From the Ground Up Athletic Performance Podcast Wade Houchin Episode 72 "ATG Philosophy & implementation, Neurological Considerations & SQ1"
On Episode 72 I sat down with Wade Houchin of Kula Sports Performance Plano. Wade is freshly hired at Kula Performance and will be operating their Plano Branch which will open in March. Wade currently provides quality training to clients from his own set up over in the DFW area and I've been following his progression in the fitness world over the last few years. Wade utilizes a variety of techniques chief among them the ATG training system popularized by Ben Patrick. I've only mentioned this system in passing on previous episodes, so I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about different elements of the ATG system and how to blend them into training. We start with a description that I've seen Wade utilize on numerous occasions which is the quote " Over throw the status quo." Wade details how he utilizes this mindset to really guide how he views aspects of day to day life as well as his endeavors within fitness.
In order to fully understand the ATG system we start our discussion by detailing the main training philosophies of the ATG system. Wade describes ATG as a full body training system emphasizing full range of motion movements. ATG addresses a lot of low hanging fruit as it addresses different movement limitations that may exist due to our sedentary lifestyle in western culture. By exposing the body to greater ranges of motion you promote blood flow to areas that are typically neglected within training utilizing more traditional ranges of motion. One thing that I was particularly interested in is how we can progress to these deeper ranges over time by intelligently working towards desired end points. Wade shares the different check points one can utilize for the ATG split squat and discusses the role of other well know ATG variations. Wade discusses the advancement of movements from a load perspective as well as a range perspective and does a good job of informing the audience on how to intelligently develop proficient movement based around the ATG system.
Nordics are another exercise that I could not pass up discussing with Wade as they are often a hot button topic and I've noticed Wade utilized them on a frequent basis. Wade shares how he progresses Nordics intelligently in training. He also shares how he likes to utilize different variations within training such as biasing the eccentric or concentric portion of the movement. I was interested to hear how Wade builds a session around this movement and he shares the layout for a day that features a posterior chain circuit including Nordics. Our last talking points discuss how we can bring the brain into training. Wade highlights how he likes to prime clients by including RPR and spike balls to bring a tactile sensory elements into warm ups. Wade also discusses how he utilizes cross crawl patterning when implementing bilateral movements as an auxiliary to help tune up contralateral elements. Square 1 System is something that I've referenced on multiple occasions and Wade shares how he benefits as well as utilizes the tools provided within square 1 system.
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