FAQs

Monkey Bar Gym Difference | Fitness Classes | Membership and Equipment | Certified Natural Trainer (CNT)

The Monkey Bar Gym Difference

How is the Monkey Bar Gym different than other gyms?
We specialize in natural movements, functional fitness and bodyweight training and old resistance: ropes, kettlebells, sandbags, tires and more. So no weight benches or machines.

What is "bodyweight training"?
This is when you use your own bodyweight with or without added resistance to a bodyweight exercise to build functional strength — the kind of strength you can actually use: like shoveling snow and cleaning the house.

What is "functional fitness"?
Your body is a chain of muscles linked together to help you play sports drive a car and brush your teeth. By do exercises that work your whole body, you gain functional strength and stability.

Will I get "big" and "bulky" by working out at the Monkey Bar Gym?
You will get an athlete build, adding functional muscle, cutting fat… but no bulking up.

I've never really worked out before, is Monkey Bar Gym for me?
Our workouts are broken down into skill levels and exercises into progressions. So you move along at your own fitness pace.  As Jon always says, we motivate you the way you need it.

How do I know what fitness level I am at?
We start you at stability. But we like to test all students each month so you'll know exactly which level to train at for each workout. Then you progress from there. Master that, then you can move on.

  1. Stability (and alignment)
    Focus on improving your ability to align your body correctly. Learn the basics of each exercise, increase your functional range of motion, your stability and base strength. It's extremely important you develop a good base before going on to our strength level.
  2. Strength
    Congrats! Now we make the same stability exercises more challenging by adding resistance or increasing the level of challenge of the exercise and increasing the functional range of motion in each exercise.
  3. Power
    Pound your chest! Power level exercises are much faster, more challenging and much more dynamic. They require higher degrees of stability and strength. Speed without control is a dangerous.

Is the "Daily Challenge" enough or should I do more?
Done right it is. The workouts are designed to improve your strength and stamina in the fastest, safest manner. Often the daily challenge might seem easy but it's always what you put into it. The workouts are designed for the week and re specifically balanced to reap the greatest rewards. You'll get results if done properly and with high intensity.

Fitness Classes

What classes do you offer?
We offer a variety of classes for every level of fitness.

Body Power
Boot Camp
Eischens Yoga 
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Luiz Claudio Competition Team
Judo

Should I warm up before working out?

YES! 10 minutes of Eischen Yoga, doing range-of-motion drills with a medicine ball, jumping rope or mixing them all up. We do 10-15 minutes to prepare for each workout to warm the body, decrease the chance of injury and prep you for the workout.

Should I do a 'core' workout?
It may not look like it, but every exercise is working your core. Doing a variety of exercises each day is the absolute best for true core strength. And while every exercise hits the 'core', we usually do some a few times a week anyways.

Membership and Equipment

What types of memberships do you offer?
1 month membership includes classes and open gym
12 month membership includes classes, open gym, one personal training session and evaluation
60 Day Fitness Challenge
Punch Cards
- 10 and 20 classes
Student Short Term Membership

Couple Membership - 12 months

Private Training

Please call (608) 663-7511 for current rates and more details.

Where can I purchase your recommended equipment?
Click the online store. Each item is made by Lifeline USA, the industry leader in functional fitness and portable fitness equipment. And is the number one choice among world-class and Olympic athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions for CNT Courses

Who are the Certified Natural Trainer (CNT) courses geared towards?
The course is geared towards anyone who is interested personally or professionally in learning more about natural training, bodyweight training, yoga and alignment, and the overall Monkey Bar Gym philosophy. Anyone can attend!

How are your CNT courses structured?
This three-day event ranges from seminar, to demo, to workout, and finishes with the CNT exam on the last day. Typically, our CNT courses are held from Friday to Sundays.

Do I need to be able to be in great shape before I can attend?
No, people of all fitness levels are welcome to attend and will be provided with the necessary information to properly perform all of the exercises used at the Monkey Bar Gym.

What does being a Certified Natural Trainer mean?
It means that you have an understanding of natural training, the Monkey Bar Gym philosophy, and can teach the various movements at that level. These certifications are also recognized within the health and fitness industry.

I am concerned about the intensity of the program. Should I still attend?
There is no requirement to participate in high-intensity exercises during the course. Use your own discretion when deciding what you should and shouldn't do during the course.

What do I need to bring?
Comfortable clothes for working out, drinks and food, and note taking supplies are all good items to bring to the course.

What about lunch?
Lunch is on your own.  There are several excellent restaurants in the area.

Is there a written test?
Yes, on the last day there is a written test that needs to be passed in order to become a Certified Natural Trainer.

How do I register?
To register for the next CNT course or call 608-663-7511 or click here to learn more.

Is there a payment plan?
Yes, but a deposit of $250 for CNT and $500 for MBG Intensive is required.

Are there hotels close by?
There are several places to stay in the area where the course is being held. Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Madison, Wisconsin.

Where can I rent a bicycle?
Machinery Row Bicycles is located across the street from the MBG and offers bike rentals.

Once certified, are there periodic recertification requirements?
In order to maintain CNT level you will need to assist and review courses once per year or host a one day seminar at your location. Assisting at the courses and one-day seminars is a great way to ingrain and refresh the knowledge you've learned.

What are the class times?
Friday - 9am - 6pm with a 1-hour break for lunch
Saturday - 9am - 6pm with a 1-hour break for lunch
Sunday - 10am - testing begins, followed by an in-depth look at equipment (Sunday's activities will end by 4pm)

Do you recommend any study materials?

The Monkey Bar Gym's complete 4 set training DVDs offer demonstrations of many of the progressions you will be learning.
Last Updated on Monday, 24 May 2010 14:41
 
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Testimonials
MBG Intensive in AUSTRALIA! February 03, 2011 - February 08, 2011
Testimonials
"The increase in my muscle definition has also been surprising and has not gone unnoticed by my friends and co-workers. I feel lighter, leaner and more fit than I have at any other point in my life. And it’s only been three months!" - Jacque Reese
 
"MBG has given me not just my life back, but the inert desire to try harder, faster, and feel like an animal…fit to my environment." - William (Double Day) del Moral
 
"I learned so much in such a short amount of time. Being at the MBG has reignited a fire under my butt to train even harder" - Chris Atkins
 
"In the two years I’ve been at MBG I am leaner, stronger, with better blood flow and breathing than ever in my life. These things help me to be a better cyclist." - Jennifer Munger
 
Monkey Bar Gym Experience: "Your spine is the healthiest I have ever seen in anyone except for a yoga teacher I treat." Consuelo Sanudo "The Monkey Bar is unique. For every exercise there is somewhere to start for the complete beginner and somewhere to go for even advanced athletes.   There is a refreshing variety in the types and intensity of exercises, but they are designed for optimal results. The classes are motivating without being competitive.  Instruction is consistently excellent. Class participants frequently partner with someone: getting motivation , encouragement, and constructive coaching on form. The approach is well designed and well integrated. In the end, you get out of it what you put into it.   Believe me, you will work harder in these classes than you ever would on your own.  The results are worth it. I’ve been coming to the MGJ 3-5 days/week since 2003 and the core group of, let’s say, “more experienced people”, hardly misses a day.  Why?  Besides the fact that starting over is hell, we are old enough to know high quality and value it, and wise enough to realize that in the end you are only the sum of your good habits.  Going to the MBG is really a lot of good habits:  exercise, diet, discipline, helping others, making new friends.  The whole is more than the sum of the parts.  And that’s the kind of leverage you need if you’re trying to turn back the clock." Jeff Ford "When I started the workouts in late Jan, I had recently gone to have myself checked out to see what was causing my lower back pains. "Doc", after checking me out, told me my hips wee misaligned. I asked him what I could do to fix it myself. He said it'll take a long time to fix, but stretching is a start. About a week later, a friend, who is a professional golfer, told me about monkey bar gym. He said he had heard nothing but good things about it and that I should try it out. Being a 34 year old former two sport collegiete athlete I hadn't really worked out steady for many years. I was at 226 during the time i started doing the daily workouts. At first I didn't workout everyday, for some reason or another. however, now that 4 months has past, and I'm doing the workouts on average 4-5 times a week, my hips have realigned themselves and the lower back pains have gone away. I went to visit "Doc" again to check the alignment of my hips again. He was amazed. He looked almost confused. He asked what I have been doing? I told him I was stretching and doing a functional workout program. He said whatever it is I've been doing has worked and he's very impressed with the results. I now weigh anywhere from 205-210. My energy throughout the day has increased greatly. I no longer need an energy drink in the middle of the day to get me by. I recommend anyone that is looking for that quick, non-redundant, low risk and high reward workout to look no further. You've found it here at monkey bar gym." Thanks Monkey Bar Gym Rusty Rushing   Certified Natural Training Courses: Thanks for everything the past several days. The intensive course was an excellent learning experience for me. I am amazed at the comprehensive system you have developed for optimal health and vitality…its like six sigma for health, it gets to the root cause…this system should be taught in our schools and universities in this country because it contains the foundation for optimal physical well being. Understanding this foundation is the key to sustainable health care in this country. Kudos to you…your vision and passion shows in your enthusiasm for what you do and I can see that shine through with the team at MBG! Jeff Simon - CNT level 2 (April 2010 Intensive course)