The Next Level...with Coach C

Cincinnati St. X Bomber Football: In Season Strength Training

St. X Bomber defensive End Greg Scruggs
 

Click Here to download:Download st_x_vs_elder_bomber_training.wmv

Here in Cincinnati, Ohio one of the big stories in town has been that of the St. Xavier Bombers. Presently ranked #1 in Ohio big school Division 1 Football and #2 in THE USATODAY Prep Football Poll. I was in attendance on Friday night as the Bombers, with their stifling defense, held their league rival Cincinnati Bishop Elder High School Panthers scoreless. I stopped into the weightroom on Saturday morning to watch the squad train and catch a few words with Strength and Speed Coach Carlo Alvarez. Click on the download above....or the "Youtube" below.

Or check out the YouTube Version:

Cincinnati St. X Bomber Strength & Speed

Today's blog is a video (vlog) that features the Cincinnati St. X Bomber Strength & Speed program that is conducted by Coach Carlo Alvarez. St Xavier has just come off a big win over DeMatha High School (Maryland). DeMatha was ranked #5 in the USATODAY High School football poll at the time. The game was played at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

Saturday, the Bombers play host to the "Tarblooders" from Cleveland Glenville High School..... yes, Coach Ted Ginn and an amazing alumni that includes last year's Heismann Trophy winner, Troy Smith. The coach's son, Ted Ginn Jr. also starred there, too. College rosters are sprinkled with many players from Glenville. The Ohio State Buckeyes have four current players from Glenville! Of course, a former St. X Bomber quarterback is currently the  number two  for the Buckeyes on their two-deep roster!

Click_here_for_a_St_X_Bomber_Training_Video

All Rights Reserved    Video Copyright 2007: www.NextLevelFitness.Typepad.com  Video Produced by Ed Cicale

Podcast & Training Talk with a few Cincinnati St. Xavier Football Players

Download st_x_football_podcast.mp3

Recently, I made a trip up North Bend Road in Cincinnati to St. Xavier High School, home to arguably, the top high school football program in the nation. As you approach the training center, their's no question that this is a special place. The stadium there, which holds more than 8,000 fans, is quite imposing with it's "Blue Monster" wall and Field Turf. The stands seem to shoot straight up to the....blue sky.... and without the usual track that surounds high school stadiums, the crowd is right on top of the action.  

But just down the path, is the Bomber weightroom. When I was there, it was a little after 8 o'clock in the morning. Yet, their wasn't anyone standing around....it was strictly business as the pre-season, top ranked St. X Bombers prepared for the coming '07 football season. Following this structured and very organized training session, I caught up with a few of their star skill position players.... tailback Darius Ashley, quarterback John Hurley , fullback Luca Romeo and the speedy wide-out Stephan Ball. These well spoken athletes were quite gracious and showed no signs of brash cockiness. Of course, it's almost expected behavior, for this is also one of the top college preparatory academic institutions found anywhere....a place where nearly 100% of all graduates move on to college pursuits. Graduates usually assume occupations as doctors, lawyers, CEO's, teachers, and a few move on to collegiate athletics...some finding their way to professional sports, too, like Rocky Boiman of the World Champion Indianapolis Colts.  The other sports at St. Xavier are not struggling either, the basketball squad lost a bid at another Ohio State Boys Basketball Championship in the final seconds last year. The swimming team produces Gold medalist Olympic caliber swimmers....in fact, they, too are top ranked in the USA.

Following the Saturday morning training session, here's what the players had to say (click for podcast at top) on the subjects of: the pressure of sports, training for football, and nutrition for athletes. Special thanks to these athletes and to Coach Carlo Alvarez.

All Rights Reserved  Copyright 2007 www.nextlevelfitness.typepad.com blogpost and podcast by Ed Cicale 

 

In Home Personal Training in Cincinnati

If you are located in the Greater Cincinnati area and you're interested in IN-HOME PERSONAL TRAINING, just send an email to Ed Cicale at CoachCFitness@Gmail.com and we'll set up a consultation. If you need advice on equipment to outfit your home gym, we can discuss that, too. During the consultation we will discuss:

• Your past fitness and training program
• Discuss what has and has not worked for you in the past
• We will establish your fitness goals
• We will map out the strategy to reach those goals
• We will set training times that best suit your needs and allows us to accomplish your goals
• We will discuss The Next Level Fitness fees that would apply

Let's Get To The Next level

Recovery from Exercise....and Overtraining

Following a strenuous training session, the muscles could become very sore. In fact, I've put some extremely well conditioned athletes through a challenging workout and seen where they had difficulty walking without pain for several days. If an athlete...or non athlete... were to try to get another workout, for the sake of "getting three workouts per week",despite the lingering soreness, the muscles would more than likely decrease in strength. Recovery is an important slice of the pie! I've seen where athletes actually become chronically sick or prone to injury when overdoing their training. Too much of a good thing is.... well...not a good thing.

Too little recovery time does not allow the muscle tissue ample time to rebuild itself to a higher level of strength. Continuing along this path will lead to overtraining and the problems and health concerns associated with it and may possibly lead to compromising the immune system.

So keep in mind that Rest & Recovery are very important factors in trying to get to The Next Level.

You Can't Rush Results

In this digital age, many of us demand instant gratification. We all seem rushed to get all of our stuff done. And, there's drive thru restaurants, banks, car washes, pharmacies, library book and video rental drop-offs. we're all too busy to actually walk in to a place and actually move around. Yet, that's what our bodies were designed to do. Move. When I was a kid, we actually had to get up to change the channel of the television. My kids can't believe that one! So...no wonder there is such a clamor to get in shape. People just aren't doing what they used to. Grade school Physical Education requirements are being reduced. Too many things  are automated. It's truly a different world.