About Mike, FAQs, concepts & process

Hello:

Given the poly-crisis' of today, including health-care, it is safe to say that we all consider taking care of our relationships, our resources, and our fitness and health. I have and will continue to share my expertise and experience with others in varied settings (indoors, outdoors, and online), and for a host of circumstances and conditions.

A former high performance gymnast and martial artist, I especially know what awkwardness can feel like, having dealt with the sheer difficulty of gymnastics (no one just naturally becomes a skilled gymnast; often falling and looking clumsy when first learning). Consequently, I have developed an aptitude for giving persons rather applicable instruction and progressions--whether in-person or online.

Personal training has included youth, adults of all ages and interests (health, sport and other performances), and both preventive and rehab services. Aside from being a serious student of most cutting edge exercise science for over 25 years, I have experience with varied clientele, having worked in cardiac rehab, and physiotherapy settings with, WCB, ICBC and private clients (including Hydrotherapy, essentially gentle customized exercise in a warm water pool)

A long-time interest in the mind/body relationship, I can't help but overlap with my recreational hobbies such as cross-country running and singing.

Best health,

Mike Burnside, B.PHE, CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist, CSEP High Performance Specialist

FAQs (frequently asked questions)

In this uncertain world these days, I want safety and proficiency. What is the Gold Standard for personal training and kinesiology certification? Who sets the standards?

CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologists are now a recommended credential in British Columbia for qualified exercise professionals looking to work in the province’s health care system. Requiring a university degree in exercise science, subject to the only 'kinesiology' national board exam found in Canada; CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologists are the most advanced personal training and exercise prescription certification in the province. They provide exercise therapy for those with chronic medical conditions and disabilities, and frailties (all ages). Active Rehab programming is often used in various medical and insurance provisions.

The CSEP High Performance Specialization™ focuses on performance and occupational testing and training for qualified exercise professionals working with elite athletes, emergency services personnel, armed forces, and high performance clients. CSEP is a vital participant within academia, and other research branches.

With my medical condition(s), what is the advantage of seeing a CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist or CSEP Personal Trainer?

Tele-health exercise-therapy requires only the highly skilled. Indoor protocols require those with knowledgeable safety features. CSEP qualifications have been set up to help medical doctors refer highly qualified fitness professionals to patients needing Medical Fitness. If you suspect physical fitness--including weight management--are contributing factors to your medical situation/condition, consider getting screened and appraised by an independent kin/CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Clients with more than one stable medical condition are served by the kinesologist/CSEP-CEP.

The CSEP Certified Personal Trainer handles less complications (max. of one stable chronic medical condition or disability). Bang for the buck: affordable supervised exercise-therapy PLUS customized fitness training ('personal training'). You get overlapping physical-therapy (exercise-therapy or even active-rehab programming) with professional personal-training! This is the 'kinesiology' concept.

I suspect I am unfit. How do I know exercise therapy and/or qualified personal training is a good investment?

By training with professional supervision, you can take control of your health risks. A university-educated (Exercise Science) personal trainer provides professional assessment, prescription/design, and instruction which tends to insure sound habit formation and progress. If it is complicated, think about what needs to be solved. Screening and appraisal might help you clarify just 'how fit are you'.

How do I know this personal training process really works?

Once screened and evaluated, a more realistic picture of your lifestyle, physical activity habits, and actual fitness/movement abilities emerge. The personal training immediately targets your needed areas of attention--safely, effectively, and confidently. Clients who train just two times a week for 3-4 months usually show significant improvements. Along with the solid gains in numbers, many report feeling more energetic, and coordinated. Progress occurs with relative comfort and avoidance of pain.

What do other people think of the services?

Feel free to check out the Testimonials. Numerous clients report being very pleasantly surprised at how previous chronic joint problems have gone away since training. Some are pleasantly surprised to find out the training is strictly pain-free. Some stay on for long periods of time and others move on after achieving their goals (which can include eventual independence from the trainer or continuing periodic check-ups and/or remedial work).

Can I get this service and information without paying?

Some people can learn by book, apps, and video-- which is great. However, those with more complications probably need real professional help.

Note: If you qualify for active rehab through various insurance and medical plans, you might go directly to this service. We can show you how.

Privacy is important to me. What can be done to ensure confidentiality?

If you wish to meet somewhere private such as your home or office, this might be possible. In terms of confidentiality, your collected information and data is for you only (and any health care professional, with your permission, of course). Mike is certified and insured to work with various clinics and medical professionals.

What if I don’t like it?

Here is a way to find out your best fit...try out just one training/consultation session. The process will help you make a realistic commitment for yourself, and lead you to your next step. Simply have a desire to change towards (and along) the positive health continuum, and be open to any consultative suggestions. This is a solutions-based service that gives persons further options and professional referrals.

Three types of Fitness that you might consider:

Health Related Fitness

Statistically, the fittest persons in the population tend to have less health risks compared to the unfit. In fact, exercise is now being recognized as medicine, and most research show better results than most drugs (with more benefits and no side affects!). And although appropriate exercising requires efforts, it is applied pain free!

Rehab/Medical Fitness

"If you want to ease a chronic health problem....many physicians have little to no fitness expertise ....." --The Science of Exercise, Special TIME edition. 2018

The CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist provides exercise-therapy services for those who need to attain better health and mobility at home or at work. They provide Active Rehab programming on behalf of various clinics.

Performance Related Fitness

Tasks usually involve some sort of skill, whether it is picking up a box, climbing a ladder, running, or performing an Olympic level gymnastics routine. Sports and performance activities, with their respective skills and tasks, have some rather specific fitness and movement requirements, usually within categories of energies and mechanics.

Along with sensitive and sensible approaches, technical background is critical for your fitness and mobility outcomes/results

Based on reviewing Mike Burnside's fitness contents (a book, Yes/No Fitness), if good mobility is a significant need (or want), and you sense that attaining such changes probably does entail technical stuff… his messaging is designed to empower 'do it yourself actions/habits' safely and effectively.

Professor Dr. Danny Pincivero, PhD (Exercise Physiology)

"Biomechanics, an area that the public is just catching on to, is critical for the best movement and fitness outcomes, and Mike Burnside really knows his stuff".

Jeff Thomson: FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) Age Group Development Program Expert; and past Men's Artistic Gymnastics Program Director at Gymnastics Canada