ABOUT US
Strength Happens owner, Mike Claytor, has worked in the fitness industry with personal training clients for over twenty years. Two decades of hands on experience and scientific research led Mike to develop The Strength Happens Method; a fitness program designed to help people of any age or fitness level achieve strength in the gym and feel their best, so that they can succeed in their goals outside the gym.
The Strength Happens method uses weights, cardio, and functional training to improve strength, balance, speed, and endurance. Our program also incorporates heart rate monitors, tracks body fat percentage and supplements with trigger point therapy, massage, and proper nutrition to aid in your recovery.
Each of our programs uses a seasonal training cycle and is customized to meet your specific goals. For common FAQs about our programs and services, and to learn which is right for you, read on.
Who is the Strength Happens program for?
At Strength Happens, our priority is to help you achieve your individual goals and live your life to the fullest, regardless of your age, gender, or current fitness level. Whether your next goal is to run a half marathon, keep up with busy kids or grandkids, or recover from injuries, we’re excited to work with you to create a personalized program to achieve those goals.
Strength Happens is perfect for:
The average person whose goal is to feel well despite the wear and tear of life
People preparing or recovering from surgery or other injuries
Clients who are looking for preventative care as they age
Athletes looking to prevent injuries and increase performance enhancement
What are the benefits?
Our personalized program is fully customizable, and can improve your health, life and overall well being. Here are our clients favorite benefits:
Safe: We use exercise progressions and variations for a custom tailored program that prevents and avoid injury.
Effective: Seasonal training means your body is consistently challenged and you are able to maintain a high level of fitness year round.
Quality of Life: Experience better focus, a positive sense of well being, gain confidence and manage your weight.
Accountability: Plan, strategize and meet your goals with a trainer and in community.
What does a daily workout look like?
Our daily workout is fully customizable to your unique abilities, time restraints, and goals. To reap the full benefits we suggest allowing 75 minutes and participating 2-3 times each week. If that’s more than you are able to do, then we are more than willing to adapt our structure to your needs!
Below you can find our overall structure, and the recommended amount of time allotted for each phase.
1. Warm Up (~15 min): Our warmup consists of cardio, dynamic active stretches, tissue work, and movement prep.
2. Activation Circuit (~15 min): 3 exercises of 8-12 reps that we do in a circuit of 3-4 rounds. We are activating the body's neurological recruitment, mobility, and balance through plyometric and ballistic movements.
Plyometric movements: focus on increasing power with precise, fast and explosive movements. Ex: lateral leg jumps
Ballistic movements: maximum effort for a very short amount of time in an explosive, powerful movement. Ex: heavy wall ball throws
3. Strength Circuit (~15 min): 2-3 exercises that we do in a circuit of 3-5 rounds. Our rep ranges depend on what season we are in: during our strength building season we do lower reps and higher weight, and do higher reps and lower weight.
We focus on building strength using compound, functional movements that replicate movements we do in life. Here are examples:
Squat (sitting and standing)
Deadlift (picking something up from the ground)
Row (grabbing and pulling an object toward you)
4. Strength and Conditioning Circuit (~15 min): 3 exercises we do in a circuit of 3-4 rounds. Our rep ranges depend on what season we are in: during our strength building season we do lower reps and higher weight, and do higher reps and lower weight.
We focus on strength, endurance, and anaerobic threshold work while doing secondary and accessory movement patterns. Here are some examples:
Shoulder
Arms
5. Cardio (10-25 min): The amount, and type of cardio depends on what season we are in. During our strength building season we do 10-15 minutes and in our aerobic season we do 20-25 minutes. We use bikes, ski machines, rowers, and treadmills for both high intensity interval training and sustained effort.
How does the training change from month to month?
The specific exercises, rep ranges and intensity that we do exercises is based on a seasonal training structure. We go through four distinct training phases, with a goal to reach our maximum strength potential in May and maximum aerobic abilities in August. Below you can find more information on each phase.
1. Strength Building Phase 1.0
When: December-February
What: Our goal is to start building muscle. We’re lifting heavy weights at low reps and do cardio at lower intensity rates.
2. Strength Building Phase 2.0
When: March-May
What: Our goal is to be as strong as possible during this phase. We’re still still lifting heavy weights at low reps, and do high intensity cardio intervals. In May we test for our maximum strength efforts.
3. Strength Endurance Conditioning Phase
When: June-August
What: Our goal is to be at peak endurance and obtain a lean, sculpted summer look. We lift lighter weights at high rep and do high intensity cardio. In August we test our maximum strength endurance output.
4. Recovery Phase
When: September-November
What: Our goal is to reassess movement patterns and repair any damage done over vacations. We do lower intensity strength and cardio exercises with an emphasis on proper form and recovery. In November we test for… thousand meter ski.
Interested in training with us?
Check out our programs and pricing, or contact us to get started with your training today!