We've learned a lot through this pandemic and have only scratched the surface on what we'll take away from this. From a high school athletics standpoint, we've seen things take place that we never thought would be imaginable. Seasons were shortened or canceled, and crowds were often not permitted to watch. Traditions that have been around for over a century...

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"Balance" is an interesting word. Google defines it as "noun. A state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise, mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc."As humans, we strive for something but often fall well short of due to the tug of war with our daily lives....

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The term, "Overtraining" frequently gets thrown around by parents, athletes, and coaches. Some individuals have a general understanding of what constitutes overtraining syndrome or what it may even look like, but few understand how to prevent it, particularly in youth athletes. It is commonly noted by long performance decrements, lasting longer than two months. Some instances can be seen through...

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"Trainer" is a catch-all term often used by the general public to describe anybody responsible for designing or leading exercise programs for others. From a global perspective, this may be true, but a deeper dive reveals stark contrasts within every coaching/training position depending on the population and setting one works in. Detailed intricacies tether the blurred lines between what at...

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Health is the culmination of physical, mental, and social wellbeing, influenced by our daily habits and interactions with others. It is no surprise that we develop a number of these habits and behaviors from a very young age, which can carry implications for the remainder of our lives. Children are malleable beings, therefore ensuring that we do right by them...

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The 'burpee' is perhaps one of the most popular exercises used in training programs and group fitness settings alike. If you are unfamiliar with this movement, however, it is typically broken into the following phases: Begin in a standing positionSquat and place your hands on the floorKick your feet back while simultaneously keeping your arms extended so that you are...

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Performing a properly executed deadlift is beneficial for numerous reasons. However, increasing strength in the movement overtime should be every trainee's primary goal. To build strength in the deadlift, progressive overload and proper loading schemes are necessary. When these variables are paid attention to, accessory movements can further assist strength development. Before adding additional movements, address technical proficiency and training...

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Selecting appropriate footwear for athletic and recreational activities can be difficult due to the array of options we have available today. Couple that with contradictory research or claims made by shoe versus barefoot and “minimalist shoe” advocates, and it is easy to see why so much confusion exists. Do shoes help or hinder our performance and health? Are some shoes...

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As a strength and conditioning professional, I've written and scanned thousands of programs. A number of these are exceptionally well written, while others are not. The best one's account for volume load and intensity, properly select and order their exercises, and even include detailed notes on each movement's proper execution. Some of these programs may go as far as providing...

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Most of us are aware that beating ourselves into a pulp day after day in the gym without rest eventually results in performance decline, overtraining, or even worse, injury. Despite this being common sense, there are still many individuals who neglect to do so. The "more is always better" mantra plagues individuals who would certainly benefit from "working smarter, not...

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