As some of you may know I am a member of Louie Simmons’ strength training CrossFit certification team. I speak about performance nutrition and supplementation on day two, and do what I can to help with the seminar in general. We have been doing these events for over a year and I can honestly say that the CrossFitters who attend are some of the most eager and enthusiastic participants I have ever seen.

What makes these seminars so special is that they are held at Westside Barbell in Columbus, OH. Westside is probably the most famous strength training gym in world. A private, invitation only facility, Westside exists so that Louie and his record setting team can do what they do best, become the biggest and strongest men and women on the planet!

For those interested in strength training, getting to go to Westside is akin to a computer geek getting a personal meeting in Bill Gate’s office. That is part of what, to me, makes the Westside certs so amazing. CrossFitters get a glimpse into a world few have ever seen and many dream about. In the process, they get to closely interact with and pick the brain of likely the most brilliant strength training guru ever.

This past weekend’s cert was particularly amazing due to a cameo appearance by Dr. Nicholas Romanov a sports scientist and former Olympic coach. Dr. Romanov is the inventor of the Pose Method for running and is considered one of the premier running specialists in the world.

Dr. Romanov touched on how strength training and other “generalized” training methods should far outweigh sports specific training in the building of an athlete.

I don’t know if there was anywhere else in the world one could have been this past weekend where an equivalent presentation of uniquely effective training methodology could have been realized. I consider myself a very lucky man indeed to have been there.

Chris Mason