Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 5/10/2011
Rubber Hitting the Road: When “Talking” About Opening Your Own Facility Is Not Enough – John Izzo
This was a fantastic article by John Izzo which hits the nail on the head on so many fronts, I don’t even know where to begin. Not a week goes by where either Eric or myself don’t recieve an email (or phone call) from someone asking business advice.
Full Disclosure: while Eric is a machine and a brilliant coach and business partner; and while he’s the Cressey behind Cressey Performance; and it’s his name/brand that people undoubtedly recognize; it’s our business guy, Pete Dupuis, who’s the mastermind behind much of our success as a business. He’s the one who’s taking phone calls from parents (trust me, at times, not fun) and coaches, scheduling clients, tracking sessions, keeping track of expenses, paying the bills, ordering equipment, negotiating with the landlord, and most important of all, writing my paychecks!
I say this because while John hits on many. many valuable points in his article, one point that I feel is crucial – especially if you’re considering entrepreneurship in this industry – is hiring a business guy. It will make all the difference in the world, and will allow you to focus on what your strengths are. Which, for most, is assessing, writing programs, having big biceps, and coaching.
5 Most Overrated Exercises – Nick Tumminello
Did I or did I not tell you that livestrong.com was stepping up their game and getting more quality trainers/coaches to write for their site? Here, my buddy Nick Tumminello, gives the low-down on a handful of popular exercises that aren’t quite as badass as they may first appear.
Why Kids Need Recess And Exercise – Denene Millner
The fact that this is even debatable blows my mind. Back when I was in elementary school, some of my fondest memories are thinking back to recess – playing kickball, burnball, and triple-dog daring my best friend, Joe, to try to kiss (on the lips!) Susie behind the swings.
Needless to say, the highlight of the day was heading outside for those 30-40 minutes and doing whatever it is we felt like doing – whether it was throwing rocks at squirrels or using our lunch trays to slide down the hill in the middle of winter.
Today, however, kida are lucky to get 15 minutes – and that’s stretching it. Instead, schools are under pressure to increase tests scores, and as a result, recess is often an afterthought – despite research showing otherwise that giving kids a break IMPROVES their capacity to learn. And, lest we forget the ever growing obesity and diabetes epidemic amongst our youth.
Listen, I’m not blaming schools, and I understand that their first priority is to educate our kids. But to deprive them of a simple need – the need to freakin MOVE – is a travesty in my opinion and something that’s a HUGE mistake.
Comments for This Entry
Michael Gray
Good stuff T, but I have to disagree with Nick on one point. (Seriously, I'm disagreeing with Nick Tumminello?) As far as the planks go, I think he is right, for the most part. His logic works great when you're dealing with athletes and fighters, but when a 45 year old woman who has never worked out a day in her life walks into your club, it's a whole different ballgame. Advancing to a push up on the floor is so far beyond their abilities strength-wise, it's not even funny. Some of the women I deal with are starting doing push ups with an elevation close to three feet off the ground. They're just too weak to get lower at first. However, doing a plank at this elevation is super easy for them. As far as anti-extension exercises go, I would say if a one of these clients can maintain a plank position between 30-60 seconds, it would be more appropriate to move them to single leg planks, and then spiderman planks. This of course adds the dynamic piece that Nick was talking about, but it's within the realm of possibility for much more deconditioned trainees. Just my two cents.May 10, 2011 at 6:12 am |
Sarah
Thanks for bringing up John Izzo's post. It's information that will resonate with anyone who has their own facility.May 10, 2011 at 6:38 am |
Justin
Ok...Bumball? I'm curious if this is just a different name for the game we referred to as Butts-Up. Butts-Up made me appreciate the ability to sprint, lest I find myself with my hands against the wall, butt in the air, awaiting the firing squad to whip a tennis ball at me.May 10, 2011 at 9:02 am |
Tony Gentilcore
@ Michael: and I think you brought up a great point, and weren't necessarily disagreeing with Nick at all. Rather, all you were doing was recognizing the fact that planks have their place, and that they don't need to be used exclusively. I didn't get the notion that Nick was shitting on planks at all - just stating the obvious (IMO): which is to say, planks have their place, but are kinda/sorta, well, overrated.....;o) Being able to distinguish between who NEEDS them, and who doesn't is the key.May 10, 2011 at 11:01 am |
Tony Gentilcore
@ Justin: yep, pretty similar!May 10, 2011 at 11:01 am |
Michael Gray
@ Tony: Yup, I agree with ya. And I didn't mean to imply Nick was taking a big dump on planks, just that the progression he suggest is going to be far too advanced for deconditioned people. It was very early when I posted that alright!!!May 10, 2011 at 2:01 pm |
Nock
Tony, you are right man Livestrong.com is stepping up its game. Great article.May 10, 2011 at 2:32 pm |
Dwayne
Tony, are you thinking about putting out a Baseball product. Ultimate Off Season for Baseball for example. I'd buy any product you put out, but I would sell my blood for that one. We need the correct info and there's nothing out there like this. Cheers.May 10, 2011 at 3:09 pm |
Tony Gentilcore
@ Dwayne: I'm sure at some point Eric is going to work on a baseball specific product, which I'm sure I'll contribute to in some capacity. Thanks for the support!May 10, 2011 at 5:01 pm |
allie
Interesting reads- thanks tony!May 10, 2011 at 9:22 pm |
Kellie Davis
As a mother with two elementary school kids, I find the lack of exercise and recess in schools appalling to say the least. In AZ kindergarten has been reduced to half-day. Parents have to pay tuition to public schools in order for their children to attend full-day kindergarten. Recess, PE, art, and music have been cut out of the kindergarten program. I guess since a majority of US adults read at a 6th grade level, then all this testing must be doing our country proud.May 13, 2011 at 2:59 pm |