Thursday, July 29, 2010

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting an Athletic Scholarship


Strength training is the single most important piece of the puzzle for the high school athlete hoping to earn a athletic scholarship.

Today, strength training influences every athletic program in the country, no matter what the sport - male or female. The improvements in sports performance over the last 10 years has been incredible. Athletes are running faster, jumping higher and getting stronger than ever before. To earn a sports scholarship, it is necessary for athletes to strength train and participate in conditioning programs to better prepare themselves for the rigors of the athletic season.

Strength training is not just lifting weights like a body builder. That type of training could actually make you slower if it is not done properly. Incorporating body weight, resistance bands, medicine balls, plyometrics and Olympic lifts are a much better strength training choice for an athlete to improve their chances of getting that sports scholarship.

The benefits of a sports specific strength training program are numerous. The athlete will not only build a solid strength base (which is key to ALL athletic movement patterns), but he or she will also reduce their risk of injury; increase their speed, quickness and agility; increase vertical jump; make bones, ligaments and tendons stronger; and boost the athlete's confidence in and out of the classroom. And if an injury does occur to an athlete who has been strength training properly, it will probably not be as serious and will tend to heal faster.

So remember, the main function of the body’s 600 plus muscles is to move our body parts. Only muscles can cause movement. The stronger the muscles and the more force behind the contractions, the faster the athlete will run, the higher she will jump, the further she will throw and kick, and the harder he will hit. It really is that simple!

The NCAA gives thousands of scholarships every year and spends millions of dollars on the education of student-athletes, but the process of earning a scholarship isn’t easy. That’s because natural talent alone isn’t enough anymore. These days, it’s as much about private coaching as it is about getting exposure in your sport.


So next time someone tells you weight training is just for bodybuilders, think again. A proper strength-training program, in-season and off-season, just may be the final piece the “puzzle” to earning that athletic scholarship! If you would like to set up a FREE consultation, simple give me a call at Precision Fitness 401-489-0551.


Be Fit,

Todd
http://www.toddcambio.com/
Precision Fitness

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Eat This Not That

Changing what you drink just may be the magic weight loss bullet you've been looking for.

David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding sure think so. But then they did write the book on it: Drink This Not That. They've even gone so far as to claim that you could lose up to 32 pounds in a year just by changing what you drink.

What most people don't know is that it's a lot easier to drink extra calories than to eat it. So you really need to pay attention to what you're sipping on.

Here is a sampling of what their book has to offer. The following are 5 of the worst things to drink, followed by 5 slimming alternatives, and then MY PICKS.

Breakfast
While a cup of hot coffee or a glass of lowfat milk are both great ways to start your day, beware of the smoothie trap. More often than not smoothies are closer to milkshakes than protein shakes.

Worst beverage: Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus Grape (40oz)
•1,498 calories / 44g fat / 214g sugar

Drink This Instead: Smoothie King High Protein Banana (20oz)
•322 calories / 9g fat / 23g sugar

MY PICK: Herbalife Chocolate Banana Shake with 10 extra grams of protein
•250 calories / 1g fat / 28 protein / 23g sugar


Lunch
A study done at Virginia Polytechnic Institute showed that people who drink 17oz of water before sitting down for a meal ended up eating 9 percent fewer calories. Those calories can really add up over time.

Worst beverage:

SoBe Green Tea (20oz)
•240 calories / 0g fat / 61g sugar

Drink This Instead: Honest Tea Organic Honey Green Tea (16oz)
•74 calories / 0g fat / 18g sugar

MY PICK: Herbalife Herbal Green Tea Concentraten(16 oz)
•10 calories / 0g fat / <3g>


Afternoon
When the afternoon rolls around most of us are ready for a pick-me-up. Too often these caffeinated drinks are loaded with waist-expanding calories.

Worst beverage: Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with whipped cream
•660 calories / 22g fat / 95g sugar

Drink This Instead: Starbucks Venti Caramel Cappuccino
•170 calories / 6g fat / 18g sugar

MY PICK: Liftoff Ignite Me Orage Energy Drink
•10 calories / 0g fat / B-Complex, ginko biloba, ginseng, Vit C






Postworkout
There's no good reason to follow up a great workout with a sugar-filled beverage, even if it makes claims for quick recovery and muscle growth. After exercise your body is in need of protein, carbohydrates and potassium, so choose a beverage filled with these three.

Worst beverage: Naked Protein Juice Smoothie (15.2oz)
•418 calories / 4g fat / 53g sugar

Drink This Instead: Horizon Organic Chocolate Reduced Fat Milk (8oz)
•180 calories / 5g fat / 27g sugar (only 8g protein)

MY PICK: Herbalife Chocolate Shake
•180 calories / 1g fat / 18g protein / 23g sugar





Alcoholic beverages
There are known benefits to drinking alcohol in moderation (one or two drinks per day) such as raised HDL (good) cholesterol, boost in bloodflow, and improved sugar metabolism. A recent study in the journal BMC Public Health reported that people who have a daily drink were 54 percent less likely to be obese. However, it's called a beer belly for good reason, since many alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories.

Worst beverage: Red Lobster Traditional Lobsterita
•890 calories / 183g carbohydrates

Drink This Instead: Red Lobster Classic Martini with Gin
•140 calories / 0g carbohydrates





MY PICK: Sam Adams Summer Ale
•150 calories / 10g carbs / 0g fat





Recent studies are reporting that most of us drink 21 percent of our daily calories. That adds up to an average of 460 calories each day. It's easy to see how these calories quickly add up into unwanted pounds. Pay extra attention to what you drink throughout each day. Make it a habit to pass on the calorie-packed drinks and to focus on drinking lots of water.

Remember that small changes to your lifestyle over time will make the difference.

I'm always available to help - call or reply to this email to set up your free consultation. Also for MY PICKS product info, just give me a call at 401-489-0551

Be Fit,

Todd
http://www.toddcambio.com/
Precision Fitness

Saturday, July 3, 2010

JULY Youth Speed, Agility and Quickness Camp!




Starts July 6th!


This program will help improve and develop:

- lightning-quick foot speed
- blinding quickness and agility
- increased strength
- never ending endurance
- more powerful legs
- a reduced risk of injury

Ages: Boys & Girls Entering Grades 5-8 (limited to 20 kids)
Day/Date: Tuesday & Thursday, July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Time: 9:15-10:30 am

Location: SHS Field Hockey Field

Fee: $65.00

Instructor: Todd Cambio, CSCS, Precision Fitness

Register at:

Stonington Human Services
Attn: Joe Mendonca
jmendonca@stonington-ct.gov
(860) 535-5066 Office
(860) 599-8290 Fax

Be Fit,


Todd


Friday, July 2, 2010

July Schedule




Jump for joy the July schedule is ready to go starting July 6th!
JULY Class Schedule:

5:15 am M-F Interval Strength Training (IST)
8 am M-F Fat Burning Boot Camp (BC)
9:15 Sports Performance T & Th (speed, agility, plyos, strength training and more!) @ Stonington High School
10 am High School Athletes Strength & Conditioning M, W & F

EVENINGS:

6 pm M & W Kettlebells
8 pm M-Th Boot Camp

We are a by appointment only private membership facility so we can get to know you and your specific needs. Nutrition consults and personal training also available. 401-489-0551



Be Fit,

Todd
http://www.toddcambio.com/
Precision Fitness

Equalizers

Lebert Equalizer