• If you have participated in a SPARQ Testing Event such as NSTC or Nike Combine, a Locker Room was set up for you using the email address you used when you registered for the event or participated in the event. An email with login information was sent to that email address, and you can use this to log in either on the main page or on the Locker Room page at http://www.sparqtraining.com/lockerroom/. If you did not receive that email, check in your SPAM folder to see if it ended up in there.
• If you have participated in a SPARQ Testing Event, did not receive the follow-up email with your Locker Room login information, and cannot find it in your SPAM folder, you will need to request a new password using the same email address you used to when your registered for the event or participated in the event. To request a new password, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/forgot_password.php and fill in the email address you used when you registered for the event or participated in the event.
• If you have never participated in a SPARQ Testing Event and/or do not have an active account, you can register on the site by clicking the Sign Up link in the upper-right corner of the website and filling in the appropriate information.

When you have successfully logged in, you will see Logged in as [your username] in the upper right hand corner instead of Login.

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A: Yes. We recommend you use an updated version of Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, with popups enabled (Tools > Popup Blocker in Internet Explorer menu bar and Tools > Options > Content in Mozilla) and with the least other draws on your Internet connection as possible.

Some users find they have to log in twice in order to be logged in to our system. Please try logging in again using your email address and password.

If you can't remember your password you will need to request a new password. We can't send you your original password.

To request a new password, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/forgot_password.php and fill in the email address you used when you registered. A new password will be generated and emailed to you.

Remember to check your SPAM folder for your reset password.

If you are still having trouble logging in, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php and please describe the problem in detail and email us, including the email address you used to sign up with, and your browser version and type.

When you have successfully logged in, you will see Logged in as [your username] in the upper right hand corner instead of Login.

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• To change High School, Grad Year, Height, Weight, Primary Sport and other Sports, Honors, GPA, and College Choice, click Edit under My Stats.
• To change Name, Password, Email, Birthday, High School, grad year, primary sport and positions, gender, and email preferences, click Edit Profile under Dashboard.
• To scratch individual event results, click Scratch under your rating.

• .jpg
• .gif
• .png

To remove a picture or add a title or a caption, click on the picture itself (under Photos). A larger image will load, and in the bottom-left corner the options Edit and Delete. You can add a caption by clicking Edit, or remove the picture by clicking Delete.

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• QuickTime (.mov, .qt, .mp4, .3gp)
• MPEG (.mpg, .mpeg, .mp2)
• Windows Media (.wmv)
• AVI (.avi)
• DV (.dv)

Log in and go to the Locker Room page here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/lockerroom/

On the right hand side of the page under Member Login, in orange, you'll see View my Locker Room Now. Click it. This is where you go to make all kinds of edits to your Locker Room.

To upload videos, select the Upload Video button under My Videos. You'll get a popup prompting you to browse your computer's files for the video you want to upload. Do this by clicking Browse and searching through the files on your computer. When you've found the video you wish to upload, click Open or OK - the path or address for that file will appear in the field that was empty. Finally categorize your video using Titles, keyword, tags etc. When you have filled in all the appropriate fields, click Upload. It may take a few minutes for your file to load.

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A: There is currently no way to delete your own account. Please send us an email from the email address of the account, along with your name, asking us to delete your account.

Deleting an account will not scratch your SPARQ Rating in our database.

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A: In order to activate the link to your Locker Room from our Events page, you have to have logged in to your Locker Room admin page at least once. This means once you're logged into our system, click "View My Locker Room Now" from the Locker Room to login to your admin page.

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• For privacy reasons, you will need to EITHER:
  1. Log in to each account and change the email address to ONE email address, OR;
  2. Email us at help@sparqtraining.com from the address of each account specifying your request (see below for what to say in each email).
• Then, we need you to email us at help@sparqtraining.com with the following:
  
  1. Your full name
  2. The events you attended to achieve each rating (E.g., "'08 Dallas Combine," or "Velocity center Bedford, IL"
  3. All of the email addresses associated with each Locker Room
  4. All of the ID numbers of each Locker Room - (this is the multi-digit number at the end of the URL when you are viewing your Locker Room. E.g., the "23158"in the URL www.sparqtraining.com/lockerroom/locker.php?id=23158

A: SPARQ is a few things. First, SPARQ is an acronym that stands for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness - the five key elements of athleticism. SPARQ is also an Athletic Training Company based in Portland, Oregon. SPARQ provides athletes across all sports and at all levels training targeted to help them improve in each of the five key elements of athleticism. Additionally, SPARQ provides tools; testing protocols and ratings - to help athletes assess and improve their athleticism and monitor their improvement from year to year. SPARQ is dedicated to giving athletes the information and inspiration they need to improve their athletic performance.

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A: Protocols are the individual tests or events involved in assessing a SPARQ Rating in each sport. The protocols for each sport are available here:

Athletic Assessment: http://www.sparqtraining.com/athletic_assessment/protocol
Baseball: http://www.sparqtraining.com/baseball/protocol
Basketball (Boys): http://www.sparqtraining.com/basketball/protocol
Basketball (Girls): http://www.sparqtraining.com/basketball_girls/protocol
Fastpitch: http://www.sparqtraining.com/fastpitch/protocol
Football: http://www.sparqtraining.com/football/protocol
Soccer (Boys): http://www.sparqtraining.com/soccer/protocol
Soccer (Girls): http://www.sparqtraining.com/soccer_girls/protocol

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A: There are two ways to get a SPARQ Rating: by participating in a SPARQ sponsored event or by working with a SPARQ Certified Trainer. If you can't find a testing event near you on our Events Schedule http://www.sparqtraining.com/events, you can visit a local SPARQ certified trainer in your area who can administer SPARQ Testing.

To locate a trainer in your area, click here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/trainerlocator.php

If you are a coach who wants the Nike SPARQ Team Challenge to make a stop at your high school, you can request a tour stop here:
http://www.sparqtraining.com/request_stop/request.php

For more info on the NSTC, see the NSTC section of this FAQ.

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A: Your SPARQ Rating is an indicator of your level of overall athleticism while also serving to highlight areas where you can target your training to gain maximum improvement. Your SPARQ Rating can be used to compare your level of athleticism with others in your sport, field position, or graduation year, AND your Rating can help you track your improvement from season to season.

Compare your individual event results and SPARQ Rating with other athletes in your sport across the country by checking out the Event Results Page here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/results_landing

Use the SPARQulator to calculate your own SPARQ Rating using the results from each event: http://sparqtraining.com/sparqulator/

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A: Through Training. Your SPARQ Rating will show you where you need to focus your training. SPARQtraining.com provides training programs and drills developed by SPARQ Trainers.

You can find individual training drills organized by trainer, sport or product at http://www.sparqtraining.com/training/, and trainer-developed programs on the individual trainer pages located at http://www.sparqtraining.com/trainers.

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A: First, check our schedule at http://www.sparqtraining.com/events to see if there is an event scheduled in your area. Only events with Pre-Registration are open to the public.

If an event is full, see REGISTRATION for what to do next.

If there is not an open to the public event in your area, and you are a coach who wants the SPARQ truck to come to your high school, click the Nike SPARQ Team Challenge Request a Stop button from the Event Schedule page and request a stop for your school. http://www.sparqtraining.com/nstc/request.php

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A: While SPARQ is not in the business of owning training facilities, we have developed a SPARQ Training Network that is made up of SPARQ Certified Trainers located throughout the country.

SPARQ has also formed a partnership with Velocity Sports Performance to provide certified SPARQ Testing at all of their VSP Centers.

Go to http://www.sparqtraining.com/trainers to learn more about a few of our certified SPARQ Trainers and try out their programs. More SPARQ Trainers will be added in the coming months.

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• You are not logged in. You must be logged in to register for an event. If you are logged in, it will say Logged in as [your username] in the upper right hand corner of the page.
• You are using an email address used by another athlete, perhaps a relative. Only one athlete can register per email address more than one athlete cannot share the same email address, even over different events.
• You are not using an updated browser. We recommend you use an updated version of Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, with popups enabled - (Tools > Popup Blocker in Internet Explorer menu bar and Tools > Options > Content in Mozilla)
• The event is full. Keep trying - as the event date nears, athletes will drop out and spots may open up.
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A: Within approximately three hours, a registration confirmation email will be generated and sent to the email address you used to register. When checking for this email, be sure you're checking the email address you used when you registered. ALSO, remember to check your SPAM folder frequently.

Additionally, you will receive an event reminder email the Monday or Tuesday prior to the event with details including time, address, and directions.

Another way to confirm you are registered for a specific event is to login and try to register for the same event. The system will tell you if you have already registered for that event.

If you do not receive a confirmation email and have checked your SPAM folder, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php and send us an email with the name of the event you signed up for, the first and last names of the athlete, and the email address you used to sign up.

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A: After you register, you will automatically receive confirmation and reminder emails. Check your spam folder frequently, as these emails sometimes land in there. There is a link within these emails that enables you to cancel your registration.

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A: The answer is different depending on where you were tested:

NIKE COMBINES:
Individual Combine results are not posted on the master database on SPARQtraining.com until 21 days after the event, though SPARQ Ratings are viewable in our database immediately after the event. These Ratings are posted just a few hours after the event, and then as our team of Ratings experts combs the original data some Ratings may change. Check back the Wednesday or Thursday after your combine for an updated database.

NIKE SPARQ TEAM CHALLENGE (NSTC):
Individual event results and SPARQ Ratings will be posted no more than 48 hours after the event. Occasionally technical difficulties will delays in results and SPARQ Ratings posting keep checking back.

SPARQ TRAINER:
If you were tested by a SPARQ Trainer or at a training facility such as Velocity, and not at a SPARQ Testing Event, your results are not included in our online database.

If you give the trainer your email address, your SPARQ Rating can be included in your Locker Room. Your trainer will facilitate this through the STN (SPARQ Training Network). Make sure you use the same email address as your current Locker Room account or SPARQ Testing Event you participated in. This way, you will avoid getting multiple Locker Rooms.

If you didnt already have a Locker Room when you tested, one will be created for you, and your username will be the email address you gave your trainer. OR you can register for a Locker Room yourself by clicking http://www.sparqtraining.com/register.php.

Remember to use one email address for all your SPARQ Testing - whether it is through a SPARQ Trainer or at a SPARQ Testing Event.

You may have received a printout at a SPARQ Training Event - those results are unofficial. We scrub thousands of results and sometimes have to change or scratch results.

If you scratched any or all of your testing results at the event, you will not be included in our SPARQ Rating database because the Rating can only be calculated using all the event results.

If you think we overlooked a complete and valid Rating at an event, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php and send us an email with the name and date of the testing, your full name, the email address you used at the event, along with any and all testing results you made or believe to have made.

We will do our best to respond to your inquiry, but please note that the sooner after an event the easier it is to recall specifics that may have resulted in the athlete not being in our database.

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A: You may have received a printout at an event - those results are unofficial. We scrub thousands of results and sometimes have to change or scratch results, so your certified SPARQ Rating as it appears online may differ from the rating on your printout.

If you feel there is an error in your results, click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php and send us an email with the name and date of the testing, your full name, the email address you used at the event, along with any and all testing results you made or believe to have made.

We will do our best to respond to your inquiry, but please note that the sooner after an event the easier it is to recall specifics that may have resulted in the athlete not being in our database.

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A: Each time an athlete tests, he or she receives one distinct SPARQ Rating. The event results and SPARQ Ratings are not averaged or combined from event to event or from year to year.

If you used the same email address each time you test, all results and SPARQ Ratings will be shown in your Locker Room.

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A: At any SPARQ sponsored event, all athletes are asked if they would like to scratch any result at the event kiosk.

After the event, if the athlete did not scratch at the kiosk, their results live in three places. Each place has to be scratched by different means:

LOCKER ROOM:
Results live in an athlete's Locker Room, Each user can log in and make their Rating invisible so other users cannot view them, and they can also make the Rating visible again at any time. For privacy reasons we can't log in and do that for you.

To do this, log in to your Locker Room, click View my Locker Room Now and click Scratch under your rating. To make it visible again, just click Show Rating.

SPARQTRAINING.COM DATABASE:
To scratch a result from the database you must either scratch at the kiosk at the event OR send us an email with an individual request.

Click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php and send us an email with the name and date of the testing, your full name, the email address you used at the event, along with any and all testing results you made or believe to have made.

STUDENT SPORTS:
To scratch combine results on Student Sports, send an email to: scratch@studentsports.com. Include your full name, the name and date of the event, and the scores you'd like scratched. Please note that most requests must be made within a short timeframe of the event for quicker action.

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A: Scratching in the database will remove the result of an individual test, and, as a result, the complete SPARQ Rating. This is because a SPARQ Rating is calculated from the results of each event or test in the protocol. Scratch an individual result, nullify the overall Rating.

Event results that are not scratched will remain intact.

Scratching your rating in the Locker Room will just make it invisible to the public. You can reinstate visibility in your Locker Room any time you want.

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A: Your SPARQ Rating is an indicator of your level of overall athleticism specific to a sport. SPARQ combines your results from various tests into a single standardized score that reflects your capacity to meet the key physical requirements of a sport. The SPARQ Rating is not a substitute for or measurement of playing ability. But most experts would agree that the technique (skill) and tactics (decision-making) that largely define playing ability are best developed with a solid foundation of athleticism. The SPARQ Rating is a powerful tool for evaluating this physical foundation for particular sports.

The Athletic Assessment is a general rating addressing the physical requirements common to many sports, e.g. linear speed, change-of-direction speed (agility), upper-body and lower-body peak power, and endurance /recovery capacity. The SPARQ Rating reveals relative strengths and weaknesses, areas you can focus training on to gain maximum improvment. Your SPARQ Rating can be used to compare your level of athleticism with others in your sport, at your field position, or in your graduation year. Your rating can help you track your improvement from season to season.

Check out the Event Results Page here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/results_landing

Use the SPARQulator to calculate your own SPARQ Rating using the results from each event: http://sparqtraining.com/sparqulator/

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A: For events allowing Pre-Registrations (Nike Combines, SPARQ Mini-Camps, NTFC), details including the time, address, and directions will be emailed to you the Monday or Tuesday prior to the event. Please check the email address you used to register.

Check your SPAM folder.

Combines are run on a rolling basis, where you will first confirm your registration and then be sent through the testing in small groups.

Mini Camps last approximately two hours.

Click here for more info on Nike Combines and SPARQ Mini Camps: http://www.sparqtraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=138 8

For NSTC events, Trainer events, and all other events, check with your coach or trainer for time and duration. Often it will depend on the season, the facilities, and the number of athletes to be tested.

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A: There may not be reliable lockers or safe places for valuables at the event. Athletes can keep their personal belongings with them as they move through the event stations. Please plan accordingly. SPARQ does not assume liability for loss of personal items during testing.

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A: Photos taken at combines and mini camps are for internal use only.

Photos and video of NSTC events are all available online by clicking through the Event Results page. Just find your event, and click on YES under VIDEO, PICS, or STORY. The photo gallery will have pictures taken of the event as well as the iMac photos athletes took at the kiosk.

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A: Game tape will be stored at Student Sports, where it can be used for player evaluations, online rankings, etc. It will not be uploaded to SPARQtraining.com. Please contact Student Sports for individual inquiries contact@studentsports.com.

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A: There are a few options. First, you can see if there is a certified SPARQ Trainer in your area by using our trainer locator here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/trainer_locat or.php

If you are a coach who wants the Nike SPARQ Team Challenge (NSTC) to make a stop at your high school, you can request a tour stop here:
http://www.sparqtraining.com/nstc/request.php

You can also check our schedule at http://www.sparqtraining.com/events to see if there is an event scheduled in your area that is open to the public and allows pre-registration. NSTC events are not open to the general public.

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A. NFTC is the Nike Football Training Camp. It is an invitation-only football training event sponsored by Nike and run by SPARQ.

Participating athletes are put through a SPARQ Dynamic Warm-Up, receive general SPARQ Training, and then are broken out by position for position-specific drills and then one-on-one instruction from SPARQ Trainers.

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A: To be invited to an NFTC, it's more than just a good SPARQ Rating. You should have a certified SPARQ Rating, a highlight reel in your Locker Room, and a letter of recommendation from your coach. Please see Student Sports for more information:
http://ssfootball.rivals .com/content.asp?SID=1112&CID=533107

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A: You will be contacted by Student Sports via snail mail if you are invited to participate in an NFTC.

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A: The NIKE SPARQ TEAM CHALLENGE (NSTC) is a nationwide hunt for the best SPARQ Rated high school teams. The NSTC has crowned national Top SPARQ Rated Teams in Football, Baseball, Fastpitch, and boys and girls Basketball. Team SPARQ Ratings are an average of the five best individual ratings on each team tested. The NSTC tours throughout the year, covering all corners of the USA with up to five mobile units visiting summer passing tournaments, football camps and individual high schools.

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A: If you are a coach who wants the Nike SPARQ Team Challenge to make a stop at your high school, you can request a tour stop here:
http://www.sparqtraining.com/request_stop/request.php
NSTC Events listed on our Event Schedule page are not open to the public, you must request and schedule a stop for your team to participate in an NSTC event.

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A: The SPARQ Certification allows you access to generate official SPARQ Ratings for your athletes.

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A: You will be contacted if you have been selected. We are currently evaluating our existing SPARQ Training Network make up, and we will be adding new trainers in late SPRING 2008. Thank you for filling out the application and for your patience.

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A: If you can't remember the username you selected when trying to log in, your email address will work in place of your username. If you can't remember your password, you will need to request a new password (see below).

When you are logged in it will say Welcome [your username] in the upper right-hand corner of the main STN landing page under the SPARQ logo.

We recommend you use an updated version of Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, with popups enabled (Tools > Popup Blocker in Internet Explorer menu bar and Tools > Options > Content in Mozilla) and with the least other draws on your Internet connection as possible.

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A. To reset your password, click on Forgot My Password on login page. A new password will be generated and emailed to you.

Remember to check your SPAM folder for your reset password.

If you continue to have difficulties, please contact the STN Manager, or click here http://www.sparqtraining.com/email.php to send us an email. Enter the email address you used to register for the STN and Select Training Network from the subject drop down menu.

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A: Log in to your account at http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/login.php.
Once you are logged in, it will say Welcome [your username] in the upper right hand corner. Click on your name. Modify your information, and click Submit Form when you are done.

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A: Log into your account at http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/login.php.
From there, either download the PDF and review the directions on how to upload athlete Ratings, http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/pdf/TrainersHowTo.pdf, or move right into Add a SPARQ Rating, halfway down the page.

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A: Ratings that have been uploaded from the STN do not go live onto our website. Athletes get a Locker Room page displaying their certified SPARQ Rating. The Locker Room page enables them to compare themselves to results in our online database here http://www.sparqtraining.com/results_landing, and to customize their Locker Room page for recruiting purposes.

The athlete's Locker Room is created directly from the email address you use when you upload his or her SPARQ Rating, so it's very important that you use a current, active email address provided by the athlete and double check that it has been entered correctly.

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A. Work with the athlete to use the same email address for all SPARQ Ratings. Ask the athlete if they already have a SPARQ account and/or Locker Room, and use the same email address when uploading new Ratings so we don't get duplicate Locker Rooms for that athlete in our system.

Be sure to double-check that email addresses are entered correctly.

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A: The SPARQ Training Network was established to provide athletes with qualified trainers who can provide SPARQ Training and SPARQ Rating preparation.

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A: We would like you to follow the below criteria:
i. SPARQ cannot be used in the title or header of your event. This is your event and you are SPARQ Rating Authorized and a SPARQ Certified Trainer. Please use these terms.
ii. You do not have the right to use Nike or the Swoosh in your advertising without their permission.

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A: We do not at this time give out our logo.

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A: Please go to http://www.sparqstore.com. You can use your promotion code during checkout to receive your discount.

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A: SPARQ Training shoes and equipment are available in a variety of places. Online, shop at:

Eastbay.com

Nike.com

SPARQstore.com

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A: Just ask the SPARQstore customer service, and they'll be happy to help you. Email them here: customerservice@sparqstore.com.

A: SPARQ has Power Balls in the following weights: 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 8kg and 10kg. In most SPARQ drills and testing boys use a 3kg (~6.6 lb) Power Ball and girls use a 2kg (~4.4 lb) Power Ball.

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A: You can always use your email address as your username. To request a password, if you've forgotten it, click here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/forgot_password.php. Be sure to check your spam folder for your new password.

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A: Read more about the SPARQ Training Network here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/login.php.
Click the link at the bottom of the page, or go here, to apply: http://www.sparqtraining.com/stn/join.php.
If you've submitted an application to the SPARQ Training Network, please be patient. You will be contacted if you have been selected. We are currently evaluating our existing SPARQ Training Network make up, and we will be adding new trainers in late SPRING 2008.

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A: SPARQ has Power Balls in the following weights: 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 8kg and 10kg. In most SPARQ drills and testing boys use a 3kg (~6.6 lb) Power Ball and girls use a 2kg (~4.4 lb) Power Ball.

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1. • You can find a complete schedule of SPARQ testing events here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/events
   • You can also find a SPARQ Certified trainer in your area using our Trainer Locater tool, here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/trainer_locator.php

And if you are looking to test your whole team, you can request a Nike SPARQ Team Challenge tour-stop here: http://www.sparqtraining.com/request_stop/request.php

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• Select the Upload Photo button under My Photos or the Upload Video button under My Videos. You'll get a popup prompting you to browse your computer's files for the picture or video file you want to upload. Do this by clicking Browse and searching through the files on your computer. When you've found the file you wish to upload, click Open or OK and the path or address for that file will appear in the field that was empty. Click Upload Photo or Upload Video. The file will automatically upload, and you can repeat the process for as many files as you'd like.
  
• Your photos will be automatically sized for you, and acceptable file types are .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG.
  

• QuickTime (.mov, .qt, .mp4, .3gp)
• MPEG (.mpg, .mpeg, .mp2)
• Windows Media (.wmv)
• AVI (.avi)
• DV (.dv)
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