Andrew Gustafson
Owner and Managing Director
Natural High Fitness & Athletics Inc.
Get details on Andrew's Corrective and Holistic Exercise and Lifestyle Coaching Services 
After competing as a varsity basketball athlete at the University of Calgary, Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise and health physiology. During this time he started his training career with YMCA Calgary at the Eau Claire Branch. Over a six year YMCA career he spent time in each of the Calgary branches before playing a role in the opening of the newest branch, the Shawnessy YMCA, where he worked as the director of health and fitness overseeing all strength, conditioning, fitness and nutritional services.
In 2005 Andrew moved his full-time work to the Talisman Centre for Sport and Wellness, North America's second largest health and fitness facility, acting as the Athletic Performance Enhancement Coordinator, overseeing all athletic and sport related training, from young developing athletes through to world class, Olympic and professional athletes.
Andrew has always been busy taking his passion for sport, rehab and wellness to as many participants as possible through his many roles on top of his full-time fitness employment. At the Cardiac Wellness Institute of Calgary, Andrew spent five years, starting as an exercise leader and advancing to an exercise specialist role, where he worked closely with a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, cardiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists to provide Calgary's most comprehensive and effective cardiovascular rehabilitation program.
In 2004 the dream of an independent company came to fruition with the dawn of Natural High Fitness & Athletics Inc (NHFA). NHFA began as a consulting and training company through which Andrew consulted with many health and wellness companies on equipment purchasing, training methodologies, staff management programs and holistic exercise and lifestyle coaching. This led ultimately to a contract as the Head Trainer with Athletic Innovations Fitzone of Calgary from 2004 through late 2006 at which point the first Natural High Fitness centre was born through a collaborative effort with the Town of Okotoks.
Andrew is trained in basic, holistic and performance nutrition, as well as strength and conditioning, performance conditioning, and corrective and rehabilitative exercise through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the Sports Medicine Council of Alberta, The American College of Sports Medicine, The Alberta Fitness Leaders Certification Association, The Society of Wellness Integrated Specialists, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, the Poliquin Performance Centre and the Institute for Corrective High Performance Exercise Kinesiology (*See below for a description of these organizations). He is certified as a Clinical Exercise Specialist,
Exercise Specialist in Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and as an AFLCA and YMCA Trainer. Andrew has completed courses of study in Biosignature Analysis, Corrective and Holistic Exercise Kinesiology (CHEK HLC Level III, CHEK Exercise Coach, CHEK Golf Biomechanic and CHEK Practitioner Level 3), is a Certified Metabolic Typing Analyst, and is Level 1 certified through the Poliquin International Certification Program.
Andrew has a passion for learning and for taking an advanced and holistic, yet easily applied approach to training and wellness to each client he sees. He strives to create an environment within the Natural High Fitness facility that is warm, inviting and energizing.
The following is a more detailed list of Andrew's educational and certification background:
Andrew Holds a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Exercise and Health Physiology from the University of Calgary.
Kinesiology is a multi-disciplinary science that includes study in the areas of anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychomotor behavior, and social and cultural factors. The Faculty of Kinesiology is committed to training professionals who will have a strong foundation in the study of movement and sport health, both theoretically and practically. Research, education and practice integrate to give students a truly unique and powerful learning experience.
More details on the U of C Exercise and Health Physiology Program>>
Andrew is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP-CEP)
The objective of the CSEP-CEP certification is to recognize the qualifications of those persons who possess advanced formal academic preparation and practical experience in both health-related and performance-related physical activity/exercise science fitness applications for non-clinical and clinical populations.
The CSEP-CEP performs assessments/evaluations, prescribes conditioning exercise, provides exercise supervision/monitoring, counseling, healthy lifestyle education, and outcome evaluation for ‘apparently healthy' individuals and/or populations with medical conditions, functional limitations, or disabilities through the application of activity/exercise for the purpose of improving health, function and work or sport performance.
More details on the CSEP Health and Fitness Programs>>
Andrew is certified as a Clinical Exercise Specialist
through the American College of Sports Medicine.
The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist certification is for professionals performing exercise testing and training clients with cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic diseases. ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialists are competent in graded exercise testing and exercise prescription, performing emergency procedures, and providing health and fitness counseling for patients in clinical settings.
The
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist® is a healthcare professional certified by the ACSM to deliver a variety of exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation, risk factor identification and lifestyle management services to individuals with or at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease(s). These services are typically delivered in cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians' offices or medical fitness centers. The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist ® is also competent to provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and other clinical and non-clinical services and programs.
More details on the ACSM certification>>
Andrew is certified as Level 1 Complete (Theory, Practical, and Technical) through the Poliquin International Certification Program (PICP) and has completed the Poliquin Biosignature Training program
The mission of the PICP is to improve the level of sports performance the world over through high quality strength coaching. This is done by providing coaches with the latest information on program design and teaching methodologies
The PICP recognizes strength coaches around the world who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to effectively train athletes internationally.
More information on the PICP or on Charles Poliquin>>
Andrew is certified as an Exercise Coach, a Practitioner Level 2, a Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3 and a Golf Biomechanic through the CHEK Institute for Corrective and Holistic Exercise Kinesiology.
A CHEK Exercise Coach possesses the skills and knowledge to design and implement personalized exercise programs that incorporate traditional exercise with mind-body exercises. A key component that defines a CHEK Exercise Coach is the series of assessments used to identify core and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions. The CHEK Exercise Coach Certification will help you to accurately assess even the most complex client and lead you towards designing a scientifically sound program to achieve exceptional results.
CHEK Exercise Coaches stress excellent exercise technique and know that to produce the desired result, exercises must be performed correctly. They understand how energy-balancing exercises reduce total stress on the body and know when to use these types of exercises with different clients.
The C.H.E.K Certification Program is designed to produce the finest and most highly trained exercise therapists and strength and conditioning specialists in the world. Unlike any other certification program for exercise professionals, the C.H.E.K Certification Program is completed in four blocks of intensive modules, taught in a focused small-group setting, followed by examinations at the completion of the course work.
The level 1 Practitioner is competent at reviewing all red flags and types of disc derangement as well as training in motor, sensory and myotomal testing, postural and length-tension assessments, exercise modifications for orthopedic pathology, and are well versed in the science of manipulating acute exercise variables.
Level 2 expands on the learning of level one and includes a more advanced look at the following:
- Practical application of the of the Triad of Health (Physical - Mental - Chemical)
- Posture analysis
- Gait analysis
- Primal Pattern(R) movement analysis
- Range of motion assessment
- Stretching techniques for improving muscle balance
The three-level Holistic Lifestyle Coach program looks at symptoms of disease and stress and how they can be prevented through principles of proper eating, exercise and stress management. Graduates have a clear understand of why every meal, every bout of exercise and every late night has a hormonal consequence. Tools are obtained, such as in-depth questionnaires, to not only assess clients, but also allow the determination of their readiness for change. This is wellness coaching the CHEK way. An individual's health lies in their own hands; A CHEK HLC is simply there to show them the path.
The C.H.E.K System for Golf Training is designed to address golf-specific conditioning needs and in doing so, improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. Using detailed assessments and personalized programming, the individual issues of each client can be identified and addressed. A CHEK Golf Biomechanic is skilled at:
- Assessing the golf swing from a biomechanical and postural point of view.
- Testing flexibility and applying the correlating stretches for improved Golf performance.
- Use the Flexibility-Stability-Strength-Power conditioning progression to optimally improve golf performance and much more!
Andrew has also completed many Correspondence continuing education courses through the CHEK Institute, including:
- Program Design
- Advanced Program Design
- Equal but not the Same: Considerations for Training for Women
- A neurological Approach to Training
- Scientific Back Training
- Scientific Core Conditioning
- Swiss Ball Training
- Advanced Swiss Ball Training for rehabilitation
- Dynamic Medicine Ball Training
Andrew has also completed the Training for Endurance Sports Certification. This course was designed by and is taught by Chek Faculty Member Chris Maund. By far the world's most comprehensive endurance course, Training for Endurance Sports covers all of the most important aspects of training, nutrition, lifestyle, and testing for single and multi-sport endurance athletes.
More information on the CHEK Programs of study:
Resource 1
Resource 2
Andrew is certified as an Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association – Trainer of Fitness Leaders.
The Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association(AFLCA) is an agency-based, not-for-profit association that was established in 1984 by the Provincial government as the official fitness leadership certification body and to ensure the highest standard of fitness safety for public.
Andrew is certified through the AFLCA to teach and administer the certification courses and to oversee the certifying requirements of new and renewing AFLCA fitness leaders.
Andrew is an Intermediate Level Certified Metabolic Typing Analyst through Healthexcel.
As a research-based organization since 1987, Healthexcel is the established leader in the rapidly emerging field of Metabolic Typing™, or customized nutrition.
In addition to conducting metabolic typing research, Healthexcel provides technical consulting services to health professionals engaged in nutritional counseling and ecological lifestyle management. The company offers advanced computer-based services that enable health professionals to evaluate the highly individualized dietary needs of patients and clients, and to provide customized dietary programs for one's metabolic type.
More information on Health Excel>>
Andrew is a Certified Ayurvedic Health Practitioner.
Ayurveda is the ancient holistic medical system from India, which has been practised for more than 5000 years. It is a time tested and trusted system of medicine. Ayurveda means “science of life” (“Ayu” meaning life and “Veda” meaning science). Ayurveda is also considered as 'Science of life'.
According to ayurveda the structural aspect of the body is made up of five elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth but the functional aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors called vata, pitta and kapha.
- Ether and air together constitute vata
- fire and water constitute pitta
- water and earth constitute Kapha.
They govern physio-pathological changes in the body. Vata, pitta, kapha are present in every cell, tissue and organ.
In every person they differ in permutations and combinations.
The quality of the vata, pita, kapha are seen in the body constitution accordingly
- Vata qualities - dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing.
- Pita qualities - hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and spreading.
- Kapha qualities - heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy qualities.
Causes Of Diseases
Ayurveda classifies seven major causative factors in disease: hereditary, congenital, internal, external trauma, seasonal, natural tendencies or habits and supernatural factors. Disease can also result from misuse, overuse and under-use of the senses: hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell.
All these causes create the imbalance in doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which leads to disease. The treatment is to balance these doshas and that’s why ayurvedic treatment is not symptomatic but it’s the treatment of the whole body.
Ayurveda can lead to total and complete health.
Andrew also holds memberships with the following organizations:
Putting all of this together into results-oriented training customized just for you:
With such an extensive educational and experience based background, Andrew has developed a multi-faceted approach to training, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching.
Your first session with Andrew will always be assessment based; no exercise or coaching on this day. Assessments are essential to allow for individualized and customized programs. As one of Andrew's greatest teachers always says, ‘Assess, don't guess”! Without assessments your program is just a program, it's not YOUR program.
Some of the assessments Andrew will perform on you could include:
- Body Composition testing for fat %, fat mass and lean mass
- Determination of resting metabolic rate
- Structural balance tests including:
- Lower body strengths and weakness assessments
- Hip angles
- Spinal alignment
- Hind foot angle assessment
- Postural analysis
- Breathing pattern assessment
- Sternal angles
- Head carriage assessment
- Biosignature assessment to determine approximate hormone ratios such as:
- Adrenal function – cortisol
- Pancreatic function – insulin
- Thyroid function
- Growth hormone levels
- Testosterone levels
- Estrogen levels
- Basic functional terrain assessments
- Metabolic Typing assessment
- Physiological Load Profile assessment
- Food, exercise and sleep log assessments
- Assessments of 12 bodily systems and 28 sub-systems to look for underlying causes of pain and/or dysfunction – like a 28 point inspection for your car
Subsequent appointments are ½ to 1 hour in length, depending on need, and are laid out according to the assessment results. Some people need few sessions, while others require ongoing support. Either way, clients leave with a personalized exercise routine and strategies for improved lifestyle and diet, all catering to the accomplishment of expressed goals.
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