EFL Blog

Welcome to the EFL website and blog.

I’ve been thinking and rethinking what I should write about for the first official post, and when my friend Lou Schuler kindly wrote a testimonial for my new facility I had an answer. Since Lou is the professional writer I figured the maxim always let a pro handle it applies and followed his lead.

In his testimonial Lou says” Elemental Fitness Lab is a 21st-century gym, with every square foot of the workout areas designed for 21st-century training. It’s a place where you’re exposed to the most innovative exercises, techniques, equipment, and training systems.”  Which reminded me of a workshop entitled “21st Century Functional Training” I did at Equinox Fitness in Santa Monica a few years ago when I was a master instructor teaching new trainers the ropes.

In it I went through some principles of training I’ve gleaned from top individuals in the fitness field such as “Don’t put fitness on top of dysfunction: If you can’t properly perform an exercise through a full range of motion, then adding weight will only worsen the situation” ( that part comes from physical therapist Gray Cook).

The reason I developed that workshop is the gym that employed me at the time was full of machines that lock one into definite planes of motion (bad for the joints) and cardio classes that do little to nothing for anyone looking to drop fat or get stronger, thus introducing trainers and members to concepts that guide the best in the field was desperately needed.

Now that my dream has come true and I have finally had the opportunity to open my own facility every decision, from the business structure and physical layout of the space to client programming to the equipment was guided by all that I have learned from great trainers, teachers, physical therapists, osteopaths, and strength coaches over the years.

I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel but only stood on the shoulders of giants.

These influences have little to do with what one might see at a 24 Hours or LA Fitness other than lessons on what not to do, which is why some may be perplexed when first looking around Elemental Fitness Lab. There are no mirrors, no machines other than a Freemotion functional trainer, and other tools such as ropes, sandbags, and wheels that might not be immediately recognizable as “weights”.

But the proof is in the pudding regarding results. EFL clients consistently get stronger, lose fat, improve conditioning levels, but most of all move and feel better. And if nothing else shouldn’t that be the real point of exercising?

We sought out a space that would allow us to install 21st Century fitness tools such as the parallel monkey bars not only because they are fun, but are great for shoulder stability and grip strength, two issues many have trouble with.

In subsequent posts I’ll be reviewing research, posting new articles, relaying new and useful nutrition or training-related information, and throwing in a rant or two, but in the meantime please have a look around the  site. More content will be uploaded soon as we continue to add to our equipment. The squat rack from EliteFTS is on the way, traveling rings are in the works, barbells, more non-bouncing medicine balls, bigger sandbags, and more varieties of ropes are all on the way.

In addition some workshops with special guests this summer are being planned.

If you happen to be coming through Portland please stop by and grab a work out.

Stay tuned. We are going to have some fun.