Written by Kate Phillips for Sopris Sun
In most mountain towns outdoor adventure is everywhere. From peak bagging to first tracks to long scenic rides, the opportunities are endless. For mountain sport athletes, the pursuit of challenge and excellence is strong, and yet navigating the mountain of advice to sustain these efforts can be exhausting. Here to help is Carbondale’s pioneering mountain sport training facility, Alpine Performance Labs (APL).
Situated next to Ragged Mountain Sports (826 Highway 133 Unit A2), APL is a comprehensive expert coaching service that supports every aspect of a mountain athlete’s journey, from goal setting to peak and recovery. Serving athletes of every level, APL coaches use quantifiable evidence and a holistic approach to develop structured programs that include performance training, nutritional support, lab testing and education.
“We are really trying to develop a strong training hub for people to connect with like-minded individuals, to feel at home and to be themselves,” said Danny Blake, APL’s founder and director of performance.
In addition to strength and conditioning and rehabilitation, APL focuses on endurance training. Athletes interested in running an ultramarathon or bucket list backcountry route can match with an endurance coach both locally and remotely. Notably, Valley resident and mountain athlete Elliott Bates recently signed on as a coach.
Blake and his team offer three key training models: small group, one-on-one and remote. The idea is to broaden APL’s reach and increase affordability without compromising quality and results. Each personalized plan is routinely updated to support the athlete’s goals. In the small group model, athletes are organized based on ability and motivate one another to push beyond perceived limits.
“Small group training is a means to have a larger impact on the community,” Blake said. “This is a model many performance gyms have vetted. It’s not group classes where the size is too large for personalization, but it’s not too small where the price is too high.”
Driven by his inquisitive nature, Blake integrates the latest sports science into training programs. A former Division I skier, he now holds a master of science in kinesiology, is a peer-reviewed author and founded Dynamic Performance Systems, a training service that has attracted clients ranging from the NFL to USA Skimo.
“We are data-oriented,” Blake said. “The learning environment is a testing ground for both interventions and philosophies, and where the individual can test themselves.”
As a result, APL sets itself apart by offering cutting-edge technology that evaluates metabolic, biomechanical and strength data. Diagnostic testing is completed as a standalone service or at an intake session to help coaches establish an athlete’s baseline, build training programs and track progress. The body composition measurement device quickly identifies hydration levels, muscle mass, body weight, fat mass and segmental body composition. Coaches also employ force plate testing that measures readiness, fatigue, rehabilitation and how athletes move through space.
“A lot of this data is invisible to the naked eye,” Blake explained. “We know what a good jump versus bad jump is, but we don’t know how they’re organizing that jump. When they push into the plates, we are understanding how they are favoring a limb, or creating force and power.”
A significant piece of the lab’s build-out will also include VO2 max and threshold testing. Simply put, VO2 max measures the maximum amount of oxygen used during exercise to determine cardiovascular health and aerobic fitness. As a facility specialized in working with endurance athletes at altitude, this measurement is critical for training purposes.
“There are so many submaximal tests and field tests to gauge fitness improvements,” said Blake. “But having this objectivity within the test itself we can redefine our work and [have] more specific insight on how we can organize training from an endurance perspective.”
Blake elaborated that these services are beneficial for everyone, from podium toppers to athletes keeping up with their kids or grandkids on the trails. He said that VO2 max is a key predictor of longevity. Aerobic health declines with age, and by tracking this data the coaches can help athletes maintain fitness and enjoy their later years.
“Ultimately,” Blake concluded, “we are excited to continue to develop APL into a larger space, help more people and give more to the community.”
On July 11, from 5:30pm to 8pm, Alpine Performance Labs invites the community to celebrate its grand opening. The event will feature free food, facility tours, program information and the opportunity to meet the coaches. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/APLopening or head over to www.apl.training to learn more about elevating your mountain sport goals.
