Ms. Fitness Winter
1999 By Jaclyn D'Auria
Need a break from your same old workout routine?
Need a new challenge? The Athletic Training Program(ATP) may soon
be coming to a gym near you. The new program appeared at the June
FITCAMP where the latest fitness trends are always introduced. The
women at FITCAMP were among the first in the nation to try one of the most
innovative ways to stay in shape.
FITCAMPER Kristine Welsh says, "The ATP class was a lot
of fun and indeed challenging. It really worked my agility, coordination,
and strength. I would enjoy this kind of class at my gym in New Jersey
if space permitted. It is much different than aerobics, I definitely
noticed the results."
Brien Shamp, an exercise Physiologist, currently offers
the course at 24 Hour Fitness and Supreme Athletic Club in San Carlos California.
Shamp, the developer of ATP says it is a training program similar to what
athletes use today to enhance performance; however, the program is geard
for the average fitness participant. The motto of ATP is that you
don't have to be an athlete to train like one. Similar to athletes,
we all want to look, feel, and perform the best we can and by using advances
in exercise science, these goals can be achieved.
This program will enhance
your knowledge and will train you to prepare for the unexpected.
Shamp developed nine phases of the hour-long program.
Throughout the phases, participants skip, jog, sprint, shuffle, squat,
lunge, and balance. During one phase, the instructor also blows a
whistle giving participants instructions to quickly change direction to
enhance reaction time and agility. The program revolves around Plyoball
training. Plyoballs (also known as medicine
balls) are used to enhance both upper and lower body strength and power
development. They also use speed ladders
and do various agility drills with cones.
"ATP is training to enhance the ease with thich we accomplish
functional activities used in everyday life," explained Shamp. "For
example, picking a baby up off the ground or unloading a dishwasher requires
both strength and proper lifting mechanics to avoid injury." This
program will enhance your knowledge and will train you to prepare for the
unexpected. |
Similar to sports participation, activities we do daily
require the ability to think and perform fast. Unfortunately, most
weight training programs train us to be slower. Training slow is
beneficial for strength and increases in muscle size, but by combining
both slower movements in the weight room and faster movements with jump
and medicine ball training, we can produce strength and speed.
ATP is designed to help participants achieve optimal fitness
performance. "With consistent training, " Shamp says, "program participants
can expect an increase in aerobic and anaerobic capacity, power, muscular
strength, and endurance. It will also improve a person's agility,
balance, neuromuscular coordination, and core body strength. Lastly,
the program teaches proper lifting techniques in order to prevent injuries."
The best news may be that it burns a lot of calories! Shamp says
that regular participation in the program will cause an elevation in a
participant's metabolism, contributing to weight loss and reduction in
overall body fat.
Participants can expect
an increase in aerobic and anaerobic capacity, power, muscular strength,
and endurance. It will also improve a person's agility, balance,
neuromuscular coordination, and core body strength.
Shamp, who owns Optimal Fitness, says his goal is to
take this program to every gym in the nation and to certify other fitness
instructors to teach ATP. He's a Plyoball Master Trainer, and has
recently been selected a Master Trainer for 24 Hour Fitness University's
Indoor Cycling Program. Shamp has his Bachelor's degree in Biomechanics
and is completing his Masters degree in Exercise Physiology. He is
a personal trainger certified through the American College of Sports Medicine,
and the American Council on Exercise. He is also a certified strength
and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning
Association and has received a certification in dynamic medicine ball training
by Paul Chek. Shamp has eight years experience working with older
adults, individuals with injuries or disablities, athletes, and those seeking
weight loss. For more information on this new program, check out
the Internet website at www.optimalfit.com[coming soon]. |
