Praise for the Progressive Calisthenics Certification (PCC) — London, , May 2018


Tom Mayes, UK, Firefighter

Athletic Achievements PCC, KB Lev 1 & 2, Personal Trainer Lev 3, Former British KB Champion & record holder, Metafit Inst., Animal Flow Instr. Lev 1 & 2, Senior PT, Former British MMA Champion

This is my second PCC, spaced 1 year apart. It was equally if not more useful this time around. Having had a year for the information to sink in allowed me to have a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for the information.

I have been using PCC as a framework for classes and clients. Spot on.


Adam Hammond, London, UK, Personal Trainer

The PCC has been an incredibly enjoyable and humbling experience. To be coached for 3 days by Danny and Al is truly a unique experience!

Al, Danny & Fitsz have been a huge help this weekend in making me a better bodyweight athlete. They have all individually coached me through certain strength elements. Danny was there to give me that push to achieve better muscle ups, Fitsz guided me expertly through flag training, and Al personally guided me through better balance training. My thanks go to them.

It was a nice different perspective on bodyweight training as I usually train bodyweight on my own; but to be coached by some of the best in the business was a huge leap in the right direction.


Veena Pradeep Kumar, London, UK, Student

Athletic Achievements Represented my state in India for field hockey, Certified NASM-CPT, PES and FNS. Strength conditioning coach for year prior to masters. Certified as animal flow instructor

It was exciting, informative, helped me learn a lot more than just calisthenics. Incorporating your own experience to teach the class makes it relative. It also helped me understand my own strengths and weaknesses.

Very knowledgable and informative, they were patient and encouraging. As a woman, I felt extremely comfortable being around 20-30 men that are able to do certain movements better than me.

I’ve taken various other certifications and courses and this was by far the best because if focus on so much more than just your capabilities but how to better someone else but it also helps you understand what you can do and what you can do to get better. Makes you realize that the possibilities are endless. They covered a lot of material in a short amount of time but it was well spaced out and very informative.

I had a lot of fun. I learnt a lot and met some amazing people. I’m glad I took the course.


Matthias Gretemeier, Norway, Gardner/Landscaper

Athletic Achievements RKC 1 Instructor, Cardio Code Sports Science Instructor, Kinetic Code Sports Science Instructor

Met great people, got inspired and motivated just by looking at the group helping and encouraging each other to perform at their best on their specific level.

Instructors were excellent! Motivate people to push further / leave your comfort zone in a safe and sane way. Encouraging people to try new things without making them feel uncomfortable. Great entertainment factor as well: telling about their journey and failures make the customers feel ‘safe’ and ‘normal’.


Abdulla Al Hashmi, Dubai, UAE, Engineer

It was an inspiration to meet and be mentored by two leaders in this field. They boosted my confidence and helped me get out of my physical comfort zone and try out and succeed at difficult movements such as the clutch flag.

I feel confident that the course’s material is prepared by people who know what they are talking about which made me put my guard down and absorb every bit of information I received.


Martin McCann, Lancashire, UK, IT Project Management Office Analyst

Athletic Achievements Six marathons since 2008, Kickboxing-based MMA, Lunchtime calisthenics

Great trainers and a varied mix of attendees have made for a great learning experience – very open and supportive, with some professional trainers and amateur enthusiasts demonstrating and contributing.

Both Al and Danny are very charismatic, and convey their knowledge and experience in a very accessible way. They were one of the main reasons I wanted to do this course, and it was great to meet (and experience!) them.

An excellent weekend with excellent people!


Helene Samuel, Chelmsford, UK, Marketing Account Manager

A truly fab experience where I pushed myself more than I would have because I trusted the other attendees and the trainers. Going away feeling great about myself, my body and its capacity to keep doing new things (even at 57 years old).

First rate. Trainers all very knowledgeable, friendly, non-intimidating and willing to work with individual capabilities.

Was nervous before attending but everyone so welcoming and encouraging. Love it. Learned so much and confidence in ability grown.


Jon Hersey, Somerset, UK, Nutritionist/chef

I am excited about my future with calisthenics and trying all that I have learned and more. All the instructors were confident and very helpful, outstanding knowledge and patience.

Very practical. The whole course was delivered with military precision but was fun.

One of the best training courses I have ever taken part in. Great sense of teamwork and made many friends.  Thank you :)


Darryl Warl Lampen

Meeting the guys I look up to has been surreal! Making many friends has been amazing! I learnt sooo much!

Quality – Great – It got to the nitty gritty and progressions maintained that quality!
Scope – Extensive! I’ve learnt a lot!

Practical Use – I’ll be using them when I get back to my studio!

Guys! This has been awesome!


Chris Sanders, Berkshire, UK, Head of Projects

Athletic Achievements Trained in kickboxing and MMA. Competed in kettlebell sports.

A brilliant three days of learning skills and how to apply these while helping others. The energy and instruction throughout was amazing.


Joel Alex Hudson

As we know, there are no limits to calisthenics so for someone who knows very little about the progression involved and come out after only 3 days of the calisthenics course feeling so much more confident and knowledgeable is a great feeling, and a challenge not only to the pupil but the coaches and it doesn’t feel rushed at all with the time and effort put in on both sides.

The quality of training was greatly improved upon with the instructors watching what we’re doing. It can be the smallest mistakes that affect our ability to achieve some of these exercises and you share where most people have gone wrong without making the less experienced pupils feel awkward because some of these mistakes can enlighten even those more advanced.


Alex Strimbanu, London, UK

Athletic Achievements 3rd place UK & Ireland Calisthenics Championship 2017 – heavy weight 85+kg

Great learning experience. Was useful to observe the instructor’s team teaching and presenting techniques.

Fantastic presenting! I was constantly engaged and enjoyed the seminar a lot.


James Pavlou, London, UK, Laboratory Supervisor

A really fun and inspiring course. Hugely increased my awareness of my body.

A great team of instructors. I was apprehensive prior to the course but they made me feel so welcome and encouraged me in ways that I really needed. They take into account all the varying abilities of the students and cater to everyone’s needs.

My only other experience has been training by myself and consulting books and online help. This personal, hands on course far exceeds any of that.

I just want to say a huge thank you to the team from someone who is somewhat of a recluse with lots of self-confidence issues. You guys made me feel at home and have inspired me more than I thought you would :)


Antonis Kyprianou, Limassol, Cyprus, Trainer

Athletic Achievements Motocross racer, trainer, military (Special Forces), IFBB personal training education

Really cool experience on how you can train either for strength or skills.

One of the best instructors I’ve met Al and Danny. Keeping the lessons serious but fun all the time. :)

I’ve been certified also by other trainings but this one is better I think because of the type of training. You learn more things.

Thanks guys – I’ve traveled from far away for this and definitely worth it. Good luck in the future !!


Nigel Wills

Without doubt the most valuable CPD qualification a qualified PT can do.

Always stripped back and uncomplicated – and straight. The structure is perfect with everything covered but the best thing is the atmosphere they encourage.


Ciaran McCann, Kilmarnock, UK, Psychologist

Athletic Achievements Kung Fu, trail running, swimming

Fun and challenging experience. Open and approachable instructors.

Al and his team are supportive and non-judgmental. Open and Approachable. Full of enthusiasm and encouragement.

PCC compares favorably to other training I have attended especially in relation to the attitude of the team and making sure everyone was included. Lack of arrogance and modesty of the team was refreshing and enabling for the less able participants like myself.


Valentin Antille, Fribourg, Switzerland, Grenadier in Swiss Army (Special Forces) Personal Trainer

Athletic Achievements certification at Lausanne University

It was really awesome to practice and learn in such a nice environment with a lot of talented and friendly people.


David Talha, London, UK, Managing Director of Fitness Provider Company

Athletic Achievements Specialist in Corporate Health and Wellbeing, Specializing in rehabilitation and Strength and conditioning. Black Belt in Karate

As a beginner was comfortable in the class and learnt a lot. Being amongst people of all levels was great to learn from and also shows what you can work up to.

Excellent. The ability to deal with people of all levels of experience and keep everyone unified and working as a team.

Great to practice what they preach. Great they can identify still with the beginner as well as advanced person and build both up. Good Coaches.

Thanks. Have given me the confidence to get started on this path of training and shown what can be achieved through progression of movement.


Robert Petlen, Vienna, Austria, IT Consultant

Athletic Achievements 20 years of (semi) professional weightlifting, Functional Movement Yoga Trainer, Calisthenics student

It was a great experience to learn how many areas needed for a professional trainer. Also to see so many ways to modify some positions and make it easier or harder.

They are really professionals and break all the information in very small and clear protocols … and show them in a perfect way.

PCC is protocol oriented skill and transformation based. No theory or books – just doing is doing --- like.


Steve Riegler-Pleßberger, Gedersdorf, Austria, Yoga/Movement Instructor

Really awesome workshop with two cool guys. They are motivating yourself to develop further.

Both of the guys are professional instructors. They deliver the content very well in an easy understanding way that make sense too.


Maciej Pisarek, London, UK, Financial Analyst

It was a great weekend filled with helpful instruction, ample time to practice and try things out, inspirational talks and impressive demonstrations.

Excellent. Experienced, knowledgeable and very approachable. All around great and badass!!!

I took a 3-day GMB seminar led by Ryan Hurst last year. The scope was different (how to use basic locomotive patterns to assess strengths and weaknesses, address them and start applying them in various contexts), and I found the two to be very complementary to one another. Instructors in both were excellent.


Bartosz Lesniewski, Reading, UK, Site Engineer

This is the best possible way to learn basics and more advanced movements of bodyweight training. It is ok to stop when your body is not ready to do certain things and no one will say a bad word about it. You will learn that calisthenics is a journey not a race.

Always on point. They showed that there is more way do ‘skin the cat’ and we should explore it. I liked that every time I had a question or problem with my mobility or me being confident to do something they were there to catch me or provide solution or some kind of movement variation.


El Mar Spielauer, Niederösterreich, Austria, Trainer

Athletic Achievements Siberian Cossack Systema, Functional Trainer, Yoga, Calisthenics, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Qi Gong

Top level professionals. Straight forward and honest, still easygoing and relaxed. They really know their ‘shit’ :)

Most comprehensive. Covered a ton of stuff in an easy distilled way. No unnecessary fuss. Real good job!


Tino Schumacher, Berlin, Germany

It was awesome. The presentations combined with real live stories from Danny and Al was perfect. They know about the ‘stuff’. Thx for the honest stories! All the PCC team member are willing to help and give valuable feedback.


Talon Nilsson, Nova Scotia, Canada

Athletic Achievements One year full time training in Shaolin Kung Fu at Middle Kingdom Traditional Kung Fu and Wellness School, Shandong province, China

It was the best workout I’ve had in a long time. It was great fun, and I learned a lot.

Al Kavadlo and his team are in a league of their own. I don’t think I could have received any better training anywhere.