San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been posting glimpses of his workouts on social media with trainer Josh Cuthbert and soon, you will be able to join them.
With the 49ers facility, as well as all of our local gyms and fitness studios closed for the time being, Kittle and Cuthbert thought; Why not let fans work out like the first-team All-Pro tight end does?
Their program has yet to be launched but you already can sign up on their website www.garagegainzchallenge.com to get notifications for when it does go live.
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Cuthbert has been working with Kittle since after his rookie season when the tight end, receiver Trent Taylor and quarterback C.J. Beathard spent the offseason in Nashville. This time offensive lineman Justin Skule joined Kittle in Tennessee.
Because of the current world health situation, Cuthbert had to adjust his workout program with Kittle. The two normally train at nearby Lipscomb Academy, but because of its temporary closure, Cuthbert transported his entire home gym to Kittle’s garage and continued the training program with the appropriate social distancing.
With an assortment of dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, bars and weight plates, the group hasn’t missed a beat. The program that Cuthbert has designed for Kittle still has been completely feasible from the safety of his garage.
“It’s by any means necessary,” Cuthbert told NBC Sports Bay Area. “We are going get it in regardless of the location.”
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Because of Kittle’s bruising style of play, Cuthbert has focused on heavy unilateral movements. Single leg and arm training will increase Kittle’s strength and stability, allowing him to do the things he has become so well known for, like leading the league in yards after the catch.
“It’s about strength and explosiveness,” Cuthbert said. “He’s like an offensive lineman. I also understand the injuries he’s dealt with. I’ve had the same knee and shoulder issues and we don’t want to put extra tread on his tires.”
Cuthbert, like the 49ers coaching and player performance staff, is fully aware of the occasional need to rein Kittle in. The All-Pro’s mentality is to be the hardest worker, at all times.
“He trains like he’s fresh out of college,” Cuthbert said. “If I didn’t give him numbers he’d just go more reps. On days when we de-load with less reps and weights, he’s actually said to me, ‘I don’t pay you for de-load.’”
On heavy days, when maxing out their weight is the plan, Cuthbert enforces extended rest time between sets for recovery. So much so that when Kittle’s wife, Claire, joins the workout, he delays her start 20 minutes, and she still catches up to them.
The biggest change Cuthbert has noticed in Kittle since they started training together is his body composition. Kittle is known for loving Panda Express, but Cuthbert successfully has steered him away from fast foods, increasing Kittle's lean muscle mass.
Cuthbert loves that it’s a family affair for the Kittles. George’s sister Emma, a yoga instructor, not only has contributed through her practice, but by cooking healthy meals that help with muscle recovery.
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While Cuthbert does everything in his power to help Kittle train to be the best athlete on the field, he explains that it’s the tight end’s mentality that really sets him apart.
“He is not scared of anything,” Cuthbert said. “He’s not the biggest, strongest or fastest guy out there, but no one can put it together like him. His mindset is that he believes he is unstoppable. He has no fear.”