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Fitness challenge puts a move on 'Movember'

Sometimes, the letters behind the name are as important as the ones in the name.

Sometimes, the letters behind the name are as important as the ones in the name.

A pair of local fitness trainers, who happen to work with a wide variety of premier athletes in Prince George, have achieved their Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) designation.

That will only help Mike Webber and Jay Cook while they're instructing elite speedskaters. Or bantam rep, major midget hockey players. Or the Cougars, Spruce Kings, or others who participate in their sessions through X Conditioning, which is the only local training facility that is registered with B.C. Hockey.

"It's a certified course by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, it's the gold standard in the industry," said Webber.

"It's the difference between being just a personal trainer. We have the highest certification possible, and you combine that with our experience and with our accomplishments as athletes, we think that sets us above anyone else."

With former Spruce Kings forward Gibby Chasse as the other lead trainer at X Conditioning, the facility finds itself focusing more and more on elite hockey training -- either pre-season preparation, or in-season maintenance. Chasse, Webber and Cook are now national-level powerlifters, with Cook switching sports from a past that includes time as a college baseball player.

"Hockey is the biggest market, no question, and the strongest market in town," said Cook.

X Conditioning is taking part in the 'Movember' fitness challenge that brings awareness to men's health and prostate cancer (ca.movember.com). Men are encouraged to grow a moustache and take pledges, with X Conditioning again doing its 'Pennies for Pounds' plan with a lift-off on Nov. 27. The charity goal for the local gym this year is $2,000.