IMPROVING JOINTS FUNCTION
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It all begins with the right approach to training. Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced trainee you only need what is required FOR YOU to get results! That is why analyzing a training program is So important.

As an example, if you are used to do something that looks like this; bench-press, incline bench-press, and decline bench-press for 4 sets of 10 reps, that is well in excess of 100 repetitions for a chest work out. YOU ARE DOING TOO MUCH!

Let me remind you of a simple fact, which will help you make the right decision when it comes to designing your own training program “TRAIN TO REMAIN STRONG”. In order to make high repetition sets efficient one would have to workout at approximately 50% of what one’s strength level is (this is an average and some individuals will be able to use a little more).

This means that when you are doing bench-press for example, you should remain strong from the beginning to the end of that set. The barbell should be pushed up evenly and straight up, your shoulder blades should be close to each others and remain that way, your abs kept very tight, your feet should not move, your buttocks should remain on the bench, and your head should not move. You must be very tight and sturdy and remain that way for all those repetitions. Does this seem like a lot?

By doing sets of 10 repetitions at more than 75% of your strength level you are not working towards improving and maximizing joint function at all. Remember that if the muscles are not strong enough to do the work, the joint is certainly not doing well! The more weight you persist on using under those conditions the weaker your muscles will become. As for the joints, let’s not forget that if you are hurting you are certainly not getting results!

You like to do negatives, forced reps, burn sets… and you do them regularly! They are good except that they must be added to your workout in a way, that they will produce results. UTILIZE THEM ACCORDINGLY. Consider utilizing sets of 5 reps and keep in mind proper form and technique. Whether you are looking at weight loss, toning, becoming stronger, excel in sports activities and so forth, you need to approach training with that in mind. By working out and emphasizing on remaining strong from start to finish, you will get the results you want. Analyze what you are doing or have been doing and experience great results, quicker, and most importantly, injury free. IT IS WELL WORTH IT.

GROWING KIDS… GROWING CRISIS
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Today I would like to address a very important issue: the health and overall physical condition of your youth. Current statistics are indicating that our young people are becoming more and more susceptible to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes (type 2), osteoporosis and obesity at a very young age. What has happened to our children and what must be done?

Lifestyle is one of the prime suspects in the every increasing problem affecting young people. Physical fitness and nutritious eating have been replaced by technology and fast food. Children are spending the majority of their waking hours in a sedentary position at school, doing homework, at the computer and in front of the T.V. Young people please take stock of your own situation. How much time are you spending in front of the T.V and computer on any given day? Always remember that the amount of food and the amount of physical activity on a particular must balance in order to maintain a healthy body weight and a conditioned body. Variety and color is very important when selecting food choices and I remind you that fresh organic fruits and veggies would be helpful in building a healthy body.

For those of you who enjoy being involved in sport activities, I recommend you and encourage you to get involved in a strength training program as well. This will help decrease the risk of injury and will benefit your overall strength and give you strong bones as well. Weightlifting exercises such as the squat with highlight and strengthen the movement in the hip area. This will facilitate sitting, standing, running, jumping and good posture. You will see tremendous progress in your contributions to your teams in the sport activities that you are pursuing.

My objective today is to provide you with a gently reminder to eat nutritious foods, beginning with a healthy breakfast, to engage in physical fitness including a strength training program, and to get sufficient sleep each day. Specifically I would like to challenge each of you to consider 20-30 minutes of moderate activity per day. This will provide you with health benefits and will help to de-stress you.

Will the next 10 years see a decline in childhood disease or will the crisis escalate?

Daniel Paré, N.C.C.P., C.S.O., C.S.P.S., C.S.T.S. Strength and conditioning coach.

CONDITIONING FOR RUNNING
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Why would a runner strength train? This article is going to explain what is happening when you are running and why you should consider strength training to help you become a better runner with less injuries.

I have several members who are long distance runners (5Km +) and since they have started strength training they find long distance running a lot easier. Why is that? When you run, every step you take increases the compression on the knee joint and this makes things worse when one is not running properly. You should be running from heels to toes and not with their toes, and a lot of people do not have enough overall body strength to run adequately. The more bouncing you are generating when landing, the more conditioned you must become. The knee joint needs to become stronger. How are we going to do this? “STRENGTH TRAINING”.

You want to train to become strong and if you body build you are going to be training to become big and the last thing that you want is extra muscle mass. Let me be more specific. Since your knee joint is going to be taking quite the beating, squats (full depth) should be emphasized. Now, why full depth squats? After all we are not squatting that low when running? That is correct. What we need to realize is that the deeper one squats the stronger the abdominal muscles, the hamstrings and other key muscles need to be. I suggest you begin by doing 10 reps of squats. When you are fully capable of doing those 10 reps, you put a barbell on your back and you begin to squat.

The objective is to squat up to your own body weight on the barbell for sets of 5 reps. Remember, we are strengthening the knee joint and more than 5 reps will not strengthen the knee joint but actually weaken it! If you become much stronger than you are right now (not bigger!) it will be much easier for you to run the distance.

Here are a few key exercises you should consider; the squat (full depth), power clean, power snatch and deadlift. Can you work on your upper body? Sure why not, but remember that the more muscle mass you are intending on building, the more at a disadvantage you will be. The reps should be left at 5 per set at best. Make sure that you become stronger and not bigger. Remember that the stronger you become the easier it will be to run.

Enjoy your running and run the distance.

Daniel Pare certified strength and conditioning coach, St. Thomas, 519-633-0771, fax 519-637-1210, email stsa1258@aol.com