Strength and Power Notes July 2009
After a number of delays in order to get all systems working properly the new Newton Sports web site is now up and running! We hope you like the new design and interface that remedies some issues with the former site’s design.
Bookmark www.newton-sports.com and plan to return regularly to check its evolution. We have plans for a number of new, expanded experiences. Meanwhile, feel free to let us know what you want from the site.
Harvey Newton just returned from a week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he addressed an audience of approximately 200, mostly personal trainers. There was also a large, tented tradeshow that drew thousands of visitors daily. Part of the scheduled activities was a multi-hour treadmill session with elite and recreational runners, along with a huge (300+) stationary cycling event.
Rio de Janeiro is making a very strong bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. “The overall level of physical activity in the city was impressive, with hundreds of runners, mostly middle aged, jogging by the hotel on Avenue Atlantica each day,” Harvey noted. The fitness club scene is expanding rapidly, with many options available throughout the country. And significantly, unlike in the U.S., personal trainers in Brazil must posses a college degree, which has led to a bit of a growth industry.
the 11th Annual Rio Sports.
“Trainers were not that familiar with explosive lifting and training for improved sports performance,” coach Newton observed. “But I had an interested and engaged audience throughout the five theoretical and one practical, hands-on sessions.” There were the usual challenges to topics such as youth strength training, squatting, injury prevention, etc.
“The big thing in Brazil is the so-called “functional training” craze. While I attended a couple of presentations on this topic, I also had the opportunity to educate attendees on the “functional” nature of more traditional strength training. I was fortunate to work with Pedro Ivo Cosenza and Professor Eduardo Netto, two of Brazil’s leading experts in fitness education. They wanted to have some non-mainstream topics presented in order to shake up conventional wisdom. We accomplished that goal.”
the camera. Ms. Ana Paula Leal Graziano, the expo organizer, is in the right rear portion of the photo. Michael Scott Scudder (orange shirt) is
seen between Elsa and Harvey.
“I got in a couple of workouts while in Rio, although squat racks seem to be a rarity there. One day, while walking to Ipanema to watch the surfers, I stumbled onto what can only be accurately described as ‘Muscle Beach (the old one in Santa Monica, not Venice) Rio.’ As you can tell from the photos, the equipment was primitive… but effective. A little more time here would have been rewarding. Talk about functional!”
lifter ask for? Note the variety and orderliness of this set-up.
a la Vakhonin (1964 Olympics).
The Gainesville, FL workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, not the 18th, as previously listed.
Doug Lane and Harvey Newton are currently negotiating a one- or two-day clinic and workshop in Pensacola, FL in September. Keep an eye on this column for details as they become available.
The sharply reduced price on the Pro Back Revolution® System has been extended through July. Now is the time to order a Back Rev if you want to take advantage of a big price reduction as the company prepares for a new order (and a higher price).
Check out the YouTube clip featured here on Newton Sports and Order now!
Specialize in Collegiate Weightlifting?
Kyle Pierce, EdD, Director of the USA Weightlifting Development Center in Shreveport, LA is looking for a few good female college-aged lifters. There’s a chance for you to get financial support, in-state tuition, a great education, and fantastic training opportunities. Interested? Contact Harvey Newton for details.