Basement Tempo is an interesting addition to the CF.com video collection. The video addresses many of the complaints on the site about problems resulting from lack of facilities and poor weather conditions. While most sprinters chase the sun, many have to contend with the harsh reality of bad weather and lack of facilities. Charlie’s former squad certainly fell into this category, yet achieved international success and perhaps this is why Charlie does not accept such complaints as a justifiable excuse for poor preparation. In this video series Charlie and wife Angela Coon, former Canadian National Team 100m Hurdler, present several general conditioning workouts for athletes of different levels that can be done almost anywhere.
The videos are presented in a question and answer format and, like the previous medball workout series, present an entire session from start to finish in real time. This first video begins with a simple warm up that can be done using just an exercise mat. Angela demonstrates the workout while Charlie instructs and comments on the exercises and rationale.
The workout begins with a 15 minute general warm up going from easy exercises using just bodyweight to more difficult medicine ball work. Charlie talks about his experiences of using construction blocks before his group had medicine balls, using whatever he had available to get the job done.
The main body of the exercise program consists of indoor running with various exercises interspersed throughout. Charlie explains how to adjust the workouts for athletes of different levels and gives his trademark commentary throughout.
If you struggle with facilities or bad weather this is a tape for you and even if you don’t you’ll learn a few things that can help when travelling to competitions out of town or overseas. As with all things CF, there is always something you did not know and the Basement Tempo series shows how training can be adapted to overcome challenging circumstances, if you are creative and keep an open mind.
I couldn't see it in the store.
Originally Posted by Charlie Francis
