published by Mike Baltren on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 21:26
This week’s post is somewhat of an expansion of last week and it relates to some other topics I’ve touched on in the past. I was inspired to write after watching coach Dave Whitley’s (pictured above) DVD entitled “Lessons of the Old-Time Strongmen”. Now I’m not a strongman or performer of feats of strength, (Think black and white photo of a man lifting several women over his head at the same time) nor do I train anyone that aspires to be that. So how is what Dave is talking about applicable? Let me tell you.
published by Mike Baltren on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 21:47
So if P90X gets me the results I want in 90 days and Insanity does it in just 60, why would I waste my time with those other 30 days? It seems pretty logical. I have no doubt that people get results from these workouts. I mean, the people getting those results are all over the paid advertisements. Something brand new will always yield results in the short term, especially if you weren’t doing anything before. More importantly though, I think we should ask, what comes next? You’ve allegedly now got the body you've always wanted. What happens on day 61 or 72? Is it just the same old?
published by Mike Baltren on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 00:00
This week we would like to introduce you to Mike Grande (2nd from left). Mike has been working hard at least two days a week at Ambition Athletics since the first part of the year. He has made incredible improvements during that time. As he will tell you, when Mike first came in the door he already had a great work ethic but his expectations were low based on his chronic shoulder and low back pain. He was unable to raise one arm even close to vertical and not long before had been picked up by an ambulance, unable to move as he lay in his driveway with excruciating back pain.
published by Mike Baltren on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 00:00
On Sunday I watched mass quantities of football courtesy of NFL RedZone while also eating mass quantities of food. RedZone might be one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Without it this post would not be possible. Dear NFL ReadZone, I love you. Love, Mike. While watching the end of the 49ers and Seahawks game I saw Ted Ginn Jr. return both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown at which point I heard the commentator say, “You can’t teach speed” (3:26 in video). Although that phrase has become cliché I thought about it for a minute, and I would have to disagree.
published by Mike Baltren on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 00:00
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Toe Pull drill. Here is a video of how to perform them. We usually prefer to use something soft under the foot such a half foam roll or our favorite the sandbell. However, a soft carpet does work rather well.
published by Mike Baltren on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 00:00
This past weekend I spent 3 days in Long Beach learning about strength, fitness, business and coaching from some of the best. I had a great time. To put it simply, I can’t get enough of this stuff. In this post I will attempt to give just a few key points or ideas that I picked up from some of the presentations that I saw. A true summary would take me days but hopefully these are some of the gems.
published by Mike Baltren on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 00:00
Toe Pulls. What are they? Who knows, but they sure seem to be helpful. Seriously though, toe pulls, one of the Z-Health high payoff dynamic mobility drills, have recently been added to the Ambition Athletics group training general warm up but also to several of those for personal training clients. This drill seems to help many people in many different ways. From improving shoulder mobility (believe it) to better hip movement and toe touches. For some more insight into what Z-Health actually is and why these things work click here.
published by Mike Baltren on Tue, 07/19/2011 - 00:00
Unfortunately I don’t have any quality training information to share this week as we have been quite busy with the gym renovation. It’s not all said and done yet but here are some before and after shots. I plan to be back next week with something more to share.
published by Mike Baltren on Sun, 07/03/2011 - 00:00
In the beginning, it was a small weight set in the basement just like so many other young men. I can distinctly remember watching a 3 OT college hockey game between Michigan and Maine in the Frozen Four while likely doing some bicep curls. The record books show that game was played in 1995, making me an 8th grader and newly 14 years old.
