About Ralf Hennig

Ralf came to the US from Germany in the mid 80’s and trained as a professional chef.  While working with food, he became interested in nutrition and health concerns.  An avid athlete, Ralf immersed himself in fitness and nutrition training, ultimately leading to a career in health and wellness and the formation of his very successful business, Dynamic Fitness.  Ralf has authored the book, Four Way Burn, and received many awards over the years.  He has served as a personal trainer to star athletes at an Ivan Lendl sports training program.  He also worked with Bill and Hillary Clinton for seven years. 

President Clinton states in the forward to Four Way Burn,  “The drills (Ralf) put me through showed where the problems were…I could see a difference in a short time.  My strength and flexibility increased and my posture improved.  But the biggest improvement came in my balance, an area in which I had always had difficulty…The winters are long in New York.  In each of the last three I have slipped on the ice, but I didn’t fall once thanks to the sense of balance and recovery I developed doing Ralf’s drills.”

Ralf is passionate about helping people become stronger and physically fit.  He has helped countless children in school-based and specially targeted youth programs as well as adults.  He has given numerous lectures related to fitness. He works with all fitness levels, from those working at the elite competitive level to those with physical challenges.

Ralph has also developed a specific training program using The Performance Ball. This is incorporated into many of his youth and adult programs.

Ralf holds numerous certifications including, aerobics and aquatic instructors, USTA Sports Science Certification, Conditioning Specialist, NSPA, Personal Trainer and Personal Trainer, Ace (Gold Level), Life style and Weight Management Consultant, Ace (Gold Level) Clinical Exercise Specialist, Ace (Gold level) and Medical Exercise Specialist AAFP.  He has also participated and placed in numerous marathons and other sporting events, too numerous to list here.

For more about Ralf visit:

 www.performanceball.de

www.performanceball.com

The physical activity and fitness of American youth has been a matter of public concern for a long time.  In the 1950’s, President Eisenhower created the first Presidential Council on physical fitness and sports with a primary mission to improve physical fitness of young Americans.   Eisenhower’s idea has been retained by all the Presidential Fitness Councils following.

In spite the efforts of these presidential councils and many other medical, education, health and fitness authorities, the fitness of America’s youth as well as those in other countries has gotten worse.  The proportion of American children who are overweight has more than tripled in the last four decades.  Most of the increase has occurred in recent years.  A similar trend is occurring in adults.

Some of our youth have become television and computer addicted, overweight kids.  Many are unable to perform a pull-up, five push-ups,  a basic sit-up or jog a mile.  Sadly, this image is real and will get worse if we do not address the crisis in this country and other nations soon.

“All You Can Eat” fast food and chain restaurants are everywhere.   This is an obvious part of the problem, but is only half of the formula. It is the combination of increased caloric intake and a decrease in physical activity that has created this crisis.  Overweight, inactive children tend to become heavy adults with an increased risk of gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and early death.   Some mental disorders have also been associated with a lack of exercise, sleep and bad nutrition.

There are important skills children need to learn as they grow older.  Coordination, quickness, speed, agility and power, along with flexibility are key to physical wellness.  More resilient ligaments, stronger tendons and bones are part of healthy growth.

The trick is to get children’s attention through fun and engaging games.  Hard and tedious exercises are counterproductive.  My Ball Fitness Program, which includes a partner, allows kids to play without realizing they are exercising.  The approach is simple.  A lightweight (4 pound) ball is used.  The specific activities facilitate creative movement, stimulation, listening, eye contact and social interaction.  If done early in the morning, students will have better concentration and hence, improved performance. 

My 10-15 minute program includes jumping, throwing and catching.  It requires dynamic balancing and coordination.  Concentrating on particular exercises and breathing burns extra calories and builds stronger bodies.  Moving the limbs through unfamiliar ranges of motion required to move the ball successfully help prevent injury and boredom.  These playful activities develop the body’s sensory system to increase muscle memory and efficiency in other activities and sports.  Moving and playing stimulates body awareness.  Without thinking about it, the children become more aware of where their limbs are in time, in space and in relation to each other (kinesthetic awareness).

Play also helps develop problem-solving skills. By using imagination, children begin to look at life differently. Moving freely and in a playful manner, kids become creative and confident . Some of the activities may not be easy and getting though the learning curve involves reasonable challenge.  This builds character, strength and stamina on the inside and confidence to deal with life in general.      

Children should not be working out on weight machines and rigorous gym programs.  Flexibility can be achieved through a “free motion” physical fitness program.  Reaching, bending, twisting and turning are a natural form of flexibility training, which is essential for healthy physical growth.  When children sit for prolonged periods playing video and computer games, muscular strength and bone growth is stunted.  It also stiffens growing soft tissue, making the child more susceptible to injury.

Older generations learned these important skills by spending more time outdoors.  Innovations and technology have altered our life style but certain physical realities (such as gravity) require us to maintain a certain level of strength and conditioning throughout the life span.  We must promote healthy, active living early on if we want our children to be productive, healthy adults.  Developing lifelong physical activity habits is a tall order in a society overloaded with a dizzying array of sedentary distractions.  It is up to us to get young people to spend as much time as possible in social and physical settings that are conducive to physical activity.  These activities need to be successful and fun as well!

School is a place where a daily fitness program can be easily implemented. While in Germany to promote my book, “The Hennig Method,” I was invited to visit my old school and share a simple approach to fitness with the students, staff and families.  The school plans on piloting this low cost, easy program in the fall. Many Far East countries use daily activities like Tai Chi or calisthenics to prepare the mind and body for the day.  These activities are usually performed before school or as work begins.  Teachers can implement a simple “wake up session” to begin each day.

Parents and teachers can work together to promote a healthier, more physical life style for our youth.  In order to promote physical activities we must act as role models.  We must limit the use of television and computer time and provide access to outdoor play areas and a place in the house where free movement is possible.

The conversation regarding fitness should expand to the national level.   Our president can take the lead and reverse these unhealthy trends by focusing more on the importance of physical education and activity in every child’s life.   Schools are a logical place to begin, in partnership with families.  Documentation of positive changes can then be made. Let’s begin the conversation with each other, our educators, legislators and national leaders ...

For more, specifically about my youth fitness programs visit:

Sports Wise Kids

The program combines martial art ( Karate, Taekwondo and Judo and others )with conditioning exercises to provide fun and challenging fitness sessions appropriate for boys and girls of all ages.

Advanced Power

This program is a skilled oriented Sports Conditioning program designed to improve a young athlete’s performance to reduce and to prevent sports related injuries.  The atmosphere is none competitive & fun while still challenging

For a direct conversation with me:

Website: www.performancball.com

Email: dynafit@optonline.net    

Ralf Hennig and Dynamic Fitness LLC based in Bedford NY  offers children two exciting fitness programs in the convenience of a school.