Why should I go to the Total Performance Summer Camp (for middle school athletes)?
Middle school athletes are at the perfect age to start higher-level athletic training. This includes basic strength training, core/trunk stability work, speed and agility skills, and low-intensity plyometrics. These are crucial skills to start learning and developing in order to lay a foundation for success in high school. Waiting will put you behind the curve, training them now will prepare the body for higher-level work and help boost overall performance. Most workouts will be body-weight or light dumbbell/kettlebell, we will not be lifting heavy weights since this is unnecessary and unhelpful at this stage.
Who is this for?
This class of our 2019 Total Performance Summer Camp is for all middle school athletes from every sport in El Paso, TX and the surrounding area. Anyone just finishing 5th-8th grade is welcome, with or without prior training experience. This camp will be similar to our Beginner Strength Program, but will be longer and more intense for the two months of workouts.
What will workouts be like?
Being a good athlete depends on developing a wide variety of factors and functionally integrating them together through a long-term process. We will start from square one so each athlete learns proper technique and can perform each exercise safely. Workouts will focus on body control, mobility, movement skills, explosive power, core/medicine ball work, different types of strength development, speed and agility skills, and (sometimes) elements of conditioning. Sessions will follow a general workout scheme and will be tailored to each individual. Each session will be approximately 1:15 to 1:30 in length.
Is this safe? Won’t working out break growth plates?
Workout programs like the Total Performance Summer Camp are completely safe (outside of the normal risk associated with any form of athletic training). Research has consistently shown that younger athletes can safely lift weights and even do low to medium level plyometrics without concern for long-term effects. The key is to focus on teaching proper technique, gradually increasing intensity, and emphasizing form and execution over heavy weight. We want to create athletes, not muscle-bound kids. To this end we follow the recommendations and programming advice of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the International Youth Conditioning Association. Our focus is on athleticism, and the majority of the training will be body weight or light resistance (bands, dumbbells, kettlebells).
What is the schedule?
Workout sessions will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from June 17 to Aug 9. Training time will be 9:00 to about 10:30 am. If an athlete can’t make a session they have the option of making it up from 5:00-6:00 pm (M/Th) or 12:00-1:00 pm on Saturday. Most sessions will be at our gym (645 Wallenberg, Ste B1), but sometimes we will train on a nearby field.
- Phase 1 (build phase) will be June 17-July 12
- Phase 2 (power phase) will be July 15-Aug 9
How much does it cost?
With our Summer Performance Camp you will get access to our complete sports performance program at a significantly discounted rate (compared to our regular month-to-month classes)! Total cost depends on long you want to train for. The breakdown is as follows:
- Phase 1 or 2 only (4 weeks of training) – $150 (just $12.50 per session)
- Both Phase 1 and 2 (8 weeks of training) – $275 (just $11.46 per session)
- Individual Session – $18
Can’t I just workout on my own?
Yes you can. But chances are a self-created workout won’t have near the same effectiveness (and can very possibly be counterproductive/dangerous) as a professionally designed program. We will show you what to do, how to do it, and the proper order to do it in. Plus, you can take advantage of camaraderie and competition to make it fun and intense!
What if I go on vacation and can’t make every session?
Continuity of training is important for consistent improvement in athletic performance. This means that the more workouts you can make, the better you will be. But we understand that most people have other commitments during the summer, from family vacations to camps and tournaments. In this case, we can provide you workout templates via printouts or an app on your phone so you can continue training wherever you are. If this is not possible we can work with you to find the best solution.
Who is coaching?
The head coach will be Brandon Wolfram, CSCS, YFS1, Pn1. Brandon is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with the NSCA, a Youth Fitness Specialist with the IYCA, and Precision Nutrition certified (Pn1). He is also a former college and professional basketball player who now trains athletes of all sports and levels in El Paso, TX.
What happens when camp is over?
Training to become the best athlete you possibly can is a long-term process. At a minimum it will take years of dedicated, intentional work. Our Total Performance Summer Camp can be an important part of your development, but please recognize only so much can be done in two months. After camp athletes need to continue working out to build on their gains and keep moving forward. To this end, we offer regular Beginner Strength Program and Sports Performance Classes for both off-season and in-season athletes. But whether with us or in a program at your school, it is vital to continue training year round.
Have more questions?
Feel free to contact us with any questions. You can email us, or text/call 915-317-6813.