Podcast | Speed | Strength EP 361 – The Evolution of Basketball Training with Cory Schlesinger

Author / Cali Hinzman

2 hr 17 min listen

“I said I’d never work in the NBA”

Coach Cory Schlesinger [@schlesstrength] joins us this week to talk about his 10 years of unique experiences working strength and conditioning at the collegiate level and about how he swore he’d never work in the NBA. Cut to…his role at the Phoenix Suns. His story is a reminder that it doesn’t pay to just blend into an organization and hope something happens to propel you into big programs like Wake Forest, Stanford, and University of Alabama Birmingham. While Cory has predominantly worked with basketball, he’s developed his own philosophy on the role of strength training within the sport. His theory may surprise you, but not as much as his taste in movies.

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When you’re working with basketball players, recognize that it’s tank top season all year round. This is your “in” to getting them to lift with some intent in the weight room. There are few things professional athletes like more than playing their sport, making tons of money, and looking jacked on game day. Cory Schlesinger has had a remarkable 10 years of working with high level college athletes… Now he’s with the Suns and slinging kettle bells like it’s no one’s business. In all seriousness, Cory has spent an enormous amount of time studying basketball mechanics and determining the best tools to use in the weight room. No surprise that he’s a Cal Dietz convert, barefoot enthusiast, and belt squat believer. He also seamlessly banters with The Crew noting that Luke’s questionable taste in movies is really a carryover from his high school years of souping up mediocre cars.

Empower Your Performance

Cory can be found on IG under the handle @SchlesStrength where you can see him performing an array of skillzz with some of our favorite pieces of equipment.

Cali

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:17:37 — 126.0MB)

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Tagged: barefoot training / basketball / coaching / Collegiate sports / Cory Schlesinger / Foot Training / Injury Prevention / Kettlebells / NBA / Pro Basketball

AUTHOR

Cali Hinzman

A strength and conditioning coach since 2009, Cali has worked with numerous athletes spanning from rugby players to cross country skiers. Almost immediately after finding CrossFit in 2010, she was introduced to a program that better suited her athletic goals. With her existing background in powerlifting and football, she became a natural devotee to CFFB/PowerAthlete and testament to it's effectiveness. In 2012, she left D.C. and headed for the state named after her to be a part of the CrossFit Football Seminar Staff and a Jedi of Power Athlete HQ. Cali currently resides in Seattle where she works full time in law enforcement.