I've noticed an emerging trend in the strength and conditioning industry I find ludicrous (not Ludacris).

Certain "coaches" ridicule bodybuilding methods due to how "non-functional" they are.

Yet, you will hear these same peeps blabber about producing "functional/structural hypertrophy" or building "body armor" in their athletes.

It's the same damn thing!

At the end of the day, you're trying to make your guys bigger, stronger and leaner.

Jacked.

Ripped.

Diesel.

So let's just call it how we see it, okay?

We're bodybuilding.

No fancy-schmancy, made-up lingo can change that.

And for the record, nothing wrong with bodybuilding training.

In fact, I 100% support it.

Every athlete should include some bodybuilding work in his ​routine.

Before you conclude I've lost my mind and instruct the orderlies to get the restraints, preferably a strait-jacket, hear me out...

Phase 1 of our off-season template involves moderately loaded exercises where you perform an average of 8+ reps per set with incomplete rest periods.

Yes, very much the classic bodybuilding way of training.

After a long hockey season, our goal is balancing guys out by strengthening and increasing lean muscle mass, especially in the glutes, hamstrings, upper back and adductors. All muscle groups that - when not addressed properly - frequently lead to muscular imbalances and mediocre performance on the ice.

Does that sound any different from a bodybuilder who wants to grow his pecs or bi's for a more balanced physique?

Sure, we don't waste time on dumbbell flyes or concentration curls with the goal of one day stepping on stage covered in fake tan spray, rocking posing trunks.

But we also can't overlook the importance of targeting muscles that need extra attention in order for them to grow.

Furthermore, higher rep "pump" work sprinkled into your workouts helps keep your joints healthy.

I had to learn this the hard way during the first few years of lifting while being suckered into the "anything above 5 reps is cardio" nonsense peddled in certain circles.

Only after years of injuries and frustration did I realize they were wrong and unless you're built like John Cena, your joints won't survive the beating that comes with heavy, low-rep lifting week in, week out.

Besides, if a guy wants to hit a few sets of barbell curls and triceps pushdowns to wrap up his workout, what's the harm?

You're telling me 10 minutes of blasting his arms will somehow hinder his gains on squats, presses, weighted chins, etc. during the previous 50?

If anything, he'll leave the gym in a happy mood relishing that feel of stretched skin against engorged muscle.

And who am I to prohibit him from experiencing that?

Granted, a crucial element in sports performance training remains absent in bodybuilding programs.

Acceleration.

(a.k.a. speed and power work)

That's why you will rarely see an athletic bodybuilder who can jump, sprint and change directions fast.

They don't need that ability hitting a front lat spread under bright stage lights. So they don't train for it.

But as long as you perform speed/power/agility movements in addition to max strength lifts and higher volume techniques, you're golden.

If anything, that's about as "functional" as it can get for someone who wants to get bigger and stronger while also gaining a step or two on the playing field.

To learn how I combine maximal strength work, bodybuilding methods, and power training for the best results, visit this link today:

http://www.NextLevelHockeyTraining.com

Yunus Barisik