CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 8/9/19

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1.Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop – Chicago, IL (w/ myself and Dr. Lisa Lewis)

This is happening NEXT weekend (Sunday, August 18, 2019)

Go HERE to register.

This workshop is designed for fitness professionals – personal trainers, strength & conditioning coaches, physical therapists, etc – to provide both physical & psychological tools to help build your brand, business, and rapport with clients.

Dr. Lewis and I cover a lot of material:

  • How to increase competency and motivation with your clients.
  • An overview of both upper and lower extremity assessment to create increased “buy in.”
  • How to set professional & personal boundaries with clients.
  • Troubleshooting common lifts such as squats & deadlifts to best fit the needs, ability level, and anatomy of clients.
  • And more…

CEUs will be available.

For more information – including full itinerary and to register – you can go HERE.

2. Coaching Competency – Dublin, Ireland

This is happening Sunday, September 8, 2019 (save $100 NOW)

Register HERE

So what happens when a room full of Irish(w0)men find out I’m not much of a drinker?…;o)

Whether you get paid to tell people to lift heavy things or you just like to lift heavy things yourself, in this 1-day workshop you’ll get the opportunity to listen to me talk about my how I approach assessment and gain a better understanding of how I “match” the exercises I prescribe to better fit the needs, ability level, and more importantly, the anatomy of each individual I work work.

In short, this workshop looks at the “umbrella theme” of my coaching philosophy.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – go HERE.

3. Strategic Strength Workshop – London, England

This is happening the weekend of September 14-15th, 2019 (save $100 now).

Register HERE

Luke Worthington and I have presented this workshop twice. Once in London last year and again this past June in Boston.

We’re bringing it back to London this Fall, my most favorite place in the world.

This two-day workshop is designed to arm fitness professionals with all the tools they’ll need to hone their assessment skills and to make their clients/athletes a bunch of bonafide, resilient, strength training Terminators.

Combined Luke and I have ~40 years of coaching experience (or one Dan John) and bring different perspectives and skill-sets to the table; Luke peels back the onion on PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) concepts and assessment, while I go into detail breaking down movement and how to better “match” the exercises we prescribe to our clients.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – you can go HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

(Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Me and a Canadian

Launch sale ENDS THIS WEEKEND.

 

This is entirely new content that Dean Somerset and I spent well over a year presenting and tweaking before filming it with a professional  crew to release to the masses.

It builds off of Version 1.0 but digs deeper into programming considerations, exercise technique, and tickle fights (amongst much, much more).

It’s on SALE through this weekend only so be sure to pick up a copy today…HERE.

If you don’t you’re dead to me.1

Building a Loyal Audience On Instagram: Stop Taking Shortcuts – Meghan Callaway

Followers DO NOT equate to $$$.

Few things grind my gears more – Jake P from The Bachelorette, Voldemort – than shady motherfuckers who pretend (or claim) to be more important than they really are based off their fake followers.

If I Was in Your Shoes, I Wouldn’t Be – Brandon Mancine

Brandon makes the case for wearing no shoes or minimal shoes while training.

Short and to the point.

 

CategoriesAssessment personal training Program Design

The Dubious D Word of the Fitness Industry

Here’s a hint:

It’s not dorsiflexion, diastasis, disc herniation, or density set.

And it’s also not deload, DOMS, or dorsal talonavicular ligament. <– say that three times fast.

Nope, the most dubious “D” word I’m referring to and the word I wish more fitness professionals would use LESS is…

…dysfunction.

Copyright: melnyk58 / 123RF Stock Photo

Stop It. Stop It Right Now

It’s a common tactic for fitness professionals, especially during an initial session or assessment, to go out of their way to demonstrate just how dysfunctional someone is.

“Okay, so, after everything we’ve gone through and discussed it seems you have an internally rotated right shoulder, a bit of anterior pelvic tilt, upper back kyphosis, you lack thoracic rotation on your left side, you need to clip your toenails, and one eye is lower than the other.

We’ve got some work to do to fix everything.”

Now, I’m not going to sit here and say I’ve been perfect my entire career and that I never did the same thing.

I did.

And while hindsight is 20/20…I can’t even begin to imagine how much business I lost because I felt it a good idea to showcase to potential clients how much of a walking ball of fail they were on Day #1.

To that end, I do believe there’s a natural growth or maturation (that only comes with experience) of any fitness professional where you begin to understand and appreciate this train of thought.

Of course it’s our job to “audit” movement and to ascertain, to the best of our ability, what will set people up for the most success possible given their goals, injury history, and ability level(s).

But I adamantly feel that one of the worst things you can do as a fitness professional is to highlight dysfunction and to make people feel broken out of the gate.

Take scapular winging for example, where the shoulder blade lacks congruency with the ribcage (I.e., it peels off the rib cage).

Is it actually a dysfunctional thing?

Now, admittedly, the picture above is a little a lot fucked up.

This is TRUE scapular winging, an actual medical diagnosis where the long thoracic nerve is not doing its job innervating the Serratus Anterior.

No amount of Prone Trap Raises or Forearm Wall Slides is going to fix that dumpster fire. It’s going to entail meticulous manual therapy and someone with a keener sense of neurological wizardry to fix it.

However, many people walk around thinking they have “scapular winging” (HINT: pretty much everyone has it to some degree) and that they’re doomed to a laundry list of corrective exercise purgatory.

I have news for you.

Most people’s long thoracic nerve works just fine and most people are NOT in a state of dysfunction.

In fact you can fix scapular winging pretty quickly by adding LOAD and by getting people to TRAIN.

Load helps nudge people into better positioning and training just helps people not want to jump in front of a bus (trust me: corrective exercise purgatory is no fun for anyone).

There are a litany of ways to accomplish this.

In this short video, I outline some of my thoughts and manage to not swear the entire time.

 

This is a short clip from mine and Dean Somerset’s new series Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint, a brand new product with entirely new content from the version 1 workshop, which is on sale until Sunday for $70 off the regular price, and digs into individualization concepts like this, plus so much more to help you get the best possible plan of action for your clients in order to get them results in the fastest, easiest and safest manner possible.

 

 

CategoriesUncategorized

Get Your Hips Nice-n-Juicy Prior to Your Lower Body Workout

I know, I know…

…most of you reading don’t have enough eye-rolls to give.

I mean, I get it: a blog post on warming-up is about as exciting as me writing about breathing drills, how to make kale chips, or, I don’t know, NASCAR.

But two things:

1. This post will be short and sweet.

2. The video shown below will help you not only feel better, but also help you crush your next (and subsequent) lower body lifts.

I figured that would grab your attention…;o)

Copyright: spotpoint74 / 123RF Stock Photo

Juicy

There’s no need for me to belabor the point: a proper warm-up prior to lifting heavy things is imperative. It helps increase core temperature, potentiate the central nervous system, “lubricate” the joints, and as a whole is just a smart habit to follow to better prepare the body for the workout to follow.

Thing is…

…the warm-up is also the one thing most trainees skip, treat as the evil step-child, or otherwise ignore altogether.

I can’t fault some people for doing so.

Some warm-ups are just absurd. I’ve had some people show me warm-ups that take 20-30 minutes to complete. Now, this isn’t to say that, sometimes, this isn’t warranted. Depending on one’s injury history (or even other factors, such as age) we can sometimes justify a warm-up of that length.

But too – and more to the point – if I were given a warm-up that takes that long to complete I’d be tossing it some shade too.

That’s a whole lotta nope!

A whole lotta nope

On the flip side, I also think one reason many people skip their warm-up is because there’s no rhyme or reason to what they’re doing:

“I’ll do some arm circles here, some hip thingamajiggies there, weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.”

An ideal warm-up will not only prepare you for the stuff you’ll be doing on the weight-room floor, but also address any mobility/range of motion/activation deficits that may exist.

And, lately, my train of thought is that an ideal warm-up is short and to the point and kinda-sorta makes you hate life.

A perfect example is this hip series2. I’ve been using myself of late and is something covered in the (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – a brand new product with entirely new content Dean Somerset and I just released this week.

 

This series hits all the heavy hitters to keep your hips nice-n-juicy for some squats or deadlifts:

✅Hip IR
✅Hip ER
✅Hip Flexion
✅Dissociating hip movement from Lower Back movement.

Start with your hands on the floor for support and try to stay as upright as possible (contingent on your ability to do so).

It’s not a deal breaker if you have to lean to the side a bit.

You also have the option to “ramp” up the intensity while performing this series too. You can go through the motions and make it relatively easy or you can come close to shitting a kettlebell by increasing the amount of tension you put into it.

I encourage clients to dabble in both (because both scenarios have their advantages and disadvantages).

Have fun (<– said with a hint of sarcasm).

(Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint is currently on sale this week till this Sunday for $70 off the regular price, and digs into preparation concepts like this, plus so much more to help you get the best possible plan of action for your clients in order to get them results in the fastest, easiest and safest manner possible.

—> Click here for more info and to grab your copy today <—

CategoriesUncategorized

Now Available: Even More Complete Shoulder and Hip Blueprint

After over a year of development, fine tuning, and presenting multiple times to get the fine points just right, Dean Somerset and I have finally released “(Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint” – a brand spankin new product with new content – and it’s on sale now.

Copyright: pixelrobot / 123RF Stock Photo

Get the Hotness

In 2016 Dean Somerset and I released the first Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint.

It received rave reviews.

Parades were held in our honor, babies were named after us, Pulitzer’s were given.3

In all seriousness, we were (are) very proud of the original product, and it didn’t take long for Dean and I to be like…

…”huh, I think we have a lot more to say on this topic…let’s do it again!”

To that end, I’m elated to announce that the sequel, The (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint is now available to purchase.

 

Save $50 off the regular price of Version 2.0 and $80 off the COMBO pack (Versions 1.0 & 2.0) HERE.

It’s not lost on me that most sequels fall somewhere between “sucks donkey balls” and “a complete dumpster fire.”

I mean, do I have to go any further than Major League 2 or Speed 2: Cruise Control?Assuredly, the (Even More) CSHB falls more along the lines of Return of the King or, fuck it, I’ll go there…The Godfather II.

I.e., it’s the polar opposite of a dumpster fire.4

Dean and I go deeper into our assessment protocols, offer more insight into programming considerations, and also provide more in-depth coaching on squats, deadlifts, thoracic mobility, and much more.

In all there’s 11+ hours of content – both lecture/theory as well as plenty of hand-on practicals – and the miraculous thing is that I don’t swear even once over the course of the two days we spent filming. Anyone who’s ever seen me present in person know that this is a feat in of itself.

Okay, maybe I say “shit”…once.

But that’s peanuts compared to what normally emerges from my sailor mouth.

In addition to being able to safely watch this at work or with a bunch of five-year olds in the room, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, and I even think my cat makes a cameo.

It basically sells itself at this point…;o)

Still, we’re no idiots. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint is on sale through this week only at a very generous discount.

Thanks for your consideration and I hope you enjoy it!

—> Click to Save on Both Version 2.0 as Well as the COMBO Pack <—

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 8/2/19

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1.Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop – Chicago, IL (w/ Dr. Lisa Lewis)

This is happening Sunday, August 18, 2019

Go HERE to register.

This workshop is designed for fitness professionals – personal trainers, strength & conditioning coaches, physical therapists, etc – to provide both physical & psychological tools to help build your brand, business, and rapport with clients.

Dr. Lewis and I cover a lot of material:

  • How to increase competency and motivation with your clients.
  • An overview of both upper and lower extremity assessment to create increased “buy in.”
  • How to set professional & personal boundaries with clients.
  • Troubleshooting common lifts such as squats & deadlifts to best fit the needs, ability level, and anatomy of clients.
  • And more…

CEUs will be available.

For more information – including full itinerary and to register – you can go HERE.

2. Coaching Competency – Dublin, Ireland

This is happening Sunday, September 8, 2019 (Early Bird rate in effect)

Register HERE

So what happens when a room full of Irish(w0)men find out I’m not much of a drinker?…;o)

Whether you get paid to tell people to lift heavy things or you just like to lift heavy things yourself, in this 1-day workshop you’ll get the opportunity to listen to me talk about my how I approach assessment and gain a better understanding of how I “match” the exercises I prescribe to better fit the needs, ability level, and more importantly, the anatomy of each individual I work work.

In short, this workshop looks at the “umbrella theme” of my coaching philosophy.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – go HERE.

3. Strategic Strength Workshop – London, England

This is happening the weekend of September 14-15th, 2019 (Early Bird rate in effect).

Register HERE

Luke Worthington and I have presented this workshop twice. Once in London last year and again this past June in Boston.

We’re bringing it back to London this Fall, my most favorite place in the world.

This two-day workshop is designed to arm fitness professionals with all the tools they’ll need to hone their assessment skills and to make their clients/athletes a bunch of bonafide, resilient, strength training Terminators.

Combined Luke and I have ~40 years of coaching experience (or one Dan John) and bring different perspectives and skill-sets to the table; Luke peels back the onion on PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) concepts and assessment, while I go into detail breaking down movement and how to better “match” the exercises we prescribe to our clients.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – you can go HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

What to Do in the Gym When You Are New – Lana Sova

If you’re new to the gym (or know someone who’s thinking about going) this is a must read.

Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift Tips – August 1, 2019 – Tony Bonvechio

Bo knows baseball.

Tony B knows the “big 3.”

Oh, also: be sure to check out the Optimizing the Big 3 seminar hosted by both Tony B and Greg Robins in Worcester, MA later this month.

I’ll be there learning myself…;o)

Info HERE.

What Is the Best Strength Training Exercise for Triathletes? – Menachem Brodie

Short answer: strength training in general – not just one particular exercise – is the best…;o)

CategoriesCorrective Exercise Program Design

Let’s Not Make Things More Complicated Than They Have to Be: The Hip Hinge

Some things, no doubt, are complicated:

  • Long division
  • The Kreb’s cycle
  • Nuclear fission
  • Brexit
  • Figuring out the plot of West World
  • Vaginas

There’s a bevy of examples in the universe.5

I’m sure collectively we can think of several hundred (if not thousands) of them.

The hip hinge isn’t one of them.

Or, at least it shouldn’t be.

Copyright: blanarum / 123RF Stock Photo

Trust Me, You Can Do It

The most cogent place to start is to (briefly) explain what a hip hinge is. And to that end I often like to steal a train of thought from renowned strength coach and writer, Dan John:

“The Hip Hinge = Maximal hip flexion with minimal knee flexion.”

Well, that was easy.

Now that we know what it is, why do we care?

In my neck of the woods – strength & conditioning – the hip hinge is the precursor (or base) for a lot of what we do to help make people stronger, faster, and more athletic.

Deadlifting = hip hinge.

Jumping = hip hinge.

But in everyday life, too, the hip hinge pops in to make a cameo appearance:

  • Bending over to pick up your child.
  • Picking up anything off the ground, really.
  • Sitting down.
  • Assuming an athletic position in your recreational basketball league. You know, the same league a bunch of your friends asked you to join because it was going to be fun, but then you went a head and missed those two foul shots to lose the championship game, and now everyone hates you. That league.

Photo Credit: STACK.com

Whether you realize it or not, and whether or not it involves lifting heavy things (or your recycling bin), you likely hip hinge many, many, many times per day.

And you’re likely more than proficient at it.

Some (not all) fitness professionals like to make things more complicated than they have to be. When it comes to the hip hinge, really what we’re after is the ability to dissociate hip movement from lumbar movement.

We want to be able to move from the hips with little (if any) movement from the spine; especially when we’re under significant load.

Some fit pros will assess the hip hinge and if it seems wonky or awry they’ll automatically transform into “corrective exercise” mode where said individual will be put through a hefty 17-week program complete with dowel rods, bands, breathing drills, and maybe a Shaolin monk (in worst case scenarios) to set them straight and to fix things.

Now, I am not here to bemoan corrective exercise or to belittle those who take the time to coach up their clients with hip hinge drills.

I mean, I’ve written several blog posts on the topic HERE and HERE, so I’d be a major asshole if I did that.

But, what I would like today’s post to do is to provide a bit of context and to remind coaches that sometimes all people need is a slight nudge or reminder that “x” is what you want them to do.

Again, with a hip hinge, all I’m after is dissociation of hip movement from lumbar movement. If I can get an individual to create tension – or a “flexion moment” – in the anterior core so that they can’t move through their lower back, then my job is done.

This drill is about as simple as I can make it:

The Bear Hug Hip Hinge

CategoriesProduct Review

A Cool Way to Upgrade Your Landmine Variations: The Gut Wrench

Whoa – I was thiiiis close to titling this post “A Cool Way to HACK Your Landmine Variations,” and then I remembered I can’t stand people who use that word incessantly.

Hack.

You see articles or blog posts use it all…the…time, as if to imply 1) they know something we don’t, some short-cut no one in the history of ever has ever thought of before and 2) that they’re some sort of uppity, bourgeoisie Dumbledore or something with a bevy of tricks up their sleeve:

  • 5 Tips to Hack Your Sleep Habits
  • Hack Your Way to Increased Muscle Mass
  • Use These Hacks to Hack Your Next Article on Writing About Hacks.

Anyway, I remembered I wasn’t an asshole and decided to go with “upgrade” instead.

You’re welcome.

Copyright: lightwise / 123RF Stock Photo

Upgrade Your Landmine Variations: The Gut Wrench

I receive inquiries from companies and individuals all the time asking me to try their stuff out in the hopes that maybe I’ll like it and share it amongst my “tribe.”

Admittedly, most of the time, it’s just not a good fit for what I do and what I believe in. I had an individual reach out to me once asking me if I’d be interested in trying out their “Keto” supplements.

“They’re very effective,” she said, “and I’m sure the bulk of your audience will agree.”

In my head I was like, “I’d rather jump into a dumpster fire.”

I don’t know, maybe they were effective (at what, I have no idea); and maybe I’m a big, fat, meanie head for not giving something new a try, but all I did was politely say “no thanks” and move on with my life.

I’ve also had people reach out to see if I’d be interested in trying out “x” piece of equipment or maybe they want to send me some of their apparel that does all sorts of fancy things like keep track of your heart rate, exfoliates your skin, and filters your sweat so that it can be recycled to grow organic grass fed acai berries.

I’m always flattered and always try to be respectful when I know something’s not a proper fit for me or my brand.

It comes with the territory for being moderately e-famous.

NOTE TO AUDI: If you ever want to send me one of your new Q5’s to try out I won’t say no…:o)

That said, it’s not always a shit show. Every now and then I’m sent something cool, and something I think everyone else will think is cool too.

Like…

…The Gut Wrench

The people over at StrongerThanU.com reached out to me several weeks ago asking if I’d be interested in their gadget, The Gut Wrench.

Full Disclosure: I receive zero kickback or affiliate income for recommending this product. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a future hug, though.

I know based off the picture above it doesn’t look like much, but once I saw it in action I knew I’d want one to have in my studio.

It makes having a dedicated Landmine (or Angled Bar) attachment obsolete. I can do a multitude of Landmine exercises anywhere in the gym I please: in the corner, in the middle of the gym floor, over here, over there, pants on, pants off, whatever.

When I got back from Australia last week The Gut Wrench was waiting for me and I immediately starting playing around with it.

 

And boy do I like it.

It’s small, sturdy, and I can use it for soooo many activities; a god-send for anyone who works out of a limited space such as myself.

In the video above I’m performing a Rotating Alternate Landmine Press (0ne of my favorites), and because the Gut Wrench is designed the way it’s designed the barbell doesn’t “slip” on the floor.

I.e., It stays in place.

Too, I’m still able to perform all the same lower body movements as well without any worry that the barbell will travel away from me.

If you’re a gym owner or someone who needs a little more versatility with your Landmine exercises I’d seriously give The Gut Wrench a consideration.

Seriously, Audi, call me.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 7/26/19

It’s official: I thought I felt like a bag of dicks yesterday, but I really feel like a bag of dicks today.

The jet lag was fairly manageable yesterday and Lisa and I were both like “huh, not too shabby.” Today, though, it’s kicked into high gear and next level shitty.

It’s so bad I don’t even feel like heading to the gym to do some arms.

FML.

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1.Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop – Chicago, IL (w/ Dr. Lisa Lewis)

Go HERE to register.

This workshop is designed for fitness professionals – personal trainers, strength & conditioning coaches, physical therapists, etc – to provide both physical & psychological tools to help build your brand, business, and rapport with clients.

Dr. Lewis and I cover a lot of material:

  • How to increase competency and motivation with your clients.
  • An overview of both upper and lower extremity assessment to create increased “buy in.”
  • How to set professional & personal boundaries with clients.
  • Troubleshooting common lifts such as squats & deadlifts to best fit the needs, ability level, and anatomy of clients.
  • And more…

The Early Bird rate for this workshop is set to expire this weekend (7/29) so if you want to save yourself $50 I’d encourage you to sign up ASAP.

CEUs will be available.

For more information – including full itinerary and to register – you can go HERE.

2. Strategic Strength Workshop – London, UK

Register HERE

Luke Worthington and I have presented this workshop twice. Once in London last year and again this past June in Boston.

We’re bringing it back to London this Fall, my most favorite place in the world.

This two-day workshop is designed to arm fitness professionals with all the tools they’ll need to hone their assessment skills and to make their clients/athletes a bunch of bonafide, resilient, strength training Terminators.

Combined Luke and I have ~40 years of coaching experience (or one Dan John) and bring different perspectives and skill-sets to the table; Luke peels back the onion on PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) concepts and assessment, while I go into detail breaking down movement and how to better “match” the exercises we prescribe to our clients.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – you can go HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

The Truth About TRT & Tips to Maximize Your Hormones – Ali Gilbert

Ali is smart.

Very smart.

 

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein

I’ve seen 94,102 (+/- 32) people recommend this book so I figured it was high time I give it a go.

I’m two chapters in and LOVE it.

In a world where parents of seven year olds are inquiring about hiring strength & conditioning coaches it’s a much needed breath of fresh air.

Pump the motherfuckim brakes people.

Ketogenic Diets Suck for Speed and Power – Dr. Mike T. Nelson

I love when Mike gets snarky.

 

CategoriesUncategorized

Upcoming Speaking Engagements: The Jet Lag Edition

I feel like a bag of dicks today.

Well, not that bad considering the 2o hour total flight time (in addition to a four hour layover in LAX) Lisa and I endured yesterday making our way back to Boston from Australia.

I don’t know, maybe I feel more like a bag of soggy potatoes? Either way, it’s not good, and I have zero room to complain given I’m not coaching today and Lisa had to go in because she has full day of clients lined up at her private practice.6

To that end, given my brain feels like mush at the moment and I’m still trying to get my bearings back from being across the other side of the world for the past two weeks, I wanted to take today as an opportunity to remind people of where I’ll be presenting next.

You know, because it’s all about me, me, me, ME!

Copyright: yarruta / 123RF Stock Photo

Strong Body-Strong Mind: Chicago (August 2019)

Full Disclosure: This will be the only date in 2019 that Dr. Lisa Lewis and I will be presenting this workshop.

Go HERE to register.

This workshop is designed for fitness professionals – personal trainers, strength & conditioning coaches, physical therapists, etc – to provide both physical & psychological tools to help build your brand, business, and rapport with clients.

Dr. Lewis and I cover a lot of material:

  • How to increase competency and motivation with your clients.
  • An overview of both upper and lower extremity assessment to create increased “buy in.”
  • How to set professional & personal boundaries with clients.
  • Troubleshooting common lifts such as squats & deadlifts to best fit the needs, ability level, and anatomy of clients.
  • And more…

The Early Bird rate for this workshop is set to expire this weekend (7/29) so if you want to save yourself $50 I’d encourage you to sign up ASAP.7

CEUs will be available.

For more information – including full itinerary and to register – you can go HERE.

Coaching Competency – Dublin, Ireland (September 2019)

Register HERE

So what happens when a room full of Irish(w0)men find out I’m not much of a drinker?…;o)

Whether you get paid to tell people to lift heavy things or you just like to lift heavy things yourself, in this 1-day workshop you’ll get the opportunity to listen to me talk about my how I approach assessment and gain a better understanding of how I “match” the exercises I prescribe to better fit the needs, ability level, and more importantly, the anatomy of each individual I work work.

In short, this workshop looks at the “umbrella theme” of my coaching philosophy.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – go HERE.

Strategic Strength Workshop: London, UK (September 2019)

Register HERE

Luke Worthington and I have presented this workshop twice. Once in London last year and again this past June in Boston.

We’re bringing it back to London this Fall, my most favorite place in the world.

This two-day workshop is designed to arm fitness professionals with all the tools they’ll need to hone their assessment skills and to make their clients/athletes a bunch of bonafide, resilient, strength training Terminators.

Combined Luke and I have ~40 years of coaching experience (or one Dan John) and bring different perspectives and skill-sets to the table; Luke peels back the onion on PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) concepts and assessment, while I go into detail breaking down movement and how to better “match” the exercises we prescribe to our clients.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – you can go HERE.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 7/19/19

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1. Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop – Chicago, IL (w/ Dr. Lisa Lewis)

This will be the only time Dr. Lisa Lewis and I will be presenting this workshop together in 2019. In previous years we’ve presented it in Boston, London, Toronto, Bonn (Germany),  and Austin, TX.

This 1-day workshop is targeted towards fitness professionals and digs a little deeper into what really “bogs” them down and stresses them out….

…their clients!

We’ll be covering a multitude of both psychological and physical techniques to better serve your clients and YOU.

FYI: There’s only ONE more week to take advantage of the Early Bird rate.

Go HERE for more details and to register.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

How to Get Yourself to Workout When You’re Depressed – Aleisha Fetters

No witty introduction here.

This is a very serious topic that affects many, many, many people…,maybe even you.

Some fantastic insights and strategies provided by Aleisha in this article.

Diagnostic Doomspeak – Kieryn Marcellus

STOP TELLING YOUR CLIENTS THEY’RE WALKING BALLS OF FAIL

Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest – Hanif Abdurraqib

My wife picked this up for me as she was perusing books to read while we’re away on vacation.

She saw the title (and the topic) and knew I’d love it.

And I do. A lot.

Anyone who grew up in the early to mid-90s and listened to hip-hop in that era will appreciate Hanif’s seamless ability to intertwine the nostalgia of groups like Tribe, Wu-Tang Clan, Dre, and N.W.A (and everything they stood for and what they did to elevate hip-hop and culture) with events in his own life and what it was like to grow up as a young black man in America.

Beautiful, witty, humorous, and oftentimes heart-wrenching writing.