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PCC Chicago: My Kinda Town

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PCC Chicago 2015 Dragon Flag

My hands are sore from clapping so hard. This isn’t the first time this has happened. The skin is swollen. The bones ache. My palms are red.

Let me backtrack a little… My brother Al Kavadlo and I have the best job out of anyone I know. We get to travel and meet calisthenics aficionados from all over the globe. We spend three days teaching the moves, spreading the word, training intensely and basking in the love. We get to personally witness and be a part of so many amazing feats of strength and groundbreaking achievements that the outpouring of raw, unbridled joy, coupled with passionate pride and complete confidence almost takes on a physical manifestation of its own. It practically busts down the walls and flows all over the street! We pull-up, we flag, we applaud, we get emotional.

And yes… we clap!

PCC Chicago Brittany Flag

The Progressive Calisthenics Certification’s debut this past weekend in the Windy City of Chicago was no exception. In fact, it was a perfect example of exactly what I’m talking about. Bodyweight beasts from all over these great States were represented… and they delivered the goods!

PCC Chicago 2015 Cody Muscle Up

You see, when attendees and instructors work together face-to-face, we bring out the best in one another. Something magical happens. We train hard and inspire. We stand tall (even if it’s on our hands!)

PCC Chicago 2015 Al Kavadlo and Cassia Handstand

PR’s included Muscle-Ups, One-Arm Push-Ups, Stand-To-Stand Bridges, Back Levers and more. But beyond that, the showing of solidarity is what really stole the show. The PCC community was the most powerful form of strength in the room. The calisthenics brother- and sister-hood is the mightiest force in the universe.

PCC Chicago Namon and Katie Training 5

It is of note that this was a particularly powerful group of females, including two women who performed their very first muscle-ups. Can I get a hell yeah? Bodyweight strength training is for everybody!

PCC Chicago Ladies 2015

PCC, Chi-Town had to be experienced to be believed. In fact, that’s’ what makes the Progressive Calisthenics Certification so special: It is an in person experience. You can read about it or look at it. You can even begin to get a feel for it. But you can’t touch it or taste it until you live it! I’m looking forward to seeing YOU at the next certification.

Keep the dream alive, my friends!

-DK

PCC Chicago Group Photo

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Danny Kavadlo is one of the world’s foremost authorities on calisthenics, nutrition and personal training. He is the author of the Dragon Door titles Diamond-Cut Abs and Everybody Needs Training. Danny is known for his minimalist philosophy, simple approach and motivational talents.

A true in-person experience, Danny is a Master Instructor for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification. He has been featured in the NY Times, TRAIN, Men’s Fitness and is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding.com. Learn more about Danny at www.DannyTheTrainer.com

The First Rule of PCC

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Danny Kavadlo fight club tribute photo

People are always asking me if I know Coach Wade. “Is it true?” they ask. “Can he really do one-arm handstand push-ups? What does he look like? Is there a Progressive Calisthenics Certification coming to my city?”

“Yes there is!” I tell them. Tell everyone you know! The first rule of PCC is you DO talk about PCC.

The second rule of PCC is you DO talk about PCC. The next event is October 10-12 in Haarlem, Holland! This particular workshop really looks like something special. My brother and PCC Lead Instructor, Al Kavadlo, have personally met and trained with Martijn Bos, owner of Trainingscentrum Helena, Holland’s #1 Calisthenics and MMA studio, where we will hold the country’s first ever Progressive Calisthenics Certification. We are looking forward to meeting a lot of new friends there!

Danny Kavadlo Coaching Hanging Knee Raise
Danny Kavadlo coaches Martijn Bos at PCC Germany.

No wait. Back up. Let me start over.

For months, I couldn’t sleep. My brother Al and I were literally the top Personal Trainer and Fitness Manager in a company that employed thousands. Our job was to train everybody generically regardless of individual situations. Which company did we work for, you ask? A major one. In fact it is one of the biggest chain gyms in New York City. But we wanted something more.

Tired with the standard conventions of the industry, we chose to walk off the beaten path. Commercial fitness teaches trainers to believe that with isolation machines and protein powders, we will grow to be athletic, strong and functional. That if we buy this product or that pill, all our problems will be solved. But they won’t.

We’re a generation of men and women raised on gimmicks and machines. Advertising has us chasing treadmills and Shake-weights. Thigh-masters. Bowflex. We were wondering if another piece of equipment was really the answer we needed.

Al Kavadlo bridge

Many do what they’re told. Pull a lever, push a button. At PCC, we do Push-Ups instead of pushing buttons. We don’t pull a lever; we become the lever. It was right in everyone’s face. We just made it visible. It was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. We just gave it a name.

Danny Kavadlo Human Flag
Welcome to PCC

Every time we arrive in a new city, we meet people we’ve never trained with before, yet we have an instant kinship as fellow bodyweight warriors. We’re all part of the same family. Déjà vu all over again.

Al and Danny Kavadlo at Munich Airport
You wake up in Munich

To date, we’ve had nine Progressive Calisthenics Certifications in seven different cities, spanning three continents. Bodyweight training, the oldest and noblest form of strength training, is gaining a resurgence. Progressive Calisthenics is becoming this incredible, global community. PCC is the first and best bodyweight certification.

PCC Workshop in Sweden

“What’s next?” everybody wants to know. “Is it true? Is Coach Wade building an army?”

DO talk about PCC! Tell everyone you know!

The posse’s gettin’ bigger!

-DK

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Danny Kavadlo is one of the world’s most established and respected personal trainers. He is a Master Instructor of Progressive Calisthenics and the author of Everybody Needs Training: Proven Success Secrets for the Professional Fitness Trainer. A true in-person experience, Danny is known globally as a motivator and leader in the body-weight community. Learn more about Danny at: www.DannyTheTrainer.com.