Day 2

John Brookfield – Battling Ropes Training Systems and Progressions  www.battlingropes.com

When it comes to hand/grip strength, John is among he strongest in the world.  Much more that that, his system of using heavy ropes is gaining popularity in both training athletes and fitness enthusiast.  This hands on session demonstrated progressive techniques, exercises and drills that improve work capacity, mental endurance and generation of power.  Personally I love using Battling Ropes with my clients….they are a safe, effective and fun way to deliver a very different mode of training.  Clients like it because it is more interesting than traditional exercise and it gets results!

Brett Jones – Dynami = Power  www.appliedstrength.com

I first met Brett at the RKC kettlebell certification and later at a strength symposium.  In my opinion he has evolved into the thinking man’s strength coach by continuing to advocate developing strength and power without compromise to our primal movement patterns.  This not only makes for more sustainability , but ultimately allows for the greatest potential results.  In braking down the kettlebell push press, into efficient linking of segments, including various squatting and pressing movements, he outlined a foundational progression from patterning to slow strength to symmetry of strength to power.

Todd Durkin – Creating Maximum I.M.P.A.C.T. in the Fitness Field   www.todddurkin.com

With his customary high energy approach, Todd used this acronym to get the attendees to look closely at motivation, goal setting, accountability, mastery and taking action.  With consideration of our own mindset, habits and practices we can shape our attitude and create a positive effect our clients, family and even income.  Most interesting to me:  100 senior citizens in nursing homes were polled about what they would do differently if they could do it all over again:

• Laugh more
• Spend more time with loved ones
• Take more risks

Alwyn Cosgrove – The complete Action Guide to Fat Loss Programming & Coaching   www.alwyncosgrove.com

As the founder of Results Fitness  www.results-fitness.com  and successful fitness guru, Alwyn Cosgrove knows a thing or two about what works in terms of fat loss.  Weight loss is the number one reason people hire a personal trainer yet most trainers still miss the mark.  This fact filled and detailed presentation challenged the long held belief that the best type of exercise for fat loss is lower intensity, longer duration.  According to actual research and his own findings, best results come from interval metabolic and strength training.  We need to consider the effect created by the exercise in the time follow not just during.  It’s beyond me why has the rest of the industry hasn’t woken up and ditched the ways that simply do not work.

Charlie Weingroff – Trying to Define the Core  www.charlieweingroff.com

Even though this was on day three, I’ve included it.  I attended both his talk and hands on session and was impressed with the way he explained and demonstrated what can be a complex and misunderstood issue.  The relationship between mobility and stability as it relates to biomechanics, muscles, fascia, nervous system, neurodevelopment, were all covered as well as a closer look at a clear definition of the core.  My favorite was the going through the developmental stages in the hands on as an infant grows, learns and masters sensory and motor control.  Charlie is definitely making a name for himself in the industry and I look forward to hearing him speak again.

This year’s Chicago lineup of speakers read like a who’s who of current performance fitness giants and with only three days, tough decisions had to be made in selecting sessions.  Here is a breakdown of some key events I attended on the first day.  Each of these may very well serve as a future entry.

Day 0

I arrived a day early to attend the optional half day seminar with Gray Cook.  I have seen him present many times and he never disappoints.  His work has had a huge impact on my training philosophy and methods.  This updated information on his work with the Functional Movement Screen (www.functionalmovement.com) reinforced the value of this system to document movement patterns.

Day 1

Thomas Myers – Anatomy Trains and Training  www.anatomytrains.com

I was really looking forward to hearing him for the first time.  His relatively new work with myofacial pathways and their implications in all our movements is very interesting and I predict with better understanding will help us better deal with correction of posture and related movement issues in the future.

Mike Boyle – Success Secrets  www.bodybyboyleonline.com

Mike is a pioneer in this industry and a very candid speaker…he stayed true to form in a talk that reflected on his career and advice on success in the fitness business.  The take home is to work hard, grasp every opportunity to gain experience, have something to offer, be honest and don’t quit.

Martin Rooney – Get Fast, Get Fit:  Speed Training for Every Client www.trainingforwarriors.com

Martin took a humorous approach a serious topic:  Despite increasing awareness, as a whole we are becoming less fit and more overweight.  While not a fix all, he suggests simply sprinting more.  We were designed to move in this way and it has many positive effects on building muscle, burning fat, optimizing hormone levels and activating the nervous system.

Thomas Plummer – Evolve or Die:  Five Trends That Will Define Your Career  www.thomasplummer.net

Thomas is dynamic and at the leading edge of the business of fitness.  His message:  The big box gyms with their membership model are serving less and less of the population and refuse to change.  The shift to a service model is coming from the bottom up with the smaller fitness facilities better positioned to meet the consumer’s desire for results not just a low price.  This was good news as my business model is in line with his design for success as this evolution takes place.

I’ll cover day two at a later date……