I’ve settled in to the IDEA Personal Trainer Summit. Kathie and Peter Davis have once again exceeded the boundaries of fitness, moving it forward like no other dynamic duo.

This year the level of expertise was set high. The quality of presenters was really quite an exceptional, level playing field. Our backgrounds are diverse. Many come from a coaching background, thus many presentations related to improving energy output, power, strength, performance, explosive movement, and force with the intention of increasing precise, efficient movement in athletes.

This year there were also some amazing lectures and workshops beyond sports performance as we  shift our focus to training the average joe who has injuries or is older and not training for anything but living.

Presenters like Pete Twist, Fraser Quelch, Rodney Corn, Cassidy Phillips, and Michol Dalcort, Greg Roskopf, Todd Durkin, and Len Kravitz PhD were just a few presenters I had time to say hello to in this stellar 3-day educational oasis.

Aprile Peishel, the unsung hero and coordinator of these key events managed to out do herself and the event this year. As with all IDEA events, their team hand-picks the most innovative, relevant presenters and topics that will move this industry forward and keep new and seasoned fitness professionals on the cutting edge. Of course, I am honored to be a part of this amazing community and have to personally thank Aprile for all of her personal support she has given me over the years.

I taught two workshops to help instructors and trainers learn how to better stabilize the shoulder girdle and rebalance their neurological core system by “releasing psoas” and learning why this muscle is more than just a primary hip flexor. 

I also had a lecture to give participants a “top of the trees” idea about the neurofascial system and WHY connective tissue is so relevant to eliminating pain and improving the body’s ability to sustain cellular repair over a lifetime. I think all three events were well received.

The highlight for me though was having the time to listen to my colleagues presentations. There’s never enough time for me to see them all but a few highlights for me I’d like to mention I will certainly elaborate on in future individual blogs. There’s so much to tell you about but here were some amazing topics and methods I think are really taking the industry by storm. If you don’t know these people, click on their names to see their websites and what they are all about.

First, one of the pioneers in rehabilitative and functional fitness, Greg Roskopf, MA did an extended session entitled, “Purposeful Exercise- A progressive approach to training”. Here he spoke about the common issue in the fitness industry – managing clients who complain of pain or show signs of instability. His take is strictly on motor and sensory nerve responsiveness and how to manage these things by getting the brain to reconnect to aspects of contraction that are basically absent once imbalance is present. His hands on technique, MAT, Muscle Activation Technique has grown profoundly over the years. I think this may have been one of his very best lectures that I’ve personally seen him present. If you don’t know Greg, you should. He’s probably one of the most brilliant minds in our industry today.

Then I had the pleasure of trying the new RIP Trainer with Fraser Quelch. I have to admit, I only made it through the first sequence before I listened to my body which said, “Um Sue, this is too much right now. I’d like for you to stop.” It would have gone better if I had been even slightly warmed up or prepared for the ballistic, super intense workout this new piece of equipment demands. If you don’t know TRX and the masterminds behind it, again, check out Fraser and the TRX team. Innovative stuff to say the least.

Cassidy Phillips rocked everyone’s world with his Trigger Point Therapy. He spoke in depth about Tom Myers’ “Myofascial Lines” model and how to use this model when using his techniques to improve muscular performance. Peter Twist , MSc dazzled me with his “Muscle Synergy” workshop. Yet again, a heavy hitter in our industry with clear, concise steps to better movement performance and management paves the way for better knowledge in the industry. Between these two guys the words “brilliant” comes to mind. 

Two of my personal favorites, Rodney Corn whom I’ve known for some 18 years or so has not only grown as an educator over the years but as a key player at PTA Global he’s forged massive amounts of compelling, relevant education into mainstream fitness today. His lecture about “creating an emotionally charged exercise experience” was enlightening and his charismatic teaching style keeps you on the edge of your seat.

And then there was Michol Dalcourt another innovator at PTA Global, whom I’ve only recently met and had time to talk to one on one in the past year. I have no idea how it’s possible that we don’t know each other better. He’s like the male version of me on some level. His “Six Steps to Better Program Design” was so clear, and well presented, dare I say it was the best workshop at the entire event? I didn’t get to see many of the other presenters, but he really is someone that everyone should know about if they don’t already.

I have more to elaborate on but for now, if you haven’t registered for IDEA World July 5-8^th 2012, get on line today and register. The sessions are bigger, the energy is amazing at this event and you don’t want to miss out on the easiest way to gain CEU’s and education from the top professionals in our industry. I look forward to see you and all of these amazing presenters in the summer!