VertiMax Vive
The Vive Podcast is for coaches, trainers, athletes, parents of athletes, fitness professionals, and human performance enthusiasts. We started this podcast to bring you insights from the biggest names in sports performance, strength conditioning, and athletics with hopes that you will gain understanding, insights, ideas and the tools you need to optimize your athletic program, sports performance business, athletic career and future in this ever-evolving space.
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Will Hitzelberger — Extra Strength & Conditioning Training is Needed in Soccer
04/19/2024
Will Hitzelberger — Extra Strength & Conditioning Training is Needed in Soccer
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques. Will sits down with Al to talk about what’s really lacking in soccer for the average athlete. Unfortunately, there is just not enough emphasis on strength & conditioning training and if you really want to become a high-level player, you have to make time outside of your club to get your body conditioned right. Key Takeaways: [2:00] As a young father, how does Will think about sports and coaching differently? [3:55] As a coach, how do you get an edge and become a great coach? [6:10] Athletes have to incorporate more strength and conditioning training into their routine if they want to be high-level soccer players. [8:00] What movements should soccer players be paying attention to? [10:25] Don’t be afraid to get strong and ‘bulky’ in the sport. Tweetables: “The game is just so much faster and stronger than it used to be. As important as it is to be fit, you have to get involved in a strength & conditioning program [not just cardio]." "You have to seek out strength training outside of your club because it is a very important attribute to progressing in the sport now."
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Will Hitzelberger — How to Train a Developing World’s Soccer Team
04/12/2024
Will Hitzelberger — How to Train a Developing World’s Soccer Team
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques. In this episode, we learn about Will’s experience working with the Jamaican women’s national soccer team. At the beginning, Will had to learn how to work with the limited resources he had. Many of his players didn’t have proper shoes or even nutrition. He had to think outside of the box to get these women qualified for the World Cup. Key Takeaways: [1:40] Will was the sports performance coach for the Jamaican women’s national soccer team. [3:50] Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley, is a big advocate and voice in the soccer community. [5:30] Education is the name of the game when building up a sports team in a developing country. [6:15] Will had to adapt a ‘no excuses’ mentality when it came to working with his limited resources. [7:35] Lack of resources gives us something to fight for and strive for. [10:10] Interested in working with foreign teams? Network, network, network. Tweetables: “This isn’t something where there’s a roadmap to it [becoming an elite coach]. It is a little bit about who you know." "When you fly to places like Haiti to qualify for a tournament, your equipment is going to go missing."
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Will Hitzelberger — Behind the Scenes as a VertiMax Master Trainer
03/29/2024
Will Hitzelberger — Behind the Scenes as a VertiMax Master Trainer
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques. In this episode, we learn a little bit about Will and some of his ambassador and master trainer duties at VertiMax. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and how it’s all been possible using VertiMax’s equipment and offers insight into why he loves working with the VertiMax brand. Key Takeaways: [1:20] A little bit about Will. [3:20] Will has four Spectrum facilities and helps athletes with resistance work, rehab, and more. [4:25] Why did Will get into youth athletes? [7:25] How did Will’s coaching center evolve over the years? [11:15] Why does Will love using VertiMax? [13:10] As a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambassador, what does an average day look like for Will? [14:50] How do you become a master trainer/ambassador? Tweetables: “Every trainer wants to open their own gym, cooks want to open their own restaurant, it’s glamorous to say, but it’s a lot different to actually open your own spot." "I’m very passionate about education in our industry and VertiMax gives me the platform to do that."
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I.T. Antigha — How to Replace Your Bands on the VertiMax
03/15/2024
I.T. Antigha — How to Replace Your Bands on the VertiMax
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. often helps clients with information around maintaining their Vertimax in the best condition possible. In this episode, he speaks with Al on some of the signs you need to be aware of when it comes to replacing your Vertimax resistance bands. Key Takeaways: [1:55] What’s the difference between a vertimax band and an average resistance band? [3:50] On average, how long do Vertimax bands last? [5:00] When does it make sense to change the bands? Are there signs to look out for? [6:45] Can the client/owner change the bands themselves? Yes! [8:40] How do you find replacement bands? [10:15] It’s important to know that you’ll be replacing the set of bands with your Vertimax; not just one band. [12:00] Need help? Send us an email or message! Happy to help! Tweetables: “The more you maintain the bands after each use, the better it would be to you." "If there are white fibers sticking out of your bands, that’s an indication that you want to change your band soon."
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I.T. Antigha — Important Football Linebacker Drills to Try
03/07/2024
I.T. Antigha — Important Football Linebacker Drills to Try
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. is back with another informative episode with Al. They talk about how linebackers can improve their movements with specific drills that help them move in a versatile direction. Linebacker requirements have changed over the years, and are required to be developed into more speedy blockers. Here’s some drills to consider when you’re improving your linear and lateral movements. Key Takeaways: [1:15] A little bit about I.T. and what he does at team Vertimax. [1:50] Linebacker position in football has changed dramatically over the years. [4:20] Being able to work forwards and backwards is key to a well-developed linebacker. [4:35] I.T. explains the Angle Drill. [5:55] Back peddle and shuffle drill. [8:30] Open field tackling - what should players be aware of? [12:10] I.T. shares why cutback drills are helpful for in-game practice. [15:00] Want more football drill info? Download the Vertimax app! Tweetables: “The game of football has become much more passing and running all over the field, the linebacker has to be a blend of athletic, fast, and also stopping the run." "Linebackers are like hybrid safeties. Linebackers have shrunk in size over time. ."
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Brett Kuehn — 5 Volleyball Drills to Work Through During Off-Season
02/22/2024
Brett Kuehn — 5 Volleyball Drills to Work Through During Off-Season
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Al and Brett talk about some different ways you can improve your volleyball game during the off-season. He just got back from a training camp session and has some interesting insights to share on what athletes are doing to improve their jumps, agility, and net drills in this week’s episode. Key Takeaways: [2:25] If you want to get far in volleyball, you need to jump high. You can’t forget this part during the off-season. [3:45] Aside from using the VertiMax with multiple athletes, resistance bands are very helpful to target certain areas. [4:55] Brett talks about why he likes to use the agility ladder. [5:50] Passing the net drills and how to hone in on making your game more efficient. [6:45] How do you best improve your blocking moves? Tweetables: “Agility ladder is a great warm up drill to use to get your hips loose, your ankles, and helps you with your coordination. Super cheap and easy to move around." "Resistance bands are small. You can hang them up on a wall. They are a cheap alternative to dumbbells."
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Brett Kuehn — Fun Ways to Prepare and Train for Youth Baseball
02/15/2024
Brett Kuehn — Fun Ways to Prepare and Train for Youth Baseball
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Al and Brett talk about some of the fun ways you can get your kid excited and moving in youth baseball. Kids need to be engaged and their circummlum needs to be fun or else they’ll never want to go. Brett breaks down some routines for you to train to get children moving and consistent. Key Takeaways: [1:00] What are some fun ways to train for youth baseball? [1:50] Brett breaks down some fun baseball warmups. [3:20] Best hitting drills you can use for your young athletes. [6:35] Al loves seeing his kids have a relay race at the very end of each practice. [7:30] If kids are just going through the motions, it gets boring for them. Tweetables: “Run through first, that’s it. So the kids will run as fast as they can through first so that you can see who gets there the fastest." "Their fun is part of the practice. A relay race is a great way to do that."
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Kerry Bennett — How to Become a VertiMax Master Traine
01/04/2024
Kerry Bennett — How to Become a VertiMax Master Traine
Kerry Bennett is a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambasador. Kerry is a former NFL player with the Washington Redskins and has successfully transitioned into a renowned sports performance coach. With a degree in kinesiology, he founded the Beast Bus, a mobile sports performance facility featuring advanced training equipment like VertiMax. Al and Kerry talk about what it means to be a VertiMax trainer as well as a VertiMax ambassador. Kerry shares why he’s passionate about the VertiMax system and how it helps you stand out from a very saturated sports industry as a coach. Key Takeaways: [1:50] A little bit about Kerry and his athletic career. [5:10] What does it take to be a VertiMax Master Trainer? [7:55] Learn more about the VertiMax ambassador program. [10:55] VertiMax trainer is unique in itself and separates you from other sports performance coaches. [12:55] Kerry is also a community outreach partner in Texas. What has Kerry learned so far? [16:40] Kerry loves being in this space because he’s always learning something new. Tweetables: “You can make a business just using the VertiMax alone. If you’re a trainer just starting out, it’s portable and you can build your whole program around it." "Anywhere from athlete, anywhere from general pop, you can create a fitness routine [with the VertiMax]. You can’t go wrong with it."
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Jennifer George — The Differences in Coaching High School Vs. College Women’s Teams
12/07/2023
Jennifer George — The Differences in Coaching High School Vs. College Women’s Teams
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida. Al and Jennifer talk about the difference between coaching high school vs. college teams on this week’s episode. Jennifer has also played internationally and has seen a wide range of students come through her doors. She shares what it takes to be a well-rounded coach at the university level that takes into account the different athletic needs with each of her students. Key Takeaways: [1:05] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career. [1:35] What are some of the differences between playing pro in the US vs. internationally? [4:45] Jennifer has coached both high school and college. What are some of the pros and cons of both? [9:30] Jennifer is able to push college women a little harder than the highschool team due to the flexible schedule. [10:10] In college, you have to adapt to new schedules, which can make training consistently a lot harder. [10:40] Are you new to coaching? Find a mentor. [12:10] There is no ‘right’ way to train. However, there is definitely a wrong way. Tweetables: “Challenges at the highschool level are time and commitments. It’s basically 6am or after school, so you lose a lot of that time." "The challenge at college level is the actual sport and coaches canceling on a whim. You have a plan and the next thing you know, the practice is canceled."
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Jennifer George — Challenges in Women’s Basketball
11/30/2023
Jennifer George — Challenges in Women’s Basketball
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida. Al and Jennifer talk about women’s sports and certain challenges that women face when they’re playing a sport to its fullest potential. Although the United States has done better when it comes to bridging the gap between male and female sports, it’s still not perfect. Key Takeaways: [2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career. [3:35] Jennifer shares the moment she knew she wanted to make basketball her career. [9:00] What kind of challenges has Jennifer faced in her sport’s career? [11:20] 40% of girls drop out of sports in middle school due to lack of opportunities. [12:50] Representation matters at all levels, and not just in sports. [14:30] Jennifer is passionate about closing the gap between male and female sports in the Caribbean. She explains how it’s different over there than it is in the United States. Tweetables: “I had a passion, I would do it for free. I love training people." "40% of girls drop out of sports because of lack of opportunities and lack of skill sets."
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Jennifer George — Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation
11/23/2023
Jennifer George — Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida. Jennifer joins Al to discuss her Foundation and why there’s a deep need to help underprivileged players that are on sports scholarships. Sports have the ability to elevate your mindset and your quality of life, and Jennifer shares why it’s important to encourage our youth of today to continue playing in these sports programs. Key Takeaways: [2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic history. [3:20] Why did Jennifer Found the Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation? [4:50] So few go on to play in the WNBA/NBA, but that shouldn’t deter people from playing sports. Sports can teach you so much. [7:15] What’s next for Jennifer and her Foundation? Tweetables: “Even though girls can come or athletes can come to the states to have a better life for themselves, they still need help once they’re here." "40% of girls drop out of sports after middle school."
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Mario Garza — Best Baseball Drills for Explosive Movement
11/17/2023
Mario Garza — Best Baseball Drills for Explosive Movement
Mario Garza is the Director of Baseball Development at the New York Yankees. As a former pro baseball athlete for the Houston Astros, Mario uses his expertise to help develop baseball players to maximize their full potential and make them better. Mario joins Al to discuss drill strategies for different baseball positions. He offers advice for both infield and outfield athletes looking to up their game and increase their explosive power. You don’t want to miss this quick 15-minute episode! Key Takeaways: [1:35] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees. [2:45] What kind of drills should infield baseball athletes be practicing? [3:45] It’s incredibly important to practice throwing at different angles. [5:00] Mario explains what a game clock drill is. [6:05] What drills should outfield athletes be practicing? [8:25] You pay rent on speed. What does Mario mean by this? [10:10] You have to actively practice increasing your speed. Don’t take it for granted. [12:45] Mario offers tricks on how you can make your bat a little heavier to train speed. Tweetables: “When we’re playing catch, I think it’s important to move our feet while catching. We’re never going to make a throw from a standstill position." "Put the constraint of a game clock on the player so that they have to make a play quicker or slower depending on the runner."
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Mario Garza — How to Elevate Talent in Major League Baseball
11/02/2023
Mario Garza — How to Elevate Talent in Major League Baseball
Mario Garza is the Director of Baseball Development at the New York Yankees. As a former pro baseball athlete for the Houston Astros, Mario uses his expertise to help develop baseball players to maximize their full potential and make them better. Mario joins Al to share insights into what it takes to nurture the next generation of MLB stars. They dive into the evolving landscape of player development, the role of a development coach, and Mario offers advice for parents on fostering athletic talent in young children in this week’s episode! Key Takeaways: [1:25] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees. [3:30] What does a player development coach mean? [5:35] How has player development improved over the years? [7:50] How should parents be thinking about cultivating athletic talent in their children? [12:20] Is there a blueprint on what the MLB is looking for or does it depend on each team? [13:10] 8 months out of the year, you’re in full competition mode. [13:40] It’s important to note that baseball is a game of recovery. Tweetables: “A player development coach is looking at anything and everything that we can develop in an athlete. At the end of the day, our job is to maximize the value and potential." "The crucial window of 8-12, you can actually impact the development of the athlete and their general athleticism."
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Brett Kuehn — Five Easy Running Back Drills to Practice
10/12/2023
Brett Kuehn — Five Easy Running Back Drills to Practice
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Brett and Al discuss ways to get your athlete warmed up and ready during football season. Here are some quick and easy runningback drills that you can practice. They offer different methods and variations so that you can trigger both lateral and vertical movements. Key Takeaways: [2:00] The jumpcut drill. [3:20] Rapid response line drill. [4:25] The Lateral drill. [5:35] Cone hop variations. [6:35] The sweep drill. [7:45] The VertiMax app also has a complete football training program! Tweetables: “Have your athlete run towards that cone and push off one foot to go left or right and then have them sprint to finish while performing a touchdown." "Have your athlete shuffle back and forth over the line. It helps get their athletes' feet warmed up."
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Brett Kuehn — Five Great Exercises to Do on the Vertimax Raptor
09/28/2023
Brett Kuehn — Five Great Exercises to Do on the Vertimax Raptor
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Brett and Al discuss how the VertiMax Raptor is different from standard resistance bands and how you can leverage this equipment to take your performance to the next level. The Raptor does so much more than just look fancy and both Brett and Al dive into how you can hence your speed, agility, and more in this week’s podcast. Key Takeaways: [1:00] A little bit about Brett and the work he does at VertiMax. [2:35] What’s so great about the Vertimax Raptor? [4:35] Forward acceleration is a great exercise to practice on the Raptor. [7:50] What’s the backpedal drill and how can athletes benefit from this movement? [9:15] How do you perform an ankle-loaded lateral drill? [10:45] Brett explains the final exercise you can do to improve your resistance on the Raptor. Tweetables: “The faster you can stop, the faster you can move, and you’ll just be a better athlete. That’s what the forward acceleration drill will do to help you." "Not many people train this because it’s almost impossible to train with regular resistance bands, but with VertiMax technology, you can start the resistance off right away [at your ankles]."
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Brett Kuehn — The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports
09/14/2023
Brett Kuehn — The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Brett and Al discuss why it’s beneficial to get your child to participate in multiple different sports. Sometimes children need variety and to also explore what they do or don’t like. There’s so many great sports out there, so don’t limit them to just one thing. Key Takeaways: [1:10] What sports should kids play? [3:05] Children can get burnt out playing only one sport. [4:30] Playing multiple sports helps reduce injuries. [6:15] When you play multiple sports, you also keep your options open. [7:15] As you get older, around highschool, then it makes sense to focus on one sport. [10:25] Sometimes your kid can be great at the technicalities of the sport, but not be very athletic. [10:55] Sports don't have to be so competitive. It’s also about having fun and trying new things. Tweetables: “Kids are built for variety. They need different things and different coaches." "My kid ended up doing a sport that I had known nothing about. Give your kid a chance and try other sports."
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Brett Kuehn — Five Ways to Build a Connection to Your Athlete
08/31/2023
Brett Kuehn — Five Ways to Build a Connection to Your Athlete
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Brett discusses five best ways to approach your athletes with kindness and how to build a meaningful connection with them while you are training them. Coaches might not realize the impact they have on these athletes and you can never really tell what’s actually going on at home. Coaches can be that one parental-figure or friend for that person. Here are some tips to bridge the gap between you and your team. Key Takeaways: [1:45] Here’s why you want to connect first and then coach second. [3:15] Take some time to just listen to them. It goes a long way. [4:45] What are some of the best ways to show an athlete you care? [5:15] Be someone they can trust. [6:25] Respect your fellow human. It is a two way street. Tweetables: “As a coach, you really do have an impact on these athletes." "You can’t have that military mindset of shut up and do what I tell you. Listen to your athletes."
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Brett Kuehn — Are Youth Football Camps Worth The Investment?
08/24/2023
Brett Kuehn — Are Youth Football Camps Worth The Investment?
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business. Brett is back on the podcast to talk about the pros and cons of a youth football camp. Both Brett and Al are fathers and coaches, so they weigh in on how your child might most benefit from a camp when it comes to their athletic ability as well as building life-long skill sets such as leadership and team collaboration. Key Takeaways: [2:00] What are some of the benefits of a youth football camp? [3:55] A good youth football camp will help kid improve their discipline and work ethic. [5:20] There are a wide variety of different mentors and role models at these camps that your kid will be able to get exposed to and see their different leadership styles. [7:10] A good youth camp will provide your child with a lot of great networking options and, of course, a new friend group. Tweetables: “There will be kids from other areas, which will bring out some healthy competition for them." "A youth camp gives your kids a chance to meet other people that are like-minded and they like football. This opens up a ton of opportunities for networking."
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Mike Weaving — Best Off-Season Basketball Training
08/11/2023
Mike Weaving — Best Off-Season Basketball Training
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching. In this episode, Mike shares what coaches need to be thinking about when they’re training their athletes during the off-season. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense for them to go directly into an intensive cardio program and there are other things to think about before putting together a workout plan. Mike breaks down his process in this week’s episode. Key Takeaways: [1:10] What does Mike like to think about when putting together an off-season program? [2:30] Sometimes Mike just opens the gym up and the team is ready to go, but if he’s working with younger athletes, he has to be much more diligent in training them. [4:25] In the spring and summer, Mike likes to focus on strength and explosiveness for his athletes. In the fall, there’s more of a cardio focus. [5:35] What are some common challenges that Mike runs into during off-season training? [8:05] Remember, trust your instincts and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! Tweetables: “It takes us about 3 weeks to a month to evaluate the players that are coming back." "The best teams are the teams that are player-lead. If they always rely on me, they’re going to turn me out."
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Jessie Ehren — VertiMax Summit 2023
08/10/2023
Jessie Ehren — VertiMax Summit 2023
Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training and Events Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax users are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment. In this episode, Jessie talks about some of the exciting things happening at this year’s Annual VertiMax Summit, hosted in Tampa, Florida. This is your chance to network and learn from the very best in sport’s performance. Be sure to register and book now for the event on October 7th. Key Takeaways: [1:20] Jessie shares some of her responsibilities overseas at VertiMax. [2:15] This year VertiMax will be celebrating their 6th annual summit. [3:45] VertiMax has three big keynote speakers this year! Jessie gives a sneak preview on what to expect. [4:35] Martin Rooney will share how to get the most out of your athletes and your training regiment. [6:40] Gunnar Peterson will be talking about how to position yourself as an industry leader to get endless clients. [8:25] Loren Landow will be the third keynote speaker, and he will be talking about biomechanics. [10:05] There will also be workout demonstrations to help your athlete with any body weaknesses. [12:45] This is your chance to get in front of a VertiMax master trainer who can help answer (and physically show you!) any specific questions you might have. [13:35] After the closing ceremony, there will be a networking and social event for you to attend with an open bar. [15:55] On Sunday October 8th, there will be a certification workshop for those who are staying the weekend in Tampa. Tweetables: “We bring our master trainer team from all over the US and of course we get to network and see everybody that’s our customers and people in the sports and fitness space." "Part 1 of our workout demonstration will be assessing movements and part 2 will be how we create that program to make a better athlete."
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Mike Weaving — Should You Join the AAU Basketball League?
07/27/2023
Mike Weaving — Should You Join the AAU Basketball League?
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching. In this episode, Mike talks about some of the pros and cons of AAU Basketball and why a youth athlete might join a league that has had a bad reputation over the last few years. Is AAU worth it for an aspiring athlete? Mike answers these questions and more. Key Takeaways: [1:55] Unfortunately, AAU has a lot of controversy. [3:35] Why does AAU have such a bad reputation? [6:05] Athletes and parents need to be really mindful of why they’re playing at AAU and what some of their goals are. [7:05] What are some of the benefits of joining a league like this? [9:30] What kinds of questions do scouts ask the coaches before bringing on a kid? [11:10] What age should your kid ideally be before they join the AAU? Tweetables: “Kids have to be mindful of who they’re playing for and why that person is trying to coach them, and what they’re trying to get out of it. Is it in the best interest of the coach or the kid?" "There are a lot of super talented kids out there that unfortunately don’t make it because they throw all their eggs in the wrong basket."
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Mike Weaving — A Quick Basketball Training Guide for Young Athletes
07/13/2023
Mike Weaving — A Quick Basketball Training Guide for Young Athletes
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching. In this episode, Mike gives his yearly plan to help condition highschool athletes for game time and offers his strategy to prevent injuries to the best of his ability during these intense games. He shares how he measures progress and how he educates new students coming into the basketball team for the very first time. Key Takeaways: [1:55] Mike got hit with a lot of injuries last year. It’s part of the game, but here’s how you can prevent it as much as you can. [4:15] How does Mike measure progress? [5:25] What is MIke’s overall yearly plan and schedule? [6:25] What is Mike’s postseason plan and training schedule? [8:55] What other considerations does Mike think about when he’s training his athletes? Tweetables: “In September, we do an assessment week where we do a shuttle run, agility test, vertical tax, max squat, and max bench press." "After October, we do the same physical tests to see where those same elements are."
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Mike Weaving — How to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
06/22/2023
Mike Weaving — How to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Level and is currently on his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching. In this episode, Mike shares his tips as a highschool coach on how he helps his students get the most out of their talent during game time. You should never underestimate the importance of balance and lower body strength when coaching basketball. Key Takeaways: [1:15] A little bit about Mike and his experience with coaching basketball. [2:20] What makes someone a good shooter? [2:40] In order to do a good jumpshot, you need good balance and lower body strength. [5:10] What are some of Mike’s favorite drills? [6:15] Everything Mike trains for is for competitive purposes. [7:25] You get more out of your athletes if there is a competitive element involved. [8:05] Competition drives success! Tweetables: “I think one of the most overlooked things about being a good shooter is being able to shoot in game-like situations. You have to be able to shoot on the move." "I try to emulate our offense as best as I can and emulate our transition game as best as I can so the shots they’re getting in our drills are the same shots they’re going to get in the game."
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I.T. Antigha — VertiMax’s Best At-Home Summer Training Programs
06/02/2023
I.T. Antigha — VertiMax’s Best At-Home Summer Training Programs
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. and Al understand that summer is coming, which also means your athletes’ sports season is winding down and coming to an end. How can young athletes still be ‘game-ready’ over the summer? I.T. shares some helpful exercises you can do for your specific sport at home without a lot of gym equipment in this week’s episode. Key Takeaways: [1:20] As seasons are ending, what can parents do to help keep their young athletes’ in prime condition while they’re at home during the summer? [2:00] Don’t have a full gym at home? Don’t worry. We’ve got alternatives. [2:55] It’s important to first determine what your end-goal is. Is it to gain weight? Gain speed? [3:35] Training is important, but you also shouldn’t slack on your nutrition and sleep. [5:10] What are some good basic moves to focus on over the summer? [6:10] What basic equipment should you pick up from the store? [7:20] If you’re a basketball player, what exercises and movements should you focus on? [8:30] If you play football, the types of exercises you do would be based on your position. [9:50] What should athletes do if they play baseball? [12:00] What are some of the recommended exercises volleyball players should do at home? [13:10] Sumner is a busy time for everybody, but if you have big dreams and big goals, you need to make time to hone in on your skills. Tweetables: “We are talking about training, but it also influences your nutrition. You need your sleep. All that stuff matters." "If you’re looking to get faster, you have to train fast to be fast. Sprints with resistance, sprints without, and sprints while starting from the ground, etc."
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I.T. Antigha — How to Maximize the VertiMax for Volleyball
05/18/2023
I.T. Antigha — How to Maximize the VertiMax for Volleyball
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. and Al share how the VertiMax can elevate an athlete’s volleyball game to the next level. Not only can it be used to train multiple players at a time, but it can show players in real-time how they’re body is improving with each exercise. Key Takeaways: [2:00] Did you know you can train more than one athlete on the VertiMax at a time? [3:25] You can also train different volleyball positions on the VertiMax. [6:00] How do you develop maximum vertical explosiveness on the VertiMax? [7:00] Why is creativity so important for a coach to have? Tweetables: “If I do a demo with a kid, in a brief 20-30 minute workout, they know they’re getting better when they’re on the equipment." "Creativity is a very necessary piece to develop because not everything can be pre-packaged to you and it’ll work."
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I.T. Antigha — Top 10 Best Tips for Basketball coaches
05/11/2023
I.T. Antigha — Top 10 Best Tips for Basketball coaches
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. and Al share some tips they’ve received from basketball coaches around the country on what makes a good athletic coach. They share their top ten favorite tips on this week’s podcast. If you’re a new coach or even a seasoned pro, listen in for more to some great reminders on how to get the most out of your players. Key Takeaways: [2:10] Organization is key for any athletic coach! [3:35] Players need to know you care about them in order for you to build trust. [5:05] Don’t try to out coach the other coach. Practice will generate the results you want. [6:10] Get to know your players to the best of your ability and then focus on getting everyone on the same page. [7:45] Keep it simple and make sure your team is well-conditioned. [9:00] You’re only as strong as your weakest link. [10:45] Remember, you’re developing young men and women for success outside of the sport. [13:35] Teach your athletes how to win in life. [14:35] Refine the basics and always remind your athletes about the foundationals. [15:40] Keep game plans simple. Tweetables: “Building a trusting relationship opens the door to being able to coach kids to reach their full potential." "The success of a team doesn’t fully rely on the talent, but the trust and commitment of the group to give up themselves for the betterment of everyone else."
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I.T. Antigha — 5 Ways to Enhance Athlete-Coach Communication
05/05/2023
I.T. Antigha — 5 Ways to Enhance Athlete-Coach Communication
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. breaks down some of the common communication mistakes or pitfalls good coaches end up making. He also shares what coaches can do to receive feedback, incorporate it in a way an athlete feels heard, and five best ways a coach can build a better communication style with their athletes in this week’s podcast. Key Takeaways: [1:40] The biggest way to improve your communication as a coach is by improving your listening skills. [3:15] A good coach can read inbetween the lines between what their athlete is saying and what their body is also saying. [5:15] It’s important to discern what type of athlete you’re coaching. What is their preferred communication style? [7:45] It’s important to focus on getting better vs. getting good. I.T. explains what he means by that. [8:55] Aim to be 1% better everyday. [9:10] Why is it important to communicate some of your core values to your athletes? Tweetables: “A lot of coaches are great speakers, but they may not be great listeners." "There are days where your athlete won’t be feeling 100%. How you listen to them, and adjust accordingly, will build a better relationship with them."
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I.T. Antigha — Get the Body Ready for Race Day
04/20/2023
I.T. Antigha — Get the Body Ready for Race Day
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. shares some important exercises athletes should focus on to get ready for race day. If you’re a track and field athlete then this is the episode for you! I.T. explains the most optimal drills to focus on for power, injury prevention, and strength. Key Takeaways: [2:00] What track and field exercises should you do to get ready for race day? [2:35] What is the 3-point star? [5:45] Why is the box jump so effective? [6:45] I.T. explains the hamstring pull drill. [10:15] The VertiMax app has more drills and exercises for you! Tweetables: “The box jump is going to be one of those elements that helps you produce power, which is important as a sprinter." "The hamstring drill is a bit more advanced and for a stronger athlete. It’s not a drill I’d do with any youth athlete."
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I.T. Antigha — What’s the Difference Between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX?
04/13/2023
I.T. Antigha — What’s the Difference Between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX?
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. comes on the show to describe in depth what the VertiMax V-Series Platform is and how it can help an athlete with their performance. Are you wondering what the differences are in each platform and which one you should pick? This is the episode for you! Key Takeaways: [1:50] What are the VertiMax V Series platforms? [3:15] What’s the difference between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX? [4:15] Why are the band lengths different and what benefits does it provide? [6:00] What kind of athlete should use the V Series platforms? [10:00] How do you change the resistance level on the V Series platforms? [11:15] Are there training programs and educational resources available to better understand the platforms? Tweetables: “The Vertimax V Series means you can train without increasing exponentially in resistance and useful load from the onset of your movement." "You have to train fast to become fast. If you’re able to train further out with a useful load, you’ll be able to reach top-end speeds."
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I.T. Antigha — Coaches You Should Follow
04/06/2023
I.T. Antigha — Coaches You Should Follow
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes. I.T. and Al share some famous strength and conditioning coaches they’re fond of and like to follow on this week’s podcast. They talk about some of their favs like Cal Dietz, Eric Cressey, Michael Boyle, and Brett Bartholomew, and how they can up your coaching game. Key Takeaways: [2:35] Here’s some influential coaches you should be following and learning from on social media. [3:35] Why should you follow Eric Cressey? [4:10] Al shares why Michael Boyle is a top coach in the industry. [4:55] I.T. explains why Brett Bartholomew is a great resource for coaches who want to communicate better. [6:55] Who are some of your favorite coaches? Tweetables: “Cal’s program that he’s developed is one of the most influential programs out there to develop exclusive power and strength." "Brett dives deep into communication because it’s often something we overlook."
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