NYC PCC

Top 5 Reasons Why an In-Person Workshop is the Best Way to Supercharge Your Training

August 29, 2022 By Danny Kavadlo Leave a Comment

It’s been ten years since the inception of the Progressive Calisthenics Certification. In that time, hundreds of trainers from all over the world have been certified in bodyweight exercise. Countless PR’s have been set and lifelong friendships have been made.

On October 1-2, Momentum Fitness in New York City will be hosting the ONLY Progressive Calisthenics Certification on the calendar. That’s right: this is the only PCC currently scheduled, so if you ever wanted to attend, now is the time.

At every PCC, amazing things happen. There is no question that this event will supercharge your calisthenics training like nothing else. Here’s why:

1. The Most Complete Programming

There are many calisthenics courses these days. PCC is the first and the best. In fact, PCC is the only certification with eleven modules, including push-ups, pull-ups, muscle-ups, human flag, inversions, floor holds and more. There has never been a more comprehensive two-day bodyweight course.

The PCC Instructor manual was written by none other than Paul “Coach” Wade, the best-selling author of the Convict Conditioning series, and contains over 500 pages of the most detailed calisthenics writings and illustrations ever compiled.

There are two additional seminars. The first seminar, Principles of Progression, details the universal truths behind all calisthenics (and strength training) advancement. The second seminar On Bodyweight Programming explains how to put all this new information together for quantifiable results.

The weekend concludes with the legendary Century test. Click here for more on that!

2. PCC Is for Everybody

Everyone is welcome here. That includes folks of all fitness levels, training backgrounds and body types. Every single attendee is encouraged in a friendly, inclusive environment. From the curious beginner to the beastliest bar athlete, calisthenics doesn’t discriminate. Progressive calisthenics accommodates everyone.

PCC also provides you with a strong connection to a supportive, global community for future training, forums and opportunities. This includes both friendships and networking. I’ve remained close both professionally and personally with so many of my PCC family over the years.

3. The Inspirational Power of the Group

I’ve seen it again and again: PCC attendees pushing themselves beyond their previously perceived limitations.

There’s a reason why more people have achieved their first muscle-up, pistol squat or human flag at PCC than anywhere else in the world. It’s the overflowing energy that comes from putting a group of calisthenics freaks in a room together. Remember what that’s like?

I’m thrilled to say that this is the first workshop taught by both myself and my brother Al Kavadlo in twelve months! We’re ready to bring the thunder!

4. No Substitute for an In-person Experience

If recent times have taught us anything, it’s that humans need real interaction with other humans. Sure, scrolling through social media and looking at fitness-related “content” is an easy way to pass the time, but it really doesn’t help your physical (or mental or emotional) health.

The experience you acquire at PCC is a stark contrast against the screens and solitude induced numbness to which so many of us have become accustomed. In a world overrun with online courses, PCC stands out. At PCC, every attendee receives personalized training geared directly to them. Corrections are physically presented in real time by experienced instructors who work directly with you. Under the scrutiny of a Master Trainer, you will achieve things you never imagined possible.

5. Continuing Education

The enhanced professional credibility you get from becoming a PCC is priceless. Dragon Door is an established leader in the fitness industry and PCC is the gold standard for calisthenics certifications. This is part of what gym owners look for when hiring trainers, as well as what potential clients need when seeking professional guidance.

Furthermore, while PCC is for everyone, not just fitness professionals, it qualifies for continuing education credits toward your personal training credentials. In fact, PCC is the only bodyweight workshop approved for CEC’s from ACE and NASM, the two largest certifying bodies.

It’s just a few more weeks before the calisthenics lightning strikes again. I can taste the electricity… Will I see you in NYC?

LET’S GOOOOO!

-DK

Borrow These Calisthenics Cues From the Recent NYC PCC

November 21, 2017 By Adrienne Harvey 6 Comments

One of my absolute favorite parts of any teaching situation is the opportunity to troubleshoot and help teach the troubleshooting process. This not only helps the participants with their own workouts, but teaches them how to help their clients make big changes quickly.

And whenever there’s a new group of people at a PCC, there are new questions, issues, and viewpoints. This was certainly the case at the most recent PCC held at Crunch Gym’s flagship location on 59^th Street in Manhattan. As the Kavadlo brothers always say—and they’re totally right about this—on the first day we enter the room as strangers, but leave as friends. The amount of networking, cooperation, and brainstorming among the participants this time was especially high. Can’t wait to see what comes of these new friendships and alliances.

While it’s unrealistic to claim that everyone who attends a PCC workshop is guaranteed to experience a big breakthrough in their training, it seems to happen frequently. People attending a PCC are usually either trainers, instructors or serious enthusiasts, but we all have our blind spots. The combination of the demonstrations, lectures, Q&A, and the partner practice sessions on all three days of the PCC creates a powerful learning environment. Even though I’ve been involved with the PCC since the very first workshop back in 2013, I still learn something new every time. Should also add that since even the most recent time I helped instruct, the curriculum has continued to evolve and improve.

All of that being said, it is extremely rewarding to give someone a game changer cue or idea that almost instantly takes them to the next level. So, in this recap of the NYC PCC workshop I’d like to revisit a couple of my favorite cues that came up at the workshop. To those who might think I’m giving away too much, understand that these ideas really are best absorbed real-time in the context of a PCC workshop.

“Point at Yourself” and “Pew-pew!”

Something I’ve seen both online and at PCC workshops with people who are so close to performing a perfect pistol squat is a slack looking foot on the leg held in front. Often, these same people will have the idea that they somehow aren’t strong enough to do it. But with one (or both) of the following cues they are often able to generate enough tension to pull off the move with precision.

The first cue is a personal favorite, it’s simply to think of pushing through the heel of the suspended leg while pointing the toe back TOWARDS you. “Point your toe back at your nose.” You’re basically flexing the foot as hard as you can, which causes the quad to contract very strongly, keeping the straight leg straight out in front of your pistol squat. You will want to stretch out the quad a little after this, and some folks (myself included, especially if I’m a little dehydrated) may actually get a little cramp in the quad. Common sentiment, “Oh I didn’t know I needed to contract the quad THAT hard”

Al also reminded us that generating extra tension from the upper body can also really help the pistol squat. Get in touch with your inner 007 and make the “pew-pew” fingers while strongly clasping your hands together. This can make for much more stable pistol squats in terms of tension and balance, and as in the example above, cute photos.

“I’m gonna hit you in the tummy, ok?”

By the time someone attends a PCC workshop, they’ve done a LOT of push-ups in preparation for the Century Test. But, changing the angle or the points of contact from a standard pushup in one of the many advanced progressions taught at the PCC can make the exercise feel brand new again. Old habits can sometimes creep back when the focus moves from the familiar standard pushup. The novelty of trying a new progression can cause even the most advanced of us to forget the crucial basics.

Such was the case with a participant I helped at the workshop. He had been repping out fantastic standard push-ups and all the other variations perfectly until this point. While raising one hand high on a platform to try a nearly one-arm uneven push-up, he seemed to forget about his midsection. But, without trunk stability, this advanced push-up would be impossible. I knew he could do it based on previous performances, and after seeing his lower back sagging on the attempt, I said, “Wait! Use your abs, I’m going to hit you in the tummy, ok?”

He said, “OK,” so I gently gave him a couple little chops right in the tummy. The first one let both of us know that he had let his core go slack, and the second one revealed that he’d fixed the situation. His back was suddenly straight again and he was able to successfully complete a rep of this difficult and frankly extreme push-up variation.

No matter what push-up variation we’re discussing, the push-up at its heart is a moving plank. And that of course requires abdominal stability The more advanced the progression, the more extreme the stability requirement.

PCC NYC Participants Muscle-Ups

One Last Thing…

At the workshops I’ve been invited to help teach over the years, I’ve noticed that while we have a ton of fitness professionals attend, we also have many people from other fields. As someone with a computer science background I’m always pleased to see developers, engineers, and other technical professionals show up to a PCC and perform extraordinarily well. The idea that they are setting such a strong example in their lives outside the fitness industry is also excellent for public health. Fitness and the ideas in the PCC and Convict Conditioning really are for everyone.

NYC PCC November 2017 at Crunch Gym 59th Street

While we may all admire and aspire to the most advanced steps, and videos and photos of those feats are typically the ones that go viral, the bread and butter basics of calisthenics are applicable to all human bodies. The early progressions, especially as taught at the PCC and in Convict Conditioning are powerful for any level. And the newly certified PCC Instructors from this most recent NYC PCC at Crunch’s flagship gym are ready to bring these transformative ideas to the world.

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Adrienne Harvey, Senior PCC Instructor, RKC-II, CK-FMS, has been RKC Certified since 2010, and RKC Level 2 certified since 2011. Kettlebell and bodyweight training have been crucial in Adrienne’s personal quest for fitness. A core member of the PCC team, Adrienne loves sharing her knowledge with small groups and individuals. She has modeled in multiple Dragon Door titles including The Neuro-Grip Challenge, Rings of Power, DVRT, Neuro-Mass, Pushing the Limits, and several others. For her recipes and workout programs to further support performance, body composition, and of course—FUN, check out her website: http://www.giryagirl.com.

Progressive Calisthenics Returns To New York!

January 17, 2017 By Danny Kavadlo 8 Comments

Danny Kavadlo Human Flag NYC PCC 2017

The first PCC of the New Year was held in my hometown of New York City this past weekend, and if it’s any indication of what’s to come, then it’s clear that 2017 will be another incredible year for the Progressive Calisthenics Certification!

In our fourth foray into the Big Apple, over thirty-five calisthenics freaks assembled to train, learn and grow together. We started the weekend as strangers, but ended it as family. As my brother and fellow PCC Instructor, Al Kavadlo would say: Hey hey hey! That’s what PCC is all about!

Hey hey hey! That’s what PCC is all about!

There was a mix of calisthenics practitioners, martial artists, dancers, everyday working folks and lots of personal trainers at this one. Attendees came from as far as England, Canada, Bermuda and Puerto Rico to take part. The bodyweight community is even more widespread than we’d imagined.

This man came all the way from Canada to re-certify!

This event was particularly exciting for many reasons. To begin with, it was the first PCC where Dragon Door partnered with CRUNCH fitness, one of the largest gym organizations on the planet. This alliance truly illustrates how much the calisthenics movement is growing. This partnership will undoubtedly lead to the continued education of more and more trainers in the future. No wonder there were so many in attendance! They came from many locations to improve themselves as personal trainers, fitness professionals and even human beings. The future is bright!

Crunch Trainers Side Planks

This weekend’s PCC was also host to some very special guests including living legend Jack Arnow, who dropped some time tested wisdom and demonstrated several septuagenarian feats of strength! Our Street Workout photo contest winner, Steve “Grizzly” Opalenik was in attendance as well. Additionally, Martin Dubovic from Street Workout magazine not only attended the course, but also documented the whole event. Be on the lookout for a special all-star video coming soon!

Street Workout contest winner Steve “Grizzly” Opalenik lets his freak flag fly!

The three rigorous days of push-ups, pull-ups, dragon flags and muscle-ups, as intense as it is, seems to fly by in a flash. That’s why it’s up to us to stay in touch, preach the gospel and spread the word!

NYC PCC Dragon Flag

Personal bests were achieved, lessons were learned and strength was celebrated. It was a weekend we’ll never forget, and as everyone who’s ever attended a PCC already knows, there is no substitute for an in-person experience. With more events scheduled this year in Boston, California, London and Poland, we hope to see YOU soon! The posse’s getting bigger.

Keep the dream alive,

-DK

NYC PCC at Crunch Gym Group Photo 2017

Be Prepared for the Time of Your Life

July 26, 2016 By Shari Wagner 13 Comments

Shari Wagner With Al Danny Kavadlo at the NYC PCC

Where do I begin? I guess the best place to start is to say that if you haven’t been to the PCC yet, GO! I’ll wait while you go sign up. You won’t be sorry.

I had the PCC on my workshop wish list for quite some time. I was maybe halfway through the first day, my mind already being sufficiently blown away by what we were learning, when I thought “geez, what on earth took you so long to do this?”

The PCC was different from any other certification I have attended. There was a certain energy in the air amongst the participants from the moment we walked in the door. A lighter energy, an inherent sense that this workshop was going to be a lot of fun.

I think the fact that the workshop starts with Al Kavadlo essentially telling us that he had no expectations for what we could and could not do immediately releases any nerves the participants may have. He tells us to have fun and try new things, but that some skills take months or years to achieve at their highest levels of progression.

NYC PCC Danny Al plank demonstration

The name of the certification embodies the very principles of this method. Everything is progressive. But because everything is progressive, at the same time everything can be regressed. As such, everyone can participate in some way, to the level that is appropriate for them on that particular day.

The energy amongst the participants, however, is magnifying, inclusive and inspiring. As you’re working within your small group or with your partner, you suddenly hear an eruption of cheering next to you as someone reached a personal best on something they have either been working on, or with a skill they just tried for the first time. Sometimes, you find that the cheering is for you. Often you find the courage and the encouragement to try a skill that may have scared you.

Shari Wagner Dragon Flag

The participants don’t just cheer when the achievement is met, they cheer for each other as they make these attempts. This is all in an effort to try something new and to learn what each progression of an exercise feels like. If you try but don’t achieve the skill, they still cheer for you just for trying.

The skills themselves look like feats of superhuman strength, and some definitely are. But at the same time, they are playful. This playfulness just adds to the fun energy in the air. Each day is wrapped up with tallying all of the personal records on each skill that we learned. To see how many hands are raised for the PRs and to see them posted on John Du Cane’s Facebook page is that much more empowering and inspiring for the next day and for the future.

Of course, just like all the Dragon Door certifications, you always make new friends at the workshop. That’s another thing that the Kavadlos tell you from square one. That you will make some deep connections with people and leave with a bunch of new friends that are all part of the PCC family. Perhaps you’ll even find yourself practicing some of your new-found skills with your new family on the subway one evening after dinner!

NYC PCC Subway L-Sits

When you go to the PCC, be prepared to accomplish things you never thought possible. Be prepared to learn how to advance your own skills while bringing back a host of smaller chunks that you can use with your clients. Be prepared to look at every street sign or every kind of pole or bar in a new way. Be prepared for the time of your life.

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Shari Wagner is a PCC instructor, RKC Team Leader and owner of Iron Clad Fitness in Denver, Colorado. While Shari’s fitness journey started with kettlebells, she loves the results from adding calisthenics to her own training. Her clients are having lots of fun incorporating calisthenics as well. She can be contacted through her website IronCladFit.com. Follow Shari on Facebook: facebook.com/IronCladFitness and Twitter: @IronCladFitness for more info.

Fitness, Fun and Failure: What I Learned at the NY PCC

July 19, 2016 By Joe Boffi 11 Comments

Joe Boffi Archer Pull-Up

A few weeks ago I had the honor of being a student at the Progressive Calisthenics Certification in New York City. The PCC was 3 days of learning how to bend, twist and leverage our bodies into chiseled masterpieces. There was talk about being turned into PCC ninjas, which immediately had me excited. However, I was just as quickly saddened to find out that we weren’t actually going to learn how to disappear behind a ninja smoke bomb. It was then that Head Master Ninja John Du Cane quietly whispered for me to be patient.

The information of the seminar was presented in short and precise modules. Keeping the presentations concise was great because it left a lot of time for the real learning to commence through a form of play and cooperative teaching. We were instructed to pair up or form small groups to practice teaching and performing the exercises. From the start, the instructors let us figure out how to move our bodies and guided us to the techniques that worked best for us as individuals. We were encouraged to also learn the movements by teaching what we took away from the modules in our own way to our fellow students.

NYC PCC

Along with cooperative learning, a very safe, fun and familiar atmosphere was created. The environment encouraged students to try movements that they normally wouldn’t have tried. People were laughing and smiling with each other in success and failure. In fact, failure wasn’t frowned upon, it was looked at as an opportunity to apply our new knowledge and work for a new goal.

One of my favorite examples of how failure was not looked at negatively came at the very end of the weekend during the illustrious Century Test. A student of advanced age was up. He crushed the squats, push-ups, and hanging knee raises. Going into the final exercise of the test, the pull-up, he had some trouble. But he also had the entire seminar cheering him on. When he dismounted from the bar he may not have had all 10 reps completed but he did have a large grin. Missing out on the pull-up portion of the test wasn’t a moment of sadness for him. I believe that his grin was from the immense encouragement and love given to him as his fellow students and new family cheered along.

I personally had a humbling, yet oddly comforting experience while practicing a new exercise during the squat module. Throughout my fitness journey I have been performing all sort of pistol squats from body weight to weighted pistols, pistols balancing on top of kettlebells or barbells, and even carefully doing depth jump pistols (that’s a whole other story). Needless to say, when we got to this portion of the day I felt rather confident. That was until I attempted my first shrimp squat.

NYC PCC Shrimp Squats — PCC Master Instructors Al and Danny Kavadlo making the shrimp squat look easy. It’s not.

This exercise appeared to be a single leg pistol regression so I thought to myself, “I got this.” Well, I didn’t. Since I considered my legs to be very strong already, I figured there must have been something that I was doing all wrong. I called Master Al over to watch and tap into his expertise. After demonstrating my new found nemesis, Al adjusted a few very minor details and told me I wasn’t doing it all wrong and that I just need to practice. I was humbled by the shrimp squat, yet at the same time comforted by Al and the knowledge that I can take my perceived failure and add it to my box of tools and goals.

Besides the amazing exercises that were taught, my two biggest takeaways were that a safe, fun and encouraging environment, coupled with the humble expertise of quality instructors, is the best way to facilitate learning for all. This seminar also reaffirmed for me that failure is just a way to add new goals in life, and not something to be discouraged by.

And don’t forget, ninja smoke bomb training is coming….

NYC PCC Danny Al Joe Boffi

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Joe Boffi is a PCC, RKC and co-owner of Catalyst Sport in New York City, which will be hosting an upcoming SCC workshop this November. If you have questions for Joe, leave them in the comments section below or contact him at Joe@catalystsportnyc.com.

PCC New York: A Very Special Homecoming

June 21, 2016 By Danny Kavadlo 12 Comments

Kavadlo Family

Every single Progressive Calisthenics Certification is unique and I’m grateful to have played a part at these amazing experiences. As I write this, we’ve certified over 500 trainers all over the world. Australia, Germany, Holland and California are just a few of the marvelous places that this PCC journey has taken us (and to which PCC is returning!) But like Dorothy Gale noted in the 1939 classic motion picture The Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like home.”

You see, my brother and PCC lead instructor, Al Kavadlo are from the streets of New York. We were born and bred here. So was the Street Workout movement. It’s a very special homecoming as both our biological family and our progressive calisthenics family have their roots in this concrete jungle where dreams are made.

2.UNIVERSITY

The bodyweight beasts who showed up to lay it all on the line this weekend were every bit as impressive as this city itself! Calisthenics freaks from around the world made their way to the downtown streets of Manhattan, venturing from all over the United States, and even from as far as India and South Africa.

Emotions ran high all weekend as many spectacular feats of human achievement were demonstrated. We were witness to mighty muscle-ups, spell binding human flags and rapid fire pistol squats. It’s truly amazing every time we get to join forces with like-minded people of your caliber. Together, we always bring out the best in each other.

3.MUSCLEUP

Progressive Calisthenics is the great equalizer. No matter where you came from, or what your skill level is, you can find challenges, learn lessons and gain strength. We are not about competing with each other; we are about being the best versions of ourselves.

4.FLAG

Along that note, we do not just improve physically when we train and play together. Nor do we simply gain education when we learn from each other. We also establish deep, impassioned connections during this shared experience. Beyond the realm of fitness and knowledge is a human interaction, which is arguably the most fantastical component of all. We love getting to know you!

There is no substitute for an in-person experience.

As is always the case at PCC, an incredibly impressive group of women were in attendance. Anyone under the often-perpetrated misconception that bodyweight training is a boys’ club seriously needs to re-evaluate their position. Half the instructor team and a third of the attendees were empowered females. Like I said, Progressive Calisthenics is indeed the great equalizer!

Yes, we made many profound ties this weekend and built amazing friendships. We even brought PCC back home to New York City. But this weekend was especially wonderful for me for another reason: Sunday was Father’s Day. If you’ve read my first Dragon Door publication Everybody Needs Training, then you know that it was the birth of my son Wilson that inspired me to become a personal trainer in the first place. His existence gave me the desire to do some good for the world. Prior to this weekend, Wilson had seen me train (and trained alongside me) too many times to count, but he had never witnessed a Progressive Calisthenics Certification… until now!

Having both my father and son attend my seminar on Father’s Day was a very special experience.

My own parents made an appearance as well. Three generations of Kavadlos under one roof! It was an incredible feeling that they finally got to see what exactly Al and I do. There was also something else that made Father’s Day extra memorable in the PCC community: This was the first certification to have a father and son team in attendance. Together they shared the splendor. What a weekend!

Representing Team DiGrazia: The first father and son combo to tackle the PCC together.

It is indeed a family affair. In fact, everyone in attendance is now part of the global family of PCC. Welcome, my brothers and sisters! You are one of us! So spread the joy, preach the word and share your love of calisthenics. The posse’s gettin’ bigger.

9.GROUP

Keep the dream alive,
-DK

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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 Strength Rules, Diamond-Cut Abs and Everybody Needs Training. Most recently, he co-authored Street Workout with his brother, Al Kavadlo. 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

I ♥ NYC PCC

June 9, 2015 By Al Kavadlo 13 Comments

NYC PCC Workshop 2015

Last weekend, the Progressive Calisthenics Certification made its return to New York City with a sold out crowd of over 40 calisthenics enthusiasts from all over the United States as well as the rest of the world. Attendees hailed from Norway, Sweden, Spain, Guatemala, Australia, Austria, Singapore, England, Canada, and of course, my hometown, the Empire City herself. It was truly a melting pot of bodyweight strength practitioners!

Though calisthenics has existed since the days of the ancient Greeks, the modern street workout movement has its roots right here in NYC. Many of the world’s best-known calisthenics specialists hail from the Big Apple. It’s no wonder we had such a strong group of bar athletes in the house!

The city that never sleeps certainly hasn’t been sleeping on its calisthenics game. As always, new personal bests were happening left and right. From the muscle-up to the pistol squat to the human flag, attendees were constantly breaking new ground, unlocking new skills and refining existing ones.

NYC PCC Chamber Press
Besides becoming better practitioners, we also devoted a lot of our energy toward becoming better at training others. Everyone at the PCC gets to experience both ends of the personal training equation throughout the weekend.

NYC PCC Partner Cossack

It’s great to see more and more ladies taking to progressive calisthenics. This weekend’s event had the most female attendees of any PCC so far. It’s an honor to welcome 15 of the strongest ladies I’ve ever met into the PCC family!

NYC PCC Women

Time flies when you are having fun, and that would explain why the whole weekend seemed to go by in a New York minute. When the 3-day whirlwind was over, we were left with over 40 newly minted PCC instructors, a whole lot of wonderful memories and connections that will last a lifetime.

It’s been more than 2 years since the inception of the PCC, and the world’s #1 bodyweight certification continues to go strong. Next up is our long-anticipated debut in the United Kingdom and then it’s back to the US for our return to Alexandria, VA (there are still some spots left for both these events!).

A PCC certification is like a license to drive: it’s a big responsibility, but it can take you places!

2015 NYC PCC Group Photo

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About Al Kavadlo: Al Kavadlo is the lead instructor for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification. Recognized worldwide for his amazing bodyweight feats of strength as well as his unique coaching style, Al is the author of five books, including Raising The Bar: The Definitive Guide to Pull-up Bar Calisthenics and Pushing The Limits! Total Body Strength With No Equipment. Read more about Al on his website:www.AlKavadlo.com.

New York State of Mind and Body

June 24, 2014 By Danny Kavadlo 18 Comments

Danny Kavadlo One Arm Chin Up at the NYC PCC Workshop

Start Spreadin’ the News

One year ago, when Dragon Door launched the Progressive Calisthenics Certification, we knew we were onto something big. It was an idea whose time had come. As the calisthenics movement exploded worldwide, more and more people wanted to learn about training themselves and others in the art of beautiful strength. A practice we’d been doing for decades started receiving big accolades in the past twelve months.

The Progressive Calisthenics Certification began with a single 3-Day workshop in Dragon Door’s hometown of the St. Paul, and has quickly made its way across the globe. To date, there have been PCCs in places as diverse as Germany, Ireland and Australia, with future certifications scheduled in Sweden, Holland, Italy and more. PCC unites bodyweight enthusiasts from all parts of the world and all walks of life. You could call it a “melting pot.” Reminds me of a place I know well…

Progressive Calisthenics in the New York Times — One year ago. (Click here to read the article)

The Hometown Crowd

My brother (and fellow PCC Instructor) Al Kavadlo and I are native New Yorkers, born and bred in the County of Kings. So was legendary calisthenics forerunner Jasper Benincasa. Many of the earliest, (and most contemporary) practitioners of “Street Workout” are from New York. It’s a magical place. There’s a reason NYC is the quintessential Metropolis: the bright lights of Broadway, the charm of Little Italy, the Coney Island boardwalk.

Like the City itself, the people of New York are known for a great many things, particularly their passion. Just like the people drawn to Progressive Calisthenics.

Whether practicing advanced pull-ups or manipulating mobility, we celebrate every moment.

Al and Danny Kavadlo Archer Pull-ups at the NYC PCC workshop

Fuggetaboutit!

Trainers, fighters, martial artists, athletes and working professionals gathered around and trained side by side. There was no competition. Each individual was focused on being the best version of themselves. We all worked together to bring out the best in each other.

Fellow New York native, forefather of the One-Arm Chin-Up, and training partner of Jasper Benincasa, Jack Arnow was a teacher as much as a student. In his signature style, Jack generously shared his wisdom and knowledge with a new generation of bodyweight aficionados. Jack also demonstrated muscle-ups and front levers. He even did the entire Century test while talking. The man inspires everybody.

Jack Arnow One-Arm Chin-up Comedown at the NYC PCC

Represent

It’s hard to believe that it’s over. After making so many friends and witnessing so many PR’s (levers, flags, pistol squats and more), it seems to have flown by in a New York minute.

Still, the experience we had will last a lifetime. From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of every single one of our newly certified PCC’s. I look forward to having you represent Progressive Calisthenics everywhere. Train hard and be true to you. The posse’s gettin’ bigger.

NYC PCC Workshop June 2014 Group Photo

Keep the dream alive,
-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.