Post by Aggie One on Apr 25, 2005 12:51:09 GMT -5
Strength coach Christine Alongi is woman behind Aggie athletes
By: Dater Blackwell
Carolina Peacemaker
Originally posted 4/21/2005
There is a saying that behind every good man, there is a good woman.
In the training facilities at N.C. A&T State University, Christine Alongi is the woman behind the muscles of the Aggie athletes.
“A typical day begins at six in the morning with team workouts. Then, the athletes come in individually for training every hour on the hour from a different team,” said Alongi, the Aggies’ strength and conditioning coach.
The North Little Rock, Ark., native not only has enough to keep her busy during the school year, she works in the off-season as well. Alongi, 27, “lifts” year round and trains more than 350 students.
Ricky Lewis, a senior defensive end for NCA&TSU’s football team, said Alongi pushes the team through their workouts and he spends at least 10 to 12 hours training with her each week.
“She’s very hardworking and energetic. She demands a lot from us so that we can reach our full potential,” said Lewis.
NCA&TSU Football Coach George Smalls agrees.
“She does a very good job and she’s very supportive of the team. The guys have responded quite well to her and she’s always there when we need her,” said Smalls.
Alongi is entering her fourth football season. She said that she had always been into fitness so choosing to become a strength coach wasn’t too far from her roots. Before she came to NCA&TSU, Alongi was the assistant strength coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where she received a master’s in physical education. During her undergraduate years at the University of Arkansas, Alongi competed in power lifting and studied nutrition. She even participated in the U.S.A. weightlifting and the U.S.A. track and field competition. Last year, she ran a marathon in Myrtle Beach.
“Let’s just say I finished,” laughed Alongi.
Alongi trains both male and female athletes. She said working with females is sometimes challenging because while they want to stay in shape, they don’t want to bulk up like a man. She has to give them extra motivation to lift weights.
“On the other hand, for the men, I am trying to put muscle on the football team,” explained Alongi.
Alongi said anyone can develop a strength training regimen, but should not overdo it with the workouts.
“Keep it basic, start slow and listen to your body,” she advised.
By: Dater Blackwell
Carolina Peacemaker
Originally posted 4/21/2005
There is a saying that behind every good man, there is a good woman.
In the training facilities at N.C. A&T State University, Christine Alongi is the woman behind the muscles of the Aggie athletes.
“A typical day begins at six in the morning with team workouts. Then, the athletes come in individually for training every hour on the hour from a different team,” said Alongi, the Aggies’ strength and conditioning coach.
The North Little Rock, Ark., native not only has enough to keep her busy during the school year, she works in the off-season as well. Alongi, 27, “lifts” year round and trains more than 350 students.
Ricky Lewis, a senior defensive end for NCA&TSU’s football team, said Alongi pushes the team through their workouts and he spends at least 10 to 12 hours training with her each week.
“She’s very hardworking and energetic. She demands a lot from us so that we can reach our full potential,” said Lewis.
NCA&TSU Football Coach George Smalls agrees.
“She does a very good job and she’s very supportive of the team. The guys have responded quite well to her and she’s always there when we need her,” said Smalls.
Alongi is entering her fourth football season. She said that she had always been into fitness so choosing to become a strength coach wasn’t too far from her roots. Before she came to NCA&TSU, Alongi was the assistant strength coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where she received a master’s in physical education. During her undergraduate years at the University of Arkansas, Alongi competed in power lifting and studied nutrition. She even participated in the U.S.A. weightlifting and the U.S.A. track and field competition. Last year, she ran a marathon in Myrtle Beach.
“Let’s just say I finished,” laughed Alongi.
Alongi trains both male and female athletes. She said working with females is sometimes challenging because while they want to stay in shape, they don’t want to bulk up like a man. She has to give them extra motivation to lift weights.
“On the other hand, for the men, I am trying to put muscle on the football team,” explained Alongi.
Alongi said anyone can develop a strength training regimen, but should not overdo it with the workouts.
“Keep it basic, start slow and listen to your body,” she advised.