
Could you pass an NFL conditioning test? A D.C. reporter comes close to passing the Redskin’s conditioning test that Albert Haynesworth failed twice. Pretty embarrassing if you ask me, that a professional athlete can’t show up to camp in proper condition.
The test: 6 X 60 yard sprints in under 70 seconds. Rest 3.5 minutes, and another 6x 60′s at 73 seconds or less. The reporter missed the second round by 8 seconds.
This is pretty close to the last test we had in college. Ours was 3 rounds of 6 x 50′s in 60 seconds or under for lineman with a 3.5 minute rest in between. It was brutal at 100 plus degrees in the August Texas heat, at 300 lbs. Easily one of the most miserable experiences of my life. But I passed the test and crossed the finish line at just under the mandatory time, needing about 30 minutes to recover and see straight. I remember landing in a pile of my teammates whi had finished the test and saying to them, “I can’t see! My eyes are open but I can’t see anything!” My teammate responded, “Me either!”
So Albert, I feel your pain. Nobody had more anxiety about Fall camp or conditioning tests than me, but I didn’t have millions of dollars to soften my landing after I collapsed across the finish line.
If you are looking for a challenge, or just need a quick conditioning workout give one of these a try. Hopefully you won’t lose your vision like I did. Send us your times and see if you can beat this reporter and Albert Haynesworth. Who knows, maybe the ‘Skins will sign you instead.

Differences in torso lengths of black and white athletes or belly button position could hold key to athletic performance. Biological differences in origins of athletes was studied to see if athletes of African origin hold a physiological advantage in sprinting. The study also states that longer torsos that includes athletes of European origin gives them an advantage in swimming. The study was conducted by Duke University professor Andre Bejan and Howard University professor Edward Jones.

Texas State Head Athletic Trainer David Gish, was recently honored by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association with the 2010 Athletic Trainer Service Award. Congrats to David and the Texas State athletic training staff. I have had the opportunity to work with David and be under his care as college athlete and know first hand that he is the best.

Calipers and hand held instruments have always frustrated me, and have never been a very accurate measure of bodyfat or BMI. Hydrostatic testing (underwater immersion), and other expensive forms of bodyfat composition testing are much more accurate methods and account for bone density and muscle mass, but can be expensive.
Enter the neck measure test, which claims to be a more accurate way to measure BMI. Maybe this test will not require me to be 7 feet tall or 185 lbs. to not be classified as “obese”. Here’s to hoping.

VASJ stays in the family with coaching hire.
Congrats to Coach Babe Kwasniak and the VASJ Viking basketball team. Former Villa Angela- St. Joseph and West Point star Babe Kwasniak was named the Cleveland, OH prep’s new head basketball coach.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Coach Kwasniak and have experienced first hand his leadership skills and the tremendous enthusiasm he brings to work every day. The young men wearing Columbia blue and red on the hardwood are fortunate to have this talented young coach as their new leader.
Fish oil supplements are great for improving cardio-vascular health, lubricating the joints, and metabolizing fat.
I guess GSK is banking on there being a bunch of suckers out there. Prescription fish oil? Wow, I guess congratulations are in order for Glaxo, the pharmacist, and doctor that can pull off charging someone into filling that prescription. Go ahead and save some money, do yourself a favor and go to Wal-Mart and pick some up fish oil w/out the dr. visit.
Glaxo’s marketing of prescription and FDA approved fish oil may have more product and highly regulated, but is it worth the cost and time of a dr. visit? I’ll just keep buying it the same way I always have, and leave the doctor out of it. I can read and use the internet, and feel pretty good about the product I’ve been getting. Thanks, but I’ll take a pass Glaxo.

I received a question the other day regarding what I recommend for fat burning supplements. Let me preface my answer with a little context about expectations. Whether it’s diet, exercise, or wealth, everyone wants a “silver bullet.” Businesses make lots of money selling magic solutions, from the latest “abersizer,” the hot new supplement, or the newest piece of software to “optimize” your website. Companies promise it’s the last thing or program you’ll ever need. Don’t I wish life was that simple.
The truth is that fitness, getting rich quick and life all take a daily disciplined commitment to winning. New ideas, programs, diets, supplements, and software aren’t all bad. In fact, there are some great products out there. Just know that to even give these hot new “miracle cures” a real test will require a big commitment on your part. Success is largely up to you, your commitment to the fulfillment of the other pieces of the fitness equation (diet/exercise), as well as your own body’s response. Everyone’s body chemistry is different and we all respond and react differently to supplements, exercise, and diet.
Success is measured over time, not overnight. So be careful of setting unreal expectations for anything. Be patient and persevere with your plan.
Jesus is the only true miracle worker I know, and He hasn’t made me magazine cover-ready yet. So until then, I guess I’ll have to keep going to the gym and watching what I eat.
I had a question come in today from a friend that is about to start a strength training protocol that requires 5 and 10 rep max of each lift to set up the amount of weight for each lift. Rather than spending a ton of time testing each of these yourself. After you have adequately warmed and greased up you can blow out a weight you are comfortable with for reps. Plug that weight and number of reps into a Max calculator, and there you have it. This can be a safer alternative to a 1 rep max, and although not quite as gratifying, can be fun.
Testing can be rewarding, motivating, and fun. So if testing is something you haven’t done ever or in a long time, maybe it’s time to pick 2 or 3 exercises and go for it. Make sure you’ve got a partner, and plenty of time to warm up, and have fun.
Is determining my max important? It’s not a requirement, but can provide motivation, and inspire you to set new goals and reach for more.