Before I started working with James, I didn’t exercise at all, other than walking to and from work. Over the year prior to that, I’d lost about 25 pounds, but didn’t have any muscle mass to speak of. The first thing James did was run me through his Functional Movement Screen to determine what my physical strengths and weakness were, and asked what my personal goals were, and what my diet was like. With that information, he put together a personalized set of exercises to correct issues I had (mostly due to immobilized joints from sitting in a chair all day!), and to build up my core strength. Once I started working with a kettle bell, I was hooked. If you’re going to buy a piece of equipment to help you exercise, this should be it. They’re (relatively-speaking) cheap, and that one tool will give you a large variety aerobic activities and weight training possibilities. James showed me how to use it effectively so that I didn’t cause harm to myself by maintaining correct form, and also to maximize the effects on my body. After spending three months with him, there was a remarkable difference in my body and posture; I became leaner, tighter, and much stronger. My endurance increased, and my energy went up – I was no longer tired at work! Ever since then, James made himself available to answer any questions or concerns about my diet or physical issues that pop up. When he learns a new technique that is working well for him, he offers to show you what it is, and the impact it can have. He shows genuine concern if you have a problem reaching a goal, and can guide you to reach that goal. He has an amazing grasp of how the body works, and can find alternative exercises for you if you’re having a difficult time with something. One of the very first mantras he’ll drill into you is, “Pain is bad.” He’ll help determine what that pain could be and how to correct it. Bottom line is: James wants to help you, he’s good at it, and he makes it easy (but no, that doesn’t mean you won’t sweat). Hannah Valentine Network Technology and Office Coordinator

Date of Posting: 18 May 2011
Posted By: Hannah Valentine
Network Technology and Office Coordinator, Minneapolis

James lead us through a very interesting and informative class. We are looking forward to continuing with Kettle Bells.

Date of Posting: 27 February 2011
Posted By: Greg Twaites
Rosemount, MN

I met James through the RKC and hired him to prepare me for RKC level 2 in July 2011. What did not realize that I had many restrictions that had to be dealt with first! James style of training by far exceeded my expectations. He is as much a trainer as a teacher. He truly knows his craft! I have made so many strength gains in a short period of time and have learned so much from him. James goes the distance for his clients and I am truly grateful for all he has done for me.

Date of Posting: 14 February 2011
Posted By: Linda Mertens
Owner and Head Instructor of Fusion Fitness, Medina, MN
www.fusionfitnessmn.com

Because form and technique are critical to an effective kettle bell workout, James required me to do a few hours of focused training with him before he would let me begin the kettle bell classes. I usually work with James 1-2 days/week and have seen improvement in my stamina, mobility, eye-hand coordination, and ability to lift more weight. I really like working with James because he makes it fun. He mixes up the sessions with different drills so the experience is different all the time.

Date of Posting: 11 November 2010
Posted By: Tamara Faas

I've done a number of classes with James, and some one-on-one workouts as well. He's always very sharp about identifying issues each one of us has, and helps get those corrected. Form is always a big thing with James and it continues to keep everyone safe. He's really patient with new comers as well. Great Job James!

Date of Posting: 11 November 2010
Posted By: Bill Sorenson
IT Professional

I attended the kettlebell clinic on 8/7 and it was my first time using kettlebells. The clinic James held was perfect for the first time beginner, or novice, as he went through each phase in detail making sure everyone was doing the exercise correct before moving on. As we progressed through the phases of the swing and get up, James was very conscious on making sure we were all using proper form to prevent the risk of injury. The lunch that James provided was very health and tasty and the nutrition session over the lunch hour was very informative. We finished up the day with a kettlebell workout being closely watched by James to again make sure we were using correct form while performing the exercises. Kettlebells are the real deal as I was sore for 3 days after the clinic as I was using muscles in ways I normally do not in my workouts. I am excited about the fitness gains that kettelbells will be able to provide me.

Date of Posting: 16 August 2010
Posted By: John Ellis
Mulitsport athlete looking for a way to cross train and increase overall body fitness & strength., St Paul, MN

My husband Jim and I were pleased to attend James' workshop on Saturday May 22,2010 discovering the benefits of Z Health. We hike the National Forests every Memorial weekend and this year we were hiking Yosemite National Park in California. After attending James' workshop we personally committed to beginning every morning of our 10 day vacation with the Z work for joint flexibility. There was no doubt in our minds of the power of this routine. In former years we have stressed our bodies with 4-6 hours of hiking in new environments everyday, and felt challenged by vertical climbs. This year, we felt no stresses, quite in balance and suffered no injuries, and our hiking challenges were the hardest. We owe much of this physical success to the routine we were taught by James on that Saturday. James we are truly amazed and grateful.

Date of Posting: 21 July 2010
Posted By: Janet Kartheiser
student at MN Valley Martial Arts , Apple Valley,minnesota

James is very passionate about what he does. His favorite things to help people move more efficiently, get stronger, and get better at what ever they do including living a healthier life. I attended his ZHealth Saturday Seminar at Minnesota Valley Martial Arts. Even though I have attended a few sessions with him on my own he always amazes me with something new and a better way to understand how the body works and can be corrected. That day I watched him take a woman that has had chronic arthritis for many years and hasn't been able to stand up from a "squat" and he showed her through ZHealth how to stand with out discomfort at all. She was nearly in tears at the revelation. That Saturday he helped several people and educated them that still come to my classes here and do his warm up and drills saying it always improves their workouts. James is an accomplished Instructor in many disciplines that has an insatiable passion for each. We're glad to have had him here!

Date of Posting: 12 July 2010
Posted By: Scott Folke
Martial Arts Instructor, Burnsville MN

Dear James, I want to thank you very much for your help with my physical therapy. I was having such chronic physical ailments that it made any task a great burden. I am not only writing to thank you but also offer to be a reference for anyone considering training with you. I have written this to tell you how these exercises have worked for me, and also to be used as a testament for others. When meeting to work with you for the first time, I had high hopes that what you were about to introduce to me would help me on the road to recovery, but I did not understand how this style of training worked. It seemed very different than anything I had tried before. It was invaluable that you were so clear in your explanation of what we were doing every step of the way. I appreciated how clearly and completely you answered all of my questions. Your explanations even filled in knowledge gaps I did not know I had. You have a real gift for being able to work with people with no knowledge of a subject and create a respectful and encouraging environment centered on them, and promoting confidence and dialogue. I am very happy how this was a program built around my specific needs. This is no cookie-cutter program. I liked being a part of the development, starting with the interview of my condition as well as working through each exercise and testing how effective it was. I feel that the combination of my input on each exercise and your experienced judgment of the impact of each has lead to a very beneficial program. Let me start with the wrist exercises to help with carpal tunnel. A number of the exercises I was doing in the past for these were overextending my wrists. I would exercise to help reduce the pain and found that there was always discomfort during and immediately after the exercises. I felt that these were just inflaming the area but I was following what I had seen as exercises typically prescribed. I am much happier with the wrist flexion and extension exercises and “figure-eights,” you prescribed. They are obviously effective exercises and I have not found them to cause any strain. You also introduced me to the vision exercises that I had never tried before. Much of my day is looking at a computer screen or staring intensely through microscopes. What is the typical advice in this case? “Remember to look away every once in a while so you don’t strain your eyes.” While this may be helpful, you provided me with exercises to combat the strain on a daily basis and recover from my persistent eye strain from too many hours of work and not enough rest. Even more helpful was how easy these exercises are to do anywhere. From pencil pushups to finger circles, I found that at any time these can be done and each helped to relax the eyes. I am pleased to finally have exercises meant to improve vision and strengthen the eye. I am in sports, including martial arts, archery, and racquetball, which require good hand-eye coordination and benefit from strong vision. The “focus ball” is a great, versatile tool and provides a lot of room for more intense training and increased improvement. For years, I have been plagued with neck muscle strain and headaches because I hold tension and stress in my back and neck. Massage therapists would comment that I must have been injured in a bad accident because of all the problems in those areas. This was not the case but damage is being done every day. Since starting the thoracic/spine exercises, I have not had the recurring, bad headaches. I find that I experience the tensing of the back and neck less often, and when I do the exercises during those periods, they provide relief. I thank you for providing me with tools to relieve these problems. What you have shown me to date, and future work with you will be essential as I get back in shape and improve my debilitating stress-filled lifestyle. I give you high praise for creating a professional and friendly atmosphere. This is a difficult balance but you seem to do it with ease. I am glad to finally have a program designed for me that shows definite results. Please feel free to tell others that they can talk to me about my experiences. Sincerely, Daniel Griffin, Ph.D.

Date of Posting: 11 July 2010
Posted By: Daniel Griffin
Ph.D, Martial Artist, Athlete, Minneapolis, MN

I attended Saturdays seminar after meeting James at Minnesota Valley Martial Arts while attending Boot camp classes. I was intrigued with the results I had after an hour introduction to the ZHealth program. I had suffered with constant low back pain for over two years. I always felt stiff and sore, it would take me two pain killers to get comfortable to sleep in the evening and sometime two more upon awakening. During the one hour James taught the class how to move each part of the body for optimal performance, and the interesting part for me was that it was optimal for me and not the entire group, so many times in a class you gauge your progress based on how everyone else is doing instead of you. After that evening class I went home and was surprised to find that I didn’t need the two pills to go to sleep that evening, nor did I need the pills when I woke up. Needless to say I was very happy about this. I signed up for the Saturday seminar to learn more about the program and to practice what he (James) had taught us previously, the class was small and James selected a pace that was good for the group, he took his time explaining the principals and used us to illustrate where area’s of well being could be achieved. He was very patient and considerate of our time and interest in what he was trying to get us to understand, he stayed much longer than the class allowed to help us with our concerns and questions. I am 50 years old and a 8 year Breast Cancer survivor. I should feel good and expect a pain free life. What I learned on Saturday along with the video I purchased should assist me in that goal. It is a good place to start and a smart way to spend an afternoon. Thank you James. Diana

Date of Posting: 24 May 2010
Posted By: Diana Roman
Office Professional, Mother, Cancer Survivor

When I started with James I was recovering from a heart attack and had low to average ejection fraction for my heart. Within a matter of months of working with James my ejection fraction was above average and the damaged portion of my heart had repaired it's self. Currently the only evidence of heart disease that I have is medical records. While diet and medications did contribute to my recovery James' workouts and training were the most significant portion of my recovery.

Date of Posting: 12 May 2010
Posted By: Jack Balasa
Government Service Professional, Minneapolis, MN

Whether you have short or distant goals, your journey with James will be paved with milestones at every meeting. My father-in-law had been training with James for a few months, having been bitten by the bug after I completed my RKC. I wanted to meet James because of that connection. We talked shop, but more importantly, James offered his skills to help me troubleshoot some of my own "demons" in training and current hurdles. James was spot on in his assessments and corrective drills. Sharing a background of injuries and martial arts, it was easy for me to be 100% confident that James would "get it". That breadth of knowledge carries over to everybody that would seek his assistance, as his repertoire spans the whole gamut of movement patterns and physical skills.

Date of Posting: 29 November 2009
Posted By: Phillipe Till
Culver City, CA
http://www.action-fitness.com/

James has been enouraging me and instructing me in my fitness recovery for almost a year. Each time I meet with James he is attentive to me. Imagine an instructor who actually sees the individual and is able to formulate a workout program that provides healthy fitness results. This is James, an instructor who kindly and intelligently offers practical solutions that work. He has consistently reminded me that the goal is my health and strength and this is exactly what I have achieved. My weight has dropped 50# and I have become stronger each day. Because of James's instruction I have learned to listen to my body and adjust my program to heal while becoming more fit. I am so thankful that I am finding my way back to a healthy body and personal peace because I am stronger and whole.

Date of Posting: 25 November 2009
Posted By: Vicki D.G.
Psychiatric Nurse, working mother, Richfield, MN

Translated...form and function first (an inch wide) and exercise selection and variety second (a mile deep). James epitomozes this. I have been schooled by the top strength coaches, strength researchers, and trainers in the country; by following James' defining repetition at the basic level I have learned more about becoming a more effective trainer. These ideals have assisted in the development and advancement of my client base. Thanks to James' tuning me into these ideals I am affecting many more lives in a more efficient and effective manner. James receives my highest seal of approval.

Date of Posting: 03 September 2009
Posted By: Mark Lemkuhl
MS, CSCS, AKC, RKC, Professional Athletic Development and Corporate Wellness Coach, Auburn, AL

I have so many great things to say about James that I worry I'll sound like a commercial! I appreciate the depth and breadth of the knowledge he possesses - and he uses it skillfully. James is an observant and perceptive instructor with tools to tackle every obstacle. And he's always learning. I used to be in pretty good shape - 10 years ago. In the short eight weeks I've been working with James I have better balance, awareness of my body in space, and body mechanics. I feel challenged, but always working within my body's current abilities. James confidence is infectious. His attitude and communication skills and genuine belief that everyone can - you know I can't come up with any other way to say it - everyone can get strong and stay strong is what makes working with him enjoyable AND effective.

Date of Posting: 26 July 2009
Posted By: Avni Pandya
IT Professional, Minneapolis, MN

James is an excellent instructor. He is professional, reads widely, and his training is informed by several disciplines. He is enthusiastic about his work. He is exacting in the expectations he has of his students but in a positive way. He is flexible in his approach; the sessions consistently build but are not predictable or boring. Getting fit is demanding business and involves risks. However, James is very sensitive to making sure that while he pushes me hard, he doesn't break me. And I appreciate that!

Date of Posting: 09 July 2009
Posted By: Dave Berg
Software Developer, IT Professional, Minneapolis, MN

I completely and totally trust James with my physical well-being and safety. I know that me and my body are in good hands and safe from injury in his classes. He treats each individual to their specific needs even when in a group class. It is invaluable. The thing I value most is how James is giuding me through the process of correcting all of the bad fitness, posture, breathing, dietary, etc. habits that have been developed and encouraged and encouraged by the various fitness fads that have come and gone. I feel healthier, stronger and more aware of all my moving parts and the way they should be working together and how they feel if they aren't. I'm a lifer.

Date of Posting: 24 June 2009
Posted By: Heidi Q
City Council Employee, mother of 3, Minneapolis, MN

Simply Effective- In the short time I have been working with james I have seen a marketed improvement in all facets of my body mechanics. I've always had trouble with my 'get up', after two sessions not only does it feel smoother but my confidence with a kettle bell over my head has increased dramatically as well. I actually look forward to waking up at 5 AM to be in class by 6 AM. A good example of how effective his analysis and instruction and is. in 15 minutes he got my shoulder FMS score from a high 1/low 2 upto a 3. The mantra of shoulders are ear poison lives in my head as I drive around town for my job.

Date of Posting: 23 April 2009
Posted By: Clayton Summit
Sales Representative-Whole Earth Marketing, Road/Mountain/Cyclocross Bicycle Competitor, St. Paul, MN

James is a great instructor. The man wants you to succeed! Period. Every time that I see him or correspond thru email with him, I get this impression, strongly! He has corrected my Swing immensely [lower back pain] & has helped me with my asymmetry in my ASLR (2/3) from the FMS [too much 1-sided judo]. And as James advocates always, "Breathe..." It seems like common sense, but it means something different now after working with James. Thanks.

Date of Posting: 05 April 2009
Posted By: Mike Adrowski
IT Professional, Martial Artist, Illinois

James really knows what he's doing. He has a deep knowledge of technique, physiology, and general fitness. The passion he has for his work really shows. He's also a really quality human being. Be ready to get strong, learn a ton, and have a great time in his classes!

Date of Posting: 20 March 2009
Posted By: Adam B.
IT Professional, Minneapolis, MN

James really knows what fitness is about. His class is awesome! His instruction goes above and beyond the standard instruction that I have gotten in the past. It is nice to be participating in an exercise system that is intuitive to my body and utilizes minimal equipment. James, teaches the student how to perform these exercises, and encourages you to safely practice them at home

Date of Posting: 11 September 2008
Posted By: Andrew B
Host, The Old Pub, Minneapolis, MN

"Great Instruction" James' instructional ability is excellent. He has a great deal of knowledge not only about kettlebells, but many other areas of health and fitness like diet, functional movement and mobility etc. His expectations of others' capacity is generally spot on, and his enthusiasm for fitness and instructing makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Date of Posting: 09 July 2008
Posted By: Erin Mattson
Office Worker, Year Round Bicycle Commuter, Minneapolis, MN