http://www.spartanfitness.net/index.html

Check out one of our ICON trainers, Tommy Elliot, who also is one of Spartan’s Master MMA Trainers.

I’ve been in the powerlifting game since ‘86 and it still amazes me that all the ol’ wives tales and the old superstitions that still linger. I had some of my former athletes come back after their schedules had calmed down enough to make the workouts. They are telling me stories of coaches that still teach horrible form on squats and my athletes are furious. They have through their own experiences with me and my programs know that box squats are superior to any other form of squats. Superior to the old feet-shoulder-width, drive-your-knees-over-your-toes, butt-to-ankles, ride-bar-high-on-your-neck, grip-bar-close-to-your-ears, and squat-straight-down-regardless-of-hip-or-knee-path, eventually give-you-tendonitis-for-life-squats. No wonder squats got such a poor reputation for being so bad for your knees. Those types of squats are dangerous, counter-productive and not conducive for athletics. A squat that doesn’t engage the hips as well as the quads is asking for trouble and is severly diminishing your squat potential. I still run into coaches and wanna-be coaches who still think a BIG bench press makes for a great football player. Squats are still the KING and always will. There are a myriad of reasons to back up that statement but I will save that for another article. Doing static-overcome-by-dynamic work will build a great amount of explosive and absolute strength. Going from relaxed to dynamic work will also build tremendous explosive and absolute strength. Both types of work occur when box squatting. Some muscles are held statically, while others are actually relaxed. Because one sits on a box and then flexes to overcome the resistance, box squats will quickly improve your pulling strength for deadlifts or Olympic pulls. Many trainers have found that a great deal of flexibility can be developed while box squatting: by going lower than normally possible, and by using a wider stance. The point was that the box squat is superior for engaging the hips, safer on the knees, creating a solid symmetry between thighs, hips and core, developing a more injury-resistant player, easier to maintain posture during the performance of the squat, disengaging the stretch reflex to create more starting strength, and finally increasing hip mobility. What more can you ask other than… why am I not box squatting in my program?

In these days of inexhaustable searches for new avenues of fat loss, it was refreshing to have three of my eleven year olds that are training with for football to get BIGGER, faster and stronger come to me for their bi-weekly weigh-ins with smiles of anticipation. They are hoping that all the face-stuffing they had endured over the weekend had paid off in another pound or two in weight gain. Now, I know that weighing in twice a week is probably not a good measure of progress. But I use it for accountability. They know that I will know when they step onto that scale whether or not they have been sticking to their eating regimen. Initially when I have my consult with the athlete and their parents, I give them my speech on muscular weight gain. I explain that they will have to start eating “outside of their comfort zone’ and that “three squares” will NOT get the job done. If it did, they wouldn’t be in to see me. Three squares are just the start. Then we add pre-workout meals, post-workout meals and right before bedtime meals. Now I have 6 meals a day. Sometimes that doesn’t work, it’s still not enough calories. Then I take away all their Gatorade, fruit juices, water, sodas, Capri Suns, and yes, even water… and replace it with MILK, MILK, and MILK! If they don’t like white milk, then lowfat chocolate milk, but milk non-the- less. Milk is a liquid food and the adage states; “You can always drink calories you can’t eat!” That way, each meal is more calorie dense with a good high quality timed-release protein combined with a medium chain carb. If you aren’t lactose intolerant, then load up. It has always worked for me in the past and flawlessly for all my underweight athletes and non-athletes alike. Give it a try.

http://www.cbs42.com/features/hot/24447789.html

Look for us on Friday, July 11, 2008 on Wake Up Alabama for our fitness segment with Channel 42 producer Latoya Gladney. We will be posting Latoya’s progress on weekly installations on the morning show with my client, former Miss Alabama and second runner up to Miss America, Alexa Jones. We will be posting her workouts and her dietary prescription on the the programs website and also mirrored on this website. Stay tuned and get up early to watch!!

At Icon Performance, molding your body sometimes comes with its bumps and bruises. We understand that and work to show you how to train safely and protect your body from injury.

But, sometimes accidents happen.

Below is the list of physical therapy programs we offer here at Icon Performance. Depending on the severity of your injury, our certified therapist will help you determine the best plan for your recovery.

Clinical Occupational Therapy
Orthopeadic Therapy
Neurological Therapy
Pediatric Therapy
Geriatric Therapy
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Therapy
Functional Rehabilitation
‘Pre’-Habilitation

Call (205) 970.2348 Today to make your appointment and undergo the fastest return to your lifestyle you have ever experienced!

Ever look down at your training log (& I’m assuming you have one) and you can’t stand the thought of another workout using the same old workout that you acquired 6 months ago from a buddy of yours?

We Specialize in Individual Program Design

At ICON Performance, your particular routine will be designed to a point that your body will never be able to adapt to it –that’s IMPORTANT!

It will evolve as you evolve.

We bring you in for a thorough consultation and assessment. NO details about your history or goals is too small. With a multitude of variables available to us, we will design a workout routine and diet that accommodates any goal you have. Whether that goal is to loss 40lbs of fat, gain muscle, lower your 40 yard dash times, or just be able to carry your own groceries inside the house by yourself, ICON Performance can help get you there.

The 4 Main Categories of Our Programs that We Address Are:

Strength Training

Nutrition

If your ready for a program to help you reach your goals,

Call 205-970-BFIT (2348) NOW!

The NFL has implemented the NFL Pro Combine in Indianapolis–the Invitation-Only College Pro-Day, All-Star Games, as well as private workouts with Pro Scouts as a final recruiting tool for team selection.

This is an opportunity for the athlete to prove to team owners, general managers, player personnel, scouts, agents and coaches how physically and mentally prepared he is to play in the NFL.

Icon Performance understands that moving up or down early in the draft can gain or cost an athlete millions of dollars. With that at stake, athletes realize the importance of preparing for the NFL Combine. It is the biggest test of their lives and a one time, 3-day interview for a job in the NFL.

Our NFL Combine and Draft Preparation Program is designed specifically for the potential draft pick to enhance his performance during the mental and physical tests of the NFL Combine, All-Star Game and NFL Workouts.

This intensive training program replicates exactly all the tests and position specific drills each athlete will face during the combine and individual team workouts, while maximizing the athlete’s playing potential to perform at a superior level during All-Star Games. The goal for each athlete is to master all the tests of the combine and make a lasting impression with NFL Team affiliates.

Call 205-970-BFIT (2348) NOW!