Balance has been teaching its clients how to use Kettlebells since 2003. Back then there was only one Certification workshop to attend and that was the RKC created by Pavel Tsatsouline and Dragon Door which I did in 2004. Things are VERY different now with an abundance of workshops, kettlebell businesses and trainer certifications available but for those not completely informed appreciating the difference in quality is not an easy task.

Balance Performance has a strong alliance with Steve Cotter and the IKFF. Steve Cotter is one of the worlds best teachers of kettlebells, strength, conditioning and fitness and the IKFF  organisation he heads up continues to provide the worlds best certification that allows Personal Trainers, coaches and serious lifters to spend 2 days focussed on achieving fluid and efficient dynamic resistance training with the kettlebell.  My Mad Methods reposted the article “Explanations from the Source: Why Should You Choose IKFF?” written by Steve Cotter to help people understand what it is they should be looking for in  a kettlebell workshop.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE: http://mymadmethods.com/articles/fitness-product-reviews/1149-why-should-i-choose-ikff

The next UK IKFF Kettlebell Certification is in Glasgow on June 16th and 17th.

IKFF - CKT Level 1 Course - Glasgow, Scotland – June 16 – 17, 2012

For 1-2-1 Kettlebell tuition in London from a Certified Kettlebell Teacher at Balance Performance book a session with Svetlana (also RKC), CJ, or Jonathan.

You’ll also find kettlebells and Kettlebell education book and DVDs on Balance Performance’s online shop website: 

CrossCore® and Mad Dogg Athletics announce strategic alliance to bring Rotational Bodyweight Training to the UK fitness Industry. CrossCore® Europe has just launched the new CrossCore® Rotational Bodyweight Training (RBT) and European Education Programme. The RBT programme is a 1-Day, 6-hour course worth 6 Continued Education Credits through ISSA and has been designed for personal trainers, gym instructors, sports or strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and other healthcare and fitness professionals.

Sports rehabilitation and physiotherapy specialists Balance Performance in London are the main UK distributors of the CrossCore® Rotational Bodyweight Training Systems™. They are working in conjunction with Crosscore® Europe’s Head Trainers Rannoch Donald and Andy McKenzie to deliver the Training and Education Programme (TEP) to teach rotational bodyweight training across the UK, Ireland and to develop it further across Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

WHEN: Launch event for the media on Wednesday 25th April at 12.00-1.30pm and 1.45-3.30pm

WHERE: Lomax Chelsea, Lomax Bespoke Health Ltd., 293 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9PZ

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.lomaxpt.com

TO ATTEND THE EVENT: Contact Scott Morris 07760414944, scott@balancephysio.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Contact Henman Communications on 07810 448782 / rph@henmancom.com

For the full press release please click on the link below.

CrossCore UK Education Press Release

Always a pleasure to meet up with Cassidy Phillips and talk TPT, movement preparation, in-session use of TPT to enhance physical training performance, and recovery/regeneration: An hour spent over a coffee with Cassidy is incredibly educational. Was great to hear about the ongoing development of Trigger Point Performance programming and how the concept continues to evolve as he explores the impact of Myofascial Compression Techniques on movement efficiency. Excellent to hear how he is drawing on the work of Gil Hedley and Thomas Myers, and enjoyed putting my own experiences/observations in teaching movement, resilience and how to adopt habits for soft tissue health in to the mix. Having the opportunity to spend time with people like Cassidy is essential for professional development but its also reassuring when you realise your own ideas are converging with forward thinking individuals like Cassidy.

Cassidy mentioned a podiatrist called Dr. Emily Splichal who he has worked with recently who now features Trigger Point Performance techniques within her Barefoot Training Specialist courses. Here’s some words from her after they worked together at IDEA Personal Trainer Insitute.

“I had a great experience at this past weekend’s IDEA Personal Trainer Institute. This was the first time that Cassidy and I introduced our new Foot & Lower Leg course to the Fitness Industry – and the reception was awesome! To have the balance between a strong myofascial technique and the science behind foot and anke dysfunction was like no other class out there.

As a health professional, MCT has completely changed my approach to patient care and corrective exercise technqiue to improve foot function, lower extremity alignment and movement dysfunction. I have conducted research on MCT and have seen improved weight distribution patterns, ankle mobility and power output immediately after performing MCT.

Because of the effectiveness of MCT I have integrated this technqiue into my barefoot training programming and Barefoot Training Specialist® courses on behalf of the Evidence Based Fitness Academy. MCT is just the first step in building true foot strength and optimal foot function. Through my Barefoot Training Specialist® courses I have developed the only barefoot training programs to address the unique imbalances of the many foot types.
To find an upcoming Barefoot Training Specialist® course please visit www.ebfafitness.com”

-Dr. Emily Splichal

You can follow Emily on Twitter @EBFAFitness. Looking forward to seeing Cassidy again at FIBO where i will be, briefly, with CrossCore USA

Of course at Balance Performance we have a team of forward thinking professionals who share the desire that clients should aspire more for themselves, to gain knowledge and know how to use their own body and simple tools to take care of themselves and develop sustainable resilience. Trigger Point Performance Therapy is a great example of a set of tools we endeavour to teach our clients to use effectively. Tools without proper education limit their effectiveness dramatically.

If you are not aware of Trigger Point Performance Therapy tools see the range at our facility in South London or online by clicking here: Balance Performance Specialist Retail Shop

Latest video out of CrossCore USA showing diverse uses of CrossCore 180 and rotational bodyweight training. From simple rotational resistance training using CrossCore180 like a functional training tower to extreme rotational training with rotational dips and planches.

Barefoot Running is controversial. I’ve heard it said of barefoot running that “it’s unnatural!”, some in the running press, amongst physios and sports therapists feel that its a recipe for sports injuries, particularly around the ankle and achilles tendon. On the other hand proponents feel barefoot running reduces risks of chronic injuries, increases running efficiency and economy.

The truth is often found floating around in the middle ground -possibly in a pair of minimalist shoes? This is why at Balance Performance we work with runners of every persuasion and background, whether they intend to run barefoot or get back in cushioned controlled trainers. Whether you see one of the sports injury team, have a running analysis, running specialist podiatrist Mick Habgood or Vivobarefoot coach Naeem Akram – the running engineer – our professional team’s intention is to see runners return to running pain free, with improved movement efficiency, heightened body awareness and on the path to greater resilience.

Anyway for those who havent heard of it “Born to Run”by Chris McDougal is a book to be found on the shelves of all proponents of minimalist support footwear and barefoot running. See the review below.

Interest in Ultradistance races is also increasing. One such race is the Spartathlon a 153-mile overnight trail run and author Robin Harvie who completed it explains the part it played in his running obsession.

Sports journalist Simon Lewis @SiLew of the Irish Examiner reviewed both:

BOOK REVIEW
Why We Run: A Story of Obsession, by Robin Harvie; 2011, John Murray; £12.99

Born To Run, by Christopher McDougall; 2009, Profile Books; £8.99

At the core of Harvie’s book is an interesting and at times absorbing memoir of a man who ran his first marathon for a bet and became an ultra-distance runner, prepared to clock up 6,000 miles of training in order to compete in the toughest footrace on the planet.

That race is the Spartathlon, a 152-mile annual retracing of the route taken by foot messenger Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta to beg the Spartans to join the Athenians in battle against the invading Persians at Marathon. Harvie’s recounting of that experience is a welcome climax to a book that otherwise loses its footing in deep ruts of over-analysis.

Harvie’s perspective on running is not necessarily representative. Like him, many do seek to confront their demons by pounding the roads and trails, but plenty more run to escape problems, raise money for good causes or just because they enjoy it.

Which makes “Why We Run” a presumptious title. Why ‘I’ Run might be more suitable.

By stark contrast, McDougall’s 2009 “Born To Run” casts the obsessive nature of runners in a completely different light. With McDougall there is joy and humour, humility and reward as the former war correspondent goes on the trail of a hidden Mexican tribe of virtually barefooted super athletes.

This account focuses on a social dropout and running obsessive and his seemingly misguided bid to bring the world’s best ultra runners to the isolated villages of Mexico’s Copper Canyons for a fifty-mile race against the Tarahumara Indians. Not only that, in the process it manages to explore the reasons behind mankind’s ancient urge to quickly put one foot in front of the other and do so with warmth and affection for the subject. Epic, inspiring and exhilirating.

See below for Christopher McDougal TED lecture who asked “Are we born to run?”

For those who are starting to recognise the benefits of Rotational Bodyweight Training and rotational resistance training using CrossCore 180 for fitness, sports strength and conditioning or rehab “like” the CrossCore 180 UK Facebook page to keep up with developments and opportunities in the UK/Ireland.

Click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossCore-180-UK/178839658829446

CrossCore remains the very best Rotational Bodyweight Training System and an awesome Functional Resistance Training pulley system thats as versatile as any cable machine, total gym, multigym.

to see the CrossCore in action ask us where you can find your closest CrossCore180 – via the facebook page above, via twitter @CrossCore180UK or right here on the Balance Performance Blog.

To go to CrossCore 180 UK site click here: CrossCore180 UK

CrossCore180 goes so far beyond suspension training, CrossCore is about movement, fluid rotational movement. TRX, Jungle Gym, AST and other strap systems are excellent at providing instability through suspension, CrossCore180 provides movement, rotation through a full range, and the ability to transform it into a functional training resistance machine not dissimilar from a cable machine.

Balance is involved with CrossCore 180/ WarMachine both for the benefit of our clients at Balance Clapham and in Fulham and also with a view to introducing as many people as possible in the UK and Ireland to the possibilities of  Rotational Bodyweight Training and rotational resistance training.

The versatility of Crosscore 180 in exercise selection for bodyweight drills and also for added resistance from bands, kettlebells and sandbags is truly impressive.  For a glimpse at the possibilities take a look at this video from Olimpus in Slovenia showing bodyweight on the regular handles, rings, partner drills, added weight from bands, kettlebells, flexibility drills.

This video is on the CrossCorePTS YouTube channel which sources CrossCore and rotational bodyweight training videos from the many CrossCore 180 and WarMachine owners around the world.

Warning: this video contains 14 mins of 80′s rock music, feel free to use the mute button.

A shorter video from CrossCore Europe’s friends and Netherlands distributors http://www.crosscore.nl

http://www.crosscore180.co.uk

Running Engineer, Naeem Akram & Fitness Explorer, Darryl Edwards host barefoot running and natural MOVEment workshop at
Balance Performance.

WHEN: 7.00-9.00pm, Tuesday 20th March 2012.
WHERE: 113 Gauden Road, Clapham, London, SW4 6LE
TO BOOK: visit http://balancephysiobarefootrunning.eventbrite.co.uk or contact Scott Morris on 020 7627 2308 / scott@balancephysio.com
Many people are drawn to running as it is cheap, accessible and because they have been led to believe by the ‘popular press’ that it’s fantastic for their health. The team at Balance Performance regularly see’s a large number of people running large weekly mileages that their poorly equipped bodies can’t cope with. Traditionally physiotherapists put them in supportive running shoes, with or without orthotics and prescribe strengthening exercises.
This works reasonably well but it’s not a long term solution as their movement skills remain absent and their attention to preventative measures is short lived.

Jonathan Lewis BSc ACSM Cert, MCSP, SRP, Co-Founder and Director of Strength & Conditioning at Balance Performance comments:

“At Balance Performance we’ve tried to instil the need for improved movement skills. This along with ongoing soft tissue work, using for example Trigger Point Therapy tools for self myofascial compression techniques, is a good starting point, but most just can’t accept the simple concept that moving with more fluidity will be less stressful on their bodies. We are now seeing that people who have more patience or have tried the traditional approach unsuccessfully are now looking at the ‘barefoot’ running lifestyle.”
The evening workshop will be run by Naeem Akram, a certified running coach for leading barefoot running brand Vivobarefoot, and Darryl Edwards, founder of Fitness Explorer and qualified Register of Exercise (REPS) Level 4 personal trainer who specialises in Movement Therapy.

Jonathan Lewis goes on to say:

“Working with Naeem and the Vivobarefoot organisation both UK and worldwide has been very useful to us and has opened up a whole new niche of
runners. What Naeem does exceptionally well is to have the conversation with runners of every persuasion in a language they understand, without insisting they get rid of the shoes. Naeem has very good observation skills, he understands movement (his engineering background helps), and the drills he teaches are not too wacky or dogmatic. He realises it’s about the movement skills not just pure running drills but at same time he makes the connection obvious for runners in a unique way. Naeems skills fit perfectly with our existing runners even if they aren’t interested in the barefoot aspects.”

The evening workshop will start at 7.00pm and look at all aspects of Barefoot Running and will cover the philosophy and practice of “natural MOVEment. There will be a heavy practical demonstration bias and for those who wish to participate as much physical interaction as possible.

For natural MOVEment we will be discussing Darryl Edwards’ PRIMALITY philosophy as an anagram which underlines this. Discussion topics during the workshop will include:

• What is Natural Movement?
• The 25 Components of Fitness
• What is the matter with Tabata?
• Function vs. Structure and Fitness Dualism.

Interactive demonstrations and audience participation will include:

• Bipedal Motion,
• Quadrupedal Motion,
• Primal Play,
• Social Based Fitness

Nice article from CorePerformance covering some significant elements to recovery one of Balance’s key focus. TPT, foam rolling, active isolated stretching skills (ask for Trevor Speller) all taught at Balance. Hydration, nutrition and sleep knowledge available in abundance too.

5 Recovery Secrets of Endurance Athletes read the article by clicking HERE

Balance Performance has worked with the people of Clapham, Stockwell, Brixton, Balham and Tooting for over a decade now. We have developed an affinity with the endurance athlete community based on our expertise dealing with their avoidable overuse injuries and also with combat athletes, dancers and other performance artists based on our awareness and teaching of quality movement programmes to increase resilience, performance and prevent injury.

Written below you will find how one ultramarathon runner, Warren Pole, had to add strength and powerful movement abilities to his endurance to complete the Tough Mudder: extreme assault course race for Men’s Fitness:

Warren Pole competing in Mudder Extreme Assault Course Race

 

As an ultramarathon runner and long distance triathlete I’m fine with endurance but as weak as a kitten when it comes to explosive speed or upper body strength, so when Men’s Fitness asked me to race the Tough Mudder (a 12-mile extreme assault course race in the US) for a feature I knew I had some training to do!

Traveling extensively for work and having an irregular schedule to say the least, the gym is not an ideal solution for me. Also, I wanted functional, agile strength rather than just muscle – 50-100 mile mountain ultramarathons are still my key focus so bulking up was not what I wanted.

Then I stumbled across the War Machine [also known as CrossCore180]. It looked absolutely perfect. Small enough to travel with, simple enough to fit in my garage for use any time I had half an hour spare. Jonathan at Balance was brilliant in teaching me how to use the kit, and for the next six weeks before the Tough Mudder I set to work.

It was a revelation, building the functional, flexible strength I lacked and being really enjoyable into the bargain thanks to Jonathan’s inspiring instruction. Combined with circuit training in the local park (hill sprints, burpees, bench dips, etc) this was the ideal training set up for what I needed.

The result was I left for the Tough Mudder feeling better physically than I ever have.

Now the War Machine is an integral part of my fitness, helping me build a stronger, more flexible and more resilient platform for this year’s programme of mountain ultras. As well as this, taking up so little space it also means there’s plenty of room in my garage for the drum kit my wife has been wanting for years. All I need now is some earplugs.

To find out more about the CrossCore180 and how Rotational Bodyweight Training can benefit you contact Jonathan at Balance Performance and discover where and with who in the UK/Ireland you can try it out with. 02076272308.

For more on the Tough Mudder Race series, created by former British Soldiers, which you can now run in the UK go to http://toughmudder.com/

To see stacks of videos and understand what CrossCore® Rotational Bodyweight Training™ is about go to the CrossCore USA YouTube Channel. I suggest you start here though http://youtu.be/nilSvH3yNbY?hd=1 as Brendan Cosso, creator of the War Machine, demonstrates some of the possibilities using CrossCore180.