WHY

I just got an email from an athlete that worked two years ago. She is potentially a great heptathlete (top ten in US Olympic trials in 04), but has been plagued with chronic back problems. She is having problems again. When I look at her program it is no wonder. Virtually all her core work is seated or lying. Great majority is emphasizing flexion and extension movements. In short all things that would aggravate back problems. Not near enough rotation. Also chronic high hamstring problems (related to back?) she has been doing ham glue raise which for me is as bad as hamstring curls. So what is the moral of this story – Each athlete is a case study of one, they must receive individual programs. One size strength training does not fit all. The program is working fine for the other athletes in the group (I wonder about that) THINK – it does take a little more time to individualize training, but the pay off is immense.