Functional Fitness for Protection w/ Tim Habla
As a former Drill Sargent, Tim Habla sees functional fitness in a new light. Sending years dissecting these movement patterns allowed Tim to teach others how to defend themselves while getting in the best shape of their lives.
As a former Drill Sargent, Tim Habla sees functional fitness in a new light. Sending years dissecting these movement patterns allowed Tim to teach others how to defend themselves while getting in the best shape of their lives.
“From learning how to break the body, I’ve learned how to fix the body.”
Throughout his journey, Tim has discovered that the body absorbs damage in the hips... and in return provide power from the hips as well. From there, Counter Respons Fitness was born. Tim continually spends his time in the lab, working with clients to combine functional fitness with martial arts, modifying movements as his clients need to activate and not irritate the right muscle groups and movement patterns.
The Clients of Counter Response
The world can be a scary place, and whether or not we stay up to date on the news, we always feel as if we must look over our backs. Over the past 4 years, Tim has had the privilege of helping over 80 individuals rebuild themselves from all walks of life:
Those Dealing with Past Trauma
Those Who Have Never Fought... and Never Want To
Those Who Live In Fear of What Could Happen
No matter what his clients are going through, Tim provides an opportunity to build awareness and the knowledge to properly defend oneself. By continually triggering new neurological pathways (often confused with muscle memory), Tim’s clients learn to fight weaknesses by mastering the right forms in his teachings.
Programming For The Alpha
As Tim comes from a long line of Baptism by Fire, it’s easy to assume he throws his clients into the ring with a sink or swim mentality. However, when in a controlled environment, jumping right into his program is the best way to learn.
After asking for previous injuries or immediate knowledge needed, Tim starts his clients out by saying: “You are ultimately responsible for you... everything we do is modifiable... so keep up.”
Tim doesn’t overcomplicate his programs, screening his clients’ movements through every session. He starts by programming for himself -- the Alpha Program -- and modifies from there
based on specific needs -- the Bravo Program. All of Tim’s trainers understand the primary objective of each session and are prepared with 2-3 different modifications for each movement.
Using Tim’s plug-n-play program, each day flows throughout the week... just as each bar in a symphony leads to the next. Monday prepares the body for Tuesday, while Tuesday deloads from Monday and prepares for Wednesday... and so on. But how? What’s the secret?
Built-In Deloads
While there is no secret “hack” or a “single best” program for everyone, Tim’s unique program does include built-in deloads (in the form of bag work) to help the body recover faster than traditional methods.
“You can only do what you can recover from.”
Each weights session, we are building pressure in our joints and so on... and the faster we can get rid of that pressure, the better the body is able to deload and prepare for the next session. Tim found that through proper bag work, his clients are able to deactivate the pressure built up through the weight sessions. And as always, he finds the modifications needed for each individual.
Modifying Through Life
Throughout our lives, we will experience different injuries, limitations, or obstacles. But there is always something we can do. By starting now, and staying consistent, we can help our bodies grow past these limitations to stay fit and healthy. Tim provides these exercises to emphasize during certain times in our life to do just that:
In Our 20’s: focus on continually building
Olympic Lifts like Cleans and Snatches
Powerlifts like Squats and Deadlifts
Become Functionally Strong
In Our 30’s: deactivate from the stress -- men, specifically, keep stress in their hips ○ Cleans
Lunges
Running
In Our 40’s: we no longer have to spend as much time with weights as we used to
Dexterity/Mobility
Running
Now, these are just points of emphasis to help aid our fitness journey throughout our lives... some people can do more while others may need to do less... and that’s where having the mind of Tim Habla comes in.
Counter Response has recently moved into a 10,000 sq. ft. space at 941 Industry Ave., Suite A, Roanoke, VA! The grand opening to the public will be May 16th, so mark your calendars if you want to see how functional fitness meets Martial Arts.
Faith, Basketball, & More w/ Coach Eric Walker
Join Adrian Rangel as he interviews ABA Rising Stars coach, Eric Walker, about succeeding in faith-based programs.
Join Adrian Rangel as he interviews ABA Rising Stars coach, Eric Walker, about succeeding in faith-based programs.
Faith, Basketball, & More
Coach Eric Walker, affectionately called 'Coach E', sat down on the N2AthleteX podcast to discuss how he balances faith with both his youth & professional basketball athletes. As the head coach of the Roanoke Rising Stars and organizer of the Skills & Drills Basketball Camps, Coach E aims to provide an outlet for athletes... and not just through sports.
Keeping The Faith
By starting every practice and game with devotionals and prayers, Coach E keeps the faith in athletics. He leads by example, giving thanks after every game, and regularly growing in his faith practices.
Growing up, Eric's family went to church but it wasn't yet a part of his lifestyle. He went onto the military, getting out of the habit of the Sunday preachings... only to find it again in North Korea. A few years later, Eric understood why he kept drawing closer to the Faith. He is a messenger.
And through this realization, Coach E began incorporating the publications that helped to influence his faith into his practices. Together, athletes and Walker dissect both the biblical principles & life principles presented in these passages.
Coach E began to speak his truth while letting others still be themselves. This practice of devotions continues even if he is not there, and it's this consistency that has given such great results for the athletes and teams he's coached.
Practicing What You Preach
Aside from his professional basketball teams, Coach E also hosts early morning Skills & Drills Clinics. Every Tuesday and Thursday, athletes of all ages show up before dawn ready to learn. Coach E is right there with him, devotional in hand and ready to lead.
"If you want success, the day starts early."
Coach Eric Walker
Just as Eric strives for excellence in his faith and coaching, he expects his athletes to do the same.
Student-Athletes who walk into his gym with a C- grade won't cut it. To find success in basketball, school, and life; these kids must put for A+ effort in all things they do. And when that mentality clicks for his athletes, Coach E can tell.
They set their alarm to be on the court at 5 am. They get their parents up to drive out there. They show up awake and ready to get better. This type of preparation does more for the athletes than any jump shot or sprint drill. Coach E's clinics prepare athletes for college and beyond -- they're ready to wake up early, handle the training, and school.
Now, sometimes, this can be difficult to accomplish. Parents may be hesitant to wake up that early to take their child to train, drop them off at school, then head to work. It's a lot to handle! On the other hand, as discussed in Dr. Turk's episode, there are parents who may push their children into waking up before they're ready... practicing more than they care to... and burning them out before their prime.
That's why Coach E makes a point to make his clinics and practice about the athlete, even by bringing ALL ages of athletes together.
The Bigger Picture
Walker's training rarely differs in the age of the athlete. Yes, there are progressions and regressions as with all drills and exercises. But, when a third-grader walks into the gym and sees a professional athlete ready to do the same drills, something special happens.
The younger athletes get a sneak peek of what they could be if they stick with the drills and improve their abilities. And while they may not be ready to perform the exact drills, they are willing to try it... AND NOT AFRAID TO FAIL! As well, the older athletes have a chance to role model and lead the youths. This helps push them to not only be better athletes but better individuals.
And it is these types of individuals that help Coach E and his ABA team bring joy into the Roanoke community. As these athletes work as messengers and role models, kids are given hope and someone to turn to. Everyone is then able to come together and bring some peace to an otherwise tragic world at times.
Join the Movement
If you're a coach looking to bring some more faith to your teams and athletes, Coach E has this advice: make it your own. Bring your own flair to it and grow with your teachings as you wish your athletes to grow. Find what you identify with, and see how it can help the athletes.
Many times, kids will hold onto whatever it is they're feeling/experiencing, unable to talk about it until they explode. But, by not pushing anything on them and simply speaking your truth, you are able to open the door to discussions.
Not ready to start daily devotionals and prayers with your athletes? That's okay! Even a simple share of the Rising Stars movement or Coach E's clinics can help spread this positive message. Check out the Rising Stars' Facebook Page or send a message to Coach E here.
Skills & Drills Basketball is hosted every Tuesday & Thursday from 5 am - 7 am at Faith Christian School.