Charles Poliquin

Transform

Final question

Anyone attended his course last year or anyone going to it in september.

Google him if you do not know about him already. Another trainer of champions i suppose but most of his info is spot on from a quick glance

Expensive course so would like to know of others who have taken it for reassurance

Easygainer

Transform wrote:

Final question

Anyone attended his course last year or anyone going to it in september.

Google him if you do not know about him already. Another trainer of champions i suppose but most of his info is spot on from a quick glance

Expensive course so would like to know of others who have taken it for reassurance

I read about him in body of science. His training does sound impressive, but 2 things:

1) His training seems very hands on and continual as are his treatments. For eg, his famous intravenous IV vit C needs a doctor's administration 2x per week...

2) Most of the athletes he trains are genetically gifted (top NFL players etc) so I don't know how universal his methods are...

Transform

Easygainer wrote:

I read about him in body of science. His training does sound impressive, but 2 things:

1) His training seems very hands on and continual as are his treatments. For eg, his famous intravenous IV vit C needs a doctor's administration 2x per week...

2) Most of the athletes he trains are genetically gifted (top NFL players etc) so I don't know how universal his methods are...

His theories not being universal is my main sticking point as what is the point in having the info to work with international athletes in this country when your bread and butter people are ones that just want to get in shape - which is not rocket science, yet people think there are special tips and tricks to it!!

May yet still go but also am doing a yoga course in september also (€900) which could prove expensive. Will make a decision closer to date

RonanC

The man himself is supposed to be a complete basketcase but in terms of his theories and training protocols he has a large number of devout followers. Here is some info on what you can expect from the seminar from a guy who worked with him up until recently. He was talking about Charles' two most (in)famous ideas:

1. Injectable Carnosine.
This was only used on a couple of athletes. 3 cc's IM pre-workout for the muscle group that the athlete was training. We saw that they were able to perform a greater number of rep's for that body part, and there average strength was greater aswell. The athlete's also reported less soreness in the muscle group that was injected with the carnosine. For example, if the client was doing "Arms", we would inject in the biceps one day and then the next time do there triceps. Simple.

This is not something that he pulled from out of his ass ladies and gentlemen. As a matter of fact, very few things that Charles does is pulled out of a hat. Here's the scoop, Charles does not train anyone himself anymore. You will find him at the office on rare occassions. As a matter of fact he really hasn't trained anyone himself for the past 5 years. He is more interested in how to improve a human body via supplements, detoxification, manipulation of hormones, etc. And this is what he does now. He doesn't attend training seminar's anymore, it's only medical seminar's where usually the best minds of the U.S. gather to share information and new findings. He is constantly reading new books and listening to audio tapes on this subject matter.

The training protocols that he has developed have changed very little over the years, in fact, he said once that the stuff that he is doing now is very much the same thing he was doing in 1980. Does that make his information less valuable than the next "guru" with the "latest" methods? It's not what you do necessarily with a professional athlete, in terms of exercises, and what he drinks before or after a workout, that will make him the best. But rather a sense of improvement, a belief that he/she is doing what he/she needs to do at that specific time to get better, an overall vote of confidence in the person that is guiding them. And this I have to give Charles credit for! He is truly a master in the art of inspiring confidence, and transmitting it to the athlete/client.

His second greatest quality is his attention to detail. He is so precise in everything that he does. His mind is always calculating something. He would walk by in the weight room and call out a number that he wanted on the bar for the next set of 4 on the squats for "X" client. And in his head there is a ratio and number that he was looking for, for that specific lift on that specific day.

2. IV Vitamin C

He did not invent this and there is much literature on the topic. Look for Dr. Thomas Levy, " Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, & Toxins". He learned most of his Vit. C info directly from him. Once again to illustrate his ability go beyond just the "strength coach" role, he got Dr. Levy to give his associates a private lecture pertaining to this subject and other matter that Dr. Levy specializes in, such as the effects of mercury toxicity and the dangers of dentistry.

On supplements:

Supplement protocols for the professional athletes will usually be dictated by the values of there bodyfat %, and location of elevated fat deposits, hence, the entire premise of Charles' "Biosignature Modulation". As you may know, fat deposite sites can be correlated to a dysfunction in the associated hormone, which may offer insight as to what supplements may help an individual lose fat in that specific area. In terms of products and services offered by Charles this seminar is probably the most informative and novel for most coaches.

For example the triceps and pectoralis are associated with androgen levels. Over time Charles has come up with certain norms, which to me are somewhat trivial and non-scientific, for both female and male athletes. For example if the triceps fold of an elite male athlete is significantly high he will prescribe certain herbs such as Cordyceps Sinensis, Maca, Avena Sativa, Ashwaganda, also Deer Antler etc.

He will then re-test 10 days later to see if the athlete is responding and make changes if needed. With most of the athletes very little medical testing is done but when necessary he will have his Naturopath draw blood and take a closer look at why they are not responding.

Once again all the stuff that he writes about pertaining to supplements is well documented and prescribed by many N.M.D's and M.D.'s (at least the more open minded ones). Also when Charles wants to learn about something he will usually go to the source and get in contact with the authority on the subject. For instance, he invited Dr. Michael Tierra, author of "The Way of Chinese Herbs", to basically discuss various topics pertaining to Chinese herbs and there application to athletes and performance. Before he left Dr. Tierra was asking Charles if he wanted to work with him on a couple of formulas for athletes.

Think this might be the interview Easygainer referred to.