IHRSA is the commercial fitness industry’s largest convention. All of the biggest players for commercial gym equipment are there and it is an annual meeting place for much of BOSU’s International distributors. This was a good show for us with a lot of productive meetings.

Here are some notes and recap of conversations I had with people at IHRSA 2010:

Randy Hetrick – Founder of Fitness Anywhere, and Chris Frankel – Director of Programming at Fitness Anywhere (TRX)

I had a long conversation with Randy and Chris about my exercise discoveries.  I told them that BOSU® would come to be recognized as more than a product.  That the BOSU® – Both Sides Utilized – philosophy and the practical training methods built on this philosophy I now teach would come to be universally accepted as best practices for Balance Training.  That BOSU® would revolutionize sprinter’s technique.

I began the conversation alone with Randy.  Randy then called Chris to come join us.  Randy wanted Chris, who is extremely well versed in exercise physiology, to hold my statements and explanations up to the BS meter.  Chris came into the conversation with healthy skepticism, but the more we talked, the more he agreed with what I told him.  He then recounted some of his own personal discoveries regarding sprint training and technique that aligned precisely with my discoveries.

I told Chris I wanted to share my knowledge with as many smart people in exercise and performance training as possible – and that I wanted them to put my theories to the test and challenge me if they disagree.  If anyone can show me I am wrong or a better way, then I will gladly listen and adopt new methods.  If they can’t, I want them on board, helping to spread and edify my message.  The aim of BOSU® training is not to replace anything you do, but rather enhance Everything you do.

We both agreed that the industry is in a better place than it was 10 years ago in terms of egos and sharing training info.  I was really happy to have the opportunity to speak in depth with Chris and look forward to working with him moving forward.

Chris Poirier – President of Perform Better

I began my conversation with Chris by telling him I wanted him to remember this moment and what I was about to tell him about the future of sprint training.  I told him how sprinters would change their technique in the future to harness the spiral dynamics inherent in their bodies.  I showed him my discoveries and how they would transform the training landscape for sprinters.

I told Chris how and why concentrating focus and enhancing the 2 principle factors of movement produces better practical understanding and capability for moving your body better in all 3 planes of motion.

Chris was very intrigued but our time together in the hustle/bustle of his busy booth was short.  His team of presenters is top notch and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with all of them.

Jon Hinds – Owner/Head Trainer Monkey Bar Gymnasium

Jon Hinds is an amazing athlete and trainer.  His father Bobby is the creator of Lifeline Fitness products.  Jon invents products and has worked with many top-level athletes, and was a former Strength-and-Conditioning Coach in the NBA.

Jon asked a lot of really good questions and we dug pretty deep into the fundamentals of movement and biomechanics. Just like my conversation with Chris Frankel, Jon recalled how he used to see some athletes naturally engage in the techniques I’m teaching and how they were always so fast.

Jon’s eyes smiled when I told him this would be similar to sprinting the way the Fosbury Flop transformed high jumping technique.  Jon is such an amazing athlete that he will begin experimenting immediately with my techniques to test for himself how they work.  It will be fun to see him “fly”!

I spoke with a lot more people at IHRSA and shared my discoveries with many of them.  I also had a great meeting with key members of our BOSU® Development Team (Peter Twist, Douglas Brooks and Jay Blahnik).  We are in the early stages of determining how we can most effectively organize and deliver this new content to effectively reach as many people as possible.

Here’s a new BOSU® acronym: Beneath Our System Underlies the Truth.

Balance is the Lighthouse.  Both Sides Utilized is the best approach for moving your body with greatest efficiency.

Best in Health,

DW