In the first training session,the client's movement weaknesses ("compensations") are determined during an evaluation with the Functional Movement Screen, a system currently used in the top universities and by just about every Pro Sports Team in the U.S.A.  Basically this information gives me an accurate roadmap of how to prioritize what I will do initially in our sessions. We don't just "jump in" to your training.  I will have a reason for everything I ask you to do.  This will keep you safe and allow your skills to grow, as developing strength is really a skill.

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Traditional resistance training used to rely on tools such as barbells and dumbbells and focused on body parts.   It was a time-consuming method developed by professional body builders (who evolved into the early gym owners.) Think of men like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Nowadays a more effective way to exercise is to use "movement patterns" which duplicate the way we get around in daily life.  We push, we pull, we squat etc. So we train these patterns, which involve many muscles at one time, thereby strengthening the whole body in less time. This method also gets our heart and lungs working harder, so you can get some cardio while building your muscular strength at the same time. A win-win!

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There are a variety of equipment options which I consider in designing the individual programs. I use free weights like dumbbells or kettle bells, body-weight only exercises, devices that use a percentage of your body-weight called TRX Suspension straps,  sandbags and a few other "tools".  Since I have personally trained in all of them, I include or exclude options depending on the client's initial evaluation and adjust choices depending on progress and client preferences.

 

Kettle bells and sandbags I feel are superior tools, yet most people have never used them or heard of them.  For those of you who are curious, I go into more details about kettle bells in my Blog and I have a page on the main site that delves into Sandbags.