FAQ

Here are some of the Most Frequent Asked questions we encounter. Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

1. Why don’t you offer memberships?
2. Your service rates are higher than other facilities, why is that?
3. I'm not interested in any programs; I do well on my own. I just want somebody to kick my butt occasionally. Why can't I purchase a single session?
4. What is this Olympic Lifting thing and why should I care?
5. Aren’t the Olympic Lifts Dangerous?
6. You invest so much time studying the Olympic Lifts, they look so easy, aren’t there better things?
7. What are Russian Kettlebells? Are they dangerous?
8. Will Kettlebells make me leaner, or stronger, or more powerful?
9. I am not interested in athletics, I just want to be leaner. Will your training make me too big?
10. You do not list weight loss, toning, shaping, sculpting, or stress reduction in your training programs, why?
11. Your credentials are impressive, but I do not see CPR & AED amongst them. Why?
12. What is INT?
13. What are these Five Stages of Rehabilitation and what can INT do for me?
14. Is INT similar to massage therapy?
15. I already know I slouch, doesn't that make Posturology a waste of time?
16. What is this "Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis" (OBSA) you keep mentioning?
17. I already workout, why are you asking me for a food log?
18. What can a Professional Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor do for me?

1.- Why don’t you offer memberships?

The training modalities offered by Next Step Conditioning Systems are different from what you may be used to. Our facilities are tailored for the coach and the client. Ours are methods where televisions, magazine racks, or other distractions are not needed.

You come in to mold your health, body and mind under the guidance of your coach. You only come in to meet your coach for your training. Once the task is over, you may resume your normal life. Memberships are not necessary, nor desired for our operations. Anyone can participate, and you do not have to give up your favorite club to take part of our activities.
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2.- Your service rates are higher than other facilities, why is that?

Next Step Conditioning Systems offers only the finest services with a level of uniqueness that is unparalleled in the industry. However, services are intangible in nature, that is, they cannot be physically compared. The only sure to way to know is to experience them.

Given that the market is unfortunately full of extraordinary promises that go unfulfilled, Next Step Conditioning Systems would like to invite you to discover what makes them so unique and why they are in such high demand. CLICK HERE to find out more.
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3. I'm not interested in any programs; I do well on my own. I just want somebody to kick my butt occasionally. Why can't I purchase a single session?

Kudos to you for already being active. That you are doing well shows that you are on the right track and you are to be commended. Please understand that the coaches have only a limited numbers of hours each week to offer their clients and they need to maximize that time.

For this reason, the coaches have to invest their One-on-One time with clients who are following the exercise prescription derived from their Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis. Next Step Conditioning Systems offers Training Programs based on those prescriptions only. This approach is more productive, consistent, and provides a high level of accountability. In addition, it helps provide the client with a time frame within which to achieve all those little steps that eventually add up to big changes.

Next Step Conditioning Systems will not engage their current or prospective One-on-One clients in physically challenging routines without first assessing their health, structural integrity, and physical readiness. Doing otherwise is borderline malpractice. The coaches are not looking to impress anyone and are well aware how unproductive this approach can be.

Next Step Conditioning Systems also understands there are many people who are physically fit and are looking for a challenge that involves skill and the opportunity to test one's boundaries. That is why Next Step Conditioning Systems is pleased to offer their unique and challenging group classes. They were designed for those who need to spice up their programs by engaging in new challenges and learning new skills.
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4.- What is this Olympic Lifting thing and why should I care?

Olympic Style Weightlifting is called so as is the only form of weightlifting allowed in the Olympic Games.

The sport consists of two lifts. The first one is The Snatch, also known as the Fastest Lift in the World. The athlete moves a loaded bar from the floor to overhead in one explosive move.

The second one is the Clean & Jerk, also known as The Most Powerful Lift in the world. The athlete first brings the bar to the shoulders in one explosive move, repositions, and then brings the bar overhead in another explosive, swift motion that involves pushing the bar up and pressing the body under at the same time. Olympic Weightlifters are considered the pinnacle of power, strength, and athleticism.

The benefits of Olympic Style Weightlifting, when properly done, are well known and are being incorporated more in programs for both athletes and the general population. Whatever your activity is, and if you have not tried it before, and have no detrimental musculoskeletal conditions, and you are physically and mentally ready, you will love the results you get from incorporating proper Olympic Weightlifting in your routines.
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5.- Aren’t the Olympic Lifts Dangerous?

Unfortunately Olympic Style Weightlifting is still highly misunderstood and surrounded by what seems to be a veil of mystery. Olympic Style weightlifting is no more dangerous than donning your shoes and going for a run or a bike ride. In fact, Olympic Style Weightlifting is one of the sports with one the LOWEST rates of injuries.

What makes it dangerous is the poor application of it, and non-qualified instruction. This is a principle that applies to EVERY sport and exercise, and Olympic Weightlifting is not the exception. Qualified coaches are very few in the country, but you are fortunate to count with not only one, but TWO of the most respected and qualified coaches in the U.S.

In addition, the thoroughness of your coaches through the Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis ensures that you receive the instruction ONLY when your body will handle its demands, and ONLY if it's pertinent to your goals.
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6.- You invest so much time studying the Olympic Lifts, they look so easy, aren’t there better things?

A significant portion of our education is our active participation in athletics. As you know, we have been highly involved with Olympic Weightlifting in the past few years. So what? You may be wondering… many coaches and trainers are involved in other sports. True there’s nothing wrong with that, as we also participate in other sports/activities in addition to Olympic Weightlifting.

However, and this is a big however, no other sport is used in the physical conditioning for other sports like Olympic Style Weightlifting. The benefits of the PROPER use of the Olympic lifts in the conditioning of both athletes and non-athletes are WELL documented. We could take part in triathlons and that’s fine, but not everybody wants to be a tri-athlete or would benefit from the type of training of a tri-athlete. The tri-athlete however, would benefit TREMENDOUSLY from incorporating the Olympic Lifts into his routine without having to become an Olympic Weightlifter.

Olympic Weightlifting is also surrounded by a myriad of myths and misconceptions that are the result of poorly qualified people engaged in Olympic Weightlifting instruction, delivering a watered down version devoid of benefits, and ultimately, injuring the participant.

Those are the reasons we spend so much time studying this misunderstood sport. Under the guidance of some of the most respected coaches in the country, several of who have coached at the international level and even in the Olympic Games, we keep learning and improving. We want the full experience, not the watered down version. We constantly take part of the competitions and camps as athletes and coaches. We know that to learn this sport properly and SAFELY, or benefit from it a good coach is a must.
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7.- What are Russian Kettlebells? Are they dangerous?

Russian Kettlebells are weights shaped in the form of cannon ball with a handle. They are usually made out of iron and traditionally come in kilos, though lately several manufacturers are including their pound versions. Still obscure in their true origin, it was the Russians that made them popular and hence, the name. They were a favorite tool of the strongmen of the late 1800s and early 1900s, but eventually disappeared from the mainstream. It is only in the last couple of years that people have begun to rediscover this ancient tool and the benefits it can bring.

In respect to the dangers posed by the kettlebell, they are no more dangerous than your regular dumbbells or even machines. Ultimately, it boils down to the qualifications and experience of the instructor, and the physical readiness and rate of progress of the participant. Your coaches at Next Step Conditioning Systems are two of the most experienced and knowledgeable Russian Kettlebell Instructors in the country and have used kettlebell training to successfully help clients ranging from those rehabbing injuries to athletes getting ready for a competition.
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8.- Will Kettlebells make me leaner, or stronger, or more powerful?

The Russian Kettlebells are an excellent tool to achieve leanness, power, and strength, provided they are taught by an experienced, qualified instructor, and the participant is physically ready and progressed accordingly. The same can be said of other modalities as well.

The main difference is that because of their shape, kettlebells are optimal for power endurance drills, and that is where they shine the brightest. Overcoming inertia at fast rates is the bread and butter of kettlebell training. This type of training uses a significant amount of calories and also boosts your metabolism, which cannot be said of traditional training. They are not necessarily better, but what makes them different is their inertial demands. That is what makes them a highly effective conditioning tool, or a very detrimental one in unqualified hands.
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9.- I am not interested in athletics, I just want to be leaner. Will your training make me too big?

One of the most common misconceptions in our field is that any form of resistance training results in immediate increase of muscle size (hypertrophy). In a culture where our concept of training is heavily influenced by competitive bodybuilding and very little by athletics it is easy to understand. When resistance training is mentioned, it is not uncommon for people to envision spaghetti string tops, and lots of bicep curling. Unfortunately, it is this kind of thinking that has prevented many people from reaching their true potential and from achieving their physical performance goals.

If you noticed, we have been using the term “Resistance Training” as it is more accurate than weight training. Resistance can be provided in many forms, from traditional weights, to compressed air, elastomers, and even water. This also encompasses the hundreds of modalities of resistance training that apply to athletics and are vastly different from bodybuilding as the goals are different. A lot of athletes are required to display significant levels of stamina and power without superfluous size, and this is where our training modalities can help the athlete succeed.

Now you may not be interested in athletics, but there’s no doubt that a modified athletic approach, tailored to your condition and goals, can help you achieve your physical and health goals. We are not saying that everyone should train like an athlete, as that is not suitable for everyone, but you will be exposed to many aspects of resistance training and will gain a new perspective of it.
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10.- You do not list weight loss, toning, shaping, sculpting, or stress reduction in your training programs, why?

Listing them is redundant. Those outcomes are the natural results of any physical stimulus that is new to the body. It's a normal response to adaptation. However, to make those results permanent, one must remember that our bodies have a tremendous adaptation capacity. A proper program attends to this very important variable.

The terms "sculpted, tight, toned, and shaped" are all addressing body composition changes, which again, will occur with nothing special other than the proper exercise prescription, optimal nutrition, and an effective recovery strategy. Further, the use of such terminology implies spot reduction, one of those die-hard fallacies that should have disappeared with the Y2K scare. Finally, not everyone in a training facility is there for weight loss, toning, shaping, or sculpting.

When the proper program is combined with lifestyle changes, the superfluous weight disappears, the muscular system develops, neural efficiency improves, blood profile improves, and stress, provided that is exacerbated by the lack of physical activity, will reduce, (The very root of stress has to be addressed and this is beyond the scope of practice of most fitness professionals).

You want your results to be permanent, not another short-lived promise that will push you onto the next bandwagon.

Those desirable changes in body composition that have become the punch line of infomercials will manifest AND STAY when you have shown respect for your body and allowed those changes to arrive at their pace instead of trying to force them.

Unless very specific and extreme hypertrophy requirements are desired (as in bodybuilding), your custom designed program based on your exercise prescription will be more than sufficient to achieve any body-composition goals.

To list "Body Composition" or "Fat Loss" or "Weight Loss" or "Toning & Sculpting" makes as much sense as a car shop advertising, "Problem Diagnosis, Disassembly, Repair, Reassembly, and Clean-Up"

The only exceptions are clinical cases for which clinical weight loss specialists exist. These are conditions for which excessive weight is only a symptom of a condition far more serious, and require medical supervision. These are exceptions and do not apply to the fitness populations in general.
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11.- Your credentials are impressive, but I do not see CPR and AED amongst them. Why?

In addition to having their own professional insurance, your coaches are fully certified in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and First Aid. Coach Izzy has an extensive background in sports medicine in addition to being a rescue diver, and Coach James is First-Responder trained in wilderness first-aid and survival.

So why not list CPR and AED? Simple. It's redundant! CPR and AED certification and renewal are a REQUIREMENT of all professional fitness certifications. It's done for liability purposes and mandatory for anybody who is professional caregiver.

Even though CPR and AED certifications are a requirement, they say nothing of the expertise of the trainer. They are not focused niches, or areas specialization. They are procedures to follow during emergencies. AED requires nothing more than following the instructions of the device until professional help arrives.
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12.- What is INT?

Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy (INT) is a vital component of the Next Step Conditioning Systems Training Philosophy. INT is not applied until the Posturology portion of the Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis has been completed. This is what gives your coaches the blue prints of your structure. Should they determine you have issues to address, they will start the treatment immediately.

The first part consists of the application of Posturology. This method finds and charts improper structural and biomechanical patterns in the person's body, which manifest in dysfunctional postural patterns. It takes hundreds of hours of supervised practice to acquire mastery in Posturology.

Based on the results and analysis, a plan of action is designed that will help you start with your exercise prescription as you go through five stages of rehabilitation.

Next Step Conditioning Systems adheres to the pillar belief of Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy which is not only to eliminate pain, but to educate the patient on ways to prevent recurrence of the injury.

Both Posturology and Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy are systems developed by Paul St. John, and now brought to students by the Neurosomatic Educators, INC team. Please visit our INT Page for a more detailed description.

Please visit our About INT page for a more detailed description.
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13.- What are these Five Stages of Rehabilitation and what can INT do for me?

After your postural assessment, you coaches will determine if you require INT. Through soft tissue manipulation and specific stretches, INT sets five stages of rehabilitation.

Stage 1, Eliminate muscle spasm
Spasms are a reactive response of the body that has many causes. Whatever the cause may be, two things are for sure; they are painful and they restrict your motion. It's impossible to start an exercise prescription if Muscular Spastic conditions are not eliminated first.

Stage 2, Restore flexibility
This is your introduction to your exercise prescription. Through specific stretches and mobility exercises, you will regain the mobility your structure allows you to have. You will be educated on how your flexibility fluctuates from day to day and how to address it.

Stage 3, Restore proper biomechanics
After dealing with the restrictions of spasm and limited range of motion, your nervous system may have generated compensatory patterns that can become detrimental in the near future. You will address and take care of those issues by combining your exercise prescription and INT.

Stage 4, Increase muscle strength
At this point your body should be ready to start a progressive strength and conditioning program based on your exercise prescription. Your strength program is the first significant step into helping your body deal with the environment more productively and efficiently.

Stage 5, Increase muscular endurance
Considering that the human structure is that of a biped designed to deal with the demands of gravity efficiently, development of muscular strength will evolve from the strengthening portion of your treatment and initial exercise prescription. Your coach will not move to this stage until your strength foundation is solid and set. At this stage, you will be able to deal with activities of daily life without experiencing physical fatigue that leads to injury.

These five stages along with your initial exercise prescription are a crucial starting point for all those requiring INT. How long one takes to complete all stages varies greatly from person to person.

As you regain your mobility and structural health without pain, your initial exercise prescription will evolve into a full, true custom designed program that will take you to your goals.

Please visit our About INT page for a more detailed description.
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14.- Is INT similar to massage therapy?

Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy employs many massage therapy techniques to manipulate soft tissues. In fact, many massage therapists take the step to learn INT to enrich their practice.

Make not mistake though. INT is not massage therapy. The objective of INT is to methodologically find hidden sources of pain. This is accomplished through the use of Posturology and a thorough analysis of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other procedures.

Those sources of pain are most of the times to the surprise of people, away from the painful spot. This is one of the reasons many soft tissue treatments bring only temporary relief.

Next Step Conditioning Systems has, and continues developing professional bonds with many massage therapists as they continually refer clients to the coaches. These therapists have been pleased at how those being treated with INT and exercise have responded better to their massage therapy, leading to more productive and lasting sessions.

Massage therapists are in invaluable and underrated source of knowledge, truly personalized treatment, and highly devoted to their scientific art. The coaches always pick priceless gems, sources, and tips from experienced massage therapists. Their meets with massage therapists are always very productive and help the coaches grow their skills even more.

Please visit our About INT page for a more detailed description.
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15.- I already know I slouch, doesn't that make Posturology a waste of time?

Though your posture can be affected by your emotions, it can also be affected by many other factors. Thorough measurements must be taken and analyzed before any conclusions can be made.

What Posturology reveals though, is possible causes for poor alignment. Keep in mind and understand that joints by themselves are passive. Many distortions seen in joint alignment (posture) are the result of muscles pulling that joint into that particular position. Other distortions are caused by imbalances in bone length. Yet others are a result of an old injuries or a dysfunctional repetitive movement.

Posturology is a highly effective tool that allows your coaches to differentiate between the causes of imbalance. It tells them how to restore structural balance and functional movement. Posturology is a critical part of the Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis (OBSA), and will provide your coaches with the blueprints and guidelines to efficiently apply Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy (INT) and exercise prescription (program design).
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16.- What is this Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis (OBSA) you keep mentioning?

Objective Biomechanical and Structural Analysis (OBSA) is the meeting point of the core sciences that deal with the human body and its interactions with the environment. It is the foundation of how Next Step Conditioning Systems approaches exercise prescription for their clients.

OBSA recognizes the fact that every person has a very unique structure, and this structure is what dictates what the person can do, what will be the most productive for them, and what will pose the highest risks. It is a fact that while some people have found certain exercises highly productive, others have found them to be quite ineffective. OBSA will help you understand why.

OBSA acknowledges the fact that the health of your structure affects your motion. Wear in the cartilage, deviations in the shape of your bones, etc, will have a significant effect in the transmission of forces in the chains of your body. They must be identified and addressed. That's why the coaches are so thorough with their assessment.

OBSA takes advantage of the fact that there exist solutions to help you improve your structural health. Your structure may have changed its original shape to deal with the demands of the environment. These changes are a normal adaptation response to the stresses brought by everyday life in the form of repetitive activities, old and new injuries that have affected your tissues, changes in body composition, your nutrition, applications of force to your body, and many other factors. This is not necessarily a good thing when changes are in the form of compensations and misalignments. But just as forces over the course of time created the shift in structure, new forces can help it return to a healthier state.

OBSA respects the fact that your exercise prescription has to be tailored to your unique structure and your unique set of conditions. The exercises the coaches use are designed with the understanding of how forces act on you, and how your structure responds to them. This is one of the reasons you will not find many of their exercises in popular literature. The coaches will have you perform exercises they have determined suit your goals and maximize what your body has to offer at the moment while minimizing risk.
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17.- I already workout, why are you asking me for a food log?

Your coaches would like to remind you that physical excellence and good health are the result of many combined factors. Your nutrition is a significant part of your recovery and progress and they want to make sure that you are heading in the right direction. With the amount of misinformation out there and new fads popping up everyday, it is no surprise to see so much confusion, and people engaged in dietary habits, that though well intentioned, are detrimental and robbing them of their progress.

What is the best time to eat? What should I eat before my workout and after? Should I eat more protein or more carbs? Is there a right diet for me? What supplements are best? These are some of the many questions that you have probably heard many times or have asked yourself.

Your coaches can help you find the best answer for YOU. They provide all their One-on-One clients with a FREE dietary and nutritional analysis. Your food log is the best source of information to asses your current nutritional habits and determine the best strategy for you.
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18.- What can a Professional Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor do for me?

As dutiful as you may be in the exercise and consistency department, you may need an extra hand adopting a new lifestyle. Nutritional advice and guidelines are of no use if you cannot make them part of your lifestyle and adopting the new lifestyle will make your results evident.

Next Step Conditioning Systems is pleased to have a professional partnership with Catherine Polo. Catherine is a Professional Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor working directly with Doctor Jane Pentz and the team of nutritionists and dietitians of Lifestyle Management Associates. Together, they can help you clear your doubts and provide you with the guidance you need.

Contrary to what many people may believe, a Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor does a lot more than simply telling you what to eat.

A significant advantage of Catherine Polo as a Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor is her extensive background in the culinary arts. This alone sets her apart as she can show you how healthy eating does not have to be the abhorrent chore many may have experienced before.

She can provide you with gourmet cooking lessons to whip up delicious yet healthy meals in the right proportions. Working in conjunction with your coaches, your Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor ensures that your success is only a matter of small changes that enhance your experience and ultimately lead you to significant and lasting results.

Working with the Lifestyle Management Associates team, she has the benefit of many experienced minds analyzing your profile and designing customized meal plans for you. For your convenience, you can advantage of those service either in person or Online. And you can always have the peace of mind that her advice is compliant with state licensures and ADA guidelines.

A Lifestyle and Nutrition Counselor can help you design shopping lists based on your meal plan and meet you for a food shopping trip. She can also help you identify hidden problem areas such as unorganized pantries, pseudo-health foods, and much more. This is a huge step in making your lifestyle changes easier and permanent.
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Next Step Conditioning Systems, LLC

9929 NE. Lafayette Avenue
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

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