Cricket, often regarded as the "Gentleman's Game," may conjure images of leisurely matches played on sunny afternoons. However, beneath the genteel exterior lies a sport that demands exceptional physical fitness, explosive power, and endurance. From explosive sprints to sustained concentration, cricket places a unique set of physical demands on its players. In fact, a study revealed that world class cricket players are as 'fit" as their counterparts in rugby on measures of explosive power and aerobic endurance capacity. In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of the physical challenge ..read more

In the realm of cardiovascular fitness, Zone 2 training has emerged as a powerful tool to optimize endurance, enhance fat metabolism, and promote overall cardiovascular health. This blog post aims to shed light on the benefits, principles, and practical applications of Zone 2 cardio, guiding fitness enthusiasts toward a more effective and sustainable training regimen. Understanding Zone 2 Cardio There are 5 Zones of Aerobic activity. Zone 2 refers to a specific heart rate zone that falls within a moderate intensity range—typically around 60-70% of your maximum heart rate. This zone allows indi ..read more

Happy New Year from Athletic Lab. If you're one of the millions around the world making health, fitness or lifestyle related New Years Resolutions for 2024 know that you're not along. Making a New Year's resolution is a common tradition, but keeping them can be challenging. If you've tried and failed in the past, know that the goal should not be perfection but consistency. To this end, it's important to take small steps towards a conservative and sustainable goal. Don't look at your desired change as a challenge but as something that you're looking to modify for the better for the rest of your ..read more

Muscle contractions are the root of all movement. Muscles generate tension and pull on the skeleton (via tendons) to accelerate, stop or decelerate joints. Underpinning both these decelerative and stopping actions are what are known as eccentric muscle actions. An eccentric muscle contraction involves lengthening of the muscle. It occurs when a force applied to the muscle exceeds the momentary force produced by the muscle itself. If the load exceeds the capacity of the muscle, it results in the forced lengthening of the muscle-tendon system while contracting. This is known as an accentuated ec ..read more

Athletic Lab's Mike Young training athletes with a flywheel device from Exxentric While flywheel training is not new, it's only recently started to become more prevalent in the fitness and performance training landscape. In the past several years, it's become increasingly prevalent to find flywheel training devices in professional and major collegiate sports training rooms. Athletic Lab was an early adopter of this technology. To this day, we continue to use it with great effect with our private training members and elite professional athletes. An Introduction to Flywheel Resistance Training I ..read more

  [This is a guest blog by Renee Perkins. Renee is enrolled at App State University and is currently taking part in the Athletic Lab Coaching Mentorship program.] Back pain affects 60-70% of people in their lifetime (Burton, 2005). The majority will experience this discomfort impacting mood and capacity to focus during daily activities. The cause of this back pain can stem from multiple root issues but a key component to a healthy, pain free back is keeping it in good postural alignment. “Exercise can lessen the behavioral, cognitive and disability aspects of back pain syndromes” (Rainvil ..read more

Swimming is a demanding sport that requires a unique combination of strength, endurance, and technique. While time in the water is essential for a swimmer's development, dryland training has become an integral part of a comprehensive training program. In this post, we'll explore the numerous benefits of dryland training for swimmers, supported by research and studies that validate its positive impact on swimmers' performance. Athletic Lab is the proud provider of dryland training for the Marlins of Raleigh swim club. The club has been recognized as a Gold Medal Club by USA Swimming five times ..read more

In the pursuit of optimal health and peak athletic performance, many factors come into play, such as training, nutrition, and recovery. However, one often overlooked tool in this quest is blood testing. Regular blood testing is not only crucial for monitoring and maintaining overall health, but it can also be a game-changer when it comes to maximizing athletic performance. Evidence-based wellness has become an emerging industry due to its evidence from clinical and research data.  For this reason, Athletic Lab is a longstanding partner with InsideTracker - the industry leader in providing ..read more

Sport performance training for hockey can be a critical to youth success. Hockey is often described as the fastest game on ice. It is a demanding sport that requires a unique blend of skill, speed, power, and agility. As youth players strive to achieve their potential in this sport, the significance of sport performance training cannot be overlooked. This form of training aids in the overall development of young athletes, preparing them physically and mentally for the challenges of the game. Athletic Lab is proud to provide training for the Junior Canes youth hockey club. In this post, we'll d ..read more

Is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) the fountain of youth of exercise - the magic pill for performance and longevity? Introduction In our quest for a long and healthy life, we often find ourselves exploring various diets, supplements, and lifestyle changes. One increasingly popular method gaining recognition for its positive impact on longevity is High-Intensity Interval Training. HIIT is not just about building muscles or shedding pounds; it has the potential to be the secret sauce for extending our lifespan. In this blog post, we'll delve into the remarkable benefits of HIIT on longev ..read more