Change Up

Steve Watterson, one of the most respected Strength Coaches in the industry, and newly Art of Strength certified, wrote to tell us what this training has done for him and his athletes. As Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans he knows what it takes to make his athletes perform at their best.

Is it Time to ‘Change-Up’ Your Training Program? ~Steve Watterson

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

Tennessee Titans Art of Strength Certified

“If you keep on doing what you’ve always done…….you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always gotten!”

This phrase has hung in my office for over 10 years. It reminds me to continuously re-evaluate my training programs. Several years ago, the Tennessee Titans played the New England Patriots in a pre-season game. My assistant, Jason Novak, wanted to further investigate a relatively obscure training regimen that utilized vintage training equipment, such as; kettle bells and heavy ropes. Since we were staying in Providence RI, which just so happened to be the home office of ‘The Art of Strength - AOS’ founder Anthony DiLuglio, Jason went over to train and evaluate his style of training. He returned from Punch Gym (Anthony’s franchised training centers) carrying a large ball of iron that had a handle and a 50 ft. rope that looked like it was used on tug boats. When we returned to Tennessee Jason continued to experiment with the new equipment alongside the DVD’s the Anthony DiLuglio produced.

My interest really peaked following my study of the ‘AOS Training’ DVD. Although I rarely ‘do’ workouts by following along with a DVD instructor I decided to try the ‘Basic Training’ AOS routine. I knew then that it was time to meet Anthony. I convinced the team to bring Anthony DiLuglio in to indoctrinate my staff in ‘The Art of Strength’ training system. Over my 25 years in the NFL I have had the pleasure of meeting, learning from, and training with some of the top sports performance specialist in the country. During this time I have learned that many so-called experts have simply made a vain attempt in re-inventing the wheel. In contrast, Anthony DiLuglio presentation to the strength staff and players was truly unique - and (just as important), it was well accepted by the players. In just a few days of working with the athletes, Anthony had the players correcting bio-mechanical imbalances that standard training could not correct.

Players are not usually open to drastic ‘changes’… but the inclusion of the AOS System has been so well accepted that it has been implemented, not only as a stand-a-lone methodology of training…bit it has permeated every aspect of our training system. Over the last few years Anthony has expanded the functional application of his training system via the development of ‘Corrective Strategies’. This is a unique program specifically designed to diagnosis bi-lateral imbalances for ROM, strength, and functionality. Once a biomechanical insufficiency is discovered – the implementation of the corrective strategy program assist in bringing the deficiency into balance.

The multi-level programs makes it extremely adaptable, thus it can modified for just about anyone regardless of their previous level of training.If you are a professional in the sports performance field than I strongly suggest that you take some time and evaluate the ‘Art of Strength’ training system. And for those professionals that are interested in becoming more proficient in the ‘Art of Strength’ training techniques, such as ‘Corrective Strategies’, there is an Art of Strength certification program. Just last month I completed my AOS certification – and I highly recommend it for all Conditioning Specialist that deal with Performance athletes. My assistant Jason Novak was the first NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach to be AOS certified. I can tell you that not a day goes by that we do not use the tools and techniques we have learned from Anthony DiLuglio and his ‘Art of Strength’ training system.

Food

Fried Egg and turkey Sausage Ciabatta Breakfast Pizzas

1 loaf ciabatta bread (about 1 pound)
1 cup chopped green onions
8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces sliced hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese
1 pound turkey sausages, casings removed
8 large eggs
Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut bread horizontally in half. Place bread halves, cut side up, on separate baking sheets. Mix onions and 6 tablespoons oil in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons onion oil and spread remaining onion oil over bread. Top with cheese.Sauté Italian sausages in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up with spoon, about 7 minutes. Divide sausage among bread halves. Bake pizzas until cheese melts and bread begins to crisp, about 10 minutes.Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 large skillets over medium-high heat. Crack 4 eggs into each skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let eggs stand in skillets while pizzas bake.Arrange 4 eggs atop each pizza. Spoon reserved onion oil over eggs. Cut each pizza between eggs into 4 pieces.

Workout

Bandit’s Loop Renegade RowWith your feet in the loops, grab two dumbbells and keep them shoulder width apart (as if you were doing a push-up). Pushing through the left handle, row the right dumbbell to your chest. Resist the natural swing of your legs by tightening and controlling your core. Alternate each side.

Bandit’s Loop High PlankWith your feet in the loops hold yourself in the Push-up position. Control the tendency to arch or dip your back by tightening your core.

Men’s pick

Regardless of your training goals, it’s helpful to know the cardiovascular stress you’re putting on your body. Heart rate monitors are the best reasonably priced tool available to the general public that allows you to get an idea of the stress you’re placing on your body. Monitoring our heart rate can have profound implications for fat loss and fitness training. Our training allows us to build muscle mass, while working at an intensity that rapidly burns calories and creates an oxygen deficit within the body that keeps our metabolism increased for hours after our training session. By wearing a heart rate monitor, we can ensure that the circuit is elevating our heart rate sufficiently to create the desired stress to our body.