Summer Intern Sienna Opens Up About Jump Training!

The summer is flying by, and week seven of the internship has just come to a close. Every week
at Train for Life has been filled with new and exciting information, and this week was no
exception. We dived into the topic of jump training. Bobby Smith and Adam Feit of RYPT
(Reach Your Potential Training) developed this training for athletes to help them better control
their bodies at any speed and in any position that their sport might put them in. As I’m preparing to go back to school for preseason with the Simmons soccer team, this knowledge is especially beneficial to me. I can implement new movements into my training, and share the helpful info with my teammates as well!

From this week’s lesson, I’ve learned that jump training serves the purpose of not only improving power and speed, but also preventing injury. I’ve had many friends and teammates suffer an ACL or MCL tear, and often it wasn’t a major collision that caused it. Jump training teaches the mechanics of landing properly, so in chaotic game situations when athletes are moving in all planes, changing speed and direction constantly, their bodies are better equipped to deal with those movements.

While there is obviously value in this sort of training for athletes, there is certainly a benefit for everyone. Preventing injury should be the number one priority for all populations! So, I now better understand the implementation of these jump training mechanics in our workouts at TFL. The snap downs and the broad jumps hold a very important place in the collection of exercises we do.

Can’t wait to jump right into next week!

Best,
Sienna Caron

Summer Interns Update: It's Week 6 Already!

Week 6 is a wrap!

This week was about sandbags and why we use them at Train for Life. The answer is that DVRT (Dynamic Variable Resistance Training) system always use to effectively train and progress people seamlessly in a small or large group setting.  Using these concepts along with understanding specific coaching sequences and cues can help us train individuals with previous injuries or mobility limitations in a pain free manner.  

Now that I’ve been further educated, I’ll share with you what I like about the DVRT Ultimate Sandbags.

1. They make me better! I was born with nerve damage in my left shoulder and it radiates down my arm. At times, muscles on my left side just won’t turn on for me. Not with the Ultimate Sandbags. Within minutes my left lat was fired up.  This gives me an opportunity to safely push myself without making my workouts into a physical therapy session (which isn’t as fun as getting PRs). 

2. I love unconventional equipment. It doesn’t get much more savage than 90lbs bag of sand.  Training with 90lbs in an Ultimate Sandbag versus 90lbs on a barbell feels drastically different.  You can get a very different training effect without always just having to add more weight!

3. Variability. There’s a ton you can do with these things! I spent a good amount of time and greater amount of money building a home gym of dumbbells, barbells, etc. But, for most cases the sandbag can do what various other instruments can do. Less money, less space, oh and easy travel. There’s even a water filler option. So, when traveling take the empty bag with you in the car, fill it with water in the hotel room, and boom you have a portable gym.

We’re continuing to learn new skills and hone in on the basics. This upcoming week is about jumping and plyometrics so be on the lookout for Sienna’s blog.

Conversing with the members reminds me every day that I love the path I’ve chosen. Every day is another opportunity to learn and grow. Looking forward to week 7!

With gratitude,

Kyle Cusson