Gary Roberts High Performance Training - Toronto

June of 2011 saw the opening of the Gary Roberts High Performance Training Center, located in the Fitness Institute on Sheppard Ave in Toronto.

My relationship with Gary goes back to 1986 with the Ottawa 67's, when I was the 67's Conditioning Coach.  In those 25 years I have amazing experiences with one of the games most dedicated athletes to physical conditioning.  Gary used that drive and dedication to a very successful NHL career with over 1,200 games played and 900 points.

Since his retirement he always knew he wanted to be in the hockey training industry, and in developing the GRHPT he wanted to make sure that everything was created to be the best - training-nutrition-treatment-coaching.  It all started back in the spring of 2010 when Gary and I started training over 25 NHL and OHL players at his home gym in Uxbridge Ontario.  Word spread around pretty quick with names like Stamkos and Skinner having the success they achieved after a hard summer of training.  Skinner particularly when he gave thank you to Gary and I at the NHL player awards where he won the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.

Jeff had worked with me in Ottawa at the ACC since he was 15 years old on my take away programs, training on his own at home with his brother Ben.  With Gary opening his training facility in his home and being located so close to Jeff in Markham, he was able to continue under our program design and the excellent coaching, motivation and nutrition advice by Gary.

The growth of Gary’s success working out of his home grew very quickly, and we were soon trying to find a new location that would accommodate the interest in his program.  Finding the Fitness Institute was the best location for us to be and working together with the FI President Steve Roest, the GRHPTC was created.  No expense was spared on this facility.  Top equipment from Magnum, Sorinex, Perform Better, Twist Conditioning, Fitness Depot, along with an amazing artificial turf area resulted in an amazing facility.

The players lifted 4 times per week, completed plyometric, speed and agility work twice per week with Tony Scott, and had their nutritional concerns taken care of by Nature’s Emporium and Biosteel.

Steven Stamkos pushing the hay roll

As you can see from some of the picture and video’s the athletes had an amazing summer and learned how important it is to be a good pro, and to do everything they can to be the very best.

Coach Goldenberg on CFRA

Here is a podcast of Coach Goldenberg from August 21, 2011 on CFRA's Outdoor show with Kevin Pidgeon and Dean Roberts.  Coach G talks about sport conditioning, and the ins and outs of fitness training.  Listen in as he shares his thoughts on circuit training, Mike Fisher, and what it takes to be the best in your game.

Roberts, Goldenberg & Nichol Lead Top Prospects at AllState All-Canadians Camp

I just returned from one of my most rewarding experiences in hockey.  Having finished up at the AllState All-Canadians Camp allowed me to work with Canada's top 42 fourteen year olds in the country.  The camp was meant to introduce them to an NHL style experience that covered everything from game preparation, nutrition, fitness, and mental skills.  Myself, Gary Roberts, and Matt Nichol delivered all of the off-ice training and nutrition information for these young athletes.  Additionally they got to work on the ice with the likes of Jeff Skinner, Luke and Braydon Schenn, Jason Spezza and many other of the NHL's top stars.

http://www.ctv.ca/canadaAMPlayer/index.html?video=513820 Note you will be taken away from this blog when you click on the video link.

The following is the media announcement along with some great pics in the trenches.

Canada’s Young Hockey Stars Sharpen their Skills at the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp

TORONTO, ON (July 28, 2011) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is pleased to welcome the 42 selected bantam-aged players who will participate in the first annual Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp. The intensive five-day camp, led by 21-year NHL veteran Gary Roberts, will give young athletes from across the country the exclusive opportunity to learn from NHL players – such as Luke Schenn, Jeff Skinner and Jason Spezza – about the importance of fitness, nutrition, mental conditioning and much more. The inaugural camp will be held from August 2 - 6, 2011 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, ON, with the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Cup being held on Saturday, August 6 at 1:00 PM.

Gary Roberts being interviewed & coaching

To view the list of the 42 players competing in the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp, visit www.Allstate.All-Canadians.com. “I’m looking forward to sharing with these young players my knowledge of health and nutrition that helped me achieve success and longevity in my career,” said Gary Roberts. “Our on and off-ice training programs have been carefully developed to demonstrate how elements like nutrition, fitness and mental health can give these players an edge over their competition. Learning this early in their  development will provide them with infinite benefits throughout their careers.”

Coaches Goldenberg & Nichol

Coach Goldenberg & Jeff Skinner

Players attending the Mentorship Camp will have the opportunity to improve their skills both on and off the ice. Several NHL stars will work with the players during their daily skates to help sharpen their skills. The players will also learn from Dr. Paul Dennis, sport psychologist who formerly served as the Player Development Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, on the importance of achieving a strong mental state to excel in the game. Other off-ice sessions will be led by Roberts who will teach the athletes about proper nutrition to ensure stamina throughout a game. Parents will also be invited to selected sessions designed to equip families with the information they need to improve both on and off the ice. Each day, players will learn optimal workouts with renowned strength and conditioning trainers, Lorne Goldenberg and Matt Nichol.