How To Gain Strength: Strength Training Basics

Male1: I would like to introduce to you John McBride, a leading expert in strength training today. He is certified by the National Strength Conditioning Association and he is currently an NCAA Division l Head Strength coach. John good to have you! Jon: Thank you. I am here to talk to you today about the myths of strength training. One of the biggest myths in strength training is that it will make you slow. When in actuality quite opposite is true. A more powerful muscle can generate more force to run faster and jump higher. Another myth is excessive muscle bulk. In athletics, it is not possible to have too much muscle that will hinder performance. Another major myth is that weight training or strength training causes injuries—where in fact, weight training and strength training is done to prevent injuries. Flexibility is important when we strength train because we want to maintain the elastic ability of the muscle. When we strength train we are working muscle tissue. At the end of our strength training program, we want to spend sometime on our stretching to try and maintain that elastic ability. By increasing our strength while maintaining our flexibility helps us to generate more power and explosiveness during performance. In strength training, technique is the most important factor. Proper technique should be taught by a qualified strength and conditioning professional. Always perfect technique before increasing weight and remember most importantly that ego is the number one cause of injuries in the weight room. There are several elements we can use to assist us in strength training: Free-weights such as barbells or dumb bells, machines, medicine balls and body weight. Use any of these devices to help you improve your strength, but whatever you do, do not use an excuse. If you are serious about becoming a better athlete and you want the benefit of being stronger, being quicker, being faster, being more powerful and explosive, then you need to get into the weight room.