Every once in a while you get invited to something that sounds interesting but you are not really sure what is going to happen once you get there. That happened to me last summer. I was invited to a “Fitness Party” by my friend and awesome trainer/coach Ron Jones. He also has a great nutritional web site with fun videos  – The Lean Berets.

So I drive out to his home ready to get my backyard party on, beer and bbq. I was probably overdressed, jeans, a collared shirt and flip flops.  When I got there the show had already started. The bars, rings, Indian clubs and TRX straps were set up. I felt like I was watching gymnastics in the Olympics. Party goers were jumping on the equipment and showing off there balance and strength. All this was followed by by a tasty, organic meal.

While there I met Philippe Til, the inventor and founder of Smart Flex. At that time the Smart Flex stick he was showing me was the final prototype. Til put me through some simple moves. This 4 feet long, black stick had me sweating within minutes. That’s because it’s not just a stick as the video shows.

Since then I bought eight. I use them in some of my yoga class and on my Power Plate. The are easy to take around and enhance almost any training session.

If you are interested in the Smart Flex check out the web site SmartFlex.com. It is definitely a fitness tool that is affordable, easy to use, portable,  functional and worth having in your arsenal.

Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Head Coach Sole Runners Full and Half Marathon Training Programs.