Triathlon Symposium

On Saturday the 20^th, Solis Performance was proud to be a p art of the 2nd Annual Triathlon Symposium hosted by Dr. Gerry Goldberger, of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute. Gerry worked in conjunction with Doug Rice of Sandy Hookers and Metro Race Forum and Legendary Coach Tom Manzi, to help pull together a national ensemble cast of sport performance and medical advisers.

The format included a expo hall, where Michelle and I had a table set up with training equipment and informational brochures.  Additionally participants were treated to three concurrent sets of seminars from, coaches, trainers, doctors and therapists.  Solis was provided two slots to share some insight on strength training for triathletes.  We were able to discuss the benefits as we see, them, how to plan it into a regular schedule, and some of the pitfalls to avoid.

Internationally renowned endurance coach Joe Friel, was present and gave three, very well attended lectures.  It was unfortunate that we missed him, but we had several Solis athletes who attended and were there taking notes.  Also, Jessi Stensland brought a mini MovementU to the group, teaching them about posture, balance, and core stability. As well as, Brian Shea from Personal Best Nutrition to discuss training nutrition.

The event provided a steady flo w of eager individuals out to learn more about our great sport. We were quite busy and had very limited time to see and chat with friends and watch other presenters.  We look forward to next year’s symposium, as we are certain this event will only grow.

Certified Natural Training

I spent the weekend in Austin, TX, at South Congress Athletics Club.  I was there to take a Certified Natural Trainer course taught by Trainer and Owner of Monkey Bar Gymnasiums, Jon Hinds.  Jon is a former college basketball player an strength coach in the NBA.

Jon teaches a natural personal training that begins with the foundational movements we use as children to run, crawl, climb and squat.  Our mechanized world un-trains these natural behaviors, and thus when we often try them as adults, we become sore or injured.

Jon’s methodology teaches from the foundations of Yoga, on how to move and align the body again.

From Yoga students progress on to modified body weight exercises, such as push-ups on knees.  Strict concentration to form and alignment is maintained throughout.  I believed I had ‘good form’ until I began working with Jon, and Jesse Rucker of his facility.  They showed, touched and help me move into correct postures.  After such movements I felt taller, lighter and breathed a bit easier.

Progressions move from body weights, to bands, and often kettle bells.  The progress from slow, light and deliberate, to heavy and fast.  These methods will incorporate well into our current class structures and Boot Camps.

This is going to be another incredible tool in the shed for us.  Our modalities continue to look simple, but produce results.  This was an incredible compliment to the MovementU we did recently.  Michelle and I are already making plans to do the Level 2 intensive course in Madison sometime soon.  We believe this will offer another great tool for our Central Jersey client in both personal training and endurance based coaching.

Movement U – Preparing for Athletic Performance

On Saturday, October 24, a large contingent of Solis Athletes attended Jessi Stensland’s Movement U.  We all left in awe.  By Jessi’s own admissions the ideas and concepts taught are not earth shattering or ground breaking.  In fact they are in some ways minimalist, in that most can be performed without  the  use of equipment, or at minimum with simple implements.  In that we were taught how to go back in time, re-think and were provided the tools to re-train our bodies, to performance efficiently and injury free.

This was the first event of a group of about 8 sessions being conducted by Jessi, who had trained under the methodology of Athletes Performance.  Jessi’s individual resume is impressive independently, as she hold not only degrees in exercise science but is also a professional athlete.  We were incredibly impress with Jessi and her communication skills and ability to provide both encouragement and information to athletes regardless of their background and experience.  It was wonderful, that the program started like Jessi in New Jersey.

Each one of our athletes (my self included) left with an understanding and feeling of where we suffered from minor deficiencies and or imbalances, and took with us a wealth of easy to manage drills and strengthening exercises to integrate in our daily routine.  The greatest compliment I could give was that on the way home in speaking to a client who attend she said, “so were going to start this on Monday, right?”

To add to the event Jessi whose is from the Jersey area had here family there to help and all were wonderful and helped make the experience.  We cannot wait for the next addition of Movement U!

Movement U

One of our goals at Solis, is to help learn the best ways to help our athletes achieve their goals. We continue to seek out the very best training methods and seminars. We are excited, that we will be attending Movement U on Saturday October 24th, in Fairfield, NJ.

The full day educational seminar will be taught by Jersey’s own Pro- Triathlete Jessi Stensland.  As some of you are aware, Jessi, is also a user and supporter of TRX Suspension Training System, which Solis uses in its athlete training.   Movement U, Swim, Bike, Run 101, will be an interactive seminar and training session, teaching athletes proper body mechanics and exercise, geared to help you become more efficient, more powerful, and less prone to injury.  This will truly be a can’t miss event.

There are still some limited spots available, so if you’d like to join Michelle and I, please visit the website and register!  See you on the 24th!