King Sports International

The web site sucks!

Apparently the KSI web site sucks. Ok, that may be a bit strong, but I have no bones with that. I recently received an email that stated: "You have poor content and (a) poor website. over complicated ways to get the information - passwords etc.. Poor selling techniques and not good free information..."

Ok, so the web site and marketing sucks. He has got a point. I have no problems openly stating that when it comes to a comparison of web site and marketing techniques, ours could be at the lower end of the food chain.

But that's fine with me. I am first and foremost a physical preparation coach, and my primarily focus is to develop the most optimal physical training methods and then share them in clear, easy to understand words and images.

I am continually amazed at the fantastic web sites and marketing pieces I see around the broader physical training industry. Tragically, because I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years, I have seen enough to know who is who and who is capable of what. And many of these amazing web sites are owned by people whose real world experience could be summarized on the back of a postage stamp.

I know, that's harsh. but I want to be straight with you about what I think. There is no correlation between marketing ability and physical coaching competency. I've been closely exposed to some of the best self-marketers in the world, and their antics can take the wind out of my sails. Sometimes I do feel like going back into the gym and enjoying the solitude of the steel. Because I know the bullshit that is being passed off to the gullible masses.

It's got to the point where I have chosen not to contribute to some industry activities because firstly I don't want to be associated with the fraud being perpetuated, and secondly, on the surface I cannot compete with the bull-shit artists. I am willing to wave the white flag here. I back myself in the real world of coaching anytime, anywhere. But have no desire to play in the world of deception.

It's got to the point when I feel embarrassed to write about our 20 years company anniversary (1986-2006) because to most newcomers to the industry it probably sounds just like so many others - who one day were casually employed gym instructors and suddenly the next day, miraculously, they have 16 years of experience and are internationally renown....It's got to where I have to resist the urge to add a convincing line like 'It's true - really, we really are 20+ years old in business!" But why should have to?

So if you want to be impressed with flash and bullshit, and want heaps of instant gratification freebies - KSI may not be the place to meet your needs. But if you want the opportunity to learn the most effective training methods based on genuine, honest real world experiences under ideal real-world laboratory situations, then you may be in the right place.

Sorry, we do share more than training

During our 20+ years in business we have received a lot of customer feedback. From really excited and appreciative (such as Anthony who wrote: "I continue to be amazed and pleased with the amount of personal correspondence you give to people!"; or Mike who wrote: "The information in your book is really and truly fantastic!" or Joe who wrote: I find your service impeccable!") to well, not so pleasant (like young Brian who recently said "Thank you very much for your time. Now piss off, wankers.")

Whilst we invite, value and appreciate the feedback, we choose which ones we take note off. For example young Brian's suggestions, in response to our offer of a refund, were not taken with any regard except to wonder how he got that unhappy.

Or when young Grant told us that "You teach the squat like everyone else. Squatting should be performed the way Olympic lifters and powerlifters do it. Not like sissy spa members." (Guess I competed all those years in powerlifting like a sissy spa member!) You can guess we simply wondered what medication he may be taking.

One comment we give more attention to has been the occasional concern that some 'just want training information', and are not comfortable with our content that references other areas such as finance, business and spiritual development. Interestingly it's the financial education content that probably gets the most flak. This is worth addressing - our approach is holistic, and that is not going to change.

In fact, there will be a time in the future when more and more will attempt to imitate our approach, as they have done in the past. Those, like my friend Joey Williams, who have been around for a few decades in the industry, know who is copying who (and confirm our observations that people will criticize until they learn to imitate, then they suddenly claim originality!).

I know what it like to have training compromised by the need to go to work, to go to a second (and third job), to rush and miss meals due to work requirements, to eat crap because of time constraints, to compromise on quality of food and supplements because of lack of money.

To suggest that you train in isolation of your financial situation is simply to live in denial.

Those who develop mastery of what I teach create a life where they are able to do what is important first. For example, I know some of the coaches in the KSI Coaching program who train first and leisurely, then focus on work, as is my practice (and I am not talking about early morning workouts, which in many cases are a compromise).

It gives us great pleasure to help people create a life where they can focus on training without compromise, and without compromising their financial position.

There may never have been a more critical time to develop ones financial literacy as the sub-prime issues in the US financial sector drag the US economy down, and with it inevitably the rest of the world.

Already in the US from the sub-prime fallout, over 100,000 jobs have been lost, 246 (and growing daily) finance companies have ceased operations, losses from bad mortgage debt is expected to reach between 250-500 billion, and one in 4-5 families could be forced out of their house. And we haven't hit the bottom of this challenge yet...

Coincidentally, all this in a country that has turned weight loss into an industry. Gurus sprouting the secrets to weight loss, taking advantage of the gullibility and desire for instant gratification of the people to meet their needs of being important...whilst most nations struggle for food to eat, this country focuses on ways to counter the excess of food consumed, and the over-processing of the food. More on that another day....

So, sorry - some things are not going to change and that includes our holistic approach to training. We know at least one person appreciates that as Steffen who wrote: "It is your holism that I like best about your company!"