On this week's episode we discuss some recent training trends and current events, including the World Indoor Championships, competition scheduling in an Olympic year, zone 2 training, the NFL combine, and much more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2024/03/gaincast-episode-280-training-trends-and-current-events/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the...

What sport you play is different than how you play that sport. In the game of tennis, for example, vastly different styles of play emerge, which require a different approach to preapre for. On this week's GAINcast Jason Hettler of IMG Academy Tennis explains their process of profiling athletes, matching to game style, and individualizing training. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

To kick of 2024 we're putting together a spectacular roundtable featuring guests Dr. Michael Joyner, Grace Golden, and Randy Ballard. We take a look back at trends from 2023, as well as what we see ahead in 2024. In addition we dive into the value of tribes, rethinking monitoring, soft skills, and much more to kick off the year. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2024/01/gaincast-episode-278-the-new-years-roundtable/ The...

On this week's GAINcast Vern shares his top 6 books of 2023, key insights after recent travels to Europe and Australia, plus thoughts as we look ahead at preparing for the 2024 Olympics. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/12/gaincast-episode-277-books-travels-and-olympic-preparations/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:  The GAINcast is...

A recent interview on HMMR Media shared some of the weight room numbers of the hammer throw world champion. After hearing them, everyone asked: how can a champion be so weak? Strength is complex. Strength is contextual. On this week's podcast we share some ideas about the role of strength in athletic performance, transfer of strength, training strength, and much more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

Championship results require championship behaviors from both athletes and coaches. Having guided multiple men's and women's teams at the highest levels, volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon knows a thing or two about what championships behaviors are. On this week's GAINcast he joins us to share his input on finding intention, putting skill acquisition into practice, coaching, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

We take a look at some current events and current happenings in our own training to reflect on some lessons learned on this week's GAINcast. To start with we debrief the USWNT's disappointing performance at the World Cup, before sharing lessons on how to best draw parallels from past experiences to working with new sports, including some examples from new sports we've been introduced to in the last year. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

The start of the recent women's World Cup in soccer has turned focus to the rash of ACL injuries in the sport, and the particular impact it has had on female players. On this week's GAINcast Vern looks at the structure of the knee, risk factors for injuries, and what coaches can do to help reverse trends for women and men. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/07/gaincast-episode-273-the-acl/ The following links were also...

We live in the age of polarization. We get into long debates about whether things are black or white, but when it comes to topics like training and motor learning, the reality is often a shade of grey. Professor Kevin Becker is looking to create a conversation beyond dichotomies. On this week's GAINcast he shares some ideas around motor learning and attentional focus that attempt to color in the areas in between. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes...

This year's GAIN has come and gone and what an experience it was. On this week's GAINcast Vern and Martin share the biggest learnings at this year's GAIN. Plus they discuss in detail the key characteristics of a training system. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/06/gaincast-episode-271-lessons-from-gain/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:  ...

Just like other parts of sport, competing is a skill that can be trained. On this week's GAINcast we explore what makes up the skill of competing and how to best train it. In addition we discuss the winning difference, creativity, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/05/gaincast-episode-269-force-and-sprinting-with-dan-cleather-and-jon-goodwin/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some...

Why are some athletes faster than others? And how do we make athletes faster? In their new book Dan Cleather and Jon Goodwin argue that the answer begins and ends with a consideration of force production. Both of them join this week's podcast to discuss key drivers in sprint performance, what factors are modifiable, and how we often get distracted from what really matters. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

Another baseball season is underway and, once again, the injuries are piling up. On this week’s GAINcast we speculate about what might be causing the injuries, how training is related to injuries, and where using heavy and light implements can go right or wrong. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/05/gaincast-episode-268-implements-and-injuries/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some...

The 1980s were a time of global awakening in track and field. As coaches experimented with new training methods, ideas started spreading all over the blog. Coach Bogdan Poprawski was at the center of that process, moving as a young coach from Poland to Canada and helping Gerard Mach set up a new system. On this week's GAINcast he joins us to share some stories about becoming a coach in a different era and culture, the transition to Canada, and much more. For more information on this topic,...

The training camp is an integral part of the training process in many sports. But how can you get the most out of it? On this week's GAINcast we share ideas around planning training camps to get the most out of them with swim coach Chris Webb. In addition, we look at optimal planning of multiple short training sessions, strategies to increase training quality, how much warmup is needed, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

Being a better mover solves a lot of problems: it makes it easier to pick up skills and adapt to new situations, which also helps reduce the risk of injury and increase the level of performance. Rather than focusing on your next injury prevention exercise, most athletes would be better off just becoming better overall movers. Dutch national football team coach René Wormhoudt joins this week's GAINcast to discuss his training approach which builds upon this philosophy for both youth athletes...

Long-term athlete development models are often packaged with convincing narratives and buzzwords. But they're also full of a few myths as well. Dr. Joe Eisenmann's career has combined his academic interests in pediatric physiology with his practical experiences in youth coaching. Combined he's helped bring some common sense to the topic of LTAD. On this week's podcast he talks about some of the history and misconceptions of LTAD, as well as his own approach to the area. For more information...

Competition season is starting up again in many sports. We start this week's GAINcast off by looking at how to best structure training in the days before a competition and how to learn what works best for your individual athletes. In addition we also talk about pre-meet workouts, psychological preparation, GPS data, single-factor models, and much more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/03/gaincast-episode-263-odds-and-ends/ ...

The SMU Locomotor Performance Lab is at the cutting edge of researching practical questions on sprinting and jumping. On this week's GAINcast Emily McClelland joins us to discuss her latest research on vertical jumping and sex differences in short sprints. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/02/gaincast-episode-262-the-sprint-lab-with-emily-mcclelland/ Further reading The following links were referenced in the podcast or...

We often talk about developing elite athletes, but the amateur sporting world is even bigger and more demanding in many ways. On this week's GAINcast coach and physiotherapist Donie Fox joins us to discuss how his team have implemented athletic development structure into their local GAA club. In addition we discuss the differences between building and rebuilding athletes, and how the mental side of physiotherapy is the real difference maker. For more information on this topic, read the...

GAIN stands for the Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network. Most people think it is all about Gambetta, but the Network is the most important word in GAIN. On this week's GAINcast, three original GAIN members join us to discuss the power of mentorship, and how the network has evolved their own coaching careers, and some lessons learned from past GAIN events. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ...

Vern is a notorious reader on a wide range of topics. On this week's GAIN cast he looks back at his top books of 2022, breaking down more than 20 titles for listeners. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/01/gaincast-episode-259-top-books-of-2022/ Further reading The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic: The GAINcast is sponsored by GAIN. GAIN 2023 will...

The year is coming to end, which means it is time for our annual combined episode of the GAINcast and HMMR Podcast to discuss the state of training for sports. We share highlights from our favorite episodes of the year, discuss training trends like isometrics, microdosing vs. split training, and what we'll be trying out in 2023. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/12/gaincast-episode-258-state-of-the-sport-with-nick-garcia/ ...