I am back again and this time I want to talk about off-season conditioning. From weightlifting to agility training, my team is starting their conditioning soon. At the division three level we do not make our lifting and agility training mandatory.  With that being said, if you were a college athlete battling for a position on a team, I think going to the weightlifting sessions would be a great way to show your commitment and gain the necessary strength to give you a leg up on your competition.

We usually schedule a two hour block of time in the gym. We focus on our agility training for the first hour and our weightlifting for the rest of the time. I feel the off-season is the best time to work your hardest in the weight room. I have noticed that some of my players have already come back to school out of shape. Now is the time to put down the soda and that McDonalds cheeseburger and start working out. While this blog is not solely about athletics, I thought that I would give you some tips for a great lifting routine.  For baseball we have two different types of lifting: push and pull. Push days consists of  bench pressing, push ups, and squats. Pull days involve performing band work with power lifting combines. (For examples of both Push and Pull day workouts, click here ) At Keene State we are very lucky to have our own weightlifting and agility supervisor to help us train. 

I really want to emphasize the importance of sleep to enhance your conditioning efforts (as well as your academic efforts, remember: you’re a student athlete…emphasis on the student). Sleep is a huge instrument for your body to rest and maintain strength. Many athletes feel that they need to take supplements as well. Know that a good old fashion peanut butter sandwich on white bread and a low fat chocolate milk will do the trick very nicely; good for both the body and the brain!

Balancing your time during the off-season is just as important as it is during your actual athletic season.  You still have to manage your academics, your sport, your friends, any other extra-curricular commitments, your family and perhaps a work-study job.  It’s a lot to have to fit into a day for anybody; but to be strong and maintain your physical and mental abilities you must come up with a plan. Pair up with someone else on your tream and hold each other accountable to make sure that you are on top of your school work.  Playing your sport is a wonderful addition to your academic experience and will be one of the things about college that you will look back on and cherish, but it’s not the reason you are in college.  Not to get all preachy on you, but your education really does take priority.  When you leave school after 4 years you very well may be ending your formalized life as an athlete, but you are just entering your career of choice.

I hope all you future or present student athletes work hard during the off-season. It is true what they say: off-season is where the championships are won. Bring that same level of dedication that you bring to your sport to the classroom.  Not everyone has that natural commitment and hard work mentality that student-athletes have, so use it to your advantage!

If there are any questions or topics you would like me to talk about, let me know. CIPPY OUT!!!