Each year I like to put my thoughts to paper on things I'm grateful for and what I'm excited about. 2018 was has been special for TD Athletes Edge as we've been able to build and grow as a team in a way that we never have before. I'm grateful and excited to be a part of our TD Athletes Edge team. If you don't know our team, go check them out here. I'm proud to say that we have a special group of A+ human beings who have one agenda: Help people to become strong and healthy while cutting out all of the noise that surrounds fitness, nutrition and wellbeing. Working on accomplishing that mission with this team of people is something I'll be forever grateful for.
On top of that I'm one lucky dude thanks to my beautiful team at home: My wife Jennie makes everything go and my daughter Averie is the only person in this world who brings joy to my face and heart no matter the circumstances.
Ok let's get into a few things that I'm very excited about from 2018 that have great potential as we move into 2019:
1. kBox & kPulley: This past year we’ve been fortunate to have both a kBox and kPulley system at TD Athletes Edge. We’ve implemented this in many different ways and I’m hooked! This is one of those tools that it’s hard to imagine training without. The ability to eccentrically load various muscle areas and support tissues is critical and these tools are designed to do just that. The differentiating feature of the kBox and the flywheel training that it allows for is that it allows for what is called isoinertial resistance. Let's take that fancy word and simplify: Imagine you were lifting weights on a cable that acted like a yoyo and as you pull it up it generates force that's going to pull you back down. This is clutch because in traditional weight lifting or cable machine work the resistance levels vary depending on your joint angle and position. During use with the kBox and the flywheel technology you get constant resistance at all ranges of motion throughout the entire repetition. You're getting more challenge on your muscles during more range of motion.
On top of that the harder you pull on the flywheel, the more energy it stores up and the harder it pulls back on you. This means that the eccentric loading is significant during use of the kBox. You have to work hard to slow this thing down and to me this is what makes this special. This makes me happy because your ability to slow yourself down or decelerate during physical activity and sport is one of the keys to both performance and durability. Eccentric loading or the lowering phase of resistance training is one of the most valuable currencies in the search for structural durability for sport and the kBox is a jackpot for eccentric loading.
2. Corevyo: This is a tool that I can’t wait to incorporate more into our training. My friends Steve Nash and Rick Celebrini created this gem and I first had a chance to play with it when I was working as the Head S&C Coach with the LA Lakers. Corevyo is an athletic resistance harness system that is much more sophisticated than throwing a band around an athlete’s waist and resisting them as they move. This unit is designed with two anchor points which allows both resisted and assisted motions while the athlete moves through sport specific actions and motions. This is key to bake in great core activation and stability to then be translated into their sport actions. Stay tuned for more on what we find when we begin incorporating this into our training methods here at TDAE.
3. Pristine grapes:Looking for a good source of Vitamin C or fiber? One of my favorite immunity boosting snacks is a cluster of grapes. Packed with antioxidants, they can even help speed up the body’s recovery from acute injury. The list goes on because grapes can also promote bone health through vitamins & minerals, including vitamin K, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium and magnesium. I have had a great time partnering with Pristine Grapes this year and their grapes truly are the best!
4. UA recovery pajamas
You often hear us talking about the three pillars of performance success: training, nutrition and recovery. We know how critical recovery is to this success formula and sleep is your best recovery friend. I LOVE the new Athlete Recovery Sleepwear from Under Armour as a recovery aide and sleep enhancer. Super soft and breathable, yes. UA also has designed this gear with a bioceramic print that that absorbs body heat leading to better sleep and faster recovery. Your sleep environment needs to be cool, dark and quiet and your PJ’s need to be primed to promote great sleep as well. These are one of my new faves!
5. Sanddune Stepper: I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the Sanddune Stepper but since trying it in our training here at TDAE we seem to find a new way to apply it each day. This is a very valuable training tool to create low impact, high intensity training applications that are joint friendly and challenging at the same time. In addition to that there is an incredible balance or proprioceptive aspect to this tool. We’ve used it in many different ways with great results including balance, foot, ankle and achilles durability promotion and joint friendly conditioning. We’re just scratching the surface of what we can do with this tool so stay tuned for more.
http://www.sanddunestepper.com/
6. Wyldsson: My friend Dave McGeady has done an impressive job of creating my absolute favorite trail mix, snack and plant-based food line out there. They source their ingredients with extreme care and precision and then create some of the most creative, delicious and healthy snack foods I’ve ever come across. There are no bad oils, additives or unnecessary sugars involved so you can rest easy while you eat their yummy foods! https://wyldsson.com/
7. FireFly: We talk often about the importance of recovery and there’s a tool that I think could be a game changer - the Firefly recovery strap. This unit uses uses neuromuscular stimulation to promote circulation and blood flow to the lower leg. This might seem small but the recovery window between your next competition or workout is short and this tool helps to speed the recovery process between hard work bouts. I love what this tool brings to the table in a minimally invasive way. Can’t wait to use this more with our athletes at TDAE in the upcoming year.
https://recoveryfirefly.com/how-firefly-works/
WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2019!
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Tim DiFrancesco, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS spent 6 seasons as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and is the founder of TD Athletes Edge. He is nationally renowned for his evidence-based and scientific approach to fitness, training, nutrition, and recovery for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
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Tim DiFrancesco, PT, DPT spent 6 seasons as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and is the founder of TD Athletes Edge. He is nationally renowned for his evidence-based and scientific approach to fitness, training, nutrition, and recovery for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.