I sat in my gym after it was all over and done with and sighed a breath of relief. I smiled real big. I reflected for a few minutes. I looked around the gym and just realized something I had always wanted to do just got done! Our own Nebobarbell Powerlifting Seminar went as smooth as a baby's bottom and was a huge success with all the attendees. I got a little emotional but it was ok. These were happy tears and proud tears....
I had planed this seminar about 3 months back (in hindsight I should have thought the time frame out better. I will do better for next years seminar). I wanted to do a small seminar with a minimum of 10 lifters and a maximum of 20 lifters (we ended up having 14 total lifters doing the seminar - this ended up being the perfect amount for groups/one on ones/room in the facility). We had 5 states represented in all and I had some top notch coaches to help me run the event and give our attendees some of the best coaching available. Donnie Thompson came in to coach the squat. Travis Gardner came in to coach the deadlift and I coached the bench-press.
I had the groups stations already set up for the amount of time in that group, spotters and loaders for each group and enough extra time for Q&A before and after each groups as well. The groups would be together for around a little over two hours then each group would switch out to their next assigned station. I had group 1 start at the bench, group 2 start at the squat and group 3 start at the deadlift. I not only had the attendees switch stations at their assigned times but also spotters and loaders so each of my Team members would get to work with different lifters each time plus they would be able to get to hear what Donnie and Travis had to say during their time at that station. Everyone seemed to like the station setup and the time frames plus my Team members really liked getting to learn from the other coaches as well while they were doing their jobs.
We started checking folks in around 8am. Each attendee got a goodie bag of free stuff from very kind donations through Elitefts.com and a few other companies. Each attendee checking it was super stoked about receiving free stuff! Who isn't? Each of them received itinerary on the day so they knew exactly what time and where they needed to be. I also had this itinerary posted in the gym so there would be no confusion on what and where to be through the day.
We provided coffee, doughnuts, supplements samples, water, Gatorade and a huge lunch to keep everyone energized and hydrated throughout the day. I was so very excited once we got started. My group one bench-press groups was awesome. I had NC, Tenn, SC and Kentucky lifters in my first group and it was fun to coach them up, answer questions and to see the smallest of things "click" for them and help out their bench-press woes.
I always like to watch a lifter do his/her thing before I start really coaching them. I want to see where they are and build from there. I don't like trying to completely changing everything. To me that leads to frustration and over complicating things for the lifter. It easier to do something like that with a complete newbie but not with someone who has put some time in the gym already. I like to start from the ground up on bench-press. I always feel like leg drive is the number one problem with most folks on the bench-press. The bench-press is a entire body movement. Its always fun to see a lifter who really does not use leg drive and then starts to get it figured out. They are excited and amazed at how much faster the bar speed tends to be.
A little after 11am the groups and spotter and loaders switched up and in came group 3 for me. Another awesome group with a couple teenagers and experienced lifters. I really enjoyed the small groups of 4 to 5 lifters. I could really spend a lot of time with someone individually and work with each of them longer. This really gave a more personal touch I think. Big seminars are awesome no doubt but you have several more coaches on deck to help with questions. This was a lot different for me being the only coach at my station. It also allowed me to really see if I was giving enough time and information to each lifter. I made sure I was really focused and locked in to each lifter and that I gave them each my total attention. This group 3 were like sponges and hitting PR's left and right! I swear I got more excited then they did I think! Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm made mine come out even more!
I would glance occasionally down the gym and watch Big Donnie and Travis with their groups. Each of the lifters and my Teammates were hanging on to each word that was coming out of their mouths. It made me smile. No one was looking their phone or talking or taking pic or videos. Each of them were learning how to become better at what we love. Lifting heavy ass weights....
