Lacrosse just might be America's fastest growing sport with men, women, boys and girls suiting up to play. "It's really fun. I really enjoy being out here,” says 12-year-old Alyssa Buttenberg who has been playing the sport for a year.
Tahoe Lacrosse Company hosted the Youth Lacrosse Camp at Manogue this summer and had nearly 80 kids show up to train. To help get these kids in great shape for the field, camp organizers called on the founder of another up-and-coming way to condition.
"Strong arms, strong bellies, pull it in!” yells Jackie Peacock, who created BODYpow which stands for Personally Optimized Workout. "BODYpow is an all over body-weight conditioning program that helps with overall strength, flexibility and endurance." You go as hard as you can - for a timed period - before a brief break. The intervals create a mental component as you push yourself past muscle exhaustion to muscle fatigue.
Jackie believes physical fitness comes from mental strength. "It can translate well into any sort of sport - out on the field or whatever you're doing. When you hit that wall to be able to push through and find that grit."
Jackie volunteered to work out the kids every day of the camp. "They're after it, a lot of these kids. They're really trying, they're digging, they're pushing and it's a good thing. They're doing awesome." While most of the kids are already in good shape, this is a different kind of training. "Honestly, it doesn't look that hard, but when you actually do it - it's pretty hard,” admits Connor Gephart who will be a freshman at Spanish Springs High School in the fall.
Galena Lacrosse athlete, Cyd Curle agrees, "Yes, this is the first time I've tried BODYpow and I will admit I have gone home sore every single day!”
This is a new way for most of them to condition their mind and their bodies, all in an effort to become faster, stronger and better equipped with endurance. "Two hours into a practice or at the tail end of the game, and they're exhausted and their muscles are fatigued, they're trained to push through that.”
To learn more about the Tahoe Lacrosse Company and BODYpow, click on the following links:
http://www.tahoesummercamps.com/lacrosse-camps-in-lake-tahoe
