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Monday, August 31, 2015

Dreaded Traffic. Healthy Traffic.

Washington, DC, my beloved birth town, sits #1 in having the worst traffic in the United States.

Not surprised.

Commuting to high school was a pain in the butt. It was worth it, but I dreaded the commute. To this day, I cannot stand commuting. However, my current commute, in living not only out of the area but out of the region, is fortunately a bike commute. I will not forget the toils of commuting back and forth to school, to ice hockey practices, to work, and even to ice hockey practices as a coach once I graduated college. The commute in Washington, DC is horrendous. It is so horrendous that I would take a cold New England winter over a very long commute.

Yes, all 110 inches of snow.

I do not want to commute in 60 minutes of traffic during any point of the commuting day. What's your opinion?



What can long commuters do to combat the conundrum of commuting? You have heard of getting in exercise during the day. Yea, but there is still the commute. You have heard of adjusting your seat, buying those seat beads that kind of massage your back as you sit and listen to the morning or evening radio show or to your iPod. You have even heard of the suggestions to leave work early in the evening or detouring in the morning. Yea, but the commute is still there; and the detours are backed up too! Well, may be it is time to consider some cost-saving extremes such as walking, bicycling, and water taxi.

Perhaps?

May be it is time to stretch your non-driving boundary. Ask yourself how far would you live away from your job that would prevent you from bicycling in? Is it 10 miles out? 15 miles? 5 miles out? Remember: you have to double your distance for the return trip home. Does it cost more for you to bike 10 miles, then it does to drive 10 miles? Is it safe enough to bike to work?

It is time for local governments to tackle commuting obstacles. It is time for multiple bicycling and walking trails that reach, if possible, ten to 20 miles outside of the metropolis. Picture the city as a clock. Have trails at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6, and 9 from the center of the city, for example. If an area cannot stretch its trails to 10 miles, then have little trails connecting to the next safest routes. Health is promoted. Fitness is promoted. Paying more attention to a cities' resources is promoted. Usage of these resources is promoted.  

Why certain major U.S. cities do not use waterways as access to public transportation boggles my mind. 

Bicycling or walking to work would cut down on costs, emissions, traffic, frustration, 'case of the Mondays', and more.

With heart,
Derek

Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS       www.teempt.com       TEEM Performance Training

University of Law Licensure on Exercise Specialists

If you are not in the health and fitness industry or are not up to speed on certain news, then you might not have read about this important law that will go in to effect. DC is the leader on it. Twenty-two other states will follow suit.

As an exercise specialists...my sentiments:

1. OK, Fine. It makes sense to have a law stating what exercise specialists (personally, I am not a fan of calling myself a 'personal trainer'. It is more of a verb than a noun in my opinion. But, that is one of the beauties of the profession). In this manner, exercise specialists will not do what physical therapists do such as manipulations, therapeutic massage, high velocity thrusts.

2. Already in Line. Many exercise specialists already follow what a physical therapists says because many exercise specialists understand the rehabilitation relationship. Many exercises specialists understand the scope of practice due to the policies set forth by strong certification organizations such as the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), and ACE (American Council on Exercise). All four of these agencies are legit. Plus, many physical therapists have these certifications.

3. Money Loss. I think someone is calling foul because they realized that they are losing money despite receiving more injured clients. Or, may be they are not gaining enough deniro!The article states a strong push from the DC Board of Physical Therapists to regulate this law. Someone or some place must be getting a lot of injured clients who are coming from gyms where the clients suffered the injury. Where I agree, that if this scenario is true, then the gym should be regulated. All of the specialists at that gym should have reputable certifications and four yer degrees in the industry does help - the four-year degree argument makes the fitness industry more professional and respected among other medical professionals. Sure, individuals without four-year degrees (i.e., kinesiology, biology, health sciences, etc.) in the industry have done tremendous jobs at getting clients to healthy goal weights. The four certifications above have made sure that its recipients have qualifying backgrounds. They have done a great job at regulating its professionals.

4. Punishing Everyone? What I did not know is that 40% of personal trainers do not affiliate themselves with a gym. TEEM is not affiliated with a gym. So, in being among the 40%, I can say that TEEM follows the tutelage of the main certification agencies as mentioned above (NSCA and ACE, thus far), academic degrees, and policies of respecting the rehabilitation relationship. In other words, there not a fly-by-night way of doing exercise with TEEM Performance Training. Each individual is recognized as presenting differently. Clients are evaluated under the scope of practice that is warranted. Partnerships with physical therapists and primary care physicians are highly recommended. But, if they are required, then that is perfectly fine!

With heart,
Derek

Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS      www.teempt.com     TEEM Performance Training


Let It Go (Frozen QB) - RGIII

Football season is upon us!
Football season is upon us!
Football...OK, you get it.

Very quickly. We have two quarterbacks that have experienced devastating knee injuries: Sam Bradford and Robert Griffin III. That's, if I am not mistaken, all of the ACL's that a human has in his body...injured. Two ACL's per athlete. Four. Four anterior cruciate ligaments injured. Four injuries and two knees (counting the same injury for one knee).

Yet, one QB is getting all of the hype and inspiration from a coach and organization that says, "You can be our guy (QB) despite the injuries because we believe in you. Our system believes in you. Our training staff believes in you. The people of our city believe in you." The other QB is getting all of the hype, media attention, distrust from the locker room, clearly apparent dislike on the field from his offensive line because he scrambles more than eggs, and now a front seat to the back-up roll.

There is definite disconnect.

I'm not a football team owner, but I do not need to be one in order to understand this scenario. I will just park myself as a fan and strength and conditioning specialist to say that there still needs to be a concrete connection between the owner, coach, the team's system, and training regimen. For example, in Robert Griffin III's case, if he has trouble learning to be a pocket passer, especially due to his dwindling QBR rating over the past three seasons, then it is imperative to physically train him like a pocket passer while maintaining his strengths as a QB (i.e., speed and arm strength). Hopefully, RGIII understands and grasps the change.

What does a pocket passer need? Agility. Hey, he's in the pocket. So, if the blitz comes from the left, then RGIII needs to move right, backwards, forwards, and repeat some agile sequence of that matter, very well, in order to avoid getting sacked. Does he feel comfortable moving like that? If yes, then proceed to successful practice. If no, then show him how it is done. A pocket passer needs an arm. OK, he has that. But, he also needs an accurate arm. So, if accuracy is not there, then practice it. If it already exists, then create other difficult options to continue developing an already accurate arm. Does RGIII's footwork agree with his throwing accuracy? Have you ever seen an athletic QB with great footwork, throw abysmally? Have you seen the opposite...a not-so-as-athletic QB throw with great accuracy? Sure, they're riddled throughout the NFL and college.

Well, right there, an entire conditioning program can be practiced and individualized for a QB like Robert Griffin III, which may give him more confidence in the pocket. As for now, the scrambling will be on hold.

To the injuries...how does one quarterback with two past ACL injuries potentially work for a completely new team and system, but another one with two ACL injuries is on the brink of release? Disconnect. Definite disconnect in more than one facet.

With heart,
Derek

Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS       www.teempt.com          TEEM Performance Training

Friday, August 28, 2015

🧬Engage The Cycle

Dear Dads,

Engage the cycle of consistency and fulfill it with opportunity for generations to come!

I am still in my neonate phase of fatherhood. I do not have all of the answers. I love being a father and cherish its privilege! Fatherhood is not easy. It surely is rewarding. Fatherhood...is like a wolf pack, a lion's pride, or like flying with eagles.

The Wolf Pack
Father comes from the Old English word, faeder, meaning "one who exercises parental care over another." Hood comes from the Old English word, -had, meaning "quality, condition, or position. In essence, fatherhood is an overarching term for a man who holds the position of taking care of his child on a regular basis. There are no vacations from fatherhood. None. As long as you and your offspring are living, you are always in the position and fleet of and for fatherhood. Fatherhood possesses reflections in so many fashions. The public eye sees fathers playing with their kids, taking them shopping, reading to them, or even changing a diaper. However, many times news arises that may question the increasing need for fathers in the world. The absence of fatherhood affects and echoes from generation to generation:

A 12-year old child in Omaha, Nebraska is wanted for first degree murder. Where was his father to discipline his son?

A mother in Florida loses three of her kids to violence. Her last child who was murdered (and targeted) saved her life by shielding his mother from the bullets. Where is the father to train his son not to hang with the wrong crowd?

Another athlete hits his girlfriend/fiancee/wife. He loses a scholarship or sponsorship. He is forced to give a public apology. Where is his father to offer the advice on what to do before the heat of an argument spawns in to a fiery bit of physical rage? The act leaves an indelible mark.

A young man, delusional to the envy of racial hatred, walks in to a historical black church during their Bible study, stands up, and shoots nine people. You get one life. Nine lives cut short. Where is his father to put his son in the position of love before this catastrophic event.

A 20-year old man drops out of college because he says, "I can't handle the pressure." He comes back home to hang with his friends who do not possess the grit to further educate themselves. The young man gets in to the wrong mess and ends up locked up. Where is his father to offer that motivational talk? To offer that since of confidence? To offer the shield of promise and correction?

Engage the cycle...

Of speaking to your son or daughter.
Of ending disorder and contagious behavioral disease in the household that your kids will emulate.
Of taking care of yourself through mind, body, and soul. Fathers, you have to set high standards of living that enrich you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Your family will reap the impressive benefits!
Of eliminating the phrase, "I can't," as a determinant to the successful and humble path laid out for you. When your children hear this phrase, they emulate it and stop themselves short of success. You, fathers, are a major part of your child's support system...A. Major. Part.

Engage the cycle...

The Lion's Pride
Fatherhood is leadership. Fatherhood is support. Fatherhood is fun and a refreshment. Fatherhood is a rewarding challenge. It is a vast privilege that is God-given and many choose to flow with it. Others choose to deny it. Like lions, the fatherhood pursuit fits well with motherhood - what a dynamic duo that is molded to cope with reality! Yet, when the father purposefully goes AWOL, the family, and hence, the family pride suffers and is emotionally cracked.

Remember: there is no leave from fatherhood. It's a job without retirement but with the best benefits.

When fatherhood is denied, the family dynamic simmers like a hunter seeking to destroy the head of a clan. Developing a defense against all temptation or danger that thwarts your progress as a father is imperative to keeping a strong fatherhood profile. Durable, flexible, energetic, intelligent, and courageous, fatherhood is the solid rock of the family that works in partnership, delivering strength and much needed boldness.

Fatherhood is a brotherhood. Fathers make mistakes - we are not perfect, but we were made perfect to do the job that we need to fulfill. When one father falls on his duty, other men tend to step up. The pride has support. Grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, friends, and cousins all, to some degree, serve as father-figures when children suffer to the absence of the head of the household. At least, it should be that way.

Engage the cycle...

Fly Like Eagles
Entertain the cycle of consistency, love, leadership, support, and fill it with much opportunity!

...And, headlines may read: high school senior is accepted to all of the Ivy League universities. His father always gave him first rate advice.
...And, headlines may read: a 12-year old boy develops a service business to help the homeless. His father always told him to help others.
...And, headlines may read: Three sisters return home from college to transform their community in to a place of cultural extravagance. Their father inspired them with his gentleness and open-mindedness.
...And, headlines may read: A group of professional athletes donate one-tenth of their salary to their home churches. The act follows in their father's footsteps to give back to their Lord and Savior and church community.
...And, headlines may read: A young man talks to a shooter, offering him advice that his father taught him. Saves the day.
...And, headlines may read: a 20-year old male finishes college in three years, and during the process saves enough money to payoff his family's mortgage, resurrecting advice that his father gave him on how to make honest money.

Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!

In the end, be thankful, be humble, be joyful, be gentle, be you.

Sincerely,
Derek

P.S. Do not forget to kiss your wife and children too!