In This Issue:
– Robertson Training Systems Updates
– Training Tip
– Nutrition Tip
– Exclusive Interview: Michael Boyle
– Upcoming Interviews
– New Articles
– Schedule
Robertson Training Systems Updates:
NFL Combine Seminar
Looks like there was a small glitch in last week’s newsletter; here’s the flier for the NFL Combine Seminar here in Indianapolis.
Bulletproof Knees seminar filling up fast!
The Bulletproof Knees seminar is going to smaller and more intimate than most of my seminars. With that being said, we’re only allowing 20-30 people to sign up, and the initial response has been quite good.
If you’re interested in signing up, please contact Steve Dube ASAP so that you don’t miss out!
April 5th and 6th, 2008 – Bulletproof Knees Two-Day Intensive (Montreal, Quebec)
Contact: Steve Dube ([email protected])
New Article Up!
I had a new article go up last week at T-Nation. Just in case you missed it, here’s the link:
10 Reasons You’re Still Jacked Up
Training Tip:
Attend a seminar this year!
Whether your goal is to get stronger, leaner, or even to become a better coach or therapist, continuing education is one of the simplest things you can do to fast track your progress.
While reviewing my financial statements from 2007, I realized I spent A TON of money on continuing education. And you know what? Every penny was worth it. Attending seminars allows you to not only learn from the best, but to interact with other people who are in the same situation as yourself. So not only do you learn from the presenters, but the other attendees as well. While I enjoy speaking, I probably enjoy attending seminars even more.
Whatever your goals are for this year, make a commitment to attend a seminar at least one seminar related to your goals. You won’t be disappointed!
Nutrition Tip:
Thumbs up, Thumbs Down: Beef Jerky
by Mike Roussell
Getting good protein when you are on the move can be very tough, carbs are easy as they are everywhere but the nonexistent shelf life of a cooked chicken breast or steak can make quick on the go protein hard to find.
On of the solutions is beef jerky. When in a pinch beef jerky can provide a nice infusion of amino acids to your system. However there are a couple problems with beef jerky. the first is salt. One bag of beef jerky can contain up to 1.5 grams of salt! The second is preservatives – ugh. Some beef jerky products are so loaded with preservatives you wonder if it was ever real beef.
Here’s the thumbs up/thumbs down for beef jerky
Thumbs Down – Oberto: I wasn’t convinced this was actually real meat. The texture is funny and I think they may have added some sort of coloring to the meat. the taste was too “chemically”. Definitely not my first choice.
Thumbs Up – Damn Good Beef Jerky: This is definitely my first choice for beef jerky (unless I can get homemade stuff). The meat texture and taste is great. You feel like you are eating real meat. The sodium content varies between flavor (teriyaki is the highest if I remember correctly). I have found it is available at most convenience stores (in the Northeast at least).
If you like this tip and want to learn more about Mike and his products, check out his Naked Nutrition website.
Exclusive Interview: Michael Boyle
MR: Michael, thanks for being with us here today – I’m very excited for the interview! For those who readers who may not know who you are, please introduce yourself.
MB: My name is Michael Boyle and I’m a Boston based strength and conditioning coach. I own Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Ma and also am a partner in the new website strengthcoach.com
MR: What originally got you into the field?
MB: My father was a high school teacher and coach and I guess this is always what I wanted to do. I originally set out 26 years ago to be an athletic trainer and got my ATC in 1981.
MR: Where are you working at currently? And with what level of athletes?
MB: I currently work with the hockey program at Boston University and am also training a group of about 10 NFL hopefuls. In addition I speak regularly on the Perform Better Seminar Tour.
MR: All of us have made mistakes in some or fashion within the industry. One of my biggest was my all-out pursuit “core strength” – and performed every exercise in the book to develop it! Heavy side bends, dumbbell crunches, etc. Between learning from yourself, Stuart McGill, Shirley Sahrmann and a host of others, I’ve luckily changed my tune a bit!
What was one of the mistakes you made early in your career?
MB: The number one mistake I made was trying to do everything myself. I actually chronicled quite a few mistakes in a T-Nation article called 25 Mistakes in Twenty-Five Years. Here’s an example from the article:
Mistake #1: Knowing it all
I love Oscar Wilde’s quote, “I’m much too old to know everything.” Omniscience is reserved for the young. As the old saying goes, you have one mouth and two ears for a reason. I’d take it a step further and say the ratio is four to one: two eyes, two ears, and one mouth.
To continue down the cliché road, how about this one: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” When I was young I had many answers and few questions. I knew the best way to do everything. Now that I’m older I’m not sure if I even know a good way to do anything.
MR: I was recently reading Alwyn Cosgrove’s blog, and he mentioned your latest presentation for the Perform Better seminars was on the things you’ve changed in your programming in the past year. Would you mind sharing a few of those with us?
MB: The number one thing we have changed is our core programming. The focus now is on anti-rotation exercises like the Landmine and on anti-extension exercises like Ab Wheel Rollouts. In addition we are doing lots of plank variations. We have almost eliminated flexion and rotation. In fact we do no rotary stretching at all. No Scorpions, no Trunk Twists etc. If you want to read more about you can take a look at an article on strengthcoach.com called Is Rotation Even a Good Idea.
MR: You’ve recently released your new DVD, “Joint by Joint Warm-up and Training.” Who is this DVD catered to? What does it cover?
MB: The DVD is for anyone who trains themselves or, trains anyone else. It covers our entire warm-up procedure with an emphasis on the Joint by Joint Approach. That article is also on T-nation. The DVD is available at www.performbetter.com.
MR: Michael, this next question if from one of our readers:
“Mike, in your article, The Essential 8 Mobility Drills at T-nation in #1 Thoracic Spine Mobility you say to start at the thoraco-lumbar junction. Is there a good way to identify the junction while laying on your back? I’ve been doing them and it is a great idea and it seems to be helping since I can now do wall slides without feeling discomfort in the thoracic area. However, I don’t think I have been starting as low as I could, but I want to make sure I go as low as I safely can and no lower.”
MB: I think just above the bellybutton for males might be a good landmark. Maybe slightly higher for females as they have a slightly lower umbilical level than males.. The key is to keep the tennis balls out of the lumbar curve.
MR: You’ve been around long enough to see plenty of trends come and go, both in the fitness and strength and conditioning fields. Do you see any new trends on the horizon? Or possibly things people should be wary of?
MB: I think Keiser Power Equipment and Whole Body Vibration are two trends that have lots of merit. I love the ability to train at speeds that Keiser provides.
Be wary of some of the new interpretations of the term “functional training”. I think some of the purveyors of functional training are leading us down the wrong path. There is big push toward lots of multi-planar exercises that don’t really have technique guidelines. I’m a big believer in functional training but, I think many of the gurus have gone too far. I think we need to apply functional to training, not simply use made up exercises.
MR: This next question is also from one of our readers:
“I am confused about Time Under Tension and always moving (or trying to) the bar fast (acceleration). Pavel talks about TUT and uses the example of a gymnast moving slow and developing great strength. Mike Robertson says accelerate the bar for best power gains. I am learning to be a power lifter; so what should I do? Should I use both as a variation, or just acceleration?”
MB: My feeling is that if you want to increase time under tension increase the length of the eccentric contraction. I think the concentric contraction should always be as fast as the load allows.
MR: Thanks a ton for being here with us today Michael. Where can my readers find out more about you?
MB: My business website is www.bodybyboyle.com. As I mentioned previously my new website is www.strengthcoach.com and you can find all my products at www.performbetter.com