Win with Smart Nutrition

For teens, grabbing a meal on the run won’t provide the nutrition needed by an athlete focused on winning. A balanced diet ensures peak performance and a healthier future.

A teen athlete’s diet should include:

• Carbohydrates to supply glucose to maintain intensity for short bursts of activities. They affect performance and energy. A tired teen athlete is a teen without adequate carbs.
• Protein - Power sports rely on protein for muscle mass maintenance. A balanced diet discourages the need for protein supplements which can cause dehydration, kidney problems, calcium loss, and diabetes through increased insulin resistance.
• Prevent muscle cramps and dizziness by ensuring proper hydration. Water eliminates toxins and allows the body to regulate temperature. An athlete should never be thirsty.
• Electrolytes needed for proper muscle functioning are lost from sweating during workouts. Sports drinks relapce those salts, supply some carbohydrate, and will help the athlete stay hydrated. Water loss is the only performance limiting effect of sweating. Fluid intake should be the focus.
• Hiking, cycling, distance running and most endurance sports rely on a diet rich in fat that is used by the body when reserves of glycogen are depleted. Most healthy fat is found in vegetable oils.
• Calcium helps protect against stress fractures by building healthy bone mass. Females already have inadequate supplies of calcium due to growth spurts and athletes require even more. Sports stress the body, lowering estrogen levels, leading to osteoporosis if care is not taken to replace the calcium stores.
• Iron carries oxygen to the muscles and a healthy supply prevents fatigue and impaired growth. Many teens lack iron and teen athletes even more so.
• Avoid growth supplements derived from hormones that can harm your health permanently by raising cholesterol levels, damaging the liver, kidneys or heart, or causing the body to develop anomalous sexual characteristics.
• Do not restrict weight gain unless under a doctor’s supervision. Starving yourself slows muscle development during periods of growth that will not be restored later.
• Foods high in fiber help maintain weight. Fiber improves the body’s handling of glucose and insulin, preventing diabetes and reduces the risk of colon cancer.
• Eat regular balanced meals. Consult your team physician, athletic trainer, or family doctor for help.

Peak Performance SpotLight

Jason Halsey CSCS, Director:

In 2000 Jason finished his undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech, acquiring his B.S. in The Science of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. While at school Jason gained valuable exposure to the field of Health and Exercise Science not only as a student, but as a walk on for the men’s soccer team, a personal trainer at the on campus student recreation facility, and as an intern for the Hokies head strength and conditioning coach. After college he took this experience back to his home town of Fairfax Virginia where he worked his way up to assistant director of Explosive Performance (a sport specific training program) at World Gate Sport & Health, Inc. It was there that Jason had the opportunity to design and implement training regimens for athletes of all abilities. He has worked with youth, high school, collegiate, Olympic and professional athletes, training for football, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, softball, hockey, track & field, and soccer. Jason has worked as the offseason strength and conditioning coach for the George Mason Women’s soccer program, the George Washington Men’s tennis and baseball teams. Jason has also worked with players from the Maryland Pride, Northern Virginia Majestics, Men’s and womens U.S. national teams (soccer), basketball players competing in the European pro leagues, in addition to a variety of other athletes competing at the highest level in their respective sports.

Jason has worked hard to continue his education and obtain diverse experience in the field of exercise science. He has earned several titles, most notably Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

In addition to certifications Jason has gained exposure to the clinical environment working for multiple physical therapy clinics and post rehab facilities. Jason takes pride in his diverse scientific background and loves working with persons of all different abilities and exercise histories. Continuing to learn and be open to new ideas is a big part of Jason’s philosophy. He has continued taking graduate/undergrad level classes at CSU in the field of Health and Exercise Science. In addition he is a member of multiple professional societies which enable him to stay up to date with current research in the field. Fitness is not just a physical state, but a lifestyle, incorporating nutrition, strength, conditioning, mental, and emotional aspects of being. “A dynamic lifestyle encompassing a variety of activities and challenges is the key to being both mentally and physically prepared for what lies ahead.”

In 2004 Jason founded Peak Performance LLC., a sport specific training company. Peak Performance is currently working with some of the top athletes in Northern Colorado. Jason continues to try and expand his knowledge in the field working extremely hard to serve a diverse spectrum of individuals ranging from high level collegiate and pro athletes to adults trying to maintain their active lives. Jason has also formed a network with the medical community in Northern Colorado, working with several of the orthopedics and physical therapists in the area to help athletes return to action post injury, in a safe and timely manner, all while getting them ready to perform at their peak.

It is the goal of Peak Performance to continue to be the leader in sport specific training here in the Northern Colorado area.

2009 Summer Programs

Peak Performance programs are specially designed to improve an athlete’s performance as well as reduce the risk of injury while playing sports. Each program utilizes up-to-date scientific research and cutting edge athletic enhancement technology. The programs integrate a comprehensive individual training program specially tailored to meet the specific needs of each athlete, sport, and position.

The goal of our program is to maximize individual performance while mentally preparing athletes for competition. We emphasize education, teaching athletes about nutrition, strength and conditioning, as well as basic anatomy and physiology. It is our goal to help athlete’s better understand their individual body make-up, so they may use this knowledge to make the most of their training experience, all while enhancing the natural gifts they possess to reach their peak potential.

Confidence enables athletes to exude the poise that will help them perform at their best. Sports can constantly assault an athlete’s confidence. Self assurance lies at the heart of a successful performance. It’s all about ATTITUDE!

Available Programs:

• SAQ Training: (Speed, Agility, Quickness): This progressive sport-specific program is designed for all athletes and will improve speed, agility, quickness, explosive power, core strength, joint stability, confidence and much more. The training focuses on body mechanics and energy metabolism, utilizing drills and techniques specific to the desired sport. Team training, discounts and scholarships available. Session length: 75-90min. WE CAN TRAVEL to your school or field!
• Power Performance Training (S&C): Strength and Conditioning is a broad term covering everything from free weights and machines, to plyometrics and aerobic fitness. Peak Performance utilizes some of the best equipment available to aid in the development of muscle endurance, strength, and power. This program will be concentrated on enhancing overall performance utilizing multiple cross training modalities while maintaining a focus on the strength demands of a specific sport. Power Performance will be small group training consisting of athletes of similar abilities. Multiple days and times available.
  Session length: 75+min
• Peak Jump Training: This program includes but is not limited to Plyometerics, balance, free-weights, and vertimax® training. The goal of this training is to increase explosive power output. This will be demonstrated through an increase in vertical jump, but will also enhance other explosive movement patterns (1st step, sprinting, shooting,…) This program can be utilized by itself or in conjunction with some of the other training options.   Session Length (vert program only): 30-60min
• ACL Post Rehab services: Injuries can be anything from a neusance to career ending. How we treat injuries and the recovery process can make all the difference in how our bodies respond and if we can get back to peak performance. This program is focused on returning to game shape and form. Once you have regained function of an injured body part you then have to concentrate on enhancing performace. Years of experience working with athletes, their orhopods, and physical therapists, have enabled this program to be designed specifically with aggressive athletes in mind. The intention of this training is to return the athlete to the competitive environment with both the physical tools and confidence required for success. The workouts are individually designed taking in consideration athletes age, gender, sport, ability, and extent of injury.
• College Bound Athlete:  The challenges posed to the college athlete can be a daunting to many. It is the goal of this program to both mentally and physically prepare the soccer athlete for the demands of pre-season workouts and in-season play at the collegiate level. Our physical training is sport specific and focuses on; body mechanics, muscle endurance, strength, power, agility, speed & quickness, foot speed, core strength, balance/ joint stability, injury prevention, and overall coordination. Our athletes will leave the program with a better understanding of the fitness demands of the college soccer player, including exposure and practice with some of the major testing parameters used to evaluate athletes, and familiarity with a collegiate level strength program.
• Active Adult: Just because you have seen your prime athletic years pass you by does not mean you have to lose your competitive drive. For those who love to compete and want to continue to challenge themselves both mentally and physically this program is for you. Here we train to enhance performance while taking into account the riggors of an adult life. Our nutritional needs and physical abilities change with age. In turn our mode of training must adapt as well. This program will focus on neuromuscular function increasing coordination, helping to better your individual skill set. The training will emphasize functional strength, body composition, as well as appropriate metabolic stress/adaptation. If you still have the will to win and want to keep that competitive edge this is the training program for you.
• Outdoor Fit: Here in the Colorado Rockies there are many adventures waiting to be experienced. The outdoor playground that waits at our doorstep has much to offer. This program is designed to be a great additional cross training component to your existing training regiment or stand alone as your primary mode of exercise. The program will include but is not limited to trail hikes and runs, mountain biking, snow shoeing, rock climbing, backpacking, and much more. If you have always wanted to get out and do more in the wilderness this program is the perfect way to experience the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains while continuing to focus on fitness and conditioning. Session length will vary with activity. Individuals will determine what activities are utilized.
• Performance Testing Combine:  There is a multitude of ways to evaluate athletes. Testing protocols have been utilized within various sports to correlate performance for many years. Peak Performance utilizes many of the more reliable tests seen most commonly at the professional and college ranks. We use these results to evaluate an athlete’s performance, measure improvement, and allow comparison to athletes competing at the highest levels. Some of the tests used:
  • 40yd sprint -Hurdle Hops -Coopers
  • 20yd sprint -3 cone - Beep Test
  • 10yd sprint -Illinois - 300yd Shuttle
  • Vertical Jump - Broad Jump - and more…

Personal Training:

• Individualized Program (All ages and abilities)
• SAQ, Strength and Conditioning
• Weight Loss, Toning and General Fitness
• Pre/Post Rehabilitation
• 60-75 Minutes
• Ages 12+
• Group Discounts
• Ask about our trail session!

Small Group Training:

• Train with teammates, friends, or a mix of like ability athletes with similar goals. Small groups allow a competitive training environment while still promising individual attention and training specificity.

Team Training:

• Peak Performance can work with your entire team. Keep the continuity and progress with your strength and conditioning as a unit. A program can be designed to integrate into a practice, or be utilized on its own. We can travel to you.

Peak Performance Lanches New Website

Peak Performance Inc. launched its new website today to improve visitors’ experience while powerfully communicating the Company’s portfolio of innovative training solutions. The new site at www.peak-performanceco.com offers improved navigation with graphics that better portray Peak Performance leading role in sports training and techniques. It also puts users within just a few clicks of important information on Peak Performance entire program line, and it illustrates the Company’s diversified market reach.

“We continue to make strategic investments in the technologies that will move Peak Performance forward, and this website is no exception,” said Jason Halsey, Peak Performance Director. “The site’s new look, feel and usability is now very much aligned with our position as the industry’s leader.