ACE Functional Training and Assessent Workshop

AMAZING!!! The American Council on Exercise has developed a new Assessment Workshop. It is a combination of many tools and assessment pieces that will truly establish the necessary information to intellectually and practically create a program design for your client. Whether this client is involved in Spinning, group fitness, pilates, or personal training, this assessment will truly 'set the stage'. The eight hour workshop has been well developed.

There are many Functional Training programs available, and the American Council on Exercise has brought another to the "table" will receive respect and admiration. Use it, and let's take care of our clients.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to contact me at wmsonwa@aol.com

Have a great week.

Fitness Pro article

On July 7th this article was published on Club Industry Fitness Pro......take a look on "Training Staff for Program Design Progression" It along with assessments advances trainers to the next level......

View the article here

Like I have said in the past, until we can assess and determine the need, we will not create "personal" into our training. This is old news but the message has NOT be received, nor implemented everywhere. Have a great weekend.

Advanced TRX

The last weekend in June, I was in San Francisco to begin developing the use of the TRX for special populations. With the law of angles, progression, body assistance at all levels, this suspension cables can be used for anyone. How exciting!!! The majority of those in attendance were physical therapists. They provided insight as did I in how we can adapt the TRX for everyone. It is coming, so be prepared and ready.

TRX Training

TRX Training met me square in Chicago this past weekend. This amazing piece of apparatus can train the entire body, young and old, fit or de-conditioned, injuried or going through post-rehabilitation. There is a niche and truly believe we have not begun to see the benefit and successes that the TRX can provide. Have I mentioned that the TRX is cost-effective too. Check it out and let them know I sent you to check it out.

Hyper Mobile

Hyper mobile: a condition also called loose joint. This is commonly found in young girls that are in gymnastics, cheer leading, dance, etc. Often the hyper mobility occurs in the lumbo-pelvic area, or hip area. Even Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Champion, has had a hip replacement (June 24, 2005) as a result of over use and ultimately hyper mobility. The damage to the joint area includes ligamentous structures of the joint, increase quantity of joint translation and muscular imbalances (Panjabi, 1992)

Joint Stability is critical to our young athletes. Too often today, we have middle/high school students actively participating in year round athletics. Their bodies are growing, and developing. We don't allow time for the muscles to "catch-up" to the skeletal development. Often conditions such as Osgood Slaughter creep in since they are not resting during the so-called "off-season", since there really is none.

If we are to have students competing year round, they need to have counter muscle strengthening to the repetition of their sport. Tennis players need to work rotator cuff muscles, rhomboids, scapula retraction and depression. Swimmers need to have a program where they stabilize their shoulder girdle, such as rotator muscles, and eventually deltoid muscles. So much can be done to assist young athletes if directed and carefully approaching their program design for strength and growth development.

Think about this......so many injuries are occurring now earlier than before. Joint stabilization is critical.

Did you know?

Two of the local unit "core" muscles are the transverse abdominus (TvA) and the multifidi muscles. When the TvA is engaged, the multifidus is also engaged. BUT just because the multifidus is engaged does not necessarily mean the TvA is engaged. These muscles will engage eventually, but our recruitment of these muscles is the key. If we have abdominal dysfunction or possible low back pain, we have to retrain the muscles to "fire" quicker than they have been during dysfunction. This takes time and practice of isometric holds, such as the bird dog exercise, planks (hovers) or quick release band isometric holds.

Did you know?

A healthy back depends on proper function in the pelvis and hips.”

“Power is usually generated at the hips and not the low back in most athletes.”

“The pelvis is a platform for the spine.”