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April 29, 2025
Yo, athletes—what’s good? Offseason is your shot to rewrite the script. Whether you’re dropping dimes on the basketball court, hammering spikes in volleyball, or bulldozing defenders on the football field, this is where you lay the groundwork to become unstoppable. I’ve grinded through plenty of offseasons, and I’ve learned that setting crystal-clear goals, training with relentless purpose, and using cutting-edge tools like RCVRY Pro Palmcoolers can turn you into a beast. Let’s break down how to make this offseason the one that changes everything.
It all starts with goals. Vague ideas like “get stronger” are a trap—they’re too easy to half-ass. Get specific and make it personal. Basketball players, are you chasing a 38-inch vertical to yam on someone or a quicker crossover to shake defenders? Volleyball athletes, maybe you’re gunning for a 110 kph serve or a faster close to the outside blocker. Football players, set your sights on a 350-lb. squat, a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, or an extra 20 lbs. on your bench. Write it down: “Hit a 36-inch vert by August” or “Deadlift 400 lbs. by July.” Break it into manageable steps—add an inch to your jump every three weeks, increase your lift by 10 lbs. every two weeks, or shave 0.05 seconds off your sprint monthly. Track your progress every four weeks to stay locked in. LeBron James nailed it: “You have to be able to accept failure to get better.” Goals give you a roadmap to turn every stumble into a step forward.
Training is where you put in the work, and each sport demands a tailored approach. For basketball, explosiveness and endurance are your bread and butter. Plyometrics like box jumps, depth drops, and single-leg hops build that bounce for rebounds and dunks. Sprints, lateral shuffles, and agility ladders sharpen your first step and defensive slides. Don’t skip conditioning—full-court suicides or treadmill intervals ensure you’re still cooking in the fourth quarter. Volleyball players, power and quickness are your game. Plyos, medicine ball slams, and core circuits (think planks and Russian twists) fuel those roof-shattering spikes. Agility ladders, short sprints, and lateral bounds prep you for diving saves or quick blocks. Add aerobic work, like 30-minute bike sessions, to outlast opponents in grueling five-set matches.
Football is about raw strength and explosive speed. Heavy compound lifts—squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and power cleans—build your foundation. Cone drills, sled pushes, and shuttle runs hone agility and burst for those game-changing cuts or tackles. Aim for 4-5 workouts a week, blending strength, speed, and skill. As preseason creeps closer, layer in sport-specific drills: free throws and pull-up jumpers for hoopers, serve and passing reps for volleyball, or tackling and route-running for football. This bridges the gap from gym grind to game-day glory.
Recovery is non-negotiable, and that’s where RCVRY Pro Palmcoolers come in clutch. These aren’t just fancy ice packs—they’re grounded in serious science. Palm cooling targets the arteriovenous anastomoses, blood vessels in your hands that act like radiators for heat dissipation. By cooling your palms, you lower core body temperature, reduce fatigue, and boost performance during intense sessions. A 2012 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found palm cooling increased work capacity by up to 40% in high-intensity workouts, letting athletes push harder for longer. A 2017 paper in Applied Ergonomics showed it delayed fatigue, helping maintain output during long sessions. Another study in Frontiers in Physiology (2020) linked palm cooling to faster recovery between sets, meaning you can crank out more reps at peak intensity. I grip the RCVRY Pro for 60-90 seconds between sets of squats, plyos, or sprints, and it’s like a power-up. My muscles feel fresher, my heart rate steadies, and I can squeeze out an extra set or two without hitting a wall. Over weeks, those extra reps stack into massive gains—more power, more endurance, more you.
Athletes are hyped about this tech. U of C Volleyball Player Zack Durrant says, “Palmcoolers keep me locked in during the latter sets of my workouts—those extra reps are where I build my edge.” His upcoming teammate, Volleyball player Marshall Qually adds, “Cooling my palms between plyo sets keeps my jumps explosive; I’m hitting higher than ever.” University of Alberta D-Lineman Mitchell Qually chimes in: “I’m grinding heavier lifts with less burnout. Palmcoolers are my offseason MVP.”
Real-world pros echo this too. Stanford researchers, who pioneered palm cooling, worked with athletes like NFL players and saw them extend training sessions by cooling between sets, per a 2012 New York Times feature. The science and the stories align: this stuff works.
Mindset is the glue that holds it all together. Offseason can be a grind—sore muscles, early mornings, and no crowd to hype you up. Stay disciplined. Visualize that game-winner, that perfect block, that bone-rattling tackle. Surround yourself with teammates or training partners who push you. Kobe Bryant said it best: “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” That’s the mentality you need. Pair it with a killer training plan and Palmcoolers, and you’re not just improving—you’re transforming.
Don’t forget the little things. Nutrition fuels your gains—prioritize protein (1.6-2.2g per kg of body weight daily), complex carbs for energy, and healthy fats for recovery. Sleep 7-9 hours a night; it’s when your body rebuilds. Foam roll and stretch to keep your muscles loose and injury-free. Track your workouts in a journal or app to see how far you’ve come. Celebrate small wins—an extra inch on your jump, a new PR in the gym. They add up.
This offseason, own every moment. Set those goals, train like a beast, and use RCVRY Pro Palmcoolers to maximize every session. Log your progress, stay consistent, and lean into the grind. When the season hits, you’ll be a different animal—faster, stronger, and ready to make jaws drop. This is your time to build a legacy. Let’s get after it and OWN THE OFFSEASON!
March 16, 2025
What Are Those Weird Devices Basketball Players Are Holding?
This is a great article from Wired.com that explains the science along with the benefits of palm cooling. Look for them on the bench during March Madness this year, or at USPORT Nationals -