Joe is a Certified Muscle Activation Techniques Specialist (MAT) and certified by American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Fitness Trainer. He has two Pilates Certifications, one from Body Arts and Science (1999), and Long Beach Dance Conditioning (1998). He is also a certified Yoga Instructor from The Ashtanga Yoga Center (2001). Joe was an International Fitness Presenter from 1991-2004, providing Master Classes and Workshops in over 65 countries with residencies in Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Mexico, and Bermuda.
Joe is one of 175 Muscle Activation Technqiues Specialists nationwide and in Canada. To complete this intensive study, one must demonstrate proficiency in:
- The study of each joint structure and its function
- Complete knowledge of muscle attachments and fiber directions, from the intrinsic muscles of the feet all the way up to the
- Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ)
- Ability to precisely locate and palpate muscles
- Ability to identify muscle strength in over 200 positions
- The basic principles of Neuroscience that apply to MAT
- The laws of Physics applied to the human body
In 2003, Joe qualified to advance into the MAT Mastery Level course. This accelerated study delves deeper into the complexities of the human body and more sophisticated principles of Neuroscience. A closer look is taken at the myriad of articulations and axes of the foot and their potential effects on the kinetic chain.
Joe Marso became a Biomechanics Specialist and Consultant after completing an additional year of study with Tom Purvis, RPT, in Oklahoma City. This program included an in-depth look at moment arms, inertia, rotational inertia, torque, momentum, angular momentum, force angles, resultants, open and closed chains, ground reaction forces, and more. Therefore, during any form of exercise, with or without equipment, Joe can accurately determine the forces applied to the body.