Categoriescontinuing education

Even More Complete Shoulder and Hip Blueprint On Sale Now

Copyright: mihalec / 123RF Stock Photo

And We’re Back!

Dean Somerset and I are happy to announce the official release of the Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint to the masses.

This is 11+ hours of NEW content that builds off the original version.

We put it on sale a few weeks ago for our respective lists (and to those who purchased Version 1.0), but now it’s available for everyone to purchase…

…and at a hefty 35% off the regular price. You can purchase it this week for $129 (regular price is $197).

 

—> Click Me to Save $$ (that tickles) <—

What’s In It For You?

  • 1.2 Continuing Education Credits via the NSCA
  • 30 day money back guarantee
  • Immediate access to digital content
  • Automatic enrollment into Dean and Tony’s “we should totally hang out soon” list.

What’s more, you have the option to purchase BOTH Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint and Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint at $100 off and pay just $177. All told you’ll receive 22+ hours worth of video and Tony’s pecs…;o)

If you’re still on the fence or skeptical on how much this new series will melt your face, here’s a few sneak peeks on some of the content covered.

1. Squat Set-Up

A ten minute clip outlining how we determine a client’s ideal stance for their squats based on their individual anatomical considerations.

 

2. Shoulder Stability Training

Almost 13 minutes of drills to help improve shoulder stability while getting a training effect along the way.

 

3. Breathing for Mobility

A nine minute video outlining how we use positional breathing drills to access more range of motion, plus make exercises instantly more challenging.

 

4. Plyometrics for the Elderly Client

Say what? Yep, you can use a stretch-shortening cycle with older clients to improve power output and keep their functional capacity as high as possible for much longer than slower movements. This 8 minute video shows the how and why.

 

Whether you’re a fitness professional or just someone who likes to lift heavy things and geek out over scapular upward rotation and the miracles of posterior pelvic tilt, Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint will undoubtedly provide you a TON of actionable, real-world, evidence-based content.

It’s only on sale THIS WEEK (9/24-9/28), so take advantage of the savings while you can.

—> All the Cool Kids Are Doing It <—

Categoriescontinuing education

MASS Appeal: How Fitness Professionals Can Separate Themselves

25 years ago one of my all-time favorite hip-hop songs, Mass Appeal, was released by one of my all-time favorite hip-hop groups, Gang Starr.

Annnnnd, in one of the oddest (or appropriate?) segues I’ve ever attempted, two-years ago one of my favorite research reviews, MASS (Monthly Application in Strength Sport),1 curated every month by Greg Nuckols, Eric Helms, and Mike Zourdos (coaches who actually lift things), came to fruition and saved me from a world of ineptitude.

I’m unabashed in advertising my disdain for reading research.

I hate it.

There are many things I’d rather do than sit down and read an entire research article. Watch NASCAR, stick my finger in an electrical socket, attempt to give my cat a bath, anything.

That’s not to insinuate I don’t feel it’s important or worth my time. A coach (or athlete) who knows and truly understands the latest research has a huge advantage over his or her’s peers and competitors.

I wholeheartedly feel that what separates the average/ho-hum trainers and coaches of the world from the excellent ones is biceps their insatiable desire to not suck and take more pride in their continuing education.

What’s more, as Greg (Nuckols) notes:

“Most people are still quite uninformed about the science behind hypertrophy, strength development, and body composition. We’d never argue that science is inherently better than in-the-trenches experience, but we think science and experience work together much better than having either in isolation.”

What’s more (even morer), trying to keep up with the research on your own is overwhelming.

There’s something in the ballpark of 50-60 journals which publish research that’s relevant to hypertrophy and strength on a regular basis.

Conservatively that’s 1000+ articles per month.

Going through all that and combing all the studies relevant to helping make people bigger, faster, and stronger is time & labor intensive, to say the least.

Personally, the only way you could get me to do that is this:

Which is why I can’t say enough great things about MASS.

It saves you a metric shit load of time2, and it makes you smarter.

2-Year Anniversary Sale

If you’re a coach, physique or strength athlete, or just someone who likes to nerd out and talk about actin/myosin chains at the dinner table this will be right up your alley.

Starting TODAY (Thursday, 4/25) is your chance to take advantage of some BIG markdowns on the service:

  • $21 monthly subscription (normally $29)
  • $209 yearly subscription (normally $299)
  • $699 lifetime subscription (normally $999)

This offer only lasts for a week (5/2).

What Else Subscribers Get

  • A new PDF issue of MASS every month.  Each  issue contains s7 articles and access  to 2 video presentations.
  • Mobile friendly versions of every article.
  • Access to online membership site with back issues.
  • 7 audio roundtable discussions with Greg, Eric, and Mike every month.
  • Access to the private Facebook Group.
  • Access to NSCA and NASM  CEUs
  • A movie quality Chewbacca mask

If you’re still on the fence you can check out the goods HERE for a free sample issue.

Otherwise you can just trust that I have smart friends and excellent taste in the resources I recommend to people and go HERE to subscribe.

Categoriescontinuing education

Boston Strategic Strength Workshop: June 8-9th

Myself and my good friend, Luke Worthington, will be putting on a 2-day event in Boston this summer titled the Strategic Strength Workshop.

Copyright: gloffs / 123RF Stock Photo

Strategic Strength Workshop

We’ll be spending two days covering everything from upper/lower extremity assessment, program design, corrective exercise, how to coach up things like deadlifts, squats, and not kipping pull-ups, in addition to trying not to swoon too much over Luke’s British accent.

Who This Workshop is For: Personal trainers, strength coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, people who like to lift heavy things, people who would like to lift heavy things someday, people who would like to lift heavy things the right way, and Jason Bourne.

Who This Workshop is Not For: Dementors, ghosts, Balrogs, and Virgos.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1

8.30 – Registration – Tea / Coffee / Tickle Fights with Tony

9.00 – Introductions

9.00 –10.30  – Tony: Coaching Competency

10.30 – 12.30 – Luke: Why do we assess?

– alternating segment model

– Kinetic chains

– active vs passive tissue

– active vs passive ROM

– assessment hierarchy

12.30 – 1.30 – Lunch

1.30  – 3.00  – Tony: Assessing the Shoulder (passive table based)

-release

-mobilize

-position

3.00 – 4.00 – Luke: Breathing Mechanics

4.00 – 5.00 – Coaching upper body movements

Bench, Pull-Up, OHP

Day 2

8.30 –  Registration – Tea / Coffee / Tony Receiving Restraining Orders From Previous Day’s Tickle Fights

9.00 – 11.00 – Luke: Assessing the Hip (passive table based)

– anatomy of the pelvis

– what is neutral

– why do we care about passive ranges

– pelvic inlets and outlets

– role of the hamstrings

11.00 – 12.00  – Tony – Squat Assessment

12.00 – 1.00 – Lunch

1.00 – 3.00 – Luke: Exercise Continuums

3.00  – 3.45  – Tony: Coaching the Deadlift & Variations

3.45 – 4.30 – Tony: Coaching the Squat & Variations

4.30 – 5.00 – Luke: Neuromechanics

The Deets

Location

CLIENTEL3
364 Boylston St
Boston, MA

Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 8th & 9th, 2019.

Cost: $299 Early Bird (until April 30th), $399 Regular (after April 30th).

Other Pertinent Tidbits

  • This event will be approved for 1.4 CEUs via the NSCA.
  • Luke’s the shit and this will be the first time he’s presenting in North America. This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the smartest coaches I know.
  • Okay, whatever, I’ll say it: I have a man-crush on Luke.3
Categoriescontinuing education

Introducing the Complete Trainers’ Toolbox

The email started with “so, I have this idea….”

And while no where was there any reference to writing our own Star Wars movie script, starting our own Laser Tag franchise, or, I don’t know, eating carrot cake, by the end of it, Dean Somerset had sold me on the idea of collaborating with a collection of other fitness professionals to curate a continuing education series called The Complete Trainers’ Toolbox.

Copyright: shaiith / 123RF Stock Photo

The Trainers Toolbox

To be honest it didn’t take much selling.

Dean had me at “I have this idea.”

Once I knew the premise – to create on online resource designed BY trainers for trainers to emulate having some of the brightest minds in the industry coaching you through your biggest hurdles so you can feel confident growing your business – I was in.

Nine coaches are involved in this project.

Nine.

Hmmm, what other events or, dare I say, FELLOWSHIPS, have involved nine individuals?

Yeah that’s right.

You didn’t think I was not going to include a LoTR reference here did you?

I liken this resource to the Fellowship of the Ring; except instead of fighting Orcs, Balrogs, back-stabbing wizards, dragons, and all the other demons, ghosts, and what-have-you’s amidst the depths of Mordor….

….we’re fighting mediocrity.

We wanted to create a product – which we’re hoping becomes a recurring series – that helps separate health/fitness professionals from the masses by connecting them to some of the top minds in the industry.

Those trainers, strength coaches, physical therapists, (and a psychologist) who are in the trenches, every day, working with real people, getting real results, making it their mission to improve the industry, and, for what it’s worth, are all kicking ass and taking names.

So Who’s In the Fellowship and What Are They Talking About?

Tony Gentilcore (Aragorn) – Improving Overhead Mobility & How to Write Stellar Fitness Content

Dean Somerset – Programming 101: How to Design an Effective Workout.

Luke Worthington – Assessing For Excellence.

Dr. Lisa Lewis – Dealing With Negative Thinking (Your Clients and Your Own).

Sam Spinelli – All Things Squats, Knees, & Hips.

Dr. Sarah Duvall – Core and Pelvic Floor Lifting Considerations.

Meghan Callaway – The Ultimate Pull-Up Webinar.

Alex Kraszewski – Understanding Flexion & Extension Based Back Pain.

Kellie Davis – Finding Your Ideal Client.

And that’s not even all of it.

In fact, there’s 17 total hours of content when all is said and done. What’s more, all 17 hours have been approved for CEUs’ (1.7) via the NSCA.

I’m fully confident this is a resource that will help other fitness professionals hone their coaching skills, build better rapport with their clients, and maybe even most important of all…make more money.

And speaking of money, the cost of The Complete Trainers’ Toolbox is set at $100 OFF the regular price all this week. You have until this Sunday (2/17) to take advantage.

I’m really proud of this resource and I hope it helps you as much as I think it will.

—>  Click Me and Save $100. That Tickles

Categoriescontinuing education

Last Chance Early Bird Rate For DC Workshop

I’m coming to our nation’s capital.

Well, close enough anyways.

On Saturday, April 21st I’ll be putting on my Coaching Competency Workshop at Beyond Strength Performance located in Sterling, VA.

I’m using the opportunity to post on my blog today because I’M THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD this week (ending on 3/25) will be your last chance to attend at the Early Bird rate of $99.

I can’t tango, I have zero nunchuck skills, and I haven’t the faintest idea how to make a flambeau dessert.

However, I do  know how to coach people in the weight room. And I know how to coach coaches on how to be better coaches.

See…here’s a picture of me coaching:

Coaching Competency Workshop

This will be an immersive and interactive day where I peel back the onion as it relates to my approach to the following topics:

  • Assessment – Upper and lower extremity
  • Program Design
  • Exercise Technique
  • Making Killer LOLCat Memes

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018

Where: Beyond Strength Performance (Chris Merritt & Todd Bumgardner’s joint) located in Sterling, VA.

Time: 11:30 am – 6:30 pm

Cost: $99 (Early Bird), $129 (After 3/25)

Itinerary

11 am: Registration

11:30 am: Welcome and Review of the Day

11:45 am: Roles of a Coach, Characteristics of “Good” and “Bad” Coach, Personal Coaching Philosophy

1:00 pm: Upper Extremity Assessment – Shoulder. Discuss anatomy, common screens used to ascertain shoulder health/performance.

2:00 pm: Hands-on Upper Extremity Correctives – shoulder friendly strength training.

3:30 pm:  Lower Extremity Assessment – Hips. Discuss anatomy, common screens used to ascertain hip health/performance, hands-on correctives.

5:00 pm:  Hip Hinge, Squat, Program Design.

6:30 pm: Wrap-up, CEUs, Go get a burger.

Register

You can go HERE to sign-up and register. Subject to spontaneous hugs in person.

Categoriescontinuing education

Just Announced: Coaching Competency Workshop in DC Area

I’m excited to announce I’ll be in the DC area Saturday, April 21, 2018 to teach my Coaching Competency Workshop.

Copyright: tzido / 123RF Stock Photo

 

I can’t tango, I have zero nunchuck skills, and I haven’t the faintest idea how to make a flambeau dessert.

However, I do  know how to coach people in the weight room. And I know how to coach coaches on how to be better coaches.

See…here’s a picture of me coaching:

Coaching Competency Workshop

This will be an immersive and interactive day where I peel back the onion as it relates to my approach to the following topics:

  • Assessment – upper and lower extemity
  • Program Design
  • Exercise Technique
  • Making Killer LOLCat Memes

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018

Where: Beyond Strength Performance (Chris Merritt & Todd Bumgardner’s joint) located in Sterling, VA.

Time: 11:30 am – 6:30 pm

Cost: $99 (Early Bird), $129 (After 3/25).

  • 0.7 CEUs will be offered via the NSCA

Itinerary

11 am: Registration

11:30 am: Welcome and Review of the Day

11:45 am: Roles of a Coach, Characteristics of “Good” and “Bad” Coach, Personal Coaching Philosophy

1:00 pm: Upper Extremity Assessment – Shoulder. Discuss anatomy, common screens used to ascertain shoulder health/performance.

2:00 pm: Hands-on Upper Extremity Correctives – shoulder friendly strength training.

3:30 pm:  Lower Extremity Assessment – Hips. Discuss anatomy, common screens used to ascertain hip health/performance, hands-on correctives.

5:00 pm:  Hip Hinge, Squat, Program Design.

6:30 pm: Wrap-up, CEUs, Go get a burger.

Register

You can go HERE to sign-up and register.4

Categoriescontinuing education

Peak Perform University

I remember one of my first trips into NYC was back in 2006. I tagged along with Eric (Cressey) – we were roommates at the time – and Mike Robertson as they were putting on and filming their Building the Efficient Athlete workshop.

The event took place at PEAK Performance which was right smack dab in the middle of Manhattan.

Copyright: Taiga / 123RF Stock Photo

 

There’s a lot about that trip I remember.

  • The Empire State Building
  • The food.
  • Eclectic people.
  • Trying not to destroy the back of my pants riding a taxi.

NYC truly is an amazing place.

However, the thing I remembered most about that trip was the venue itself…PEAK Performance.

Then, located on an unassuming street in an unassuming building, you’d take the elevator up a few floors, the door would open, and….sha-ZAM:

A training and performance mecca.

It was beautiful.

Anything and everything you’d ever want in a training facility was there. And it was all the creation of the owner, Joe Dowdell.

I got to know Joe that weekend, and he struck me as one of the most handsomest men I have ever met knowledgable people I have ever met and someone who had an insatiable appetite for learning.

From then on out every time I visited NYC I’d always make it a point to visit PEAK. In the years afterwards Joe became a good friend and someone I looked towards for both training and career advice.

I mean, he did build one of the most successful gyms in the country from scratch and was a regular contributor to all of the top fitness publications out there; not to mention he authored or co-authored several books and DVD sets.

He even invited me down to speak to his staff and to attend some workshops he was putting on. In fact, here’s a pic of me at PEAK taking part in a round-table amongst some other heavy hitters in the industry: John Romaniello, Kevin Neeld, Jim Smith, Perry Nickelston, and Joe himself:

Me and Kevin were battling for most upright posture in the world apparently.

Long story short: Joe’s one of the most respected guys in the industry and you can rest assured that if his name is attached to anything, it’s of the highest quality.

His new venture, Peak Perform University, is no different.

It’s a continuing education resource geared towards fitness professionals curated personally by Joe himself. In it you’ll have access to material produced by some of the biggest names in the industry: Pat Davidson, Bill Hartman, Dean Somerset, Perry Nickelston, Joel Jamieson, and yours truly.

You can think of it as an abyss of content: there’s already a hefty database to choose from, and there will be additional, CEU accredited material added month by month.

If you’re a fitness professional looking for an easy and convenient – no travel! – way to expose yourself to some of the top coaches in the industry this is a splendid way to do so.5.

The best part: you can choose however many courses you’d like to view, there’s no requirement to the number you have to purchase, and you can take however much time you want to view them.

The initial launch of Peak Perform University starts today and ends Sunday, September 17th at midnight.

—> Get In On the Action Here <—