Another year has passed in the confines of the weight room. A time for Strength Coaches to look back on gains, set backs, dos, don’ts, attitudes, dreams and life experiences. It may be filled with free weight, chalk and sweat but the more I think about it, the weight room is more of a life-sized classroom that every youngster should experience. For inside I have learned more than any textbook has ever taught me. The value of hard work, attention to detail, sacrifice, paying dues, persistence, positivity, courage, team work, discipline, determination, dedication, adaptation, programming, methodologies in practice, what works, what doesn’t and BELIEF! The most rewarding is belief! A young athlete that gains confidence and believes in himself/herself through training is more rewarding than PR’s, weight pulled and record boards. My goal for 2013 is that more people can experience this atmosphere, this magic, this special place where work meets reward, where passion meets persistence, where pride meets iron, where life lessons are ingrained in the fabric of our being for the rest of our lives, the weight room! I hope 2013 brings more to experience this classroom.
Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com). He can be reached at info@donskovsc.com.
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