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Glowing Reviews
Started by Cole Dano, January 9, 2014 · 19 Replies · 85 Views
Daniel Burnham(IP: 143.215.144.79)
Level .5 GB Athlete
oI wont comment on whether or not it has been lifted from Coach's material. I can however offer a comparison.
Note: I have not trained using the GoldMedal Bodies Method. Mostly because I am beyond anything they offer. However I have seen the material and can give you some impressions of the differences.
GoldMedal bodies seems to be a laid back "practical", "do it for fun" gymnastics strength oriented training program. They offer pretty quick workouts that don't require as much grueling work as you might find in GB program. Now when I say grueling I mean that it takes dedication and is hard work. However GB leaves no stone un-turned in regards to general physical preparation (Foundation Series). The exercises in GoldMedal Bodies are similar to what you might find in any gymnastics gym and are arranged based on the equipment. For example there is parallette and rings training. You will immediately start some of the "cooler" movements and will be satisfied in this regard. I also have no doubt some that progress can be made on this program however don't expect to advance any further than the authors themselves as it doesn't include the prep for progressing to advanced movements.
GB program: This is a top of the line fitness program using Gymnastic Strength Training™. You will not find anyone more knowledgeable than Coach Sommer in the area. At least not one I can find that and someone else who would be willing to organize years of gymnastics knowledge and gear it to the general fitness enthusiast. I have trained with guys who are at a high level (several college gymnasts, a very good mens developmental coach with over 20 years experience, an Olympian, and a Brazilian national champion). And while I have learned a lot from them, Coach has given me the best program for gaining strength and preparing my body. This is also noticeable in the difference in his athletes who are extremely physically prepared.
Now with that said, GB is a more serious program with a proven track record. Coach has had many students who can do far more than what Gold Medal bodies has material on. Coach is also very serious about his program. No excess is included nor is he swayed by trying to make the program more fun by leaving out difficult elements or choosing to let people move on to advanced movements when it is not as beneficial as finishing the basics.
If you want to be tickled and get mediocre results (by GB standards) I think GoldMedal bodies can do that for you. If you want to become seriously prepared and get ready for the real fun then you need Gymnastic Bodies (period). I know you guys haven't all been to the seminar and are only seeing what Foundation offers (which is still really freaking cool) but if you are hardworking and dedicated you WILL get great results from Gymnastic Bodies curriculum. What other program even has progressions for Manna?
I have talked a lot about Foundation but this also goes for Handstand series. There really isn't even any competition here. Coach's is leaps and bounds better than anything I've ever seen including the programs aimed at teaching gymnastic coach's how to teach the handstand. The amount of shoulder/back prep in that book makes it worth way more than the asking price in my opinion.
Great idea, Cole.
I've been following along with my friend on his Foundation, but I just bought H1 and I've been experimenting all morning, there is just something awesome about moving around with quality, that makes this kind of training 10 times better, than what can be done at the local Fitness World:)
One example is that I could never figure out why despite my being a former university rower, and then competing in flatwater kayaking, I would always get into trouble when surfing, getting completely killed by the paddling component (I was a competitive paddler!). What I found out doing the Foundation program, is that despite many stengths, I probably have the weakest thoracic mobility and upper back/posterior shoulder endurance of any physically active person on here. Because of that, I am still stuck on the first level of a specific exercise, and will be there for at least another 6 months if not longer (I've actually had to make the exercise easier to make any progress). Although many of the uninitiated may see this as a problem with the Foundation program, I see it as its major strength, in that I would have never addressed these problem had it not been for my using this course (and I really do want to be a stronger surf paddler 
).
The strength of the program therefore lies in its ability to identify your weaknesses, whether in strength, endurance, or mobility, and then keeping you there for as long as it takes to fix those issues, so that by the time you're done with the program, not only will you be able to do those impressive moves, but you'll also have rebuilt your body into a state where you have strength with mobility, and are substantially less injury prone than before.
So I would suggest getting the program for the 30-day money back guarantee, trying to see if you can truly achieve mastery on every element (you won't), and then decide if you're ready to take a long-term view or not. If you are, keep the program and start chipping away, if you're not, send it back, but don't even think of getting F2 or anything above it.
OliverMarcell (IP: 93.167.42.206 )
Sent 09 February 2014 - 02:29 AM
Hello Coach!
My last question addressed the manna, and then you told me it was all covered in the F-series.
Well, an hour later i bought F1,F2,F3 and F4! I really enjoy the series. It has given me new motivation! My skill set has improved tremendously and my muscle mass are improving faster than i have ever seen before! (and i've tried a lot online coaching: FitnessFAQs, Ido Portal, etc...) NOTHING beats the foundation series.
#1 RF_Guy (IP: 216.58.18.73)
Posted Today, 07:05 PM
Just wanted to say thank you! Going from PE1 to PE5 almost completely cured my left shoulder from impegement that lasted for few years. HBP PE5 is probably the most painful PE I have done so far but ever since I started it little pain that still remained completely disappeared. My daughter appreciates it the most as I can pick her up now whenever she wants.
Jon Douglas and MT Nordic like this Like This
PhilTaylor (IP: 84.60.28.243)
Posted Today, 12:03 PM
Thanks for the quick answers !
I will follow your recommendation and focus on HBP, RC and H1 work for the next three weeks.
Is it okay to add some of the harder iM for the shoulder mobility work?
Gymnastic Bodies is amazing! Thanks for taking your time to create such a great program and at the same time answering questions on the forum Coach Sommer. And thanks Joshua Slocum for the fast answer too. This support makes this place special!
https://www.gymnasticbodies.com/forum/topic/15568-gold-medal-bodies-parallettes/
I (unfortunately) purchased their parallettes and rings programs a while ago. Go with F1 and H1. Infinitely better, and cheaper too.
I can do the P2 flow already (minus the straddle planche), and I'm only on F1 and H1. A straddle press as demonstrated in the course is bent arm, which is a joke compared to a straight arm press which H2 develops.
Nonetheless, GMB is good as it gets people moving and knowing their bodies. However, for serious Gymnastic Strength Training™, GB is the way to go.
My weightlifting coach told me what he thought of my gymnastics training...
"Keep doing it! It is making you a better weightlifter. You are much more flexible, smoother and more athletic getting under the bar."
Yeah! And I've been doing H1/F1 for only 3 weeks now!
Just do Foundation first. It's one of those things that, if you stick with it long enough, you absolutely will not regret. I used to think that because I'd been doing WODs in some form or another for about a year that I should skip Foundation. I mean, I could do a "back lever"... I was wrong. Then I thought because I was pressing 2X32kg and 2X40 kg kettle bells for ridiculous amounts of volume three days per week that Foundation (and I mean step 1 for most movements) wouldn't be enough. I was wrong again.
I've finally realized that coming from pretty much any other physical activity and taking up GST is like transferring from your local community college to the Ivy League: Your credits do not transfer. That's okay, though, because starting from year one whilst being among the best strength athletes in the world is worth playing a little catch up.
And once you really commit to the program, you starting having fun almost right away. Almost every training session of Foundation brings with it the rewards of progress. "Is that pleasant, fatigued sensation in my knees and elbows the connective tissue remodeling Coach Sommer talks about?" Yes, it most certainly is. That feeling is a back lever. And an iron cross. And a Manna. Even if I never make it to these skills (which I most certainly will), the immediate payoff of post-Foundation strength and suppleness is worth at least twice the effort one puts in to it.
Now we are both happy:
- You do not need to deal with a program which is clearly too sophisticated for you.
- I do not need to deal with your incoherent whining. Please go troll somewhere else.
Yours in Fitness,
Coach Sommer
Just wanted to say a quick thankyou to Coach Summer and to the many great forum members here... in relation to the whining... I wanted to make these points.
I am a coach in my profession and for many years an elite/advanced player also... for so many years I toiled so very hard to improve my physique sprinting/agility work/stretching and weight training. My injury/stiffness and ailments list is very long and still persisting. My body had so many imbalances and ailments and I just thought it's the price you pay. Since finding Foundation I've discovered a world of freedom and although my body still complains about the many adjustments it has to make ... it has improved so much in general strength, mobility and flexibility. Most of the benefit is mental (ie the relief of knowing my body is getting better, forever). I now feel so good about what's to come and I can actually focus on improving my level rather than how to manage issues.
I've spent sometime here and the level of knowledge/info here is fantastic... very rare to find so much knowledgable help.
What is charged for the course is laughable for the benefits it gives - can anyone really complain about paying $80 or so for life - even if you get one thing small out of it - you've got your monies worth! I know it is worth 10 times that amount... but that would take it off the menu of so many that would even try it. In a world confused and looking for simple answers as well as complex ones, there are so many b$@# s$## solutions - you can get the truth here.
In all if all I had was F1 when I was 17 and got to the end in 12 months or so, that would give me enough knowledge and ability to vary it and come up with my own variations to be right for life.
thankyou to all of you here and for sharing your knowledge... also don't be backward in telling people how it is. What you have here is exceptional and we should be proud of it... if someone can't see it - they most likely never will - it is their loss.
https://www.gymnasticbodies.com/forum/topic/17464-1-year-into-foundation/ Arthur Costi(IP: 177.220.185.54)
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Posted Today, 01:04 PM
This is just my 2 cents for those who are on the sidelines thinking if Foundation is worth the investment.
Since last year I am following the progressions on Foundation 5 days/week and I never felt so much strength building in so little time, I am a tall guy (1.88m / 6'2) so it is very difficult to do horizontal positions like Front Lever and Planche but I felt a huge increase in strength after following the progressions on the course, I am still working on all exercises and haven't mastered any of the 6 foundation positions described on the course, I am very close on some and a little far behind on others, but I don't have any kind of rush, in the past I was desperate to "conquer" certain kinds of skills and frequently injuried myself, now I am just enjoying the process and it has never been so fun, and ironically, I never progressed so fast.
I am gonna post here a picture of my fingertip straddle planche, I can hold it for 3 to 4 seconds and it is very over my head right now to use for training, I know I am losing protraction and the form is not perfect, I just want that people can see someone who isn't naturally inclined for planche being able to grasp a straddle planche using foundation.
Thanks a lot for Coach Sommer and his team for putting the effort on publishing these amazing work, it made me break several plateaus that have been stalling me for years. I am very grateful for being able to be part of this community.
I haven't even been doing gst very long but some of my friends just gawk in amazement at simple things like how strong my fingers are from H1 work.
Foundation and Handstand is designed to fix your problems. Plus they're just plain cool 
edit: and from the GB World Team page
Haha, we did an all-out cardio circuit for military PT today; in what seems to be one for the record books, Flight Sergeant actually came over to compliment me on my burpees. Apparently I was the first person he's ever seen not breaking at the hips when doing them, and that it was fantastic to see. He also expressed the opinion that everyone should do gymnastics, and sent compliments to my coach, whom naturally I kicked all the credit over to
Not looking for help. Just wanted to say thanks from a satisfied customer. I'm 44, and I haven't been close to touching my toes in about 30 years (even back when I was a competitive college basketball player and track athlete). I'm not quite there yet, but 5 straight weeks of thoracic bridge, middle split, and front split has me very, very close. And my back feels much better too. I took some "before" pictures and I'll take some "later" pictures in a month or two and post them in the forum. Thanks to all who put the stretch series together.
Craig Copeland, Owings Mills, MD