March 14th, 2012
World #1 Talks Fitness and TPI
March 12th, 2012
New Balance Minimus Shoe
The new Minimus line from New Balance is perfect for Explosive Rotational Training. The shoe works off the barefoot concept and allows the athlete to interact with the ground better than any other shoe I have worn. The fact that they make them in my corporate colours makes it a home run! Thanks to NB Concept Stores Vancouver for hooking me up and the continued support of our LAB.
February 16th, 2012
Golf Fitness Academy 2012
February 14th, 2012
Devun Walsh and Coach Glass on the Golf Channel
The star of Loaded: Explosive Rotational Power, Devun Walsh and I are heading down to TPI to film an episode of the Golf Fitness Academy. Focus on Deceleration Training. Why? Check out this footage.
February 8th, 2012
Taking it back to the Old School!
The other day my wife asked me to come to the local recreation center to join her for a Spin class. If you have been following my blog you will remember me saying “I will never take another one of those torture classes again,” after my wife kicked my butt the last time I went with her. I decided to go along to try out their newly renovated gym while she pedaled her butt off in a fruitless effort to go nowhere. Here are my thoughts on this memorable eye opening experience.
Owning your own facility has its perks. You can train whenever you want, you know where everything is and there is no one asking, “Can I work in a set?” You forget, however, that the rest of the world works out in cluttered, equipment packed, busy sweatboxes called the local gym. In my early days I used to train exclusively at rec centers. You can’t beat the price considering you get the gym and full access to the pool, hot tub and steam rooms for $5. The sense of community and being able to share communicable diseases makes it a great environment to meet people and build up your immune system at the same time.
I decided to attack this workout from a different angle. Normally I train functionally using Kettlebells, free weights, ropes and bands. For this workout I was going to be kicking it at old school! Machines, machines, machines and throw in a few exercises using more machines.
A quick warm up on the treadmill beside all the middle aged moms. Every one of them doing long slow cardio praying that their efforts will work off the processed dinner in a box they fed their family night before. A few HIIT intervals, dynamic warm up and I am ready for my first machine! How about I just ease into this whole machine thing with a good old-fashioned bench press.
There was an enormous muscle bound beast of a man beside me performing an incline bench press with more weight than my house and two cars combined. I decided to up my bench weight an extra plate on each side to show him I meant business. He asked me if I wanted a spot and I declined. First mistake! I then made the second mistake of adding one rep too many to my final set and found myself pinned. I had thoughts of He-Man having to save my life by one arming the bar off my chest.
Somehow I found the strength to get the bar to the first racking position and then slide myself safely away without anyone noticing. What the hell was I thinking? If I saw one of my athletes do this I would have killed them.
I thought I would take a break from the old school workout and check out their “Functional Corner.” This is an area reserved for those who do not require a steel framed contraption to guide their movements while getting their pump on. When I saw the selection of gear they had I instantly made a mental note: bring them a Perform Better catalogue next time I visit.
I then created a little deadlift, single arm snatch and landmine rotational circuit area for myself. I was half way through my first exercises when a member of the training staff asked me to remove the equipment from the area due to section 465 of the facilities rules of engagement document that states that you are only able to use one piece at a time. Oh well, I guess it is back to the machines.
It is so hard to watch the general public butchering the various exercises they saw in this months Men’s Health magazine. I bit my lip every time I saw an elderly fellow pull the lat bar behind his neck, young muffin tops performing tricep kickbacks with mesh fingerless gloves and weight belt wearing toothpick legged men curling preacher bars in the mirror. I kept telling myself that they are not my clients, they are not my responsibility and it is great that they are getting off the couch and doing something somewhat productive.
My wife finished her Spin class and was wiping the sweat off her brow when she asked me how my workout went. I thought for a second that maybe I should have just joined her for the stationary bike race……. but I would never tell her that!
Sincerely,
Coach Glass
January 9th, 2012
Team Canada Camp Phoenix
Here is a great video produced by Dr. Greg Redman (physio extraordinare) with some footage from our January Team Canada Camp at the Raven in Phoenix. What a great group of players and fantastic coaching staff. Even a cameo from Mr. Plank!
January 1st, 2012
New Year Resolutions
For 2012, my goals remain the same as always: Dream Big, Over Deliver!
What did you do today?
December 28th, 2011
Frank Nash: LAB Technician
Frank Nash is an innovator, energy generator and workout annihilator!This video of his new facility is sick. Look for Frank on the 2012 season of the Jason Glass Performance LAB!
November 24th, 2011
Sharpening the Blade
I just returned from Sharpening the Blade. This is a phrase I use to describe my vacations from work. All great chefs know that a sharp blade is essential for creating a culinary masterpiece. The blade I sharpen is my mind and body. A break from my everyday life, training, coaching, running the business and wearing all the corporate and organizational hats that I have chosen to adorn my entrepreneurial head. My vacation might seem typical from the surface but once you dive in you will see there is purpose and method to my sharpening process.
Step 1: Timing
I tied my family vacation in San Diego to the TPI Level 3 Seminars where I taught Training the High School/College Golfer. This presentation was a labour of love for me as it was my opportunity to share the success that my business partner Matt Palsenbarg and I have had over the past 3 years. I knew that I would feel that sense of success and accomplishment that you get when you complete a presentation and project of this magnitude. This is a perfect way to create a holiday environment built on relaxation, reflection and celebration.
Step 2: Family
Success with no one to share it with is not success. Family first has always been my motto. My wife and two children met me on the Sunday night along with Grandpa and Nana from Toronto. Family. We went to the Welks Resort which has golf, pools, restaurants and more gray hairs than Bea Arthur’s chest. Perfect place to relax and enjoy the company of the ones you love.
Step 3: Train everyday!
I know what you are thinking “Jay, you own a gym and train everyday at work, take a break for a week dude!” Training everyday was a lifesaver for me. Training for “me” was the key. I trained the way I wanted to, in an environment where nobody knew me, no questions, no interruptions, just back to the basics good old fashioned training. Training is all about putting a stress on a system causing the system to adapt to the stress and become stronger. When your system is constantly under stress it takes its toll. Changing the stimulus can shift the system into a different gear and relieve it from the stress. I ran the golf course for 15 minutes and took in the sunrise and the smell of eucalyptus in the air before arriving at the gym. I performed light load, mutlijointed, multiplanar movements at high speed for 20 minutes. I then HIIT the hilly trails back to the condo just in time for breakfast with the family. The gym facilities were perfect for what I needed. Free weights, space and a cable machine. The rest of the exercisers were using the machines. I bit my lip when I saw the people around me doing overhead triceps extensions, bicep curls, back sagging push ups and long slow cardio while watching Matlock. It was not my gym and they are not my clients. Thank goodness for that!
Step 4: Golf
When I arrived at TPI earlier that week, Lance handed me my brand new Titleist 910 D2 10.5 Diamana 65 mid S-Flex driver which, by the way, left me pin high on a 328 yard par 4. Okay it was downhill but still the best drive I’ve had in years. Beats this one from earlier this year!
The best part was having 3 generations of Glass men golfing together. My 7 year old son was caddying one day and played along with his sister on day 2. He is a ball hawk just like his Oldman and made 50 cents for each ProV1 he found. I dropped Grandpa and the kids off at the condo and continued to play until it got so dark I couldn’t see where my drives went. This is what golf is all about. Leave the scorecard at the clubhouse and just play.
Step 6: Off the Grid
In todays world we can easily get caught up with technology. The constant need to connect can become overwhelming. I completely took myself “Off the Grid”. No Twitter, Facebook, emails or phone calls. I told my staff that if the Tour Performance LAB is burning down, don’t call me, call 911. Being off the grid allows your mind to be free from the distractions of the day to day grind and allows you to focus on the big picture items. Focussing on the important things and mapping out the next 1,5 and 10 years adds clarity for your return to the inbox of regular working life.
Step 7: Return to Work
It is inevitable, you have to go back. If you sharpened the blade effectively your return to work will be welcomed with the new found clarity and enthusiasm to create new projects and new found success. Your improved energy will inspire and encourage the rest of your team and clients to achieve a new level of greatness.
Step 8: Plan your next Sharpening of the Blade!
My colleague Dr. Mike Voight said he books trips every 3-4 months so he can compartmentalize the year and stay focused on his work knowing that the next trip is just around the corner. Valuable advise. Im off to Scotland and Paris in March. Looking forward to spending time with the family, training everyday and golfing. Simple!
October 31st, 2011
Meeting of Minds
I just returned from Perform Better’s “A Meeting of Minds” Summit in Phoenix. The idea was to get the top minds to talk about the future of the fitness industry. Chris Poirier did it again by creating an environment for people to share their ideas, connect, socialize and debate (we will get to that later). It was 3 days of first class presentations, great topics and as always his staff out did themselves. I thought I would share with you the highlights of the weekend and touch on some concepts that C + C Music Factory could only describe as “Things that make you say hmmmm!”
Mark Verstegen: I have seen Mark present numerous times in the past and I have to say that this was his best to date. His slides were created in a flowing movie style matrix, which was one of the most impressive slide formats I’ve ever seen (and I have seen it all). He has always been a leader in the industry with the creation of Athletes Performance, which was created 10 years ago, and still the future of fitness for the next 10 years to come. No rock is left unturned when it comes to their systems and delivery of services.
Martin Rooney: Martin came with his passion cup ready to runnith over. The presentation started with a trip through time and covered fitness oxymoron’s like “Long Slow Run” “Player Coach” and “Relaxation Exercises” and the history of the medicine ball. He encapsulated the presentation with what the “Wild Wild West” of the future will look like. Blending of skill set of the coach to include nutrition, manual therapy, and sport psychologist.
John Berardi: With John being one of the world’s leaders in nutrition you would expect the future of nutrition talk. Instead he did one better with an incredible message. Inspire people to truly change their lives by changing the way you inspire them to become inspired themselves. Do less, expect less and you will achieve more. Make your clients change one thing at a time and build on that to give them the confidence that they can change their own lives. Fantastic!
Alwyn Cosgrove: As always Alwyn delivers a fantastic presentation full of wit, insight and knowledge. I loved his idea of doing 1000 single leg hops followed by 1000 hops on the other leg. Sound crazy? Its called jogging. Self-limiting exercises instead of sets and reps is a great way to get better results. Results Fitness is setting the stage for the future model of fitness.
Don Chu: Don is a legend in the industry and I was happy to finally meet him and hear him speak. His topic was on flexibility and he offered up some safe and effective stretch techniques that are appropriate for the strength coach to administer. He gave a great look into the inner workings of the muscle to truly understand how to create change in the length and function of the muscles.
Mike Boyle: Wow! What can I say about this presentation? Mike has never been one to hold back on sharing his opinion on topics and this presentation was no different. Look out Crossfit, the NSCA and people who don’t like family videos! Mike’s approach to unilateral exercises and the single leg squat in particular opened my eyes. Anti-extension, anti-flexion and anti-rotation exercises are good and anti-Boyle people can remove him from their Christmas card list. Shoes will have 5 toes! “Could you imagine swinging a golf club wearing mittens?” Good point Mike. At the end of Q&A, Mike was challenged by Mike Stone (Who presented on Thursday night with Meg Stone which I unfortunately missed due to a delayed flight) and the two traded blows for about 10 minutes. That was what this weekend was designed for…. Discussion! Cage match to follow.
The Stand Off
Todd Durkin: Blob Tag! Todd always brings his A-game as he danced into the presentation in Rasta wear throwing candy into the crowd. He then went into an hour and 15 minute motivational whirlwind that made everyone want to achieve and be better…….NOW! Are you Tired or Inspired? Inspired, thanks Todd.
Thomas Plummer: It is always hard for me to describe a Plummer presentation because he is my speaking mentor and Master. I know all his moves but like any great Master he holds back a little something that he can pull out to surprise his Young Grasshopper. If you can’t make a 6-figure salary after that speech you either weren’t listening or you don’t have the balls to risk everything for your dreams. Its all there for you if you follow his lead! Paint the canvas of your future and make your life what you want it to be, but for now, wear a shirt with a $%&#@ collar!
Thomas Meyers: Thomas was given extra time on the closing day and he took full advantage of it. He went deeper than fascia and spoke on the body on a molecular level, lambasted the “Health” Care system and gave us some insight into the evolution of mankind. Pretty deep for a Rolfer.
6:30 am on the final day, Mike Wunsch from Results Fitness, Troy Anderson “the sandbag guys” and I gave everyone who was willing to get up after the Saturday night social a workout. Great attendance and great energy! I opened with a dynamic rotational warm up and closed with a Kinoga cool down. What happened in the middle can only be described as mayhem. It was great to work with you all and hope next time those of you who couldn’t attend will make the journey and Meet with the Minds of Perform Better. Jason Glass
