Knowledge is Empowering Pt. 1

I've realized that the fitness industry is equivalent to the Apple computers of the mid-80s. We're innovative compared to where we've been, but in a few years, our protocols will be quite outdated and we'll know so much more about developing fitness/health through proper movement and nutrition.

So a goal of mine over the next few months is to study under fitness industry specialists. I'm going to turn myself into a client, and find those professionals that have industry credibility within a really specialized niche market. My hope is to learn 1 or 2 things from each of these specialists that I can bring back to my own clients and begin to implement into their programs where appropriate. (I'll also be posting my findings for everyone to read).

The personal training industry as recently as 2004 was still very much influenced by 80's bodybuilding principles. In 2009, we've begun to move away from those flawed principles and have adopted a combination of physical therapy, professional athletic conditioning, primal movement patterning, yoga, pilates, and breathework. The result of this evolution is that those fitness professionals that don't stay up to the second in new information, are doing their clients a disservice by not providing them with the best tools available to help them accomplish their desired results.

The first professional that I sought out is Aaron Brooks. He owns a business in Woburn, MA called Perfect Postures. He specializes in working with individuals that have musculoskeletal imbalances that are resulting in pain or decreased performance. I went to him looking for assistance in correcting an imbalance in my core muscles as a result of years of tennis/baseball. The repetitive rotational aspects of both sports have begun to throw my hips/spine out of balance. Our first session that we did this past Monday was eye-opening for me. His unique skill at evaluating someones pelvic alignment is pretty incredible. The first thing that I learned is that the problem/pain area is not usually whats causing the issue. The second thing is that the small, stabilizing muscles are the ones that usually lead to musculoskeletal pain and are the ones that need to be more heavily emphasized in a workout program. The large, superficial muscles move us and look good when they're toned, but they don't impact our joints and our pain-free living nearly as much as the small ones do. I'm seeing Aaron again on Monday 7/20/09 and will report more then. The program that he setup for me is helping, and I can't wait to share the exercises with my clients who I know will benefit from them.

Next specialist on the "Knowledge is Empowering" tour is John Furey. He's one of my best friends and mentors. He was voted one of the top 100 trainers in America in Men's Fitness magazine and has just created a company called Maui Surf Co. John is bringing the phenomenon of Stand-up Paddle Boarding to the east coast. He says its a killer workout, and I can't wait to report back how it went.