Most pitchers are constantly trying to improve their pitching and improve their pitching speed. Many pitchers practice pitching a lot to get better, but there are other ways to improve as a pitcher, especially when it comes to throwing more heat.

I’m talking about this because I was just browsing around on facebook when I saw this status update by the King of Core himself, Barry Lovelace…

Every time I hear testimonies from softball players that work with Barry (especially pitchers), one thing stands out is they all talk about how they see results FAST! Just about every one mentions that, after just a few sessions and workouts with Barry, they can already see and feel a difference in there softball performance.  What other kind of training does that?

Barry uses lots of core power training, functional training, and sport specific training when working with softball players.  He’s designed some great softball training programs that can help you (or your team) step up your game and do it quick! Best of all, you can do his Barry’s softball training programs during season or off season, any time you want or need it!

Learn more about how you can ramp up your softball performance quick and do it for far less than you’d spend for a personal softball trainer or gym membership => SoftballTeamTraining.com.

Of course, we didn’t have time until after we had done all our running around on this crazy hectic day, so the lighting isn’t the best, but here’s their first try at these crazy pushups, plus some other family fun push-up stuff.

Before this year I had no idea so many different kinds of push-ups existed.  These are one of the coolest I’ve seen (not the ones with multiple people…the ones shown with just one person in the picture).

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlHex_CK9xU

Here they are in no particular order – all the specials that are ending soon

1.  Fastpitch Assistant at 41% off: get 6 months of weekly practice tips and ideas to make planning practice easier on you!  CLICK HERE to save big before the special ends tomorrow.

2.  Free Mental Game Help: Dr. Tom Hanson is GIVING you a number of awesome resources sharing success secrets of the best in the game of baseball.  Plus he’s answering some of the most pressing questions real players, parent, and coaches have about the mental game.  Learn more HERE.

3.  Workouts for Baseball/Softball: Brand new workout DVD from Coach Dan of BaseballStrength.com and you get it for “Shipping Only.” No additional costs for the workout DVD that will help you easily incorporate an effective fitness/training component to your practices or training routine.  Limited number of DVDs available, so get yours today.

4.  New Workout Video for Softball Pitchers: learn from the pros and use the exact exercises they are using to get same day results.  Barry Lovelace (the King of Core) got together some of the softball players he trains and he is going to show you the exercises they use to increase strength and pitching speed…all for just $9.  Obviously that’s a great deal that won’t last long.  Get your pitching workout HERE.

5.  Coming Soon: I think I heard Marc Dagenais mention that he’s going to be doing this personalized programs again.  I don’t have the details yet, but will let you know if and when that is available.

Whew!  That’s a lot of stuff, but it’s likely that there’s only ONE that you “really” need right now (and will put to use immediately if you get it).  Don’t go all crazy just because you can’t resist a good deal.  Just get the one program or resource that is going to help you the most right now. IF there is more than one that will help you immediately, then go for it, but I don’t want to see you spending money on something you’ll never use.  If you want the most for your dollar and you KNOW you will need/use it – then by all means, take advantage of these deals before they’re gone.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Crazy guy only told me at the last minute that he’s offering this brand new workout video for fastpitch softball pitchers at just $9 until Tuesday!  Ummmm, doesn’t he know that softball people are usually BUSY over the weekend and no one checks e-mail or reads blogs (especially on a holiday weekend)?  So no one is really going to know about this, except you, since you ARE here still looking for ways to improve your game over a holiday weekend.  That’s the kind of dedication it takes to be the best.  So, for you, since you’re here when most people are out cruisin’ on the weekend, you WILL get the chance to grab this new workout for fastpitch softball pitchers before the special introductory price ends.  Get it HERE.

Now, I have to say, I’ve never done the P90X program and I’ve never even really seen all the workouts included in the program so I can’t personally recommend it at this time. However, one day when I was working out using some of the exercises from Barry’s Core Power programs, I had someone ask me if all the stuff I do is from P90X.  So I do know that there is some overlap.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend the workout to everybody because it is an “extreme” program (thus the name).  However, if you are in good shape and do want to train like some college players are training, you may be interested in learning more about it.  Definitely do your research before you try anything.  All I know right now is…

1. Some of my family members tried it and loved it (and they weren’t even “elite” athletes) and

2.  There ARE college players out there who are using it

Of course, price wise, P90X is not cheap.  Barry’s Core Power program is certainly less costly and I think, for younger age levels especially, I would simply go with that. I don’t think it’s necessary to spend huge dollars on a workout program at the 10U/12U age level.  Even if you are at a more elite level remember that Barry does also work with a few NPF players, so it’s not as if his programs are only for beginners.  I also have personal experience with Barry’s Core Power workouts and I do think they are awesome!

But if you’re looking for more training ideas (so training doesn’t get boring) or a more “extreme” challenge, I’ll be checking out P90X soon.  I’ll let you know what I think after I’ve had a chance to see it in action myself.

If you’ve had experience with P90X what do you think of it as a training program for softball players?

Why is this important?

Because core training is very cool and in case you missed out on your opportunity to get the program last time he offered a special, you have just 3 days to take advantage on this one.

Not only that, I’ve been doing some of these core training exercises and, I have to tell you, I LOVE them! And so do the players I work with…and so do my kids. My kids are 12, 9, 7, 4, and 18 months and they ALL try to copy the workouts when I’m doing them. Yes, even the 18 month old. She sees us doing planks and push-ups and she tries to copy us. It’s so cute! Anyway – the point is, one of the best things about core training is that it’s so much FUN.

It’s one of the only types of workouts I never had to push players (or my kids) to do. They just jump in and start. Not to mention the numerous benefits of training your core.

Here Are 7 Great Reasons to do Core Training

1.  The core is comprised of nearly 30 different muscles that basically wrap around your body in the area between your hips and rib cage. This area connects your upper and lower body so it can
function as one (which means more power and quickness). …crunches ain’t gonna do the job.

2.  Hitting and Pitching power comes from the core….The core is fundamental to all body movement. You hardly make a movement without engaging your core whether it be walking up the stairs or bending down to pick something up.

3. Hitting Posture? Pitching Posture?…A strong core provides balance and stability, a necessity in athletic movement.

4. Your core is the basis for all athletic movement. When you hit, throw, twist, swing or run you are relying on core strength to transfer power.

5. A strong core reduces your chances of low back injury which is quite common, especially in softball players and pitchers.

6. Your core includes both abdominal muscles and lower back muscles..front side core muscles don’t do the job.

7. If your core is weak, your movements will be weak and you will not reach your full athletic potential = no power or velocity

Get more information on how to train your core and see some sample exercises as well, check out Barry’s Core Power Program Today!

Oh, and one more thing. If you pick up Barry’s program, you can get ONE full month of Fastpitch Assistant (Practice help/drills/tips/ideas) for FREE as a special bonus.

So if you’ve been thinking about getting practice help through Fastpitch Assistant – this is your chance to check it out for one month without having to pay anything, plus get Barry’s Core Training Program at a special price, AND a total of $197 in bonuses. That’s a lotta cool stuff when you take advantage of Barry’s special at http://tr.im/corepowerprogram now.

I’m giving out all the details tomorrow to Fastpitch World Members only. If you’re not there yet (free to sign up) sharing your softball pictures, talking story in the forums, or uploading your cool softball videos, go over and get your own free Fastpitch World account today. That way you can start hanging out with other fastpitch fanatics AND make sure to get the very important e-mail that will be sent out to members tomorrow.

See you there!

So here are just a couple of Core Power Training pictures from the Hawaii Clinic this weekend.

• Learn how core training can increase your performance on the field
• Learn how core training can help reduce your chance of injury
• Find out how to properly to these exercises
• See demonstrations and try them for yourself
• Learn the exercises that will build lean muscle and increase your metabolism
• Find out why many prefer functional training over traditional weight/strength training
• Get all your core/functional training exercises answered
• …yup, all of this for $5!

Get the flyer/registration form HERE

Please pass this information along to any softball or baseball player you know.  All players ages 9-college are welcome.  Parents and coaches are highly encouraged to come out and learn too (no charge for parents and coaches).

Got questions?  Call me.  My number is on the flyer.

• You can print this flyer and hand it out to your team or anyone you know who may be interested
• You can save the flyer to your computer and forward it to others via e-mail.
• You can also just forward the link to the flyer to others via e-mail also.

If you’ve already turned in registration, PLEASE CONTACT ME (contact info on the flyer) to confirm that I received your information.

If you haven’t turned in your registration yet, there’s still time and there’s still room. Please call me as soon as possible to let you know you’re planning to attend so that I have an idea of how many athletes will be coming.

Remember, this clinic is good for baseball players and volleyball players as well as softball players. So if you know anyone playing those sports, let them know about the clinic.

I know there were some parents who were worried about cost – this clinic is only $5. It doesn’t get much better than that. You can’t go wrong!

If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to give me a call. I look forward to seeing you there. It’s gonna be a lot of fun!

Well, if you’re going to be in Hawaii on March 21-22, then you have a very special opportunity to learn what Core Power and Core Training is all about directly from Barry himself.

Join us at Kapolei High School on March 21 & March 22 for Core Power Clinics.

The cost is just $5 per session and is open to players ages 9 – college. Parents and coaches are welcome to come for free to learn more and ask questions. Additional details and contact information are available via the clinic flyer. Click on the link below to get it.

Print the flyer/registration form HERE