Expert Details
Fitness Industry & Safety: Personal Training, Emergency Response & Facilities and Equipment Standards
ID: 735774
California, USA
He has provided litigation support as over two dozen cases as expert throughout the past 10 years.
Experienced in teaching at the high school level and has hands-on skills instruction for other trainers. Accomplished in all aspects of program development, performance assessment, wellness programming, performance nutrition, and weight management. Since earning his degree and certifications, he has continually kept up to date with knowledge in the health and fitness industry.
Specific areas of expertise include national industry standards associated with facility design and operation -- including emergency response. Particular standards application includes those of the ASTM and ANSI equipment design, testing and use; and California mandated emergency preparedness standards, including those set by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.
Experience in the fitness industry encompasses:
• Owning and operating two full-service fitness facilities for 6 years
• Creating & Implementing Sport Specific Strength & Conditioning Programs
• Designing and equipping fitness facilities for all fitness levels
• Developing Wellness / Fitness Programs
• Supervising training in a large facility
• Providing Emergency Medical Services
• Providing Educational and Post Rehabilitation Services
• Legal Expert Consultant regarding the Fitness Industry
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1989 | Degree: BA | Subject: Physical Education, Speech Communication | Institution: University of Alaska |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2013 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert offers services at a 4,500 sq.ft. state-of-the-art private fitness training facility, which caters to quality trainers/coaches and clients in Redondo Beach. Expert provides a variety of programs to all ages and ability levels.Expert gives outstanding fitness programming, training and coaching services, nutritional guidance, and motivation to help clients maintain consistent improvements. Facility and services help clients quickly and safely achieve their fitness, weight loss, performance and appearance goals. I provide everything needed to safely and effectively assist client to improve their fitness and quality of life. Expert is responsible for the following: • Owning and operating two full-service fitness facilities for 7 years • Creating and implementing sport-specific strength and conditioning programs • Designing and equipping fitness facilities for all fitness levels • Developing wellness and fitness programs • Supervising training in a large facility • Providing Emergency Medical Services • Providing educational and post-rehabilitation services He has served as Expert Witness for over 30 Fitness Industry cases. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1989 to 2013 | Employer: Self-Employed | Title: Owner | Department: |
Responsibilities:Strength, power, speed and agility training for athletes and non-athletes ranging from teens to adults. Ability levels included Jr. and Sr. high school, amateur and professional. Expert offers one-on-one, small group exercise instruction, motivation, nutritional counseling, and supplementation. Clients are assessed for health histories, are performance-tested, and are interviewed for performance and fitness goals. A personalized program is then developed and implemented for the client with supervision over workouts, nutrition, and supplementation to maximize results. Clients are taught proper biomechanics, exercise and nutrition principles. Progress is measured at regular intervals via accepted measurement tests and procedures. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2012 to 2013 | Employer: UFC Gym, Torrance CA | Title: Performance & Fitness Coach | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provided individual, small and large group fitness and physical performance instruction. Also provided nutrition and supplementation counseling and advice for fat loss and performance. Had several clients involved in semi-professional and profession sports. Worked with four different professional MMA athletes for their fight preparation dealing specifically with performance enhancement, nutrition, making weight and providing active recovery modalities. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2013 | Employer: Vistamar High School | Title: Fitness / Performance Coach | Department: |
Responsibilities:Providing fitness and sports related training to students for after-school fitness and exercise education class. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2011 | Employer: American Red Cross CPR | Title: AED & First Aid Instructor | Department: |
Responsibilities: |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2011 | Employer: Redondo Union High School | Title: Asst. Wrestling Coach | Department: |
Responsibilities:Assist head coach in conditioning and teaching wrestling skills to entire team. Primary coach for Frosh team for meets and tournaments separate from varsity. Assist coaching during duals and tournaments for j.v. and varsity during home and away meets. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2010 | Employer: Loyola Marymount University | Title: Men’s Lacrosse Club Team | Department: |
Responsibilities:Designed and implemented preseason strength, power, and speed and agility program 2007. Medic for home games 2008, 2009 and 2010. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2002 to 2004 | Employer: Studio Medic | Title: E.M.T. | Department: |
Responsibilities:Assess for situational safety during commercial, music video and television filming. Provide emergency medical care for injuries sustained during filming in-studio or on-location. Preparing the injured for transport and communicating patient’s condition to paramedics. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2003 | Employer: Sylmar High School | Title: Health Science Teacher | Department: |
Responsibilities:Teaching state approved curriculum for high school health class. Topics include anatomy and physiology, fitness, nutrition, drug abuse, sexual education, emotional and psychological well being. Special involvement with the schools Fitness / Wellness Magnet School teaching the NASM prep course for CPT certification. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1998 | Employer: “Female FYI Magazine” | Title: Contributing Editor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Monthly Health and Fitness section writer. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1997 | Employer: Park Wellington Condominiums | Title: Expert Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Onsite fitness facility design and installation: Services included floor plan design, equipment selection, delivery and setup. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1985 to 1986 | Employer: Fairbanks, Alaska | Title: Physical Therapy Assistant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Working closely to assist physical therapists in treating patients with modalities including electrical stimulation, ultrasound, T.E.N.S., hot and cold therapy and whirlpool baths. Instruction of patients in exercise / re-strengthening programs utilizing free weights, elastic tubing and an isokinetic machine. |
|||
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| National Strength & Conditioning Association |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Specific Training Courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology Mechanisms of Injury Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Concepts and Design of Physical Fitness Programs Adapting Programs of Physical Fitness Biomechanics of Human Performance Business and Professional Communication Physiology of Exercise Organizational Communication • 2009-2017 Attended Five NSCA National Conferences • 2006-2019 Attended Six NSCA Southern California State Clinics • 2112 N.A.S.M Personal Trainer Recertification • 2011 N.A.S.M. UFC Performance Training Certification • 2007 Nike SPARQ Certified • 2006 Long Beach State Strength & Conditioning Clinic • 2005 N.S.C.A., C.S.C.S. • 2005 U.S.A. Weightlifting Club Coach Certification • 2005 Athletes Performance Mentorship Week • 2003 American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED Instructor • 2002 LA County Emergency Medical Technician • 2002 S.S.A.T., Certified to Teach Health Science in California • 1998 I.P.F.A., Certified Post-Rehab Conditioning Specialist • 1990 N.A.S.M., Personal Trainer Certification |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| 2019: Case involved the death of a 48-year-old man playing basketball at a national chain fitness facility. He suffered a heart attack, the single employee on staff failed to assist in caring for the member and did not know where the AED was located. I provided the information specific to state law specific to the duty of the facility and staff. I performed a site investigation and discovered that the location did not have the required signage posted to locate the AED and that the AED was not installed in an obvious area of the facility where it could be easily seen. The case settled with a significant sum awarded to the family of the deceased. 2019: This plaintiff injury case involved a large chain gym and their failure to properly maintain a rigging system for heavy bags used in boxing class. The plaintiff was injured when a link in the rigging broke and the bag fell on him and slammed him to the floor causing head and neck injuries requiring neural surgery. Investigation showed that the linkage suspending the heavy bags was not approved by the manufacturer and had not been inspected for wear as required. 2016: Case involved a leg and hip injury sustained by a member when the step-up box they were using slipped out from underneath his leg. During the site investigation I discovered that box and several others were missing the safety grips on the bottom to prevent them from sliding during use and were in generally poor condition. I also noted that the spacing of the equipment in the workout area did not meet Industry or ADA standards for safety and accessibility. Lastly, the floor surface was polished concrete which did not meet industry safety standards as well. The case settled favorably for the plaintiff shortly after I submitted my declaration. 2015: This was a personal trainer liability case which involved an unqualified individual working as a trainer for a personal training gym. The unqualified personal trainer instructed the client to perform a high-risk jumping exercise. The client was not conditioned or skilled enough to do the exercise, fell and suffered brain damage. After investigation of the facts I wrote a declaration outlining the gross negligence of the actions of the trainer and the facility for employing him. 2014: Provided national standards information of space necessary for participants in a group exercise setting. Client was injured participating in a yoga class when a member next to her doing a headstand less than two feet away fell, striking her in the head and neck causing a ruptured disc. 2013: Provided defense council with investigative report regarding injury sustained involving a plastic hurdle. I showed that the trainer followed industry standards in using a plastic mini-hurdle when training a client and that the injury sustained by the client was not a foreseeable risk. 2013: Investigated a case involving the death of a 64-year-old man after a heart attack while using a treadmill. Discovered through deposition and AED records that the manager, without knowing the victim’s condition, cancelled a 911 dispatch requested by the front desk. None of the employees followed the emergency protocol as mandated by the state, nor did they attempt to use the AED. EMS response finally arrived 14 minutes later. 2012: Provided a declaration that was key in preventing summary judgment involving a case specific to incorrect equipment spacing and hazardous floor conditions. 2012: Expert consultant specific to injuries sustained in a 24 HR Fitness under the supervision of the company’s personal trainer. Was deposed and testified which resulted in judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $900,000. 2012: Investigated and provided opinions and declaration specific to incorrect treadmill spacing, which resulted in injury. During my investigation, I discovered that the facility had provided false information to the court and plaintiff. The case settled at arbitration shortly after I submitted my findings. 2010: I was instrumental in piecing together a timeline that involved several depositions and the digital records from an AED to show that the employees at the large chain gym failed to follow state standards for providing emergency response. The resulting damages to the plaintiff included irreversible brain damage at age 38. The case settled for eight figures shortly after I submitted my report. 2007: Provided expert research and accident reenactment of crushing injury sustained by client due to faulty equipment design and installation. Specific citations to ASTM standards that Hoist Fitness Equipment failed to comply with. Case was settled shortly after I reenacted the incident at Hoist’s Headquarters and submitted my report. 1993-2007: Over the years, I have consulted on several injury cases. My influence was specific to providing him with a greater understanding of the physics involved with injuries sustained by his clients. Discussed specifically, were issues involving mechanisms of injury and the biomechanical influences implicated. 2006: Provided expert opinion and declaration specific to improper equipment spacing that resulted in client falling through an adjacent window, suffering significant lacerations and puncture wounds. A settlement was reached shortly after my opinions and support materials were submitted to the defendant. 2006: Provided expert review of case involving inadequate spacing between treadmill and rear wall that resulted in compound injuries that resulted when his client was thrown from the rear of the treadmill into a cinderblock wall. |