strength training - Summit Strength & Fitness

Coach and Trainer; is there a difference?

Coach and Trainer. I have seen these two terms used very loosely lately. Having chosen a career path that entails both these titles, I wanted to clarify what the difference between the two means to me. Yes, you can be both a coach and trainer, but they are not mutually exclusive. Just because you are a certified…

How to train year-round to be Competitive

When it comes to maximizing athletic performance, structuring your strength and conditioning program around an annual cycle is crucial. Dividing the year into phases—in-season, post-season, off-season, and pre-season—ensures you build strength, recover effectively, and peak at the right time. Let’s break down each phase and its key objectives to train year-round. With that being…

Deadlifts are a powerful tool for Mountain Athletes

For mountain athletes—whether you’re a climber, skier, trail runner, or mountaineer—strength and functionality are non-negotiable. The ability to move efficiently, carry heavy loads, and withstand the physical demands of steep ascents and descents can make or break your performance and safety in the mountains. Enter the deadlift, a powerhouse of an exercise that should be…

PAP; is a powerful form of training that’s invigorating

Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) training is a performance-enhancing method that leverages the body's neuromuscular system to temporarily increase power output following a high-intensity exercise. The concept is based on the principle that performing a heavy or explosive movement "primes" the nervous system and muscles, making subsequent movements faster and more forceful. The Science Behind PAP Post…

How to overcome self-doubt in fitness

Let’s be honest—there are days when just thinking about working out feels exhausting. You know the ones. Your sneakers glare at you from across the room while you binge-watch another episode of a show you’ve already seen twice. You hear that nagging voice: “Why bother? You can start again on Monday.” Don't give in,…

How to Better Train at Altitude

As many of you know, I have recently moved to the beautiful Colorado. For many reasons, we decided this was the moment to make our mountain adventure dreams come true. For one, I am pursuing my amateur athletic career (alongside my professional Occupational Therapy career and full-time mom duties). Living at 7800 ft (and to…

Workout to feel better; Physically and Mentally

The relationship between mental and physical health is undeniably inseparable. We often treat them as differing realms, science and personal experiences alike show us that our minds and bodies are deeply intertwined. A mental health struggle can manifest physical symptoms–headache, fatigue, and a weakened immune system—quite quickly. Similarly, changes in physical health can trigger feelings…

How to Train Better

Last week I wrote a post on whether you should be following a training plan or not. If you have not read that yet, well, then go give that a read HERE. Figuring out where you are in your training cycle will be a good indicator of whether or not you should be…

Training Plans are Great, Most of the Time

That question can not be answered in one blog post nor can it be a general answer. It is very dependent on the person, their goals, their motivation, their current state of health, etc. From my experience of following training plans (and prescribing them for my clients) is that you should NOT follow a plan…

Add these movements to your routine to become more resilient

Designing a workout plan or just going to the gym without a plan at all can be very overwhelming. Most gyms have a vast amount of unnecessary machines or the latest “six pack ab” gizmo. On top of that there are people of all shapes and sizes doing who knows what without any professional help. …

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