Ian King

So happy for you Kenny!

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On May 9 2026, in Round 17 of the 53rd season of off-road stadium motorcycle racing in the USA[1], the 2026 AMA Supercross championship was determined. And the winner was German born Kenny Roczen. It was a great season, with the winner only finalized on the results of the last round, Round 17.  And we are so happy for you Kenny!

Every sport has its nuances, and every season is different. The 2026 season was a great season, despite the absence of some great riders, not the least Australian Jett Lawrence (missed the whole season)[2] and American Eli Tomac (out for the latter part of the season.[3])

There are a lot of reasons why we are so happy for Kenny. Here’s ten of them.

#1 – Kenny had never won an AMA Supercross title

Kenny has completed 13 seasons of AMA Supercross [4] [5] – that’s longevity in itself – but until 2026 had now won a title. That’s 12 full seasons without a title.  That’ might crush some. But not Kenny!

There are other factors behind Kenny prior inability to win the AMA title, including significant crashes.

#2 – Kenny had come back from a serious injury

In Round 3 of the 2017 AMA season – Kenny suffered serios injuries in a crash. [6]   He was the Championship leader at the time.

Then midway through the main event of that third race he crashed, flew 30 feet from his bike and landed on the face of a jump. His left arm took the brunt of the impact.[7]

There was reasonable thought that Kenny’s career was over.  Then in January 2018 the headlines read:

11 surgeries and a year later, Ken Roczen is back [8]

It was his 5th season, and his first on a Honda. He had been runner up in the 2016 AMA Supercross title and had also just won his second AMA Motorcross title. In the eyes of any, he was favoured to win the 2017 AMA Supercross Title. [9]

So, he lost his 5th season due to that crash, and history suggests it took quite a few seasons to overcome that on his way back to being an AMA Supercross Champion eight seasons later. That’s tenacity!  Every athlete to has suffered a career (or life) threatening injury in sport would be proud of you Kenny.

This point was not lost on Kenny, who during his acceptance speech from the 2026 AMA Supercross podium, where he said what he had done should be a message of hope for other athletes in a similar situation. [10]

This is just a testament that you never give up and anybody at any age wherever you’re competing and you have anxiety you want to get it done but you have strange emotions that rob your energy your not alone. I have the same thing, but I don’t give up. I work on it daily and this is what, this is how pays of and you can do it too.—Kenny Roczen, acceptance speech after the 2026 AMA Supercross 450 cc title win.

#3 – Kenny is the oldest rider to win an AMA Supercross championship (450cc)

Age is a factor in open age class sport. Most athletes retire/leave this category before they turn 30. According to published records,[11] Kenny was born 29 April 1994, and turned 32 just over a week before the defining race. Even though the average age in this discipline is trending older, that’s much older than the average.

The average age of AMA Supercross race winners and champions is trending older, currently sitting at 27.02 years old for the 2020s. Historically, the average age of champions was closer to 23 during the 2000s and 24 in the 2010s.[12]

Table – Average age of Supercross Winners by Decade [13]

_________________________

Decade           Average Age

___________________________

2000s             23.59 yrs

2010s             24.70 yrs

2020s             27.02 yrs

_________________________

No athlete of Kennys age is likely to dispute – age may give you experience wisdom, but it is harder on the body to compete against younger athletes. That’s an adversity Kenny overcame. Here are the stats:

  • Oldest rider to win [14]an AMA Supercross title [15]
  • First rider in their 30’s to win [16]an AMA Supercross title [17]

#4 – Kenny had overcome a pattern of fading in races

Most were in awe of Kenny’s return and that was the focus during the first few years post his 2018 return to racing. However this focus was soon replaced by the apparent challenge that he was fading during races and the season. This was not a one-off situation. It plagued him the best part of the next decade. For example:

In 2019 –

Ken Roczen has been experiencing unexplained health problems for several weeks. To our knowledge, previous examinations have not revealed any new information as to what is causing the persistent fatigue and weakness.[18]

Battling an undiagnosed health issue throughout supercross, Ken Roczen believes the problem has resurfaced after facing increased fatigue during Southwick’s sixth round of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship over the weekend.[19]

In 2020 –

In today’s Honda press release, Roczen cited a need to rest and recover from his ongoing health issues, as well as focus on the coming birth of his first child, with his wife Courtney. After another supercross season spoiled by late-season health concerns, Roczen will now sit out for this next championship and focus on 2021.[20]

In 2021 –

Last off-season, Ken Roczen did everything he could to understand why he gets sick, drained, and lethargic during the season. He skipped the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in 2021 to rest, then spent the off-season visiting doctors and trying to solve his issues. Then December came and another gnarly illness ended up keeping him off the bike for an entire month. He won Anaheim 1, but his season quickly crumbled. [21]

In 2022 –

Due to health-related issues, the German native will sit out of the remainder of the series and put his efforts towards recovering and preparing for the upcoming Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. [22]

In 2023 –

I used to feel so good as a kid, and I used to be strong. Now with this virus in my immune system, a lot of the stuff was so out of my control. At first, you were second-guessing yourself because before you figured out that something was wrong, you kind of grind through some stuff. You’re thinking, “Man, I just have to get more fit, and I have to get better. Before you know it, you’ve had brain fog daily, and you feel fatigued and tired. You’re not recovering. That went on for a long, long time, and it was a nightmare. [23]

In 2024  –

Ken Roczen definitely didn’t have a brilliant day on the track during his comeback at the AMA Nationals. But instead of burying his head in the sand, he let fans know what was going on on his social media channels: “The good news is, I still know how to ride a dirt bike. The bad news is: Not for long, though, if I keep going like this.”…Roczen is currently struggling with his energy levels – a problem he was already aware of before the last race. [24]

The bottom line is Kenny has had health conditions that have held back his racing results post his return to racing in 2018.

Roczen has dealt with the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus since recovering from serious injuries in 2017 and ’18, although he has made progress at different times – including after sitting out the entire 2020 AMA Pro Motocross series. He was stricken by an unrelated illness at the end of calendar-year 2021 but was nonetheless able to take a surprise win at the first event. Unfortunately, he hasn’t felt like himself since then, a situation that was compounded by a bout with COVID-19 just after the January 22 San Diego round. Roczen hasn’t been able to put the issues behind him, and rather than risk a downward spiral in health and morale, he and his team have made the difficult decision for him to withdraw. During his hiatus, Roczen will seek professional treatment from specialists he has worked with in the past, including some in Europe. His exact return date will depend on how that process goes.[25]

Questions remain as to why it took so long to address them. None-the-less there were positive signs in the 2025 season:

There are other intangibles to Roczen’s game this year that provide even more hope. Glendale, while again not a win, packed more examples.

First, Ken is strong from start to finish. Even when he’s feeling bad, Ken is lethal early in a race. When he’s having problems, it shows up later. When he’s right he can maintain that pace to the end, and this year he’s been doggedly determined down the stretch. Ken hasn’t faded one bit.[26]

By 2026 the talk of his inability to finish a race strong;

The 31-year-old has been relatively vocal of late, questioning the narrative that he ‘fades’ as the 17-round series develops, which reflects a broader view of how the German export approaches the sport. Roczen is well-regarded for his explosiveness out of the gate and remains one of the strongest when it comes to early-race – and early-season – execution. That form, however, has proven difficult for the Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki leader to maintain, [27]

Which was enough to fire him up, which was a positive sign. He hit back in 2026 with:

“So, I guess I get where they’re coming from, but the last time I faded in a season was 2022. Honestly, let it go… Let me do the talking out there. And then if I keep doing it, you can go right back to it, but as of right now there have been absolutely no signs, and I’m sick of hearing that, honestly.”

#5 – Kenny was on a least represented brand of the ‘Big Four’ in the competition

Kenny has been on a Suzuki for a few seasons now. Suzuki is arguably the least represented of the ‘Big Four’ Japanese brands in AMA Supercross of late.

In terms of overall rider count and number of factory-backed teams, Suzuki is the least represented brand among the major manufacturers in AMA Supercross. [28]

However, it has a stronger history than this suggests:

On pure AMA Championships (between the three classes) Kawasaki has won 25 times, Suzuki 12 times, Yamaha 9 times, KTM 8 times, Honda seven times and Husqvarna two times over the past 20 years. [29]

#6 – Kenny was on the only kick start bike on the starting line

Even more unique, the Suzuki bike Kenny won the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on does not have electric start. Instead, in the traditional way, Kenny has to kickstart his bike. Every time he stalls it, crashes etc. etc. Which led to this recent nick-name ‘Kick-start Kenny’. Suzuki are the only full-size motorcross bikes that still rely on kickstarts.

Apparently they did experiment with an electric start prior to the 2025 season, but it was not a permanent feature. When asked about this Kenny was quoted as saying:

Yeah, it was tested, it broke and we have not revisited it yet, or it’s not been ready yet to throw it back on.[30]

#7 – Kenny came back from 31 points down during the 2026 season to win

To win from 31 points down is not only significant, it may be the greatest comeback in the sports history. Not by the number of points behind per se, but combined with the fact that the rider he had to beat to win was still on the starting line up each race.

Ken Roczen overcame a 31-point deficit with only a few rounds left in the season to capture the title in Salt Lake City. Experts widely noted that entering the final rounds with that large of a gap and closing it without your primary rival missing any events is almost unprecedented in modern Supercross.[31]

You can read summaries of other significant AMA Supercross comebacks here. [32]

#8 – Kenny was the first German born rider to win the title

Kenny joins a short list of riders born outside of America to win the AMA Supercross title,[33] [34] and the first from Germany.[35] You could see the national pride trackside with German flags being waved by his avid supporters.

#9 – Gracious in defeat, humble in victory

I describe Kenny as a great competition – gracious in defeat, humble in victory. Yes there is more to competition than this, but he has titles in various dsiciplines so that’s proven.  What I look for also are the things that other racers and their support teams hope for – respect. If you give respect, you get it back. From the crowd, from your peers and their teams. I understand that we are in ‘interesting times’ where being an ass-hole is for some their unique marketing position. That’s not going to last into the next phase of generational led human history.  Being a great competitor, which is an extension of being a good person, will.

#10 – Kenny was kind to us during a pre-race visit

My son and I went to visit Kenny in a pre-race pit meet and greet in Portland Seattle in Round 12 of the 2019 AMA Supercross season.

Just as we got to the front of the line to meet Kenny his team called the session over. It was a long way to come to get so close to miss out. Kenny was my son’s MX idol and I know he would be disappointed if we just let this happen. I spoke to Kenny and I could see he was torn between meeting his fan’s needs and his own race preparation needs. He chose to stay and chat with my son. He had my respect at that moment.

Conclusion

Since the race on 9 May 2026 Kennys achievement has been the subject of very happy discussions in our house. We are all happy for Kenny! It’s been a long and challenging road. It could have been smoother, but at the same time he could have given up on his ambition of winning this title. He didn’t. And he now adds AMA Supercross Champion to his trophy cabinet. But more importantly he has been a role model to athletes that you can overcome adversity – age, injury, setback, health challenges – provided you apply the traits that Kenny has over the time period needed. In Kenny’s case, 13 years. So happy for you Kenny!

Image credit – Christopher Schmidt at Wikimedia Commons.

References

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_AMA_Supercross_Championship

[2] https://www.mxlarge.com/news/lawrence-out-three-months

[3] https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/eli-tomac-focusing-recovering-hip-204930362.html

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_AMA_Supercross_Championship

[5] https://fthspatpress.com/35714/sports/roczen-becomes-oldest-monster-energy-ama-supercross-champion-in-series-history/

[6] https://www.supercrosslive.com/news/roczen-injured-in-hard-crash-at-anaheim-2/

[7] https://www.espn.com.au/racing/story/_/id/22024895/supercross-star-ken-roczen-makes-return-2018-season-one-year-11-surgeries-horrific-crash

[8] https://www.espn.com.au/racing/story/_/id/22024895/supercross-star-ken-roczen-makes-return-2018-season-one-year-11-surgeries-horrific-crash

[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Roczen

[10] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYPlVMpgrHw/

[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Roczen

[12] https://pulpmx.com/2026/01/15/super-stats-supercross-is-trending-older/

[13] https://pulpmx.com/2026/01/15/super-stats-supercross-is-trending-older/

[14] https://fthspatpress.com/35714/sports/roczen-becomes-oldest-monster-energy-ama-supercross-champion-in-series-history/

[15] https://fthspatpress.com/35714/sports/roczen-becomes-oldest-monster-energy-ama-supercross-champion-in-series-history/

[16] https://racerxonline.com/2026/05/12/the-ways-ken-roczens-title-is-awesome

[17] https://racerxonline.com/2026/05/12/the-ways-ken-roczens-title-is-awesome

[18] https://mxnews-online.com/en/ken-roczen-nutzt-das-rennfreie-wochenende-zur-erholung/

[19] https://www.motoonline.com/au/fatigue-problem-reemerges-for-roczen-at-southwick/

[20] https://racerxonline.com/2020/08/10/450-words-ken-roczen-out-for-2020-ama-pro-motocross

[21] https://racerxonline.com/2023/01/07/between-the-motos-health-is-not-an-issue

[22] https://www.vurbmoto.com/mind-of-a-mechanic-ken-roczens-road-to-recovery/

[23] https://www.vitalmx.com/features/im-also-little-bit-afraid-retiring-ken-roczen-wsx-extending-his-career

[24] https://mxnews-online.com/en/ken-roczen-trotzt-gesundheitlichen-problemen/

[25] https://www.supercrosslive.com/news/roczen-pulls-out-of-2022-supercross-season/

[26] https://racerxonline.com/2025/02/04/metamorphosis-of-ken

[27] https://www.motoonline.com/us/why-the-signs-suggest-that-ken-roczen-wont-fade-in-2026/

[28] Google AI

[29] https://motocrossactionmag.com/who-is-really-the-winningest-brand-in-the-sport-all-the-winners-and-losers/

[30] https://gatedrop.com/roczen-explains-why-no-electric-start-yet-on-his-factory-suzuki/

[31] Google AI

[32] https://racerxonline.com/2026/04/24/all-time-supercross-title-comebacks

[33] https://mx1onboard.com/ama-supercross-foreign-riders-podiums-prado/

[34] https://racerxonline.com/2011/02/10/the-list-ten-best-imports

[35] https://www.redbull.com/int-en/ken-roczen-wins-ama-supercross-championship-2026

Ian King

An athlete called to say thanks

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Reflections on gratitude.

A few days ago, an athlete called me to say thank you. Unsolicited.  Not for the winning, which we did. But for the lessons shared.  You might ask ‘So what. There’s nothing special about a thank you.’ So, I will share this – the period of time the athlete was referring to occurred 30 years ago.

It is no coincidence that just a few weeks prior in a webinar with a global audience, I spoke about this:

And that’s just a little example of gratitude that it’s a lifelong gratitude from an athlete when you help them create a legacy and fulfil their potential.[1]

I say no coincidence because this expression of gratitude over this time frame is not an uncommon experience for me.

Those who spend a few days with me know it’s unlikely much time passes when a real athlete who I really helped win expresses their unsolicited gratitude. [2]

However, it still stands out.  For me, it speaks to the character of the athlete. I take as much pride in the person I have helped them become as in the sporting legacy.

I have encouraged this trait in writing:

Show gratitude. The human emotion of gratitude is one I value and teach in all aspects of living; however, in the context of the student, I strongly encourage you to use it. Whether the teaching is short or long, what you wanted to hear or not, express your gratitude. This rewards the teacher and encourages them to continue teaching – be it to you or subsequent students.[3]

The premium I place on culture is reflected by its presence in KSI’s 19 points of culture:

Gratitude … I am a truly grateful person. I say thank-you and show appreciation often and in many ways, so that all around me know how much I appreciate everything and everyone I have in my life. I celebrate my wins and the wins of my team and clients. I consistently catch myself and other people doing things right … [4]

Personal character traits, including gratitude, figure high in our athlete development message:

I don’t have an expectation for them, it’s their path in sport, but as far as behaviour and attitude, that’s not really negotiable. To do their best and be positive, show gratitude and be courteous, respectful. [5]

And it’s not just the athletes. As coach education is the almost-as-long-serving concurrent aspect or our combined service, we also receive similar in this genre – unsolicited, multi-decade later gratitude.

Ian,  your teaching has been something I have been using since we met over 20 years ago. One of the best decisions I made in my life.  It has helped me tremendously professionally  & personally. Just wanted to say thanks.—Miguel [6]

You might see others reach similar conclusions:

I think the same thing happens with relationships. Business, personal, family relationships, etc. They start off young and that’s when you can build almost a “relationship myelin” around them. You do that by being honest with people, by showing gratitude, by not overusing the connection, by treating it just right so it develops into something that can last a lifetime. If someone does something for you, show you are grateful.[7]

People often ask, ‘Who was your favorite athlete?’ To which I respectfully decline to answer, deflecting by saying something along the lines of ‘A parent should not have a favorite child’. Then I go on to say I can, however, tell you about those who make their mark by their character trait of consistent and long-term gratitude.

Such as the athlete whom I helped to a Silver Medal in the 1992 Auckland Commonwealth Games, who would send me an annual thank you card for years following…

Or the contact sport athlete who became the most capped in the world in his sport and reached out to me by phone annually for the year following…

Or the athlete who, 30 years later, gave me reason to share this.

 

References

[1] King, I., 2025, Optimal athletic performance, Kent, UK, Sat 11 Oct 2025 (Seminar/Video)

[2] King, I., 2019, How did you develop your approach to flexibility, Off the Record #50, 31 July 2019

[3] King, I., 2005, The way of the physical preparation coach, Ch 21 – Become a student

[4] King, I., 2009, KSI 18 Points of Culture

[5] King, I., 2014, Coaching Mastery, Cape Cod, 13-14 April 2014, USA (Seminar)

[6] King, I., 2025, Personal communication, Email received 25 March 2025

[7] Altucher, J., 2014, 10 Things I learnt when interviewing Tony Robbins about money, The Stanberry Digest,18 Nov 2014

The power of a decade
Ian King

The power of a decade (or longer)

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I celebrate the outcomes possible when an athlete or team chooses to collaborate with us to achieve their sporting goals.

Why? Because I have found it to be a very effective period of time to work with an athlete or team.

This premise has been reinforced by many thought leaders in recorded Western civilization, in words to the effect.

We overestimate what we can achieve in a year and underestimate what we can achieve in a decade.

Can great things happen in shorter time frames? Yes. I have helped athletes podium at the Olympics in shorter time periods.

However, the rate of change achieved by the athlete will be determined by many factors, including the competence of the coach and the readiness of the athlete.

Is a decade the best time frame to plan and enact high-level sports preparation? Probably not. More likely, the quadrennial time period is more appropriate – a four-year period, coinciding with the time frame of the Olympic Games.

Most Olympic sport athletes measure their time and careers in Olympic or quadrennial cycles. My expectation for a long and fulfilled period of Olympic involvement is five Olympic cycles, which equates to two decades ore twenty years. A number of Australian Olympians have achieved that goal, including an athlete whom I worked with leading into his first Games in Clint Robinson.

A decade of time as it relates to an Olympic athlete will only span two and bit Olympic cycles. If an athlete can achieve this, I expect they would feel satisfied e.g. Brownyn Mayer, an Australian female water polo player who attended the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

However, World Championships are typically annual and therefore a ten-year period does not fit mathematically into the ten-year or decade time frame.

Or at least, not normally, however in the period when the Winter Olymipcs switched from being parallel in year to the Summer Games to being in the alternate two years, three Olympic Games became a possibility. For example, Canadian Alpine skier Rob Boyd attended three Winter Games in a 10-year period – 1988, 1992, and 1994.

However, high-level non-Olympic athletes (or say professional athletes that competed in an annual competition and also are eligible to attend the Olympic Games) would lean towards or resonate with a decade or even a two decade period of time. For example, the 20-year milestone in professional basketball is noted and celebrated. In the US NBA, only 11 players have achieved this. I have not found the equivalent statistic for the Australian NBL, but I know it has been achieved, having helped legendary Brisbane Bullets and Australian Olympian ‘Leaping’ Leroy Loggins achieve the milestone.

There is, however, no argument for a shorter period of collaboration being more effective than a minimum of a decade.

And the superiority of this time frame has been supported by my personal experiences, with multiple teams and many individual sports athletes.

How many? As those who are more familiar with me,  I am not into counting. I have and continue to leave that self-aggrandizement to certain colleagues. A quarter of a century ago, this interviewer worked out this point of difference. Enough to qualify for a professional or expert opinion on it. And to support this, I have only named case studies of athletes in this article where I have had first-hand involvement.

Now at the same time, I need to share that there is also a time for a coach, more so of a team or squad than of an individual coach, to move on. Sometimes, overstaying that mark does not end well.

I have employed this value as well over the decades, and seen instances where perhaps other coaches should have given this more thought.

These considerations about working with an athlete over a decade or more come to mind for me as another KSI athlete moves past this milestone, in my 5th decade of helping athletes.

And the exciting reality is that no matter how the years pass in these long relationships, we both learn new things continually, which will help us improve our performance.

Take today for example, when I was working with the athlete who has achieved this milestone of a decade with me, when we learnt a certain aspect about his skills that we had not uncovered before. A certain thing that will unlock further possibilities on the upside.

And that’s one of the many benefits of that long relationship.

Ian King

There is a better way – Part 1: Why are you ignoring the message from Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, and Novak Djokovic?

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More athletes are having their athleticism destroyed, their careers shortened, and their long term quality of life threatened because of the way they are being trained than ever before in my lifetime.  The athlete training world has lost the plot.  Not concerned or don’t buy into this statement?  Then you don’t read any further.  There are heaps of more valuable articles on the internet for you to read, such as how to create hypertrophy in the absence of skills, or the exact liquid temperature to consume your glutamine in the absence of any focus on foundational nutrition… For those that resonate with my concerns, I invite you to stay with me.

Is that my opinion or is it a scientific fact? It’s my opinion. Now those who don’t know or don’t appreciate (or don’t want to do either for various reasons) the depth of experience training athletes or track record in identifying limiting factors in sports training and performance and innovating solutions that have led to this opinion – you may be forgiven for discarding my opinion.

However, before you disregard my conclusions on the state of athletic preparation, I want you know you are also disregarding the opinion of a couple of athletes that have also to train differently to what most are doing – Tom Brady, Kevin Durant and Novak Djokovic.

The way we train athletes does more harm than good. That’s the message I have been sharing since the 1990s. And it is not just getting worse. It is reaching diabolical standards.

In fact, I believe that most injuries are actually caused by the way athletes train.  The only injury acceptable is an unavoidable impact injury.   Virtually all soft tissue injuries are avoidable.  But imagine that – training, during which focus is geared towards performance enhancement, may induce most injuries.  Isn’t this ridiculous! [1]

In fact, from my experiences and observation, the greatest effect that I have seen from most physical preparation is to detract from these five factors, not enhance it.  Imagine that – training and being worse off for it.  Well, how do you think the athlete would feel if he/she found out!  Yeah, they’re real fit – to sit in the stands in their team uniform and watch![2]

…from my observations, most physical preparation programs do more harm than good. They may give short term results or confidence to the athlete but result in significant performance restrictions and or injuries long term…. Quite simply, the majority of training programs are flawed from a physical preparation perspective and are causing the increased injuries. [3]

For those not familiar with these three athletes who share my opinion, allow me to provide a quick bio. Tom Brady is the most successful quarter back in American Football history with five Super Bowl Championship rings.  Kevin Durant just won his first championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.  And Novak Djokovic has been dominating men’s tennis internationally during the ten years, frequently occupying the coveted No 1 world ranking. He is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with a 80+% match winning rate (the second highest in the Open Era).

So what does Tom Brady have to say?

“I have been blessed to learn the right methods, through my nutrition, hydration, pliability and proper rest. It’s really not that hard if you do the right thing.”[4]

No mention of maximal loading or hypertrophy training.  In fact he apparently stays away from lifting heavy weights, and focuses on flexibility.[5]

What does Kevin Durant have to say?

“All the strength coaches were laughing at me and s—. They were giggling with each other that I couldn’t lift 185 pounds and I was like, ‘All right, keep laughing. Keep laughing.’ It was a funny thing because I was the only one that couldn’t lift it and I was struggling to lift it. I was embarrassed at that point, but I’m like, ‘Give me a basketball, please. Give me a ball.’….I was ranked the last person in camp, drills-wise. I was the worst player, and the first player didn’t get drafted. That tells you a lot about the significance of that s—.”[6]

What does Novak Djokovic have to say?

           ….And I know if I need to spend two hours a day stretching, I’ll spend that time, because I know that’s going to make me feel good.”

The following statement comes from his first coach, Jelana Gencic, who guided him between about the ages of 6 years through to his early teens.

“You know Novak was not too strong a boy,” Gencic said. “You know how he is now elastic and flexible. Do you know why? It’s because I didn’t want to work too hard with him.”…Gencic held up her racket. “This,” she said, “is the heaviest thing he had to handle. We only worked on his legs, his quickness, only fitness on the court, not in the weight room. We stretched and did special movements for tennis, to be flexible, to be agile and to be fast and with the legs. And now he’s excellent, excellent, excellent.”

Djokovic said Gencic’s approach was always long-term.

“Jelena was one of the people that had a huge impact and huge influence on that part of let’s say my profession, being flexible and taking care of my elasticity of the muscles,” he said Saturday. “Because she taught me and convinced me that if I stayed flexible, not only will I be able to move well around the court and be able to recover well after the matches, but also I’ll be able to have a long career……[7]

If you look at how the world is training athletes, its obvious that the majority are disregarding the messages from this dominant sporting icons.  Allow me to acknowledge one of the most likely criticisms. That the opinions of these three athletes do not override the fact that thousands of other athletes have trained more trend like – heavy load, excessive volume, to high levels of fatigue.  I acknowledge this counter argument.  You are right. You can always provide evidence to support both the for and against of any argument.

However allow me to share what I believe is one indisputable fact – that the evidence provided in the case studies of these three athletes confirms that you can become the best in the world without the training proposed by most coaches and engaged in by most athletes. The way most train is not a common denominator with success.  It’s not necessary,  its not optimal, and I suggest in most cases does more damage than good.

I suggest that conforming to the dominant trends will is a common denominator with injuries, reduced athleticism, shortened careers and a lower quality of later life.

The great thing about human life is we get to choose what we believe in. If you as an athlete choose to embrace the mainstream approach, fantastic and good luck.  If you are a coach and also choose to believe in and embrace the current dominant training methods, I trust in the future you take time to reflect upon the outcomes and be accountable.   Visit with your athletes 20-40 years after they have retired and see how they are going. And take responsibility.

For those athletes and coaches who are concerned about the direction of training and want to believe there is a better way – congratulations. There is a better way.  I have spend the last four decades discovering better ways to train, and we teach  these better ways when we work with athletes or coaches.   For example, the KSI Coaching Program aims to provide you with the tools to train athletes and others in their highest and best interests, with no interest in what the dominant trend is or will be in the future.

The training world is now one where you will get a job whether you are great or incompetent – there is simply demand for services. However, if you want to go beyond simply ‘getting a job’, if you want to do the best by the athlete, to fulfill your potential – you are not going to achieve these goals training the way everyone else is training.

What is happening is not good enough, and the athlete is paying the price. The good news is there is a better way. The question remains – will you go there?

 

References

[1] King, I., 1997, Winning & Losing, Ch 5, p. 25

[2] King, I., 1999, So you want to become a physical preparation coach, p. 30-31

[3] King, I., 2005, The way of the physical preparation coach, p. 66-67

[4] http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2686534-in-better-shape-than-ever-at-age-39-heres-how-tom-brady-does-it

[5] http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tom-brady-says-hurting-time-162548454.html

[6] http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/kevin-durant-calls-nba-combine-waste-time-top/story?id=47338234

[7] http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/03/sports/tennis/djokovic-bends-and-twists-but-doesnt-break.html

 

© 2017 Ian King & King Sports International. All rights reserved.

Ian King

Mobility training is fake stretching  

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The new athlete said to me: “I do my mobility work and then I feel good for a while but during the workout I feel all stiff again.”

I said: “Before we go any further I just to make it clear I don’t use the word ‘mobility’, at least not in the way it is currently used.”

Athlete: “Why not?”

IK: “I believe the term mobility is used to give people the feeling they are doing what stretching used to do for them before the ‘stretching inquisition’. In other words it’s fake stretching, and it’s about as effective as a fake.”

Athlete: “Why do people say stretching is bad and mobility exercises are better?”

IK: “Let me share with you my observations over the last few decades. First athletes stretched or they didn’t, depending on their sport historical or their own individual influences. For example, track and field and dance and martial arts and gymnastics were great examples of sports that stretched. But not the only ones. I can remember attention given to stretching in one of my first weightlifting books, and also in other strength books from the 1970s.

There was no judgment – you either did it or not. Then I noted the rise of popularity in stretching and at the same time the rise of individuals and organizations such as academic institutions keen to control sport and leave their foot print.

Now the individuals involved in seeking to be in control for the most part didn’t stretch themselves, were not flexible and no-one had worked out how to make money from stretching.

I believe this is why stretching is being demonized. I suggest that when those who seek to control information and trends find themselves able to touch their toes or make a quick buck, you will be given the green light.

But you don’t have to wait – you can take the benefits of stretching right now.

As for ‘mobility’ warmups – apart from raising body and joint temperature (which are good things) they have no significant impact on flexibility. So stop kidding yourself. Stretch first, and then if you need or want specific warmups, do activities that you are going to be done in load – not some non-specific irrelevant exercise just because everyone else is….

So, if you are training with us, there will be no fake stretching….”

Ian King

Friends of KSI #1 – The Legend Speaks on Making Your Waist Thinner

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We recently received an email question from a long term KSI client, which was the catalyst for a topic in ‘The Huddle’ Series #1 – How to make your waist thinner http://bit.ly/waistflatter.

Going the extra mile as we like to, we wanted to add even more value on this topic. I thought of my friend Jon Jon (John) Park, son of the Legend Reg Park. The late Reg Park was one of the greatest bodybuilders in my life-time, and a man whose legacy expanded beyond his strength and shape. He was known for his integrity and qualities of a great man, qualities that could do with a resurgence in this era.

So we took our clients question to John Park, who had the rare honor and experience of growing up learning from the Legend. Reg Park was more of an innovator than many people realize. John Park runs a gym in Los Angeles and we encourage all visitors (and locals) to get along and experience the memories on the wall that carry the Legacy of the Legend.

We are honored to be able to share the wisdom of John and Reg, true friends of KSI:

John Park

“Firstly I agree with you that the physiques of the past looked better than they do now. With the rare exception the physiques of today have very little appeal. They look like oversized drug induced cartoon characters with no symmetry at all. In response to your question re narrowing the waist I would have to say that genetics does play a large part however there are certain things that one can do to achieve a tighter midsection, give the illusion of a small waist and prevent it from getting thicker.

The most important exercise one can do is Vacuums which I have been doing daily since I was very young. There are several ways to perform this exercise which is extremely important for strengthening the internal abdominal wall. This exercise activates the internal oblique’s which if too developed makes the waist appear a lot thicker. Also no other exercise other than Vacuums works the internal abdominal wall or the TVA (Transverse abdominal muscles) which are not visible and not part of the abdominus rectus structure (six pack). The TVA muscles are triangular in shape and are located on the sides of the lower abdominals and into the pubic area. Why it is important to work these often neglected muscles is because they are attached to a belt like tissue that connects to the lower back so if they are strong, they in turn help with lower back strength.

The easiest way to perform the vacuums is to lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor both hip distance apart. Keep your chin tucked at a ninety degree angle and your eyes looking downwards towards your sternum. Keep your lower back flat into the floor, make sure there is no arch. Place your hands so that your finger tips are touching your TVA muscles. Inhale through the mouth and then immediately exhale through the mouth and then draw your navel in towards your spine. Repeat this three times but on the third one hold your stomach in for a count of three to activate the abdominals. Repeat again for a fourth time but hold the stomach in for as long as possible without breathing.

More important than how long you can hold your stomach in for, is how tight you can hold it in. You should feel some discomfort and tightness in your abdominals especially in the lower portion. This whole procedure would be considered one rep and one should do five reps of this. As you get more proficient with this exercise you should be able to hold the stomach in for longer. I am able to do this for one minute each fourth time on each rep but I mostly do it for thirty seconds as it is more efficient and I am not trying to set records for holding my breath. I find the best time to do the vacuums is first thing in the morning on wakening on an empty stomach. Empty your bladder first and then do the exercise.

Once you are able to master this exercise then you should be able to perform all abdominal exercises and vacuum every rep simply by doing the following, exhaling pulling your stomach in and then performing the rep, whether it be any variable of leg lifts, sit ups or side crunches. Most people in my opinion don’t work the abdominals correctly they exhale whilst doing the movement and tend to rush each rep. However if you perform the reps in the manner described above you will slow the tempo down, activate the internal abdominal wall and increase the intensity. If performed in this manner the abdominals will fatigue sooner and you will not have to perform hundreds of reps, perhaps twenty to thirty would be your maximum.

There is a progression to this exercise and that is, whilst you are on the fourth one of each rep, to shift your hips in a controlled manner from side to side by sliding your lower back across the floor from side to side keeping your lower back in contact with the floor. Do not do a see saw type motion whereby you are lifting your hips off the floor. By adding this new dimension you will activate the TVA more as well as the internal oblique’s.

Another way of performing the Vacuums is rest on your hands and knees and make sure that all angles, your wrists, armpits, chin, hips and knees are at ninety degree angles and your hands, knees and feet should be shoulder width apart. Start with the lower back arched and the stomach lowered towards the floor. Repeat the same technique as the Vacuums lying on your back but every time you pull your stomach in lift your lower back (arched) towards the ceiling. I find this exercise is also helpful if you have tightness in the sacrum as it helps open it up when lifting your lower back up.

Another way of performing this exercise is to stand bent over with your feet hip distance apart and your hands resting on your knees and go through the whole procedure.

Incidentally in preparation for a competition, Frank Zane would stand upright in front of a mirror every day and vacuum for up to an hour in various positions sideways, front and back and he would incorporate this when practicing his posing routine and regulate his breathing whilst doing this. When you are able to master the Vacuum technique, you should be able to do this whilst sitting, standing and even walking which I would call semi Vacuums. You don’t necessarily go through the whole procedure of performing the reps.

Another technique that Zane used to incorporate whilst training which I learnt from my dad many years ago, is too inhale whilst doing certain exercises. I know this is contrary to the norm of exhaling on the effort and would not do this when performing squats, dead lifts or chest presses but if you are training purely for aesthetic reasons and not necessarily strength, then this technique is very helpful. When you think about it when you are exercising and you exhale whilst performing the concentric part of the exercise, especially if you are using heavy poundage’s, your waist and stomach distend. Doing pull downs in this manner is very effective as you are exhaling on the upward (eccentric) portion of the exercise when your abdominal cavity is lengthened and stretched out and hence there is no distention. I would also strongly urge you not to use any weight whilst doing abdominals for the same reason.

In short the more you contract a muscle specifically the stomach, the tighter it will ultimately become.

Best of luck.”
–John Park

Ian King

Thank you for helping me get back in to exercise pain free and keeping me there  

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I recently received this email:

“Hi Ian, 7 years ago I bought your Get Buffed books and did the programs in get buffed 1 and 2. When I did these programs I was in the best shape of my life. After that I made a program of my own when I bought the book ‘How to Write Strength Training Programs, yet still in great shape and getting stronger.

Then some where along the way I decided to look in to power lifting and xxx and using exercise technique from the book xxxx. I started to get minor injuries and weakness with certian muscle groups. After a year of incorrect lifting and programing with little core work (because the progarms said don’t worry about it. and I listened?!?!!?!) I herniated my disc.

I look back today at my lifting career and thank you for all your knowledge and for writing the get buffed books. Those books single handedly are the best books on training I have. I thank you for sharing you training ideas, and exercise techniques.

After my injuries I still use Get Buffed 1 and how to write strength training programs all the time to stay pain free today.

Thanks for everything you do in strength and condidtion, I will always reference your work because it is the gold standard, your methods are unrivaled.

Thank you for helping me get back in to exercise pain free and keeping me there.” –Andrew

To which i responded with:

Andrew – thanks for your email, and great to hear that 7 years ago you got your hands on some of the best training advice available. And great to hear that this resulted in the best shape of your life. This is no surprise because the Get Buffed!™ content and programs are based on decades of application and refinement with large sample sizes of athletes in long-term programs, and including multiple sports.

The programs and content in GB and my other books and educational content are not selected because they are trendy – in actual fact, when I first release my ideas, they are anything but trendy! Take my suggestion to stop doing walking lunges – I am receiving the typical stones being thrown at me when I challenge the habits of the masses driven by the misguided recommendations of ‘experts’. What they do ultimately become is the new trend, as evidenced by the popularity of my bodyweight an other unilateral movements in the GB program, the universal application of my speed of movement (using digits to communicate lifting speed), control drills to activate prior to strength training, and my lines of movement concepts – quad dominant, hip dominant, horizontal and vertical pulling, to name a few.

The programs and content in GB and my other books and educational content are not selected because they support the beliefs of my peers – in fact, quite the opposite. Take my suggestion in the late 1990s that the chin up was not adequate to balance the work of the bench press, and that a horizontal pulling movement (my lines of movement concept) was in fact the true opposing movement, yet was totally absent in the popular programs and guru advice of the time. In fact, that stirred such a hornets nest that things got really ugly in the US, with people being threatened not to attend my seminars. The programs and content in GB and my other books and educational content are not selected because I wanted to be sensationalist – I don’t mess with the careers and potential of Olympic and other high level athletes – there is no room for error at this level. So rest assured ideas such as do abs first, the concept of loading is over-rated, lower volume training, reverse periodization – these we all created in response to long term application with no tolerance for error.

In fact after the stone-throwing slowed down, it was ‘interesting’ to watch (in some cases the most vocal critics!) publish these very same concepts. Books, programs, courses.

You decision to leave the path of my concepts is not totally surprising. I believe that most training decisions (by end users and ‘professionals’ – and I use that latter word lightly!) is more influenced by marketing, scarcity and conformity than by the objective reasoning promoted in science. I have no hesitation in acknowledging my weakness in marketing, and in many ways I don’t want to compete. I have seen completely incompetent people with no experience, to whom the market has spoken because they couldn’t get work training athletes – position themselves as ‘experts’ through marketing in this information era, and I refer specifically to the post 2000 era. How do they do this? Deceit turbocharged by powerful marketing techniques I suggest, and I dedicated my 2010 book ‘Barbells & Bullshit’ to educating about. (see below – I have given you a complimentary copy of the e-book version)

Quite simply, and to use a saying (of which I am prone to doing!) often the empty vessel makes the most noise.

So you got drawn away as do the masses to the new shiny object that ‘everyone’ else is doing, and surprise, surprise, the long term implications were less than what you were hoping for.

To read your words, which I do receive regularly, is encouraging.

“I look back today at my lifting career and thank you for all your knowledge and for writing the get buffed books. Those books single handedly are the best books on training I have. I thank you for sharing you training ideas, and exercise techniques.”

Because I have shared so openly (at least until recently) and honestly. I understand many don’t want to look under the hood of their own industry, with implications for even the end user as you have found out, however for me it has been painful watching my material being plagiarized by those whose sole intent was personal gain. I believe the world it worse off for the actions of these charlatans, some of whom are still feted in professional circles, at least for now.

For me the material in the Get Buffed! series is a by-product of my experience training athletes. As you know it’s a very powerful by-product, so you can imagine how powerful the original intent athlete preparation methods are.

One of the major goals I set my self a few decades ago was to ensure no athlete in my care is injured, and if they are, that I rectify their condition immediately.

So the injury prevention focus in all my training programs is strong, supported by a long list of innovations in injury prevention and rehab (I dedicate a few chapters in the KSI Level 1 ‘Legacy’ Course to this subject alone).

You are an example of a person who has benefitted from this, evidenced when you write:

“After my injuries I still use Get Buffed 1 and How to Write Strength Training Programs all the time to stay pain free today.”

For this I am very happy for you, and I know this material will serve you for life, serve your kids and their kids.

What I am concerned about is the dilution of my works by those who have plagriazed them, as they have lost their power to serve. We are in a world where I believe injuries from training are reaching epidemic levels, and much of what I set out to do has been dissolved by certain individuals who put their needs ahead of the world.

So I am very happy for you that you have returned to the integrity of my works. I am also appreciative of any person who carries on my mission and vision through appropriate sharing the accuracy of my training information backed up ethical referencing. For example the publishing house I worked with recently, only the second publishing house in the world who during the last decade plus have sought my permission to reproduce my concepts, and sought my guidance and approval for how to reference and credit them. When you consider how many books have been published by people who knew or should have known better diluted the intent of my work and amnestically omitting to reference, you may appreciate how low the integrity of the world in which you live in is.

Many will say ‘Ian, shut up and live with it’. I say you are drinking from this well, you are eating from this table. You are paying the price with your bodies, your health. It is not just about me. It is about my children, it is about you, and your children. Do you really want to live in a world, and raise your kids in a world, where the dominant value is deceit, where you will get injured from the training you do because no-one had the courage to stand up and say ‘that’s not right’?

I believe your actions is acknowledging the below go further than you relationship with your maker, I believe you enhance the conditions for all humans when you write the below, and I thank you for this:

“Thanks for everything you do in strength and condition, I will always reference your work because it is the gold standard, your methods are unrivalled.”

And in your final statement, when you say:

“Thank you for helping me get back in to exercise pain free and keeping me there.”

It reinforces that this is my goal, this is my mission and vision, that you enjoy the fruits of your training in an injury-free way. Thank you. To say thank you with more than words, I have just invited you to complimentary access viewing of my seminar ‘What you wish you were told before you got started’, which is for the end user market pursing getting bigger, stronger and leaner, of course with my inseparable focus on injury prevention for life! This is from our growing collection of e-videos: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/kingsports Enjoy!

Ian King

Ian King

Interview with KSI Level 1 Graduate Bruce Battherham  

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KSI. Firstly, Bruce, we want to congratulate you for graduating from the KSI Level 1 Legacy Course! We both know it’s just a small step to mastery of the KSI way however you have shown you belong in the top 5% because you completed the course! Well done! Before we get into it we’d like to share with our readers a little bit about you personally – where you were born, where you live now, your hobbies outside of training and coaching.

Bruce Batterham: I was born at Allora and presently live in Townsville Queensland. Hobbies outside of training and coaching are fishing, shooting and competitive bodybuilding. Points:

KSI: Now let’s talk shop! What is your current involvement in the industry, your niche market and where have you come from in your professional journey:

BB: I am a Personal Trainer with my own business, Been There Personal Training. I have only commenced this business recently after retiring from the Qld Police Force. I mainly train clients lookig to compete in bodybuilding.

KSI: So tell us – what are your thoughts about the KSI Level 1 Course now you have finished.

BB: At the same time as doing the Level 1 I was also completing another industry certification. For a reality check I would do a KSI Level 1 assignment to get away from the crab delivered in the other course. To a certain extent I was ahead of the game with Level 1 as I had read a couple of Ian’s books extensively.

KSI: What were the main challenges, frustrations or questions you had prior to registering for the KSI Level 1 Course?

BB: At the time of registering I had an open mind and had not formed any opinions or been unduly influenced as I had limited involvement in the industry.

KSI: What specifically triggered you to get going with the KSI Level 1 Course?

BB: To increase my knowledge and understanding of the training innovations/principles employed by Coach Ian King.

KSI: Where did you first learn about the KSI Level 1 Legacy Course and what were your thoughts about the course before starting

BB: I think I found it on the website and just decided to do it

KSI: Did you perception of the KSI Level 1 Legacy Course change once you got into the course?

BB: No. The course is what I expected – very good.

KSI: What was your favourite part of the course?

BB: Besides finishing – lines of movement.

KSI: How has the KSI Level 1 Legacy Course changed the way you think, coach and the results you are getting?

BB: Less is more. It is not about the weight. Flexibility is king.

KSI: What do /would you tell others who may be considering doing the course?

BB: I encourage everyone I talk with to either do the course or obtain the books or DVD’s offered by KSI.

KSI: What do you see as the major challenges facing the profession/industry?

BB: PT’s who just do not know how to train clietns. The Cert IV teaches nought – all they want is to get the clients heart rate up to 80% MHR, bash them and send them on their way.

KSI: What have found different and or unique about the KSI way?

BB: The manner in which the training has a plan for the individual. There is progression through the phases underpinned by flexibility/injury prevention.

KSI: What final advice would you give someone starting our on their professional educational journey with KSI?

BB: Embrace the concepts, learn the art of coaching. Ignore the ridicule of others who just do not understand that there is absolutely no need for the majority to lift heavy all the time.

KSI: Thanks for your time and look forward to seeing you move into the next level of the KSI Coaching Program!

BB: OK – enjoyed the course. I apply the principles all the time and acknowledge the source.

KSI: Thanks for taking the time to participate and contribute through this ‘interview’! We look forward to sharing your story with others on a similar path in the near future!

Ian King

Lines of movement – the origin and intent of the concept  

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In 1998 I released a wide range of original, innovate training concepts developed during the prior 18 years of coaching, based on extensive personal professional experiences training large numbers of elite athletes. Many of these methods have gone on to shape how the world trains.

I have summarized many of these in the on-line course ‘KSI Level 1 – Legacy’, which was released for the first time about two years ago.

For example, I began my first public extensive teaching of the concept of lines of movement in 1998 with the following statement:

….To balance the athlete I work on a ratio of 1 to 1 of hip and quad dominant – in general. And I can assure you – most programs you’ll see are 2 to 1 – quad and hip.

That’s a concept I’m sure you’ll have never heard before because this is the first time I have spoken about it. (1)

The following shows a breakdown of the body into major muscle groups/lines of movement, and then into examples of exercises. It is what I call ‘the family trees of exercise’. Use this to assess balance in your exercise selection…. (2)

Now I am going to show you how I break the muscle groups up:(3)

Lower body:
Quad dominant
Hip dominant

Upper body:
Horizontal plane push
Horizontal plane pull
Vertical plane push
Vertical plane pull

These concepts are now used throughout the world. Ethical and well read authors and presenters reference and credit the origin.

Initially these concepts were referenced and credited accurately. For example, this was said about one concept, a concept I called ‘lines of movement’:

Before Ian popped up from Down Under, most coaches said to train all the muscles of the legs in one session and use the most efficient exercises. That means squatting and deadlifting on the same day. Problem — As effective as these big mass builders are, they’re also very fatiguing and really sap your energy levels. If you start your workout with squats, your deadlifts will suffer and vice versa.…

To help you understand how to divide and balance out your training, Ian came up with a list of major muscle groups that reflects their function:

Horizontal pulling (row)
Horizontal pushing (bench press)
Vertical pulling (chin-up)
Vertical pushing (shoulder press)
Hip dominant (deadlifts)
Quad dominant (squats)….

Ian has a few other categories for abs, lower back, calves, and arms, but the ones above are main muscle groups you need to worry about. Based on this list, you need to be doing vertical as well as horizontal pushing and you need to be doing the same number of sets for each and keep the rep ranges equal where appropriate.

Let me give you an example of how this list can help you. Before Ian provided this simple list, I did almost nothing but chin-up variations for back training. Sure, I did rows occasionally, but not very often as compared to chins. This was an imbalance. Now I do just as many sets of horizontal pulling as I do vertical pulling and it’s really helped my back development….(4)

To reinforce this point, here’s a program published in a popular men’s magazine in the US in 1997, about six months prior to the 1998 release of many of my concepts including lines of movement.

Stage 1: Wks 1-4 – The ‘bodybuilding’ phase (5)

A (Day 1)             B (Day 2)      (Day 3)        C (Day 4)           D (Day 5)        (Day 6)    (Day 7)

Incline Bar Press  Squat Off      Off               Bench Press       Hack Squats      Cardio      Rest day
DB Press              Leg Press                           Dips                   Lunge
Pull-down            Romanian Deadlift             Seated C/Row   Leg Extension
Bent-over Row    Glut/Ham Raise                 Upright Row      Lying Leg Curl
DB Sh Press         Standing Calf Raise           O/head Tri Ext  Seated Calf Raise
Barbell Curl
Hanging Leg Raise                                         Hanging Leg Raise
Crunch Abs (if not done on day 3)                Crunch Abs (if not done on day 3)
Oblique Crunch                                              Oblique Crunch

You will note the absence of many concepts that I released in 1998 in this program. e.g. lines of movement, uni-lateral bodwyweight exercises, abs first, control drills, pre-training stretching etc etc.

However in 2005 two ‘books’ were ‘published’ by two different and ‘effective’(6)  marketers, both of which ‘publications’ contained a wide range of my original ideas in the absence of referencing or credits (7).For example, both of these publications taught and used the concept of lines of movement without any referencing or credits (8). Both ‘authors’ were in seminars where I taught this concept in or around 1999 and or ordered my books and videos where I taught these as original concepts (9). So I conclude they knew the origin and simply choose to ignore it.

2005 formed a watershed year for my concepts, and since then I have seen a number of additional publications where the authors and or publishers have made no attempt to provide accurate credits or referencing, or at best a diluted one.

I believe that well-researched writers and teachers with integrity will apply acceptable professional guidelines when using the original works of others. Those who lack these two qualities don’t.
I watched this direction with interest. I raised these matters with a number of private organizations, professional bodies and publishers. Over time it appeared that values other than honest writings, ethical referencing and legally compliant copyright respect were not high on the priorities of these entities.

To the one particular staunch defender of this plagiarism – I share my belief that the willingness of these organizations to continue to associate with and endorse these individuals is not a reflection of the right of these individuals to carte blanche use of my intellectual property in the absence of professionally accepted standards of referencing and crediting – rather is it a reflection of the values of these entities, the implications of which will be judged by history.

I understand there is a market segment who belief that it doesn’t matter where the information comes from, as long as they get it. I respect their right to form any opinion they choose. However let me share mine position – those who lack the trait of honesty and long term application that would result in developing their own experiences to teach and sell do not understand the concepts, do no teach them accurately, have not used them long term in true practical application, and when either a new trend comes along or they feel it’s time to dump these concepts, will do so. Their motive to create short term personal and commercial gain by being the one to bring ‘new concepts’ to the market – I suggest this serves only themselves.

I also recognize that there may be some pain involved in me putting my hand up to correct this information. Those who entered to industry post 2000 and were first exposed to the un-referenced diluted versions may struggle with the idea that their source failed to teach the full picture. Some of the pain may even be deflected back to us.

None of this will change what the direction we are taking – to accurately and honestly teach my original concepts. To regain the legacy.

Despite the widespread teaching of my concepts by ‘authors’ such as this, or perhaps because of, the true intent and power of my concepts has not been put to use. The world is no better off. Sure a handful of new entrants to our industry have been given an impressive collection of information – but nothing really has changed. The reasons I created these concepts – to produce superior performances and reduced injuries – has not occurred.

This is disappointing but not totally surprising. I believe you will not serve humanity in the absence of a true deserve to serve. When the motive is to gain credit for new idea and short term cash flow, neither of these motives form what I call true intent, and therefore the original intent of the concepts falls short of their potential.

To address these issues, a few years ago I decided to collate my concepts and provide a summary of them in a way that included the history of why and how I developed them, and the most extensive explanation available as to how to use them. I called this the ‘KSI Level 1 – Legacy Course’. This is the first step in balancing the misinformation for self-serving purposes that has denied the world the opportunity to fully benefit from my original, innovative training concepts – concepts shaped, tested and proven by decades of practical application.

For the last two years this course has been available and undergone a long testing period. It began with a trial group that were virtually given the course, and even now, towards the end of the testing period, the price of the Legacy Course is only twice what many paid in the mid-2000’s for a document that was in essence a very poor copy of my How to Write / Get Buffed! TM and How to Teach books.

Perhaps over time, as more people gain access to the original content rather than the diluted plagiarized and/or unreferenced versions, the power of these concepts will come closer to fulfilling their potential in serving the world in optimizing performance and reducing injury.

Recently I was giving a lecture at a university in the US on the subject of ‘lines of movement’. I was given three hours to teach this concept. As I taught, it struck me that the content I was sharing would be so powerful for the world to gain an insight into where concepts such as this came from, why they were created, and their original and true intent in how to apply them.

To this effect, I have decided to make this three part seminar – Lines of Movement – available for order. You can order and watch this electronically delivered video by clicking on this link.

http://www.kingsports.net/products-ksi-evid-Linesofmovement.htm

If you value honesty, if you value learning from the source, and if you value learning the true intent of one of the many concepts I have created that have changed the way the world trains – I believe you will enjoy this video program!

(1) King, I., 1998, Strength Specialization Series (DVD), Disc 3, approx 1hr 06m 00sec in
(2) King, I., 1998, How to write strength training programs, p. 38
(3) King, I., 1998, Strength Specialization Series (DVD), Disc 3, approx 1hr 03m 00sec in
(4) Shugart, Chris, 2001, The Ian King Cheat Sheets, Part 1 – A quick and dirty look at all the cool stuff Ian King has taught us so far, Fri, Aug 24, 2001, T-mag.com
(5) Reference available upon request.
(6) If you can call deceit ‘effective’
(7) One even made the effort to use his own words
(8) Interestingly both ‘authors’ claimed to have ‘read everything there is to read in physical preparation’
(9) Although one did claim the content of my seminar was so bad he needed to walk out and take as many of the audience with him!

Ian King

The moral and economic decline of a once great nation  

/by

My attention was brought to a recent US blog extolling the benefits of stealing. From the outset, I say perhaps I have lost touch with the ‘new world’, because I was stunned by the content and the message.

Apparently, if you are not stealing:

• You do not have the keys to being a good strength coach or personal trainer
• You are a dumb personal trainer
• You are not participating in continuing education
• You are not a good person like Robin Hood (allegedly) was

Apparently, stealing in this context is synonymous with continuing education. Stealing in my legal contexts goes along these lines – an intent to permenantely deprive the owner.

There are apparently added benefits to ‘stealling’:

• Its cool
• All the good coaches do it

Of course, like any advertorial, there was a call to spend money in the writers directions. The reader was encouraged and invited to ‘come and steal’ from the writer and his buddies. And the investment needed, the reader was assured, was akin to buying the tools needed for burglary.

You see, ordinary ‘stealing’ may be free, but ‘good stealing’ involves parting with money. And there were two specific products/services promoted.

Now perhaps I live in a cave hidden form the world, but my understanding was that no religion or law endorsed, promoted or condoned stealing. If fact some cultures cut off your hand for doing so.

So how does the incitement to ‘steal’ help America? A once proud nation, whose national currency has halved in value in the last decade, with no signs of recovery. My understanding was what drove America in its growth periods was innovation and productivity. Writings such as these are the antithesis of this – don’t bother innovating, and don’t bother with productivity – you can get what you want the easy way.

I believe a criminologist from the school of ‘theres a correlation between poverty and criminality’. Are the recommendation and acceptance of these values a result and an indication of how much poverty abounding in this industry in America.

I suggest that the values promoted in this blog contribute to the moral and economic decline of a culture and nation. But what I am learning is those in a sinking ship don’t always think rationally. In fact, in raising similar points, one of their colleagues has labelled me as dishonest, so you are going to have to make up your own mind on this one.

So what was the motive of this promotion of the concept of stealing? Apart from another way to market goods and services, my opinion is that there is a desire to de-sensitize the market to intellectual property ‘stealing’ because this gives more latitude to those who want to publish but don’t have any original ideas.

Personally, I don’t see how the promotion of these values helps anyone, and I don’t know who it serves for America to stay morally and economically depressed or decline further.

Two misguided analogies were given –

1. Anthony Robbins
2. Robin Hood

In relation to Anthony Robbins, copying what they do and copying what they published are not one and the same. Additionally, I doubt Anthony Robbins would have been promoting the concept of stealing and that the investment in his educational material was akin to paying for the tools of burglary. And as for the Robin Hood analogy – I doubt the marketer/author was giving the proceeds of his sales to charity, so that was a real big stretch to make it fit the message.

I’ll say it again – perhaps I am too old fashioned for this world. However I stand by what I said – I don’t see how these values positively serve, and suggest they instead contribute to the moral and economic decline of a once great nation.