Developing Maximum Strength for Athletes (with Eric Cressey)

In this episode of the Evolving Performance Podcast, Kevin is joined by Eric Cressey, Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees and President and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance. They delve into the importance of developing maximum strength for athletes and key characteristics of effective strength training methods. Eric discusses how to recognize when an athlete is strong enough and ready to pursue other primary training goals, acknowledging the evolution of athletic strength and the role of technology in assessing performance.

They explore whether strength training can lead to reduced mobility and strategies to minimize potential loss in athleticism, particularly for rotational athletes. The conversation further addresses how strength training should evolve from off-season to in-season programs to account for competing demands, emphasizing maintaining strength with minimal volume during the competitive season. Finally, they cover critical aspects like the impact of athlete lifestyle habits (including sleep), managing injury history, and the importance of mentorship for young coaches in the evolving landscape of sports performance. This episode provides actionable insights for coaches and athletes looking to optimize training adaptation and career longevity.

Topics Include:

• The importance of developing maximum strength for athletes.
• Recognizing when an athlete is strong enough to shift training focus.
• How strength training can impact mobility and athleticism.
• Training considerations for rotational athletes.
• Evolving strength training from off-season to in-season programs.
• The role of technology in assessing and guiding strength development.
• Strategies for maintaining strength with low volume in-season.
• The critical role of sleep in athlete performance and recovery.
• Balancing physical stressors with broader life stressors for athletes.
• The value of mentorship for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches.

📲 Connect with Eric: EricCressey.com | Instagram: @ericcressey

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Eric Cressey

01:23 – Why strength is foundational for athletic development
03:22 – The impact of strength training on movement and conditioning
06:55 – How strong is strong enough?
08:21 – Using data and technology to guide individualized programming
10:27 – Balancing strength development with movement quality
14:00 – Adapting training as athletes age and progress
16:28 – Key considerations for rotational athletes
18:31 – The role of bilateral and unilateral lower body training
21:30 – Principles of effective in-season strength programming
25:38 – Managing training through the demands of a long season
29:34 – Balancing immediate performance with long-term development
33:03 – Top recovery strategies: Sleep, nutrition, hydration
36:14 – Managing stress and recovery in high-performance settings
38:09 – Periodizing year-round training for sustained progress
44:17 – Practical use of foam rolling and recovery tools
48:09 – Guidance for young coaches: Mentorship, reps, and soft skills
55:14 – Final thoughts on growth and coaching longevity
56:01 – Where to follow Eric and learn more about CSP internships

Contact Kevin:

• Follow me and suggest future guests, topics and questions: @KevinNeeld
• Watch the videos: @NeeldPerformance
• Get access to my FREE newsletter: KevinNeeld.com