Saturday, May 20, 2017

Speedball Steve: A Man Who Thinks with His Balls.

With 17 years of industry experience, Steve Feinberg is well known for the implementation of group fitness/wellness programs across premier facilities, universities, community associations, and residential/corporate fitness centers. He is also highly regarded as a group exercise instructor for a variety of classes – ranging from formats based on martial arts and strength/conditioning to trending modalities such as ViPR and Kettlebells.
Steve created the Speedball class format and developed the Instructor training program. Although an expert in general exercise choreography and class structure, Steve specializes in martial arts and boxing. He has worked with top-ranked professional fighters, elite amateur athletes, International fitness presenters, the average Joe and Jane, and youth travel soccer teams.
Steve is a trusted source for fitness expertise, regularly appearing in a variety of local, national, and international media. His specialties include boxing, martial arts, cycling, para-natal fitness, preventative strength and conditioning, and functional athletic movement. Steve has also studied Eskrima, Butterfly Hands, Choi Lei Faht and Lama Pi Kung Fu, Yang-style Michuan Tai Chi Chuan, Capoeira.



Speedball Steve: A Man Who Thinks with His Balls. 

interview by PLYOGA COO Thomas Ascough

It is awesome to have gotten the chance to catch up with Steve Feinberg and get some great fitness and SpeedBall perspective from him.  Steve is a smart guy, and knows fitness like the back of his hand (or better), but the reason I thought to pick his brain is because of how effortlessly "FUN" he is.  Steve is one of my 5 year old daughter's favorite people, and the only man I know who does not get slapped when offering people a chance to interact with his balls.  
   
PFIT: We want to know more about SpeedBALL Fitness! What makes it SPECIAL? With all of the fitness education you have, why did you think the world needed you to create it? 
STEVE: Speedball, the method, was created to be the perfect marriage of basic exercise science and the love of the group fitness experience. I call it "EnterTrainment".  The objective: utilize intelligently and elegantly designed sequences of movement whose composition is that of a martial movement flow (based on my Kung Fu background), with exercise selection governed by science that brings the FUN into FUNCtional training for all apparently healthy bodies! 

PFIT: What are the major benefits of SpeedBALL? 
STEVE: This is what really gets me excited about Speedball. 
Improved cardiovascular and muscular endurance and enhanced dynamic mobility (which leads to better Range of Motion (ROM)). 
Improved kinesthetic awareness/increased Quantity of Motion (QOM)(leads to better proprioception and CNS performance due to the combination of the 3D/multi-vectoral movement complexity that revisits some development stages of motor learning and the plyometric reactivity and tactile stimulation of the proprietary SpeedBALL). 
Anxiety/stress reduction and mood enhancement (flow state of play that tends to induce theta waves and good vibes).
Neuro-regeneration (new neural pathways and regrown grey matter a response to both the complexity of the sequence and the rhythmic, non-stop steady state formatting), 
An anti-inflammatory effect on the whole fascial system (a function of training whole integrated chains of movement vs. isolation of muscles, a focus on long ROM, and the aerobic/atheltic QOM mix, as we all know the best way to feel "good" is low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise to increase circulation, clear lactate, and reduce DOMS).
Better shoulder joint stability/mobility balance and core activation during movement.
Basically better WELL-BEING, mental and physical.

PFIT: Tell us about you and why this particular movement was in your field of vision.  
STEVE: My long-term study of the Chinese Martial arts flowed seamlessly into my professional interest in bio-mechanics and kinematics. 
I was past the point in which I could return to a full formal collegiate pursuit, as I already had a taste for the service of delivering movement (and I assure you, NO ONE GENRE of movement enforces the nuances of form and function more than the ancient martial arts), so it's been nearly two decades of learning from greats, seminars, workshops, unofficial internships, newsletters, credible blogs by top coaches, and lots of experience. 
As a competitor in boxing I came to understand the demands of sport-specific conditioning, along with continued studies and inclusion in amateur and professional boxing camps.  At the same time, I became hooked on the euphoria of delivering group exercise experiences to elated members who could forget about their problems and leave feeling better than when they arrived, the first natural crossover vehicle being cardio kickboxing.  
Combining the programming aspects of my personal training education, my affinity for and musical flow of group fitness, and the multi-directional sequencing and repetition of martial arts forms (some styles refer to as Katas, if this is a more familiar term) was a culmination of all the best things my career development had to offer. The first iteration was based on my work with top 10-ranked heavyweight boxer Jameel "Big Time" McCline, and then it transitioned over 13 years into the fully replicable, science-backed movement education system for professionals and workout series for consumers today.  
I didn't do this alone:  I've had collaboration and education from my Kinesiological advisor Dr. Julia Keefer (MS/PHD), early developments from former partner and mentoree Michelle Ho, development assistance from Marcelo Ehrhardt (recognized top instructor, former regional Equinox supervisor and current director of Lake Shore Sport and Fitness), who inspired the birth by request of the group fitness format, my former European brand partners and master instructors at the International Fitness and Aerobics Academy, and especially my education co-developer and current COO, Lauren Colenso-Semple.

PFIT: What are the steps to join the SpeedBALL team and get certified as a trainer?   
STEVE: Simple.  Scenarios are:
1) Register for one of the instructor education days (schedule available @ www.speedballfitness.com), receive online study tools, learn method, pass test, get CE's for major organizations, spend an entire day with me or a master instructor refining and perfecting teaching tools and method, send in practical video analysis, and start teaching classes or training clients with tons of online refresher content! 
2). Register for the online instructor education (available @ www.speedballfitness.com), receive online study tools, learn method completely at your OWN PACE, pass test, get CE's for major organizations all without leaving your family, additional Travel & Expense costs, or loss of income, send in practical video analysis, and start teaching classes or training clients with tons of online refresher content!
3) Have me come to your facility with 8 friends ready to learn more about functional loaded movement training, and repeat all of the above!  Anyone who chooses to do step 2 after reading this may use code PRO20 as a gift from PLYOGA for 20% off of their ball order and/or online training.




PFIT: What are your favorite products in SpeedBALL or your industry in general that you feel have the most benefit for people to know about? 
STEVE: Obviously the proprietary SpeedBALL is first and foremost. The small breakthrough in technology has great benefits, and can be used for a great variety of formats more efficiently than the current tools, replacing unweighted small balls in barre, Pilates magic circles, lightly reactive balls for youth and adult athletic training (eye-hand coordination and improved tactile response/reflexes), general safe tool for school kids play and sports, power endurance impact training, and of course Speedball Fitness:-).  Other favorites include:

   The Core Flyte, invented and represented by friends Paul Nicholas and Jeremy Greenberg, the Omni-directional took which I've had the pleasure of being involved with on the generalized home workout protocols and love the breakthrough in technology for trainers and classes. Check out Core Flyte
   The Staby, an invention by the co-developer and manufacturing partner of the SpeedBALL, Andrea Burkhardt. The protocols for physical therapy and personal training are amazing, and I would personally love to use it for a segment of group fitness. Check out the Staby
   I personally barely go a DAY in my work life without utilizing my Quad Bands, represented by Juan-Carlos Santana. Metabolic band conditioning and teamwork/timing or very serious loading for an individual has never been so easy or effective. A favorite tool of mine for the better part of a decade, they are 4 bands (hence the name) connected by a steel ring, portable and provide enough resistance for adaptations. Check em out!
   Primal 7 is the top suspension tool for me right now. It allows for partially supported body weight during all different ring-based exercises. The gravity and impact on joints can be reduced to nearly zero, creating infinite possibility. 
     Primal 7 Website

PFIT: What is SpeedBALL Steve’s FAVORITE way to start the day?
STEVE: The only way for me: a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar, a series of serums/potions/pills with water, and a shower:-)

PFIT: What is your favorite thing to spend money on?  
STEVE: Food!  Travel is next. Then, of course, my business of helping others through fitness. Anything to improve the resources and offerings I can share with others.

PFIT: What is the one thing you never leave your house without (besides your cell phone)? 
STEVE: My sense of humor

PFIT: Have you discovered any indulgent recipes that are pretty good for you, that people could benefit from knowing? 
STEVE: Black truffle salt on almost anything. Trust the DJ.

PFIT: What is the main thing you make sure to do to keep a positive outlook in general? 
STEVE:Clear my email box to the best of my ability, get sweaty and play, laugh, sing (both functions of my work, lucky me), be with my family if geographically possible, and make other people happy. Main things. Not sexy, but it works for me!

PFIT: It is amazing how good an empty email box feels! Do you have a favorite book/movie/band/song that stays in your head and motivates you regularly?  
STEVE: All of the above!
My favorite books are Interview with a Vampire and The Hobbit.
As far as movies, I love The Breakfast Club, Star Wars, and The Matrix.  
My go to bands are Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin.  Songs that motivate me at will (laugh if you like) are Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz and Superstar by Big Time Rush. 

Stories and songs full of morality, humanity, healthy doses of fantasy AND reality, happy harmonies, dissident chords, conflict resolution, standing up and excelling, knowing and believing in oneself fully, and standing up for what's right to the Nth degree. 
"If life is a stage, we all get to CHOOSE our roles to play."

PFIT: Is what you’re doing now what you always wanted to do growing up? 
STEVE: OF COURSE NOT!  Who thinks about being a gym teacher or fitness Instructor when they were little (30-40 years ago)?  I wanted to be a paleontologist, followed by a psychologist.

PFIT: Well you are kind of a psychologist at least!  Your company is fun and unique.  What is in the future for SpeedBALL Fitness? 
STEVE: Reaching as many people around the world as possible and increasing quality of life and longevity for the general population.  Next immediate step: PE programming and equipment for public school kids, right around the corner!

PFIT: We love to work with kids too.  That should be fun with the SpeedBall!
What personal beliefs keep you focused and believing in your drive forward? Any quotes to live by?  
STEVE: My personal belief is that life is full of constant information, and the job imposed on each of us is to filter according to an equation we develop for ourselves, made up of a combination of logic/reason, feelings, and belief systems/intuition.  The key is to absorb what's useful, apply what you can, and throw out the rest.   
Quote to live by:
"Just because it's hard work doesn't mean it has to be miserable" --SpeedballSteve. 

PFIT: Bonus Round: Imagination time! You have magic powers and you can transform into any one animal. Which one do you choose to become? Why?  
STEVE: With the caveat that I can return to my original form, something that breathes water AND air. I'm ultimately intrigued by the amphibious experience!

PFIT: If you could travel through time.. where would Speedball Steve go? 
STEVE: NOWHERE without a guaranteed return to my current life and no ripple effects… and… I am truly happy with who, where, and what I am, so honestly my imagination doesn't place me anywhere else!

PFit: Well Steve! If my 5 year old daughter Savannah had her way, you would live with us... but in the meantime, we'll have to settle for some great insight from a terrific guy who has decades more to offer our industry. Thank you so much for taking the time to give people a look into your head for a few minutes!    

Visit Speedball Fitness 
www.speedballfitness.com
Follow Steve & Speedball Fitness
@speedballfitness
@speedballsteve


Call Speedball Fitness to Inquire
(765) 789-0255
Email Speedball for more information
info@speedballfitness.com





No comments:

Post a Comment