I’m feeling happy!
This morning while logging onto my computer, I noticed an article on my Yahoo home page that told the story of Prince Fielder going vegetarian. Here is the link Prince Fielder – Vegetarian.
This is the second time in two weeks that professional athletes have made the news due to their vegetarian or vegan lifestyles and I really appreciate the attention. I know for a fact that a vegan diet can sustain a strong, athletic and muscular man because I live it but the average person scoffs at this notion. In fact people are already poking fun at Prince Fielder for his decision.
What a shame.
Oh, what I would give for some more open minds out there among the masses. In case you are one of the one’s who thinks it’s impossible for the body to function well without meat, here is a partial list of vegetarian athletes:
Ruth Heidrich, Three-Time Ironman, Debbie Lawrence, 5k Record Holder, Jim Kaat, Baseball Player, Tony Larussa, Baseball Manager, Hank Aaron, Baseball PlayerBill Pearl, Bodybuilder, Marv Levey, Buffalo Bills Coach, Robert Parnish, Center (Bulls)Joe Namath, Football Player, Lawrence Phillips, Football Player (49ers), Brendan Brazier, Ironman Triathlete, Sally Eastall, Marathon Runner, Andreas Cahling, Mr. International Bodybuilder, Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star, Edwin Moses, Olympic Champion, Leroy Burrell, Olympic Champion, Murray Rose, Olympic SwimmerPat Reeves, Power Lifter, Bill Manetti, Powerlifting Champion, Ed Templeton, Pro Skateboarder, Mike Manzoori, Pro Skateboarder, Brian Anderson, Pro SkateboarderJamie Thomas, Pro Skateboarder, Laban Pheidas, Proskater, Steve Berra, ProskaterAnastasia Ashley, Surfer, Martina Navratilova, Tennis Player, Bille Jean King, Tennis Champion, Peter Burwash, Tennis Champion, John Salley, Toronto Raptors, Lucy Stephens, Tri-athlete, Stan Price, World Record Bench Press, Killer Kowalski, Wrestler
Don't forget UFC fighter Mac Danzig. Tell him he can't be a vegan and perform at his best.
Trust me when I tell you that the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is one that is very rewarding in terms of health and physical performance. Your body wants this type of clean fuel and will respond very happily when it is received.
People switch to a vegetarian lifestyle for many different reasons. My switch came suddenly when I learned about the horrific treatment that these animals endure. Ironically, this is the same reason that Prince Fielder gives. I can assure you if you would have told me that I would be a vegan one day I would have laughed. You don’t always search these things out; sometimes they just happen, so if nothing else, always keep an open mind. You never know when it might be your turn.
In an effort to help people understand, I have written a few articles about what a vegetarian lifestyle REALLY is.
Go Vegetarian - It's not as hard as you think
Being Vegan - Getting by in a non-vegan world
Becoming Vegetarian - Making a Case for the Vegetarian Lifestyle
Think about it….what is WRONG with choosing to do your part in not aiding in the horrific treatment of animals at the same time eating wholesome and nutrient rich foods to improve our overall health?
For more simplistic and detailed information please check out http://www.whyilikeveggies.com/
In good health,
Barry
'Your body is a temple - Please be sure to treat it like one'
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Oh the Core..
Every athlete wants to get the most out of his or her training and reach their full athletic potential. One of the most important factors in maximizing athletic performance is core strength. An athlete with a strong core is a strong athlete; it's that simple.
Let me explain to you just what the core is and why core strength is so very important for any athlete. The core is comprised of nearly 30 different muscles that basically wrap around your body in the area between your hips and ribcage. There are a couple ways to think about this in easy terms. First of all think of your body in two halves, the lower half and the upper half. The core area is between the two and can be thought of as a 'bridge' that connects them. In order for the upper and lower body to work together requires that connection. Another visual is to think of the rebar in a foundation. Imagine that your core area is just like the foundation of a house. When not trained, it is a foundation without its rebar and one likely to weaken and cause problems, while a conditioned core is a strong and sturdy foundation with rebar.
Basically, the core is fundamental to all body movement. Whether you realize it or not, you hardly make a movement without engaging your core whether it be walking up the stairs or bending down to pick something up. Your core is involved, providing you with balance and stability. The strength, or weakness, or your core will dictate how easy or difficult these movements are.
So, what does this have to do with your athletic performance? Absolutely everything. When you are moving through your sport of choice you are using your body in its most functional state, in other words, as a whole. You are using your lower body and your upper body together; you're jumping, throwing, twisting, hitting, running, the list goes on and on. Your core is the basis for all of this movement and once again the strength or weakness of that core will dictate the ease in which you move on the field or court. Athletes are also very often in unstable environments, like landing on one foot or throwing or hitting from an awkward position. I cannot honestly think of a sport where this stability and balance does not come into play. Your balance comes from your core; strong core equals good balance.
Here are some examples: Think of the volleyball player jumping and spiking. The spike is literally being performed in mid air; can a situation be less stable? The power for that spike must come from the core!
Think of the shortstop that runs to catch a grounder and then must jump, twist and throw all at the same time, again, ALL core!
Think of the tennis player who runs across the court and then smashes a return to the opposite side, ALL core!
I could go on and on with every single sport and just about every position but hopefully you get the idea. If you do not train for core strength and balance you will never realize your full potential. More and more athletes are training this way and if you ignore this vital aspect of athletic training you will be out-played.
Fortunately, core training is not difficult or time consuming and it does not require expensive equipment. It has been my experience that athletes are downright thrilled to be doing something other than 'lifting' anyway. Core training is innovative, challenging and creative; heck, it's fun! Of course when the athletes and coaches see the results, which come quickly with this type of training, the excitement really builds.
If I sound passionate about Core Training, I am. I see the results first hand every day. Hundreds of athletes that I have trained enjoy incredible results and it is very exciting. If your routine does not involve core training, well, that needs to change. Improve your core and improve your game, guaranteed.
Read what 15-year old Meghan a Training For Volleyball customer and volleyball athlete accomplished with her purchase of Training For Volleyball:
"Dear Barry,
I am 15 and have been on a team for 2 years. The coach never played me because i couldn't react quickly or jump very high. This past summer I attended the Penn volleyball camps. That is where I saw you speak and do the drills. I bought your DVD just thinking I'd give it a shot. But it really works! Jumping 5 inches higher and reacting much quicker I tried out and made the JV volleyball team. Now I am a starter in every game.
Thank you Barry.
Meghan"
Let me explain to you just what the core is and why core strength is so very important for any athlete. The core is comprised of nearly 30 different muscles that basically wrap around your body in the area between your hips and ribcage. There are a couple ways to think about this in easy terms. First of all think of your body in two halves, the lower half and the upper half. The core area is between the two and can be thought of as a 'bridge' that connects them. In order for the upper and lower body to work together requires that connection. Another visual is to think of the rebar in a foundation. Imagine that your core area is just like the foundation of a house. When not trained, it is a foundation without its rebar and one likely to weaken and cause problems, while a conditioned core is a strong and sturdy foundation with rebar.
Basically, the core is fundamental to all body movement. Whether you realize it or not, you hardly make a movement without engaging your core whether it be walking up the stairs or bending down to pick something up. Your core is involved, providing you with balance and stability. The strength, or weakness, or your core will dictate how easy or difficult these movements are.
So, what does this have to do with your athletic performance? Absolutely everything. When you are moving through your sport of choice you are using your body in its most functional state, in other words, as a whole. You are using your lower body and your upper body together; you're jumping, throwing, twisting, hitting, running, the list goes on and on. Your core is the basis for all of this movement and once again the strength or weakness of that core will dictate the ease in which you move on the field or court. Athletes are also very often in unstable environments, like landing on one foot or throwing or hitting from an awkward position. I cannot honestly think of a sport where this stability and balance does not come into play. Your balance comes from your core; strong core equals good balance.
Here are some examples: Think of the volleyball player jumping and spiking. The spike is literally being performed in mid air; can a situation be less stable? The power for that spike must come from the core!
Think of the shortstop that runs to catch a grounder and then must jump, twist and throw all at the same time, again, ALL core!
Think of the tennis player who runs across the court and then smashes a return to the opposite side, ALL core!
I could go on and on with every single sport and just about every position but hopefully you get the idea. If you do not train for core strength and balance you will never realize your full potential. More and more athletes are training this way and if you ignore this vital aspect of athletic training you will be out-played.
Fortunately, core training is not difficult or time consuming and it does not require expensive equipment. It has been my experience that athletes are downright thrilled to be doing something other than 'lifting' anyway. Core training is innovative, challenging and creative; heck, it's fun! Of course when the athletes and coaches see the results, which come quickly with this type of training, the excitement really builds.
If I sound passionate about Core Training, I am. I see the results first hand every day. Hundreds of athletes that I have trained enjoy incredible results and it is very exciting. If your routine does not involve core training, well, that needs to change. Improve your core and improve your game, guaranteed.
Read what 15-year old Meghan a Training For Volleyball customer and volleyball athlete accomplished with her purchase of Training For Volleyball:
"Dear Barry,
I am 15 and have been on a team for 2 years. The coach never played me because i couldn't react quickly or jump very high. This past summer I attended the Penn volleyball camps. That is where I saw you speak and do the drills. I bought your DVD just thinking I'd give it a shot. But it really works! Jumping 5 inches higher and reacting much quicker I tried out and made the JV volleyball team. Now I am a starter in every game.
Thank you Barry.
Meghan"
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
How does it work?
After receiving so many emails about how my training works and how it can work so fast, I will provide a little glimpse into my training style used for all athletes, as well the exercises in Training For Volleyball.
First, and foremost I always look at the position an athlete plays in their respected sport. Their movement patterns, their reaction, their strengths and weaknesses.
Then, after listening to them and determinig their needs I design a functional and sport/position specific workout. FYI - This is NOT text book! ALL of my training is what we may call 'off the wall', but it is very effective.
Using many variations of resistance, including JC Bands, Super Bands, medicine balls, tons of balance challenging exercises as well as plyometrics is exactly how I am able to take a girl who one night was crying her eye balls out because she could not get a serve over the net to getting 8 serves over in a row after JUST ONE SESSION!
That same girl had a tournament this past weekend and she had FIVE, yes, FIVE aces in a row. This is after just 4 sessions with me and working out with Training For Volleyball.
Now, I also incporporate science with movement patterns, but I cannot tell you everything ;)
It works...it's effective and most of all it is FUN!
Please check out Spike It Baby and also the camps/clinics page. May be coming to a town near you this summer! :)
Have a great day!
In Good Health,
Barry
First, and foremost I always look at the position an athlete plays in their respected sport. Their movement patterns, their reaction, their strengths and weaknesses.
Then, after listening to them and determinig their needs I design a functional and sport/position specific workout. FYI - This is NOT text book! ALL of my training is what we may call 'off the wall', but it is very effective.
Using many variations of resistance, including JC Bands, Super Bands, medicine balls, tons of balance challenging exercises as well as plyometrics is exactly how I am able to take a girl who one night was crying her eye balls out because she could not get a serve over the net to getting 8 serves over in a row after JUST ONE SESSION!
That same girl had a tournament this past weekend and she had FIVE, yes, FIVE aces in a row. This is after just 4 sessions with me and working out with Training For Volleyball.
Now, I also incporporate science with movement patterns, but I cannot tell you everything ;)
It works...it's effective and most of all it is FUN!
Please check out Spike It Baby and also the camps/clinics page. May be coming to a town near you this summer! :)
Have a great day!
In Good Health,
Barry
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