Frequently Asked Questions

SCHEDULING

Q: Why do you schedule by appointment?

A: We have adopted a schedule-by-appointment structure for a number of reasons, the first of which deals with our coaching. Our staff will always coach each of the training stations that we offer, and we do not want to have more athletes than our staff can safely oversee. In addition, we will always keep our coach:athlete ratio small, in order to provide a very high level of instruction. With an appointment format, we will always be able to maintain this level of service.

Q: How often should I be scheduling my son/daughter?

A: Our research indicates the optimal schedule for all our athletes is three sessions per week, with at least a full day of rest between sessions. We can produce the best results with this type of schedule. Many of our athletes can only get to us two times per week. While this format is not optimal, we have shown results with this frequency of sessions as well. We do not recommend a once-per-week schedule, as we cannot promise any progress within the program.

Q: Do I have to schedule the same days and times every week?

A: Recognizing that most of our clients have incredible demands on their schedules, we have tried to make scheduling as convenient as possible. The answer to your question is no. Sessions are scheduled by appointment, on the days and times that you are able to train each week.

Q: How often do you take appointments and on what days?

A: All our appointments are scheduled at the top of the hour, seven days per week. During the school year, we take our first clients at 3 p.m. and run appointments each hour, with the last appointment time being 8 p.m. Summer hours change due to the availability of our clients. Please contact the Summit nearest you for the summertime appointment schedule.

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EQUIPMENT

Q: What is the Super Treadmill?

A: The Generation II Super Treadmill, or "Green Monster" as our clients prefer to call it, is a specialized treadmill that provides a speed range from 0-28 miles per hour. It is also capable of an incline up to 40 percent and decline to 10 percent. Raised and lowered hydraulically, these unique treadmills are designed to help athletes improve their speed while reducing force at the knee upon foot strike. By elevating the grade, runners automatically learn to maintain forceful knee drive, proper pelvic position, high foot carry-through and full extension with every stride. Its subsurface was designed from interchangeable polymers to provide additional shock absorption. The treadmill also has a specially-designed spotting mechanism and handlebar for backward running. The attributes of incline running, combined with the safety of increased shock absorption, provide the opportunity for repeated exercises under ideal conditions to improve stride length.

Q: Does Summit really have a treadmill that you can ice skate on?

A: The answer is yes! Ice hockey players from youth to professional levels can improve their speed, conditioning, and skating mechanics on the patented hockey treadmill. The belt is made of high-density plastic that shaves just like ice, and has the capabilities of up to 17 mph and inclines of up to 40%. Using this tool, our protocols, research and professional staff are unequaled in improving a skater's abilities, analyzing a skater's mechanics and correcting skating flaws. In addition, our hockey treadmill gives skaters the ability to train in a performance-controlled environment with their own skating equipment, including skates. For more information click HERE

Q: What is the Power Plate and how can body vibration help me?

A: Summit’s centers in Bryn Mawr and West Chester are the only facilities in the greater Philadelphia area to employ this type of technology. The Power Plate is a futuristic-looking machine that provides a vibrating platform on which traditional exercises are performed. The platform vibrates at frequencies of 30-60 Hz, giving the muscles a greater opportunity to develop. In fact, research indicates that vibration training increases muscle strength by 20-30% more than conventional strength training, and the training time to provide these results can be up to 85% shorter. With athletes, training on the Power Plate has shown greater increases in speed, muscular endurance, flexibility, and core strength. In addition, the elderly, injury sufferers, and people with physical ailments such as MS, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, and Arthritis have all shown very positive results training with vibration. For more information on this piece, please visit: www.powerplateusa.com

Q: What are the Sport Cord programs and how do they apply to sports?

A: Our Cord Programs implement the use of various resistance cords for sport-specific training. The use of our cord technology enhances your workouts by providing resistance to upper and lower body extremities, building more powerful motions for sprinting, jumping, kicking, throwing, hitting, swinging or other sport-specific motions. For more information, photos, and testimonials on these programs, click HERE

Q: How can the Dynavision 2000 improve my performance?

A: The Dynavision is approximately 5 foot by 4 foot board containing 64 small red square target buttons, which illuminate randomly when the device is in use. In incorporating this device into the Summit programs, we follow scientifically researched protocols, which can provide great improvements in hand-eye coordination, reaction time, concentration, peripheral vision, arm coordination and movements, and overall mental toughness. Within the sports world, vision training has gained a lot of momentum in the last 10 years. Vision is not always appreciated by parents, athletes, and coaches because they do not realize that deficiencies in visual skills will decrease optimal athletic performance. However, the fact is, to play any sport well, you have to see well. Visit www.dynavision2000.com for more information on this valuable tool.

Q: What is the Treadwall?

A: Summit’s West Chester facility is the only center in the area with this unique piece. It is simply a vertical treadmill that you climb on, rather than run. It is a motorless device, with varying “rocks” or “holds” that the participant grabs while the belt is rotating. It provides a fun alternative to traditional training methods and is and incredibly difficult workout as well! See www.treadwall.com for more information.

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