JL Holdsworth
Five NonNegotiables of strength development

Strength development for athletic performance is one of the most overused and misunderstood tools there is. While it is true that strength training has the most potential to do good for an athlete, by natural law, it has the most potential to do harm as well.

This ax doesn’t just swing one way. Coaches and parents who are completely against strength training are just as dangerous. To make sure you have all the information you need to make great decisions about your athletes, we are going to give you FIVE nonnegotiables for strength development in athletes.

Five NonNegotiables of strength development
JL Holdsworth
Endurance: The Cherry on Top

To fully understand endurance training, you must understand the different means in which it can be accomplished. Some people believe endurance work is super long sessions on a piece of cardio equipment or really long runs. While this can be part of a complete endurance program, it is definitely not where most people should start or what their entire program should consist of.

Endurance: The Cherry on Top
JL Holdsworth
Top 4 indicators of great training for Athletes

What metrics do you use to determine if you or your child is getting great training?

With the promise of a new American Girl doll, my 9-year-old daughter can easily give any athlete a workout that will be super hard, have continual movement, and be really fun.

If my young child can accomplish the indicators by which you measure great training, don’t you think it’s time to rethink your metrics?

Top 4 indicators of great training for Athletes
Matt Gilbert
Speed is King - Learn how to rule!

We have all seen the fancy marketing videos for “speed training”. Speed ladders, training in the sand, and a million different cone drills run one right after another.

The problem is, none of the activities listed above actually build any speed.

In this blog, we will walk you through the different types of speed, how they are trained, and most importantly, how we measure them to know if the athlete is actually getting faster.

Speed is King - Learn how to rule!
Matt Gilbert
Flexibility is an athlete's foundation of ...

If you see what floats around social media, you’ve probably heard one, if not both, of two extremes. Something along the lines of “EVERYONE should stretch EVERYTHING, EVERY day,” or gaining more popularity these days something like this… “Stretching is useless, and carries no benefit. Have you ever seen a dog stretch before it chases a squirrel?” For starters, I watch my dog stretch his legs every time he gets off the ground, but that’s besides the point. You and I have enough common sense to know there’s a pretty significant difference of anatomy and physiology between myself and my dog.

Flexibility is an athlete's foundation of movement

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MetCon for a Cause with Coach Leanna

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MetCon for a Cause with Coach Leanna

This month's MetCon for a Cause is to benefit Nationwide Children's Heart Center. Coach Leanna is not only competing in the Nationwide Children's Columbus Half Marathon, but also taking an active role to fundraise for a department that is very near to her heart. Coach Leanna chose this cause because when her sister was born, she had a heart condition that required surgery. If it wasn't for the amazing people and the resources at that hospital, her sister likely wouldn't have made it. Though it was a different hospital, Leanna wants to make a difference right here in our Columbus community so that other families have the chance to help the most precious members of their families.

Tips for success with your health and fitness journey

Tips for success with your health and fitness journey

Congratulations, you have just enrolled in your first session at The Spot Athletics! This is a huge step toward your health and fitness goals and you could not have picked a better place. Our staff has something most other gyms do not offer, passion. At other gyms, trainers give you a workout and they take a paycheck. At the Spot Athletics we want to help shape your life around your health and fitness goals. Now, joining a new gym can be intimidating, and rightfully so but, here are a few tips to help get you in the right mindset to begin your journey.

Transformational versus Transactional Leadership: Why Young Athletes May Need a Bit of Both

Transformational versus Transactional Leadership: Why Young Athletes May Need a Bit of Both

The main goal of transformational leadership is to create a self-sustaining system of individuals. It aims to empower and inspire confidence. Transformational leaders utilize the concept of idealized influence by acting as appropriate role models, following a core set of ethical values, and leading by example through embodiment of their personal beliefs

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Bring Out the Best: One Implementable Quality Each for Athletes and Coaches

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Bring Out the Best: One Implementable Quality Each for Athletes and Coaches

First, let me give attention to the athletes.  You want to be the best athlete that you can be?  Great, because we coaches want you to be that, too.  You’re probably wondering what sort of magic methods I’m going to share about getting faster or stronger, what tips I can give to make you stand out among your teammates.  Well, you’re in luck, because I’m going to share with you the one thing that will make you stand well above everyone else:

Taking Care of your Mental Health

Taking Care of your Mental Health

If you would classify someone as healthy, what are the factors you would consider? Body Composition, how far they can run, how much weight they could lift? What about their mental state? This gets overlooked simply because, most times, you cannot see it. People are better at masking these problems and playing off that everything is fine. I know this because I have struggled with Depression which also affects an estimated 350 million people...