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

Member of the Month - November 2017

BRAD SARGENT

MEMBER SINCE MARCH 2017

Brad “So Amped” Sargent is one of our most improved members, and his dedication to the TFL program is paying off. Brad is not only consistent with his training sessions, but always shows up with a great mentality and a huge smile. His devotion to perfect our foundational movements and his eagerness to learn new, more advanced skills make him a pleasure to coach. 

Brad’s dedication to the process has helped him conquer his goal to learn, and continue to master, the Kettlebell Swing – a movement that we hold to a very high standard. Every set of swings is followed by a “How did that look?” as he is always striving for improvement. Brad’s trust in his coaches has helped him lose fat, gain muscle, and feel more energized! Since Brad started, he has made a massive lifestyle change from a weekly routine without regular exercise. He is an inspiration, and we truly enjoy Brad’s presence within our community.

“It has been so awesome to watch Brad’s progress! He always gives it his all, especially on hill sprints!”

— Jennifer Nyman

Member of the Month - July 2017

DARYL KIRBY

MEMBER SINCE

JANUARY 2017

Daryl Kirby is the definition of a hard-worker.  He is consistently attempting to learn new things about movement, exercise, and other fitness strategies.  Daryl’s inquisitive attitude toward fitness has driven him forward on the road to achievement.  This includes a leaner body composition, better mobility, and conquering the KB Swing – a goal he set for himself and was determined to achieve.

It’s not always easy to motivate oneself, and Daryl does this with ease as well as repeatedly finding ways to get others going too.  A simple high-five, a subtle, “Let’s Go!”, as well as, the constant support for those around him in a session; all of these things help make others feel stronger, and feed off of Daryl’s positive attitude.

Daryl is often found wearing a cut-off tee and a smile during the afternoon sessions, and most recently, planking on the beach during his summer vacation.  We’d like to commend Daryl on all of his hard work and dedication to the process, and are grateful to have him as a member of our community.

“Daryl is a nice guy to have in sessions. He’s positive, friendly and hardworking.”

— Randy Hoy, Fellow TFL Member

                                  Daryl and his wife, Karen.

Member of the Month - December 2016

BOBBY COLLAZO

MEMBER SINCE DECEMBER 2011

“HE’S THE ULTIMATE MOTIVATOR. NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, HE’S ON YOUR TEAM.”

— Laurie St. Marie

One of the most common reasons people join a community like ours is for motivation.  Bobby Collazo is the definition of that, and has done nothing but motivate those around him since he walked into our doors 5 years ago. 

Bobby is a man of zero-complaints and is always eager to push it to the limit in sessions.  He’s completed many road and obstacle course races with his TFL squad, including the grueling Seven Sisters Trail Run and Ragnar Relay Race.  He enjoys outdoor activities from hiking to hill sprints, and is often in the company of his wife, and fellow TFL member, Aurora.

Bobby is a world-class member.  He’s so devoted to our system that he hasn’t been late for a session in 5 years, and NEVER begins without a good foam roll.  He is always eager to learn new exercises and techniques, and gives 100% effort every time, every session.

Congratulations, Bobby!  Thank you for your endless motivation, and pumped up attitude.  You make our jobs so easy to love.  Happy 5th TFL Anniversary!

“Bobby and Aurora have been so supportive of me and everyone in this challenge. Honestly, I would not get through the physical challenges without them.”

— Chris Watton

Member of the Month - November 2016

JILL LUEB

MEMBER SINCE NOVEMBER 2013

Jill joined our community three years ago this month, and has been a dedicated member ever since.  She came to us with a few limitations from previous injuries, and had a preconceived notion that she may never fully squat or do some of our foundational movements again.  Well, we’re thrilled to say Jill has excelled in movements many wouldn’t have expected her to, and none of this would have been possible without consistency and hard work.

Jill is constantly supporting those around her, especially via social media.  She’s an asset to her teams in any challenge, and is always available for recipe sharing, motivation or Sunday activities; which often include yoga sessions or a hiking adventure.

Jill is a current member of our Barbell Club and recently hit a personal record on her front squat.  She is always eager to learn, respects each exercise and puts full trust in her coaches and the program making her a joy to have in any session.   

Congratulations, Jill!  We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished, and can’t wait to see what this year has in store for you.  Happy 3rd TFL Anniversary!

Large Group Program Update

        This past weekend marked our 5th anniversary of Train for Life opening at 340 McKinstry Avenue.  Over the last 5 years, we’ve worked toward creating a results-driven program by blending the most current in exercise science with strength and conditioning workouts.  It’s always been our goal to keep our program energetic and intense while balancing the physical needs of our members in order to prevent injury and improve movement.

        While the standards that we’ve held high over the last 5 years will not change, we will be revamping our Large Group Template allowing us to add more variety and training options to our current program.  We are certain that with this new training model members will be motivated and eager to stay in a fitness regimen that is beneficial, competitive and enjoyable for all training levels.

        Along with this change, we will attempt to preface each phase and educate you on the most suitable program selection to fit your specific goals.  It is, and has always been, our mission to inspire others to move well, be strong and enjoy life.  A proper movement foundation will always rank first and foremost in our model.  We will continue to add assessments and help direct you through the program that best fits your current physical capabilities.  From there, a blend of workouts are designed to increase strength and burn fat.  Each member is unique and we feel this new structure will allow us to efficiently manipulate our program to provide the individual solutions you are all looking for in a group training environment. 

Our new phase will be laid out as follows:

Monday – Strength A
Tuesday – Metabolic Conditioning
Wednesday – Strength B
Thursday – Metabolic Conditioning
Friday – Strength C
Saturday – Your Choice...

7:00AM - Advanced Lift (Strength Based)
8:30AM/10:00AM - Metabolic Conditioning

        We are excited for this update and hopeful that many of you will embrace this change.  As always, we implore you to provide us with feedback, as it’s the best way for us to continue to evolve.