Frequently Asked Questions
What type of athletes will benefit from training with Thurman?
What is the minimum age required to train with Thurman?
When is the ideal time of the year to start training with Thurman?
What type of exercises will I be doing?
How many days per week do most athletes work with Thurman?
Are there any other benefits of training with Thurman at Gottlieb?
Can my parents observe the workout?
Should I bring a water bottle or sports drink?
How early should I arrive for my session?
What should I wear to a training session?
Where is “Gottlieb Center for Fitness” located and where do I park?
Where is Concordia University (football field/track) located and where do I park?
Where is Wheaton College (football field/track) located and where do I park?
How do I check-in and how do I receive a locker at Gottlieb?
Can my parents workout at Gottlieb while waiting?
Will I qualify to receive a discounted membership to Gottlieb after working with Thurman?
What type of athletes will benefit from training with Thurman?
Although I’m qualified to help all athletes, I’m best suited for ground-based sports that require:
- Total body strength
- Quick reactions and reflexes
- Agility / change of direction
- Sprinting
- Jumping
- Coordination
- Power / explosiveness
- Balance / dynamic balance
- Core stabilization
- Interval type conditioning
These sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Softball
- Football
- Soccer
- Track and Field
- Lacrosse
- Field Hockey
- Ice Hockey
- Wrestling
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Rugby
Athletes in other sports will benefit from my training; however, it is recommended that they first seek other options such as traditional personal trainers or specialized skill coaches. Specifically, long distance runners and tri-athletes require more progressive, repetitive conditioning than athletic skills and do not fully utilize my talents.
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What is the minimum age required to train with Thurman?
At Gottlieb: Since the minimum age for club membership is 15, athletes enrolling with me must be at least 11 years old. Gottlieb members appreciate not having young kids running around. Therefore, the directors have agreed that 11-14 year olds are allowed as long as they are with me.
Away from Gottlieb: It is still recommended that athlete’s be at least 11 years old (and often even older). Again, my training is most effective with extremely mature athletes that appreciate the little details that others think are a waste of time.
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When is the ideal time of the year to start training with Thurman?
The answer to this question somewhat depends on your goals, but in general the best time to start is the deepest part of your off-season. This is especially the case if you’re goals are strength or body change (weight gain/loss) related. You will most likely be sore when starting a new exercise program. Obviously, if you are in-season this might not be a good thing as acute soreness may lead to detrimental play. Also, in the beginning of training I like to do a lot of teaching. If you’re busy with games, practice, and homework your focus may be elsewhere and not fully on the new concepts being taught.
However, although usually starting in the off-season, many of my athletes continue training with me on a lighter basis into their sports seasons. Our goal is not to peak on the first day of practice, but rather to keep getting stronger as games continue on.
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What type of exercises will I be doing?
Again, this depends on your goals, but in general many programs involve:
Dynamic warm-up movements
Injury prevention exercises
Core stabilization exercises
Speed, Agility, Quickness, and Power training drills
Resistance training exercises
Energy system development (conditioning) drills
Recovery exercises
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How many days per week do most athletes work with Thurman?
It varies depending on your goals, your schedule, my schedule, and your training budget. Most athletes do one or two sessions with me per week, but some come as often as four times per week. If I think it is beneficial, I will create workouts for you to do on other days of the week when you are not with me.
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Are there any other benefits of training with Thurman at Gottlieb?
Yes… if training with me at Gottlieb, the directors have agreed to allow my athletes (15 years or older) to use the center with full member benefits during the time they are enrolled with me. This means they can use the club to workout, take classes, play basketball, swim, etc. on days they are not scheduled to workout with me.
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Can my parents observe the workout?
The simple answer to this question is yes, however, it is not always recommended. The recommendation is that parents observe the first few orientation sessions when the athlete(s) are in their “learning/orientation” phase. After that it is recommended that parents only pop in from time-to-time. A big part of my training is being able to effectively “read” the emotions and feelings of each athlete and then make appropriate adjustments to their program. Sessions are most effective when the athlete can be themselves and not feel “guarded” when their parents are around. Also, many times we will begin in one area of the gym and then move around to other rooms. The presence of parents “lurking” in some of our smaller weight rooms can sometimes make our regular members of the club feel cramped and infringed upon. Ultimately, it is my opinion that while I truly encourage parents to attend the orientation sessions, I feel that they often impede the progress of the athlete if they hover around over ongoing training sessions. Parents can wait in the center’s lobby area where they can watch television, work, read, or surf the web using Gottlieb's free WiFi internet access.
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Should I bring a water bottle or sports drink?
Absolutely… especially if the session is done outdoors. If the session is at Gottlieb a water bottle is still recommended, but they have numerous water fountains and vending machines located throughout the center.
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How early should I arrive for my session?
You don’t necessarily need to arrive early… just be on-time. In rare occasions, I may recommend certain warm-up drills that you may want to do prior to the start of our session.
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What should I wear to a training session?
Shorts, a t-shirt, and cross-training gym shoes are recommended.
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Where is “Gottlieb Center for Fitness” located and where do I park?
The official address is 551 W. North Avenue in Melrose Park, Illinois 60160. The center for fitness is located on the easternmost side of the hospital (across from the Delta Sonic and behind the bank on 5th and North Ave). There is a free parking lot in front of the center.
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Where is Concordia University (football field/track) located and where do I park?
The official address is 7400 August Boulevard in River Forest, Illinois 60305. The football field/track is visible and accessible from Division Street about 2 blocks west of Harlem. Free parking is available on Division.
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Where is Wheaton College (football field/track) located and where do I park?
The official address is 501 College Avenue in Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The football field/track is visible and accessible from College Avenue. Free parking is available in the large lot just west of the western end-zone of the football field.
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How do I check-in and how do I receive a locker at Gottlieb?
Upon signing-up with me you will receive a Gottlieb membership (picture I.D.) card. When walking in for a session, present this card to the employee at the front desk. They will scan it allowing you access into the center. You will immediately pass a towel/key desk. Give the attendant your card and in-return they will give you a key with a number on it for a locker. Do not leave any personal items on chairs or anywhere else throughout the club as Gottlieb is not responsible for lost or stolen items. After dropping your items off in your locker, meet me out by the desk on the main fitness floor. I can hold onto your key during the session if you’d like. After your workout and finishing up in the locker room, return your key to the attendant at the towel/key desk and they will give you back your I.D.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT LOSE YOUR I.D. CARD. There is a $5 charge for lost cards.
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Can my parents workout at Gottlieb while waiting?
Gottlieb Center for Fitness has several affordable temporary membership options for parents that would like to workout while their son or daughter is exercising. Please stop by the Center's front desk for more information.
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Will I qualify to receive a discounted membership to Gottlieb after working with Thurman?
Yes… athletes (15 years or older) no longer on my regular schedule will not need to pay for initiation charges (a $275 value) assuming that they have spent over $500 in training with me in the last 12 months. Normal monthly dues still apply. Stop by or call the front desk (708-450-5790) for monthly dues pricing.
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I Look Forward to Hearing From You in Regards to Your Training Needs!
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Thurman@ThurmanHendrix.com
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