Designer Training Techniques
by author Lucretia Schanfarber

Peter Twist is a unique kind of designer. He designs sports training techniques that lead to better strength and athletic performance.

Twist was the strength and conditioning coach for the Vancouver Canucks for 11 years. He resigned his position with the Canucks to invest himself in his family life and in the development of his budding business venture, Twist Conditioning, Inc.

Twist, the Teacher

Armed with a master's degree, Twist is an exercise physiologist who specializes in the science of coaching. He is recognized for his innovative research and sports training methods and has published over 300 papers, authored four books, and produced 11 DVDs related to athletic development. He lectures to thousands of trainers and coaches all around the world.

Twist, the Trainer

Twist is renowned for his innovative training techniques and specialized training programs. Until recently, his revered techniques were reserved solely for the elite athlete, but not anymore. Now everyone in pursuit of optimum athletic performance can get the wide-ranging benefits from his expertise.

The Twist program includes both physical and psychological training. According to Twist, "Players face many challenges and need a variety of psychological tools at their disposal. They can tap into both mental alertness and peace of mind through conditioning."

He goes on to describe an optimal psychological state, saying, "When anxiety is low, performance is low. Likewise when anxiety is high, performance suffers. The goal is middle ground-stimulated and a little nervous, not half asleep, and not freaked out."

Twist, the Company

Twist Conditioning, Inc. has four main divisions: a training facility in the North Shore region of Vancouver; conditioning camps in three countries; sports and fitness product distribution; and the education division.

Twist consults regularly for NHL players, and he uses many of the same principles for his public training camps. The Twist summer camps and year-round camps focus on physiological and neuromuscular development.

"The goal," says Twist, "is not just to improve fitness but to improve strength, speed, quickness, agility, balance, reaction skills, and anaerobic conditioning using our proven methods."

Ten "Twistisms"

1. There are challenges, but there are no excuses.
2. The best players must lead.
3. The head coach must be able to articulate the importance of conditioning.
4. Support staff, including medical trainers, equipment trainers, and administration, must speak positively about player development and encourage the players.
5. An injury is not a ticket to watching TV. It is instead a ticket to extra weight room time, building up both the injured area and improving unrelated areas.
6. Train all the time. (Twist is referring to in-season hockey players.)
7. Being tired doesn't always mean rest is needed.
8. Exercise gives energy.
9. More is not always better.
10. Intensive sport breaks the body down. Conditioning builds it back up.

To learn more about Twist sport conditioning, visit sportconditioning.ca.

Twist Conditioning coach Dean Shiels worked with alive Life Makeover participant Rob Klettke in the fitness category of the series (to read more, click here).

Lucretia Schanfarber is a BC writer.

Source: alive Web Exclusive, April 2007