AFAA APEX Weekend: Kickboxing Certification

Another exciting AFAA APEX weekend has come to an end. I always try and take a certification or attend a workshop when APEX comes to town. This year I decided to try for my Kickboxing Certification.

From the time I started teaching group fitness, I have wanted to get my Kickboxing Certification.  I loved doing Turbo Kick at home and it helped me to lose weight without running. During undergrad at UGA I took Intro to Karate for my fitness requirement; It helped me develop proper form for kicks and strikes and I earned an Orange Belt in the process. When I came to Georgia Tech I took a sparring style boxing class to work on my agility, coordination, and punches. I have used those experiences to teach cardio kickboxing classes over the years. This year I made sure my schedule was open so that I could participate in the Kickboxing Certification.

It was a long day but it was a great investment. I got to meet some great people, gained some new skills, and earned my required CEUs. I look forward to applying some new drills and combos to my next classes. I hate I waited so long to take this cert!

What AFAA Workshop/Certification did you participate in during APEX weekend? Comment below and share your experience.

APEX is the start of my conference circuit. In July I have SCW and Blogfest. Then I usually end the year with September APEX. Let the fun begin!

Health and Happiness,

Larissa

AFAA APEX in the ATL: Part 2

Day 2 was even better than Day 1.  Day 2 was all about resistance training, I was definitely in my comfort zone.

The 1st half of the day was anatomy and kinesiology. I love talking about muscle function and programming. Then we moved into "choreographed" resistance training. We utilized varied tempo or time under tension using the beat: 2-2, 3-1, 1-3. Similar concepts and patterns that I teach my clients and students.

The 2nd half of class we applied the AFAA 5 Questions to exercises for the major muscle groups. Then we designed progressions and regressions for exercises in small groups. We finished out the day combining our efforts to design a 15 station circuit.

Each group was challenged to create at least 1 exercise progression that no one in the group had tried before. Here are our 2:

Partner band lat Pulldown with BOSU. Partner A uses core and shoulder stabilization to act as anchor for the band. Partner B kneels on BOSU while performing core stabilization. 

Partner Leg Extension with Squat. Partner A anchors band under heels and performs isotonic squat. Partner B attaches band to foot and stabilizes on support leg while performing resisted knee extensions on the other leg.

Could group resistance training be path to getting more women to lift?  I learned how to work with the music and add some fun variations to my favorite exercises in the GRT workshop.  I do the majority of my lifting in the gym or the fitness floor. Many women still have reservations about resistance training on their own. If I could put together a well designed studio program maybe I could help my fellow ladies love lifting as much as I do! I look forward to applying what I learned to add some resistance training classes to the schedule in January! 

A big thank you to our AFAA Presenter Linda for sharing her knowledge and experience. 

What was 1 thing you learned at APEX?

Until next post,

Health and Happiness,

L

AFAA APEX in the ATL: Part 1

Day 1 of AFAA Apex I got to hang out with AFAA Presenter Yoko and 10 other fitness professional during Group Exercise: The Practical Way

Our gym was hosting so I assisted with registration and lunch logistics.

My favorite part of the day was the practical skills portion. We discussed musicality and practiced cueing and creating 6 progressions for a variety of exercises. 

Can you think of 6 progressions for a lunge?

We used:

- wall assisted step forward

- step up onto step

- isolated lunge forward

- forward alternating lunge

- walking lunge

- plyometrics lunge

Below is a picture of My partner Catherine and I after successfully demonstrating our excercise cueing skills. 

It is not as easy as it looks, and it is definitely a skill worth practicing and perfecting.

Yoko did a great job leading our group for the day. She has over 30 years of experience and her blend of knowledge, humor, and sincere desire for our success made for a great workshop.

I look forward to gaining more knowledge and practicing more skills tomorrow.

Health and Happiness,

Larissa