Today’s guest is Robbie Bourke, host of the “All Things Strength and Wellness” podcast. Robbie is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Neuromuscular and Physical Therapist, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist, and Holistic Health and Wellness Practitioner based in Glasnevin, Dublin.
In listening to Robbie’s podcast over the last year, I’m really amazed by the amount, and diversity of knowledge that he has in realms of not only sports performance, but also nutrition, physiology, psychology, and more. It’s always been my own quest to be well rounded, so seeing another podcast host younger than myself with the knowledge that Robbie has is inspiring.
In talking to Robbie recently, we both realized that we were both excited about learning more about the same training modality: isometrics. Although a method as old as time, Robbie and I both think that many coaches and athletes are missing out by not considering this method in their regimes. Additionally, in this podcast, Robbie covers ideas on high-low, or the “barbell method” of training (Taleb), individualizing factors in training, training the nervous system, and periodization and training residuals.
It’s always great talking with Robbie, and this was a wonderful conversation on many training topics of interest that are often hot with debate.
Today’s episode is brought to you by SimpliFaster, supplier of high-end athletic development tools, such as the Freelap timing system, kBox, Sprint 1080, and more.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:12 — 56.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Email | Deezer | Anghami | RSS
View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage.
Key Points:
- Robbie’s background and education in the human performance industry
- Thoughts on isometric training for athletic performance in light of old and new ideologies
- The “barbell principle” of attacking training in general, and specific movements from both ends of the spectrum
- Individualization factors in performance training
- Thoughts on the application of delayed training effects and periodization
“We know that this neural component of being able to activate and recruit motor units is a huge part of increasing biological output in terms of strength and how much force we can produce”
“Strength training and all the exercises and means of strength training are just means, they are just one way to do it”
“If the brain feels the body cannot produce force because a joint is in a bad position, it will not allow you to produce force”
“It’s a universal principle to attack training from both ends of the spectrum”
“The speed continuum for track and field does not carry over to field-based athletes”
“We train everything, but it’s an emphasis based model”
“Training residuals are the holy grail of training, and they are so individual to the person”
“Due to delayed training effects, it’s definitely still worth having a sequential order in your periodization”
“The more neurological the sport is, the more training residuals might be less of a factor”
About Robbie Bourke
Robbie Bourke is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Neuromuscular and Physical Therapist, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist, and Holistic Health and Wellness Practitioner based in Glasnevin, Dublin.
In December 2009 Robbie completed an internship at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC), Boston, MA, USA, under world-renowned strength and conditioning coach, Mike Boyle.
Robbie completed his Higher Diploma in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy at the National Training Centre (NTC), Dublin in October 2011. Robbie has completed many other courses such as Reed Davis’ Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, and Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride’s Gut and Psychology Syndrome certification, and many more in the fields of strength & conditioning, nutrition, functional medicine, rehabilitation, and holistic health and wellness.
As a strength and conditioning coach Robbie specializes in movement quality, linear and multi-directional speed development, power development, strength training, energy system development, body composition, corrective exercise, and rehabilitation.
Free Speed Training eBook - Velocity 101
Improving speed is one of the most popular topics in the athletic performance equation. Where there are many ideas and thoughts out there, as to particular training exercises, or setups, the more core aspects of speed training often go without mention. These include the fundamental aspects of what makes an athlete fast, specific sprint-power concepts, the relevance of "3D" motion, motor learning and more.
Velocity 101 will help you take a leap forward in understanding of what makes athletes fast, and how to train it effectively