Strength Report Staying Power

What’s the best way to protect your program’s major investment in strength equipment? Make sure it’s built to last. Only the best strength training equipment can hold up year after year under the stress of hundreds of powerful athletes and literally millions of pounds of weights. It takes well-built equipment that uses the best materials available to withstand that kind of punishment.
Longevity is also the sign of successful business relationships. Companies that retain their customers over years and even over decades forge strong bonds based on service, reliability and honesty.
Durability and longevity have always been hallmarks of Samson Equipment. From their earliest days, they have built equipment that is designed and manufactured to outlast anything else on the market. And their customer relationships, at every level of the game, have withstood the test of time.
To get a picture of how Samson has helped programs from high school to the pros, AFM recently asked 2003 Samson NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the year Jerry Simmons of the Carolina Panthers, New Mexico State’s Head Performance Training Professional John Taylor and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Durand of the Lakeside School in Seattle about the ways Samson Equipment has contributed to their success.
AFM: From a football perspective, what are your keys to a successful strength and conditioning program?

Jerry Simmons, Carolina Panthers: Our philosophy is our core strength, which is free weight oriented. We do different types of squats, cleans, bench, incline, along with a full complement of dumbbell work. We believe that you have to have total body strength and conditioning; no area is more important than any other. We put as much emphasis into flexibility, speed, and agility, as we do overall strength. Hard work and consistency in training are keys to success. That being said, tools such as equipment and facilities to accomplish these goals are very important.

John Taylor, New Mexico State University: The overreaching concept is pretty simple. When we train, we train hard and when we rest, we rest hard. Training protocol is designed to elicit maximum strength, power and anaerobic endurance. The best training protocols ensure sufficient amount of recovery between training sessions and cycles so athletes can train at peak levels each training session.

Mike Durand, Lakeside School, Seattle WA: From a high school football perspective, our keys are organization of lift groups, time efficiency and the structure of the strength program itself. Equally as important, you must have a well laid out strength facility with quality, reliable equipment that maximizes floor space and allows you to train a large number of athletes.

How long have you been working with Samson Equipment on your teams’ strength training equipment needs?
Durand: I first developed a relationship with Samson Equipment over 12 years ago when I was at the University of Utah. I have made several stops along the way during my career, from coaching at the college level, the NFL and now at the high school level. I have used Samson Equipment at every stop. From single pieces of customized equipment to fully-equipped weight rooms, Samson has covered every need along the way.

Simmons: Dave Schroeder and I started working together when I was at Rice University in 1980. I have continued to utilize Samson Equipment at each of my stops in my career including Southern Cal, the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and now the Panthers.

Taylor: It’s been 18 years.

Over the years, how has Samson made sure your needs have been met?

Taylor: We have had three major equipment upgrades. Each time, Samson has been intricately involved. The key element with Samson is they have professionals that understand strength and conditioning for athletes. Dave and Linda Schroeder have degrees in education and have coached extensively and utilized strength and conditioning principles for many years. Their sons Scott and Brian are educated and trained strength and conditioning professionals and have worked at the collegiate level. They understand what is needed to effectively prepare athletes.

Durand: Samson has always, from day one, helped with advice and ideas about how to customize equipment to fit our exact needs for specialized pieces. When creating an entire facility from scratch, Samson designed our floor plans with our equipment and layout ideas and showed us the best way to maximize floor space.

Simmons: A good example of Samson being flexible to my needs is when I was at Southern Cal. Together, we designed benches and incline benches to my precise specifications. Here at Carolina, we had a problem with our flooring being uneven in some places. So, when designing a platform, we had to come up with a way to get it level. Dave, his family, and I put our heads together and came up with some leveling tabs that fixed the problem. Getting the platforms in here and set was simple and the platforms work great.
How would you rate Samson Equipment in terms of quality and reliability?

Simmons: The one thing about Samson Equipment that has impressed me from the beginning is that I have never had a piece of Samson Equipment break. They are built for performance and longevity. They use thicker steel and stronger welds in all of their equipment, so it lasts longer. In our present facility, I have benches, incline, and squat racks that Samson built for me when I was at Cleveland – over 17 years ago. They’ve been repainted here at Carolina, but they’re the same quality that Dave originally delivered them in. So, on a scale of one to ten, Samson is absolutely a ten in terms of quality and reliability.

Taylor: I give them the highest rating. They have professional and industry knowledge, so they know how to provide what we need. From a mechanical standpoint, Samson equipment is the best in the industry and priced the best also. Samson sells quality equipment that is effective and reliable. We have used the same equipment without a problem for the past 18 years.

Durand: In my opinion, Samson Equipment is without a doubt the best in quality, reliability and customer service. Samson has the strongest gauge of steel and the bench padding and upholstery is the strongest and most durable you will find anywhere. When you purchase Samson Equipment you are not only getting the best, most reliable equipment made, you are making an investment in your strength facility that will last a lifetime.

Does having equipment from Samson make your job easier and help make your athletes more successful?
Taylor: You bet is does. The majority of our equipment is always functional and if it does need minor repair, which is infrequent, it is always done rapidly with the best costumer service. We have no down time and thus can continue training our athletes effectively.

Simmons: Without a doubt. When we put six to seven hundred pounds on a squat rack, I don’t have to worry about the equipment holding up. I have full confidence in everything that Samson has built for me. On numerous occasions, I’ve had players ask about equipment for their summer homes or high schools and I always recommend Samson, knowing that they will have no problems with the equipment holding up and working to fit their needs.

Durand: Having Samson Equipment makes a strength coach’s job easier knowing that you have the strongest, most reliable equipment that is built to last and will take years of heavy, daily use. From an athlete’s standpoint, our kids take pride knowing that they have a serious, well-organized weight room that is set up to help them succeed and Samson Equipment plays a major role in that success.