If you’re as frustrated, confused or massively disappointed by mainstream fitness as I am, then I want to welcome you to a place were we can grow, evolve and become our best selves – together.
Big problems with mainstream fitness…
-Mainstream fitness continually gives us bad information and the wrong messages.
-Mainstream fitness falls way short in empowering us to become our best over the long-term.
–Mainstream fitness does NOT teach us about the importance of strength qualities – so that we truly achieve lasting results and become high-performing, resilient human beings.
-Mainstream fitness does NOT emphasize the importance of human movement, skill development and intelligent programming as part of our journey.
-Mainstream fitness doesn’t tell us that the “hottest new fat-burning or performance exercises” are actually the old-school basics that are intelligently programmed.
I could go on, but I’m here to help and empower people like you who are serious about their training.
We deserve better.
You deserve better.
This site is simply designed to help you become your best and achieve your specific goals as a lifter, as an athlete, or as a passionate fitness enthusiast.
And, if you’re a coach, you’ll get value here, too.
I want you to start thinking about movement, strength, and performance as the absolute keys to your success.
When I made this shift a decade or so ago, it changed everything and transformed my health and fitness to entirely new levels – even after years of training.
It can do the same for you.
Think about this…
Strength brings freedom that very few people ever realize, until they no longer have it.
If you’re stuck. If you’re searching for better answers. If you’re looking for real results without the hype – then I can help you.
I help people, serious fitness enthusiasts like you, build on a foundation of strength so that they live healthier, happier, and perform better.
I teach methods and strategies for strength, power, and performance that I’ve learned and evolved through decades of training.
I’ve helped countless people get stronger, train smarter, and achieve specific goals over the long haul.
Strength is the underlying quality that helps everything else and I’ll show you how.
Also, recently and proudly published on:
If you landed on this page, then you should know more about who’s behind this site.
Hey there my friend, my name is Scott Iardella.
I’m a strength coach, movement teacher, podcaster, and author of the book, The Edge of Strength. I’m also a former physical therapist – which has a lot to do with how I approach strength and performance training.
The quote below is the best summary of my mission and how I’m working to help people all over the world.
Once again, it is a shame to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which the body is capable – and that’s why I’m here.
It is a shame to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which the body is capable.Click To TweetI’m extremely fortunate to have a unique background as a former physical therapist and competitive bodybuilder turned strength athlete – which has provided me different insights that I feel help “bridge gaps” in health, fitness, and performance.
My approach is NOT mainstream.
If you’re looking for the “short-cut” or “quick fix,” I’m sorry to say, you won’t find it here.
My training philosophy and core beliefs are outlined below.
And, it really is this simple.
I focus on a few specific methods of training.
But, I focus on the fundamentals, as you may have just seen from above.
And, I don’t just talk or write about these methods – I TRULY LIVE THEM.
I practice what I write about, so this isn’t just theoretical stuff.
Personally, I always work to develop better skills, improve my movement patterns and to get stronger.
Keep this in mind.
It’s about the PRINCIPLES I use, not so much the methods.
Everything I teach is based on the fundamental principle of improving human movement.
These are things I teach and…
It’s how I train.
It’s a hybrid approach, but it’s also a very focused approach.
You can go far and deep with any of these areas to achieve great things, physically and mentally.
These areas are similar, yet so different.
If you think any of these are are “out of your scope” – I’d challenge you to “suspend your disbelief” about what you can accomplish – regardless of age, gender, or background.
Here’s a little more…
I’m fortunate to have a deep background which blends my experiences as a clinician, an athlete, and a coach with “over 3 decades” of unique experiences.
I’ve worked with a many different people and backgrounds – from professional athletes to the general population – in a variety of roles through the years.
MPT – Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy (University of Maryland) CSCS – Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist by the NSCA CISSN – Certified Sports Nutritionist by ISSN SFG II – Strong First Level 2 Kettlebell Instructor SFL – Strong First Barbell Instructor USAW L1 – United Stated Weightlifting Coach – Level I CACWC – Catalyst Athletics Certified Weightlifting Coach CCWC – Certified Clinical Athlete Weightlifting Coach CWPC – Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach CK-FMS – Certified Kettlebell Functional Movement Specialist CSAC – Certified Speed And Agility Coach ALTIS-TRAINED – Training by the global leader in Sport Performance PN-1 – Precision Nutrition, Level I Fitness Professional US LACROSSE – US Lacrosse, Level 2 Certified Coach
HERE’S THE FORMAL CREDENTIALS EXPLAINED, IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING ALL THE DETAILS…
Scott Iardella, MPT, CSCS, CISSN, SFG-TL, FMS, Pn1, USAW, CACWC, CCWC, CWPC, CSAC
Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy (MPT)
I hold a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) as well as a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in physical therapy from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. I worked for several years as a sports orthopedic physical therapist in the outpatient setting.
I do NOT practice as clinician any longer, but I consistently use my background education and knowledge to maximize strength and performance and minimize risk for injury. That education and experience never fades away.
Next are my are areas of specialization as a strength and performance coach:
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA.com)
This credential is widely established as “the standard of excellence” in the industry in the area of strength and conditioning and is truly a gold standard.
This credential continues to be the distinguished credential for top-level coaches and fitness professionals around the world.
The CSCS is accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). For more information on accreditation, please visit credentialingexcellence.org/NCCA
KETTLEBELL TRAINING
StrongFirst Level II Certified Kettlebell Instructor (SFGII) and StrongFirst Barbell Instructor (SFL) (StrongFirst.com)
These are the most current methods and techniques taught by Pavel Tsatsouline. Pavel is widely regarded as the man responsible for popularizing the effectiveness of kettlebell training applications today.
I am currently a Strong First Level II Kettlebell Certified Instructor. What this means to you is that I am properly trained to instruct in hardstyle kettlebell training techniques. The certification requirements are stringent and must be re-tested every 2 years.
In my experience, the StrongFirst methods have been the safest, most comprehensive and most effective way to train with a kettlebell for optimal results. The hardstyle methods also align with my personal beliefs on safe and effective movement, as well as my background as a PT.
OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING
SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH, LEVEL ONE (USAW) (TeamUSA.org/USA-weightlifting)
This certification represents the standard Weightlifting certification course by Team USA and USA Weightlifting. I learned from top coach, Danny Camargo. USA Weightlifting is the official governing body of Olympic Weightlifting in the United Sates and the provider of coaching education for the sport of weightlifting under the United States Olympic Committee. This “live” certification teaches the full technical progressions of the snatch and the clean and jerk.
Catalyst Athletics (Level 1) Certified Weightlifting Coach (CACWC) by CatalystAthletics.com
Catalyst Athletics is the world’s largest source for Weightlifting education. Catalyst was created by top coach and mega book author, Greg Everett. I was fortunate to spend a weekend learning directly from Greg about the Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting methodology. I have used these methods and progressions since 2014 and the system is brilliant for weightlifters of all backgrounds. I’m honored to be one of only a handful in the state of Florida with this distinction.
Certified Clinical Athlete Weightlifting Coach (CCWC) by Clinical Athlete.com
This was a 2-day “live” intensive seminar on the Olympic Weightlifting movement assessment and progressions developed by Dr. Quinn Henoch. This system is based on proper movement assessment for athletics and also “corrective” strategies to optimize positions required for the Olympic lifts and accessory exercises.
Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC) by the National Sports Performance Association (NSPA.org)
The CWPC credential was done through the newly formed National Sports Performance Association (previously, Athletes Acceleration) led by Coach Pat Beith. This particular certification was a comprehensive online training program, methodology and assessment led by accomplished Olympic Weightlifting coach, Wil Flemming.
FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT & CORRECTIVE EXERCISE
Functional Movement Specialist (CK-FMS) FunctionalMovement.com
The FMS (Functional Movement Screen), developed by renowned physical therapist Gray Cook, is considered the “gold standard” in movement assessment to help screen for injury risk. I was certified through the 4-day CK-FMS “live” workshop in which I was honored to learn directly from Gray Cook and Brett Jones.
SPORTS & PERFORMANCE NUTRITION
Certified Sports Nutritionist by the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN) (SportsNutritionSociety.com)
The CISSN is the premier sports nutrition certification in the world by the leading sports nutrition organization, the ISSN. The testing standards are extremely high and the testing demands a strong understanding of science, performance nutrition and sport supplementation. The credential provides a solid understanding and practical approach to optimizing nutrition and supplementation for sport performance. The certification is based on the science and practice of the textbook, “Essentials of Sports Nutrition & Supplementation.”
Precision Nutrition – Level 1 Certified Coach (PN1) (PrecisionNutrition.com)
The Precision Nutrition Certification provides a complete education in nutritional science and coaching applications for exercise and sport nutrition. Recognized around the world by fitness professionals and practitioners as one of the most comprehensive and essential courses in nutritional coaching available today. The course and exam are based on the textbook, “Essentials of Sport & Exercise Nutrition.”
SPEED AND AGILITY TRAINING
Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC) by the National Sports Performance Association (NSPA.org)
This is a complete online training course on multi-directional speed and agility that is taught by top speed coach, Lee Taft (Lee is known as “the speed guy.”) The course covers the most fundamental aspects of teaching the correct techniques of speed development to improve athletic performance.
You might be wondering why I decided to take this certification. I decided on this one for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to better understand speed training and be able to coach multi-directional speed. Specifically, I wanted this understanding to help my daughters – who are active in sports. Secondly, this was an area I felt I simply didn’t know enough about. This is another in-depth certification and assessment by the National Sports Performance Association. There’s no better way to learn than immerse yourself in a course that’s taught by a leading expert. Since taking this course, I have read multiple books and taken other courses on speed development.
I have come to realize that SPEED is the TRUE fountain of youth.
As a result, I have continued to immerse in speed training techniques and philosophies, including the renowned ALTIS system.
ALTIS-TRAINED COACH (Altis.world)
ALTIS is elite training for athletes and a global leader in education for sports performance. The essentials course is the foundational training system and principles for athletic strength, power, and speed development.
In addition to this education, I have attended or instructed at countless “live” seminars or workshops to improve my knowledge and skill set.
This combination is uncommon, but it means I’m honored to bring a lot to the table.
When I’m not training, I’m usually attending workshops, seminars or lectures to always get better and improve myself.
I’ve been honored to personally work with and learn from many top coaches and brilliant people such as:
Why should you care about any of this?
Because the better I get – the more I can help you.
That’s the way I look at it.
I actually do everything I write about here – all the lifts, techniques, and methods. Even the sprint and speed work.
In other words, I practice what I preach, so to speak.
So…
What is STRENGTH?
Strength gives us the ability to be more, to do more, and to have more.
It literally makes everything else better in our lives.
I talk a lot about this in my book, The Edge of Strength, which is the big picture philosophy and approach to strength training.
THE EDGE OF STRENGTH is AVAILABLE in AMAZON – CLICK HERE.
Anyway, I’m glad you found this site.
I hope you join me in the journey together.
1.) I’m most proud to be a husband and a father of two. It’s the major driver for what I do everyday.
2.) I’m an insane book reader. What I mean is that I read everything I can get my hands on. I love books and always share the great stuff I read. I’ve got more book recommendations than you can possibly imagine. If there’s a strength and performance book you’ve seen – chances are I’ve read it…
3.) I’m a former competitive bodybuilder. I competed for 6 years and it was an amazing experience that changed my life.
4.) I overcame a major back injury. After my first bodybuilding show, I suffered a severe disc herniation that required surgery. It was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. It was also something that radically changed my life for the better.
5.) I experienced some “down years” in my training. Things were pretty bad for a while, then I woke up and discovered the importance of strength and movement. It’s been an incredible journey ever since.
6.) I’ve been working with people for over 30 years in the medical and fitness industries. I started working in a gym when I was in my teens and have been working with people in different roles ever since.
7.) I’m always a student. You see, experts are students first and always.
8.) I’m a science geek. I’m actually one of those guys that reads scientific publications and journals. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years now and I flat out love the science and practice of human health and performance.
9.) As far as my training, I’m mostly a weightlifter and kettlebell practitioner. I work on movement, skill, and strength. I still try to get a little better each and every day because this is a journey.
10.) I care about your results. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve definitely figured some things out along the way. That’s why I created this site.
If you’re READY to LIVE YOUR STRENGTH and DISCOVER YOUR GREATNESS with me, then CLICK HERE to become part of the NEW Revolution.
You’ll get a TON of FREE stuff, get exclusive content, and the inside information that’s not available here on the site.
I’ll see you on the inside, my friend.
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