International Presenter and Clinical Exercise Physiologist

William Sukala is a clinical exercise physiologist and owner of Pinnacle Medical Exercise in Wellington, New Zealand.  He holds a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, and is currently conducting diabetes research towards his Ph.D. William has an extensive health and fitness presentation history covering a variety of health, fitness, wellness, and medical topics. Audiences have included personal trainers, exercise physiologists, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and the lay public. William has given talks throughout the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

Pre-convention workshop

Blood Pressure Refresher (Personal Training – Special Population)
Checking a blood pressure is a simple skill yet many personal trainers still rely on inaccurate blood pressure machines. Attend this combined lecture/hands-on practical session and learn what all the numbers mean and how to maximize safety for your clients with high blood pressure.

A1-PT1(E) │20 March (Friday)│13:00 – 15:00

Training the Post-Rehab Cardiac Client (Personal Training – Special Population) (Exercise Therapy)
Clients with heart problems join fitness centres all the time. Are you prepared for the challenge? This session will explore a variety of heart conditions and common surgical procedures and give you practical information and tips to ensure your clients’ safety at all times. 

B1-PT7(E) │21 March (Saturday)│10:00 – 11:30

6-Pack vs. Keg (Personal Training)
Visceral adipose tissue, commonly called belly fat, is a significant health risk.  Learn why this type of fat is not just passive fat storage after all, but is actually an active organ which secretes harmful substances into the blood.  Explore how a modern stressful lifestyle may be to blame for our expanding waistlines and how this mind/body link plays a role in the development of degenerative cardiometabolic diseases.
You will learn:

• the differences between android and gynoid obesity and the metabolic differences between them.
• about the dangers of visceral fat and the harmful substances (adipocytokines) they secrete.
• how our thoughts influence the secretion of stress hormones which impact the regional deposition of belly fat.
• the health promoting effects of exercise and how it ameliorates the metabolic profile via improvements in visceral adiposity.

Medical Community Networking (Professional Development)
People with medical conditions join fitness centres all the time. This practical and informative session will allow you to tap into this niche market by giving you the knowledge and confidence you need to build a client referral network from the medical community. Gain a competitive edge over the competition by garnering the support of GPs and nurses.
You will learn:

• techniques for growing your client base to include people with medical conditions;
• how to effectively sell yourself to doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals by creating a win/win situation;
• how to create a two-way line of communication and build ongoing, sustainable relationships with medical professionals;
• the weaknesses of medical professionals and how to create a need for your services;
• what information doctors are looking for and creative ways to turn your client exercise logs into effective marketing tools.

C1-PD5(E) │22 March (Sunday)│10:00 – 11:30

The Skinny on Fat Loss (Personal Training)
William takes you to look at all the myths and misconceptions regarding weight and fat loss and is geared to the health and fitness professional.

C3-PT23(E)│22 March (Sunday)│15:00 – 16:30

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