finished several days of sampling of the six varieties of Southern Spreads, all of which are quite interesting.  For now, I'll have to favorite the Carolina Crunch.... just for the excitement factor.  The reality is that these are some products that have great taste, very good protein values and well worth an order! So check out their stuff (it's made way down in Alvaton, Kentucky) by clicking on the links.

Blogpost by Ed Cicale All Rights Reserved 2011 Athletic Strength And Power

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