General ATP FAQs

1. What are the CHEK Institute Advanced Training Programs (ATPs) offered by CHEK Institute?

The CHEK Institute’s Advanced Training Programs are elite-level educational programs that are geared towards health and fitness professionals. There are three educationalpaths to choose from at the CHEK Institute:

• Holistic Lifestyle Coaching Path (3 levels)
• CHEK Practitioner Path (5 levels)
• Golf Performance Specialist Path (1 level)

Holistic Lifestyle Coaching

1. What is Holistic Lifestyle Coaching?

Holistic Lifestyle Coaching (HLC) is a discipline that seeks to improve a client’s overall health and vitality by assessing their current stress loads and implementing a coaching program that will help reduce those stress loads through healthy eating habits, lifestyle management and appropriate types of exercise.

2. Am I right for Holistic Lifestyle Coaching?

We have found that our HLC program best compliments the following professionals:

• Personal trainers
• Massage therapists
• Fitness/athletic coaches
• Yoga instructors
• Pilates instructors
• Chiropractors
• Physiotherapists
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Physicians
• Nutritionists
• Dieticians
• Holistic health practitioners
• Life coaches
• Mental health professionals

3. I’m not a professional. Can I still take HLC 1?

Yes, of course! HLC 1 can be taken by both practicing professionals and non-professionals alike. In fact, we get quite a number of mothers taking HLC 1 simply because they want to implement holistic lifestyle principles with their families.

4. What will I learn as a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach?

As a CHEK HLC, you will learn the underlying causes of disease and stress, considering the body as a “system of systems.”
Using a coaching model, you will learn how disease and stress are preventable through proper eating habits, lifestyle management and appropriate types of exercise. You will be trained on using HLC tools, assessments and questionnaires to assess your clients objectively. Fitness and healthcare professionals haveused their HLC training to offer a whole new service to their current offerings.

5. How long does the CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach program take to complete?

On average, you should budget about one year per each of the three HLC levels. That means that if your goal is to become
an HLC Level 3, then you should realistically budget about three years to reach that goal. It does depend on your current level of training and experience, so those with more experience in the industry can progress faster. We do recommend you allow yourself ample time in between each level to implement and use the tools and skills that you have acquired from each level before progressing on to the next.

6. Can I start seeing clients before I become an HLC Level 3?

Yes, you can! What’s great about the CHEK HLC program is that as soon as you complete your first level, you’ll be ableto “earn while you learn” by taking on clients while you’restill a student with us. We generally recommend that a student progress to an HLC 2 level before they begin to take on paying clients in a professional capacity, however, that all depends on your current experience and scope of practice.

7. How is the HLC Program Delivered?

The CHEK Institute uses a unique “blended-learning” system comprised of part self-study and part live workshop with an instructor. Students begin their training by completing selected correspondence courses and/or prerequisite readings in the convenience of their home or office after which they attend a multiple-day live workshop with a CHEK Faculty Member to gain the hands-on training necessary for them to perfect their skills. It’s this live training that makes CHEK Institute-Trained Professionals the best in the industry.

CHEK Practitioner Program

1. How long do I have to complete all of the program?

Most people complete the program in three or four years.  With dedicated study and by working with the techniques learned in the program each day, you can finish in two years.  Or, you may wish to take a little longer.  It is really up to the individual.

2. I’d like to speak to someone who is in the program – how can I do that?

Go to the “Find a Practitioner” page by clicking on the menu bar at the top of this page.  There, you can search for a CHEK Practitioner located near to you.  Simply call or e-mail one and ask if you can speak with them about the program – most will be very willing to talk with you!

3. I’m really interested in the program, what is my next step?

Fill out the notification form below.  We’ll send you information on the Advanced Training Programs you are interested in, and help you decide when and where you’d like to attend your first course.  You don’t have to commit to a specific date or location now nor do you have to put down a deposit.  This form simply lets us know that you are interested!

4. As a Physical Therapist, I’m wondering if pursuing course work with the CHEK Institute will count for contact hours to maintain my PT licensure.

Though the CHEK Institute Advanced Training Program does not currently count as contact hours towards renewal of a Physical Therapy license, we have been actively pursuing this for some time and hope to offer this as an incentive in the near future.

CHEK Academy FAQs

1. Do I pay extra to become part of the Academy?

No, the whole point of the Academy is that all the correspondence courses and live advanced training programs are heavily discounted off the regular price.

2. Is there an upfront fee I need to pay to join?

No, all payments are calculated and spread over the 12 month term.

3. Can I complete all my training in the first few months and pay it off over a year?

No, the payment process is not a buy now pay later program; you must always be in front of payments before attending courses.

4. I am already a CHEK Practitioner level 1 and HLC level 1 and have purchased many of the pre-requisite courses for other levels – do I need to re-sit these courses and pay again?

No, you only need to purchase advanced training courses and correspondence courses you have not already purchased, however you must hold current CHEK Status. Your current CHEK qualification will determine which year you will enter the Academy at.

5. I already hold other medical non-CHEK Institute qualifications; can I join the Academy at a higher year?

No regardless of your current non C.H.E.K qualification – all students must complete each year, before progressing to the next.

6. There are a few of my friends who are interested in joining the academy. Is there a discount if more than 1 person applies for the Academy?

No, all applicants are assessed individually before being accepted onto the Academy. There are no further discounts available.

7. Can I complete the courses in the US as part of the CHEK Europe Academy?

No, all courses must be completed in the region which you are registered for the CHEK Academy.

8. If I get accepted onto the Academy, but find I cannot attend one of the workshop weekends, do I get a refund for that workshop.

No, you will be required to attend the workshop at a later date.

9. What if I join the Academy and cannot attend a live Advanced Training Program?

You must accept all course dates before being accepted onto the academy. If for whatever reason you are unable to attend one of these whilst in the Academy. You may transfer to a later course but only up to 45 days of the course start date free of charge ONCE ONLY in your entire time within the CHEK Europe Academy! If you need to transfer more than once you will be required to pay a transfer fee. If you cancel with less than 45 days of attending the course you will not be able to transfer and will be require to pay for the course again.

10. Can I pay up front for all years of the Academy and get a further discount?

No, you may only apply for 1 year, payment in advance is accepted but no further discounts apply.

11. On completion of year 5, do I automatically become part of the CHEK Institute Faculty?

No, all applicants for Team CHEK or CHEK Faculty must apply formally directly to CHEK Institute.

12. What if for some reason I need to leave the Academy midterm?

You will pay a termination fee- which will cover all the training you have received up to that point, without the Academy discounts. The maximum you will pay in the termination fee is the difference between attending the courses with the academy and completing the courses separately- without discounts.

13. What if I cannot afford to pay 1 month’s fee on the Academy, can I pay double next month?

No, your academy training will be put on hold. If this continues you will be sent a termination invoice and will be dismissed from the Academy.

14. Can I choose the location of the workshops and courses I wish to attend in the UK?

Yes, if there is availability on that course otherwise you will be required an available workshop or live course where available.

15. Is the accommodation provided at each workshop and course?

No, you will be given a recommended list of places to stay- but the accommodation, food and travel expenses are not covered by your academy fees.

16. Will I have regular 1-2-1 coaching with my CHEK mentor?

Yes, you will have a monthly scheduled call with your Mentor lasting 1 hour each month; additional coaching with your mentor is available directly with your mentor for a discounted fee.

1. What size Swiss Ball do I need?

Sizing a Swiss Ball for exercise:

The ball should be firm and the exerciser’s thighs should be parallel to the floor when sitting on the ball.

If your height is less than 5’2″ you will need a 45cm ball
If your height is 5’2″ to 5’8″ you will need a 55cm ball
If your height is 5’9″ to 6’3″ you will need a 65cm ball
If your height is 6’4″ to 6’9″ you will need a 75cm ball

Sizing a Swiss Ball for using as a chair:

Use one size larger than you would need for exercise, and inflate until your thighs are parallel to the floor.  The ball will be soft and more comfortable to sit on.

2. How much does the size really matter? If my husband is 5’10” and I am 5’5″ can we get by using the same ball?

It is important to use the correct size ball for your height, properly inflated!  In just the same way that it is uncomfortable to wear a pair of shoes that are too big or too small, exercising on a Swiss Ball that is the wrong size can cause problems.  Using a ball that is incorrectly sized does not allow the body to move in correct postural alignment, which is an important part of training.

1. How much does the information in different courses overlap?

Very little, except for the mini courses that are taken directly from a larger course.  For example, there are four mini courses that present the same material that is in Scientific Back Training; Functional Anatomy of the Back, Understanding Force Couple Relationships, Choosing a Lumbar Lifting Posture and Squatology.  The other courses each focus on a particular topic.  Due to the integrative nature of the human body, there will be references to other courses or sections that demonstrate how different topics are related.

2. What is the test taking procedure for the Correspondence Courses?

Follow the instructions for the course, which you can find in the front of the course manual.  Generally, this involves watching the videos and following along in the manual.  You may be required to perform some assessments or exercises on a partner.  When you feel you have mastered the information and techniques in the course, take the test, which can be taken online or using the pages in the back of the manual.  Complete instructions can be found in the manual.  Most tests are multiple choice, some require designing a training program for a given case study.  If you are mailing, faxing or e-mailing your test in, complete your answers on the answer sheet provided.  Make sure you write your name and address also!  Send the answer sheets in to:

C.H.E.K Institute
1902 Wright Place, Suite 225
Carlsbad, CA 92008 U.S.A.
You can also fax them to: (760) 477-2630

3. How long does it take to get test results?

If you take your test online, you’ll receive your results immediately.  If you send the test to us to be graded, it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks once we receive it for us to review it and send out your certificate of completion.  Depending on where you are located, you should get your test results back within one month of sending them to us (this will be longer for overseas students).  If you require a faster turnaround due to a deadline, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

1. How much does the information in different DVDs overlap?

The short answer to this is – not a lot!

Here is the longer answer – there may be a few exercises that are found in more than one DVD, but they are generally presented in a different context.

For example,
Gym Instructor Series Vol. I Core Conditioning, Part 2 Back and Ball Training has a 3-4 Swiss Ball exercises found in either Swiss Ball Exercises for Athletes or Swiss Ball Exercises for Better Abs, Buns & Backs. However, there are also exercises not seen in either DVD and all are tied specifically into core conditioning.

*Note
Some DVDs can be bought independently from the correspondence courses, so if you later wish to purchase the course for continuing education credit, please let us know that you already have one or more of the required DVDs.

For example,
Scientific Core Conditioning contains Gym Instructor Series Vol. I Core Conditioning, Part 1 Abdominal Training and Part 2 Back and Ball Training. If you already have these DVDs, you will receive a discount on the purchase of Scientific Core Conditioning.

1. How long will it take to get my order?

Please allow up to 2-3 weeks for orders delivered to US addresses and up to 4-6 weeks for orders shipped internationally. International orders may arrive more quickly, but can be held up clearing customs in your country.

Within the mainland U.S. orders are shipped via UPS Ground or Priority Mail, unless otherwise requested. If you require your order quickly, please contact us by phone and we can help you with UPS 3-Day, 2-Day or Next Day shipping.

Extra charges apply for orders shipped to Hawaii and Alaska. Please call, fax or e-mail if you have questions.

International orders are shipped by US Priority Mail International or US Express Mail International.
If you require a different method such as UPS Expedited Worldwide please call, fax or e-mail for shipping charges.

E-mail:
General Information – [email protected]
Placing Orders, Queries About Orders – [email protected]

Telephone or fax:
Toll free: 1-800-552-8789
Phone: +1-760-477-2620
Fax: +1-760-477-2630

1. How Does Living Fuel Rx Taste?

This is the most frequently asked question regarding Living Fuel Rx. Most people find it hard to imagine that Living Fuel Rx Super Greens could actually taste good, especially when you consider the unequaled level of super-greens, vegetables, Krebs-cycle bionutrients, botanical extracts, and other strong-tasting nutrients in each serving. Most people seem to like Super Berry with only water. Nevertheless, whether you mix it with just water or come up with your favorite Living Fuel Rx recipe, you will love the way it tastes and particularly love the way it makes you feel.

When you mix Living Fuel Rx Super Greens with only water it looks like freshly juiced greens or drinks made from barley grass or wheat grass, but it does not have the strong greens taste typically associated with green drinks. Some people take a few days to grow accustomed to its flavor. People have described the taste of Living Fuel Rx with water as everything from awesome to awful, yet even those who initially did not like the taste but continued to take it have grown to love it. There is a recipe that you will enjoy.

When you first begin taking Living Fuel Rx Super Greens you may wish to start by mixing a half serving until you find the right recipe for you. Due to the adverse effect of most juices on blood sugar and insulin levels, we do not recommend that anyone drink high-glycemic juices by themselves, even if freshly squeezed. However, Living Fuel Rx is counter-glycemic by design, meaning it slows down the uptake of sugar into the bloodstream. Super Greens has a nearly 2:1 protein-to-carbohydrate ratio and a 2:1 carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio. Plus it has numerous nutrients that support the stabilization of blood sugar levels. Therefore, you can mix in small amounts of any kind of juice or fruit and still not raise blood sugar levels significantly. If you want improve the taste of your Living Fuel Rx to taste better you may want to start with Living Fuel Rx Super Berry or at least mix Super Greens with Super Berry, or you could:

Add a touch of lemon juice or 1-2 ounces of lemonade (best if sweetened with natural low-glycemic sweeteners like Stevia, Mannitol, Xylitol, brown rice sweetener or cactus sweetener), or

Add 1-3 ounces of orange juice or grapefruit juice (most people like pink grapefruit juice best)
It is also extremely healthy and energy-enhancing to add 1-2 tablespoons of Living Fuel’s CocoChia – a mixture of finely ground coconut and chia seeds – to your shake, especially for athletes, highly active people or Protein Metabolic Types. Most people enjoy chia seeds—the incredibly nutritious tiny whole seeds found in Living Fuel Rx. However, some people, usually children, prefer to have the Living Fuel Rx powder put into a coffee bean grinder to grind up the seeds before mixing a shake or even to have their shakes poured through a strainer to remove the seeds. It is nutritionally best to leave the seeds in; if you choose to strain out the chia seeds, it is even more important to supplement your diet with Living Fuel Rx’s companion product, Omega 3 & E— The Ultimate in Essential Fatty Acids.

Many fruit and vegetable juices work great with Living Fuel Rx (fresh juiced or squeezed is best). Citrus or tomato juice seems to be most people’s favorite, and lemon juice and lemonade sweetened with low-glycemic natural sweeteners are some of the healthiest choices. Be careful how much sugar you add to your shake through the various juice and fruit options, as sugar is unhealthy and should be reduced or eliminated over time.

2. What If I’m Concerned about the Taste, Texture, or Color of Living Fuel Rx?

One option is to start with Living Fuel Rx Super Berry and add in Super Greens over time. Keep in mind that Living Fuel Rx is likely to be the most nutritious meal you have ever had. Experiment with different recipes until you find the ones you like. Even people who initially did not like the taste, texture, or color of Living Fuel Rx end up loving it once they find the right recipes for themselves. For taste concerns, try Living Fuel Rx Super Berry or the above-mentioned recipes and begin with smaller doses. For texture, mix your shake in a high-speed blender and use more or less water until you achieve the desired thickness. Living Fuel Rx Super Greens has a vibrant green color much like juiced greens when mixed with water, and some people find it difficult to drink something that is green. If the green color is a concern for you, drink your shake from a sipper cup or a cup with a lid and straw. You can also change the color of your Living Fuel Rx shake by mixing it with Living Fuel Rx Super Berry or a strong-colored juice, berries, tomatoes, grape juice, or blueberries. Finally, try the non-shake recipes, like Avocado Supreme or Fuel Nut Butter, or add Living Fuel Rx to cold or warm soups (not hot, as high temperatures degrade probiotics and enzymes).

3. Can I Use Living Fuel Rx When I Am Pregnant or Nursing?

My wife took six scoops of Living Fuel Rx per day plus six Omega 3 & E gel caps and ate three regular meals from conception through nursing. Living Fuel Rx was also our baby’s first food other than mother’s milk. We also feed Living Fuel Rx to all four of our children every day. Please remember that when pregnant or nursing you are eating for two, so take eating very seriously Living Fuel Rx may not a sufficient source of iron for pregnancy. Consult a qualified health practitioner when making major nutritional changes during pregnancy.

4. How Do I Get My Kids to Take Living Fuel Rx?

Start your kids on Living Fuel Rx Super Berry or try some of the ideas discussed above. I have found that with my own children and many others, it just takes a little time and a little incentive to get them used to Super Greens but it is much easier with Super Berry. Incentives can be an activity they enjoy, toys, money, or—as a last resort—even a very small piece of a treat they love. It is also critical to make their first shake taste good by using less Living Fuel Rx (sometimes token doses), more juice, and/or more fruit than you should at first. Then increase the Fuel and wean away from the juices and fruit over time. Some people like to use grape juice or blueberries to alter the color from green. Also, the soup recipes and the Fuel Nut Butter recipes work well with kids. It is also important to reinforce the great behavior with praise and compliments. I have seen many people, from 6-month-old babies to teenagers to the elderly, who hated Living Fuel Rx at first and are now regular users. It is also critical for kids and adults alike to take Living Fuel Rx’s companion product, Omega 3 & E.

5. What About Hunger?

If you get hungry within a couple of hours of taking a full serving of Living Fuel Rx, it is likely that (1) You are an athlete or Strong Protein Metabolic Type who may benefit from adding a 1-2 of tablespoons of coconut oil, finely ground coconut, one or two raw organic eggs (or eat eggs separately) or both to the Living Fuel Rx; or (2) Your hunger pangs may be due to thirst or because you have been conditioned to eat at certain times. Try drinking a large glass of fresh water when you feel hunger coming on, or try the option described in item 1 above.