Today is a scheduled rest/recovery day, but don’t worry! We are open and running on a normal class schedule. In today’s CrossFit group classes, you’ll have the option of doing either yesterday or tomorrow’s programming, which can be found in the comments section of today and every Rest Day’s post.
“I’M BATMAN. But I’m also the coach of Active Life Strength at CrossFit South Brooklyn”
Who Is Active Life Strength For? An Interview with Coach Keith
A new PM cycle of Coach Keith‘s critically acclaimed Active Life Strength class starts on October 15th! Today we’re bringing you a short interview with the man himself, which may answer some of your questions about this one-of-a-kind program. Let’s do it!
Could you tell us about the Active Life method? What’s it all about?
The Active Life method is designed to help people get out of pain and stay out of pain with out having to miss time in the gym or on the field. We essentially look at pain and nagging injuries as symptoms of larger dysfunctions. Through individual, specific assessment, we determine what that larger dysfunction is and attack that. By eliminating or decreasing the dysfunction, be it strength imbalance or range of motion restriction, we begin to alleviate the symptoms, while also improving performance and/or movement efficiency and safety.
We also look at other factors such as lifestyle and variation in training frequency, intensity and volume, and provide recommendations on adjustments based on individual needs. Can these things help someone get a Muscle-Up, improve their “Fran” time, or Squat heavier? Absolutely, if that is what they’re after, but the general goal is to get people moving better and with out pain, while also giving them information to help them continue to do so after that class is over.
Tell us more about your coaching background and how you got involved with Active Life.
I’ve been coaching in one way or another as long as I can remember. My first job was as a coach at a basketball camp when I was 14. As the last Division I program with out a hired coach, I coached and trained my college rugby team as a captain, and stayed on as an assistant coach following graduation. After pursuing rugby internationally, I continued coaching youth sports and began CrossFit coaching while pursuing my Masters degree in Physical Education at CrossFit Buffalo. I worked with an Olympic weightlifting coach and the owner on developing the programming, and we sent a team and two individuals to Regionals in my final year there.
I then opened my own CrossFit affiliate in New Paltz, NY with a partner before relocating to Long Beach, where I took over as the head coach at CrossFit Island Park/Active Life Athletics. It was at this time that the doctors at Active Life began developing the system, and I worked very closely with them during this process, being one of the first athletes tested, and the first coach to begin incorporating the system with athletes and members in a gym setting. As Active Life grew, I began assisting and eventually leading seminars, and working as a 1-on-1 remote coach. I am currently developing a coaches’ training program that will teach other coaches and trainers how to implement these methods with their gyms and clients.
Who should take this class?
This class is appropriate for anyone who is interested in eliminating their nagging pains and injuries and breaking through plateaus by identifying their individual strength imbalances and/or mobility and flexibility limitations, and devoting time and energy to fixing them.
Whether it’s a nagging back, knee, or shoulder, difficulty getting into positions, or just feeling stuck with strength movements, the individualized assessments and specific programming help us determine what is causing these issues and allow us to take huge steps towards fixing them. In addition, the class lectures provide athletes with some of the knowledge to continue to monitor these limitations and imbalances going forward, and give them strategies to continue to improve upon them.
Is it possible to do ALS along with other classes (like CrossFit group class)? What would be the best way to do that?
Most, if not all, participants in ALS are still actively taking group class, Short Circuit, Next Level Weightlifting, rowing/running programs, etc. We discuss how to work these other programs in with our class sessions as well as the individual “accessory” work that can be done in and out of class.
What might someone hope to accomplish after 8 weeks of Active Life Strength?
After 8 weeks of Active Life Strength, one can hope to have identified their specific, individual mobility and flexibility limitations and strength imbalances. We begin with a full body mobility and flexibility assessment, followed by strength testing: Push vs. pull, left vs. right, strength vs. stamina, stability vs. force production. Each athlete is tested and provided with an appropriate program.
In addition to our class sessions, a 20-30 minute individualized workout is provided, which includes exercises, stretches, and holds, to specifically address individual issues. We refer to these as “necessary, not accessory.” Improved positioning and range of motion, reduced or eliminated pain, and greater overall strength and movement quality are the typical results. Participants will also understand the causes of their symptoms or limitations more clearly, and walk away with direction on how to continue to improve on their own.
Schedule
PM Cycle
October 15th, 2018 – December 7th, 2018
Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
2x per week for 8 weeks
Register Here!
Cost
The cost is $160 per month ($320 total plus NY state sales tax). The first charge will occur at the time of registration and the second payment of $160 will occur automatically 1 month later. This cycle is open to all CFSBK members as well as CrossFitters from other affiliates.
(Please note that you are committing to specific days and times and there be no refunds for any missed classes or late cancellations.)
Have you taken Keith’s Active Life Strength class? Tell us about your experience in today’s comments!
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