Florida Memorial University Athletics

MISSION STATEMENT

The Florida Memorial University Strength and Conditioning Department’s mission is to cultivate a holistic culture that builds champions and helps our student-athletes achieves success in every aspect of life. Through a comprehensive program, we will utilize the latest methods in the field of strength and conditioning to enhance the athletic development of our athletes while reducing the risk of injury. Our staff will put forth an attitude of honest care for our athletes in order to assure them that we always have their best interest in mind.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

1. Train Specifically and Progressively 
   The number one objective for our student-athletes is to increase and optimize their athletic performance using the least amount of effort in the least amount of time. We do not waste the student-athletes’ time or use unnecessary efforts with lifts or exercises that do not produce the greatest results. Application of intensity and volume are the most crucial aspects of training and have the greatest impact on maximizing performance. We will utilize several different methodologies of training that gradually influence the intensity and volume of each lift or movement throughout the training year. In order to train in a specific manner, we must take into an account the sports bioenergetic demand, movement velocity, movement direction, muscle fiber recruitment, flexibility, and strength qualities.
    
2. Training Movement and Intensity
   We believe that the best ways to prevent injury and optimize athletic performance is giving maximal amount of effort and having movement/exercise competency. Each movement, exercise or lift should be done with the highest amount of physical and mental effort possible. These two qualities must work together without sacrificing one for another.
    
3. Exercise Selection and Implementation
   Our training and exercise selection is based around total body exercises and ground-based movements using primary free weights (barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.). Our main lifts consist of compound (multi-joint) lifts that teach the athletes how to properly apply force into the ground in all three planes of motion. We utilize Olympic lifting, bodybuilding and power-lifting movements within our program, but we do not over-concentrate in any one of these areas. We use movements in the weight room that will directly transition over to the playing fields.
    
4. Educate
   As a staff we must educate our student-athletes on proper technique, weight room safety, nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention. The recovery and restoration process are just as important as the training. We educate our student-athletes that it isn’t necessarily how much work you do in the weight room that counts, it’s what you can do and recovery from properly is what counts!