OH SNAP - John Tomac Training Aaron Gwin for 2011 World Cup Season
Best analogy yet.
Sometimes things are best explained by a picture:
Now HTFU.
Now HTFU.
personally, I'd go with Simmons. For DH, his fashion sense is more in line with the latest trends.
When I rode for Tomac, I followed Tomac's training plan. I've never been in as good of shape as those years. Granted, one thing I haven't heard all you yappers mention, is it still takes the rider to go out and apply his/her coaching. Doesn't matter who is coaching / training if you don't apply it.
I've also had several other coaches / trainers including James Wilson.
It was a natural choice to add someone like Tomac to his program. He brings values that not just any strength coach with a degree can offer. I learned that first hand.
We will see how things turn out this upcoming season, I know we're on the right track!
Big House
I've also had several other coaches / trainers including James Wilson.
It was a natural choice to add someone like Tomac to his program. He brings values that not just any strength coach with a degree can offer. I learned that first hand.
We will see how things turn out this upcoming season, I know we're on the right track!
Big House
Could not agree with you more. I think training with Tomac is only going to help him. With his experience training his son in moto and his experience with most types of riding (bmx, road, xc, and DH), I think he will have no problem working with Gwin to make him faster.
Thanks much. I'm here for the rep, tip generously.
You told me you were here for the gangbang...
I think a lot of people forget Johnny T's successes and his approach to MTB as well as other cycling disciplines he has competed in... dropmachine said it best though.
It will be interesting to see what translates to Gwin's learning curve from Tomac's experience.
I think a lot of people forget Johnny T's successes and his approach to MTB as well as other cycling disciplines he has competed in... dropmachine said it best though.
It will be interesting to see what translates to Gwin's learning curve from Tomac's experience.
James Wilson has some great programs no doubt, and AG had great results on those programs for sure, very impressive what was accomplished.
But the fact of the matter is he didn't win any World Cups last year, that isn't a slam on James as there are so many variables that come into play...but it is a fact.
I don't know Aaron on a super personal level, but i do know him well enough to know that his goal isn't top 5's top 10's or top american, although we are all stoked on what he has accomplished he isn't the least bit content with his past results.
He wants to win, and he wants to do it a lot and he knows he can do it.
I think he feels that Tomac can give him that extra edge he needs, and half the battle is belief!
Any of you guys that think JT can't offer anything that will help Aaron reach his goals are nuts.
Ultimately the future will tell.
But the fact of the matter is he didn't win any World Cups last year, that isn't a slam on James as there are so many variables that come into play...but it is a fact.
I don't know Aaron on a super personal level, but i do know him well enough to know that his goal isn't top 5's top 10's or top american, although we are all stoked on what he has accomplished he isn't the least bit content with his past results.
He wants to win, and he wants to do it a lot and he knows he can do it.
I think he feels that Tomac can give him that extra edge he needs, and half the battle is belief!
Any of you guys that think JT can't offer anything that will help Aaron reach his goals are nuts.
Ultimately the future will tell.
In4 a secret rep thread
wait wut?
Nevermind.
wait wut?
Nevermind.
You gotta watch out for those strength coach's.
seriously, a lot of them are frustrated athletes. They train real hard and just don't have that thing that seperates the top athletes from the rest of us.
seriously, a lot of them are frustrated athletes. They train real hard and just don't have that thing that seperates the top athletes from the rest of us.
I'm not sure what an "exercise degree" is, but if you fellas are talking about a Sports Science Degree then they are certainly not stupid. Don't be naive. For sure there are plenty of chumps who leave a university with a Sports Science degree who can't coach for **** or worse think they can coach but really can't! But the base one gets in anatomy, bio-mechanics, physiology and countless years of being immersed in a thrieving environment of learning and growing .. is just as priceless as years of experience as an athlete. Being a good coach/trainer is a constant learning experience one that should have a solid base in anatomy, physiology and bio-mechanics at a minimum.
I hope JT has seeked to learn and continues to learn about how to build a healthy, strong athlete and not just work off what worked for him way back when. I imagine he has done so and will continue too. Hopefully he has sought a solid background in all the necessary elements of strength and conditioning as coaches who have an S&C background as their primary field really do seem to build the best athletes in sports such as ours (3-5min duration, long practices, short races etc..).
I know Tomac has worked with Ben Townley and his own son, but can you Stik or Rich Houseman fill is on on who else he has worked with? The rest of the Geico team? Or any non-moto, less endurance based athletes?
Anyway, the physiology aside Gwin will benefit hugely from Tomac's vast winning experience, like old Stikman said being a good coach is something more then a piece of paper and Tomac will probably help Gwin as a Champion grow and grow.
James Wilson is a strength coach.
John Tomac is well, John Tomac.
He is undeniably the best MTB racer of all time, if not one of the most successful bike racers of all time and one of the most iconic athletes of the '90's.
Mr. Tomac has been around the block...
He knows how to build a man's brand, and Gwinn, from this eastcoast outsiders viewpoint needs to learn how to to market his person and personality, not just his compression settings. Gwinn is working with Mr. Whitely now at Trek, who is one of the very few people in this industry with the ability to make stars.
With Tomac whispering in your ear, Monkdawg on the wrenches and Whitely standing on the hill a guy doesn't have anything to do but win.
If you guys think some sort of gym rat who spends his time in the lab is going to have more insight into the things that are way more important than conditioning(IE winning) you're missing the entire essence of DH racing.
If you think that it matters that courses have changed in the last 10 years you just don't get it. Winning never changes. It's about getting down the hill faster than anyone else- and it's still a tactical game for the top 25, just like it's always been.
As someone who has a degree in exercise physiology and at times have squeaked by coaching some half decent riders full time, I gotta say, Mr. Wilson's stuff is just math. It's ****ing good math, and his strength and conditioning programs are beyond sound. That's what strength and conditioning is as a science and as an art- managing stress and recovery.
He's the first person to put his ideas in the formal literature and I'm sure he has great insight into the physiology of his athletes.
He's not John Tomac though.
Winning isn't something that comes directly out of training. Training, the mental discipline and confidence that it inspires is huge, obviously the physical benefits and adaptations are absolutely critical too.
That's what a great sports scientist does- dials in your motor and landing gear... He or she gives you confidence in your ability to drive the bike hard and stay onboard.
DH still is, and always has been about the will to win, the ability to Transcend- right Fraser?
You can not teach winning, but you can work hard to create the pre-existing psychological conditions that allow a winning run to happen.
It's not like Tomac has been out roping steers for the last 10 years. He's been running a professional motocross career with the same focus he ran his own career.
John Tomac is well, John Tomac.
He is undeniably the best MTB racer of all time, if not one of the most successful bike racers of all time and one of the most iconic athletes of the '90's.
Mr. Tomac has been around the block...
He knows how to build a man's brand, and Gwinn, from this eastcoast outsiders viewpoint needs to learn how to to market his person and personality, not just his compression settings. Gwinn is working with Mr. Whitely now at Trek, who is one of the very few people in this industry with the ability to make stars.
With Tomac whispering in your ear, Monkdawg on the wrenches and Whitely standing on the hill a guy doesn't have anything to do but win.
If you guys think some sort of gym rat who spends his time in the lab is going to have more insight into the things that are way more important than conditioning(IE winning) you're missing the entire essence of DH racing.
If you think that it matters that courses have changed in the last 10 years you just don't get it. Winning never changes. It's about getting down the hill faster than anyone else- and it's still a tactical game for the top 25, just like it's always been.
As someone who has a degree in exercise physiology and at times have squeaked by coaching some half decent riders full time, I gotta say, Mr. Wilson's stuff is just math. It's ****ing good math, and his strength and conditioning programs are beyond sound. That's what strength and conditioning is as a science and as an art- managing stress and recovery.
He's the first person to put his ideas in the formal literature and I'm sure he has great insight into the physiology of his athletes.
He's not John Tomac though.
Winning isn't something that comes directly out of training. Training, the mental discipline and confidence that it inspires is huge, obviously the physical benefits and adaptations are absolutely critical too.
That's what a great sports scientist does- dials in your motor and landing gear... He or she gives you confidence in your ability to drive the bike hard and stay onboard.
DH still is, and always has been about the will to win, the ability to Transcend- right Fraser?
You can not teach winning, but you can work hard to create the pre-existing psychological conditions that allow a winning run to happen.
It's not like Tomac has been out roping steers for the last 10 years. He's been running a professional motocross career with the same focus he ran his own career.
Look for Gwin to run drop bars next year and win everything. You heard it hear first.
Tomac is the man. He was like the Eddy Merckx of mtb in his day, he basically won everything across many disciplines.
There are plenty of people who can talk to Gwin about nutrition, but few who can claim Tomac's experience.
Plus, Trek is probably paying the bill, so good for Johnny T.
Tomac is the man. He was like the Eddy Merckx of mtb in his day, he basically won everything across many disciplines.
There are plenty of people who can talk to Gwin about nutrition, but few who can claim Tomac's experience.
Plus, Trek is probably paying the bill, so good for Johnny T.
Wasn't Johhny T the coach for his son Eli Tomac this past season for Motocross?
He won his first event and ran strong for the season finishing about 3rd overall
in his rookie season. JT knows how to be the best on 2 wheels enough said!
He won his first event and ran strong for the season finishing about 3rd overall
in his rookie season. JT knows how to be the best on 2 wheels enough said!
Agree with everything but this. Sure, Gwinn could improve his 'marketability', but I think its damn cool how focused he is and never seems to come off as arrogant, just determined.
I reckon Hill has had just a wee bit of an influence in selling a couple bikes here and there... and yet his person and personality are far from 'marketable'
this needs to be quoted for awesomeness!
Yah Drop bars will be the new flat bars.... the lowest bar height available for downhill...
what it's doable? I have cleared all the jumps at the local bmx track on my road bike!
what it's doable? I have cleared all the jumps at the local bmx track on my road bike!
Now we just need Neko to start training with Ned Overend
Worry no more. Consider us flamed...ive been wondering that too but worried about getting flamed for mentioning it.
James Wilson's program seem to work pretty well for him last year.
I can absolutely imagine Tomac's technical skills expertise AT the track and assistance for focus and source of calm being beneficial to Gwin.
I guess my curiousness was wondering more if Tomac is designing a fitness regimen for Gwin (cardio & strength goals) or will he be a DH specific trainer in terms of working with him on getting faster on course, timing, line choice, bike setup or is he going to be his coach for all of the above?
One last thought. Could you honestly imagine how miserable your life would be having Armstrong as your coach? Dude would make your life hell.
I would think Tomac is more of a "life coach" to Gwin. Everything is covered, and hopefully even some techniques on winning. 
LOL awesome
I would think Tomac is more of a "life coach" to Gwin. Everything is covered, and hopefully even some techniques on winning.
Saying a cyclist from the 80/90's doped is like saying a pro wrestler did roids....nobody cares.
ehm, even in the millenium years...
Eh, maybe you're right; and you don't need to pointpoint a timeframe, either, since this stuff goes on in contemporary cycling. But this sort of thing is commonplace in road cycling, and my experience is that off-road cheats are actually ostracized by their fellow competitors. On the road, it's accepted, both tacitly and explicitly.
you see the ban handed down on that Austrian cyclist? EIGHT years.
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We will just have to wait and see what happens.
I bet Tomac would still school most of you on a bike.
I bet Tomac would still school most of you on a bike.
Most? I'd wager everyone except the lurkers with enough UCI points to get into a worldcup.
You mean the Austrian? Yeah, the sacrificial lamb so the UCI can say with a semi-straight face that they're tough on doping. He must be a real big fish if we can't even remember his nationality.you see the ban handed down on that Aussie cyclist? EIGHT years.
Anyway, I'd like to think that Tomac will help Gwin. Sorry for bringing up the doping and derailing this thread.
I disagree. Gwin is the only one getting schooled next year
