We moved into our state-of-the-art facility in April 2008.  Our training centre is as well equipped as any professional or university program in North America.  In July 2009 the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL held their development camp at the ATC.  In August 2009 the Canadian Women’s National Rugby Team held a two week training camp at the ATC while in Oakville for a 4 Nation Tournament.

Speed Development

At the elite levels of any sport speed is the most critical factor in determining success.  You hear the term all the time “he has NHL speed”.  At the ATC we develop all aspects of speed:

• Acceleration out of the blocks or first step explosive power
• Top end speed
• Linear and lateral speed
• The ability to accelerate and decelerate

Heredity (genes) plays a major role in speed BUT speed can be improved dramatically by developing tremendous strength and by a very lean body mass.  Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between acceleration out of the blocks (or explosive starts) and leg strength as determined by maximal squat strength.

All ATC athletes develop tremendous strength in our strength training area.  We then take that strength and translate it into game speed/acceleration using:

• Resisted Sprint Training – we are one of the few facilities that has a resisted sprint treadmill.  Studies have shown that when coupled with maximal squats resisted sprint training improves acceleration out of the blocks.  The video at left shows our pro athletes running 4 second resisted sprints on our treadmill

• Sprints pushing a weighted sled.  This is another proven way to take squat strength and translate it into explosive leg power.  The video at left shows our pro athletes sprinting with our sleds.

• We have a 30 yd. x 3 lane Mondo track.

• Explosive power development with numerous plyometric boxes, vertical & long jump measurement & testing equipment

• Agility area - to teach how to correctly decelerate then explosively accelerate in another direction

Strength Development

• 5,000 sq. ft. dedicated strength training area

• 5 professional quality Hammer Strength stations for Olympic lifts, squats, box squats, bench press, dips, pull-ups. All plates are rubber encased

• Over 5,000 lbs. of Olympic plates and dumbbells

• Glute-ham and reverse hyper benches to work on the posterior chain which is extremely important for the development of speed.

• Various non-traditional strength equipment such as: large tires, sledge hammers, sand bags, aqua bags

• State-of-the-art LeMond bikes for energy development

Lobby

• Wall of Fame & leather chairs lobby