FAQs
Click here to download the Garage Strength Spring 2009 brochure or email dane@garagestrength.com to get a printed copy!
Spring 2009 Brochure Preview
What is your philosophy?
To train logically and effectively. Garage Strength unites sound weight room principles with effective dietary guidelines. Strength training is done by training the nervous system. This stimulates the body and forces the nervous system to recruit more motor units during training. Movements are typically done rapidly, although controlled reps and hypertrophy methods are also utilized depending on the individual’s goals. Exercises are always done with multiple joints to ensure optimal intramuscular and intermuscular coordination.
Who are you?
My name is Dane Miller. I have spent the last decade in the school of performance enhancement. My travels have taken me through Schuylkill Valley’s weight room under the tutelage of Crystal Cammauf and Phil Yoder where numerous state champions have trained, including myself (State Champion shot putter: 2002). While in high school, I wrestled with numerous state placewinners prior to sustaining a career ending injury. I also competed as a football player for seven years, twice being named the Berks County Defensive Lineman of the Year and earning a second team All -State honors my senior year. While competing collegiately in track and field at Penn State, I worked with renowned coaches Mark Gottdenker and Dayna Wenger while spending time with PSU strength coach Tom Bender. Competing for Penn State I found success on the conference level (5 time Big-Ten placewinner and 4 time Academic All Big-Ten), regional level (4 time regional qualifier) and national level (qualified for NCAA’s in 2004) and trained alongside national and international caliber athletes.
During 2007 and 2008, I was fortunate enough to train under one of the greatest throws coach ever and one of the leading training theorists of our time, Olympic champion Dr. Anatoli Bondarchuk (Dr. Bs Olympic Throw). While picking his brain, I trained with numerous elite level athletes including 2008 Olympians and Canadian record holders, Dylan Armstrong and Sultana Frizell. At the Beijing Olympics, Dylan finished fourth, one centimeter off of the medal stand.
Why is Garage Strength different from That Big Gym?
First of all, it’s a garage. You won’t find any high-tech, beeping machines here. Take a look at some of our training videos and you’ll see what we mean. But our small size and focus on the basics of strength and nutrition mean that we can give each individual who comes to the garage our complete attention. When you train at the Garage, you have a dedicated coach who will work you through each session and, if you choose to have nutritional instruction, will check in with you on a regular basis to help tailor and reinforce your plan. All of this personal attention comes down to one thing: we don’t waste our time. One of our biggest differences from That Big Gym is that we don’t have a constant flow of clients coming in the door, flaking out, and making room for the next client. We have — and want — a small, committed clientele. If the photos and descriptions on this page don’t match up with your ideal fitness scenario, then don’t waste your time or ours. But if you’re ready for a complete lifestyle change or training plan with a solid support system, we can’t wait to hear from you.
What do you mean by “make a commitment?”
We mean just that. We don’t take casual trainees. We want committed clients. If you sign up for our nutritional coaching program, we’ll ask you to sign a 6-month contract to adhere to our plan and provide three contacts (besides yourself) that will keep an eye on you and help us check in if we haven’t heard from you recently. If you come to the Garage for strength training, we’ll expect only your hardest effort. There is no magic cure, only 100% hard work. For either type of training, we offer the additional incentive of personal stakes. If you really want to achieve your goals, put your money on the line. Offer up a small but noticeable sum. We’ll hold it for you. If you achieve your goals without wavering, it’s yours to have back. If you slip, flake out, or cheat, the money stays with us. We’ll donate all personal stakes sums to a local charity at the end of the year.
What should I expect from a training session at the Garage?
Positive reinforcement, intense training and proven methods. At Garage Strength, we use a bench press, incline bench press, full set of dumbbells, two squat racks, two platforms, sledgehammer, wheel barrow, sand pit, sled pulling, heavy tire, heavy bag and a full array of climbing ropes and chains for weightlifting. Through logical implementation and gradual development, a training session at Garage Strength is a unique fitness experience.
What should I expect from a nutritional plan?
A foundation of nutrient dense foods with a high nutrient/calorie ratio. The plan will contain foods that have a high amount of vitamins and minerals while maintaining a relatively low amount of calories. You will receive a 14-day meal plan that can then be tailored to your food preferences. The plan will also be broken into Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snack categories to allow you the choice of either following the plan as written or customizing your plan from the pre-determined meals. These meals will be higher in protein and fat than stereotypical meal plans, and for good reason (see our philosophy below). The side benefit is that the plan will allow you to consume fewer calories while feeling more full. If you decide to add nutritional coaching, you will provide your daily consumption to our staff via email or phone. We will then comment on it and make potential corrections for the future. You are also asked to provide three “Champions,” individuals close to you who will honestly assess your progress when contacted by our staff. Other optional services include personal consulting for grocery shopping and in-home food assessment.
Where are you located?
GarageStrength is based in a pole building garage in Ontelaunee Township, Reading, PA.
Do I need to be in Reading to be trained?
No. We now offer Global Training services for both strength/fitness and nutrition. We have four clients in the Washington, DC area and even an athlete training in Perth, Australia.