Each week I dedicate time to researching and reading new information about exercise physiology and personal conditioning. Sometimes though, nothing beats hands-on workshops and lectures presented by some of the top minds in the fitness field to really provide an attention to detail that otherwise might be missed.
That’s why I also take time to attend conferences and workshops whenever I can.
I’ve just arrived home after attending a national Health and Fitness conference here in Vancouver. Two 10-hour days over what I would otherwise have called my weekend.
At most conferences there are a few sessions that really stand out for me, and it’s from those that I’m able to expand my knowledge with sound, science-based principles that I can closely associate with the work that I do.
So here I now sit with a binder jammed with annotations, stick-man sketches, handouts, notes and great ideas that I can (and will) be able to apply to the personal exercise programs that I design. Additional skills that I can use to help individual clients work out even more efficiently and more effectively – thus helping them to achieve their fitness goals and a better quality of life.
Here is just a few of many though-provoking statements that I took away from this past weekend; each of them unlocks a whole treasure chest of discussion:
- “Pay attention.” vs. “Be careful.”
- “Restricted Mobility is a hardware issue. Instability is a software issue.
- “Sets and reps should be your least important variable.”
- “Training for postural control is like training for a marathon.”
- “The #1 obstacle is Motivation.”
and my favourite,
“Exercise is optional. Movement is essential.”
(Thanks, Chris.)
