Strength & Conditioning
Exercise Demonstration Videos

  • A-Skips
  • B-Skips
  • Butt Kicks
  • BW Run
  • Carioca
  • Change Direction
  • Crossovers
  • C-Skips
  • Froggy
  • High Knees
  • High Skip
  • High Lat Shuffle
  • Low Lat Shuffle
  • Slow Jog
  • Stiff Leg Run
  • Stiff Leg Crossover
  • Crossover Bound


  • Ankle to Hip
  • Crossover Front Behind
  • Forward Lunge Lean Back
  • Hockey Lunge
  • Knee Tuck Quad Stretch
  • Knee Tuck
  • Leg Swing
  • Lunge Out on All Fours
  • Lunge Walk Palms to Floor
  • Lunge Walk
  • Open Hips
  • Over-Under Hurdles
  • Reverse Lunge Twist
  • Reverse Lunge
  • Side Lunge Pivot
  • Single Leg_Straight Leg touch
  • Spiderman
  • Twisting Lunge - Elbow to Knee
  • Twisting Lunge - Palms to Floor


  • Medicine Ball_underhand overhead throw


  • Clean and Jerk
  • Clean High Pull
  • Hang Clean
  • Power Jerk
  • Push Press Behind
  • Push Press Front
  • Split Alternating Foot Jerk
  • Split Alternating Foot Snatch
  • Squats


  • DB Alt Foot Jerk
  • DB Hang Alt Foot Snatch
  • DB Hang Squat Clean
  • DB OH Drop Squat
  • DB Push Press
  • DB Squat Cleans
  • DB Squat Shoulder Press


  • Dead Lift
  • Front Squats
  • Good Morning
  • Lat Lunge
  • Lateral Squats
  • Lunge
  • Overhead Squats
  • RDL
  • SLDL
  • Squats
  • Walk Lunge

  • DB One-Leg Front Squat
  • DB One-Leg Squat
  • DB Front Squat
  • DB Lat Lunge
  • DB Lat Squat
  • DB Lunge
  • DB SLDL
  • DB Squat
  • Leg Curl
  • Stabilization


  • Two-hand Bar Twist
  • Dec Crunch
  • Dec Twist Crunch
  • MB One-Arm Decline Throw
  • MB Alt. Reverse Crunch
  • MB Decline Overhead Throw
  • MB Overhead Twisting Throw
  • MB Decline Pushdowns
  • MB Decline Twisting Pushdowns
  • MB Figure 8
  • MB Kneeling Overhead Throw
  • MB Lunge Twisting Throw
  • MB Off-Center Twisting Throw
  • MB Reverse Back Extensions
  • MB Twisting Throw
  • MB Woodchop
  • MR Seated Twist
  • Seated Twist
  • Clean Floor Squat
  • Suitcase Crunch
  • Trunk Twist
  • Weighted Back Extensions
  • Weighted Glute Ham Raises
  • Weighted Partner Twist


  • Pulldowns
  • Seated Row


  • Bench
  • Bent Row
  • Incline Press
  • Shoulder Press


  • MR Front Raise
  • MR Lateral Raise
  • MR Lying Triceps
  • MR Seated Row
  • MR Upright Row


  • DB Bench Press
  • DB Bent Lateral Raise
  • DB Flys
  • DB Front Raise
  • DB Incline Press
  • DB Lateral Raise
  • DB Pullover
  • DB Rows
  • DB Shoulder Press
  • DB Upright Row


  • Empty Cans
  • External Rotation
  • Internal Rotation
  • VW


  • MR Neck Flexion Extension
  • MR Neck Lateral Flexion
  • Staff
  • Philosophy
  • Facilities
  • Photo Gallery
  • 2006-07 Strength & Conditioning Champions

    Strength and Conditioning Video

  • All-Time Strength Records

    Staff:
    Buck Blackwood 719-333-0981
    Jeff Kipp 719-333-0980
    Drew Bodette 719-333-4817
    Kim Pinske719-333-4079
    Julie Rubino 719-333-7477
    Jack Braley719-333-0981

    Buck Blackwood, Olympic Strength and Conditioning Director


    Buck began his coaching career at the Air Force Academy in 2003 when he was hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Prior to being hired full-time Buck was a volunteer coach for two years at AFA, and spent two years as the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Montana State University.

    Buck received his B.A. degree from Willamette University in 1997 and his M.S. degree in exercise science from Montana State University in 1999. Buck is NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) certified, as a strength and conditioning specialist. He is also certified by USA Weightlifting as a level one club coach. Buck was a member of the 1999 Montana State team that won the National Collegiate weightlifting title. He also lifted a top-ten total at the 2002 Senior Nationals.


    Originally from Bozeman, MT., Buck and his wife, Lyndsay, have one son, Ridge.


    Drew Bodette, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

    Drew began his career with the Air Force in the fall of 2007. Prior to his position here, Drew was the Director of Strength and conditioning at his alma mater, The University of Northern Colorado, where he received his Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and his Masters degree in Exercise physiology. Drew also spent five years at the University of Denver as an assistant strength coach for the National Championship Hockey teams. Before his position at Denver he served as an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania for the 2000-01 season.

    He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and also senior level club coach through the United States Weightlifting Federation.

    Drew, originally from South Glens Falls, New York, and his wife Amy reside in Colorado Springs.


    Jeff Kipp, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach


    Jeff began his Air Force Academy coaching career in 2004 when he was hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Prior to joining the staff at the Air Force Academy, Jeff served as a performance coach at Velocity Sports Performance in Denver and Evergreen. Prior to his stint with Velocity, Jeff was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Denver.  Jeff began his collegiate strength and conditioning coaching career as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the Colorado School of Mines.


    Jeff received his bachelor's of science degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University in 1995 and his master's of science in exercise science from the University of Northern Colorado in 2004. Jeff also holds credentials as a strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is also a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, USA Weightlifting, and USA Track and Field, and the National Association of Speed and Explosion.


    Originally from Houston, TX, Jeff now resides in Monument, CO with his wife Vicki and their sons Brayden and Carter.


    Jack Braley, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

    Jack graduated for the University of Nebraska in 1956 with a B.S. in Biological Science and Physical Education. He was an assistant football coach at NU from 1957 to1962. He moved to Scotts Bluff Jr. College as Head football coach from 1962 to 1964. In 1965 Jack joined the Air Force Academy football staff where he coached the defensive secondary and acted as the strength and conditioning coach. In 1978 he assumed the position of Physical Development Coordinator in the Physical Education Department. In 1980 Jack became the first full time Head strength coach for the Air Force Academy. He held this position until 1998 when he retired and assumed a part time job as assistant strength coach.


    Kim Pinske, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach


    Kim began her coaching career at the Air Force Academy in August of 2007 when she was hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Prior to being hired full-time Kim was the NSCA student assistant award recipient and intern for AFA for one year.

    Kim received her B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management in 2003 from the University of Minnesota where she was a member of the volleyball team and NSCA All-American, and her M.S. in Exercise Science in 2007 from North Dakota State University. While at NDSU, she spent two years as a graduate assistant for the Strength and Conditioning Department. Kim is NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She is also certified by USA Weightlifting as a Level One Club Coach and secretary of the CO-LWC.

    Kim resides in Colorado Springs.

     


     

    Julie Rubino, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach


    Julie began her coaching career at the Air Force Academy in 2007 when she was hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.  Prior to her current assignment here at USAFA, Julie was stationed at Nellis AFB, NV as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer from 2004 to 2007.   Throughout her assignment at Nellis, Julie held various flight commander positions and earned the EMS Flight Commander of the Year Award, 2005.   In addition to her full time Maintenance Officer duties, Julie stayed active in the fitness career field working part time as a personal trainer.

    Julie graduated from the University of Tampa, FL in 2004 and received a B.S. degree in exercise science.   Throughout her college career Julie interned at College of the Holy Cross, University of South Florida and the NFL Europe Scottish Claymores, gaining valuable strength and conditioning knowledge.  Lieutenant Rubino completed Recruit Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of South Florida and earned her commission in May 2004.  

    Originally from Massachusetts, Julie now resides in Colorado Springs, CO. 


    Philosophy:

    The two primary goals for all athletes participating in strength and conditioning programs at the Air Force Academy is to improve performance and reduce the opportunity for injury. In short, we want to enhance athletic performance and keep our athletes as free from injury as possible. To accomplish those goals we adhere to the following guidelines:

    1. Emphasize Olympic-style exercises each workout
    2. Develop as much power and speed capability as possible
    3. Develop as much athleticism as possible
    4. Dumbbell training is a priority
    5. Free weight training is an area of emphasis
    6. Training movements rather than muscle groups is a focus
    7. Make significant use of water as form of resistance
    8. Training the core is a priority
    We expect our athletes to train with great intensity, follow the training program provided to them, and to know at all times they have outworked and are better prepared than their opponents.


    Cadet Gym Weight Room
    Varsity Weight Room
    FAC Weight Room
    Falcon Athletic Center Weight Room

    Facilities:

    Varsity Weight Room

    The Falcon Athletic Center weight room compliments the varsity weight room, which opened in the spring of 1993. The varsity weight room is over 12,000 sq ft in size and is located in the cadet gymnasium.

    Teams using the varsity weight room include:

    • Golf
    • Fencing
    • Lacrosse
    • Men's and women's soccer
    • Men's and women's swimming and diving
    • Men's and women's track and field
    • Men's and women's tennis
    • Wrestling
    Among the features of the varsity weight room is:
    • 4-lane 40-yard track down the center of the room
    • 12 Olympic lifting platforms
    • 12 squat racks
    • 10 flat bench and 10 incline stations
    • 3 sets of dumbbells from 5-170 lbs.
    • Additional traditional equipment includes:
    • 1 leg press
    • 1 multi-hip
    • 1 Smith machine
    • 2 leg extensions
    • 6 leg curls
    • 6 lat pull/seated row combinations
    • 6 back extension/glute ham machines
    • Various free standing flat, incline, and decline benches
    Additional supplemental equipment includes:
    • 4 110 lb. water filled logs (with additional weight capability)
    • Kegs ranging from 30 lbs to 240 lbs
    • 3 tractor tires with weight storage so resistance is adjustable
    While the varsity weight room may not be the newest strength and conditioning facility on base it is still one of the outstanding facilities in the Mountain West Conference and the nation. The goal is to continue to upgrade and improve this facility to maintain that status.

    Falcon Athletic Center Weight Room

    The Falcon Athletic Center (FAC) weight room opened in January, 2003 and is located in the Falcon Athletic Center. The FAC weight room is 23,000 square feet. It is considered to be one of the finest strength and conditioning facilities in the country.

    Teams using the varsity weight room include:

    • Baseball
    • Men's and Women's Basketball
    • Football
    • Hockey
    • Volleyball
    Among the features of the FAC weight room is:
    • 4-lane 65-yard track with built in over speed ramp
    • 48 multi-station platforms where the Olympic lifts, squats, bench and incline press can be performed
    • 48 specially built dumbbell platforms where all dumbbell training is performed
    • Multiple sets of dumbbells in 2.5 lb. increments from 5 lbs. to 170 lbs
    • 15 Keiser squat machines with the capability to measure and display power output
    • Additional traditional equipment includes:
    • 1 leg press
    • 1 multi-hip
    • 1 Smith machine
    • 2 leg extensions
    • 15 standing leg curls
    • 15 glute ham benches
    • 15 decline benches
    Additional supplemental equipment includes:
    • 10 110 lb. water filled logs (with additional weight capability)
    • Kegs ranging from 30 lbs to 260 lbs
    • 4 tractor tires with weight storage so resistance is adjustable
    • Water filled dumbbells from 60 lbs. to 170 lbs.
    • 24 sandbags from 75 - 200 lbs