2008 – Wow, That Went Fast!

I’ll be doing a Strength Training countdown list this week of things I learned from 2008, but a highlight and thanks to my friends and supporters! 

A few things that have happened for us this past year:

• Met and trained with some great people including Jim Smith and his crew, Joe Defranco, and a handful of collegiate trainers at local colleges!  Great training and discussions! 
• Changed from running football camps to our true passion – strength training!
• Opened our own old school garage gym just for serious training and have had a full schedule ever since!
• My Youtube page – HERE – videos have logged over 150,000 views.
• The new Synergy Athletics website is now on pace for 90,000 page views for 2009. 
• Tripled the newsletter subscribtions (Hint: The subscribe box is just off to your right!)

2009 promises to be another good year with the upcoming release of Bull Strength, loads of new equipment in our gym, and more exciting events on the calander! 

Rock Pinch w/ added ROM From Bull Strength

-J. HASHEY, CSCS-

Discoveries From Traveling to Buffalo.

As I mentioned in the article about sleeping and eating issues, I was able to attend the Bills vs Patriots game.  I learned four things during the trip.

Four Facts From Bills V Pats.

1. I am the fastest person in parking lot B, Section 5, at beer ball Atlas Stone lifting.  Obviously, a very perstigous award.  Someone driving a Bills painted van had a few of them, and we had a medley lifting them up onto tailgates.  That 60 year old, shirtless, drunk man didn’t stand a chance! 
2. “53 and breezy” to a Buffalo weather man means 15 with 50-75 mph winds.  It was good stabilzer work trying to balance myself in the cheapseats between shivering.   Literally people’s hats were flying off of their heads from the good seats, flying by us, and right out of the stadium.  My wife almost got KO’d by a paper plate from half way around the stadium.                                                         

   

                 We are trying to stand up straight, but got hit by a serious Artic “breeze.”

3. Seriously, a Reese’s Vending Machine?  I’ve often been thinking, “what we really need as Americans, is Reese’s cups at every corner.”  Thanks to the rest area in Geneseo, that dream is becoming a reality (note the sarcasm).                 

   

4. Despite all that, going to NFL games is awesome!  From the bbqing, the trash talking Bills fans (before the game, obviously not after), and the game play, it was great to go!

-J. HASHEY, CSCS-

Imperialism and Working Out

The only other time I have seen an instrument like this was years ago in movies.  I thought it was for thumping down castle walls. The only thing that is missing is flaming arrows being shot at them….

I have seen a lot of training equipment, but never one of these! Anyone use one?

But seriously these guys are huge and just playing around with a peice of training equipment!

-J. HASHEY, CSCS-

Two things people love: Eating and Sleeping.

On Saturday I went to a friend’s house to watch the UFC fights, ate some food, and got home around 1:30 am.  Since I was out all evening I had about a dozen emails to respond to and a few updates to finish so I got to bed around 2:00 am.  I was certainly looking forward to a serious night of sleep, but I felt like I had a weight in my stomach from the unhealthy food so I was restless for awhile before I was able to finally settle in!

 5:15 AM – Beep Beep Beep.  Up again!  Loaded in the car and headed off to Buffalo to watch the Bills vs Patriots game.  We stood in 60-75 mph wind up in the cheap seats to watch a game where neither team could throw (obviously due to the wind).  A piece of the Bills fieldhouse roof blew off into the parking lot.  I had a piece of beef jerky that I was trying to hold out on an extended arm, let go, and have the wind blow it into my mouth.  I thought it would be a good youtube video, but couldn’t quite get it. 

After the game we got home around 10 pm.  It wasn’t as late as usual since both teams just had to run the ball, which runs the clock quicker.  I was excited to get to bed and finally get a good night’s sleep.  But first, I grabbed a sandwich since we hadn’t had a real meal all day.  As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out old.  Unfortunately around 8 am I woke up with an uncomfortable stomach!  Another night’s sleep twharted by bad eating. 

I decided to hit the computer and do some research on the assosiation between overeating and sleeping.  I know that many people who are overweight suffer from sleep apnea.  The result of having sleep apnea is that the patient actually closes off their airway during the night, disabling the ability to get proper breath during sleep.  I’ve seen documentaries on former and current  NFL lineman that often suffer sleep apnea due to the weight of their bodies cutting off their breathing. 

As for overeating and sleeping on an individual basis, I found an article from the National Sleep Foundation.  Take the time to read through it! 

NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION’S ARTICLE ON EATING AND SLEEPING

-J. HASHEY, CSCS-

Incredible Core Training from The Diesel Crew

Yesterday, Smitty introduced me to straight leg sit-ups with chains.  It is every bit as hard as I made it look!  The other guys prove they have great core strength and shoulder stability. This is an exercise I will definately be incorporating into my athletes’ programs.  

Chain Loaded Straight Leg Sit-ups. 

CHECK OUT THE DIESEL CREW HERE.

-J. HASHEY, CSCS-