If you are not in the health and fitness industry or are not up to speed on certain news, then you might not have read about this important law that will go in to effect. DC is the leader on it. Twenty-two other states will follow suit.
As an exercise specialists...my sentiments:
1. OK, Fine. It makes sense to have a law stating what exercise specialists (personally, I am not a fan of calling myself a 'personal trainer'. It is more of a verb than a noun in my opinion. But, that is one of the beauties of the profession). In this manner, exercise specialists will not do what physical therapists do such as manipulations, therapeutic massage, high velocity thrusts.
2. Already in Line. Many exercise specialists already follow what a physical therapists says because many exercise specialists understand the rehabilitation relationship. Many exercises specialists understand the scope of practice due to the policies set forth by strong certification organizations such as the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), and ACE (American Council on Exercise). All four of these agencies are legit. Plus, many physical therapists have these certifications.
3. Money Loss. I think someone is calling foul because they realized that they are losing money despite receiving more injured clients. Or, may be they are not gaining enough deniro!The article states a strong push from the DC Board of Physical Therapists to regulate this law. Someone or some place must be getting a lot of injured clients who are coming from gyms where the clients suffered the injury. Where I agree, that if this scenario is true, then the gym should be regulated. All of the specialists at that gym should have reputable certifications and four yer degrees in the industry does help - the four-year degree argument makes the fitness industry more professional and respected among other medical professionals. Sure, individuals without four-year degrees (i.e., kinesiology, biology, health sciences, etc.) in the industry have done tremendous jobs at getting clients to healthy goal weights. The four certifications above have made sure that its recipients have qualifying backgrounds. They have done a great job at regulating its professionals.
4. Punishing Everyone? What I did not know is that 40% of personal trainers do not affiliate themselves with a gym. TEEM is not affiliated with a gym. So, in being among the 40%, I can say that TEEM follows the tutelage of the main certification agencies as mentioned above (NSCA and ACE, thus far), academic degrees, and policies of respecting the rehabilitation relationship. In other words, there not a fly-by-night way of doing exercise with TEEM Performance Training. Each individual is recognized as presenting differently. Clients are evaluated under the scope of practice that is warranted. Partnerships with physical therapists and primary care physicians are highly recommended. But, if they are required, then that is perfectly fine!
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Monday, August 31, 2015
Let It Go (Frozen QB) - RGIII
Football season is upon us!
Football season is upon us!
Football...OK, you get it.
Very quickly. We have two quarterbacks that have experienced devastating knee injuries: Sam Bradford and Robert Griffin III. That's, if I am not mistaken, all of the ACL's that a human has in his body...injured. Two ACL's per athlete. Four. Four anterior cruciate ligaments injured. Four injuries and two knees (counting the same injury for one knee).
Yet, one QB is getting all of the hype and inspiration from a coach and organization that says, "You can be our guy (QB) despite the injuries because we believe in you. Our system believes in you. Our training staff believes in you. The people of our city believe in you." The other QB is getting all of the hype, media attention, distrust from the locker room, clearly apparent dislike on the field from his offensive line because he scrambles more than eggs, and now a front seat to the back-up roll.
There is definite disconnect.
I'm not a football team owner, but I do not need to be one in order to understand this scenario. I will just park myself as a fan and strength and conditioning specialist to say that there still needs to be a concrete connection between the owner, coach, the team's system, and training regimen. For example, in Robert Griffin III's case, if he has trouble learning to be a pocket passer, especially due to his dwindling QBR rating over the past three seasons, then it is imperative to physically train him like a pocket passer while maintaining his strengths as a QB (i.e., speed and arm strength). Hopefully, RGIII understands and grasps the change.
What does a pocket passer need? Agility. Hey, he's in the pocket. So, if the blitz comes from the left, then RGIII needs to move right, backwards, forwards, and repeat some agile sequence of that matter, very well, in order to avoid getting sacked. Does he feel comfortable moving like that? If yes, then proceed to successful practice. If no, then show him how it is done. A pocket passer needs an arm. OK, he has that. But, he also needs an accurate arm. So, if accuracy is not there, then practice it. If it already exists, then create other difficult options to continue developing an already accurate arm. Does RGIII's footwork agree with his throwing accuracy? Have you ever seen an athletic QB with great footwork, throw abysmally? Have you seen the opposite...a not-so-as-athletic QB throw with great accuracy? Sure, they're riddled throughout the NFL and college.
Well, right there, an entire conditioning program can be practiced and individualized for a QB like Robert Griffin III, which may give him more confidence in the pocket. As for now, the scrambling will be on hold.
To the injuries...how does one quarterback with two past ACL injuries potentially work for a completely new team and system, but another one with two ACL injuries is on the brink of release? Disconnect. Definite disconnect in more than one facet.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Football season is upon us!
Football...OK, you get it.
Very quickly. We have two quarterbacks that have experienced devastating knee injuries: Sam Bradford and Robert Griffin III. That's, if I am not mistaken, all of the ACL's that a human has in his body...injured. Two ACL's per athlete. Four. Four anterior cruciate ligaments injured. Four injuries and two knees (counting the same injury for one knee).
Yet, one QB is getting all of the hype and inspiration from a coach and organization that says, "You can be our guy (QB) despite the injuries because we believe in you. Our system believes in you. Our training staff believes in you. The people of our city believe in you." The other QB is getting all of the hype, media attention, distrust from the locker room, clearly apparent dislike on the field from his offensive line because he scrambles more than eggs, and now a front seat to the back-up roll.
There is definite disconnect.
I'm not a football team owner, but I do not need to be one in order to understand this scenario. I will just park myself as a fan and strength and conditioning specialist to say that there still needs to be a concrete connection between the owner, coach, the team's system, and training regimen. For example, in Robert Griffin III's case, if he has trouble learning to be a pocket passer, especially due to his dwindling QBR rating over the past three seasons, then it is imperative to physically train him like a pocket passer while maintaining his strengths as a QB (i.e., speed and arm strength). Hopefully, RGIII understands and grasps the change.
What does a pocket passer need? Agility. Hey, he's in the pocket. So, if the blitz comes from the left, then RGIII needs to move right, backwards, forwards, and repeat some agile sequence of that matter, very well, in order to avoid getting sacked. Does he feel comfortable moving like that? If yes, then proceed to successful practice. If no, then show him how it is done. A pocket passer needs an arm. OK, he has that. But, he also needs an accurate arm. So, if accuracy is not there, then practice it. If it already exists, then create other difficult options to continue developing an already accurate arm. Does RGIII's footwork agree with his throwing accuracy? Have you ever seen an athletic QB with great footwork, throw abysmally? Have you seen the opposite...a not-so-as-athletic QB throw with great accuracy? Sure, they're riddled throughout the NFL and college.
Well, right there, an entire conditioning program can be practiced and individualized for a QB like Robert Griffin III, which may give him more confidence in the pocket. As for now, the scrambling will be on hold.
To the injuries...how does one quarterback with two past ACL injuries potentially work for a completely new team and system, but another one with two ACL injuries is on the brink of release? Disconnect. Definite disconnect in more than one facet.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Friday, August 28, 2015
🧬Engage The Cycle
Dear Dads,
Engage the cycle of consistency and fulfill it with opportunity for generations to come!
I am still in my neonate phase of fatherhood. I do not have all of the answers. I love being a father and cherish its privilege! Fatherhood is not easy. It surely is rewarding. Fatherhood...is like a wolf pack, a lion's pride, or like flying with eagles.
The Wolf Pack
Father comes from the Old English word, faeder, meaning "one who exercises parental care over another." Hood comes from the Old English word, -had, meaning "quality, condition, or position. In essence, fatherhood is an overarching term for a man who holds the position of taking care of his child on a regular basis. There are no vacations from fatherhood. None. As long as you and your offspring are living, you are always in the position and fleet of and for fatherhood. Fatherhood possesses reflections in so many fashions. The public eye sees fathers playing with their kids, taking them shopping, reading to them, or even changing a diaper. However, many times news arises that may question the increasing need for fathers in the world. The absence of fatherhood affects and echoes from generation to generation:
A 12-year old child in Omaha, Nebraska is wanted for first degree murder. Where was his father to discipline his son?
A mother in Florida loses three of her kids to violence. Her last child who was murdered (and targeted) saved her life by shielding his mother from the bullets. Where is the father to train his son not to hang with the wrong crowd?
Another athlete hits his girlfriend/fiancee/wife. He loses a scholarship or sponsorship. He is forced to give a public apology. Where is his father to offer the advice on what to do before the heat of an argument spawns in to a fiery bit of physical rage? The act leaves an indelible mark.
A young man, delusional to the envy of racial hatred, walks in to a historical black church during their Bible study, stands up, and shoots nine people. You get one life. Nine lives cut short. Where is his father to put his son in the position of love before this catastrophic event.
A 20-year old man drops out of college because he says, "I can't handle the pressure." He comes back home to hang with his friends who do not possess the grit to further educate themselves. The young man gets in to the wrong mess and ends up locked up. Where is his father to offer that motivational talk? To offer that since of confidence? To offer the shield of promise and correction?
Engage the cycle...
Of speaking to your son or daughter.
Of ending disorder and contagious behavioral disease in the household that your kids will emulate.
Of taking care of yourself through mind, body, and soul. Fathers, you have to set high standards of living that enrich you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Your family will reap the impressive benefits!
Of eliminating the phrase, "I can't," as a determinant to the successful and humble path laid out for you. When your children hear this phrase, they emulate it and stop themselves short of success. You, fathers, are a major part of your child's support system...A. Major. Part.
Engage the cycle...
The Lion's Pride
Fatherhood is leadership. Fatherhood is support. Fatherhood is fun and a refreshment. Fatherhood is a rewarding challenge. It is a vast privilege that is God-given and many choose to flow with it. Others choose to deny it. Like lions, the fatherhood pursuit fits well with motherhood - what a dynamic duo that is molded to cope with reality! Yet, when the father purposefully goes AWOL, the family, and hence, the family pride suffers and is emotionally cracked.
Remember: there is no leave from fatherhood. It's a job without retirement but with the best benefits.
When fatherhood is denied, the family dynamic simmers like a hunter seeking to destroy the head of a clan. Developing a defense against all temptation or danger that thwarts your progress as a father is imperative to keeping a strong fatherhood profile. Durable, flexible, energetic, intelligent, and courageous, fatherhood is the solid rock of the family that works in partnership, delivering strength and much needed boldness.
Fatherhood is a brotherhood. Fathers make mistakes - we are not perfect, but we were made perfect to do the job that we need to fulfill. When one father falls on his duty, other men tend to step up. The pride has support. Grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, friends, and cousins all, to some degree, serve as father-figures when children suffer to the absence of the head of the household. At least, it should be that way.
Engage the cycle...
Fly Like Eagles
Entertain the cycle of consistency, love, leadership, support, and fill it with much opportunity!
...And, headlines may read: high school senior is accepted to all of the Ivy League universities. His father always gave him first rate advice.
...And, headlines may read: a 12-year old boy develops a service business to help the homeless. His father always told him to help others.
...And, headlines may read: Three sisters return home from college to transform their community in to a place of cultural extravagance. Their father inspired them with his gentleness and open-mindedness.
...And, headlines may read: A group of professional athletes donate one-tenth of their salary to their home churches. The act follows in their father's footsteps to give back to their Lord and Savior and church community.
...And, headlines may read: A young man talks to a shooter, offering him advice that his father taught him. Saves the day.
...And, headlines may read: a 20-year old male finishes college in three years, and during the process saves enough money to payoff his family's mortgage, resurrecting advice that his father gave him on how to make honest money.
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
In the end, be thankful, be humble, be joyful, be gentle, be you.
Sincerely,
Derek
P.S. Do not forget to kiss your wife and children too!
Engage the cycle of consistency and fulfill it with opportunity for generations to come!
I am still in my neonate phase of fatherhood. I do not have all of the answers. I love being a father and cherish its privilege! Fatherhood is not easy. It surely is rewarding. Fatherhood...is like a wolf pack, a lion's pride, or like flying with eagles.
The Wolf Pack
Father comes from the Old English word, faeder, meaning "one who exercises parental care over another." Hood comes from the Old English word, -had, meaning "quality, condition, or position. In essence, fatherhood is an overarching term for a man who holds the position of taking care of his child on a regular basis. There are no vacations from fatherhood. None. As long as you and your offspring are living, you are always in the position and fleet of and for fatherhood. Fatherhood possesses reflections in so many fashions. The public eye sees fathers playing with their kids, taking them shopping, reading to them, or even changing a diaper. However, many times news arises that may question the increasing need for fathers in the world. The absence of fatherhood affects and echoes from generation to generation:
A 12-year old child in Omaha, Nebraska is wanted for first degree murder. Where was his father to discipline his son?
A mother in Florida loses three of her kids to violence. Her last child who was murdered (and targeted) saved her life by shielding his mother from the bullets. Where is the father to train his son not to hang with the wrong crowd?
Another athlete hits his girlfriend/fiancee/wife. He loses a scholarship or sponsorship. He is forced to give a public apology. Where is his father to offer the advice on what to do before the heat of an argument spawns in to a fiery bit of physical rage? The act leaves an indelible mark.
A young man, delusional to the envy of racial hatred, walks in to a historical black church during their Bible study, stands up, and shoots nine people. You get one life. Nine lives cut short. Where is his father to put his son in the position of love before this catastrophic event.
A 20-year old man drops out of college because he says, "I can't handle the pressure." He comes back home to hang with his friends who do not possess the grit to further educate themselves. The young man gets in to the wrong mess and ends up locked up. Where is his father to offer that motivational talk? To offer that since of confidence? To offer the shield of promise and correction?
Engage the cycle...
Of speaking to your son or daughter.
Of ending disorder and contagious behavioral disease in the household that your kids will emulate.
Of taking care of yourself through mind, body, and soul. Fathers, you have to set high standards of living that enrich you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Your family will reap the impressive benefits!
Of eliminating the phrase, "I can't," as a determinant to the successful and humble path laid out for you. When your children hear this phrase, they emulate it and stop themselves short of success. You, fathers, are a major part of your child's support system...A. Major. Part.
Engage the cycle...
The Lion's Pride
Fatherhood is leadership. Fatherhood is support. Fatherhood is fun and a refreshment. Fatherhood is a rewarding challenge. It is a vast privilege that is God-given and many choose to flow with it. Others choose to deny it. Like lions, the fatherhood pursuit fits well with motherhood - what a dynamic duo that is molded to cope with reality! Yet, when the father purposefully goes AWOL, the family, and hence, the family pride suffers and is emotionally cracked.
Remember: there is no leave from fatherhood. It's a job without retirement but with the best benefits.
When fatherhood is denied, the family dynamic simmers like a hunter seeking to destroy the head of a clan. Developing a defense against all temptation or danger that thwarts your progress as a father is imperative to keeping a strong fatherhood profile. Durable, flexible, energetic, intelligent, and courageous, fatherhood is the solid rock of the family that works in partnership, delivering strength and much needed boldness.
Fatherhood is a brotherhood. Fathers make mistakes - we are not perfect, but we were made perfect to do the job that we need to fulfill. When one father falls on his duty, other men tend to step up. The pride has support. Grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, friends, and cousins all, to some degree, serve as father-figures when children suffer to the absence of the head of the household. At least, it should be that way.
Engage the cycle...
Fly Like Eagles
Entertain the cycle of consistency, love, leadership, support, and fill it with much opportunity!
...And, headlines may read: high school senior is accepted to all of the Ivy League universities. His father always gave him first rate advice.
...And, headlines may read: a 12-year old boy develops a service business to help the homeless. His father always told him to help others.
...And, headlines may read: Three sisters return home from college to transform their community in to a place of cultural extravagance. Their father inspired them with his gentleness and open-mindedness.
...And, headlines may read: A group of professional athletes donate one-tenth of their salary to their home churches. The act follows in their father's footsteps to give back to their Lord and Savior and church community.
...And, headlines may read: A young man talks to a shooter, offering him advice that his father taught him. Saves the day.
...And, headlines may read: a 20-year old male finishes college in three years, and during the process saves enough money to payoff his family's mortgage, resurrecting advice that his father gave him on how to make honest money.
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
In the end, be thankful, be humble, be joyful, be gentle, be you.
Sincerely,
Derek
P.S. Do not forget to kiss your wife and children too!
Friday, July 31, 2015
60-Minute Drill
Sometimes, too much time may be spent in the gym or in doing a certain type of workout. Below are just a few types of workouts and their estimated time to completion if you picked exercises that agreed with the tempo.
Power workouts take more time:
Endurance workouts are what they are....endurance. Can your body act again after a short rest window as it should during this protocol?
Circuits, generally, save time. But, they can be tough. There is more room to experiment. But, make sure you are not fatiguing a muscle group when you do wish to fatigue it. HIIT (high intensity interval training comes in to play in this case.)
Power workouts take more time:
| Power Workout | Parameters |
| Warm-Up (includes dynamic flexibility) | 10 minutes |
| Exercise/Drills | Of 5 sets, 4 repetitions (reps) |
| Tempo | 1-0-0 |
| Rest Intervals | 2 minutes (m) |
| 1 rep = | 1 second (s) |
| 4 reps = | 4 seconds |
| 5 sets = | 8 m 4s |
| Exercise/Drill # | Time to Completion |
| 1) | 8m 4s |
| 2) | 8m 4s |
| 3) | 8m 4s |
| 4) | 8m 4s |
| 5) | 8m 4s |
| Total Exercise/Drill Time | 40m 20s |
| Cool Down (Static Stretching, light run, walk, bike) | Approximate Time Leftover = 9m 40s |
| Grand Duration | 60 minutes |
Endurance workouts are what they are....endurance. Can your body act again after a short rest window as it should during this protocol?
| Endurance Workout | Parameters |
| Warm-Up (includes dynamic flexibility) | 10 minutes |
| Exercise/Drills | Of 3 sets, 15 reps |
| Tempo | 1-1-1 |
| Rest Intervals | 60 seconds at the most |
| 1 rep = | 3 seconds |
| 15 reps = | 45s |
| 1 set = | 45s |
| 3 sets = | 2m 15s |
| Exercise/Drill # | Time to Completion |
| 1) | 2m 15s |
| 2) | 2m 15s |
| 3) | 2m 15s |
| 4) | 2m 15s |
| 5) | 2m 15s |
| 6) | 2m 15s |
| 7) | 2m 15s |
| 8) | 2m 15s |
| Total Exercise/Drill Time | 17m 45s |
| Cool Down | 12m 15s |
| Leaves space for 20 m of cardio between the exercises and cool down | |
| Grand Duration | 60 minutes |
Circuits, generally, save time. But, they can be tough. There is more room to experiment. But, make sure you are not fatiguing a muscle group when you do wish to fatigue it. HIIT (high intensity interval training comes in to play in this case.)
| Circuit Workout | Parameters | ||
| Warm-Up (includes dynamic flexibility) | 10 minutes | ||
| Exercise/Drills | For various durations from 10s to 30s | ||
| Tempo | Flexible - just complete as many as you can with good form in the indicated amount of time. | ||
| Rest Intervals | 10s at most between exercises…30s between exercise sets...60s between circuit sets/numbers | ||
| Sets | Range from | ||
| Circuit Number | 3 sets per Circuit | Type/Sequence | Time to Completion |
| 1 | ) 30s per exercise | Lower Body-Upper Body-Lower Body | 4m 30s to 5m 30s |
| 2) | 10s per exercise (i.e., 10s run) | Short distance-Upper Body-Short Distance | 3m 30s to 4m 30s |
| 3) | 30 seconds per exercise | Upper Body-Upper Body (Floor Core)-Upper Body | 4m 30s to 5m 30s |
| Cool Down | 10 minutes | Total Exercise/Drill Time | 12m 30s to 15m 30s |
| Grand Duration | 32m 30s to 35m 30s |
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Saturday, July 25, 2015
You Can Lead - She Stepped Up
(June 2015)
Kiki Densamo has a goal of being fit just like many other people. So, she is the captain of her team's 10-week pedometer challenge. Pssst, hey...after the first week of competition, her team sat in 2nd place out of 82 teams just steps behind the defending champions from last year. So, what does this mean?
Well, competitiveness and a willingness to make a healthy and active change is in all of us. Sometimes, stepping out of the comfort zone means joining others in the process - it takes a team to complete a team activity. Who knows...may be during this process other people will catch on easily. Likewise, pedometer challenges are a great way to involve a lot of people in a large effort to defeat sitting for too long, especially if your job or position predisposes you to a sedentary lifestyle (commuting counts in that process as well).
On another front, Kiki has positioned herself to be an exercise leader. She has created a separate day during the week in which her teammates as well as other office-mates can talk a walk break around her work environment. Access speaks volumes in this case as does focus. When these two are put in to a formula, the yield is reactive.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Kiki Densamo has a goal of being fit just like many other people. So, she is the captain of her team's 10-week pedometer challenge. Pssst, hey...after the first week of competition, her team sat in 2nd place out of 82 teams just steps behind the defending champions from last year. So, what does this mean?
Well, competitiveness and a willingness to make a healthy and active change is in all of us. Sometimes, stepping out of the comfort zone means joining others in the process - it takes a team to complete a team activity. Who knows...may be during this process other people will catch on easily. Likewise, pedometer challenges are a great way to involve a lot of people in a large effort to defeat sitting for too long, especially if your job or position predisposes you to a sedentary lifestyle (commuting counts in that process as well).
On another front, Kiki has positioned herself to be an exercise leader. She has created a separate day during the week in which her teammates as well as other office-mates can talk a walk break around her work environment. Access speaks volumes in this case as does focus. When these two are put in to a formula, the yield is reactive.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
June 2015
In the first full summer month, may you be informed that there will not be a lot of e-newsletter postings. Several blog posts will go straight to social media, which you can follow at the following:
TEEM Facebook Page
Twitter: @TEEMPTraining and it's hashtags.
June 2015 was an interesting month for TEEM Performance Training:
1. Only one e-newsletter post was distributed.
2. There are so many things on the table right now with TEEM.
3. A dear client passed away (more details here).
4. Another pre-client on the rise is the captain of her work pedometer challenge team, which sat in 2nd place out of 82 teams (more details here).
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
TEEM Facebook Page
Twitter: @TEEMPTraining and it's hashtags.
June 2015 was an interesting month for TEEM Performance Training:
1. Only one e-newsletter post was distributed.
2. There are so many things on the table right now with TEEM.
3. A dear client passed away (more details here).
4. Another pre-client on the rise is the captain of her work pedometer challenge team, which sat in 2nd place out of 82 teams (more details here).
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Passing of a TEEM Client
A Dear Client:
John Baehrend (featured in a previous post a few years ago) was a great person to train. I met John circa 2009 when we used to live in the same building in Cambridge. John spotted a flyer I had posted in the building, inviting residents to come to a free lecture/workshop on "Fall in to Fitness". John was the only attendee. But, his presence transformed in to a 5-year training relationship. Even when John and his wife, Sandy, moved out of the building and across the river, we still had our morning exercise session.
Five years...it is the longest period of time that I have trained someone in my career without a break in training. To this day, I try not to take for granted the number of people that show up to a workshop or other activity because a strong relationship can be developed through one person.
John was not only a client; he was a friend. He and Sandy got the chance to know my family (Chandace and Derek Jr). In our many conversations, I had the pleasure of learning about his lovely family as well as his strong faith. John, in his 80's, passed away in late June (it was a difficult day to feel like training). But, he never stopped exercising until he simply...could not. We tried many exercises from squats to push-ups to functional get-ups off the ground. We worked on his weaknesses, strengths, and even added in some fun in the functional training with backwards walking.
I will not take for granted the time that I spent training John. He welcomed me in to his home for five years. We laughed, shared stories, asked about each other's family. It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to train someone like John Baehrend. May God bless his soul!
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
John Baehrend (featured in a previous post a few years ago) was a great person to train. I met John circa 2009 when we used to live in the same building in Cambridge. John spotted a flyer I had posted in the building, inviting residents to come to a free lecture/workshop on "Fall in to Fitness". John was the only attendee. But, his presence transformed in to a 5-year training relationship. Even when John and his wife, Sandy, moved out of the building and across the river, we still had our morning exercise session.
Five years...it is the longest period of time that I have trained someone in my career without a break in training. To this day, I try not to take for granted the number of people that show up to a workshop or other activity because a strong relationship can be developed through one person.
John was not only a client; he was a friend. He and Sandy got the chance to know my family (Chandace and Derek Jr). In our many conversations, I had the pleasure of learning about his lovely family as well as his strong faith. John, in his 80's, passed away in late June (it was a difficult day to feel like training). But, he never stopped exercising until he simply...could not. We tried many exercises from squats to push-ups to functional get-ups off the ground. We worked on his weaknesses, strengths, and even added in some fun in the functional training with backwards walking.
I will not take for granted the time that I spent training John. He welcomed me in to his home for five years. We laughed, shared stories, asked about each other's family. It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to train someone like John Baehrend. May God bless his soul!
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
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