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Progressive Calisthenics - The Official Blog for the PCC Community

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London Calling

April 12, 2016 By Danny Kavadlo 10 Comments

Danny Kavadlo demonstrates the clutch flag at the PCC London 2016

After over thirty events in dozens of cities, spanning multiple countries and four continents, the Progressive Calisthenics Certification keeps getting better and better. More personal records, more lifelong friendships and more experiences that we’ll never forget.

Every time we do another PCC workshop, I go in with big dreams, and still I find my fitness forecast is exceeded. That’s right, friends: my sky-high expectations are smashed every time. How, you ask?

Because of you.

PCC London Elbow Lever. What makes an event great? YOU!
What makes an event great? YOU!

When you guys and gals make the commitment to attend PCC, it’s your energy, positivity and strength that make it incredible. So when the team and I found ourselves in the historic city of London, England and met the PCC candidates this past weekend, we knew that together we’d make history.

PCC "London Bridge"
Historic London Bridge.

Calisthenics practitioners from over five countries showed up to train and learn from us, as well as each other. It was a fantastic group of trainers, martial artists, acrobats and fitness aficionados from all walks of life. Beyond the sheer physical prowess, the love, passion and commitment of this group were simply brilliant. Nothing stood in the way of progress. In fact, one attendee came all the way from Singapore and did the entire PCC workshop with a broken foot! (For the record, he broke his foot running a triathlon… and still won!) No excuses!

PCC London Headstand
No excuses!

Our venue, the Commando Temple, was hands down one of the greatest facilities I’ve ever seen in the world. Beyond being a playground for calisthenics commanders, it was also a museum of strongman education, and a tribute to all forms of strength in pop culture. The members of the staff were not only amazing hosts, but also dedicated bodyweight beasts in their own right.

Double front lever performed by PCC instructors Fitsz Dubova and Coung Hua from the Commando Temple.
Double front lever performed by PCC instructors Fitsz Dubova and Coung Hua from the Commando Temple.

As always, it was a privilege to witness astonishing teamwork all weekend long. Hand in hand, this new crop of PCC’s guided each other through the exercises and lifted each other up, never putting one another down.

What’s gonna work? Teamwork!
What’s gonna work? Teamwork!

The one-on-one instruction and the power of the group is something that must be experienced to be believed. We entered the room as strangers, but left as family. There is no substitute for an in-person experience.

Congratulations to all the newly certified PCC instructors. It was truly a weekend I’ll never forget. We are all grateful for the experience.

Keep The Dream Alive,
-DK

PCC London 2016 Group Photo

****

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. 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

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: calisthenics workshop, Danny Kavadlo, England PCC, London PCC, UK PCC, workshop, workshop experience

PCC Chicago: My Kinda Town

September 22, 2015 By Danny Kavadlo 6 Comments

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

***

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

Filed Under: Workshop Experiences Tagged With: bodyweight certification, calisthenics instructor training, Chicago, Danny Kavadlo, PCC, PCC Workshop, Progressive Calisthenics Certification, workshop

Introducing the SCC

September 8, 2015 By Al Kavadlo 22 Comments

Why SCC? By Al Kavadlo

When my brother Danny and I teamed up with Coach Wade and Dragon Door to unveil the Progressive Calisthenics Certification in 2013, we knew we were on to something big.

Coach Wade’s Convict Conditioning series had already established itself as the #1 calisthenics program in the world, and my book Raising The Bar was doing very well among calisthenics enthusiasts who wanted to, well, raise the bar with regards to their pull-up training.

These books exposed a huge new audience to moves like the human flag, one arm pull-up and muscle-up. The demand for a hands-on, in person experience to better learn these skills (and be able to teach them to others) was coming to a boiling point. In late 2011, Coach Wade, John Du Cane, Danny and myself began planning the PCC curriculum and assembling what would become the 600+ page manual.

When we finally conducted the initial PCC workshop in June of 2013, the reaction was even better than we had anticipated. Over 50 trainers, coaches and enthusiasts showed up for our first event and the positivity was through the roof! A good time was had by all and PRs were continually set throughout the weekend. Connections were formed that have not only persisted, but grown stronger to this day. Everyone came away from the weekend having learned a great deal–myself included.

Dragon Door CEO, John Du Cane, remarked to me after that initial weekend that typically in his experience, most certs take about 2 years to get the kinks ironed out. “But you guys knocked it out of the park this first time!” he added.

PCC has been rocking ever since, but there was something missing…until now!

What is SCC?
SCC stands for Strength Calisthenics Certification. It is Dragon Door’s one-day, entry-level bodyweight certification, based on Coach Wade’s “Big 6” foundational calisthenics movements: push-ups, pull-ups, squats, bridges, leg raises and inversions. Although an adequate level of strength and conditioning is required to get the most out of the course, the testing is far less severe than for the PCC. All you need to do in order to pass is demonstrate a baseline of calisthenics competency by completing the following in less than 3 minutes:

SCC Testing Requirements

Why SCC?
With PCC going full steam ahead, the number one concern we’ve been hearing from potential attendees is that the 3-day PCC curriculum can be a bit intimidating. Not everyone feels ready to embark on advanced modules like the human flag, back lever or muscle-up. The SCC is the perfect choice for anyone who needs more focused attention on the basics. Others simply can’t afford to commit an entire three days to taking the certification, but are still interested in gaining a legit credential in the field of calisthenics.

Al Kavadlo Coaching Squats

Who is SCC for?

  • Fitness professionals who want to improve their knowledge of bodyweight exercises, while earning a new credential.
  • Calisthenics enthusiasts who are looking to grow their personal practice and meet other like-minded practitioners.
  • Those new to bodyweight training who want a crash course in the fundamentals.
  • Anyone who is considering taking the PCC, but isn’t sure they’re ready for the financial/time commitment.
  • YOU!

It’s a No-Brainer
Signing up for the SCC is a no-brainer for anyone who’s seriously considering taking the PCC. It’s also a slam dunk for any fitness professional (or enthusiast) who wants to get in-person instruction from some of the most experienced calisthenics coaches in the world. In addition to Danny and myself, the entire PCC leadership will be on hand for the debut of SCC: Adrienne Harvey, Angelo Gala, Beth Andrews and Logan Christopher will all be there to ensure the best possible experience for all who attend.

The inaugural SCC event will take place this November in my hometown and favorite place in the world, New York City!

It’s going to be epic! I can’t wait to see you there!

Sign up for SCC by September 18th and save $50 on your enrollment! Space is limited – register today!

Strength Calisthenics Certification Workshop

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, calisthenics, certification, entry level calisthenics certification, fitness certification, inaugural SCC, New York City, NY, NYC, one day certification, progressive calisthenics, SCC, SCC Workshop, workshop

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